Potsangbam Kumar Singh

Ethnomedicinal Utilization of Zingiberaceae in the Valley Districts of Manipur

Zingiberaceae is one of the largest families of the plant kingdom with 53 genera and over 1300 species. About 80 species are mainly distributed in Eastern Himalaya to Southern China, India and South- Eastern Asia, 22 genera and 178 species are recorded in India, 9 genera and 70 species in South India. Out of 19 genera and 88 species available in North East India, 42 species have been recorded from Manipur State. Out of which 24 species were recorded to have ethnomedicinal value in the valley districts of Manipur.

Edible ferns and fern–allies of North East India: a study on potential wild vegetables

Abstract The North East India houses around 130 ethnic tribal communities which exhibits unique tradition, dialect and culture. These communities collect edible plants from wild forming a common practice for livelihood and subsistence even today. Of the varieties of plant consumed, ferns and fern–allies also constitute an important food supplement. An inventory survey was conducted in order to assess the wild edible ferns and fern–allies which are used as vegetables by various ethnic communities of North East India. Altogether, twenty-three (23) ferns and fern–allies are found to be edible, and used in preparing various cuisines. Four species viz. Diplazium esculentum (Retz.) Sw., Huperzia phlegmaria (L.) Rothm., Huperzia squarrosa (G. Forst.) Trevis. and Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) C. Presl were cultivated in small scale for consumption and horticultural purposes, while the rest of the species were directly harvested from wild habitat. Role of these ferns in local cuisines, other reported uses and bioactive components were discussed. The study also emphasises on future development of ferns and its allies as potential vegetables in North East India.

Nutritive Value of Strobilanthes Auriculata Nees (Acanthaceae) a Pliestial Plant of Manipur, Northeast India

Strobilanthes auriculata Nees a pliestial plant of Manipur flowered in 2011after a gap period of 8 years. Interestingly, the inflorescence of the plant is harvested and used as food as there is a taboo that it protects form certain ailments by the Meetei of Manipur. Inflorescence was analysis for their proximate composition, tannins and minerals. Values for amino acids, protein, crude lipids and crude fiber are given. The decreasing of essential macro elements concentration is Ca>Mg>N>P and micro elements are Fe>Zn>Mn>Co>Cu.

Maiden hair ferns (Adiantum L., Pteridaceae–Vittarioideae) of North East India: diversity, phytochemistry and utilization

The genus Adiantum L. (Pteridaceae–Vittarioideae) are medicinal ferns with around 200 species and distributed in temperate and tropical regions. Several species of the genus are used in traditional medicine in different parts of the world including the Chinese Herbal Medicine, United States Pharmacopoeia and Ayurveda System of Medicine and Homeopathy. In the present paper, an updated and comprehensive data on species diversity of Adiantum found in the seven (7) states of North East India will be discussed. Altogether, nine (9) species are recorded and this includes A. capillus–veneris L. with two (2) races, A. caudatum L., A. edgeworthii Hook., A. flabellulatum L., A. hispidulum Sw., A. incisum Forssk., A. peruvianum Klotzsch, A. philippense L. with three (3) subspecies and A. raddianum C. Presl. Brief morphological parameters, utilization including medicinal, economical and traditional aspects, along with their bioactive components are described. The paper also aims to provide for the first time an updated compilation of species information including correct nomenclature, synonyms, distribution and propagation.

Ethnobotanical Importance Of Zingiber In The Imphal Valley District, Manipur With Zingiber Chrysanthum Roscoe as A New Record For Manipur.

The Zingiberaceae is rich in species used as traditional medicines or spices, but extensive information about their chemistry and pharmacology is available for ginger ( Zingiber officinale). Throughout the history of formal ethnobotany, medicinal plants have been an area of keen interest. Zingiber chrysanthum Roscoe has been reported for the first time from Manipur. Detailed description of the plant is provided. The plant was found growing with a small population in the forest margin and foothills of Imphal Valley, Manipur.

Antibacterial activity of some selected plants traditionally used as medicine in Manipur

Methanolic leaf extracts of the plant species Elsholtzia blanda Benth., Elsholtzia communis (Collett & Hemsl) Diels., Polygonum posumbu Buchanam-Hamilton ex D. Don and Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC. using methanol as a solvent were tested against 10 human pathogenic bacteria for potential antibacterial activity. The study revealed that all extracts show varied degree of antibacterial activity against the tested bacterial pathogens. The antibacterial activity was determined using agar well diffusion method. Methanolic extract of the leaf Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC. showed antibacterial activity against five bacterial strains from among the ten bacteria tested followed by Polygonum posumbu , Elsholtzia communis and Elsholtzia blanda . Clostridium sporogenes was found to be susceptible to all the plants tested. Minimum inhibitory concentration of the plants against the tested organism ranged between 3.125-12.5 mg/ml. Hence these plants can be used to discover bioactive natural products that may serve as leads in the development of the new pharmaceuticals. Keywords: Antibacterial, human pathogens, methanolic extract, traditional medicine African Journal of Biotechnology , Vol 13(13), 1491-1495