INTRODUCTION:

Buchanania lanzan Spreng, Syn. B. latifolia Rox. a member of family Anacardiaceae is a commercially useful tree species and well known for its medicinal and therapeutic values in Indian folk medicine.(3,4) This plant was first described by Francis Hamilton in 1798. This species is globally distributed in Indo-Malaysia. The tree is natural wild growth in the tropical deciduous forests, up to an altitude, 1200 m of Northern, Western and Central India and in the sub-Himalayan tract up to an altitude of 900 m, mostly in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan and in Varanasi and Mirzapur districts of Uttar Pradesh. Besides India, the plant is also found in other tropical Asian countries, Australia and Pacific islands.(12) The plant is commonly known as “Almondette” tree in english.(17, 18, 20).

Received on 24.06.2015 Modified on 18.07.2015

Res. J. Pharmacognosy & Phytochem. 7(3): July-Sept. 2015; Page 182-188

DOI: 10.5958/0975-4385.2015.00029.1

Buchanania lanzan, being a vulnerable medicinal plant, is included in the Red Data Book published by International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). This species has high socioeconomic value providing livelihood to tribal population of the area and has high potential as commercial horticulture species. Unfortunately due to over-exploitation and indiscriminate harvesting (lopping and cutting), leading to very severe threat to its extinction, which call for an urgent conservation efforts to preserve this plant?(12)

Buchanania lanzan Spreng, commonly known as char, achar and chironji, in hindi is endemic in the dry deciduous tropical forests of India mostly in eroded ravine lands. It avoids waterlogged areas, but occurs locally in clay soils. It is an evergreen moderate-sized deciduous tree, with straight, cylindrical trunk, upto 13-17 m height and upto 1.3 m girth, tomentose branches. Its bark is rough, dark grey crocodile or black, fissured into prominent squares, 1.25 to 1.75 cm thick, and is reddish inside. Leaves are oval shaped with diameter 12.5-25 x 6.3-12.5 cm, tickly leathery, alternate, petiolate, very coriaceous, and broadly oblong with blunt tip rounded base. Petioles are about 12 mm long, panicles shorter than leaves, woolly or velvety. Leaves have 10-20 pairs of straight parallel veins and are pubescent.(28) Flowering starts in the month of November, crowed, small, sessile, greenish white in colour, inflorescence is axillary and terminal panicles. Calyx 3-5 lobed, 1mm long, ovate, apex obtuse, petals 4-5, 3 mm long, ovate, sub acute. Disc fleshy, 5-lobed, stamens 10, a little shorter than the petals; filaments flattened; anthers about as long as the filaments; ovary has 5-6 free carpels, situated inside the disc, only 1 carpel fertile. Fruits are drupes ovoid or globoid obliquely lentiform, 8-12 mm long, green when immature and black at ripened stage; stone hard, 2-valved, each containing a single seed, which is popular as an edible nut, commonly known as “chironji” and is quite, having pleasant sweetish acidic flavour.(3, 2, 12, 13, 20, 27, 28). Regionally, it is known by different names. The botanical origin and vernacular names of Buchanania lanzan are

Botanical origin:

Kingdom: Plantae

Order: Spindales

Family: Anacardiaceae

Sub-family: Anacardioideae

Genus: Buchanania

Species: Buchanania lanzan Spreng.

Vernacular names:

Arabic: Chirongi, habulsamnah

Bengali: Chironji

English: Almondette, Cheronjee, Cuddapah almond

Hindi: Achar, Baruda, Char, Chiraunji, Chironji, Kath bhilawa, Maira, Priyala

Gujarati: Charoli

Marathi: Char, Chareli, Charoli, Chiraoli, Chirauli, Pyalchar

Kannada: Charpoppu, Dhurkaalu, Erappu, Hulimaralu, Irippa, Kolageru, Morale.

