INTRODUCTION:

An aboriginal tribe called ‘Yanadi’dwells in Sriharikota. It is similar to Chenchu community elsewhere in Andhra Pradesh [2]. Inspite of the community being drifted from the natural way of life due to agro-rural development activities a few aged tribal men are still able to furnish traditional ethno medico-botanical data. In Sriharikota Island about tribal families are living in 3 colonies viz. Penubakam, Kothachenu and Chengalpalem [20].

Topography

Sriharikota Island is geographically located at 80⁰ 21’’ E and 13⁰22’’ N to 14⁰ N. it is a spindle shaped landmass sandwitched between Bay of Bengal on the East and Pulicat Lake on the West. It is 18 km East of Sullurpet.The nearest railway station located on Chennai-Kolkata trunk line. Chennai is 98 km away from Sriharikota[20].

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

An intensive medico-ethnobotanical survey of Sriharikota Island was undertaken for the duration three years (1996-1999). Regular periodical fieldwork is conducted covering all the seasons so as not to miss seasonal elements having pharmaceutical value and collected a large number of specimens in their respective phenological stages[11].

Ample field notes recorded pertaining to frequency, abundance, edaphic and morphological characters, which cannot be deducted from exsiccata. Local tribal men are contacted to record data related to ethno medico-botanical uses, drug preparation and mode of administration etc.[2].

After identification, samples are properly processed, mounted on herbarium sheets and deposited in Visodaya Govt. College Herbarium (VGCH) and a duplicate set at SHAR Herbarium, Sriharikota.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

During these studies a good number of ethnomedicinal plants are collected. However in this paper 14 species of having remedial effect on various common Cooling and alterative properties (i.e. Refrigerant, tonic, carminative, general strength promoters, debility, blood purification etc.) are enumerated. Latest Scientific name followed by relevant synonyms if any, local name, habit flowering and fruiting season, ethnomedicinal data and their phytochemical composition are also furnished for each species. Plants marked with asterisk (*) are reported here first time for their remedial effect on various common Cooling and alterative properties as above mentioned [2]. Their other medicinal uses adopted in the Island and elsewhere also given in Annexure.

Enumeration:

1.Cassia auriculata L. (Caesalpiniaceae):

Ln: Tangedu. Sn: Charmaranga, Mayahari.

Shrubs. Common in open scrubs. F1. and Fr.: May- September. Ld: Kothachenu: RBK 9070.

Fresh roots are cut into small pieces and ground to paste. 1-2 spoonfuls of paste given orally with 100 ml of butter milk twice a day, to result cooling effect (refrigerant) to body and reduces excess heat. It is continued for 3-4 days.

CC: Tannins.

2. Colubrina asiatica (L.) Brongn. (Rhamnaceae):

Ln: Neetlapulava chettu.

An unarmed sarmentose shrub. Which are noticed along the margins of saline mud flats harbouring mangrove populations. F1.and Fr.: August-October. Ld: Chandrasikuppam: RBK 9035.

Leaf juice taken as tonic for general debility and strength.

CC: Saponins.

3. Combretum albidum G. Don. (Combretaceae):

= C. ovalifolium Roxb.

Ln: Yadara teega, Yadaaku.

A gregarious climbing shrub. Common on hedges and thickets. F1. and Fr.: February-June. Ld:

Chandrasikuppam: RBK 9026.

Stem sap refrigerant: 4-5 ml stem sap taken orally to get relief from thirsty conditions. It is taken orally twice a day for cooling.

CC: Tannins, Flavonoids, Triterpenes

4. Dioscorea oppositifolia L.(Dioscoreaceae):

Ln: Pendalam, Esetigadda.

Climbing herbs, Common over bushes and hedges, also cultivated in tribal colonies. Fl and Fr: July – January. Ld: Penubakam : RBK 9108.

TB: Root tubers boiled and eaten.

CC: Albuminoids, Carbohydrates[4,5].

5. Euphorbia hirta L.(Euphorbiaceae):

Ln: Palachetha, Pacchaku /Palaaku. Sn: Pusitoa.

