International Journal of Biodiversity
Volume 2015 (2015), Article ID 394307, 11 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/394307

Research Article

Biodiversity and Indigenous Uses of Medicinal Plant in the Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandauli District, Uttar Pradesh

Maurya Santosh Kumar,¹ Seth Ankit,¹ Dev Nath Singh Gautam,¹ and Singh Anil Kumar²

¹Ayurvedic Pharmacy Laboratory, Banaras Hindu University, Rajiv Gandhi South Campus, Barkachha, Mirzapur 2310012, India
²Department of Dravyaguna, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India

Received 4 September 2014; Revised 14 February 2015; Accepted 14 February 2015

Academic Editor: Rafael Riosmena-Rodríguez

Copyright © 2015 Maurya Santosh Kumar et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

Conventional medicines are very important part of Indian culture. In this study the outcome of two-year study of ethnomedicinal uses of plants in Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary (CPWLS) and nearby area is reported. Information related to different plants which are used by local community in the treatment of many common diseases and well-being in the area was collected. Data on the use of medicinal plants were collected using structured interview of about 122 participants and thorough observations and conversations with local communities. Approximately 100 plants belonging to 43 families used by the local healers were reported in this study. The plant species with the highest fidelity level (Fl) were Holarrhena antidysenterica, Lawsonia inermis, Gymnema sylvestre, Dalbergia sissoo, Cassia fistula Linn., Butea monosperma (Lam.) Kuntze., Boerhaavia diffusa Linn., Albizia lebbeck Benth., Aegle marmelos Correa., Sphaeranthus indicus Linn., and Solanum surattense Burm. f. The most frequent ailments reported were hepatitis, jaundice, constipation, and skin and urinary problems. The parts of the plants most frequently used were fruit, roots, and whole plants (17%) followed by leaves (16%) and bark (15%). This study presents new research efforts and perspectives on the search for new drugs based on local uses of medicinal plants.

1. Introduction

Plants are always considered as a primary source of drugs in traditional and alternative system of medicine in various forms such as crude form, juice, decoction, and crude extracts. About 80% people of the world, particularly in the rural areas of developing countries, continue using traditional resources in healthcare [1]. Indian subcontinent is renowned for its cultural and plant biodiversity where large numbers of people are still living in tribes. These tribal people possess a pool of undisclosed, ethnomedicinal, and ethnopharmacological information regarding the flora of their surroundings, which may prove to be very helpful in rural community with its advantage. Natural wealth as well as the undisclosed ethnopharmacological information and the tribal cultures have been decreased remarkably at a disturbing rate due to change in life style, unintentional developmental programs, and mounting recent civilization. Negligence by the youth also influences the traditional knowledge [2, 3]. Therefore, it is necessary to discover and document this exceptional, original, and conventional information of the ethnic population, before it disappears with the knowledgeable persons. It is also for the establishment of these conventional principles at the national and international level realizing the recent global trends [4]. There is inadequate data on ethnomedicinal uses of plant in eastern Uttar Pradesh [1, 5–8] as compared to northern and western Uttar Pradesh [9–14]. Further, ethnobotanical survey centered on Purvanchal region of eastern Uttar Pradesh is enormously deficient [15–18]. Some of the reported surveys are available for potential effectiveness of the traditional healthcare practices, alive in native and local communities nearby wildlife sanctuaries [19–24]. Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary previously has rich forest wealth and traditional knowledge, but, after disappearance of Asiatic Lion, people from nearby utilized the forest for their livelihood as well as medicinal requirements. These people explore the medicinal prosperity of the area. Therefore, the present study was proposed to document the ethnomedicinal information of Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary (CPWLS) and nearby area.

2. Aim and Objectives

The primary aim of this research work was to assess the richness of ethnomedicinal plant species used by the local tribes in forest areas and to provide an initial picture of the ethnomedicinal plants in the CPWLS, which was not studied before from this viewpoint. So the present study was planned keeping in view the following goals:(1)assessing the diversity, distribution, and utilization patterns of medicinal plants;(2)identification and documentation of plant species used for the treatment and prevention of various diseases and ailments in the study area.

