NeBIO I June 2020 I Volume 11(2): 63-66 ISSN 2278-2281 (Online), 0976-3597 (Print) I www.nebio.in

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Nothapodytes nimmoniana (J. Graham) Mabb. (Icacinaceae) - an addition to the forest trees of ,

Prabhat Kumar Das, Pradeep Kumar Kamila and Pratap Chandra Panda* Taxonomy and Conservation Division, Regional Plant Resource Centre (RPRC), -751015, Odisha, India

*Author for correspondence: [email protected]

OPEN ACCESS ABSTRACT Nothapodytes nimmoniana, a high value medicinal plant and the major source of the anti-cancer drug camptothecin, is reported here as a new record for the flora of Odisha, India from Deomali Hills of district. The nomenclature, botanical description, phenology, ecology, distribution and ethno- botanical and medicinal uses of the species have been provided in this paper along with colour photographs of the plant and plant parts.

KEYWORDS [www.nebio.in] Nothapodytes, medicinal plant, Koraput, Odisha, new record

Introduction geographical boundary of Odisha, hence it is reported here as a Nothapodytes nimmoniana (J. Graham) Mabb. (Icacinaceae) is an new distributional plant record for the state. Besides, this is also a important medicinal plant producing camptothecin (CPT), one of new generic record for the Flora of Odisha. the most sought-after alkaloids by the pharmaceutical industries around the world as a major source of anti-cancer drugs (Uma The nomenclature, botanical description, ecology, phenology, Shaanker et al., 2008; Nalawade et al., 2003; Lorence and Craig, distribution and colour photographs of this interesting species 2004). In recent years, CPT has also emerged as a promising drug have been provided in the paper for easy identification in the to be used in AIDS chemotherapy. Besides camptothecin, the field. The herbarium specimens have been housed in the species contains 9-methoxy camptothecin and mappicine, which Herbarium of Regional Plant Resource Centre (RPRC), are used as anti-cancer agents for the treatment of solid tumors Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. (Govindachari and Viswanathan, 1972). The plant also possesses anti-HIV, antimalarial, antibacterial, anti-oxidant, anti- TAXONOMIC TREATMENT inflammatory and anti-fungal properties (Rather et al., 2017; Manjunatha et al., 2016; Gowda et al., 2002; Friedman, 2002; Nothapodytes nimmoniana (J. Graham) Mabb. in Manilal, Bot. Simons et al., 2006). Since no synthetic analogue of camptothecin Hist. Hort. Malab. 88. 1980; Nair & Henry, Fl. has been manufactured yet, its production entirely depends on (Series I: Analysis) 1: 70. 1983; Matthew, Fl. Palani Hills 1: natural sources. Of all camptothecin producing plant species, N. 209. 1999; Mathur, Flora of India 5: 18. 2000. Premna nimmoniana yields significantly high amount of camptothecin nimmoniana Garham., Cat. Pl. Bombay 155. 1839. Mappia (0.3% w/w) and for this reason the plant is gaining international foetida (Wight) Miers. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (Ser. 2) 9: 395. recognition. Countries like Japan, USA and Spain import dried 1852; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 1: 141. 1957 (repr. ed.). leaves, stems, roots and seeds of Nothapodytes nimmoniana from Stemonurus foetidus Wight, Icon. Pl. Ind. Orient. 3. t. 955. 1845. India for commercial drug manufacturing, which is now one of Mappia oblonga Miers, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (Ser.2) 9: 396. the leading exporters worldwide. Due to habitat loss and 1852. M. wightiana Miers, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (Ser.2) 9: 396. excessive harvest pressure, the wild populations of the species 1852. M. tomentosa Miers, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (Ser.2) 10: 397. have been depleted considerably in India and as a result, it has 1852. M. ovata Miers, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (Ser.2) 10: 396. been categorized as an endangered/vulnerable taxon (Kumar and 1852. (ICACINACEAE). (Fig. 1) Ved, 2000; Gowda et al., 2002). Vernacular names: Stinking tree (English), Amruta (Marathi), During the botanical exploration and study of diversity, Ghenera (Hindi), Hedare (Kannada), Kal Kurinj (Tamil). distribution and phenology of forest trees of of India, the authors collected the flowering and fruiting specimens Small to medium sized evergreen tree, 10-15 m high. Bark rough of an interesting evergreen tree species from Deomali hills of scarbulous, grey, wrinkled, about 0.5-0.8 mm thick, branchlets , Odisha. After critical examination of live conspicuously angular, yellowish, corky, with prominent leaf specimens, consultation of different floras and other relevant scars. Leaves simple, alternate, petiole 3.5-4.5 cm, adaxially rarely literature, the species was identified as Nothapodytes nimmoniana (J. sulcate, strigose, especially in grooves, ovate, elliptic-ovate or Graham) Mabb. In India, the species is reported to occur in obovate, rarely orbicular-ovate, mature leaves 9-13 cm, young forests of Goa, , Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, leaves 6-9 cm, abaxially sparsely hispid or pubescent, dark green Sikkim and . Study of published literature on flora of in color, adaxially sparsely tomentose, parrot green in color, Odisha (Haines, 1921-25; Saxena & Brahmam, 1994) suggested lateral nerves impressed above, prominent beneath, lateral veins that the species has not hitherto been recorded from within the 8-10 pairs in mature leaves, 6-8 pairs in young leaves, abaxially

