It was a bright Sunday morning. I was with my wife at her house.
We were walking through the garden suddenly she called me.”shyam, I want to
show you something”, and pointed her finger towards the edge of her property. I
was shocked to see the glimpse of the dazzling red flower through the bushes.
Out of my curiosity, I headed toward the flower.it was very difficult to reach
the plant through the thick bushes. i couldn’t believe my eyes.it is the plant
which I was searching for long time…I don’t know how it appeared in such an
area because it usually see in Ghats and forests. May be somebody has planted
it there long time ago…We call it Menthoni kizhangu in Malayalam.so next few
days I started my research on the plant and my findings are listed below. Hope
you will find time to read this ..happy reading……………….
ORIGIN AND BOTANICAL TRAITS
Family Lilaceae, subfamily Wurmbacoidae
Alternate names Methonia Superba Lamk Lindley
English Name: Climbing-lily, Creeping-lily, Flame-lily, Glory-lily,
Gloriosa lily, Tiger claw .
Sanskrit Names: Langli, Kalikari, Ailni, Agnisikha,
Garbhaghatini, Agnimukhi Local Names in India: Kalihari, Kathari, Kulhari,
Languli (Hindi); Bishalanguli, Ulatchandal (Bengali); Dudhio,
Vacchonag(Gujarati); Indai, Karianag, Khadyanag (Marathi); Karadi, Kanninagadde
(Kannada); Adavi-nabhi, Kalappagadda, Ganjeri (Telugu); Mettoni, Kithonni
(Malayalam); Kalappai-Kizhangu, Kannoru (Tamil); Ognisikha, Nabhikkodi ,Garbhhoghhatono,
Panjangulia, Meheriaphulo (Oriya); Kariari, Mulim (Punjabi)
Common Names in World: Flame lily, Isimiselo, Vlamlelie,
Riri vavai-moa
Species and Varieties:The genus Gloriosa is comprised of about 10 to 15 known
species
* Gloriosa superba Linn,* G luteo,* G plantii,* G.latifolia,*
G magnifica,* G rothschildiana,* G abysstinica,* G longifolia,* G simplex,Gloriosa is monobasic with a
genetic base x = 11.
Out of the 10 elemental species, G.superba, G.lutea and
G.plantii are diploids (2n=22); G.carsonii, G.virescens and G.richmondensis are
tetradploids (2n=44) and G.rothschildiana,G.latifolia and .magnifica are
octoploids (2n=88).
In general, octoploid species are comparatively short
statured and constitute a medium group of plants.The important species found in India are G superba and
G.rothschildiana
Nature :An annual climbing perennial herb with tuberous roots
Plant type Tuber
Height:Between 3.5 to 6 m in length The vines are tall, weak
stemmed with tuberous roots Leaves Ovate, lanceolate, acuminate, the tips
spirally twisted Flowers Large, solitary or may form a lax corymbose inflorescence,
twisted and crisped with six recurved or reflexed petals.
Blossoming yellow and changing to yellow red and deep
scarlet.
In the bud stage, the petals hang down over the ovary and on
maturity, they assume an erect position, leaving the ovary with its stigma
exposed at right angles.
Ovary:The ovary is 3 celled and it forms an ellipsoidal capsule.
Seeds :There are numerous seeds in a capsule and the seeds
are warty and compressed.
Chemical Constituents:Colchicine and its derivative from
tubers.Silosterol, its Glucoside and beta and Gamma Lumicolichicines.Beta
silosterol, its Flucoside and 2-H-6-MeO benzoic acid.Flower’s contain Luteolin,
its Glucoside, N-Formyl-de-Me-colchicine, its Glucoside and2-de-Me-colchicine Content
of Colchicine 0.25%
PRODUCT APPLICATION
Gloriosa superba is a good abortifacient causing expulsion
of foetus from the womb.
Roots are antioperiodic, purgative, cholagogue,
anthelmintic:
It is bitter, acrid, astringent, anthelmintic and
germicidal. It cures leprosy, swelling, piles,
chronic ulcers, colic pain in bladder.
Tubers are tonic and anthelminitic when taken in doses of 5
to 10 grains. Tubers
abortifacient: extract of root, ecbolic.
Paste is antidote in snake bite.
Powder of root is given for treatment of rheumatic fever.Various plant parts are used in spleen complaints, sores,
tumours and syphllis. Plant parts Used in Ayurveda Tubers Abortion purpose, in
intermittent fevers, wounds. Antifertility purpose, Gonorrhea, Leprosy, Piles.
