Abstract

CULTIVATION CONSERVATION PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF GLORIOSA SUPERBA LINN

Murali Krishna C.*, Nirupama U., Sai Charan T., Dinesh Kumar TM., Manasa B., Varsha J. and Kishore Babu M.

ABSTRACT

Gloriosa superba is a flowering plant belongs to Colcicacaceae. Gloriosa refers to full of glory and superba refers superb. It is the national flower of Zimbabwe, and also of India. Where it is the state flower of Tamilnadu. All parts of the plant are poisonous and the tubers particularly contain the toxic alkaloid colchicine. Colchicine is the important alkaloid extract from the seed the strenuous efforts of botanists, biotechlogies conservations are required. Source of alkaloids, poisonous nature, the strategies for its conservation and future perspectives of gloriosa superba. The plant is known to contain a lot of substances like benzoic acid, sterols, colchicines, gloriosine, lumicolchicine, tannins, superbine and many others. The plant has been used as ethnomedicines in India and several parts of the world. It has shown many pharmacological activities like anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, antioxidant, anticancerous, anti-fertility, antithrombotic, anti-diabetic, and anti-anxiety. It can also cure diseases like leprosy, piles, tumor, fistula, gout, gynecological disorders, oral diseases, vitiligo, intestinal disorders, cough, snakebite, cholera, kidney problems, typhus, and many types of endoparasitic diseases. The problems encountered during the cultivation of Gloriosa Superba. Include, poor seed set, low tuber propagation, pests, fungal and soil-borne diseases. Due to high demand and low production, it is harvested from the wild at a high rate. This plant species has become endangered in Asian countries hence facing local extinction and it is included in ‘Red Data Book' by the IUCN. Mass propagation and quality planting material can be achieved by exploring tissue culture Methods to conserve this plant.

Keywords: Gloriosa superba, Pharmaceutical, Colchicine, Conservation, Tissue culture, ethnomedicines, Medicinal uses.