3. Study Area

The Chandauli district contributes to the Indian GDP by providing a range of cereals including paddy and wheat. It is popularly known as the “Dhaan Ka Katora of Uttar Pradesh” because of tremendous productive lands of the Gangetic Plain. The Sanctuary is situated in Chandauli district, in the south eastern division of Uttar Pradesh, between Chakia and Naugarh, having rich vegetation spread over an area of 78 square kilometers and lying between the latitude 24°54′43′′N and longitude 83°10′41′′E about 70 Km from the famous city of Varanasi (Figure 1). The place has been gifted with attractive picnic spots, intense forest, and beautiful waterfalls like Rajdari and Devdari and a dam nearby area known as Chandra Prabha Dam. The Sanctuary was recognized in 1957 and spread in more than 9,600 hect. The center area of the place covers over 2,686 hect. It was famous for the Asiatic Lion during 1957–1970. It provides a natural and ideal habitat for grasslands, many caves in Vindhya region, and waterfalls for a crowd of animals and plants. There is an enormous possibility for tourism development in the Sanctuary where people can take pleasure in natural attractiveness and biodiversity. There is broad range of lovely colorful birds and creeping animals (poisonous and nonpoisonous) in the sanctuary. Rajdari and Devdari are two main waterfalls in this area which is enclosed by the forest area. The height of Rajdari is more than 65 meters which is a stepped waterfall and a major spot of attraction for the tourists. Devdari is about 500 m downwards the watercourse underneath Rajdari waterfall. The temperature in the region varies from 38°C (summer) to 14°C (winter). Rainy season lasts from mid of June to September. The forest had been the main resource for natives, but their dependence on forest resources continued to decrease gradually due to deforestation. The Sanctuary is typically dry deciduous forest and also has a huge diversity of natural shrubbery.

Figure 1: Area of study.

During the course of exploration of ethnomedicinal plants the information has been gathered from the healers inhabiting the forest areas who have sound knowledge of herbal remedies. For many decades, the tribal community has a traditionally self-managed system of folk medicine and primary healthcare mainly based on herbal remedies.

4. Methodology

The survey was spread across the seasons during 2012-2013 to get maximum information following the typical protocols for the collection of ethnobotanical facts [25–27]. The study was undertaken by carrying out ethnobotanical survey with the people living in the area under study. The aims and objectives of the research were first explained to the local employees of the Sanctuary and consulted for the recognition of knowledgeable persons (informants). These informants frequently recommended other potential informants. Few traditional healers and some religious leaders such as temple priests who are involved in the practice and prescription of medicinal plants were also interviewed. We attempted to interview peoples from all age groups (Table 1), sex, and socioeconomic and ethnic community so that informants include legislature of the entire community. Total 122 informants in the age group of 17–70 years were identified from CPWLS and surrounding areas. Out of the various informants there were 8 traditional healers and 7 temple priests. The data was gathered involving a planned survey utilizing questionnaire with literate people and interview with the rest in local language by using interpreters.

Table 1: Informants.

Variables
Frequency
%

Gender

    Male
79
64.75

    Female
43
40.16

Age in years

    ≤20
5
4.10

    20–30
21
17.21

    31–40
31
25.41

    41–50
52
42.62

    51–60
6
4.92

    ≥60
7
5.74

Local name of plants, taxonomic diversity, parts of the plant used, indication, method and forms of preparation, and route of administration were recorded and documented by successive visit to villages (Table 2). Status in the humanity concerning their familiarity about herbs and traditional uses are the basic criteria for the selection for the interview of informant. The collected data from these informants represent the whole community, because they are recognized healers, villagers, elder people, teachers, social workers, and so forth.

