Genetic Diversity in Medicinal & Aromatic

Plants & their Conservation in India

P. PushpangadanNational Botanical research Institute

(Council of Scientific & Industrial Research)

Lucknow 226 001

Biodiversity

•Biodiversity is taken in its holistic sense, to encompass all levels of biodiversity, ecological and evolutionary process, including:– Natural ecosystems– Wild species & varieties– Agricultural ecosystems– Domesticated species & varieties

Genetic Diversity(Intra-specific variability)

Natural ecosystems maintain a vast “Genetic Library” which serves as the very basis of human civilization & promises very many untold future benefits.Inter-population genetic variation enhances chances of species survival.Different populations of the same species may produce different defensive chemicals, key medicinal resources for humanity (e.g.) chemical polymorphism in tropical medicinal and aromatic plants.

INDIA’S STRENGTH

• Almost all known types of agroclimatic & edaphic conditions are found in India – 526 Biomes

• From the coldest Nubra valley with –57 to 59oC, dry cold of Ladakh, temperate and alpine region of Kashmir Himalaya, highest rainfall in the world – Meghalaya, to the Desert habitats of Rajasthan

Habitat diversity in India

10 Vegetation Zones25 biotic provenances426 Biomes

Ecological Units like:AlpineTemperateSub-temperateSub tropicalTropical evergreenTropical deciduousDesertArid, semi aridCoastal, swamps, RiverineIslands

FACTS ON BIODIVERSITY & MEDICINAL PLANTS

• Biodiversity of today is the product of 3500 million years of life on Earth with 30-100 Million species of life today

• It includes:– 2,50,000 higher plants – out of which

1,86,000 are in TROPICS– Over 75,000 higher plants are used by

different cultures for medicinal purpose– Over 15,000 higher plants species are used in

Asia• About 7,000 in China & About 8,000 India

Facts continued

• 1700 in classical Indian systems of medicine –• Ayurveda 1200• Siddha 900• Unani 700• Amchi 600• Tibetan 450• Tribal medicine 8000

– (including medicinal plants used in ASUAT – out of these only 3500 are known/scientifically investigated).

Ayurveda (700 spp.)

Unani

(700 spp.)Amchi (600 spp.)

Siddha (600 spp.)

INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS USED IN DIFFERENT SYSTEM

• EDIBLE USE - (3,500)• OTHERS - (1,000)

• GUM, RESIN & DYES - (425)• AROMATICS (500)

1.

TOTAL

2.

MEDICINAL

3.

EDIBLE

4.OTHERS

5. FIBRE

6. PEST.

7. GUMS, RESINS,

DYES

• TOTAL - (10,000)• MEDICINAL - (8,000)

• FIBRE - (550)

• PESTICIDES - (325)

8. AROMATICS

Bio-prospecting

BIOPROSPECTING is the systematic search for genes, natural compounds, designs and whole organisms in wild life with a potential for product development by biological observation, and biophysical, biochemical and genetic methods without disruption to nature.

• Nicolas Mateo et al., 2001

Bio-prospecting

• Gene

• Drug

• Nutraceuticals

India

• India can therefore play a leading role in Gene hunting and drug hunting, which is going to be the most lucrative business in the world now. The untapped biowealth of India can be converted into economic wealth by S & T intervention

IPR issues / Benefit Sharing Strategies

• Appropriate Procedures for IPR Protection & Benefit Sharing– Article 8(j) {BD}– National Biological Diversity Bill (2002)– Patent (II) Amendment Bill (1999)– Plant Variety Protection and Plant

Breeders & Farmers & Rights Act 2001

IPR issues / Benefit Sharing Strategies

• Documentation & Registration of TK-Medicinal plant Use & Conservation at local, state and national level.

• Contribution to TKDL & TKRC• Value addition to TK & Indigenous

Medicinal Plants – Scaling up IPRS– Herbal drugs, Pharmaceuticals, Natural

products & byproducts, Nutraceuticals, Functional foods, Medicinal foods, etc.

Characterization & Documentation of Important Endemic Plants

Identification, authentication, characterization, evaluation & documentation of wild plants.Characterization include: Morphological, cytological, chemical & molecular levels DNA profiling of rare, endangered and endemics development of species/genotypes specific molecular markers. Identification, authentication, characterization, evaluation & documentation of wild plants

Characterization & Documentation contd.

Identification of potential genotypes and chemotypes for gene & drug prospecting

Isolation of genes and DNA sequences disease resistant genes or products of economic interest

Cloning of potential genes

Economic valuation of genes and species

Threatened species

• Country Threatened species

• India 16000 7.7 % 1236 *

• USA 16108 29 % 4669

• Australia 15638 14.4% 2245

• China 32200 1% 312

* This include over 1000 Medicinal & Aromatic plants

Conservation of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants:

Strategies & Priorities• Conservation strategy (IUCW, UNEP & WWF,

1980) defines conservation as “the management of human use of the biodiversity so that it may yield the greatest sustainable benefit to present generation while maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations”.

• The above definition invokes two complementary components “conservation” and “sustainability”.

Strategies & Priorities

The primary goals of biodiversity conservation as envisaged in the World Conservation Strategy can be summarized as follows:

– Maintenance of essential ecological processes and life support systems on which human survival and economic activities depends.

– Preservation of species and genetic diversity and– Sustainable use of species and ecosystems which

support millions of rural communities as well as major industries.

