Decalepis

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Axillary buds obtained from field grown plants of D hamiltonii were used to initiate multiple shoots on Murashige and Skoog's medium (MS) supplemented with 2 mg L(-1) 6-benzyl aminopurine (BA) and 05 mg L(-1) indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) Profuse rooting was achieved when the actively growing shoots were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 10 mg l(-1) indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) Regenerated plants were grown successfully in the plains, in contrast to wild growth in high altitudes and rocky crevices of hilly regions Roots of different sizes from one-year-old tissue culture raised field grown plants had the same profile of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde as that of wild plants A maximum of 014% and 012% 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde was produced in roots of one year old tissue culture derived plants and greenhouse grown plants respectively

Abstract: Decalepis root is consumed as ingredient in pickles and is a common ingredient in many of the ayurvedic preparation. Streptozotocin (STZ) is a potential source of oxidative stress that induces diabetes. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of Decalepis root extract (DRE) on antioxidant defence system in the body and other diabetic complications in rats. Rats were prefed with DRE (0.05 and 0.1%) and then injected with STZ (50 mg/kg bodyweight, i.p.). The results demonstrated that STZ injection lead to increased oxidation of tissue lipids apart from diabetic changes, decreased activities of the antioxidant enzymes causing liver and DNA damage. In rats, which were prefed with DRE, peroxidation of lipids was prevented to a significant level (heart 19%, kidney 42% and liver 88%). DRE protected the rats against STZ induced oxidative stress, reduced the risk of oxidative stress, DNA damage and ameliorated liver damage and diabetic condition. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The results obtained in this study clearly demonstrated that Decalepis root extract is plant-derived and nontoxic, it could be introduced in the cancer therapy regime in combination with conventional therapeutic agents, after some more detailed investigation. This extract could be used not only as food preservative (to replace for the toxic butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene currently under use) but also can be used in the preparation of nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products. Reactive oxygen species-mediated oxidative stress is now regarded as a major factor leading to degenerative diseases such as ageing, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke, osteoporosis, diseases of the brain and nervous system and eye diseases such as cataract and age-related macular degeneration; a suitable antioxidant therapies with the extract could be one of the medicine to control these degenerative diseases. This study presents cost effective source of highly potent antioxidants that is safe and natural with antidiabetic, anti-atherosclerotic and hepatoprotective properties.