Table 2: Name of medicinal plants with detailed description used by the Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandauli, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Serial number
Plant name
Local name
Family
Habit
Part used
Preparation
Route of administration
Ailments /uses

1
Abutilon indicum (Linn.) Sweet (DD001)
Kanghi
Malvaceae
[Sh]
[RT]
[D]
[O]
Diuretic

2
Acacia catechu Willd. (DD002)
Khadir
Caesalpiniaceae
[T]
[Br]
[D]
[O]
Jaundice

3
Adhatoda vasica Nees. (DD003)
Adusha
Acanthaceae
[Sh]
[Lf], [Fl]
[D]
[O]
Chronic bronchitis, asthma, and antispasmodic

4
Aegle marmelos Correa. (DD004)
Bael
Rutaceae
[T]
[Rt Br], [Br]
[D], [RW]
[O]
Diuretic, jaundice

5
Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. (DD005)
Mahanimba
Simaroubaceae
[T]
[Br]
[D]
[O]
Febrifuge, laxative, hepatitis, bronchitis, constipation, and antitoxic in rat bite

6
Albizia lebbeck Benth. (DD006)
Shirisha
Caesalpiniaceae
[T]
[Br]
[D]
[O]
Antitoxic and antiallergic

7
Aloe vera Tourn. ex Linn. (DD007)
Kumari
Liliaceae
[Sh]
[Lf]
[J], [Pt]
[O], [LA]
Hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory

8
Alstonia scholaris R. Br. (DD008)*
Sataparna
Apocynaceae
[T]
[Br]
[D]
[O]
Febrifuge, skin diseases, purgative, tumours suppressor

9
Amaranthus spinosus Linn. (DD009)
Cholai
Amaranthaceae
[H]
[WP]
[D]
[O]
Boils, burns, snakebite, skin diseases, laxative, eruptive fevers

10
Amorphophallus campanulatus Bl. ex Decne. (DD010)
Surana
Araceae
[H]
[Rh]
[RW], [Pw]
[O]
Laxative, digestive disorders, piles, skin disorders, and aphrodisiac

11
Andrographis paniculata Nees. (DD011)
Kalmegha
Acanthaceae
[H]
[WP]
[D]
[O]
Fevers, malaria, amoebic dysentery, dyspepsia

12
Andropogon iwaraneusa Jones. (DD012)
Khas
Poaceae
[Gr]
[Lf], [RT]
[D]
[O]
Fever, diuretic, viral fevers

13
Aristolochia indica Linn. (DD013)
Isharmul
Aristolochiaceae
[Cl]
[Lf]
[J], [D]
[O], [LA]
Antitoxic and jaundice

14
Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk. (DD014)
Katahala
Liliaceae
[T]
[Lf]
[Pt]
[LA]
Fever, boils, wounds, and skin diseases

15
Asparagus racemosus Willd. (DD015)
Shatavari
Liliaceae
[H]
[Rh]
[Pw], [D]
[O]
Diuretic, anti-inflammatory

16
Asteracantha longifolia Nees. (Hygrophila auriculata) (DD016)*
Talmakhana
Acanthaceae
[H]
[WP]
[D]
[O]
Diuretic

17
Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (DD017)
Neem
Meliaceae
[T]
[Lf]
[D]
[O]
Viral hepatitis

18
Bamboo manna (DD018)
Bans
Poaceae
[H]
[Lf], [St]
[D]
[O]
Hepatitis, jaundice

19
Barleria prionitis Linn. (DD019)
Vajradanti
Acanthaceae
[Sh]
[WP]
[D]
[O]
Laxative, hemorrhoids, cirrhosis of liver, varicose veins, and jaundice

20
Barringtonia acutangula (Linn.) Gaertn. (DD020)
Hijjala
Lecythidaceae
[T]
[Fr]
[D], [RW]
[O]
Snake bite

21
Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn. (DD021)
Petha
Cucurbitaceae
[Cl]
[Fr]
[J], [RW]
[O]
Jaundice

22
Boerhaavia diffusa Linn. (DD022)
Gadahpurna
Nyctaginaceae
[Cl]
[RT]
[D]
[O]
Diuretic

23
Butea monosperma (Lam.) Kuntze. (DD023)
Dhak
Fabaceae
[T]
[Br]
[D]
[O]
Enlargement of liver in hepatitis

24
Calotropis gigantea (Linn.) R. Br. ex Ait. (DD024)
Madar
Asclepiadaceae
[Sh]
[Lt], [Lf]
[D], [RW]
[O]
Hepatitis, counterirritant, laxative, and syphilitic affection

