The World Health Organization (WHO) has previously recognized to re-establish the tradinal knowledge of medicine among our conventional theaters. Tradinal knowledge since 200 B.C. in Ayurveda is very well recognized especially in India among tribal people. In India, the population of tribal people is around 53 million along with 555 tribal groups or communities, which are reside in forest and surroundings. These people have enormous indigenous knowledge which is possible tool to explore for novel cost-effective plants for medicine. Several medicinal plants were originally identified developed through the indigenous knowledge thus ethinomedicines have played key role in development of drugs in modern system of medicine.

Gloriosa superba is one of the oldest ingredient of species from ancient time. Being native form India specially Southern India. It is known as glory lily and climbing lily- in English; Karihari- in Hindi; Langli- in Sanskrit, Agnishike in Kannada, Nabhikkodi in Tamil, Karianag in Marathi ^3,4,5.The genus Gloriosa is comprised of about 10 to 15 known species such as Gloriosa superba Linn, G luteo, G plantii, G.latifolia, G magnifica, G rothschildiana, G abysstinica, G longifolia, G simplex. The important species found in India are G superba and G.rothschildiana⁶..

Fig. (1). Image of Gloriosa superb linn.

Description:

Climbing, sometimes erect herb up to 4 m long; stem annual, glabrous and sparsely branched; tuber perennial, horizontal, abruptly bent in a V or L shape, roots fibrous. Leaves in whorls of 3–4, opposite or alternate, simple, sessile; blade ovate to lanceolate, 6–15(–20) cm × 1.5–4 cm, base obtuse, apex of upper leaves with or without 1–2 cm long tendril, parallel-veined. Flowers axillary, solitary, bisexual, regular, 6-merous, 4.5–7 cm in diameter, showy, pendulous; pedicel 4–20 cm long; perianth segments free, lanceolate or oblanceolate, 5–7(–9) cm × 1(–2) cm, often with undulate margins, strongly reflexed when mature, persistent, usually yellow and red, less often yellow, red or white; stamens with filaments 2–5 cm long, spreading, anthers 7–10 mm long, opening by longitudinal slits; ovary superior, 3-celled, carpels coherent only by their inner margins, style filiform, 2–4(–5.5) cm long, bent at a right angle basally. Fruit a loculicidal, oblong capsule 4–6 cm × 1–2 cm, containing up to 20(–40) seeds. Seeds ovoid, 4–5 mm in diameter, surrounded by a fleshy, red sarcotesta⁷.

Ethnomedicinal / Traditional Uses:

Gloriosa superba is a well known ethnomedicinal plant which is used in Ayurveda. Its use in the Indian traditional folk medicine is also well documented. Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, indigestion, fever, arthritis, obstructed labor, cardio-myopathy, skin diseases, in higher dose or without purification, it is highly poisonous. In Ayurveda and yunani systems of medicine, the tuber of plant is well known due to its pungent, bitter, acrid, heating, anthelmintic, laxative, alexiteric and abortifacient nature. It is widely used in the treatment of ulcers, leprosy, piles, inflammations, abdominal pains, intestinal worms, thirst, bruises, infertility and skin problem⁸. However, ingestion of all parts of the plant is extremely poisonous and can be fatal ⁹. The tuber also claims antidotal properties to snake-bite and in India it is commonly placed on window sills to deter snakes. Many cultures believe the species to have various magical properties¹⁰. Tribals crush roots of the plant in water and apply on head for curing baldness. To avoid painful delivery, Gonds and Bharias of Patalkot, apply rhizome extract over the navel and vagina. It induces labour pain and performs normal delivery. According to Bhumkas of Patalkot, this dose may lead to abortion if given to a lady with pregnancy of 1 or 2 months¹¹. Since the rhizome is having abortive action, this is prescribed for normal delivery¹².

Phytochemistry:

Photochemical studies show that all parts of the plant, especially the tubers are extremely toxic due to the presence of a highly active alkaloid, Colchicine. The species also contains another toxic alkaloid, Gloriosine¹³. Alkaloids are structurally heterogeneous class of secondary biomolecules derived from basically five amino acids ornithine, lysine, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan¹⁴. Along with these two important alkaloids the other compounds such as lumicolchicine, 3-demethyl-N-deformyl-N-deacetylcolchicine, 3-demethylcolchicine, N-formyl deacetylcolchcine have been isolated from the plant^15,16.

