A medicinal plant endemic to the southern Western Ghats region could soon become a potent weapon in the fight against microbial diseases.
Researchers at University College here have proved that Tricopus zeylanicus , locally known as Arogyapacha, is effective against a range of bacterial strains. The plant is already known for its anti-stress, liver protective, antioxidant, and aphrodisiac properties.
Since 1987, when scientists at the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI) discovered it deep inside the Agastyar hill forest, Arogyapacha has been hailed as a miracle plant for its medicinal properties.
The institute later formulated a herbal drug based on the plant and marketed it across the world. The JNTBGRI also got global attention for the decision to share the commercial returns from the project with the Kani tribals who imparted knowledge about the plant.
The researchers at the Department of Botany, University College, have now come up with further evidence about the therapeutic properties of the plant. The project findings were presented at the 25th Kerala Science Congress in a paper by M.M. Manza and her project guide Oommen P. Saj.
The team found that the leaf extracts of the plant were effective against several bacterial strains including Bacillus cereus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, Faecal streptococci staphylococcus, Bacillus subtilis epidermis, Rhodococcus equii, Salmonella typhimurium and Vibrio cholerae .
According to Mr. Saj, the project had established the potential of Tricopus zeylanicus to open up a new front in the fight against microbes responsible for diseases like pneumonia, skin infections and stomach disorders. The team also discovered anticancer compounds in the leaf extracts. This, he said, would require further tests for verification.
Mr. Saj said experiments were on to establish the antifungal properties of the plant.
Last year, researchers at the JKK Nattaraja College of Pharmacy, Namakkal, had published evidence about the anxiolytic (reducing anxiety) and antidepressant properties of Tricopus zeylanicus .