25
Calotropis procera (Ait.) R. Br. (DD025)
Madar
Asclepiadaceae
[Sh]
[Lt], [Lf]
[D], [RW]
[O]
Similar to C.  gigantea

26
Capparis decidua Edgew. (DD026)
Kair
Capparidaceae
[Sh]
[Br]
[D]
[O]
Purgative and hepatitis

27
Capsicum frutescens  L. (DD027)
Mirch
Solanaceae
[Sh]
[Fr]
[Pt], [RW]
[O], [LA]
Skin itches; the fruit is used to treat discomforts and common ailments associated with pregnancy

28
Carica papaya L. (DD028)
Papita
Caricaceae
[T]
[Fr], [Lt]
[RW]
[O]
Digestant, anthelmintic, laxative, tonic, nutritive, aphrodisiac, wormicidal activity, cough, and diuretic properties

29
Cassia alata L. (DD029)
Dadmari
Fabaceae
[H]
[Lf]
[Pt]
[LA]
Ringworm and scabies, stomach-aches, laxative effect

30
Cassia fistula Linn. (DD030)
Amaltas
Caesalpiniaceae
[T]
[FrP]
[Pw]
[O]
Laxative, hepatitis

31
Cassia occidentalis Linn. (DD031)
Kasamarda
Caesalpiniaceae
[Sh]
[SD], [Lf]
[Pw]
[O]
Laxative, cough

32
Cassia tora Linn. (DD032)
Chakramarda
Caesalpiniaceae
[H]
[SD]
[Pw]
[O]
Digestive upsets

33
Cissampelos pareira Linn. (DD033)
Bichhukand
Menispermaceae
[Cl]
[RT]
[D]
[O]
Hepatitis, antitoxic, correcting the digestive system

34
Clerodendrum phlomidis Linn. f. (DD034)
Tarkari
Verbenaceae
[T]
[Br]
[D]
[O]
Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory

35
Crataeva nurvala Buch. Ham. (DD035)
Varuna
Capparidaceae
[T]
[Br]
[D]
[O]
Laxative, diuretic, anti- inflammatory, and antitoxic

36
Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. (DD036)
Safed musli
Hypoxidaceae
[H]
[RT]
[D]
[O]
Jaundice, antibacterial, antifungal, and leucorrhoea

37
Cynodon dactylon (Linn.) Pers. (DD037)
Doob
Poaceae
[Gr]
[WP]
[D]
[O]
Ascites, general anasarca, antiviral agent, and chicken pox

38
Cyperus rotundus Linn. (DD038)*
Motha
Cyperaceae
[Gr]
[RT]
[D]
[O]
Scariosus, amoebic dysentery, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial

39
Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. (DD039)
Shisham
Fabaceae
[T]
[HtW]
[D]
[O]
Chronic fevers, diuretic, antibacterial, used for repair of damage of the tissues

40
Desmodium gangeticum DC. (DD040)
Sharivan
Fabaceae
[H]
[WP]
[D]
[O]
Diuretic, antitoxic, vomiting, and diarrhoea

41
Desmodium triflorum DC. (DD041)
Teenpatti
Fabaceae
[H]
[WP]
[D]
[O]
Laxative, diuretic, and carminative

42
Desmostachya bipinnata Stapf. (DD042)*
Kusha
Poaceae
[Gr]
[RT]
[D]
[O]
Stopping bleeding, anti-inflammatory, antitoxic, and diuretic, and correcting the tissues

43
Diospyros peregrina (Gaertn.) Gurke. (DD043)
Tendu
Ebenaceae
[T]
[Fr], [Br]
[D], [RW]
[O]
Rheumatism and ulcers

44
Dolichos biflorus Linn. (DD044)
Kulathi
Fabaceae
[Cl]
[SD]
[Pw]
[O]
Diuretic, jaundice, and gall stones

45
Eclipta alba (Linn.) Hassk. (DD045)*
Bhingaraja
Asteraceae
[H]
[WP]
[D]
[O]
Anaemia, jaundice, laxative and stimulant, diuretic, emetic, and stimulant of bone marrow