Malyalam: Cheru, Kalamavu, Mungapper, Moongapezhu, Munnapelu, Nuruvi, Priyalam

Oriya: Charu

Persian: Nakulekwajah

Sanskrit: Akhatta, Bahulavalkala, Char, Dhanu, Hasannaka, Lalana, Priyalam, Rajadana

Tamil: Ayattilitacempi, Caraipparuppu, Kaattumaa, Morala, Pulima, Sarai, Tanu

Telugu: Chari, Chaarumaamidi, Jaarumaamidi, jarumamidi, Saarachettu, Morichettu Tibetan: Pilaya

Urdu: Hironji, Maghz chiraunji (12, 29)

About seven species of Buchanania have been reported in India, out of which Buchanania lanzan and Buchanania axillaries (Syn. Angustifolia) produce edible fruits. Buchanania lanceolata, an endangered species, is found in the evergreen forests of Kerala while Buchanania platyneura is found in Andaman. Other species of the genus are Buchanania lucida, Buchanania glabra and Buchanania accuminata.(12). Buchanania lanzan plant has well-known traditional uses in ayurveda and Unani system of medicine; almost all parts of the plant i.e. roots, rhizome, leaves, fruits, seeds and gum are used for the treatment of various disorders.(12, 22) The ancient literatures (Charak Samhita, Bhavprakash, Chakradutta, Chiranjeev Vanaushadhi) revealed that traditionally used as laxative, astringent, expectorant, purgative, binding, cooling and aphrodisiac; removes “kapha,” purifies blood; tonic to the body, heart and brain; cures “vata,” ulcers, blood diseases, biliousness, fever, thirst, pimples, prickly heat and various other skin disorders[2](20). In ayurveda, Seeds are used as cardiotonic, expectorant and brain-tonic, its oil is used to reduce granular swelling of the neck.(12, 15).

The oil extracted from kernels is applied on skin diseases and also to remove spots and blemishes from the face, as a general tonic and as anti-diarrhoeal. Ointment is made from the kernel which is used to relieve itch and prickly heat.(25) Kernel from the plant is known to possess antioxidant and anti inflammatory activity.(20). The fruits are diuretic, laxative and are used to relieve thirst, body-burning, fever, cough and asthma (16). Dry fruits have been reported to show immune-stimulant and astringent properties.(20) The roots are used as acrid, astringent, cooling, depurative, constipating and in treatment of diarrhoea.(16) Extract of the root also used as an expectorant, in biliousness and also for curing blood diseases.(12) The gum from the bark used for treating diarrhoea and intercostals pains. The gum is mixed with goat`s milk for effective and curative results in intercostals pains, being analgesic.(25) Leaves are used as anti-diarrhoeal, anti-rheumatism, skin diseases, wound healing and as anti-ophidian.(15) The juice of the leaves is used as blood purifier, thirst-quencher, digestive, expectorant, aphrodisiac and purgative.(25) Powdered or crushed leaves are applied to wounds. The rhizome of B. lanzan finds an important place in indigenous medicine as an expectorant, diuretic and carminative. It is also found to have anticancer, antihypertensive, anti-diabetic, astringent, antioxidant activity, cardiotonic, larvicidal. (2, 4, 14-18 22, 25, 28)

The tribal people of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh are using mainly for wound healing, anti-diarrhoeal, analgesic and antiulcer activity.(3) and Southern Bihar blend the powder of the stem bark with Syzygium cumini (Myrtaceae) together and same is given to treat infantile diarrhoea.(12) Some tribal communities of Andhra Pradesh consume a blend of the gum dissolved in cow`s milk for treating rheumatic pains.(3, 12) Traditionally used by Indian tribes for a wider range of ailments, including nutritional disorders, skin diseases, gravel and other urinary problems.(14) This plant is also used in treatment and prevention of cancer by traditional healers and herbalists of the Chhattisgarh state of India.(18) It has also folklore evidence for its effective role in curing asthma, cough, skin diseases, antioxidants and anti-tumor effect.(19). The tribal people often collect the fruits of this tree to earn their livelihood, through its sale, the tree is consequently overexploited. In the recent past, due to excessive felling of trees and overgrazing, considerable reduction in the population of B. lanzan in the forest and non-forest areas has been recorded. B. lanzan is included in the Red Data Book published by International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) as it is a vulnerable medicinal plant.(25). The fruit is laxative, cooling, aphrodisiac, cures biliousness, fever, thirst, ulcer and blood diseases. The paste of young trees mixed with CaCO₃ is applied externally in snake bite.(27).

