Ethanobotany

The composite or aster family () is one of the largest families of , containing about 20,000 species, distributed among more than 1,000 genera, and cosmopolitan in distribution. This family is commonly regarded by modern botanists as the most advanced of the families, because of the complex, highly evolved structure of its multi-flowered, composite reproductive structures. The most species-rich genera in the aster family are Senecio (1,500 species), (900 species), Hieracium (800 species), and Eupatorium (600 species). Different species of Vernonia have been employed in traditional medicine for long and have been used in treatment for diabetes (Akah and Okafor, 1992), inflammation (Udeme et al., 2009), amoebic dysentery (Moundipa et al., 2005), gastrointestinal disorders (Akah and Ekekwe, 1995), microbial and parasitic activities (Akinpelu, 1999), Hepatotoxicities (Iwalokun et al., 2006) and cancer (Kupchan et al., 1969), headache and joint pain associated with AIDS (an infusion of the plant is taken as needed) (9th International AIDS Conference). Even though abundant literature documentations are available regarding the therapeutic potential of the Vernonia genus, pharmacological activities of the plant V.arborea has been relatively less explored. Hence this plant was selected for the present study to assess and evaluate its anti-inflammatory and antiulcer potential. V.arborea was collected from Kolli hill, Eastern Ghats Tamilnadu, India. Geographically it is situated between 11010,00 to 11030,00 N and 78015,00 to 78030,00 E. The altitude of this hill ranges from 180m above MSL at the foot hill to 1415m above MSL on top. The botanical identity of the plant was confirmed at Plant Anatomy Research Centre, Tambaram, Chennai, Tamil nadu, India with a voucher specimen deposited (Voucher No. PARC/2012/1239)

Pharmacognostic standardization, anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer evaluation of leaf extract of Vernonia arborea Buch. –Ham. 34

Ethanobotany

4.1 Vernonia arborea 4.1.1 Domain : Eukaryota Kingdom : Plantae Order : Family : Asteraceae Genus : Vernonia Species : arborea Botanical name : Vernonia arborea Buch.-Ham. Common Name : Tree Vernonia Synonyms : Vernonia javanica (Blume) DC., Vernonia monosis

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4.1.2 Vernacular names Tamil : Karana, Sadagai, Shutthai Malayalam : Eerakatthira Naga : Pachet

4.1.3 Distribution

V. arborea is found along margins of evergreen forests, in South and Central Sahyadris in Western Ghats, sparsely in Eastern Ghats and parts of North East India.

4.1.4 Description

V. arborea is a medium sized tree, growing up to 15 m tall. Bark is brown or blackish. Young branchlets are cylindrical and velvety. Alternately spirally arranged leaves are clustered at the ends of branchlets. Leaf stalk is 0.6-2.6 cm long. Leaf blade is 8.5-19 cm long, 4-11 cm wide, generally elliptic or slightly obovate. Tip is pointed or abruptly ending into a point and the base is wedge-shaped. Margin is entire or sometimes distantly double toothed. Leaves are velvety on the underside. Pinkish purple flower- heads are borne in large panicled cymes, at the end of branches. Fruit is dry, ribbed, 1- seeded.

Pharmacognostic standardization, anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer evaluation of leaf extract of Vernonia arborea Buch. –Ham. 35

Ethanobotany

4.1.5 Medicinal Uses

The bark juice of V. arborea is used for treating worms and chewed on the first signs of sprue in southern Sumatra (Gamble, 1936). The plant is also found to exhibit very good antifungal activity due to the presence of a sesquiterpene Zaluzanin D (Pradhan et al., 2009). Leaf juice is used to treat worms; decoction of bark in fever, leaf extract is also used for treating septic wounds, jaundice fever, wound healing and rheumatic pains.

4.1.6 Chemical Constituents

Flavonoids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, terpenoids and sesquiterpenes (Pradhan et al., 2009) have been reported in this plant with a predominant occurrence of terpenoids and flavanoids constituting in it.

Pharmacognostic standardization, anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer evaluation of leaf extract of Vernonia arborea Buch. –Ham. 36

Ethanobotany

Plate 1: Vernonia arborea Buch.-Ham.- Habit

Pharmacognostic standardization, anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer evaluation of leaf extract of Vernonia arborea Buch. –Ham. 37