Muhammed Habeebulla M & Malarkodi Velraj/ Int. J. Res. Ayurveda Pharm. 9 (4), 2018 Review Article www.ijrap.net POTENTIAL ANTI-DIABETIC MANGROVES IN KERALA, INDIA: A REVIEW Muhammed Habeebulla M 1, Malarkodi Velraj 2* 1College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical College, Kozhikode, Kerala, India 2School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies, Pallavaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India Received on: 30/04/18 Accepted on: 06/06/18 *Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected] DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.094142 ABSTRACT Most important character of mangrove s is that they protect vulnerable coastlines from moving ridge activity because they hold the soil together and prevent coastal erosion. Mangroves shield inland orbit during violent storm and minimize damage. Many species in the mangrove forest have medicinal value. Diabetes mellitus is a serious physiological disorder due to relative or complete deficiency of insulin, characterised by abnormally high blood glucose level, which becoming a threat to the entire population of the world. Recently there is an increased interest to develop natural remedies for the treatment of diabetes since many synthetic drugs have serious side effects, many research was now undergoing to identify potent anti-diabetic agent from natural sources. Many mangroves found in Kerala has been reported to show potent anti-diabetic activity but only few plants are scientifically evaluated, investigation of these plants shows the presence of some unique class of compounds like flavonoids, triterpenoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, steroids, glycosides, tannins and polysaccharides. Thus mangroves and associated plants were the richest source of phytochemicals for curing diabetes and its associated complications. Present review emphasise on the potent anti-diabetic mangroves in Kerala which are still not properly utilised but have great value for developing a newer anti-diabetic agent Keywords: Mangroves, Anti diabetic, Phytochemicals INTRODUCTION uniformly distributed throughout Kerala. Species such as Aegiceras corniculatum, Avicennia marina, Bruguiera A recent appraisal shows that mangroves in Kerala is about 25.05 cylindrica, Kandelia candel and Rhizophora mucronata are sq. km, its existence is under serious menace due to the common in the mangroves of north Kerala. Bruguiera developing natural process along the coastal neighborhoods of gymnorrhiza and Sonneratia caseolaris are occasionally found in Kerala and it will cause a sharp decline in mangroves along the the entire region, where as Bruguiera sexangula, Shirakiopsis coastal belts In Kerala and seriously affect the biodiversity of indica, Lumnitzera racemosa and Sonneratia alba are found rare coastal ecosystem. Mangrove vegetation mainly composed of in Kerala. Mangrove associates are confined to one or two salt tolerant ever leafy vegetable trees and shrubs which thrive in localities in Kerala1 tropical and subtropical areas where there is constant quantity intertidal exchange of ocean water and fresh water. Generally Traditionally, the mangroves have been exploited for firewood mangrove ecosystem classified as true mangroves that are limited and charcoal and their uses include construction of dwellings, to the mangrove environment and mangrove fellow that are furniture, boats and fishing gear and production of tannins for distributed in other home ground also. Mangroves have wide dying and leather production. Mangroves provide food and a wide compass of natural process and it acts as a sieve between sea and variety of traditional products and artefacts for mangrove river and play an important role in supplying fresh water to dwellers. The mangrove leaves are useful contributors to the coastal region, it resists wind and tempest and helps to protect the nutrient system of the mangrove environment. It is known that sea costs from natural catastrophe and acts as a green wall to mangrove leaves contain amino acids, vitamins, minerals which protect the sea cost. Mangrove ecotone nourishes and provides help the growth and development of marine organisms. food and shelter for marine organisms and also for other terrestrial Traditionally several mangroves and mangrove- associated plants animals An overall floristic appraisal indicate that, coastal belt were identified and reported as useful for the treatment diabetes from vypin to North Paravur of Ernakulum district is a potential but only few of them are scientifically studied centre of Mangroves and this area constitute the largest patch in Kerala. Coastal belt from Valpattanam to Payyannur of Kannur Mangroves are the richest source of phytochemicals important district frame the richest region with respect to