ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL STUDY OF SALT MARSH PLANTS FROM MUTHUKADU BACKWATERS J.Chitra1, M. Syed Ali1, V.Anuradha2, S.Ravikumar3 N.Yogananth1 , V.Saravanan4,S.Sirajudeen5 1.PG & Research Department of Biotechnology Mohammed Sathak College of Arts & Science, Shollinganallur, Chennai 2.PG & Research Department of Biochemistry, Mohammed Sathak College of Arts & Science, Shollinganallur, Chennai-600119 3.School of Marine Science, Department of Oceanography and CAS, Alagappa University, Thondi Campus, Thondi-623409 4.Department of Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology,M.D.T.Hindu College, Thirunelveli 5.Department of Algal Culture, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Mandapm,623520 *Corresponding Author: e-mail: [email protected] INTRODUCTION alt marshes form in nutrients and sediments from the water sheltered coastal areas column. where sediments accumulate and allow Salinity in salt marshes is highly S growth of angiosperm variable because of the influx of both fresh plants (Pennings & Bertness 2001) that and saltwater into the environment. comprise the foundation of the ecosystem. Freshwater enters upland marsh areas from Salt marshes develop between terrestrial terrestrial streams and rivers, increasing and marine environments, resulting in during periods of high precipitation. biologically diverse communities adapted Saltwater inundates marshes during high for harsh environmental conditions tides, with dry seasons and high including desiccation, flooding, and evaporation further increasing salinity. extreme temperature and salinity Salinity gradients caused by these fluctuations. Marshes act as nurseries to a processes contribute to zonation in marsh wide variety of organisms, some of which plants based on salt tolerance among are notably threatened or marketed as species. important fisheries species. Most angiosperms have a limited Rapid growth of marsh vegetation ability to thrive in saline waters, and and utilization of incoming nutrients make diversity of vegetation decreases with salt marshes highly productive systems, increasing salinity (Odum 1988, Odum & often yielding 2 kg of aboveground Hoover 1988). Seeds and seedlings are production per square meter, annually especially vulnerable to salt stress, further (Marinucci 1982, Dame 1989). In addition contributing to zonation in plants. However, to providing habitat and food sources for many salt marsh plants have developed many organisms, salt marshes benefit mechanisms to tolerate high salinities. Some humans and surrounding ecosystems by plants increase succulence by retaining sheltering coasts from erosion and filtering water or exclude salt at the roots, while others excrete salt through specialized glands or sequester it into leaves that are infectious diseases in immune compromised, shed periodically (Poljakoff- Mayer, 1975, AIDS and cancer patients [Diamond, 1993]. Rozema et.al., 1981, Hacker and It is likely that plant extract showing target Bertness,1995, Mitch and Gosselink, 1995, sites other than those used by antibiotics will Dawes, 1998) be active against drug-resistant microbial pathogen. However, very little information Since very old times, herbal is available on such activity of medicinal medications have been used for relief of plants (Lee, et al., 1998). symptoms of disease [Maqsood, et.al., 2010]. Despite the great advances observed Plants, as the source of medicine, in modern medicine in recent decades, have been playing an important role in the plants still make an important contribution health services around the globe [Thomson, to health care. Much interest, in medicinal 2010]. About three quarters of the world’s plants however, emanates from their long population relies on plant and their extracts use in folk medicines as well as their for health care [Kunwar and Bussmann, prophylactic properties, especially in 2008]. A good number of our population developing countries. Large number of particularly those living in rural areas medicinal plants has been investigated for depend largely on herbal remedies for the their antioxidant properties. Natural treatment of different types of diseases. It antioxidants either in the form of raw indicates the importance of the individual extracts or their chemical constituents are plants in the health care system. very effective to prevent the destructive processes caused by oxidative stress Ethnopharmacology can be defined [Zengin, 2011]. Although the toxicity profile as the interdisciplinary scientific exploration of most medicinal plants have not been of biologically active agents traditionally thoroughly evaluated, it is generally employed or observed by man [Holmstedt, accepted that medicines derived from plant 1995]. Its objectives