Scientific findings of pakistan origin halophyte launeae nudicaulis [L.] hook.

ABSTRACT

In arid and semi-arid regions of the world salinity is the one of the major problem that causes tremendous loss in the crop yield. It is required to bring these areas under utilization for maximizing the crop production either by removing salinity or by using salt tolerant crops. These plants are growing on the soil as creepers and herbs such as Citrullus colocynthis, Cres erotica, Launeae nudicaulis [L.] Hook.f. etc. One of such kind of plants, L. nudicaulis [L.] Hook.f. has been selected for the current research study. L. nudicaulis [L.] Hook.f. is abundantly found in Pakistan, especially in Karachi, parts of Sindh province and Cholistan desert. The L. nudicaulis [L.] Hook.f. Compositae [Asteraceae] is considered as facultive type of Halophyte which can grow on saline as well as non saline soil. According to the literature survey, this creeper facultive halophyte has great medicinal significance. It is recommended in Folk medicine as bitter tonic, stomachic, wound healing accelerator etc. Furthermore, it is reported to possess antioxidant, antimicrobial, insecticidal and cytotoxic properties. Present study is based on standardization, phytochemical, urease inhibition and heavy metal analysis of three morphological parts of L nudicaulis [L.] Hook.f. i.e. [A]root, [B] stems, and [C] leaves. Due to significant medicinal properties, agronomy and easy accessibility of this ignored halophyte, preliminary phytochemical, physico-chemical, moisture content, total ash content and florescent analysis of all parts of plant were separately performed to establish the standard protocol for its identification that is crucial for medical use and detenuination of existing chemical components either primary or secondary metabolites in each part and their behaviors. Elemental analysis and urease inhibition activity were carried out to prove this plant as both nutritional and agronomic potential along with their toxic components present in each part of L. nudicaulis [L.] Hook.f?