IJBPAS, March, 2014, 3(3): 462-489 ISSN: 2277–4998 PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION AND USES OF SOME OF THE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF KASHMIR HIMALAYA -A REVIEW MUDASIR A. SHEIKH Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J&K, India *Corresponding Author: E Mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT The valley of Kashmir, also called the bio-mass state of India is very rich in aromatic and medicinal plants. More than 50% of plant species described in the British pharmacopoeia are reported to grow in Kashmir valley and it is established that nearly 570 plant species are of medicinal importance. Natural products utilized in the correct form and dosages are less harmful than synthetic products. The use of these herbal remedies is not only cost effective but also safe and almost free from serious side effects. Modern pharmacotherapy has included a range of drugs of plant origin, known by ancient civilizations and used throughout the millennia. The increasing consumer preference for natural products over their synthetic counterparts is quite evident, so there is a growing demand for analysing unsurveyed plant species. This review article is an attempt to shade a small beam of light on the profiles of some medicinal plants which emphasizes on the need of extensive study for reporting the additional information on the medicinal importance of other unattended species of Kashmir Himalaya. Keywords: Herbal medicine, GC analysis, Pharmacognosy, Kashmir Himalaya. INTRODUCTION In India the references to the curative Kashmir Himalaya is bestowed with diverse properties of some herbs in the Rig-Veda habitats which support a rich floristic wealth seems to be the earliest records of the use of that has been used as a resource-base by its plants in medicines. Plants are more potent people since times immemorial and has also healers because they promote the repair attracted people of different fields from mechanisms in the natural way (Chitra et distant places. The application of plants as al., 2009). Plants provide the predominant medicines dates back to prehistoric period. ingredients of medicines in most medical 462 IJBPAS, March, 2014, 3(3) Sheikh MA Review Article traditions. Plant based therapy accelerate the medicinal plants of Kashmir Himalaya are healing process (Galal et al., 1965). These highlighted here: plant products are used as first aid, as 1. Origanum vulgare (L.) antiseptic coagulants and in wound wash (Lamiaceae) (Kumar et al., 2007). More than 13,000 Origanum vulgare (L.) is a plants have been studied during the last five medicinal, perennial plant, locally year period (Biswas et al., 2003). There are known as Jungli Tulsi or Oregano or no reliable figures for the total number of Himalayan marjoram. This is the medicinal plants on earth, and the number only species of genus Origanum and percentages of countries and regions which is found in India. It is found vary greatly (Schippmann et al., 2002). in the temperate Himalayas from Estimates for the number of the species used Kashmir to Sikkim at an altitude of medicinally include 35000-70,000 1500-3600m AMSL. Vokou et al., worldwide (Schippmann et al., 2002) and 1993; Kokkini et al., 1997; 7500 species in India (Shiva 1996). D’antuonu et al., 2000; Skoula, Thus medicinal and aromatic plants are 2002, reported carvacrol and thymol valued for their biological activities which as dominant components of its can be justified by the fact that about 80% essential oil. Andreas et al., 2013 of the local population still depend on these found carvacrol as the dominant plants for primary health care. The component in the essential oil of O. formation and accumulation of essential oil vulgare ssp. hirtum. Lagouri et al., in plants have been reviewed by many 1993; Aeschbach et al., 1994; workers (Guenther, 1972; Corteau, 1986; Yanishlieva et al., 1999, have Fischer, 1991). The compounds from the revealed that the antioxidant effect plant based essential oil are useful as an of this plant is because of carvacrol alternative therapy, either directly or as and thymol. Mastelic et al., 2008 models for new synthetic products reported its antimicrobial and (Houghton, 2000). In India, the collection antioxidant properties and in and processing of medicinal plants and plant addition revealed carvacrol's products contributes a major part each year antiproliferative activity on tumor to the national economy (Holley et al., cells of Hela. Essential oil of this 1998). Phytochemical constitution and plant possesses a variety of pharmacological uses of some of the biological activities viz. antiradical 463 IJBPAS, March, 2014, 3(3) Sheikh MA Review Article (Cervato et al., 2000; Ahmad et al., falciparum, Plasmodium vivax and 2010a; 2010b; 2011a; 2011b), also drug resistant parasites. antifungal (Farag et al., 1989; Meshnick, 2002 reported that Sahin et al., 2004; Cleff et al., Artemisinin has no toxicity if taken 2010), anti-hyperglycaemic in recommended doses for short (Lemhadri et al., 2004), periods in the treatment of malaria. antibacterial (Dorman and Deans, A. annua leaves (Zheng and Wang, 2000; Harpaz et al., 2003; Burt 2001) and crude extracts have been and Reinders, 2003; Burt, 2004), reported to be a good source of antithrombin (Goun et al., 2002). antioxidants (Cai et al., 2004). It is Antioxidant (Lagoun and Boskou, among the four medicinal plants 1996; Nakatani, 2000; Vichi et al., with the highest ORAC (oxygen 2001; Stashenko et al., 2002) radical absorbance capacity) level function of this species could (Zheng and Wang, 2001). This high become helpful agent in treatment of antioxidant capacity is probably due cancer, heart diseases and high blood to the high content (Bilia et al., pressure. Cervato et al., 2000 2006) and diversity of its leaf reported that antioxidant activities of flavonoids, including the newly- Origanum vulgare leaves can inhibit reported C-glycosyl flavonoids as a all places of lipid peroxidative possible component of the processes. antioxidant and antiviral activity 2. Artemisia annua (L.) (Asteraceae) (Han et al., 2008). Recently, there Artemisia annua (L.), also known as was also report about anti-Hepatitis annual or sweet wormwood, or B Virus activity of artemisinin (Koo sweet Annie, is an annual herb et al., 2000). Scopoletin, a coumarin native to Asia. It has been used for isolated from A. annua has been the treatment of fever and malaria reported to possess anti- since ancient times (Chaturvedi et inflammatory activity (Huang et al., al., 2010). The main active 1993). Jutea et al., 2002 has found constituent in Artemisia annua is a that its essential oil contains sesquiterpenoid known as camphor, germacrene D, artemisinic acid which is very transpinocarveol, beta selinene and effective against Plasmodium beta caryophyllene. In addition 464 IJBPAS, March, 2014, 3(3) Sheikh MA Review Article artemisia ketone (3%) and other extracts derived from the genus twenty substances of which the Lavendula have been used content is less than 1% have also therapeutically for centuries and been reported by them. Many there are some reports on the secondary metabolites of terpene biological activities of its essential peroxides have also been isolated oil (Cavanagh et al., 2002; Moon et from Artemisia annua L. such as al. 2006). It promotes calmness, artemisia ketone, artemisinic reduces inflammation, fights alcohol, arteannuin B and myrcene infection and promotes skin healing. hydroperoxide (Bertea et al., 2005; Since ancient times lavender oil is Ma et al., 2007). An ointment made traditionally believed to be with Artemisia oil is most effective antibacterial, antifungal, to cure experimental ringworm antimicrobial, antidepressive, infections of guinea pigs within 7 to carminative and an excellent remedy 12 days (Kishore et al., 1993). for insect bites and burns (Grieve, 3. Lavendula officinalis Chaix 1931; Gattefosse, 1937). Lavender syn. Lavendula angustifolia Mill. oil helps in wound healing, reduces (Lamiaceae) pain and supports healthy tissue Lavendula officinalis is commonly growth and is used in the relief of known as lavender or English headaches especially migraine, lavender and is native to the fainting and dizziness. Linalool and mountainous zones of the linalylacetate are the two major Mediterranean. Lavender growing in important constituents of the the highlands of Kashmir is essential oil of Lavendula officinalis cherished and keenly sought for (Barazandeh, 2002). The perfumery, skincare and hair care. U.S. National Institute of The plant was introduced in Kashmir Health (NIH) states that lavender is in 1983 and its cultivation and considered safe in carefully processing of essential oil and dried regulated doses for both food and flowers was quite successful medicinal purposes. Lavender oil (Tajjudin et al., 1983). Lavender is distilled from the flowering spikes is popular for its colourful flowers and used in high grade perfumes and its fragrance. Essential oils and plant cosmetics. Lavender oil is famous 465 IJBPAS, March, 2014, 3(3) Sheikh MA Review Article for creating perfumes for men glycosides, saponins, methyl (Shawl and Kumar, 2000). The salicylate, mucilage and vitamin C continuing popularity and (Stuart, 1989). The syrup made commercial value of lavender was from the leaves and flowers of Viola recently confirmed when it was is used as an alternative medicine named ‘Herb of the year’ 1999 by mainly for respiratory ailments the Herb Growing and Marketing associated with congestion, Network in USA (Anonymous, coughing and sore throat (Singh et 1999). During the World War I, the al., 1983). The sweet scent of this essential oil of lavender was used as flower has proved popular disinfectant in hospitals. throughout the generations and has 4. Viola odorata (L.) (Violaceae) consequently been used in the Viola odorata (L.) is a species of the production of many cosmetic genus Viola native to Europe and fragrances and perfumes (Perfume Asia, but has also been introduced to and Flavor Materials of Natural North Africa. It is distributed in Origin, 1961). A decoction made Kashmir and western Himalayan from the root (dry herb) is used as a regions at an altitude of 1500-1800 laxative.