the extent of chemicals compounds present in mangroves are carbohydrates, occurrent abundance, pattern of distribution etc. Asramam and alcohols, amino acids, different types of fatty acids, lipids, nearby region of Kollam district is another important location due phenolic compounds, steroids, glycosides and triterpenes. The to the presence of true and semi mangrove association. Kadalundi additional newer components like gums and glues to alkaloids region of Kozhikode districts is distinct because unique faunal and saponins and other phytochemicals are also reported to association of mangroves. present in mangroves, products like amino acids, carbohydrates and proteins, are products of primary metabolism and are Among the true mangroves, Acanthus illicifolius, Excoecaria essential for the maintenance of life processes, while others like agallocha, Avicennia officinalis and Rhizophora mucronata are alkaloids, phenolics, steroids, terpenoids, are substance of 194 Muhammed Habeebulla M & Malarkodi Velraj/ Int. J. Res. Ayurveda Pharm. 9 (4), 2018 secondary metabolism and have toxicological, pharmacological exstipulate, elliptic or oblanceolate. Flowers greenish white in and ecological importance. Flavonoid, and flavonol-lignan axillary cymes, usually of three flowered, rarely six flowered; derivatives inhibit lipid peroxidation and are potent quenchers of flowers sessile, rarely middle flowers pedicellate; calyx tube, triplet oxygen. A variety of modifications of the flavonoid greenish-white, lobes 6-9; petals 6-9,free,white,apically bilobed, structure lead to a large class of compounds that includes with a long bristle in the sinus between the lobes, lobes equal, tip isoflavones, isoflavonones and chalcones, some isoflavones are more or less round with 3 or 4 cilia on each, margin densely hairy now been marketed as therapeutic agents for menstrual disorders2 in the lower half and at the base except the stalk; stamens 10, in The curative power of mangroves and associated plants will serve pairs of unequal length. Fruit a drupe, reddish-green; seed one; valuable therapeutic agents both in allopathic and other system of hypocotyls, cylindric, green with brownish tinge traditional medicines practiced in the world 3, 4 Compared to other species of Bruguiera in Kerala, this middle Anti-diabetic Mangroves in Kerala zone mangrove is common with higher density in the northern part, especially in Kannur district. Commendable populations Acanthus ilicifolius were also noted in a few locations of Ernakulam and Kollam districts. Plant is a rich source of tannins, the bark of the plant is Local names: Chullikandal, chakkaramullu, Muthalamookku, used as spice and the young shoots are boiled and supplied as Payinjachulli vegetables in Thailand. Plants parts such as buds are boiled and taken as vegetable in some islands in Maldives. The wood of the English name: Holy mangrove plant is thick and strong and is used for construction; it also used as firewood and can be converted to charcoal. The extracts of the Gregarious shrub: nodes with a pair of spines at the base of the specialized roots system of the plant is used to make some petiole; slit root, Leaves are simple, opposite-decussate, 7-15x 6- perfume. Bleeding can be prevented by using the skin of the fruit 9 cm, sinuately lobed, margin and apex spinous. Flowers are and the leaves are used as anti-hypertensive in traditional system bluish –violet in terminal 8-20 cm long spikes; flowers sessile, of medicine 3.5x3.5 cm across; upper lip obsolete, lower lip broadly 3-lobed to entire. Stamens 4, didynamous; anthers aggregated around Ethanolic extract of stem bark shows anti-diabetic, antifouling, style, connectives thickly hairy, bilobed, one lobe sterile. Fruits: anti-cancer, ant proliferative, antiparkinsonian, anti-malarial shiny green pods in a cluster, seeds 4, compressed, orbicular activities6.Phytochemical analysis of the plant shows the presence of protein, amino acids, Lipids, fatty acids, alkaloids, flavonoids, This is the one of the most common mangroves of Kerala and Tannin, triterpenoids, saponins, phenols, glycosides, lignin and occurs in almost all the mangrove habitats, it has a wide range of volatile oils6 7 saline tolerance and high regeneration capacity compared to other mangroves. It shows the astringent nervine tonic, stimulant and Ceriops tagal expectorant activity and used in the treatment of asthma. The tender leaves and shoots are considered effective in combating Family: Rhizophoraceae insect and snake bites. Leaf juice can also be used in treating liver cancer and rheumatism. Fruit pulp is used as a blood purifier, it is Synonyms: Rhizophora tagal Perr., Ceriops candolleana Arn. also reported that the root and leaf extract significantly reduce the blood glucose level Local names: Anakkandal,