Diversity, distribution pattern and conservation status of the plants used in liver diseases/ailments in Indian Himalayan Region

Abstract

In the Indian Himalayan Region, the studies focused on diversity of the plants used for treating liver diseases/ailments have not been carried out so far. Therefore, the present attempt has been made to study the diversity, distribution pattern and conservation status of the plant species used for treating liver diseases/ailments in that region. A total of 138 species (35 species of trees, 22 shrubs and 81 herbs) belonging to 98 genera in 60 families have been recorded. Amongst the families, Euphorbiaceae (9 species), and altitudinal zone <1,800 m, (i.e., 115 species) are rich in species. Traditionally, various plant parts, such as roots/rhizomes/tubers (46 species), leaves (31), whole plants (30), barks (15), fruits (13), seeds and unspecified parts (8 each), and inflorescence (1) are used for the treatment of liver diseases/ailments. 34 species are native, 3 are endemic and 15 near endemic. 7 species are categorized as Critically Endangered (Betula utilis), Endangered (Podophyllum hexandrum, Ephedra gerardiana, and Nardostachys grandiflora) and Vulnerable (Bergenia ligulata, B. stracheyi, and Hedychium spicatum) using new IUCN criteria. Available chemical composition of plant parts used for the treatment of liver diseases/ailments have been given. Assessment of the populations of threatened species, development of an appropriate strategy, action plan for the conservation and sustainable utilization of such components of plant diversity are suggested.

Ethnomedicinal Plants of India with Special Reference to an Indo-Burma Hotspot Region: An overview

“…The ethnomedicinal plants should be cultivated in herbal gardens, agroforestry systems and home gardens to encourage their sustainable utilization and hence conservation. Assessment of the populations of threatened species, development of an appropriate strategy, action plan for the conservation and sustainable utilization of such components of plant diversity are recommended (Samant & Pant 2006). The ethnobotanical claims emanating from the present survey need to be subjected to pharmaco-chemical studies in order to discover their true potential.…”

Traditional and indigenous uses of medicinal plants by local residents in Himachal Pradesh, North Western Himalaya, India

“…The preservation of indigenous knowledge has become an urgent need for the society. In the IHR, a number of studies have been carried out on the documentation of medicinal plants diversity (e.g., Jain 1991; Maikhuri et al 1998;Samant et al 1998;Chauhan 1999;Joshi et al 1999;Sood et al 2001;Dhar et al 2002;Samant & Pal 2003;Seth & Jaswal 2004;Rawat 2005;Rawat & Garg 2005;Kala 2006;Samant & Pant 2006;Uniyal et al 2006;Samant et al 2007Samant et al , 2011Rawat et al 2009;Singh et al 2009;Semwal et al 2010). In general, studies on medicinal plants in the Kullu district have been carried out on diversity, distribution pattern, and indigenous uses (Singh 2004;Boktapa & Sharma 2010;Rana & Samant 2011a, etc.…”

Induction of Somatic Embryogenesis in Vulnerable Medicinal Plant Hedychium spicatum Buch-Ham ex Smith

“…Recently, the crude extract of the rhizome has been used in the preparation of an anticancerous drug, namely PADMA-28 (Nayab et al 2004). According to the threat status of IUCN criteria H. spicatum has become vulnerable (Samant and Pant 2006). It is also listed in near threatened category of the essential oil bearing plants (Kemp 2003, Samant andPalni 2000).…”