are to rescue and products are safer than their synthetic document an important cultural heritage as counterparts [Vongtau, et.al., 2005 and well as evaluate the agents employed Oluyemi, et.al., 2005]. [Holmstedt, and Bruhn, 1995]. One A large proportion of the human common approach in this field is a literature population depends on traditional medicine. search using several published genetic Medicinal plants have become the focus of resources. The application of new intense study recently in terms of bioinformatics database systems about conservation and as to whether their herbal texts holds great promise for traditional uses are supported by actual identifying novel bioactive compounds for pharmacological effects or merely based on pharmacotherapy [Buenz, et.al., 2004]. folklore. With the increasing acceptance of Some International Databases, such as traditional medicine as an alternative form Natural Products Alert (http://w- of health care, the screening or medicinal ww.napralert.org/Default.aspx), provide plant for active compound is very important. information about pharmacological The situation is alarming in developing as activities, ethnopharmacological data, well as developed countries due to in chemical compounds and data from tests on discriminate use of antibiotics. The animals and humans for thousand of species drugresistant bacteria and fungal pathogens from all over the world. Phyto chemistry can have further complicated the treatment of contribute to the synthesis of new drugs with therapeutic properties [Naranzo, 1995]. and environmentally friendly due to fewer Nature provides enormous potential for the pollutants produced in production and have discovery of new bioactive compounds; at minimal health hazards (Opra and Wokocha, least a million different compounds could be 2008). However literature related to the isolated [Verpoorte, 1998]. ethno-medicinal importance of salt marsh plants are scarce, knowledge of the chemical For a long period of time in history, constituents of plants is desirable, not only plants have been valuable and indispensable for the discovery of therapeutic agents, but sources of natural products for the health of also because such information may be of human beings and they have a great value in disclosing new sources of such potential for producing new drugs economic materials as tannins, oils, gums, (Nascimento, 2008; Littleton, 2005). Even precursors for the synthesis of complex today people who live near to the forests use chemical substances, etc. In addition, the plant products to cure chronic diseases. knowledge of the chemical constituents of Tropical and subtropical areas of the world plants would further be valuable in are bestowed with abundant flora and herbs discovering the actual value of folkloric which have untapped properties, such as remedies (Farnsworth, 1966). antimicrobial, antiviral and antifungal. According to the World Health The aim of the study is to elaborate Organization, plants are a source of the ethnopharmacology of salt marsh plants compounds that have the ability to combat in this case, 6 variety of plants ( Avicinnea disease, antimicrobial, antiviral and marinus, Aviccinia officinalis, Sessuvium antifungal activities (Gazim, 2008). In addition, medicinal plants have been used prostracastrulam, Saligornia branchiate, for centuries as remedies for human ailments Suaeda maritime, and Suaeda monoica) and diseases because they contain found in the shore of Muthukadu back components of therapeutic value (Panda, waters,Tamil Nadu. 2009). Also they are less toxic to humans AVICENNIA MARINA Scientific Name: Avicennia marina (Forrsk.)Vierh Synonym: Sceura marina Forssk Local Name: Qurm, Gurm Arabic Name(s): Shorah, Qurm, Mangrove Common name: Mangrove, Grey mangrove,Tivar Family: Avicenniaceae (Verbenaceae) Description of the Plant: Small evergreen tree, up to 10m roots up to 50 cm long, they stick out above high, stem erect with fine pale gray scales. water and absorb air, which thought to Leaves simple leathery, opposite, ovate, oxygenate the roots. petiolate with entire margin and acute tip, Action: dark glossy green on the upper surface, dull Bark astringent and used as greyish on the lower surface with excreted aphrodisiac, for scabies, antifertlity agent salt crystals. As Avicennia is growing in a and has tanning properties. Flowers for specialized habitat, which is poorly aerated, perfumes. Leaves are aphrodisiac and used it is adapted to life in this habitat by the for toothache, Leaves and seeds forage for presence of erect leafless outgrowths of the camels and animals. roots called pneumatophores or breathing AVICINNEIA OFFICINALIS Family- Avicenniaceae Habitat- This species is found in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand,