A Review on some Medicinal Plants of North Eastern Terai Region of Uttar Pradesh

Review Article

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21276/pt.2024.v1.i1.8

Keywords:

Medicinal Plants, , Nutraceuticals, Traditional knowledge, Phytochemicals, Pharmacological potential

Abstract

The North Eastern Terai region of Uttar Pradesh, India, is a significant reservoir of medicinal plants long utilized by indigenous communities. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the region's prominent medicinal flora, detailing their traditional uses, phytochemical composition, pharmacological activities, and therapeutic applications. It underscores the ecological importance of the region as a biodiversity hotspot and the crucial role of local knowledge systems in preserving and utilizing these plants. Key species like Tinospora cordifolia, Centella asiatica, Curcuma longa, Ocimum tenuiflorum, and Withania somnifera are discussed alongside their traditional uses in Ayurveda, Unani, and folk medicine. The phytochemical analysis reveals bioactive compounds like alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and polyphenols, which confer medicinal and nutraceutical properties. Scientific studies highlight their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, and neuroprotective effects, bridging traditional and modern healthcare practices. The review stresses the importance of scientifically validating traditional knowledge and implementing sustainable conservation measures to safeguard biodiversity and ensure the availability of these plants for future generations. Integrating traditional medicine with modern scientific approaches is emphasized for drug development and responsible resource management, highlighting the interconnectedness of natural resources and healthcare. Overall, the review serves as a valuable resource for understanding and harnessing the therapeutic potential of the region's medicinal plants while advocating for their conservation and responsible utilization.

Author Biographies

  • Kishan Kumar Prajapati, DDU Gorakhpur University Gorakhpur

    Experimental Botany and Nutraceutical Lab., Department of Botany

  • Gunjan Pandey, Department of Botany, DDU Gorakhpur University Gorakhpur

    Experimental Botany and Nutraceutical Lab., Department of Botany

  • Rakesh Pandey, Department of Botany, DDU Gorakhpur University Gorakhpur

    Experimental Botany and Nutraceutical Lab., Department of Botany

References

Srivastava, S., Dvivedi, A., & Shukla, R. P. (2015). Commonness and rarity pattern of plant species within Terai grassland of northeastern Uttar Pradesh, India. Tropical Grasslands-Forrajes Tropicales, 3(3), 161-186. http://dx.doi.org/10.17138/TGFT(3)161-186.

Gupta, S., Jain, R., Kachhwaha, S., & Kothari, S. L. (2018). Nutritional and medicinal applications of Moringa oleifera Lam.—Review of current status and future possibilities. Journal of Herbal Medicine, 11, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hermed.2017.07.003

Janes, C. R. (1999). The health transition, global modernity and the crisis of traditional medicine: the Tibetan case. Social Science & Medicine, 48(12), 1803-1820. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-9536(99)00082-9.

Thomford, N. E., Senthebane, D. A., Rowe, A., Munro, D., Seele, P., Maroyi, A., & Dzobo, K. (2018). Natural products for drug discovery in the 21st century: innovations for novel drug discovery. International journal of molecular sciences, 19(6), 1578. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19061578.

Capasso, A. (2013). Antioxidant action and therapeutic efficacy of Allium sativum L. Molecules, 18(1), 690-700. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules18010690.

Baliga, M. S., Shivashankara, A. R., Haniadka, R., Dsouza, J., & Bhat, H. P. (2011). Phytochemistry, nutritional and pharmacological properties of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam (jackfruit): A review. Food research international, 44(7), 1800-1811. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2011.02.035.

Islas, J. F., Acosta, E., Zuca, G., Delgado-Gallegos, J. L., Moreno-Treviño, M. G., Escalante, B., & Moreno-Cuevas, J. E. (2020). An overview of Neem (Azadirachta indica) and its potential impact on health. Journal of Functional Foods, 74, 104171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2020.104171.

Vilar, D. D. A., Vilar, M. S. D. A., Raffin, F. N., Oliveira, M. R. D., Franco, C. F. D. O., de Athayde-Filho, P. F., ... & Barbosa-Filho, J. M. (2014). Traditional uses, chemical constituents, and biological activities of Bixa orellana L.: a review. The Scientific World Journal, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/857292.

Sutariya, B. K., & Saraf, M. N. (2015). A comprehensive review on pharmacological profile of Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, 5(9), 159-166. http://dx.doi.org/10.7324/JAPS.2015.50929.

Kaur, A., Batish, D. R., Kaur, S., & Chauhan, B. S. (2021). An overview of the characteristics and potential of Calotropis procera from botanical, ecological, and economic perspectives. Frontiers in Plant Science, 12, 690806. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.690806.

Mechoulam, R. (2019). The pharmacohistory of Cannabis sativa. Cannabinoids as therapeutic agents, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2018.09.004.

Chaturvedi, V., Goyal, S., Mukim, M., Meghani, M., Patwekar, F., Patwekar, M., ... & Sharma, G. N. (2022). A comprehensive review on Catharanthus roseus L. (G.) Don: clinical pharmacology, ethnopharmacology and phytochemistry. J. Pharmacol. Res. Dev, 4(2). http://dx.doi.org/10.46610/JPRD.2022.v04i02.003.

Bylka, W., Znajdek-Awiżeń, P., Studzińska-Sroka, E., & Brzezińska, M. (2013). Centella asiatica in cosmetology. Advances in Dermatology and Allergology/Postępy Dermatologii i Alergologii, 30(1), 46-49. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5110.

Gouthamchandra, K., Mahmood, R., & Manjunatha, H. (2010). Free radical scavenging, antioxidant enzymes and wound healing activities of leaves extracts from Clerodendrum infortunatum L. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 30(1), 11-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2010.03.005.

Kumar, D., Singla, R. K., Sharma, P., Kumar, L., Kaur, N., Dhawan, R. K., ... & Sharma, R. (2023). Phytochemistry and Polypharmacological Potential of Colebrookea oppositifolia Smith. Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, 23(5), 334-348. https://doi.org/10.2174/1568026623666221202112414.

Chauhan, N. S., Sharma, V., Thakur, M., & Dixit, V. K. (2010). Curculigo orchioides: the black gold with numerous health benefits. Zhong xi yi jie he xue bao= Journal of Chinese integrative medicine, 8(7), 613-623. https://doi.org/10.3736/jcim20100703.

Vuong, N. Q., Nam, N. H., Hue, N. T., Van Cuong, P., Thao, V. M., Hang, N. T. M., ... & Nhiem, N. X. (2024). Two new phenolic glucosides from Curculigo orchioides and their cytotoxic effects. Phytochemistry Letters, 60, 113-116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytol.2024.01.004.

Krup, V., Prakash, L. H., & Harini, A. (2013). Pharmacological activities of turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn): a review. J Homeop Ayurv Med, 2(133), 2167-1206. http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2167-1206.1000133.

DAS, M. C., Shilpi, S., & Chandra, S. (2013). Overview of Cynodon dactylon (Doob Grass) in modern medicine as antidiabetic herb. Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics, 3(6), 117-120. https://doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v3i6.701.

Sehra, S. Y., & Sharma, J. (2018). Pharmacological Effects and Medicinal Importance of Dalbergia sissoo-A Review. International Journal of Pharmaceutical, Chemical & Biological Sciences, 8(2).

Soni, P., Siddiqui, A. A., Dwivedi, J., & Soni, V. (2012). Pharmacological properties of Datura stramonium L. as a potential medicinal tree: an overview. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine, 2(12), 1002-1008. https://doi.org/10.1016%2FS2221-1691(13)60014-3.

Singh, A., Saharan, V. A., & Bhandari, A. (2014). Pharmacognostic standardization with various plant parts of Desmostachya bipinnata. Pharmaceutical biology, 52(3), 298-307. https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209.2013.834367

Kundu, B. B., Vanni, K., Farheen, A., Jha, P., Pandey, D. K., & Kumar, V. (2021). Dioscorea bulbifera L. (Dioscoreaceae): A review of its ethnobotany, pharmacology and conservation needs. South African journal of botany, 140, 365-374.

Wang, J. M., Ji, L. L., Branford-White, C. J., Wang, Z. Y., Shen, K. K., Liu, H., & Wang, Z. T. (2012). Antitumor activity of Dioscorea bulbifera L. rhizome in vivo. Fitoterapia, 83(2), 388-394. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2011.12.001.

Mbagwu, I. S., Mbanefo, M., Orji, U. H., Idokoja, L. O., & Ajaghaku, D. L. (2022). Extraction solvent polarity affects the antidiabetic activity of Dioscorea bulbifera L. (Dioscoreaceae) Tuber. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 11(4), 202-207. https://doi.org/10.22271/phyto.2022.v11.i4c.14465.

Patil, V. M., Mandal, A., Tomar, S., Kumar, L., & Masand, N. (2017). Phytochemical and pharmacological profile of Diospyros melanoxylon. The Natural Products Journal, 7(4), 267-275. https://doi.org/10.2174/2210315507666170810155154.

Rout, K., Dash, B., & Singh, R. (2012). HPTLC quantification and antimicrobial activity of ursolic acid from Diospyros melanoxylon. JPC-Journal of Planar Chromatography-Modern TLC, 25(4), 320-325. https://doi.org/10.1556/jpc.25.2012.4.7.

Al-Snafi, A. E. (2017). The pharmacology of Equisetum arvense-A review. IOSR Journal of Pharmacy, 7(2), 31-42. http://dx.doi.org/10.9790/3013-0702013142.

Li, B., Wang, X., Chen, R., Huangfu, W., & Xie, G. (2008). Antibacterial activity of chitosan solution against Xanthomonas pathogenic bacteria isolated from Euphorbia pulcherrima. Carbohydrate Polymers, 72(2), 287-292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2007.08.012.

Li, R. W., Leach, D. N., Myers, S. P., Lin, G. D., Leach, G. J., & Waterman, P. G. (2004). A new anti-inflammatory glucoside from Ficus racemosa L. Planta medica, 70(05), 421-426. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2004-818969.

Ade, R., & Rai, M. K. (2009). Current advances in Gloriosa superba L. Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity, 10(4). https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d100409.

Khan, H., Ali Khan, M., Mahmood, T., & Choudhary, M. I. (2008). Antimicrobial activities of Gloriosa superba Linn (Colchicaceae) extracts. Journal of enzyme inhibition and medicinal chemistry, 23(6), 855-859. https://doi.org/10.1080/14756360701747409.

Muthukrishnan, S., Vellingiri, B., & Murugesan, G. (2018). Anticancer effects of silver nanoparticles encapsulated by Gloriosa superba (L.) leaf extracts in DLA tumor cells. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 4(2), 206-214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fjps.2018.06.001.

Dhawal, A., Pandey, R., & Pandey, V. N. (2023). Occurrence, phenology and traditional uses of Helminthostachys zeylanica in northeastern terai region of Uttar Pradesh, India. J. Indian bot. Soc, 103(4), 302-305. https://doi:10.5958/2455-7218.2022.00045.6.

Huang, Y. L., Shen, C. C., Shen, Y. C., Chiou, W. F., & Chen, C. C. (2017). Anti-inflammatory and antiosteoporosis flavonoids from the rhizomes of Helminthostachys zeylanica. Journal of natural products, 80(2), 246-253. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.5b01164.

Mishra, P., Sohrab, S., & Mishra, S. K. (2021). A review on the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit. Future journal of pharmaceutical sciences, 7, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43094-021-00219-1.

Yadav, E., Mani, M., Chandra, P., Sachan, N., & Ghosh, A. K. (2012). A review on therapeutic potential of Lygodium flexuosum Linn. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 6(12), 107. https://doi.org/10.4103%2F0973-7847.99944.

Sinha, J., Singh, V., Singh, J., & Rai, A. K. (2017). Phytochemistry, ethnomedical uses and future prospects of Mahua (Madhuca longifolia) as a food: a review. J Nutr Food Sci, 7(573), 2. http://doi.org/10.4172/2155-9600.1000573.

Agarwal, S. K., Roy, S., Pramanick, P., Mitra, P., Gobato, R., & Mitra, A. (2018). Marsilea quadrifolia: A floral species with unique medicinal properties. Parana J. Sci. Educ, 4(5), 15-20.

Restivo, A., Brard, L., Granai, C. O., & Swamy, N. (2005). Antiproliferative effect of mimosine in ovarian cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 23(16_suppl), 3200-3200. http://dx.doi.org/10.1200/jco.2005.23.16_suppl.3200.

Stohs, S. J., & Hartman, M. J. (2015). Review of the safety and efficacy of Moringa oleifera. Phytotherapy Research, 29(6), 796-804. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5325.

Wang, Y. Y., Peng, C., Zhang, Y., Wang, Z. R., Chen, Y. M., Dong, J. F., ... & Wei, P. (2022). Optimization, identification and bioactivity of flavonoids extracted from Moringa oleifera leaves by deep eutectic solvent. Food Bioscience, 47, 101687. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2022.101687.

Handral, H. K., Pandith, A., & Shruthi, S. D. (2012). A review on Murraya koenigii: multipotential medicinal plant. Asian Journal of pharmaceutical and clinical research, 5(4), 5-14.

Mahajan, N., Rawal, S., Verma, M., Poddar, M., & Alok, S. (2013). A phytopharmacological overview on Ocimum species with special emphasis on Ocimum sanctum. Biomedicine & Preventive Nutrition, 3(2), 185-192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bionut.2012.08.002.

Muller, S. (2000). Assessing occurrence and habitat of Ophioglossum vulgatum L. and other Ophioglossaceae in European forests. Significance for nature conservation. Biodiversity & Conservation, 9, 673-681. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008996613350.

Fan, Y. C., Yue, S. J., Guo, Z. L., Xin, L. T., Wang, C. Y., Zhao, D. L., ... & Wang, C. Y. (2018). Phytochemical composition, hepatoprotective, and antioxidant activities of Phyllodium pulchellum (L.) Desv. Molecules, 23(6), 1361. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23061361.

Bunkar, A. R. (2017). Therapeutic uses of Rauwolfia serpentina. Int J Adv Sci Res, 2(2), 23-26.

Reddy, J. M., Verma, P., Agrawal, I., Vyas, M., & Sahu, S. K. (2024). Molecular Docking studies of chemical constituents of Rauwolfia serpentina on hypertension. In BIO Web of Conferences (Vol. 86, p. 01044). EDP Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/20248601044.

Soni, R. K., Dixit, V., Irchhaiya, R., & Singh, H. (2013). A review update on Shorea robusta Gaertn f.(Sal). Journal of Drug Delivery & Therapeutics, 3(6), 127-132. http://dx.doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v3i6.653.

Yousafa, Z., Wanga, Y., & Baydounc, E. (2013). Phytochemistry and pharmacological studies on Solanum torvum Swartz. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, 3(4), 152-160. http://dx.doi.org/10.7324/JAPS.2013.3428.

Putriana, A., Pondini, D. A., Pitaloka, L., & Hidayah, H. (2023). Jamblang (Syzygium cumini (L.)): A Review of Its Fruit and Medicinal Uses. Innovative: Journal of Social Science Research, 3(2), 7536-7543. https://doi.org/10.31004/innovative.v3i2.1235.

Nahid, S., Mazumder, K., Rahman, Z., Islam, S., Rashid, M. H., & Kerr, P. G. (2017). Cardio-and hepato-protective potential of methanolic extract of Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels seeds: A diabetic rat model study. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 7(2), 126-133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apjtb.2016.11.025.

Vyas, P., Yadav, D. K., & Khandelwal, P. (2019). Tectona grandis (teak)–A review on its phytochemical and therapeutic potential. Natural product research, 33(16), 2338-2354. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2018.1440217.

Jain, S., Yadav, P. P., Gill, V., Vasudeva, N., & Singla, N. (2009). Terminalia arjuna a sacred medicinal plant: phytochemical and pharmacological profile. Phytochemistry Reviews, 8, 491-502. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-009-9134-8.

Upadhyay, A. K., Kumar, K., Kumar, A., & Mishra, H. S. (2010). Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook. f. and Thoms. (Guduchi)–validation of the Ayurvedic pharmacology through experimental and clinical studies. International journal of Ayurveda research, 1(2), 112. https://doi.org/10.4103%2F0974-7788.64405.

Sharma, U., Bala, M., Kumar, N., Singh, B., Munshi, R. K., & Bhalerao, S. (2012). Immunomodulatory active compounds from Tinospora cordifolia. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 141(3), 918-926. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2012.03.027.

Bala, M., Pratap, K., Verma, P. K., Singh, B., & Padwad, Y. (2015). Validation of ethnomedicinal potential of Tinospora cordifolia for anticancer and immunomodulatory activities and quantification of bioactive molecules by HPTLC. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 175, 131-137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2015.08.001.

Dilshad, R., Khan, K. U. R., Ahmad, S., Shaik Mohammad, A. A., Sherif, A. E., Rao, H., ... & Begum, M. Y. (2023). Phytochemical characterization of Typha domingensis and the assessment of therapeutic potential using in vitro and in vivo biological activities and in silico studies. Frontiers in Chemistry, 11, 1273191. https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2023.1273191.

Saleem, S., Muhammad, G., Hussain, M. A., Altaf, M., & Bukhari, S. N. A. (2020). Withania somnifera L.: Insights into the phytochemical profile, therapeutic potential, clinical trials, and future prospective. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, 23(12), 1501. https://doi.org/10.22038%2FIJBMS.2020.44254.10378.

Tharakan, A., Shukla, H., Benny, I. R., Tharakan, M., George, L., & Koshy, S. (2021). Immunomodulatory effect of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) extract—a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial with an open label extension on healthy participants. Journal of clinical medicine, 10(16), 3644. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10163644.

El Maaiden, E., El Kharrassi, Y., Qarah, N. A., Essamadi, A. K., Moustaid, K., & Nasser, B. (2020). Genus Ziziphus: A comprehensive review on ethnopharmacological, phytochemical and pharmacological properties. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 259, 112950. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.112950.

Kumar, S., Kamboj, J., & Sharma, S. (2011). Overview for various aspects of the health benefits of Piper longum Linn. fruit. Journal of acupuncture and meridian studies, 4(2), 134-140. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2005-2901(11)60020-4.

Dubey, A., Nayak, S., & Goupale, D. C. (2011). A review on phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological studies on Neolamarckia cadamba. Der. Pharm. Let, 3, 45-54.

Marfo, E. K., Oke, O. L., & Afolabi, O. A. (1986). Chemical composition of papaya (Carica papaya) seeds. Food Chemistry, 22(4), 259-266. https://doi.org/10.1016/0308-8146(86)90084-1.

Yakubu, M. T., & Musa, I. F. (2012). Effects of post-coital administration of alkaloids from Senna alata (Linn. Roxb) leaves on some fetal and maternal outcomes of pregnant rats. Journal of reproduction & infertility, 13(4), 211.

Olivier, M. T., Muganza, F. M., Shai, L. J., Gololo, S. S., & Nemutavhanani, L. D. (2017). Phytochemical screening, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of ethanol extracts of Asparagus suaveolens aerial parts. South African Journal of Botany, 108, 41-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2016.09.014.

Rani, N., Sharma, S. K., & Vasudeva, N. (2012). Assessment of antiobesity potential of Achyranthes aspera Linn. seed. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/715912.

68. AC, I., OE, Y., DF, I., OA, A., CC, N., & OA, O. (2011). Effect of Momordica charantia on estrous cycle of Sprague-Dawley rats. Pacific Journal of Medical Sciences, 37-48.

Gonde, D. P., Bhole, B. K., & Kakad, K. S. (2023, October). Andrographolide, diterpenoid constituent of Andrographis paniculata: Review on botany, phytochemistry, molecular docking analysis, and pharmacology. In Annales Pharmaceutiques Françaises. Elsevier Masson. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharma.2023.10.001.

Sundaran, J., Vasanthi, M., Kamalapathy, M., Bupesh, G., & Sahoo, U. (2020). A short review on pharmacological activity of Cissus quadrangularis. Bioinformation, 16(8), 579. https://doi.org/10.6026%2F97320630016579.

Shahrajabian, M. H., & Sun, W. (2023). Survey on medicinal plants and herbs in traditional Iranian medicine with anti-oxidant, anti-viral, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammation properties. Letters in Drug Design & Discovery, 20(11), 1707-1743. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570180819666220816115506

Downloads

Published

— Updated on 2025-02-05

Versions

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

1.
Prajapati KK, Pandey G, Pandey R. A Review on some Medicinal Plants of North Eastern Terai Region of Uttar Pradesh: Review Article. phytoTalks. 2025;1(1):46-62. doi:10.21276/pt.2024.v1.i1.8

Similar Articles

1-10 of 28

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.

Most read articles by the same author(s)