The seed kernel and bark of Priyala is used in the form of decoction to treat intrinsic haemorrhage, diarrhoea with blood and as tonic. As tonic: Grown up child who has left the breast-milk should be given sweet bolus prepared of priyala (kernels), madhuka,(Glycyrrhiza glabra) honey, parched paddy and sugar candy. It acts as saturating and tonic. Kernels of the priyala made into a powder and used with milk as an aphrodisiac, in case of fever and burning sensation. dysentry: powder of the bark mixed with honey is useful in dysentery with blood.(29)

The tribal communities of Sonbhadra District, one of the most backward districts of Uttar Pradesh and a part of the Vindhyan zone, earn money by collecting gum and lac by rearing kusumi strain of lac on the chironji trees. Thus, Buchanania lanzan is a socioeconomically important underutilized life-support and tropical medicinal species for the tribal populace of North, West and Central India. But unfortunately due to over-exploitation and indiscriminate harvesting (lopping and cutting) considerable reduction in the population of Buchanania lanzan has been recorded in the recent past, leading to severe threat of its extinction, which needs urgent conservation efforts.(12).

The roots are acrid, astringent, cooling, depurative and constipating, and are useful in treatment of diarrhoea. Leaves are used in the treatment of skin diseases. Fruits are used in treating cough and asthma.(30). The rhizome of B. lanzan finds an important place in indigenous medicine a s a n expectorant, diuretic and carminative (7). It is also found to have anticancer (8), antihypertensive (9) and larvicidal activity (10). It is used for the treatment of various skin disorder s, rheumatism and diabetes mellitus (11, 12). (31) The chironji seeds/kernels are nutritional, palatable and used as a substitute for almonds in confectionery.(12) The native’s uses of seeds is for the preparation of sweets. For the natives and traditional healers Chironji is a valuable herb. A sweet dish called "Chironji Ki Barfi" is much popular among them both for delicious taste and nutritional properties. In the tobacco industry it is used for the refinement. The superior quality gum is used in soft drinks and edibles for coloring. The timber of chironji is slightly resistant to termite and is utilized for making furniture, boxes and crates, desks, fine furniture, match boxes, moulding, packing cases, stools, tables and agricultural implements. Bark is used in tannin industries due to yield of tannin (13%). The seed is substitute to almond, the oil extract from seed is using it as almond oil. According to reference literatures, it is also good substitute to olive-oil. Chironji is used for coating tablets for delayed action.(13). Leaves contain tannins, triterpenoids, saponins, flavonoids and reducing sugars. The seeds possess moisture and are rich in lipid/fat, protein, starch/carbohydrate, fibre, minerals like calcium, phosphorus, iron and vitamins like thiamine, ascorbic acid/vitamin C, riboflavin, niacin and also contain fatty oil. Kernel lipids comprised mainly of neutral lipids, consist mostly of triacylglycerol, free fatty acids and small amount of diacylglycerols, monoacylglycerols and sterols. Bark yields tannin.(12) The phytochemical screening of the roots revealed the presence of tannins, saponins particularly steroidal saponin, and flavonoids.(6) The phytoconstitute reported in bark of this plant tannins, quercetin, gallic acid and glucoside.(18) Phytochemical analysis of the plant reveals the presence of flavonoid, tannins, glycosides, phenols, steroid, saponin and gallic acid and myricetin 3’- rhamnoside-3-galactoside in leaves.(20, 24) Chemical constituents like Myricetin-3’ rhamnoside-3-galactoside A and a number of glycolipids have been isolated from this plant and the other compounds reported are cardanol, cardol, anacardic acid and fatty acids.(22) A new glycoside, myricetin 3′-rhamnoside-3-galactoside, has been isolated from leaves of Buchanania lanzan. Its structure was established from spectroscopic and chemical evidence.(26)

The fatty acid composition of Buchanania lanzan seed oil, determined by urea complex formation and gas liquid chromatography (GLC), was found to be: myristic, 0.6; palmitic, 33.4; stearic, 6.3; oleic, 53.7; and linoleic, 6.0%. Triglyceride compositions of the native seed oil and its randomised product were calculated from the fatty acid compositions of the triglycerides and of the corresponding 2-monoglycerides produced by pancreatic lipase hydrolysis. The oil is composed of 3.2, 35.8, 45.5 and 15.5% trisaturated, monounsaturated disaturated, diunsaturated monosaturated and triunsaturated glycerides respectively. The special characteristic of the B. lanzan seed oil is its content of 22.7, 31.0 and 11.3% dipalmitoolein, dioleopalmitin and triolein respectively. The percent GS3 content in the oil increased from 3.2 to 7.5 by the process of randomisation. On directed inter esterification the oil yielded a product with a slip point of 41.5°C which may be suitable as a coating material for delayed action tablets. The oil also appears to be a promising one as a commercial source of palmitic and oleic acids.(31).