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Figure 1. Nothopodytes nimmoniana (J. Graham) Mabb. A. Deomali Hills, Koraput, Odisha-the locality of collection, B. One of the trees on slope of Deomali hills, C. Tree trunk and bark, D-F. Leaves, G. Inflorescence and flower, H-I. Fruits, J. Seeds.

prominent, venation reticulate, obtuse or rounded at base, pendulous, 4-6 ridges from the center, usually displaced laterally, unequal, margin entire, apex acuminate. Inflorescence terminal, margin superimposed. corymbose, cymose, ca 10 cm across; peduncle ca 10 cm long, Phenology: Flowering: March - June; Fruiting: Aug. - Dec. flattened or angled, stout, velutinous. Flowers yellowish-white, Conservation status: Vulnerable (VU). bisexual, hirsutous, ca 7 mm across; pedicel 5 mm long. Calyx gamosepalous, small, campanulate, 2.5-3 mm in diam., slightly Ecology: Nothapodytes nimmoniana was found growing on slopes strigose or glabrous, 5-toothed, acute or acuminate at apex. Petals of Deomali hills, Koraput, Odisha, India at an altitude of about 5, gamopetalous, lanceolate-oblong, 5 mm long, appressed 1310m. The species occur in association with strigose outside, inside villous, acute elliptical apex, yellowish. Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Mull.-Arg., Sarcococca saligna Mull.-Arg., Stamen 5, glabrous, filaments 3-4 mm; anther ovoid, 1-1.2 mm. Neolitsea zeylanica (Nees & T. Nees) Merr., Disk cupular, outside glabrous, margin and inside hirsute. Ovary Albizia odoratissima (L.f.) Benth., Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels etc. ovoid, 1-celled, 1-1.5 mm in diam., densely hirsute or pubescent; style 1.1-1.4 mm, angled, stout, densely hirsute; stigma 2-lobed. Distribution: The species is native for Indo-Malaysia and Fruits in aggregated form of 2 to 3 in bunch, drupe ovoid or Indochina region and distributed in Bhutan, China, Cambodia, ellipsoid, ca 2 x 1.2 cm, purplish black when ripe; seed solitary

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Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. In India, it is reported to occur in forests of Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Odisha (present report). However, its occurrence in Odisha is interesting from phytogeographical point of view as it extends the natural range of distribution of the species and is an addition to the flora of Odisha (Fig. 2).

Specimen examined: India: Odisha, Koraput, Deomali hills [18.66°N & 82.99°E], 1310 m, 24.04.2018, P.K. Das & P.K. Kamila 10792 (RPRC) (Fig. 3).

Local uses: Ripe fruits of Nothapodytes nimmoniana are edible. The birds, squirrels and other frugivorous animals also consume the ripe fruits.

Acknowledgements Authors are thankful to Forest and Environment Department, Govt. of Odisha for the financial assistance and to the Chief Executive, Regional Plant Resource Centre, Bhubaneswar for providing laboratory facilities. Thanks are due to the Divisional Forest Officer, Koraput Forest Division, Odisha for help and assistance during field work.

