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ISSN: 0976-5921 Neelima Sharma et.al., Pharmacognostical Evaluation and Conservation of Threatened species caesia Roxb. Pharmacognostical Evaluation and Conservation of Threatened Species Curcuma caesia Roxb.

Research Article

Neelima Sharma1*, Pankaj Prakash Verma2, Murthy SN3

1.Research officer (Ay.) 2. Research scholar 3. Assistant Director (S-4) Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Gwalior Road Jhansi

Abstract

Black Curuma caesia Roxb. is an important medicinal belonging to the family . Presently this plant is considered to be endangered by the central forest department of India.(1) Though the genus curcuma used for the treatment of various ailments but Curcuma caesia Roxb. is a very less known and almost untouched drug. The present work attempts to establish the necessary pharmacognostic and phytochemical standards for evaluating the medicinally and economically plant material of c. caesia. various parameters, such as morphology, microscopy, physiochemical constituents of the (medicinally and economically important plant part) was studied and the salient features are documented. To conserve the endangered species it is exercised to cultivate it in the central India i.e Jhansi by the rhizome cuttings.

Keywords: Curcuma caesia Roxb., Kali haldi, microscopy, Pharmacognostic, Conservation.

Introduction: Folk uses of the Curcuma Caesia Rhizome: Curcuma is a large genus belonging to the family The paste is applied on bruises, contusions and

Zingiberaceae. It comprises about 70 species of and rheumatic pains in Manipur (4). In Arunachal Pradesh , Adi tribes use decoction of fresh rhizome as rhizomatous herbs distributed mostly in Southeast Asia as wild and cultivated . Curcuma species have a anti-diarrhoetic (5). The khatmi tribe of Lohit district applied the paste of fresh rhizome in case of snake and great importance for its medicinal value and Curcuma scorpion bite (6). The rhizome are used a rubifient to caesia is being used by various tribal communities from rub the body after taking a Turkish bath. In Bengal, it is long before. Kali haldi is a perennial herb with bluish- used in the fresh state-turmeric. The of the black rhizome native to North-East and Central India. herb are often used by the Baiga, Sahariya, Agariya, Black Turmeric is also sparsely found in Papi Hills of Gond, Korku and other tribal of the Madhya Pradesh East Godavari, West Godavari, and Khammam state for the treatment of pneumonia, cough, and cold in Districts of Andhra Pradesh. children, and for fever and asthma in adults. In northeast This plant is native to North-East India, The India, the powder of rhizomes is used by tribal women as a face pack during their engagement and applied on rhizomes of black turmeric have a high economical the body for the sprains and bruises (7). Gondi people of importance owing to its high medicinal properties. Bastar apply rhizome paste on the hydrocele using betel Rhizome of the plant is claimed to be useful in treating leaves (8). Intake of small amount of rhizome paste is several diseases like piles, leprosy, bronchitis, asthma, claimed to expel gases from the Stomach and cure cancer, epilepsy, fever, wounds, impotency, fertility, menstrual disorders.The snake charmer community of toothache, and vomiting, etc.(2). In Madhya Pradesh the the sub-urban areas of the capital city Bhubaneshwar plant is regarded as very auspicious and is stated that a Possess maximum knowledge in this regard. Therefore the plant Curcuma caesia Roxb. possesses many other person keeping it will never have a scarcity of wealth. economic values along with medicinal importance. Presently this plant is considered to be threatened and Therefore in the present study standardization of endangered by forest department of India since natural Curcuma caesia Roxb. has been done on habitat is destroying widely through several human pharmacognostic and phytochemical parameters. activities such as over exploitation for traditional medicine purpose, industrialization and urbanization Aims and objective etc. (3). Recent literature review reveals that only a few work has been done regarding the pharmacognosy of the Curcuma caesia Roxb. (9). Present study is different as *Corresponding Author: it contains Macroscpic study, Microscopic study, Neelima Sharma phytochemistry, and powder microscopy. Hence the Research Officer (Ayurveda), present study with measurements of microscopic Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, structures, powder microscopy will prove useful to Gwalior Road Jhansi researchers and professionals also. Therefore in the E-mail: [email protected] present study standardization of Curcuma caesia Roxb. has been done on pharmacognostic parameters. 68 Published online in http://ijam. co. in

ISSN: 0976-5921 International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine, 2017, 8(2), 68 - 72 Materials and Methods: Macroscopic and microscopic analysis: Collection of Plant material and authentication Macroscopic study: Plant was collected from the RARI Jhansi garden The plant is normally erect with height ranging in flowering stage and authenticated at RARI Jhansi. from 0.5-1.0m. It is divided into underground large The collected plant samples were washed under running ovoid tuberous rhizome and an erect aerial shoot along fresh tap water to remove adherent soil and dirt. Three with leaves and reproductive part. plant samples was collected, from the natural habitat. Leaves up to 50 x 8 cm., oblong-lanceolate, Rhizome for histological studies were preserved in 70% apex caudate-acuminate, base tapering. A deep alcohol. ferruginous purple colour is present in the middle region of the lamina. Spikes 10-15 cm. long, Drying of plant material flowering bracts green with a ferruginous tinge; bracts The Rhizome material of Curcuma caesia Roxb. of coma are deep pink. Flowers pale yellow pinkish at was subjected to shade drying for about 4 weeks. The their outer border, shorter than their bracts. (Fig.1,2) shade dried material was further crushed to powder and the powder was passed through the mesh 22 and stored Root: in air tight container for further analysis. Plant propagates through rhizome, primary roots are absent, but brownish–yellow fibrous adventitious Macroscopic and microscopic analysis: roots are present.( (Fig.3) Macroscopic study Macroscopic features were studied and Rhizome: photographs were taken with Nikon DSLR Camera The rhizome is tuberous about 2-6 cm. in (Fig:1,2).Macroscopic characters was studied with the diameter, laterally flattened and covered with help of flora and other literature. (10,11,12,13). adventitious roots shows longitudinal circular wrinkles resemble as nodal and intermodal zones. Outer surface Morphology is dark brown in colour, inner surface is off white with Collected rhizomes were observed carefully for bluish tinge shows blue coloured demarcation layer of its identical morphological characters.(Fig:3,4) endodermis separating the cortex from the central Morphological characters like colour, shape, size were region. Small dots scattered throughout surface noted down. Characters of roots were studied as per represent the vascular bundles. (Fig:3,4) (10,11,12,13) and measurement was taken by scale through naked eye. Pharmacognostic Investigation The detailed and systematic pharmacognostical Microscopic analysis evaluation of Curcuma caesia Roxb.would give Microscopic examinations of plant studied were valuable information for future studies. The detailed according to the standard method (14,15). Transverse morphology of Curcuma caesia Roxb. was carried out sections of rhizome were prepared and stained with to support proper identification of the drug. Three saffranin and fast green as per procedure. Same samples of root are collected for microscopical procedure was followed for powder microscopy studies. Histological features are found same in all the (16,17). The microphotographs were taken by bright samples. field microscope with digital camera. Microscopy of Rhizome: Extraction of powdered plant drug The T.S. of the rhizome is circular with The plant material collected from their natural somewhat irregular outline and shows a layer of habitat was cleaned, shade dried and stored in an endodermis and wide central stellar region occupying airtight glass container.100 gms. Of coarse powder was 2/3rd the area of the section, cortex being the narrow de-fatted with n-hexane and then successively extracted zone, both areas traversed by fibrovascular bundles with different solvents viz. Petroleum ether, and stellar region.(fig.6) chloroform, Methanol(40-60) and ethanol in soxhlet The detailed section shows an outermost single extractor for 24 hrs (for 8-9cycles). Then the extracts layer of very thick cells of epidermis covered with were filtered and concentrated using rotator flash thick cuticle usually getting detached at places from evaporator. Freshly prepared extracts were subjected to the inner multilayered suberised cork tissue, cortex is phytochemical evaluation. wider, parenchymatous; consists of 3-5 layered thick The method is used for separation of the natural walled parenchymatous cells; endodermis ill products such as , triterpinoids, glycosides, developed and a layer of pericycle is distinct and is tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, carbohydrate, proteins devoid of starch grains, the vascular bundles of the and saponins. (19-21). cortex and stellar region are collateral and with the exception of those lying underneath the endodermis Result and discussion: are associated with the groups of non lignified thin Organoleptic examination walled fibres; vessels are non lignified, often The inner part of the rhizomes is blackish blue in associated with a pigment cell; starch grains are simple colour and emits a characteristic sweet camphoraceous and are loaded in cortical and stellar parenchymatous smell, possesses aromatic pungent taste. cells of section, isolated brown coloured oleo-resin canals, traversed throughout the parenchymatous tissue 69 Published online in http://ijam. co. in

