Abstract

A COMPARATIVE REVIEW ON THE BIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF TWO SPECIES OF JATROPHA

Angshuman Lahiri*, Arup Mukherjee, Jayanta Kumar Gupta and Emdad Hossain

ABSTRACT

Jatropha, the plant, and the Jatropha System are of enormous importance in the current day science. Jatropha curcas, the most well known of the 175 known species of the plant, is a chief source of biodiesel. Jatropha gossypifolia, having the distinction of having chiefly purplish red coloured leaves, is known for its ethno pharmacological use. The current article deals with certain common biological parameters of the two species. A review is made on the anti-inflammatory, anti-cancerous, coagulant, anti-parasitic, anti-microbial, anti-diarrhoeal and anti-oxidant actions. Role of the plants in wound healing and termination of pregnancy is also discussed. It has been observed that in some cases both are equally active but seem to act by a different mechanism. In some instances the mechanism appears to be similar but extent of activity may vary. Selection of the solvent may play a major role in exploiting the biological parameters.

Keywords: Anti-inflammatory, Anti-cancerous, Anti-parasitic, Anti-microbial, Anti-diarrhoeal, Anti-oxidant.