EDWIN ARULDOSS DAVID BENHER ETHNOMEDICINAL PLANTS USED BY THE KANIKKARS IN WESTERN GHATS, TIRUNELVELI DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ANTI-DIABETICS EDWIN ARULDOSS DAVID BENHER Associate Professor and Head RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY V.H.N.SENTHIKUMARA NADAR COLLEGE (AUTONOMOUS) (Re-Accredited with “A” grade by NAAC) VIRUDHUNAGAR-626 001 TAMIL NADU, INDIA

INTRODUCTION Man dependent on plants for survival from ancient civilizations (Wickens, 1990) Primitive people are very close to nature and acquired knowledge about useful and harmful plants. This knowledge is time tested, integrated with their culture & passed on orally from generation to generation The value & important of traditional knowledge are now being increasingly acknowledged all over the world It is mainly because of the fact that Cheap, Readily available, Reliable & have lesser side effects World Health Organization estimates over 80% of the people depends on traditional medicine for primary health care. Hence, the ethno-directed investigations are today recognized as the most viable method of identifying new medicinal plants in its bioactive constituents

India is the one of the twelve mega biodiversity countries of the world it has rich vegetation and plant diversity due to extreme variations in geographical and climatic conditions. India represents one of the greatest emporia of ethnobotanical wealth (Pal, 2000) India also has rich tradition of practicing traditional herbal therapeutics in the form of Ayurveda, Unani & Siddha system of medicine In spite the fact that, India has about 45,000 plant species but traditional healers use only 2500 plant species of which, 100 species of plants serve as regular sources of medicine. So there is a scrutiny of folk claims found almost 95% of plants

Indigenous people of the study area is Kanikars India has various ethnic groups along with a wide variety of traditional practices Indigenous people of the study area is Kanikars Lack of access to modern healthcare services, they are largely relying on their indigenous health care system Nowadays, this ethnic knowledge is declining very rapidly due to Life style changes by outsider’s contact Oral transmission is partly attributed to the lose of knowledge The folk medicine is often closely guarded with utmost secrecy OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the detailed information on the traditional knowledge on the usage of medicinal plants to cure diabetes.

DIABETES MELLITUS Chronic systemic disease characterized by metabolic and vascular abnormalities Disorder of carbohydrate metabolism Results from inadequate production or underutilization of insulin Characterized by glucosuria and hyperglycemia Two forms - Type 1 and Type 2 Type 1-Patient secretes no insulin. Cause is felt to be autoimmune. Type 2- Patient secretes insufficient amounts of insulin and insulin receptors are resistant to existent circulating insulin

Effects of Diabetes Affects approx. 5 – 8 % Mostly asymptomatic Tendency increase with obesity One of the leading cause of death by disease One of the leading cause of blindness One of the leading cause of renal failure

SIDE EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL DRUGS Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea Hypoglycaemia Dilutional hyponatraemia & water intoxication (Chlorpropamide) Disulfiram-like reaction with alcohol (Chlorpropamide) Weight gain

METHODOLOGY The study area is Western Ghats of Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu (India). Ethnomedicinal plants information was obtained by semi-structured oral interviews, group discussions, informal meetings and field observation Good rapport was established Totally 21 informants between the ages of 30 to 75 were interviewed

DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE AND ETIOLOGY OF STUDY AREA

DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE AND ETIOLOGY OF STUDY AREA

Abrus precatorius Linn. Botanical name : Abrus precatorius Linn. Family Fabaceae Common Name Gundumani Application Leaf juice (2 teaspoon) given orally twice a day till to cure diabetes. Botanical name : Acacia nilotica (Benth.) Brenan. Family Fabaceae Common Name Karuvelam Application Seeds used to treat diabetes and headache. Botanical name : Aegle marmelos (Linn.) Corr. Serr. Family Rutaceae Common Name Vilvam Application The mesocarp of fruits taken orally to cure diabetes. Dried fruit is mixed with sugar is taken orally during fever and cold.