46
Eclipta prostrata Linn. (DD046)
Bhringraj
Asteraceae
[H]
[WP]
[D]
[O]
Anaemia, jaundice, laxative and stimulant, diuretic, emetic, and stimulant of bone marrow

47
Emblica officinalis Gaertn. (DD047)
Amala
Euphorbiaceae
[T]
[Fr]
[D], [RW]
[O]
Metabolic disorders, laxative, rejuvenation, and hepatitis

48
Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (DD048)
Safeda
Myrtaceae
[T]
[Lf], [RT]
Oil, [D]
[O], inhalation
Antiseptic, upper respiratory tract infection, skin diseases, and purgative

49
Ficus racemosa Linn. (DD049)
Gular
Moraceae
[T]
[Br]
[D]
[O]
Hepatitis

50
Gmelina arborea Roxb. (DD050)
Gambhari
Verbenaceae
[T]
[Br]
[D]
[O]
Laxative, antitoxic, diuretic, and healing

51
Gymnema sylvestre Schult. (DD051)
Gudmar
Asclepiadaceae;
[Cl]
[RT]
[D]
[O]
Rheumatism, cough, dyspnoea, ulcers, and eye pains

52
Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. (DD052)
Anantamul
Asclepiadaceae
[Cl]
[RT]
[D]
[O]
Jaundice and antitoxic

53
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. (DD053)
Gurhal
Malvaceae
[Sh]
Sap, [Lf]
[D], [Pt]
[O], [LA]
Boils and sprains, asthma, wounds, and swelling

54
Holarrhena antidysenterica (Linn.) Wall. (DD054)
Indrajau
Apocynaceae
[T]
[Br]
[D]
[O]
Antibacterial, amoebic dysentery, laxative, and jaundice

55
Indigofera tinctoria Linn. (DD055)
Neel
Fabaceae
[H]
[WP]
[D]
[O]
Purgative, diuretic, antitoxic, used in epilepsy, nervous disorders, dysuria, hepatitis

56
Ipomoea digitata Linn. (DD056)
Vidari
Convolvulaceae
[H]
[RT]
[D]
[O]
Laxative, stimulant, anti-inflammatory

57
Jasminum officinale f. affine (DD057)
Chameli
Oleaceae
[Sh]
[Lf]
[D], [RW]
[O]
Antitoxic and antibacterial

58
Jatropha curcas Linn. (DD058)
Ratanjot
Euphorbiaceae
[T]
Oil, [Lt]
Oil
[LA]
Purgative, eczema, herpes, itch, sores, bleeding wounds, piles, scabies, ringworm, and decaying teeth

59
Juniperus communis Linn. (DD059)*
Kaiphal
Cupressaceae
[Sh]
[Fr]
[D], [RW]
[O]
Diuretic, antibacterial, gonorrhoea, dropsy, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial

60
Lawsonia inermis Linn. (DD060)
Mehndi
Lythraceae
[Sh]
[Lf][Br]
[D], [Pt]
[O], [LA]
Jaundice, epilepsy, and asthma, reducing burning, small pox, anti-inflammatory, and gonorrhoea

61
Luffa acutangula (Linn.) Roxb. (DD061)
Turai
Cucurbitaceae
[Cl]
[Fl], [Fr]
[D], snuff
[O], nasal
Laxative, diuretic, purgative jaundice

62
Luffa cylindrica (Linn.) M. J. Roem. (DD062)
Ghiatarui
Cucurbitaceae
[Cl]
[WP], [Fr]
[D]
[O]
Laxative, diuretic

63
Luffa echinata Roxb. (DD063)
Bindal
Cucurbitaceae
[Cl]
[WP], [Fr]
[D]
[O]
Purgative, diuretic, and anti- inflammatory

64
Momordica charantia Linn. (DD064)
Karela
Cucurbitaceae
[Cl]
[Fr]
[RW]
[O]
Hepatitis, laxative

65
Moringa oleifera Lam. (DD065)
Sahijana
Moringaceae
[T]
[Fr], [Br]
[D], [RW]
[O]
Anti-inflammatory, healing, diuretic, laxative, antipyretic, antirheumatic, tonic, diuretic, cholagogenic