G. superba seeds contain new colchicine glycoside, 3-O-demethylcolchicine-3-O-alpha-D- glucopyranoside¹⁷. Colchicin, b-siltosterol, long chain fatty acids, b and g-lumiccolchicines, 2-hydroxy-6-methoxy benzoic acid from tubers and root while luterlin, N-formyl-deacetyl colchicines from flower have been isolated^{18,
19, 20}. Isolated, purified 3-monomeric monocot mannose-binding lectins from G. superba evaluated for antipoxviral activity ²¹.

Colchicine:

Fig. (2). Structure of colchicine (N-[(7S)-1,2,3,10- tetramethoxy-9-oxo-5,6,7,9-tetrahydrobenzo[a]heptalen- 7-yl]acetamide)^22,23.

G. superba is also known for its colchicines content which finds use to treat arthritis²⁴. Biosynthetic enhancement of colchicines production on the root culture of G. superba by aluminium chloride as an elictor was successfully observed²⁵. Colchicine is synthesized using mainly aromatic amino acids such as tryptophan, phenylalanine and tyrosine. Biosynthesis of colchicine studied using in vitro supply of exogenous precursor from G. superba and B₅medium.

Pharmacological Activities:

G. superba is used in treatment of gout and rheumatism. In small doses it act as tonic, stomatic and anthelmentic²⁶.

Antifungal activity:

Excellent antifungal activity has been reported o of tuber extract against Candida albicans, Microsporum canis and Staphylococcus aures²⁷. Aqueous and alcoholic extracts of leaves also showed significant antimicrobial and antifungal activity²⁸.

Enzyme inhibitory activity:

Rhizome extract of Gloriosa superba have been screened against lipoxygenase, acetylcholinesterase, buterylcholinesterase and urease in which wonderful inhibition was observed on lipoxygenase^{26, 29}.

Treatment of snake bite:

Plant extract showed potent neutralising effect against venom ^{26, 30}.

Antitumor/cytogenic activity:

G.superba screened for metaphase chromosome preparation in adult mosquitoes using an inoculation technique for colchicine like substances using mosquito cytogenic assay have shown increased metaphasic chromosome³¹. Colchicine affect cell membrane structure indirectly by inhibiting the synthesis of membrane constituent. It binds to tubeline preventing its polymerisation into microtubules. This anti-mitotic property disrupts the spindle apparatus that separates chromosome through metaphase, cells with high metabolic rates are most implicated by the arrest of mitosis³².

Antipoxviral activity:

The presense of mannose derivative and oligomanose carbohydrates has shown inhibition against Man lectin. It has been found cytotoxic to BSC-I cell line³³.

Anticoagulant activity:

Ethanolic and aqueous extract of Gloriosa superba has displayed anticoagulant property³⁴.

Toxicity/Poisoning:

The colchicine which is major component of G. superba is mainly responsible for toxic effect³⁵. The commonest clinical presentation of poisoning is severe gastroenteritis with nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea with blood leading to dehydration, hypovolaemic shock and acute renal failure. Muscle weakness, hypoventilation, ascending polyneuropathy, bone marrow depression and coagulation disorders are the other features of poisoning. Death in severe poisoning occurs due to shock or respiratory failure although haemorrhagic or infective complications may cause death after the first day^{36, 37}.

Description of clinical effects in poisoning:

1. Cardiovascular: There is no direct effect on the heart, but fluid and electrolyte loss, often causes hypovolaemic shock manifested by hypotension and tachycardia.

2. Respiratory: Respiratory failure is thought to be due to the paralysis of intercostal muscles rather than the direct depression of the respiratory centre by colchicine³⁸.

3. Central nervous system (CNS): There is progressive paralysis of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system³⁸.