Aerva lanata (Linn.) Juss. ex Schult Botanical name : Aerva lanata (Linn.) Juss. ex Schult Family Amaranthaceae Common Name Kappukattu Application The whole plant powder taken orally to control blood sugar. Whole plant extract is used for stomachache. Botanical name : Allium cepa L. Family Liliaceae Common Name Vengayam Application Bulb extract mixed with Mentha leaf extract is used to cure high blood pressure and to control blood sugar level. Botanical name : Allium sativum L. Family Liliaceae Common Name Vellai Poondu Application Decoction of the flowers given against diabetes. It is taken orally three times a day to get relief from stomach pain and urinary problems.

Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. Botanical name : Aloe vera (Linn.) Burm. f. Family Liliaceae Common Name Chothukathalai Application Leaf paste with garlic is given to increase digestion and to control diabetes. Botanical name : Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. Family Apocynaceae Common Name Yelilaipattai Application Stem bark decoction (one teaspoon) is taken orally twice a day to cure diabetes. Botanical name : Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wallich ex. Nees. Family Acanthaceae Common Name Chiriyanangai Application Decoction of the leaves (50ml) is prescribed thrice a day after food (or) fresh leaves can be eaten every day for diabetes.

Azadirachta indica A. Juss.. Botanical name : Annona squamosa L. Family Annonaceae Common Name Sitappalam Application Powdered leaves (25g) are taken with milk orally daily in the morning for the treatment of diabetes. Botanical name : Azadirachta indica A. Juss.. Family Meliaceae Common Name Vemppamaram Application Stem, flowers and bark decoction actively control diabetes. Leaf decoction relieves stomach pain during mensuration. Botanical name : Bauhinia variegata Linn. Family Fabaceae Common Name Sivappu Mandarai Application Stem bark decoction is given in menorrhagia and diabetes.

Biophytum sensitium (L.)DC. Botanical name : Biophytum sensitium (L.)DC. Family Oxalidaceae Common Name Tintanali Application The dried leaf taken orally to cure diabetes. Botanical name : Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. Family Fabaceae Common Name Tuvarai Application 30ml of the salted boiled water extract of the fresh leaves is taken in empty stomach for a period of two weeks to treat jaundice and also control diabetes. Botanical name : Carica papaya L. Family Caricaceae Common Name Pappali Application Unripened fruits juice given for diabetes.

Cassia auriculata Linn. Botanical name : Cassia auriculata Linn. Family Caesalpiniaceae Common Name Aavarai Application Flowers powder is used to treat diabetes. Botanical name : Catharanthus roseus (Linn.) G. Don. Family Apocynaceae Common Name Nithiya Kalyani Application Mild dose of root decoction given to cure diabetes. Root decoction is used for the treatment of cancer. Botanical name : Citrullus colocynthis (Linn.) Schrader ex Eckl. & Zeyh. Family Cucurbitaceae Common Name Kumatti Application Fruit paste taken orally to control diabetes. Roots paste made with cow milk is applied on hypogastrium for easy delivery.

Coccinia indica Wight &Arn. Botanical name : Coccinia indica Wight &Arn. Family Cucurbitaceae Common Name Kovai Kai Application Leaf juice and mucilage from immature fruits (2 teaspoon) are given twice (or) thrice a day after food for diabetes. Botanical name : Clitoria ternatea L. Family Fabaceae Common Name Sanku Kannikodi Application About two teaspoonful of dried flowers are taken orally to control diabetes. Botanical name : Thespesia populnea (Linn.) Soland. ex. Correa Family Malvaceae Common Name Poovarasu Application Bark decoction control diabetes. Decoction of the bark is used in dysentery and coetaneous disease.

Leaf decoction is taken internally to controls diabetes. Botanical name : Cuminum cyminum L. Family Apiaceae Common Name Seeragam Application Leaf decoction is taken internally to controls diabetes. Botanical name : Curcuma longa L. Family Zingiberaceae Common Name Manjal Application About 50ml of Leaf decoction is taken orally to treat diabetes Botanical name : Cynodon dactylon (Linn.) Pers. Family Poaceae Common Name Arugampul Application Whole plant juice is taken daily on empty stomach in the morning to control blood sugar level.