ISSN: 0976-5921 Neelima Sharma et.al., Pharmacognostical Evaluation and Conservation of Threatened species Curcuma caesia Roxb. of the section. Pith large parenchymatous, a large Conclusion: number of cells are filled with starch grains or The plant with many curative principles and sphaeroraphides, a number of vascular traces traverse in other economic values growing in all types of soil, the may be leaf traces.( (Fig.5-13). climate etc. In this way its pharmacognostical standardisation and phytochemical analysis are very Result of Powder Microscopy: important to establish the uses of the plant more Colour- effectively. Powdered drug is ashy black to brownish black in In present investigation, various standardized colour with camphoraceous odour, taste is bitter; parameters such as macroscopic, microscopic, Following characters were observed in the pharmacognostic and phytochemical screening was powder:- carried out and which could be helpful in Fragments of parenchymatous cells embedded authentication of Curcuma caesia Roxb. The result of with starch grains and oleoresin canals; plenty of simple present study will also serve the reference material in oblong to elliptic starch grains , scattered throughout or prepration of monograph. Though the plant is embedded in parenchymatous cells. Fragments of xylem categorized under the endangered species its elements with pitted and spiral vessels and non septate cultivation and conservation is necessary therefore fibers. ( (Fig.14) an attempt is made to cultivate the species in a different climatic zone . Its many uses are described Preliminary Phytochemical Analysis: in folk lore medicine. Therefore present study may Preliminary phytochemical analysis of the help to pharmaceutical industries as well as Curcuma caesia Roxb. plant rhizome powder extract researchers. showed the presence of steroids, triterpinoids, glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, carbohydrate References: and proteins and saponins. 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/curcuma_caesia. 2. Muhammad Shahinozzaman, Molla Muhhammad Table 1:Phytochemical constituent in plant Curcuma ferdous, Muhammad Omar Faruq, Mustafa Abul caesia Roxb. plant rhizome. (19-21) Kalam Azad and Muhammad Nurul Amin, Sl. Class of Test performed Micropropagation of black turmeric (Curcuma no. Compounds Caesia Roxb.) through in vitro culture of rhizome 1. Steroids + Burchard-Liebermann bud explants. Journal of central European test. Agriculture, 2013; 14(3), 963-968. 2. Triterpinoids + Burchard-Liebermann 3. Arulmozhi DK, Sridhar N, Veeranjaneyulu A test. and Arora KS, Priliminary Mechanistic studies on the smooth muscle relaxant effect of hydraulic 3. Glycosides + Keller Killiani test. extract of curcuma Caesia. Journal of Herbal 4. Saponins - Foam test. pharmacotherapy 2006; 6:(3/4). 4. Sarangathem K and Haokip MJ, Bioactive 5. Tannins + Ferric chloride test. components in Curcuma caesia Roxb. grown in 6. Flavanoides + Ammonia test. Manipur, The Bioscan. 2015; 5(1): 113-115. 7. Alkaloids + Dragendorf’s test 5. Kagyung R, Gajurel PR, Rethy P and sing B, Ethnomedicinal plant used for gastrointestinal 8. Carbohydrates + Molish test diseases by Adi tribe of Dehang-debang 9. Proteins + Millon test biosphere reserve in Arunachal Pradesh, Journal of Traditional Knowledge. 2010; 9(3): 496-501. 6. Tag H, Das AK and Loyi H. Anti-inflammatory Conservation and Cultivation: plant used by khatmi tribes of Lohit District in Black turmeric rhizomes are procured from Arunachal Pradesh Natural product Radiation, Itanagar Arunachal Pradesh and try to planted in RARI 2007; (6)4: 340-343. Jhansi garden. The land is prepared to a fine tilth and 7. http//nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/1/ FYM is incorporated to the soil. The land is divided into NPR%206(4)%20334-340.pdf flat beds of 5 x 5 m2. Soil is sandy loam type, rhizomes 8. http://botanical.com/site/ are used as planting material and about 1 kg rhizome is column_poudhia/66_hydrocele.html required for 5 x 5 m2. Rhizomes are planted 7 cm. deep 9. Pritesh Paliwal, S.S. Pancholi, Rakesh K.Patel, at a distance of 30 x 45 cm. Depending on the weather Pharmacognostical parameters for evaluation of conditions the crop is irrigated at weekly intervals. the rhizomes of Curcuma caesia. J. Adv. Inflorescences are removed as and when they appear. Pharm.Technol Res. 2011 Jan.-Mar; 2(1): 56-61. The crop is ready for harvest after 8 months of planting. 10. Kirtikar KR and Basu BD, Indian medicinal It can be micropropagated through tissue culture plants., 2nd Edition, Bishen Singh Mahendra pal technique by rhizome buds explantants and using Singh, Dehradun 1987, 2422. medium Murashige and Skoog(MS) medium containing 11. Mudgal et al Flora M.P. 2001, Botanical Survey 6-benzyl adenine(BA) alone or in combination with of India Calcutta, 80p alpha Naphthalene acetic acid(NAA).(22) 12. Anonymous, The Wealth of India. A dictionary of Indian raw materials and industrial products, 70 Published online in http://ijam. co. in

