Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 10 (1), January 2011, pp. 194-197 Indigenous Cactus biodiversity: A viable genetic resource to fulfill multiform needs under rainfed ecosystems Munmun Rai 1, Ranjay K Singh 1, PC Sharma 1 & Love K Singh 2 1Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, 132 001, Haryana; 2National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resource, Karnal, 132 001, Haryana E-mail: [email protected] Received 22.10.2010; revised 07.01.2011 The constantly increasing demand for natural products is paralleled by a more pronounced request for natural ingredients and health promoting foods. Cactus Pear was largely ignored by the scientific world until beginning of 1980 but due to multifunctionality of the plant it is now considered as an important crop to human food in all its aspects. The review discusses cactus pear fruit with special emphasis on its functional components besides their nutritional importance as a neutraceutical, food, fodder and other health benefits. Keywords : Indigenous biodiversity, Cactus biodiversity, Ethnomedicine, Climate change, Food security IPC Int. Cl.8: A47G19/26; A23K; AD1D 5/04; AD1D 5/17; AD1D 11/8; AD1D 9/01; B05C; C09D Cactus known as King of desert, is a group of Results and discussion approximately 1,600 species in 130 genera subdivided Different varieties of the cactus are found in India into three subfamilies Pereskioideae, Opuntioideae, which has immense ethnomedicinal value (Table 1). and Cactoideae. The most common is Opuntioideae Selenicereus grandiflorus (with large sweet-scented with more than 300 species, among them 100 has night flowering flowers) and the Opuntia stricta are been found in wild habitat in Mexico. People from found in the wasteland as hedge plants. Opuntia North Africa call it the bridge of life, because it is the elatior with edible fruits can be found in western only feeding and watering resource for animals during India, while Caralluma adscendens , C. umbellate are drought seasons. Looking to the importance of cactus common in Orissa and the peninsular region. species in combating with climate change- as its gene Mammillaria, Notocactus, Rebutia and has a potential to be transferred to the agriculture Gymnocalycium are quite hardy and capable of crops to make them temperature resistant/tolerant, flowering when they are still small. Echinocereus and availability as fodder during droughts and a major Matucana can survive in cold climates, while bio-resource for ethnomedicinal purpose, this study Opuntias can withstand freezing temperatures. was carried out to explore the potential of cactus Echinocactus grusonii, Gymnocalycium, species. Also information pertaining to its uses was Mammillaria, Melocactus, Ferocactus, Astrophytum, explored from primary and secondary sources and Sulcorebutia, Opuntia, Parodia and Hildwintera. the collection from certain people of Gujarat Echinocactus is green in colour with pale yellow (Surender Nagar district), Rajasthan (Alwar district) spines. It has a round centre which turns into a barrel and Uttar Pradesh (Azaamgarh district). Data were with age. The plant blossoms once in 10yrs producing recorded from individual 5 persons of three randomly small yellow flowers . In Indian succulents are being selected villages of each district. Objective of used in Ayurveda and Unani medicines for centuries. collecting primary data was to enhance objectivity of Some species of cactus are used in control of diabetes certain species recorded from selected states of India. as it has been reported that Opuntia stem (Fig.1) can Prior informed consent (PIC) was obtained from key decrease glucose level to about 30–40 mg per dl in knowledge holders on the medicinal aspects of cactus three hours by stimulating pancreas activity 1,2. species. Trichocereus pachanoi (night blooming cactus) is ——————— *Corresponding author widely processed into homeopathic medicine for RAI et al .: INDIGENOUS CACTUS BIODIVERSITY UNDER RAINFED ECOSYSTEMS 195 Table 1- Cactus biodiversity and thier major uses was used for making highly waterproof intense white Name of species Part of plant Useful as paint by traditional people by adding paddles of Selenicereus Whole plant Hedge plants cactus ,lime and salt in a right proportion which was 5 grandiflorus very economical and ecofriendly . Hoodia cactus, Trichocereus Pads or cladodes urinary track infection, contain a molecule having a unique quality that fools pachanoi diuretic, a hallucinogenic nerve cells which senses glucose levels and tends the drug Saguaro cactus Stem enhance milk flow in brain to think that glucose levels are high which mother thereby ceases hunger carving. It also has an ability to Lophocereus Whole plant , Painkiller, in toothache, enhance and provide energy. The six foot plants Schottics pulverized stems rheumatism, asthma and contain an active ingredient which research has shown colds could reduce appetite by up to 2,000 calories a day. Peyote cactus Fruit, stem Neurasthenia Thore Pads or cladodes Pickle, jams Hoodia is used by tribal people for long hunting trips. and fruits to increase sperm count Like Hoodia , Caralluma fimbriata (native to India) Opuntia.ficus- Whole plant, Good source of milk clot has been also used to suppress appetite, and is also indica flowers enzymes, red dye, called as a portable food for hunting 6. Cactus also cicatrizant, jams, pickle, waterproofing paints posses antioxidant compounds called betalanins which Caralluma Stem Suppress appetite has a strong effect on free radicals in the body ranging fimbriata neuroprotective effects from 180 mg kg-1 to 300 mg kg-17. Cactus extract Hoodia Stem Enhance and provide energy urinary track infection as it acts as a diuretic and clean the blood by detoxification of the kidneys through the urine and helps in angina and contain mescaline, a hallucinogenic drug which acts upon optic nerves and is capable of inducing vision 3. Saguaro cactus ( Carnegia gigantia ) is found to enhance milk flow in mother after the child birth cactus ribs are used as splints for broken bows 4. The stems of Lophocereus Schottics (Senita), is reported to be processed into drugs to fight cancer due to the presence of antioxidants which neutralizes free radicles 4. Traditional communities use cactus as painkiller, in toothache, rheumatism, asthma and colds. In the psychotherapy, Peyote cactus syrup is Fig. 1 ―Cactus for feed to animals available for the treatment of neurasthenia which induces. It also has a strong antibacterial effect and can kill bacteria that are resistant to penicillins4. Several species of Cactus contain alkaloids hordenine and tyramine, which have antiseptic properties. Hordinine has an inhibitory action against at least 18 strains of penicillin resistant Staphylococcus bacteria. Tribal people in several parts of India use it to reduce pain during child birth. Cactus cladodes are still used as a traditional remedy for quick muscle pull relief. Women in Rajasthan use tender shoot of Thore cactus as pickle, whereas in Gujarat Thore cactus is extensively used as a traditional remedy for the impotent men to increase sperm count. Enzymes from unripe fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica L. (Fig.2) extracts could be a good source of milk clot enzymes for the dairy industry also the prickly pear Fig. 2 ―Cactus used for making colour 196 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 10, NO 1, JANUARY 2011 can reduce risk of a severe hangover from alcohol impact of human activities on biodiversity it is consumption because of its unique property to necessary to increase conservation actions to preserve counteract alcohol effect 8. In Australia, Mexico, this interesting group of plant especially in India America and some parts of Europe are making quality where knowledge and conservation of cacti are still brandy and colonche wine from cactus. Seeds of incipient. Understanding the relationships between cactus have quality oil which consists about 60% of indigenous people and the threatened plant can aid the linolic acid. The oil also has anti wrinkle properties conservation effort on many levels .Sometimes it has and counteracts ageing 9. Also Cactus extracts contain been found that these indigenous people have there copious amounts of phytochemicals to promote own unique methods of conservation which has been increased immune function, and high levels of potent followed by them from generation to generation. antioxidants. These antioxidants neutralize free radicals and protect against future cellular damage Conclusion and premature ageing. One greatest attempt is made by the National Cactus and Succulent Botanical Garden and Research Cactus is also used for producing natural cochineal Centre situated in Panchkula, Satellite town of dye which is produced by insect ( Dactyloptus Chandigarh City. The objective behind developing the coccus ), raised on cactus cladodes. On squeezing of garden was preservation and conservation of these clumps, the red dye appears. The world price of endangered species of cacti and succulents and to cochineal dye is reported to range from $20 per kg to more than $60 per kg of dried product. In India create tourist attraction. It is considered as Asia's (mainly in eastern UP), flowers of cactus are used as largest outdoor landscaped cacti and succulents herbal colour in the festival of holi. Extract of cactus garden with over 2,500 species of cacti & succulents. is used to purify water contaminated from heavy The garden has comprehensive collection of Indian metals by precipitating ions, particles and bacteria. succulents, the largest in the world, some of them Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes used in Sicilian folk extremely rare and has already been declared as medicine as for healing wounds as it is capable of endangered species, which includes complete maintaining high humidity of wound dressing collection of Genus Caralluma of Indian origin. The interface 10 . A part from these immense valuable uses cactus species of particularly, India has great potential it is also an indispensable part of xerophytic (dry) to deal with the challenges posed by climate change in garden, in arid regions and sometimes acts as a living coming time. It will play pivotal role not only in crop fence around the farms.