Meghalaya is blessed with more than 834 medicinal plants species. The local healers out here have an extensive knowledge of the medicinal plants of Meghalaya and their use in natural remedies, which have been passed down through generations. And Potentilla fulgens is one of the much-used medicinal plants of Meghalaya.
Potentilla fulgens is commonly called as the Himalayan Cinquefoil and Lyngniangbru by the Khasi tribe of Meghalaya. It grows in regions with a temperate climate and at a high elevation of about 1800 - 4350m above sea level.
This medicinal herb, one of the many Meghalaya herbs and spices, herb finds its habitat in open meadows and grassy slopes of this hilly paradise. In the wild habitats of Meghalaya, Potentilla fulgens has been reported to have a symbiotic association with an endophytic fungus Penicillium verruculosum. This fungus contributes to the vigorous growth of the plant, even in extreme rainfall habitats.
Natural Remedies Using This Medicinal Herb of Meghalaya
According to Bio-medical reports by the Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR), Potentilla Fulgens contains important chemical constituents such as polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids, and triterpenoids, which result in its anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic, antitumor and antioxidant properties.
It is widely used for medicine in the Ayurvedic, Unani and Siddha systems of medicine since the plant contains rich amounts of polyphenols in its stem, leaves and roots parts. Potentilla Fulgens is one of the much-used herb from among all the Meghalaya herbs and spices.
Anti-oxidants present in P. fulgens helps prevent damage from free radicals and antigens. While its polyphenols constituents form stable and complex compounds with metal ions, proteins and polysaccharides. This medicinal herb of Meghalaya helps in healing wounds, burns, inflammations and prevents gut infection by protecting the underlying interior from toxins.
Traditionally, in Meghalaya, the root-stock and the whole Potentilla fulgens is utilized as astringent and tonic for curing the gums of tooth ailments such as pyorrhea, toothache and caries. It is also used for the treatment of diarrhoea, stomach ailments, cough and cold, and diabetes. Not surprising that Potentilla fulgens is sought after from among the many medicinal plants of Meghalaya.
Looking at all these health benefits of P. fulgens, this article is to tell you about its various natural remedies, as cited in scientific papers.
Potential of Potentilla fulgens in Pharmaceutical Industry
Potential of Potentilla fulgens in Pharmaceutical Industry
Here are a few citations of experiments performed using the plant extracts of Potentilla fulgens and the various results to prove the active properties of this medicinal herb.
1. How can Potentilla fulgens prevent cell death and inhibit carcinogenic activity
DNA (deoxyribose nucleic acid) present in our cells are repetitively damaged and repaired. Factors responsible for its damage may be external or internal. Unrepaired DNA lesions will block its further replication and transcription and will lead to cell death. Furthermore, carcinogenic activity of the cells are caused due to mutation of the DNA strand.
The best possible way to decrease the occurrence of mutation is to avoid the exposure to mutagens.
An Experiment done to demonstrate the anti-mutagenic activity of P. fulgens:
Extracts and fraction of Potentilla fulgens plants were drawn out by the method of Ames histidine reversion assay by using the tester strain of Salmonella bacteria against direct acting mutagens.
The results indicated that n-butanol and water fractions, with the tester strain, strongly inhibit and work against the mutagens.
In this case, the anti-mutagenic activity of the fractions may be caused due to their free radical scavenging abilities. Thus, this study reveals the anti-mutagenic potential of the Potentilla fulgens plant, an important medicinal plant of Meghalaya.
2. How can P. fulgens aid in diabetes
Potentilla fulgens contains anti-hyperglycemic properties which helps in reducing the effects of diabetes and regulation of insulin.
An Experiment done to demonstrate the hypoglycemic or anti-hyperglycemic activity of P. fulgens:
Methanol extract of P.fulgens roots is evaluated for its anti-hypoglycemic activities by inducing the solution in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Both these mice were administered carefully with the extract via injection at varying doses of 150-450 mg/kg. The blood glucose level was measured at different intervals up to a period of 5 days.
The results indicated blood glucose level reduced by 31% in the normal mouse and 63% in the diabetic mouse. This study reveals the hypoglycemic activity of P.fulgens.
3. How can P. fulgens helps manage cholesterol levels
Potentilla fulgens contains anti-hyperlipidemic properties, which helps in maintaining recommended levels of HDL and LDL cholesterols.
An Experiment done to demonstrate the anti-hyperlipidemic activity of P. fulgens:
This experiment also includes the testing of anti-hyperlipidemic activity of P. fulgens with the use of methanol root extract and injecting the solution into alloxan-induced diabetic mice. About 250mg/kg was injected into the mice on alternate days for a period of one week. On the 8th day, the blood samples were collected for checking the estimation of cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels.
The result showed about 72% reduction in cholesterol serum and improvement of HDL cholesterol level to normal level. These reports and experiments performed using Potentilla fulgens, supports the traditional uses and natural remedies of this plant.
Potentiall fulgens, a medicinal plant of Meghalaya, is thus a valuable source that is effective in fighting a variety of ailments.
Research has also shown that Potentilla fulgens is an excellent remedy for oral health.
Natural remedies based on plant products are important sources for further research and have the potential to become future medicines for the pharmaceutical industry.
Potentilla fulgens is a relatively untapped natural medicine and interest in developing it as a potential medicine is growing!
Do you know of any traditional medicinal plant that can become the next potential for pharmaceutical industries?
Let us know in the comment section below.