ISSN: 0976-5921 International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine, 2017, 8(2), 68 - 72

New delhi, Publication and Information Directorate 19. The Ayurvedic pharmacopoepia of India CSIR. 2001. 264p Government of India, Ministry of Health & 13. Nadkarni KM. Indian material medica. Vol.1. family welfare department of Indian system of Bombay: popular Prakashan; 1976. 414p. Medicine and Homeopathy, Edn.1, New Delhi 14. Evans WC. Trease and Evans Pharrmacognosy, WB 2001 ;3(1): 153. Saunders Ltd. London.2002. 20. Kokate CK, Gokhle SB and Purohit AP. Textbook 15. Khandelwal KR. Practical Pharmacognosy. 18thEdn. of Pharmacognosy. Nirali Prakashan Pune; 2008, Nirali Prakashan, Pune.2007. 6.1-6.44. 16. Khasim SM. Botanical Microtechnique: Principles 21. Muhammad Shahinozzaman, Molla Muhhammad & Practice. Capital Publishing Company, New ferdous, Muhammad Omar Faruq, Mustafa Abul Delhi.2002. Kalam Azad and Muhammad Nurul Amin, 17. Kokate CK. Preliminary phytochemical screening. Micropropagation of black turmeric (Curcuma In 4th Edn. Practical Pharmacognosy. Nirali Carsia Roxb.) through in vitro culture of rhizome Prakashan, Pune,India 2000. bud explants. Journal of central European 18. Sahu R, Saxena J Evolution of phytochemical Agriculture, 2013, 14(3), p.963-968. constituent in conventional and non-conventional species of curcuma. International Research Journal of Pharmacy 2012; 3(8); 203-204.

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ISSN: 0976-5921 Neelima Sharma et.al., Pharmacognostical Evaluation and Conservation of Threatened species Curcuma caesia Roxb.

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