Erect or appressed herbs. Common weed in fields and waste places. Fl and Fr: throughout the year. Ld: Ellanthugunta :RBK 9241.

Leaf juice for anaemia: 200g of fresh leaves mixed with equal quantity of Coccinia grandis squeezed and obtained juice. 10-15 ml of juice given twice a day orally for 30 days to the patient to cure from bloodlessness.

CC: Triterpenes, phytosterols [3],

6. Ficus racemosa L.(Moraceae):

= F. glomerata Roxb. Pl. Cor.

Ln: Attichettu, Medichettu. Sn: Udumbhara.

Large deciduous, trees. Common especially on the margins of water bodies. Fl and Fr : Most part of the year.

Ld: Palliveedi : RBK 8931.

Fruits edible, seeds have the cooling and refrigerant properties.

CC:Albuminoids, Silica, Phosphorus[1,5].

7. Gmelina asiatica L.(Verbenaceae):

Ln: Gummalangi, Adavi gummadi. Sn: Gopa badhra, Vikkarni.

Erect armed shrubs. Common and abundant in scrubs. Fl. and Fr.:April-November. Ld: Beripeta: RBK 8960.

Refrigerant:

100 g of root and fruit powder used for hair wash during oil bath twice a week for one month to get relief from dandruff.

CC : Glucoside, alkaloids, tannins

8. Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. (Periplocaceae)

Ln:Sugandhapala, Sn: Anantamula, Sariva, Gopakanya.

Twining herbs. Common and gregarious on bushes and hedges also trailing on ground. Fl. and Fr.: October-April. Ld: Kothachenu: RBK 9189.

Root tubers - appetizer: 200g of root tubers taken cut into small pieces and pounded into powder. 1-2 spoonfuls powder is taken into 200 ml of water and prepared decoction. 10-15 ml of decoction is taken orally 1 hour before meals to improve appetite. It is continued for 30-40 days for proper appetite.

Root tubers – tonic: 200g of root tubers cut into small pieces and pounded to powder. 1-2 spoonfuls of powder taken into 200 ml of water and prepared decoction. 20 ml decoction mixed with 100-150 ml of milk is taken orally twice a day for 40-50 days to give strength and act as tonic and blood purifier.

CC: Coumarin, Hemidesmine[1], Tannin, Saponin.

9. Lawsonia inermis L. (Lythraceae) =Lawsonia alba Lam.

Ln: Gorintaku. Sn: Mendika, Raktagarbha, Ragangi.

Shrubs or small trees. Common in open dry scrubs and along the canals. F1.and Fr.: December-February. Ld: Beripeta: RBK 9100.

Leaves- antidepilatory agent, Cooling: Fresh leaves ground into paste. It is applied on head. After one hour of application head bath is taken. It keeps head cool, promotes luxuriant hair growth and prevents hair fall.Recipe is continued weekly twice for 40 days.

CC: Sawsone, Henna, Gallic acid, Glucose and Mannital[1,5].

10. Limonia acidissima L (Rutaceae):

= Feronia elephantum Corr.

Ln: Velaga. Sn: Kapitha, Nilamallika.

Tall trees. Planted near habitations. F1. and Fr.: May-July, August-October. Ld: Beripeta: RBK 9642.

Fresh leaves dried and pounded to make powder. 500g leaf powder mixed with 5g onion 20g black pepper. The preparation is well ground and made into pills of Ground nut size. 3-4 pills thrice daily taken orally for relief of hypertension and general debility accompanied by head ache.

This preparation of 5g taken with food for 20 days to get relief of hypertension and as a tonic for general debility.

CC : Citric acid.

11. Memecylon umbellatum Burm.f. (Melastomaceae):

Ln: Alli Chettu. Sn: Anjami.

Evergreen shrubs or small trees. Common and dominant in scrub jungles. F1. and Fr.: April-September. Ld: Ellanthugunta: RBK 9000.

TB: Fruits edible. Stems used for fencing and fire wood.

