Recent Trends in the Study of Botanical Research Volume - 1

The current study focuses on numerous plant species observed within the Dubri Wildlife Sanctuary in Sidhi District, Madhya Pradesh, India. The research documents rare and endangered plant species found at the study site. The paper records 37 plant species as rare or endangered, providing their botanical names, local names, red data categories, and current status in the study area. Many of these plant species require immediate conservation efforts due to their critical status. The situation is concerning, with certain endangered species needing heightened attention. Additionally, the study underscores the importance of protecting some rare and endangered plants that are still abundant in the Dubri Wildlife Sanctuary of Sidhi district. Preserving them within their natural habitat in the forest area serves as an effective model for conserving plant diversity, especially considering the sanctuary's significant role in safeguarding a substantial number of endangered and rare plants.

The ethnobotanical investigations pertaining to a specific geographical area involve an intricate and laborious process. In this context, a research paper has meticulously documented the indigenous wisdom concerning the utilization of medicinal plants for addressing various reproductive health disorders and ailments. The locale under study is the Dubri Wild Life Sanctuary situated in the Sidhi District of Madhya Pradesh, India. The conducted survey employed a meticulous approach that encompassed direct and probing inquiries directed towards traditional healthcare practitioners, community leaders, and individuals with educational backgrounds. The crux of the study centers around a comprehensive analysis of 22 distinct plant species, each attributed to the management of 11 discrete reproductive disorders. These ailments encompass a range of conditions including leucorrhea, excessive uterine bleeding, infertility in both males and females, nocturnal emissions, involuntary seminal emissions, pregnancy-induced vomiting, gonorrhea, complications during childbirth, augmentation of lactation, irregular menstrual cycles, and female contraception. The identified medicinal plants are expounded upon through their botanical and indigenous nomenclature, affiliated botanical families, specific plant parts that are utilized, the time-honored techniques employed in the preparation of therapeutic remedies, recommended dosages, and the manner in which these formulations are administered to human subjects.

Agricultural biodiversity serves as a reservoir facilitating the advancement of novel and progressive crop varieties. It is incontrovertible that agricultural biodiversity assumes a pivotal role in addressing not only our sustenance requirements but also our broader material necessities. Within the realm of agricultural biodiversity, an extensive genetic reservoir is conserved, furnishing a robust foundation for augmenting food outputs in the context of burgeoning populations within distinct microclimatic habitats. In tandem with enhancing production, the inherent variability inherently safeguards against pestilence and other maladies. The elemental requisites for human sustenance are readily procurable via the conduit of agricultural biodiversity. Moreover, the role of agricultural biodiversity extends to the equilibrium preservation of the ecosystem. Hence, in addition to its multifarious advantages, it mitigates geopolitical insularity. Ergo, the preservation of agricultural biodiversity emerges as an imperatively requisite pursuit for ensuring food availability, fostering sustainable progression, and safeguarding the reservoir of genetic diversity within the region. The present chapter is an attempt to discuss the agricultural biodiversity of Sidhi District, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Coleus rotundifolius L., a member of the Lamiaceae family, is recognized by its vernacular name "Patharchur" in Hindi. It presents as a sizable succulent perennial herb, characterized by its aromatic qualities. The plant's leaves have historically found application in diverse medicinal contexts such as malarial fever, hepatopathy, renal and vesicle calculi, cough, chronic asthma, bronchitis, hiccough, anthelmintic purposes, colic pain, and convulsions. The present paper undertakes a comprehensive investigation of the pharmacognostic attributes pertaining to the leaves, stems, and roots of C. rotundifolius, encompassing an array of distinct parameters.

In the current phase of research, an intricate chemical analysis was undertaken on Coleus rotundifolius L., a valuable medicinal plant within the Lamiaceae family. This investigation encompassed an exhaustive examination of phytochemical constituents, utilizing distinct solvent extracts such as water, methanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and acetone, derived from the plant's leaves. The obtained results illuminated a rich amalgamation of biochemical elements across all solvent extracts, notably including carbohydrates, glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, triterpenoids, and lipids. However, a notable accentuation was observed in the methanolic leaf extract, which displayed an enhanced presence of phenols, effectively outshining the other constituents.