66
Musa paradisiaca Linn. (DD066)
Kela
Musaceae
[Sh]
[Fr], [Lt]
[RW]
[O]
Laxative, used to alter secretion tumours, blocked vessels

67
Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn. (DD067)
Harsingar
Oleaceae
[T]
[Lf]
[D]
[O]
Diabetes, laxative, diuretic cholagogue, jaundice

68
Oroxylum indicum Vent. (DD068)
Saunapatha
Bignoniaceae
[T]
[Br]
[D]
[O]
Amoebic dysentery, jaundice, and antibacterial

69
Physalis minima L. (DD069)
Chirpoti
Solanaceae
[H]
[RT], [Lf], [Fr]
[D]
[O]
Hypertension, diabetes, and malaria

70
Pongamia pinnata (Linn.) Pierre. (DD070)*
Karanj
Fabaceae
[T]
[SD]
[Pw], [RW]
[O]
Herpes, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral, liver disorders extensively; it is laxative

71
Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. (DD071)**
Bijayasar
Fabaceae
[T]
[HtW]
[D]
[O]
Jaundice, elephantiasis, leucoderma, diarrhoea, dysentery, rectalgia, cough, and greyness of hair

72
Punica granatum Linn. (DD072)*
Anar
Punicaceae
[Sh]
[Fr]
[D], [RW]
[O]
Jaundice and vomiting

73
Raphanus sativum Linn. (DD073)
Muli
Brassicaceae
[H]
[RT]
[D]
[O]
Jaundice, intestinal disorders

74
Ricinus communis Linn. (DD074)
Rendi
Euphorbiaceae
[H]
[SD], [Rt]
[D]
[O]
Jaundice, viral hepatitis

75
Rosa centifolia Linn. (DD075)
Gulab
Rosaceae
[Sh]
Buds
[D]
[O]
Antitoxic, liver disorder, hyperacidity, laxative, tonic, antitoxic, correcting the digestive system

76
Saccharum spontaneum Linn. (DD076)*
Kasha
Poaceae
[Gr]
[RT]
[D]
[O]
Diuretic, bleeding disorders

77
Sida acuta Burm. f. (DD077)
Bariara
Malvaceae
[H]
[WP]
[D]
[O]
Diuretic, jaundice, and tonic

78
Sida cordifolia Linn. (DD078)
Bala
Malvaceae
[H]
[WP]
[D]
[O]
Diuretic, jaundice, and tonic

79
Sida rhombifolia Linn. (DD079)
Mahabala
Malvaceae
[H]
[WP]
[D]
[O]
Diuretic, jaundice, and tonic

80
Solanum nigrum Linn. (DD080)
Makoi
Solanaceae
[H]
[WP]
[D]
[O]
Used in liver disorders and hydrophobia

81
Solanum surattense Burm. f. (DD081)
Choti Bhatkattaiya
Solanaceae
[H]
[WP]
[D]
[O]
Diuretic, febrifuge, anti-inflammatory

82
Solanum torvum Sw. (DD082)
Choti Bhatkattaiya
Solanaceae
[H]
[WP], [RT]
[D]
[O]
Diuretic, digestive liver, and spleen enlargement

83
Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. (DD083)*
Gorakhmundi
Asteraceae
[H]
[WP]
[D]
[O]
Laxative, diuretic

84
Tamarindus indica Linn. (DD084)
Email
Caesalpiniaceae
[T]
[Lf]
[D], [J]
[O]
Jaundice, anti-inflammatory

85
Tephrosia purpurea (Linn.) Pers. (DD085)
Sharpunkha
Fabaceae
[H]
[WP]
[D]
[O]
Viral hepatitis

86
Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) W. and A. (DD086)
Arjuna
Combretaceae
[T]
[Fr], [Br]
[D], [RW]
[O]
Diuretic, jaundice

87
Terminalia bellirica Roxb. (DD087)
Baheda
Combretaceae
[T]
[Fr]
[D], [Pw]
[O]
Hepatitis

88
Terminalia chebula Retz. (DD088)
Harre
Combretaceae
[T]
[Fr]
[D], [Pw]
[O]
Hepatitis

89
Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers ex Hook.f. and Thoms. (DD089)
Giloy
Menispermaceae
[Cl]
[St]
[D]
[O]
Hepatitis, anticancerous