Evolvulus alsinoides Linn. Botanical name : Evolvulus alsinoides Linn. Family Convolvulaceae Common Name Vishnukiranthai Application The whole plant powder mixed with hot water has given to drink which cures diabetes. Botanical name : Ficus benghalensis Linn. Family Moraceae Common Name Alamaram Application Stem and bark powder given orally to control blood sugar level. Botanical name : Ficus racemosa Linn. Family Moraceae Common Name Atthi Application Bark decoction control blood sugar level.

Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) R. Br. ex Sm. Botanical name : Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) R. Br. ex Sm. Family Asclepiadaceae Common Name Sarkkarai Kolli Application Leaf decoction (50ml) is taken continuously after food to cure diabetes. Botanical name : Lawsonia inermis Linn. Family Lythraceae Common Name Maruthani Application Dried root powder to cure diabetes. Leaves applied on foot to cure etching and healing of the crack. Botanical name : Mangifera indica L. Family Anacardiaceae Common Name Maamaram Application Decoctions of bark and young leaves are given daily till to cure diabetes.

Murraya koeingii (Linn.) Spreng. Botanical name : Murraya koeingii (Linn.) Spreng. Family Rutaceae Common Name Karuvepalai Application Bark decoction given orally to control diabetes. Botanical name : Ocimum tenuiflorum Linn. Family Lamiaceae Common Name Thulasi Application Stem decoction control blood sugar level. Botanical name : Punica granatum Linn. Family Punicaceae Common Name Madhulai Application Fruits cure gastrointestinal problems and diabetes.

Phyllanthus emblica Linn. Botanical name : Phyllanthus emblica Linn. Family Euphorbiaceae Common Name Nellikai Application The decoction of the fruits and seeds control diabetes. Botanical name : Phyllanthus amarus (Linn.) Schum and Thonn. Family Euphorbiaceae Common Name Kizhanelli Application The juice extracted from the whole plant is taken orally once a day upto 7 days to treat diabetes. Botanical name : Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth. Family Mimosaceae Common Name Kodukkaipuli Application Leaf juice is taken orally twice a day till to diabetes.

Strychnos nux-vomica Linn. Botanical name : Psidium guajava Linn. Family Myrtaceae Common Name Koyya Application Juice of leaves (2 teaspoon) and fruit are taken orally thrice a day to cure diabetes. Botanical name : Strychnos nux-vomica Linn. Family Loganiaceae Common Name Etti Application Powered seed used to control diabetes. A decoction of bark is given orally to treat stomach problems. Botanical name : Syzygium cumini (Linn.) Skeels. Family Myrtaceae Common Name Naaval Application Kernal decoction control diabetes. Decoction of stem bark (50ml) is taken orally twice a day till cure; mature fruits are eaten raw.

Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers. Botanical name : Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers. Family Fabaceae Common Name Kolingi Application Unripened pods control diabetes. Botanical name : Terminalia cuneata (Roxb. ex Dc.) Wight & Arn Family Combretaceae Common Name Vellamarudu Application The fresh fruit used for diabetes. Botanical name : Zingiber officinale Roscoe Family Zingiberaceae Common Name Inchi Application Stem decoction administrated orally to cure diabetes. Rhizome is taken for cold, indigestion and whooping cough.

FINDINGS In the present study, a total of 44 species of plants belonging to 15 families were documented. As far as plant part utility is concerned, leaves are commonly used, followed by bark, whole plant, seeds etc. The formulations are prepared mostly in the form of juice followed by decoction, powder and paste prepared from raw plant parts. To make better acceptability of herbal remedies that are taken orally and additives are not taken internally. The data collected from this study will be useful to the researchers, pharmaceutical companies to discover a novel drug to cure diabetes.

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