The wall flora constitutes a fascinating assemblage of stress-tolerant plants adept at thriving in substrates lacking proper nutrients. These walls serve as havens for species seeking sanctuary. In doing so, both rural and urban walls contribute significantly to the preservation of rare and endangered plants. However, certain species that settle on walls can inflict harm upon structures, necessitating their removal. The current study, encompassing the wall flora across five principal zones of Sidhi district, has documented a remarkable tally of 28 species spanning 24 genera and 16 families. Upon scrutinizing the flora through the lens of the supporting wall types, intriguing findings have emerged. Among the five distinct wall categories investigated, cemented brick walls have supported the greatest number of species, totalling 27. This research on wall flora holds paramount importance as it not only unravels numerous enigmas related to plant adaptation but also imparts invaluable insights for landscape planning. Moreover, it aids in safeguarding historic edifices, particularly those of cultural significance, and monuments.

The current chapter discusses the mural floristic composition of Sidhi city, Madhya Pradesh. A total of 60 mural plants were documented, including bryophytes and pteridophytes. The angiospermic mural flora comprised 51 genera from 29 distinct families. Additionally, two bryophyte species and two pteridophyte species were also observed in the study.

This chapter focuses on identifying the phytochemical components and assessing the acute oral toxicity of the methanolic extract obtained from Mucuna pruriens seeds. The process involved collecting mature seeds, drying them at room temperature, crushing them into coarse powder, and using Soxhlet's extraction technique with methanol. The resulting extract was then concentrated using a rotary flash evaporator, resulting in a semi-solid crude extract with a yield of 09.534%. The phytochemical analysis of the seed extract detected the presence of various compounds, including steroids, alkaloids, tannins, carbohydrates, amino acids, resins, and starch.

In the ongoing investigation, different treatments were applied to Mucuna pruriens seeds to encourage early germination by overcoming dormancy. Results revealed that on the 17th day after planting, various treatments were used, including hot water, scarification, stratification, alternating temperatures, KNO3, thiourea, kinetin, GA3, H₂SO₄, pre-soaking, electric current, coumarin, brassinolide, and IAA. The respective germination percentages were 4%, 32%, 40%, 17%, 23%, 27%, 18%, 28%, 31%, 35%, 40%, 17%, 28%, 74%, and 82%. Notably, mechanical injury proved to be the most effective method, resulting in the highest germination percentage of 88%. Moreover, IAA also demonstrated usefulness by inducing 82% germination.

The current chapter describes the life cycle of Bidens pilosa throughout the year, including its vegetative, flowering, and fruiting phases. The plant produces different types of flowers called capitula, with ray florets opening on the first day and disc florets opening on the following four days. While ray florets are sterile, disc florets are fertile and exhibit various characteristics such as dichogamy, protandry, herkogamy, self-compatibility, self-pollination through vectors, and the potential for cross-pollination. The disc florets also have a secondary pollen presentation. The plant primarily relies on insects for pollination, but wind and rain can also play a role. The disc florets yield both long and short cypselas (seeds) from the same capitulum. The dispersal of seeds involves multiple methods, including wind, animals, and water.

Bidens pilosa is a perennial herb found worldwide in temperate and tropical regions. It has a history of traditional use in food and medicine without notable harmful effects. Although there has been progress in analysing its chemical and biological properties, comprehensive and up-to-date reviews are scarce. The plant has shown various pharmacological activities, including hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, antidiabetic, hypotensive, immunomodulatory effects, and use for conditions like bronchial catarrh, dysentery, and diarrhea. This study focuses on analysing the phytochemicals present in Bidens pilosa leaves. Initially, dried Bidens pilosa powder was extracted using chloroform, acetone-water, and chloroform-water solvents. The extracts were then tested for the presence of different phytochemicals.