Leaves yield a dye. Fruits for antianaemia: 100g of fresh fruits taken ground into jelly like matter. It is taken in a cloth and filtered. 10 ml of juice taken twice a day for 20-30 days to get cured from anaemic conditions. (Bloodlessness).

CC: Tartaric acid, Malleic acid and Resin[3,10].

12. Pentatropis microphylla (Heyne. Ex. Roth.) Wight and Arn.(Asclepiadaceae):

Ln: Chekurtiteega.

A twining herb. Occasional twiner on scrubs near coast. F1. and Fr.June-October. Ld: Chengalpalem: RBK 9750.

Whole plant– refrigerant: Juice extracted from fresh plants applied on head and body to get relief from excess of heat and to effect cooling of body. An hour later after application of juice oil bath is taken.

CC: Flavanoids, Phenols, Saponins, Steroids

13. Phyllanthus reticulates Poir inLam. (Euphorbiaceae) =Kirganelia reticulata (Poir.) Baill.

Ln: Nalla purugudu. Sn: Krishna – Kambaji.

Scandent shrubs. Common in hedges of low lying areas and near water bodies. Fl and Fr:

Leaf juice as refrigerant: 300g of fresh leaves squeezed and obtained juice. It is mixed with 1 spoonful of turmeric powder.The juice is applied on head for overnight and taken head bath next day to reduce heat and for cooling. Treatment is repeated twice a week.

CC: Tannic acid[3].

14. Tribulus terrestris L. (Zygophyllaceae):

Ln: Chinnapalleru. Sn: Bahukantaka, Kshudragokshura.

A prostrate, spreading herb. A common weed, on way sides. Fl. and Fr.: Through out the year. Ld: Penubakam RBK 9825.

Whole plant - diuretic (refrigerant): 50g of fresh plants cut into small pieces, taken in 200 ml of water and added suitable quantity of black pepper powder (Piper nigrum) and boiled to prepare decoction. 10-15 ml of decoction taken orally twice a day for 4-5 days to get relief from excess heat and urinary disorders.

CC: Vitamin C, Haramine, Sapogenins, Diosegenin, Gitagenin[1,3].

Medicinal Plant Species –Used by Tribals for Cooling and alterative properties from Sriharikota


*Cassia auricuata* L.	*Colubrina asiatica* (L.) Brongn.

*Combretum albidum* G. Don.	*Dioscoriea oppsitifolia* L.

*Euphorbia hirta* L.	*Ficus racemosa* L.

*Gmelina asiatica* L.	*Hemidesmus indicus* (L.) R. Br.

Other Medicinal uses for Tribal medicinal plants for Cooling and alterative properties from Sriharikota Island, Andhra Pradesh reported first time from Sriharikota