Strategies & Priorities

Medicinal & Aromatic plants are potential renewable natural resources. Therefore, the conservation and sustainable utilization of these plans must necessarily involve a long term, integrated, scientifically oriented action programme. This should involve the pertinent aspects of protection, preservation, maintenance exploitation, conservation and sustainable utilization. A holistic or systematic approach envisaging interaction between social, economic and ecological systems will be a more desirable one.

Conservation of medicinal plants: Strategies

• In-situ – Enhance “in-situ” Gene bank / Gene

sanction, Biosphere reserves, national parks, Sacred sites, Sacred grooves etc.

• Scientific management & monitoring of protected & important habitats rich in medicinal plants

• Special recovery & rehabilitation programs for RET medicinal plants

• Ex-situ conservation– Conservation of RET plants outside

their natural habitat e.g. in Botanical gardens; Seed Banks; Tissue, Pollen, Embryo, Ovary cultures; DNA Banks, Field Gene banks, Cry Banks etc.

Standardization of herbal drugs (formulations)

STANDARADIZATION OF RAW DRUGS• Passport data of Raw Plant Drugs (Crude

Drugs)• a) Correct taxonomic identification &

authentication • b) Study on the medicinal part: root, stem,

bark, leaves, flowers, fruits, nuts, gum, resins etc.

• c) Collection details: Location, stage & development / growth of the plants, time, pre-processing, storage etc.

• d) Organoleptic examination of raw drug:• - Evaluation by means of sensory organs:

touch, odour, taste• e) Microscopic & molecular examination• f) Chemical composition (TLC, GLC, HPLC, DNA

fingerprinting)• g) Biological activity of the Whole plant• h) Shelf life of raw drugs

PREPARATION OF FORMULATIONS • Follow defined Good Manufacturing

Practices (GMP)

• Scientific Verification– Toxicity evaluation– Chemical profiling– Pharmacodynamics – effect of drug in the body– Pharmacokinetics – absorption, distribution,

metabolism, mechanism of action and execution.– Dosage– Stability and shelf life– Presentation and Packing– Therapeutic merits – Compared with other drugs

STANDARDIZATION OF

PLANT DRUGS

Authentication, Taxonomic Identification

Solvent residues

Microbial count

Heavy metal residues

Pesticide residues

Radioactive contaminants

Mycotoxin residues

Absence of phytotoxins

Assay of Bioactive and marker compounds

Successive Extractive Values

Chromatographic profiles TLC, HPTLC, HPLC &

GLC

Volatile matter determination

Macroscopy & Histology (Quantitative Microscopy)

Physicochemical Values1. Ash2. Tannin, Starch etc.

Organoleptic evaluation

Foreign matter

R & D WORK ON MEDICINAL PLANTS AT NBRI

• Expertise in resource survey on distribution and availability of medicinal plant species in natural habitat.

• Genetic enhancement of high yielding and quality medicinal plants by conventional and Modern methods including biotechnological intervention.

• Packages of practice for pre and post harvest cultivation and agrotechniques including organic cultivation and utilization of marginal/wasteland.

• Standardization and authentication of crude/raw drugs and compound herbal formulations.

NBRI contd.

• Development of standard chemical and biological profiles of herbal formulations for ready reference to the pharmaceutical industries and to provide complete package to industries as per WHO guidelines.

• Assessment of microbiological contamination, determination of pesticide residue and heavy metals in the finished products/crude samples.

• Development of products based on ethnic and indigenous knowledge.–Nutraceuticals–Herbal drinks–Herbal beer–Natural dyes–Herbal lipstick

Novel approach to Aroma therapy. Purely natural, functional lipstick to fashion your moods and

sensual feelings. Exclusively natural colours developed from various medicinal

Indian herbs, fortified with selected essential oil ingredients. Functional attributes-mood enhancing, antidepressant,

meditative and sensual stimulant - can be achieved by the users.

Would induce serious thoughts and also enhance the creativity and appearance of the person who wears it.

Plant used for ‘Lipstick colours’ has anti-microbial activity. No allergy or side effects reported so far.

HERBAL HERBAL LIPSTICKSLIPSTICKSHERBAL HERBAL

LIPSTICKSLIPSTICKS

HERBAL DRY COLOURS HERBAL DRY COLOURS (ECO-GULAL)(ECO-GULAL)

* Eco friendly herbal dry colours developed from plants.

* Non - toxic and non - polluting.

* Available as dust and pellets for wet colours.

* The fillers used are safe cosmetic grade skin care products.

* Dry colours dust are with natural fragrance.

HERBAL SOFT

DRINKS

An unique blend of modern Nutraceutical concept and the wisdom & knowledge of Ayurveda.

Are purely natural and non-toxic.

Plants used in these drinks provide increased vigour and vitality.

Are Immunomodulating, Antioxidant, Hepato-protective, Anti-convalescent and Diuretic.

Useful for strengthening muscles & bones and increase stamina.

Development with specific attention for optimal development of brain, growth and general health.

For pregnant and lactating mothers.

For infants and growing children.

For diabetics and old person.

Development with specific attention for optimal development of brain, growth and general health.

For pregnant and lactating mothers.

For infants and growing children.

For diabetics and old person.

CUSTOM MADE CUSTOM MADE NUTRACEUTICAL AND NUTRACEUTICAL AND FUNCTIONALFUNCTIONAL FOOD FOOD

CUSTOM MADE CUSTOM MADE NUTRACEUTICAL AND NUTRACEUTICAL AND FUNCTIONALFUNCTIONAL FOOD FOOD