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Indian Forester, 141 (4) : 469-470, 2015 http://www.indianforester.co.in

ISSN No. 0019-4816 (Print) ISSN No. 2321-094X (Online)

RESEARCH NOTES (I) IS VALERIANA JATAMANSI AND SELINUM VAGINATUM CAN BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR NARDOSTACHYS JATAMANSI IN PREPARATION OF NEUROPROTECTIVE DRUGS? The resumption of interest in natural drugs and herbal products started in last few decades mainly because of the widespread belief that green medicine is healthier than synthetic ones. Consequently herbal drugs are more preferable than allopathic as neuroprotective because they are economical, having better compatibility with minimal side effects. Several herbal drugs described in Ayurveda have shown to posses anti-stress properties and for deterrence of CNS disorders. In Indian system of medicine many plants are used either alone or in combination as a neuroprotective drug like Kapuradyark, an ayurvedic formulation. Under name of 'Asaroon' the rhizome of Nardostachys jatamansi (D. Don) DC. (Fig. 1a & 1b) is used in nine herbal preparations according to Hamdard Pharmacopoeia, for treatment of hemiplegia, Parkinson's syndrome and tumors. Essential oil (Spikenard) from the rhizome possesses useful biological activity and is used in 26 Ayurvedic preparations. This is most primitive species of the family Valerianaceae (tribe Patrinaeae) and highly potent indigenous Himalayan medicinal herb and it induce a state of resistance against stress in multicellular organisms. Further it also shows persuasive antioxidant activity, helps to promote physical and mental wellness, augment resistance against infections, marked tranquilizing activity, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective and keratin related ailments activity. Latest studies reveal that the species has become endangered due to overexploitation of rhizome for its highly medicinal properties and habitat degradation (Purohit et al., 2012). Owing to insufficient supply of the authentic herb, rhizomes and roots of some other aromatic herbs viz. Valeriana jatamansi Jones (Fig. 1b) and Selinum vaginatum C. B. Clarke (Fig. 1c), having entirely different chemical constituents used in herbal drug formulations related to nervine rejuvenation. Due to overutilization as a substitute for Nardostachys jatamansi, habitat degradation and other biotic interferences, the populations of above two species are dwindling very rapidly and survival of these two herbs are now at risk. It is observed in herbal drug markets of the country, that sometimes not only the various species of particular genus but entirely different taxa are being sold under the same vernacular name. Rhizomes of S. vaginatum (Bhutkeshi) which belongs to family Apiaceae and Valeriana jatamansi (Mushkbala) are being sold as

Jatamansi due to presence of less effective aromatic compounds, which is not as effective as in authentic herb Nardostachys jatamansi. In year 2011 comparative botanical standardization has been done by lead author (Singh et al., 2011). Accordingly there is a demand of determinative research approach to document and evaluate these species as substitute or adulterant for N. jatamansi in the preparation of neuroprotective drug and also execute research regarding the drug mechanism and target action of these species by extensive clinical trials. Nardostachys jatamansi is distributed in Himalayan region from Bhutan, China, India (Uttarakhand and Sikkim), Nepal and Tibet at an altitude of 3300 - 5000 m. Selinum vaginatum is distributed in western Himalayan region of India (Himanchal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand) and Pakistan at an altitude of 2000 - 4500 m. Valeriana jatamansi is distributed in Himalayan region of Bhutan and India (Meghalaya, Sikkim and West Bengal) at an altitude of

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C

B

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Fig. 1 : A. Habit of Nardostachys jatamansi (D. Don) DC. B. Rhizome of Nardostachys jatamansi C. Habit of Selinum vaginatum C. B. Clarke D. Habit of Valeriana jatamansi Jones

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1200 - 1800 m. The important Himalayan medicinal herbs Nardostachys jatamansi, Selinum vaginatum and Valeriana jatamansi are at verge of extinction due to over exploitation of rhizomes and roots, coupled with other abiotic and biotic factors, their survival in natural habitat depends on search of other elite chemotypic species, which may act as best substitute for the same. Under the

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present scenario, the ever increasing anthropogenic pressures are extremely detrimental to survival of above three species and calls for immediate conservation in wild as experiments have also revealed that ex- situ conservation of these species is yet not successful.

Acknowledgements The authors are thankful to the Director, Botanical Survey if India (BSI), Kolkata and to The HoO, BSI, Central Regional Centre for facilities. References Purohit V.K., Chauhan R.S., Andola H.C., Prasad P., Nautiyal M.C. and Nautiyal A.R. (2012). Nardostachys jatamansi DC. is at risk in the Himalayan region, Curr. Sci., 103(3): 251-252. Singh V., Dudey P., Srivastava S. and Rawat A.K.S. (2011). Botanical standardization of the Jatamansi, their substitute and adulterant species, Indian J. Tradit. Know., 10(4): 599-603.

VINEET SINGH AND R. KR. SINGH Botanical Survey of India, Central Regional Centre, 10-Chattham Lines, Allahabad 211 002, U. P., India e-mail: [email protected]