Prenanthes violaefolia Decne. (Asteraceae)-a new report from Kashmir Himalaya, India

Objective:To enumerate the diversity of important medicinal plants used traditionally by the local populace in biodiversity rich and temperate Himalayan ranges of Bandipora district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Methods:Methods used to explore the plants with medicinal value and to record associated ethnomedicinal knowledge included semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and walk-in-the-woods with local knowledgeable persons, traditional practitioners called“Bhoeris”and tribals (Gujjars and Bakkerwals). Results:During plant exploration in this floristically rich Himalayan region, a very interesting and less-known species of the genus Prenanthes L., (Asteraceae) was recorded. On examination, the species was identified as Prenanthes violaefolia Decne., which represents a first report from Kashmir Himalaya, India. Conclusions: Prenanthes violaefolia could serve as an important source of new potent compounds provided that it is subjected to thorough phytochemical and pharmacological investigations.

Prenanthes violaefolia Decne. (Asteraceae)-a new report from Kashmir Himalaya, India

Objective: To enumerate the diversity of important medicinal plants used traditionally by the local populace in biodiversity rich temperate Himalayan ranges of Bandipora district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Methods: Methods used to explore the plants with medicinal value and to record associated ethnomedicinal knowledge included semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and walk-in-the-woods with local knowledgeable persons, traditional practitioners called "Bhoeris" and tribals (Gujjars and Bakkerwals). Results: During plant exploration in this floristically rich Himalayan region, a very interesting and less-known species of the genus Prenanthes L., (Asteraceae) was recorded. On examination, the species was identified as Prenanthes violaefolia Decne., which represents a first report from Kashmir Himalaya, India. Conclusions: Prenanthes violaefolia could serve as an important source of new potent compounds provided that it is subjected to thorough phytochemical and pharmacological investigations.

Evaluation of Anti-Bacterial, Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory activities of Oncocalyxone A isolated from Prenanthes sarmentosus.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-bacterial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities with oncocalyxone A isolated from the leaves of Prenanthes sarmentosus. The anti-bacterial activity of different concentrations of oncocalyxone A (100, 200 mg) was evaluated against four bacterial species, namely Staphylococcus aurous, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus. Escherichia coli showed the highest susceptibility to this compound. The oral dose of oncocalyxone A at a 200mg/kg exhibited analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities in comparison with standard drug Morphine sulphate at a dose of 5 mg/kg and Diclofenac sodium at a dose of 100 mg/kg respectively. The methanolic extract of Prenanthes sarmentosus, exhibited a weak anti-bacterial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities in comparison with isolated oncocalyxone A. The oncocalyxone A at dose of 200mg/kg showed highly significant activities as compared to standard drugs.