Pharmacological study:

Antioxidant Activity:

Buchanania lazan extract was showed the highest phenolic compounds in bark. That is why it was reported that the antioxidant activity of which often originates from phenolic compounds.(1) The acetone and methanol extract of Buchanania lanzan Spreng. in root was evaluated by three methods, cyclic voltametry, DPPH and based on a kinetic and thermodynamic approach: namely Iron (III) to Iron (II) reduction assay. The root extract reveal that a promising antioxidant potential against free radical induced oxidative damage.(9) The In-vitro screening of methanolic extracts of leaf and bark of Buchanania lanzan was carried out using ABTS, DPPH and H₂O₂ radicals and this was carried out by using discoloration assay method, which is evaluated by addition of antioxidant to a solution of colored free radical. It was found that antioxidant activity of both the extracts determined against ABTS, DPPH and radicals. (11). The antioxidant activity was evaluated in ethanolic crude extract of leaves of Buchanania lanzan Spreng. for its radical scavenging activity by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, nitric oxide radical inhibition assay, H₂O₂radical scavenging assay and reducing power assay. The antioxidant activity of extract was compared with standard ascorbic acid and showed significant free radical scavenging activity as compared to ascorbic acid. The antioxidant activity observed might be due the presence of phenolics and flavonoids.(23)

Adaptogenic activity:

The adaptogenic activity of methanolic extract of Buchanania lanzan leaves was evaluated by using the swim endurance model in all groups under normal and stressed conditions used as urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and ascorbic acid as non-invasive biomarkers to evaluate the antistress activity. The methanolic extract of Buchanania lanzan was found significant anti-stress activity of in-vivo, in both normal and stress induced rats.(2).

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity agent:

The methanolic root extract of Buchanania lanzan Spreng. was investigated for anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent activity in animal model. Analgesic activity was tested in acetic acid-induced writhing model in mice and hot plate reaction time model in rats and anti-inflammatory activity (7) in carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema model. The methanolic root extract showed significantly reduce writhes in experimental mice were as compared to that of control, and hot plate test showed significant licking effect in rats. Paw volumes was significantly reduced in treated animals and results clearly indicated that methanolic extract could be a potential source for using as anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent.(3). In another study the methanolic extract of the leaves of Buchanania lanzan was evaluated for anti inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema animal models. Results were comparing with aspirin, as a reference drug. The methanolic extract indicated as a therapeutic agent in acute as well as chronic inflammatory conditions and possess significant anti-inflammatory properties.(7)

Anti-Diabetic and anti-Hyperlipidemic Activity:

The anti-diabetic and anti-hyperlipidemic activity of Buchanania lanzan of methanol leaf extract was studied on wister rats by using streptozotocin or streptozotocin + nicotinamide, administered intraperitonially to induce types I and II diabetes. The Wister rats with blood glucose levels >190±8 mg/dl were administered methanol leaf extract or positive control for 21 days and blood glucose and lipid profile was evaluated. The result showed significantly decreased blood glucose level and serum lipid profile, compared to normal value in streptozotocin-induced types I and II diabetic’s rats.(4)

Anti-diarrhoeal activity

The anti-diarrhoeal potential of Bunchania lanzan used in the traditional medicine system in India and efficacies of the leaves extract of were evaluated by castor oil–induced diarrhoea. The methanol extracts showed significant (p < 0.001) inhibitor activity against castor oil–induced diarrhoea in a dose (200mg/kg and 400mg/kg) of dependent manner, also showed a significant (p < 0.001) reduction in the gastrointestinal motility in charcoal meal test and acute toxicity tests did not reveal any sign of toxicity in the animals. The results focused on to explain their use as anti-diarrhoeal agents in traditional medicine.(5). In another study the anti-diarrhoeal activity of Buchanania lanzan Spreg alcoholic roots extract was investigated on mice by using castor oil induced diarrhoeal test to assess the anti-diarrhoeal activity and gastrointestinal tract transit of charcoal meal test to assess the anti-propulsive activity. The alcoholic extract of roots significantly reduced faecal output in castoroil induced diarrhoea and also reduced the number of diarrhoeal episodes. It also significantly reduced the intestinal propulsion of charcoal meal in mice. (6)