90
Tribulus terrestris Linn. (DD090)
Gokhru
Zygophyllaceae
[H]
[RT]
[D]
[O]
Diuretic and anti-inflammatory

91
Trichosanthes anguina Linn. (DD091)
Purwul
Cucurbitaceae
[Cl]
[RT]
[D]
[O]
Hepatitis

92
Trichosanthes cordata Roxb. (DD092)
Ilaru
Cucurbitaceae
[Cl]
[RT]
[D]
[O]
Hepatitis and abdominal disorders

93
Trichosanthes cucumerina L. (DD093)
Jangali  Parvala
Cucurbitaceae
[Cl]
[RT]
[D]
[O]
Antiviral, alopecia, antipyretic, and liver tonic

94
Uraria picta Desv. (DD094)*
Shankaraja
Fabaceae
[H]
[RT]
[D]
[O]
Enhances healing, cough, cold, fevers, laxative, and diuretic

95
Vetiveria zizanioides(Linn.) Nash. (DD095)
Khus Khus
Poaceae
[Gr]
[Lf]
Oil
[O]
Perfumery, anthelmintic agent, and analgesic

96
Vitis quadrangularis (DD096)
Hathjod
Vitaceae
[Cl]
[WP]
[J]
[O]
Wound healing

97
Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz. (DD097)*
Dhataki
Lythraceae
[Sh]
[Fl], [Br]
[D]
[O]
Antitoxic

98
Ziziphus nummularia (Burm. f.) W. and A. (DD098)
Jharber
Rhamnaceae
[T]
[Fr]
[RW]
[O]
Laxative and skin disorders

99
Ziziphus sativa (DD099)
Beri
Rhamnaceae
[T]
[Fr]
[RW]
[O]
Laxative and antipyretic

100
Zizyphus jujuba Lamk. (DD100)
Beri
Rhamnaceae
[T]
[Fr]
[RW]
[O]
Diarrhea, fever, and blood purifier

[Cl]: climber; [Gr]: grass; [H]: herb; [Sh]: shrub; [T]: tree; [Br]: bark; [Fl]: flower; [Fr]: fruit; [Lf]: leaf; [Rh]: rhizome; [RT]: root; [SD]: seed; [WP]: whole plant; [Lt]: latex; [FrP]: fruit Pulp; [Rt Br]: root bark; [HtW]: heart wood; [D]: decoction; [RW]: raw; [J]: juice; [Pt]: paste; [Pw]: powder; [LA]: local application; [O]: oral route. (The images of important plants were provided as Supplementary Material available online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/394307.)

*Least concern plant.

**Vulnerable plant.

5. Identification of Plants

Prior to survey, a questionnaire was designed and pretested with five informants. Processing of voucher specimens for herbarium preparation was done following standard procedures [28]. The photographs of the plants were taken at their locality. Identification was carried out with the help of available floras [29–31] and by the professional experts. Plant names were checked according to the International Plant Name Index [32].

6. Results and Discussion

A discussion of human being existence on this planet would not be complete without a look at the role of plants, because plants have been an integral part of human culture since the start of civilization. Ethnobotany is the learning of different methods by which communities of a particular province utilize native plants for their daily routine works, diet, outfits, medication, and other activities [33]. For the protection and consumption of natural wealth its documentation is required [34]. Several ethnobotanical studies were carried out to take record of the species used by the residents contiguous in the different area for health care. It is believed that there are still undisclosed species of plants in the rainforests and these species must be identified and explored for their undiscovered potentials and biological activities. Traditional medicine is practical application of the local therapeutically important plants as well as minerals. With every specialist that dies without an apprentice, the great medical knowledge base of their culture dies with them. Documentation of this undisclosed and traditional information is very much helpful in understanding the biodiversity [35], making of policies for conservation of medicinal plants [36], and also the development of researches.

