An investigation, during 2001-2003, on the foliar diseases of Terminalia species like T. arjuna , T. Bellirica , T. chebula , T. paniculata and T. tomentosa in certain areas of Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary revealed the association of the several fungal species with disease symptoms. Phoma herbarum in case of T. arjuna and T. paniculata , Colletotrichum dematium in T. bellirica , Macrophomina phaseolina in T. tomentosa and Pestalotiopsis versicolor in T. chebula were recorded pathogenic and also were found to produce symptoms of disease through out the year. Maximum disease incidence was recorded during the rainy season. On quantitative estimation a drastic decrease in alkaloid and steroid contents in diseased leaves was noticed. On the other hand, flavonoid and phenolic contents increased significantly in diseased leaves of most tree species understudy.

http://epubs.icar.org.in/ejournal/index.php/IPPJ/article/download/12505/6214

Fungal diseases and their effect on phytochemical constituents of medicinally important Terminalia species in Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka, India.

The purpose of this review is to provide comprehensive and relevant information on the utilization and pharmacological activities of Strychnos nux-vomica Linn. (Loganiaceae), used for the treatment of various diseases. Strychnos nux-vomica is an evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia and its dried seeds are used for the treatment of neurodisorders, arthritis and vomiting. The different use of this plant as herbal remedy in Chinese medicine is also reported in the literature. Strychnine and brucine are major pharmacologically active phytoconstituents of Strychnos nux-vomica, which are central nervous stimulant, but also found to be poisonous at high dosage. Owing to its diversity of phytoconstituents, it is used for treatment of various disorders. Pharmacologically it has been validated for its effect on inflammation, microbial infections, gastrointestinal problem, nervous system, bones cells, cardiovascular systems, cancer and blood glucose level. It also has antioxidant activity and antifeedant activity. Informations about Strychnos nux-vomica, compiled in the present review article could be useful to the researchers for the scientific validation of its traditional claim in the future.

A review on medicinal uses, analytical techniques and pharmacological activities of Strychnos nux-vomica Linn.: A concise report.

Contamination of herbal drugs by microbes is a very common phenomenon as many reports are available, but what alteration occurs on secondary metabolites of plants due to these has very few records. In the present study, it has been established that the concentration of glycyrrhizin (active constituent) decreases by microbial contamination. The contamination of ten fungal species, viz. Aspergillus niger Tiegh., A. flavus Link, A. fumigates Fresentius, A. sydowii Thom & Church, Penicillium chrysogenum Thom, P. purpurogenum Stoll, Alternaria alternate (Fr.) Keissl., Cladosporium sphaerospermum Penz., Absidia corymbifera Sacc. & Trott., Rhizopus oryzae Went & Prins. Geerl. and three bacteria, viz. Escherichia coli (Migula) Castell. & Chalm., Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Schroeter) Migula and Salmonella Lignieres has been perceived in the samples of liquorice. Besides, a correlation between moisture, sugar, starch and microbial load has also been established. It was found that the sample having maximum moisture percentage had heavy microbial load. On the contrary, sugar and starch percentage were minimum in the same sample.

http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/27921/1/IJTK%2013%282%29%20319-324.pdf

Effect of microbial load on therapeutically active constituent glycyrrhizin of Glycyrrhiza glabra L.

In the present study, total 14 fungal species were found to be associated with Oroxylum indicum Vent. roots such as, Fusarium solani, F. reticulatum, F. equiseti, F oxysporum, F. semitectum, F. acuminatum, Rhizopus oryzae, A. niger, A. parasiticus, Cunningamella elegans, Syncephalestrum racemosum, Chaetomium indicum, Trichoderma sp. and Papulaspora immerse. Out of these 14 fungi, Trichoderma sp. and Fusarium solani showed highest % incidence while minimum % incidence recorded in case of Chaetomium indicum and Cunningamella elegans. The drug stored under the influence of different relative humidities viz. 30, 50, 75, 96 and 100% showed variation in % of occurrence as well as deterioration of the chemical constituents such as proteins, phenols, alkaloids and glycosides. The drug stored under 96 and 100% RH showed maximum deterioration of chemical constituents.

Fungal Association and Deterioration of Chemical Constituents of Oroxylum indicum (Vent.) Roots Under the Influence of Different Relative Humidity

Fruit rot was the most prevalent disease in experimental fields of Datura innoxia [D. fastuosa] at CIMAP, Lucknow, India, during January to April, 1995. The isolations from necrotic tissues and seeds of infected fruit samples invariably produced sixfungal cultures. Based on cultural and morphological characters, they were identified as Alternaria alternata, Alternaria solani, Bipolaris zeae, B. hawaiiensis, Curvularia lunata [Cochliobolus lunatus] and Fusarium pallidoroseum. The pathogenicity of all fungi was tested on detached fruits under laboratory conditions. A. alternata, B. zeae, B. hawaiiensis and F. pallidoroseum were highly pathogenic, whereas A. solani and C. lunatus were weak pathogens. Two major tropane alkaloids viz., hyoscyamine andscopolamine in D. innoxia fruits were considerably reduced following infection with each of the six fungal pathogens. Maximum deterioration in hyoscyamine and scopolamine content was recorded by B. zeae and F. pallidoroseum, respectively. However, C. lunatus and A. alternata, showed minimum deterioration in hyoscyamine and scopolamine, respectively.

http://epubs.icar.org.in/ejournal/index.php/IPPJ/article/download/19227/9559

Fruit rot of Datura innoxia and microbial deterioration of tropane alkaloids.

Two major indolic alkaloids, viz., strychnine (0.87%) and brucine (0.06%) contained in Strychnos nux- vomica L. seeds showed considerable change due to artificial inoculation with the spore suspensions of Aspergillus flavus Link: ex. Fries., A. niger van Teigh. and Penicillium citrinum Thorn. recorded as dominant fungal flora on the seeds during storage.

G. R. Dutta

Papers

Mycobial deterioration in strychnine and brucine of Strychnos nux-vomica seeds