4. Peripheral nervous system: Ascending polyneuropathy, weakness, loss of deep tendon reflexes may be described.

5. Skeletal and smooth muscle: Colchicine could have a direct toxic effect on skeletal muscles causing muscular weakness. Rhabdomyolysis may occur with significant increase in muscle enzymes and myoglobinuria as a result of direct muscular damage. Muscle weakness that may persist for many weeks may contribute to respiratory deficiency³⁹.

6. Gastrointestinal: Gastroenteritis including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea with blood accompanied by colic and tenesmus. Loss of fluids and electrolytes leads to hypovolaemia. Intestinal ileus may develop within the first few days and may persist up to a week⁴⁰.

7. Hepatic: Colchicine may exert direct hepatic toxicity with moderate cytolysis.

8. Renal: Any direct toxic effect of the toxin on kidney is not clear. Renal failure is probably secondary to excess fluid loss or hypovolaemia and is preceded by oliguria and haematuria. Proteinuria could also occur⁴¹.

9. Endocrine and reproductive systems: Vaginal bleeding has been reported as a feature of intoxication. Tubers are used as an abortifacient in some countries.

10. Dermatological: Alopecia usually occurs one or two weeks after the ingestion of G. superba. A case of generalized depilation has also been reported¹³.

11. Eye, ear, nose, and throat: Subconjunctival haemorrhages have been observed. Burning and rawness of the throat may be early symptoms of toxicity¹³.

12. Fluid and electrolyte disturbances: There is an extensive fluid and electrolyte loss due to intense vomiting and diarrhoea or sometimes due to haemorrhages. Hypokalaemia, hypocalcaemia, hypophosphataemia and hyponatraemia may occur⁴¹.

13. Haematological: Colchicine has a depressant action on the bone marrow which is characterized by a transient leucocytosis followed by leucopenia. It could also cause thrombocytopenia that may give rise to various coagulation disorders resulting in vaginal bleeding, conjunctival and gastrointestinal haemorrhages .Severe thrombocytopenia occurring within 6 hours of poisoning has been documented. Anaemia may occur, mostly secondary to haemorrhages⁴².

Conservation:

Gloriosa superba usually multiply by corm and seeds but due to low germination capability it restricts for the regeneration. Therefore, in order to safeguard and preserve this important plant biotechnological approachs would be very useful.

Clonal propagation of G. superba from apical bud and node segment of shoot tip, cultured on solidified agar (0.8% w/v) Gamborg’s B5 medium containing BA, IAA, Kinetin, NAA, IBA or 2,4-D. The cultures were maintained under fluorescent light at 25-27ºC. Primary cultures were initiated in solid B5 containing 0.5 to 1 mg/L BA and 0.01-0.5 mg/L IAA, transferred to shoot multiplication media, shoot proliferation occurred via adventitious bud formation within 4-8 weeks⁴³. In vitro propagation and corm formation in G. superba is also reported⁴⁴. Micropropagation of Gloriosa superba L. Through High Frequency Shoot Proliferation has been studeeded. The survival rate of regenerants was found to be 85 - 90%⁴⁵.

CONCLUSION:

Application indigenous natural products has been alternative way to replace synthetic medicine. Gloriosa superba is a well known ethnomedicinal plant which is used in Ayurveda. Photochemical studies of G. superba shows presence of a highly active alkaloid, Colchicine. FDA-approved use of colchicine is to treat gout (it is one of the active ingredients of anti-gout tablets marketed by Merck & Co.), though it is also occasionally used in veterinary medicine to treat cancers in some animals. It is also used as an antimicrobial, antifungal, anticoagulant, antilipoxygenase agent and antidote in snake bite. However, ingestion of all parts of the plant is extremely poisonous and can be fatal. The commonest clinical presentation of poisoning is severe gastroenteritis with nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea with bleading to dehydration, hypovolaemic shock and acute renal failure. Gloriosa superba usually multiply by corm and seeds but due to low germination capability it restricts for the regeneration. Therefore, in order to safeguard and preserve this important plant biotechnological approachs would be very useful. Micropropagation of Gloriosa superba meets ever increasing demands for colchicine. The availability from both wild and cultivated sources make the plant of Gloriosa superba a potential source of Colchicine in India.

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Received on 30.01.2011

Accepted on 28.02.2011

Research Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 3(3): May- June 2011, 103-107