S.No.	Scientific Name and Family	Local Name (s)	Other uses
S.No.	Scientific Name and Family	Local Name (s)	In Island	Elsewhere
1	*Cassia auricuata* L. (Caesalpiniaceae)	Ln.:Tangedu.Sn:Charmaranga, Mayahari.	Leaf paste - ophthalmia: 100g of fresh leaves are ground to paste. It is slightly warmed applied on head twice in a day to get relief from conjuctivities or any allergitic itching / irritation	Used for diabetes, eye infections (conjunctivitis), joint and muscle pain (rheumatism), constipation, jaundice, liver disease, and urinary tract disorders.[1]
2	*Colubrina asiatica* (L.) Brongn.(Rhamnaceae)	Ln.Neetlapulava chettu. Leather leaf	--	Sedative effects produce the lathering properties, significant cancer inhibiting properties [3,11].
3	*Combretum albidum* G. Don. (Combretaceae)	Ln.:Yadara teega, Yadaaku.	--	Decoction of fruit is taken thrice in a day for the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery and stem barks used in jaundice[4]
4	*Dioscoriea oppsitifolia* L. (Dioscoreaceae)	Ln.Pendalam, Esetigadda.	--	Used for cooling and demulcent; they are used in the form of decoction for leprosy and cancerous lesions[5]. The leaves are antiseptic; the paste is applied on ulcers and abscesses. The whole plant extract is used for secondary syphilis and Psorasis[7]
5	*Euphorbia hirta* L. (Euphorbiaceae)	Ln.Palachetha, Pacchaku /Palaaku. Sn: Pusitoa.	--	It has been claimed to have a curative effects on dengue patients[8,9]
6	*Ficus racemosa* L. (Moraceae)	Attichettu, Medichettu. Sn: Udumbhara.	--	Leaf paste is applied over the skin which is afflicted by boils or mosquito bites. and insect bites [10].
7	*Gmelina asiatica* L (Verbenaceae)	Gummalangi, Adavi gummadi. Sn: Gopa badhra, Vikkarni.	--	Use of leaves and aerial parts in treatment of jaundice and other hepatic diseases, body heat, antioxidant properties [13,14].
8	*Hemidesmus indicus* (L.) R. Br. (Periplocaceae)	Ln: Sugandhapala, Sn: Anantamula, Sariva, Gopakanya.	Root tubers appetizer: 200g of root tubers taken cut into small pieces and pounded into powder.1-2 spoonfuls powder is taken into 200 ml of water and prepared decoction. 10-15 ml of decoction is taken orally 1 hour before meals to improve appetite. It is continued for 30-40 days for proper appetite.	Used in treatments for piles, insect bites, dysentery, gonorrhea and jaundice [15,16] .
9	*Lawsonia inermis* L. (Lythraceae)	Ln: Gorintaku. Sn: Mendika, Raktagarbha, Ragangi.	--	Plant is used for antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antiviral, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antifertility and wound healing properties [17].
10	*Limonia acidissima* L. (Rutaceae)	Ln: Velaga. Sn: Kapitha, Nilamallika.	Fresh leaves dried and pounded to make powder. 500g leaf powder mixed with 5g onion 20g black pepper. The preparation is well ground and made into pills of Ground nut size. 3-4 pills thrice daily taken orally for relief of hypertension and general debility accompained by head ache.	· Wood apple is good for digestion. It destroys intestinal worms and cures chronic dysentery.If you have piles or stomach ulcers, the fruit can help cure these conditions[19].
11	*Memecylon umbellatum* Burm. f. (Melastomaceae)	Ln: Alli Chettu. Sn: Anjami.	--	Medicinally, the leaves are said to have anti-diarrhoeal properties[21].
12	*Pentatropis microphylla* (Roth.) Wt. (Asclepiadaceae)	Ln: Chekurtiteega.	Plant juice – dyspepsia: 5-10 ml of plant juice is taken orally twice a day for 3-4 days to get relief from digestive problems.	The plant is considered as cooling and alterative[22].
13	*Phyllanthus reticulatus* Poir. (Euphorbiaceae)	Ln: Nalla purugudu. Sn: Krishna – Kambaji.	Leaf paste for dermatotherapy : 100g of fresh leaves ground to paste adding 1 tsp. of turmeric paste and applied on boils at nails. This treatment is repeated for 10 - 15 days for remedy.	The leaves of plant considered diuretic and Cooling and bleeding gums[23].
14	*Tribulus terristris* L. (Zygophyllaceae)	Ln: Chinnapalleru. Sn: Bahukantaka, Kshudragokshura.	Whole plant - antacid: A few plants are boiled in adequate quantity water to get strong decoction. 5-10 ml decoction taken orally once a day to get relief of irritation in stomach due to acidity. It is to be continued for 20-30 days to get cured.	Protects from cardiovascular diseases, reduces blood pressure, aphrodisciac [13].

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

The authors are pleased to record their gratitude to DOS-ISRO for financial assistance to conduct the project. The authors are also grateful to the Principal, Visvodaya Govt. College, Venkatagiri and the Director, SHAR Centre, Sriharikota for providing facilities and encouragement at laboratory and in the field respectively. Authors are grateful to the Head, C and LD, Division for his keen interest and support to conduct the fieldwork.

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Received on 09.04.2014 Modified on 01.06.2014

Research J. Pharm. and Tech. 7(8): August 2014 Page 889-896