Phytochemical Profiling and Ethnobotanical Study of Podophyllum hexandrum Royle.: Insights from Langate Forest Division, Jammu and Kashmir
Mir Muskan Un Nisa *
Division of Forest Products and Utilization, Faculty of Forestry, Sher-E-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Benhama Ganderbal J&K, Srinagar, 191201, India.
Parvez Ahmad Sofi
Division of Forest Products and Utilization, Faculty of Forestry, Sher-E-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Benhama Ganderbal J&K, Srinagar, 191201, India.
Peerzada Ishtiyak Ahmad
Division of Forest Products and Utilization, Faculty of Forestry, Sher-E-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Benhama Ganderbal J&K, Srinagar, 191201, India.
K.Z Masoodi
Division of Plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Horticulture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, J&K, Srinagar, 191201, India.
N. A Pala
Division of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Faculty of Forestry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Benhama Ganderbal J&K, Srinagar, 191201, India.
G.M Bhat
Division of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Faculty of Forestry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Benhama Ganderbal J&K, Srinagar, 191201, India.
Talib Bashir Bhat
Division of Natural Resource Management, Faculty of Forestry, Sher-E-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Benhama Ganderbal J&K, Srinagar, 191201, India.
Farkhanda Rahman
Department of Animal Husbandry, Ganderbal J&K, Srinagar, 191201, India.
Syed Inam Ul Haq
Division of Plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Horticulture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, J&K, Srinagar, 191201, India.
Taniya Abid
Division of Plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Horticulture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, J&K, Srinagar, 191201, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
May Apple (Podophyllum hexandrum Royle.), a critically endangered Himalayan medicinal herb, possesses enormous medicinal potential. This study was conducted in the Langate Forest Division (LFD) of the Kashmir Valley. Information was gathered about the use of medicinal plants, methods of administration, and the specific plant parts used for treating various ailments by a field survey. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was used to examine the phytochemical profile of the specimens to combine ethnobotanical knowledge with scientific reliability. This study revealed that the herb has a variety of ethno-veterinary and therapeutic applications. Medicinal uses of plants include the treatment of wounds, warts, gastrointestinal issues, and joint discomfort with rhizomes, resin pastes, decoctions, and powders. Its resin contains a significant amount of podophyllotoxin, a potent anticancer drug. GC-MS analysis of the methanolic rhizome extract identified ten different bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. These included beta-sitosterol (13.72%) and podophyllotoxin (18.24%). Key threats to (Podophyllum hexandrum Royle.) include overharvesting, habitat loss, climate change, and lack of awareness. Therefore, there is a need for sustainable cultivation, habitat protection, and policy enforcement.
Keywords: Himalayan medicinal herb, GC-MS analysis, podophyllotoxin, anti-cancer, habitat loss