The documented medicinal plants and all relevant data of the present study are summarized in Table 2. Altogether 100 medicinal plants belonging to 43 families and 82 genera were documented from the study area (Table 2). Fabaceae (11%), Cucurbitaceae (8%), Caesalpiniaceae and Poaceae (6%), and Malvaceae and Solanaceae (5%) were the dominant families (Figure 2). Among the genera, Cassia (6 spp.), Ziziphus, Trichosanthes, Terminalia, Solanum, Sida, and Luffa (3 spp. each) and Calotropis, Desmodium, and Eclipta (2 spp. each) were dominant genera. Medicinal value of plants of Vindhya region belonging to Fabaceae family was previously reported by Chaudhary [37].

Figure 2: Distribution of families.

Among the 100 recognized medicinal plants, 33% are trees. Other species used belong to herbs (28%), followed by shrubs (17%), vine/climber (16%), and grass (6%) (Figure 3). Some of the plants are also available in residential area, estate, wayside, riversides, and the tropical forest. Availability of trees and herbs is common in the forest. Therefore, it is easy for the local healers to use these plants [38].

Figure 3: Distribution of habit.

The common sicknesses for the people living in tribes in the study area are bronchitis, constipation diarrhea, dysentery, gastric troubles, cuts, wounds, urinary problems, jaundice, and so forth. Amongst the parts used, fruit, roots, and whole plants (17%) followed by leaves (16%) and bark (15%) were the major parts (Figure 4). Exact doses and duration of treatment are considered as intellectual property of informants, so as per their request this information is not included in the present paper.

Figure 4: Distribution of part used.

The majority of informant reported that decoction (64%) is the first choice for administration as it can be given with sugar. Another common method of preparation was raw (17%) followed by powder (7%), paste (5%), juice (4%), and oil (1%) (Figure 5). The decoction was obtained by boiling the plant material with water and reduced to one-fourth amount. Most of the drugs are given by oral route (91%). Direct application of paste (with oil) or medicated oil (7%) (Figure 6) is generally done for skin diseases and wounds. Most of the medicines were taken orally which is in conformity with some other studies conducted somewhere else [1, 6, 39].

Figure 5: Distribution of mode of preparation.

Figure 6: Distribution of route of administration.

There are about 13 species which were found to be under red list but out of thirteen only one plant is under vulnerable category and the rest are of the least concern [40].

7. Conclusion

Herbs are always considered as a very important source of medicine especially for the population of the rural areas and tribes because of the high cost and difficult accessibility to modern medicine. This study was conducted in Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary of Chandauli district, in the south eastern division of Uttar Pradesh, where inadequate ethnobotanical surveys on medicinal plants were conducted. Our findings demonstrated that the area is rich in biodiversity and ethnobotanical tradition. About 100 plants belonging to 43 families are used by the local communities including the tribal and local healers. The plant species with the highest fidelity level (Fl) were Holarrhena antidysenterica, Lawsonia inermis, Gymnema sylvestre, Dalbergia sissoo, Cassia fistula Linn., Butea monosperma (Lam.) Kuntze., Boerhaavia diffusa Linn., Albizia lebbeck Benth., Aegle marmelos Correa., Sphaeranthus indicus Linn., and Solanum surattense Burm. f. The most frequent ailments reported were hepatitis, jaundice, constipation, and skin and urinary problems. The parts of the plants most frequently used were fruit, roots, and whole plants (17%) followed by leaves (16%) and bark (15%).

Traditional knowledge of the area is greatly affected due to modernization and other factors and there is an urgent need to protect the cultural heritage and traditional knowledge of the natives by justifying the therapeutic potential and biological activities of the plants with reported scientific methods. Also there is a need for special attention to the potential plants of the area which are on the verge of extinction by excessive deforestation and development.

Conflict of Interests

The authors have no conflict of interests to declare.

Acknowledgments

The authors sincerely would like to acknowledge the people living in Jamsoti and Matihani villages, for their contribution to this study, hospitality, and kindness. They wish to express their sincere thanks to Mr. S. N. Upadhayay (Forest Officer, Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary) for providing valuable information. They wish to express their heartiest gratitude to Mr. Dulare for his translation assistance. Also they would like to thank Mr. Dulare and Mr. D. D. Singh for their kind help to reach the remote areas.

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