An investigation was conducted to study the existing floral composition in Kusmi Forest, located in Sidhi (Madhya Pradesh). The choice of the present area of Kusmi Forest for this floristic study was driven by its lack of attention towards its vegetation. The forest's vegetation was characterized as dry deciduous, thorny scrub type. A total of more than 135 plant species, representing over 49 families, were examined. Among these families, Caesalpiniaceae and Mimosaceae stood out as the most dominant. This publication provides the first-ever comprehensive floristic information about the tree flora present in Kusmi Forest.

A study was conducted in the Kusmi forest of District Sidhi, Madhya Pradesh, India, analysing the vegetational structures across different strata: trees, shrubs, and herbs. A total of 738 woody individuals from 14 species were recorded in random quadrats covering a 0.25-hectare area. Shorea robusta exhibited the highest stem density and Importance Value Index (IVI). All species displayed a clumped distribution pattern. Trees occupied a basal area of 20.39 m² per hectare. The species richness and diversity of shrubs and herbs exceeded that of trees. Given the presence of various anthropogenic disturbances, immediate conservation efforts are warranted.

The current study focuses on conducting In-vitro experiments to assess the antimicrobial properties of frankincense from Boswellia serrata. Various concentrations (25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/ml) were tested to evaluate the effectiveness against Gram-positive bacteria like Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, as well as Gram-negative bacteria including Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. For microbes like Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus vulgaris, inhibition zones were measured and compared to the positive control antibiotic Ciprofloxacin (5ug/ml), and negative control DMSO. The results demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity. The frankincense extracts exhibited antimicrobial effects similar to the standard, suggesting their potential use in treating diseases caused by these bacterial strains.

Medicines derived from Boswellia serrata have been utilized within the Unani system of Medicine. B. serrata showcases a range of pharmacological actions and is commonly employed to treat conditions like diarrhea, dysentery, rheumatic and osteoarthritis, chronic inflammatory diseases, wound healing, asthma, corneal ulcers, and various skin ailments. The medicinal substance is obtained by injuring the tree's trunk, subsequently stored and graded based on criteria like color, shape, size, and taste. Apart from its medicinal applications, this tree resin has historical usage as incense in religious ceremonies. Boswellia serrata has undergone physiochemical evaluations using the protocol established for ASU drugs. These tests demonstrate that Boswellia serrata powder possesses a yellowish-brown hue, distinctive aroma, and spicy taste, accompanied by a moderate texture. The quality of the herbal medicine suspension is typically monitored through quality control processes to ensure its effectiveness and safety. Additionally, Boswellia serrata plays a role as a reference for future diagnostic purposes, aiding in maintaining drug purity, quality, ownership, and preventing adulteration.

Ethnomedicinal information from District Sidhi, Madhya Pradesh, India, has been provided. The list includes plants utilized by rural and tribal communities, arranged alphabetically by their botanical names. Each entry includes the plant's family, local name, and the ailments it's used for. A comprehensive total of 90 species, spanning 45 families, has been catalogued.

This chapter focuses on the investigation of medicinal plants utilized for treating diabetes in the Gondwana region of the Vindhyan area in Madhya Pradesh, India. The study concentrates on districts like Sidhi, Shahdol, Umaria, and Anuppur. The paper provides descriptions of various plants, including their botanical and common names, family, growth habits, habitats, and the specific plant parts employed for managing sugar levels in humans.

This chapter focuses on the study of aquatic macrophytes and their importance in the Gopaldas pond of Sidhi municipal Area, Madhya Pradesh, India. The pond exhibits a rich variety of plant species, leading to vigorous macrophyte growth. Some of these macrophytes in the pond serve beneficial purposes for humans and domestic animals. Given that macrophytes significantly contribute to pond productivity, this research primarily centres around this aspect.

The paper focuses on a study conducted during the 2017-2018 period in two Nagarpalika areas within the Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh. The research explores aquatic weeds and their ecological characteristics. A total of 36 weed species were identified across the wetlands. Notably, species such as Eichhornia crassipes, Ipomoea aquatica, Typha angustifolia, and Hydrilla verticillata were consistently present in both ponds throughout the entire year.