Author Correction: Character-based DNA barcoding for authentication and conservation of IUCN Red listed threatened species of genus Decalepis (Apocynaceae).

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Phytochemical Screening for Various Secondary Metabolites, Antioxidant, and Anthelmintic Activity of Coscinium fenestratum Fruit Pulp: A New Biosource for Novel Drug Discovery.

OBJECTIVES: Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) Colebr. (CF, Family: Menispermaceae) is an important endangered woody climber in India. CF contains various major secondary metabolites for the treatment of various disease conditions. The present study aimed to establish the antioxidant and anthelmintic activity of Coscinium fenestratum fruit pulp. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The dried fruit pulp was subjected to aqueous, methanol, and mixed aqueous and methanol (1:1) solvent extraction followed by phytochemical investigations, estimations of alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, antioxidant potentiality (DPPH and hydrogen peroxide scavenging methods), and anthelmintic activity tests were carried out. RESULTS: Preliminary phytochemical screening of CF fruit extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids phenols, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, and resins, which are responsible for biologic properties. The combined aqueous and methanol extract resulted in significant anthelmintic and antioxidant properties in a dose-dependent manner. The DPPH free radical scavenging assay and H2O2 assay exhibited IC50 values of 42.38±0.012 µg/mL and 46.80±0.011 µg/mL, respectively. Thereafter, the anthelmintic activity test was carried out against Pheretima posthuma and Taenia solium with the extract at varying concentrations of 25, 50, 100 and 150 mg/mL and compared with standard albendazole (25 and 50 mg/mL) and saline (0.9%) as a control. All the extracts exhibited concentration-dependent paralytic effect, followed by death on the test organism, but significant activity was observed with the combined methanol and aqueous extract. CONCLUSION: The study was conducted in order to find possible isolated compounds as a biosources for future novel antioxidants in food and pharmaceutical formulations. Our findings indicate for the first time that the CF fruit pulp has therapeutic values with prominent antioxidant and anthelmintic properties.

Character-based DNA barcoding for authentication and conservation of IUCN Red listed threatened species of genus Decalepis (Apocynaceae).

The steno-endemic species of genus Decalepis are highly threatened by destructive wild harvesting. The medicinally important fleshy tuberous roots of Decalepis hamiltonii are traded as substitute, to meet the international market demand of Hemidesmus indicus. In addition, the tuberous roots of all three species of Decalepis possess similar exudates and texture, which challenges the ability of conventional techniques alone to perform accurate species authentication. This study was undertaken to generate DNA barcodes that could be utilized in monitoring and curtailing the illegal trade of these endangered species. The DNA barcode reference library was developed in BOLD database platform for candidate barcodes rbcL, matK, psbA-trnH, ITS and ITS2. The average intra-specific variations (0-0.27%) were less than the distance to nearest neighbour (0.4-11.67%) with matK and ITS. Anchoring the coding region rbcL in multigene tiered approach, the combination rbcL + matK + ITS yielded 100% species resolution, using the least number of loci combinations either with PAUP or BLOG methods to support a character-based approach. Species-specific SNP position (230 bp) in the matK region that is characteristic of D. hamiltonii could be used to design specific assays, enhancing its applicability for direct use in CITES enforcement for distinguishing it from H. indicus.