Antiulcer activity

The ethanolic extract of Buchanania lanzan Spreng roots was evaluated the effects of antiulcer activity using ethanol induced ulcer in mice and pylorus ligation induced ulcer in rats. The extract showed a dose-dependent protection against gross damaging action of ethanol and pylorus ligation on gastric mucosa of animals and shown significant protection of ulcer index in both the models. Thus, results clearly demonstrated that ethanolic extract possess of good preventive and therapeutic action on the gastric ulcers. (8)

Diuretic Activity:

The diuretic activity of total alcoholic extracts and its polar and non polar fractions of fruits of Buchanania lanzan were evaluated in Wistar albino rats. Lipschitz method was employed for the assessment of diuretic activity, comparable with frusemide as standard drug. Total alcoholic extracts, n-hexane insoluble and n-hexane soluble fractions of fruits showed significant diuresis when compared with control at 5 hrs. The result which obtained need further study to encourage the isolate active phytochemical constituent for exploring exact mechanism of diuresis. (14)

Curative Activity:

The Buchanania lanzan bark was assessed for its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and DNA protective properties. Methanolic bark extract could scavenge ABTS radicals with IC50 of 0.25 mg/ml and anti-inflammatory properties were elucidated by its capacity to inhibit 15-lipoxygenase and human cyclooxygenase-2. Anti-ageing effect, anti-hyaluronidase and anti-elastase activity was measured. The methanolic bark extract significantly inhibited both 15- LOX and human COX-2 in a dose-dependent manner. The extract also abolished elastase activity and inhibited hyaluronidase as observed in zymogram by substrate-gel assay. In addition, the methanolic extract also prevents damage to DNA from the hydroxyl radicals produced during Fenton reaction. The bark extract also showed an absence of hemolytic activity and suggest non-toxic nature. (15)

Neuro-Psychopharmacological Effect

The petroleum ether extract of seeds of Buchanania lanzan Spreng was evaluated the neuro-psychopharmacological effect on learning and memory processes and its influence on brain cholinergic system in experimental rats. The activity was studied on memory acquisition and retentio using elevated plus maze and step sown apparatus models and Acetyl- cholinesterase enzyme level at discreet parts of brain. The results of petroleum ether extract of Seeds possessed memory enhancing activity, may also be useful in the treatment of impaired memory functions. (17)

Chemopreventive Activity

Buchananian lanzan bark was assessed the effect of ethanolic extract against cyclophosphamide induced genotoxicity and oxidative stress in mice. The biomarker intermediate in liver of mice were used as chemoprotection i.e. prevalence of micronuclei in bone marrow, the extent of lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione and the status of the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase and catalase. The results of treated mice were observed in the liver. The results showed that pre-treatment with extract daily for 7 days significantly reduced the chromosomal damage and lipid peroxidation with concomitant changes in antioxidants and detoxification systems and point out the presence of phytoconstituents in the crude extract offering protection against cyclophosphamide induced genotoxicity and oxidative stress in mice.(18)

Anticancer Activity

The anticancer effect of total extract (70% ethanol) of Bunchanania lanzan leaves was focused against diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced hepatocarcinoma in male Wistar rats. Antitumor potential was estimated via oral administration of ethanolic leaves extract and doses were fixed after performing acute toxicity study according to OECD guideline-423. 5-flurouracil (10mg/kg) was administered to the standard group. After treatment with the ethanolic leaves extract, serum samples were collected for estimation of various parameters like SGOT, SGPT, total protein, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and antioxidants LPO, SOD and catalase which are considered as biomarkers in hepatocarcinoma. The result was observed significant decrease in SGOT and SGPT level in all extract treated groups as compared to the DEN treated group(P<0.001) and in case of antioxidant enzymes a significant (P<0.001) increase in SOD, catalase level, significant (P<0.001) decrease in LPO was observed in all extract treated groups compared to DEN treated group. It was also observed that animal treated with extract, a decrease in total protein, ALP and bilirubin as compared to the DEN treated group. The ethanolic leaves extract showed a significant dose dependent reduction in DEN induced hepatocarcinoma. (19)

Wound Healing Activity

The wound healing activity of herbal gel prepared from Bunchanania lanzan bark extract was formulated and evaluated. The in-vivo wound healing activity was studied by carrageenan induced paw edema as anti inflammatory activity. Herbal gel was formulated and evaluated for its spreadability, pH, colour, consistency and appearance. Excision and incision models were used to validate; employing percent wound contraction and tensile strength of wounded skin as parameters compared with reference standard used as framycetin sulphate cream. Prepared gel showed reddish brown in colour with satisfying spreadability, acceptable appearance along with homogeneity and negligible irritation. Excision and incision animal wound model, groups treated with prepared gel and reference standard exhibited significant increase in percentage of wound contraction as well as up growth in tensile strength. (20). In another study wound healing activity of alcoholic extract of Buchanania lanzan and its effect in dexamethasone suppressed wound healing was studied in Albino rats. To study three wound models viz. incision, excision and dead space wounds were used. The parameters studied were breaking strength in case of incision wounds, epithelialization and wound contraction in case of excision wound and granulation tissue dry weight, breaking strength and hydroxyproline content in case of dead space wound. The dexamethasone treated group showed a significant reduction in the wound breaking strength when compared to control group in incision type of wound model. Co-administration of B. lanzan extract with dexamethasone had significantly increased the breaking strength of dexamethasone treated group. In excision wound model, the percentage of the wound contraction was significantly increased by B. lanzan extract only on 16 day and also it reversed the dexamethasone suppressed wound contraction on the 16 day. B. lanzan extract significantly reduced the time required for epithelialization and reversed the epithelialization delaying effect of dexamethasone significantly. (31).

Antivenom Activity:

Buchanania lanzan have anti snake venom activity. Fruit and bark extract of Buchanania lanzan is used for the treatment of snake bite in Chhattisgarh region and some tribals of Rajasthan apply bark paste locally for snake bite poisoning. So this study was made to evaluate antivenom activity of ethanolic bark extract of Buchanania lanzan against N. kaouthia venom in validated screening models. The effect of ethanolic bark extract was studied against toxicity induced by Naja kaouthia snake venom by various in-vivo and in-vitro studies. The extract was evaluated for neutralization of lethality, myotoxocity, Phospholipase A2 activity and Human RBC lysis produced by Naja kaouthia snake venom. The extract significantly neutralized the lethality produced at different concentration of snake venom. Myotoxicity also decreased up to a significant level characterized by decline in creatine phosphokinase level. In-vitro models for assessing hemolytic activity were found to be significantly decreased. Both direct and indirect hemolytic study was performed at various concentration of extract and more than 50% of hemolysis was significantly neutralized by the extract. The results showed significant neutralization of toxicity produced by N. kaouthia snake venom. (21)

Biotechnology Activity:

In this study the protocol for somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration of Buchanania lanzan was evaluated. Calluses were initiated from immature zygotic embryos cultured on Murashige-Skoog medium supplemented with various combinations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 6-benzyladenine (BA) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The highest frequency (60%) of somatic embryo induction was obtained in cultures grown on MS medium fortified with 4.53 μM 2, 4-D, and 5.32 μM NAA and 4.48 μM BA. The medium supplemented with 15 μM abscisic acid (ABA) was most effective for maturation and germination of somatic embryos. So this study report on somatic embryogenesis in B. lanzan, which may be helpful for in-vitro propagation, ex-situ conservation and genetic manipulation of this species. (10) In another study a tissue culture technique for the rapid clonal multiplication of B. lanzan was developed. The decoated seeds were cultured on Murashige-Skoog (MS) medium enriched with various concentrations of auxins and cytokinins alone or in combination. Combination of benzyl amino purine (BAP) and napthalene acetic acid (NAA) were found to be superior. Murashige-Skoog medium supplemented with 22.2mM of BAP and 5.37mM of NAA promoted formation of the maximum number of shoots. Furthermore, MS medium containing 23.3mM kinetin induced profuse rooting of the initiated shoots. So, this study proposes that multiple shoot formation is one of the effective techniques for rapid clonal multiplication. (25)

CONCLUSION:

Medicinal plants are integral and indispensable part of the traditional system of medicine practiced worldwide because of their economical viability, easy accessibility and century’s old experience. As natures gift, these are considered to be biocompatible, environment friendly, non-toxic, much cheaper and quite freely available in comparison to synthetic substances. Besides, these are amongst the richest renewable source of biopolymers, having enormous potentials for use and application in numerous fields like foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and host of other industries. This species has a high socio-economic value for providing livelihood to the tribal population of the area besides possessing enormous potentials as commercial horticulture species. Unfortunately due to over-exploitation and indiscriminate harvesting (lopping and cutting), considerable reduction in the population of Buchanania lanzan has been recorded in the recent past, leading to very severe threat to its extinction, which calls for urgent conservation efforts at all levels.

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