References Friedman, M. 2002. Tomato glycoalkaloids: role in the plant and in the diet. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 50: 5751–

Figure 2. Distribution map of Nothopodytes nimmoniana in Odisha. 5780. Govindachari, T.R. and Viswanathan, N. 1972. Alkaloids of Mappia foetida. Phytochemistry 11(12): 3529-3531 Gowda, H.C.H., Vasudeva, R., Mathachen, P.G., Shanker, R.U. and Ganeshaiah, K.N. 2002. Breeding types in Nothapodytes nimmoniana Graham: An important medicinal tree. Current Science 83:1077–1078. Haines, H.H. 1921-25. The Botany of Bihar and Orissa, 6 Parts, Adlard & Son & West Newman Ltd., London. Henry, A.N., Kumari, G.R. and Chitra, V. 1987. Flora of Tamil Nadu, India, Series1: Analysis Vol.2, Botanical Survey of India, Coimbatore. Kumar, R. and Ved, D.K. 2000. 100 red listed medicinal plants of conservation concern in southern India, Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions. Bangalore, pp. 261–263. Lorence, A. and Craig, L.N. 2004. Camptothecin, over four decades of surprising findings. Phytochemistry 65: 2731–2841. Manilal, K.S. and Sivarajan, V.V. 1982. Flora of Calicut. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun, India. Manjunatha, B.L., Singh, H.R., Ravikanth, G., Nataraja, K.N., Shankar, R., Kumar, S. and Uma Shaanker, R. 2016. Transcriptome analysis of stem wood of Nothapodytes nimmoniana (Graham) Mabb. identifies genes associated with biosynthesis of camptothecin, an anti-carcinogenic molecule. Journal of Biosciences 41(1): 119–131. Murugesan, M., Amrithalingam, K. and Balasubramaniam, P. 2010. Addition of two genera, Nothopodytes Blume and Fagraea Thunb. to the flora of Eastern Ghats, India. Indian Forester 136 (3): 365-368. Nalawade, S.M., Abhay, P.S., Lee, C.Y., Kao, C.L. and Tsay, H.S. 2003. Studies on tissue culture of Chinese medicinal plant resources in Taiwan and their sustainable utilization. Botanical Bulletin Academic Sciences 44:79-98. Padmanabha, B., Chandrashekar, M., Ramesha, B., Vasudeva, R., Ganeshaiah, K. and UmaShaanker, R. 2006. Patterns of Figure 3. Herbarium specimen of Nothapodytes nimmoniana. accumulation of camptothecin, an anti-cancer alkaloid in Nothapodytes nimmoniana Grahamin the Western Ghats, India:

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implications for identifying high-yielding sources of the alkaloid. Current Science 90: 95–100. Rather, G.A., Sharma, A., Pandith, S.A., Kaul, V., Nandi, U., Misra, P. and Lattoo, S.K. 2018. De novo transcriptome analyses reveals putative pathway genes involved in biosynthesis and regulation of camptothecin in Nothapodytes nimmoniana (Graham) Mabb. Plant Molecular Biology 96(1- 2):197-215. Saxena, H.O. and Brahmam, M. 1994. The Flora of Orissa, Vol. 1- 4, RRL & Orissa Forest Development Corporation Ltd., Bhubaneswar. Simons, V., Morrissey, J. P., Latijnhouwers, M., Csukai, M., Cleaver, A., Yarrow, C. and Osbourn, A. 2006. Dual effects of plant steroidal alkaloids on Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 50: 2732–2740. Uma Shaanker, R., Ramesha, B.T., Ravikanth, G., Gunaga, R., Vasudeva R, et al.. (2008). Chemical profiling of Nothapodytes nimmoniana for camptothecine, an important anticancer alkaloid: Toward the development of a sustainable production system. In: Bioactive Molecules and Medicinal Plants (ed. Ramawat, K.G. & Merillon, J. M.), Springer Publishing, UK, pp.197– 213.

Citation: Das, P.K., Kamila, P.K. and P.C. Panda. 2020. Nothapodytes nimmoniana (J. Graham) Mabb. (Icacinaceae) - an addition to the forest trees of Odisha, India. NeBIO 11(2): 63-66

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