Siddha Root and tubers Mixed with babchi seeds (Psoralea corylifoila), black
cumin (Nigella sativa) and purple fleebane (Vernonia anthelmintica) and is made
to a paste and is applied externally for various skin diseases.
Ayurveda Roots Abortifacient, acrid, alexiteric,
anthelmintic, antipyretic, bitter, depurative, digestive, emetic, expectorant,
gastrointestinal irritant, highly poisonous, purgative, rejuvenating,
stomachic,thermogenic, tonic, beneficial in vitiated conditions of kapha
(phlegm) and vata (wind).Debility, dyspepsia, flatulence, haemorrhoids,
helminthiasis, inflammations, in promoting labor pain and expulsion of the
placenta. Ayurveda Roots If smeared over the palms and feet of a pregnant
woman,delivery of child becomes Easier. Effective against paralysis rheumatism,
snake bite, insect bites, against lice. Ayurveda Leafs Asthma, Leaf extract
mixed with sesamum oil is applied twice a day on the joints affected with
arthritis reduces pain, Effective against lice.
Every parts of the Gloriosa are used as medicinal purpose,
in ayurveda and yunani system of medicine it is a reputed medicine. According
to ayurveda, tuber is pungent, bitter, acrid, heating, anthemirtic, laxative,
alexiteric,abortifacient and useful in ulcers, gonorrhea, leprosy, piles,inflammations,
abdominal pains, itching and thirst. Tubers arealso used as antifertility
purpose. Coming to the root, the Ethnic communities of North-East Indian people say that, Gloriosa
rootpaste is used for curing gout, stomach ache, abortion purpose in
intermittent fever, wounds. It can be administered to a delivered mother along
with spirituous drink to give relieve to her postnatal complaints and also if
its root paste smeared over the palms and feet of a pregnant woman, delivery of
child becomes easier. Even the leaves of Glory lily have more medicinal
qualities, namely for curing asthma, its juice is effective against lice and
also against many skin disorders). It is one of the useful plants
Extract of plant is CNS depressant.One of the very important
exported medicinal plants of India that has become endangered within a very
short span of the last 50 years is Gloriosa superba L., the codified systems of
Indian medicine as well as in folk and tribal medicine. The root is used as a
germicide, to cure ulcers, piles, hemorrhoids, inflammation, scrofula, leprosy,
dyspepsia, worms infestation, flatulence, intermittent fevers, debility
arthritis and against snake poison. The corm (or tuber according to some) which
looks like a hoe. It has been the most used in indigenous medical systems of
India as well as in Africa. The medicinial importance of the plant is due to
the presence of alkaloids (nearly 24 of them) of which colchicine and
colchicoside are the principal ones, as well as to the presence of 10 non-alkloidal
medicinal compounds including B-sitosterol, chelidonic acid, luteolin,
stigmasterol etc. Colchicine is used as a mitosis-arrest agent and in cancer
therapy and diabetics, in addition to promote polyploidy in agriculturally
important crop plants. Colchicoside is used against accute inflammation like
gout and other forms of arthritis.
The plant is being exploited extensively by the local people
for medicinal purposes. The flow of the raw drug from the local ad regional
markets has increased due to the increased demand by the pharmaceutical
companies both within and outside India. Recently, there has been an increased
demand for the plant, as a source of colchicine and colchicoside, but the
supplies from the conventional sources has not been sufficient. India is a
major exporter of Gloriosa superba seeds.
Here is some information on Gloriosa Superba which is about
to be extinct so lets save it Glory lily is among some of the modern medicine's
most important plants actually facing local extinction.Gloriosa superba derives
its name Gloriosa from the word ‘gloriosus’, which means handsome and superba
from the word ‘superb’ means splendid or majestic kind. This plant has been a
source of medicine right from the ancient time.
This glorious herb was found in abundance once upon a time
in Patalkot valley. Now-a-days, this herb is becoming rare in this valley.
Medicinal importance:
The sap from the leaf tip is used for pimples and skin
eruptions. Tribals of Patalkot apply the powder of rhizome with coconut oil in
skin eruptions and related diseases for 5 days. This combination is said to be
effective in snake and scorpion bites too. 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. Bhumkas (local healers)
generally prescribe 250 to 500 mg of the rhizome as dosage. According to
Bhumkas of Patalkot, this dose may lead to abortion if given to a lady with
pregnancy of 1 or 2 months. Since the rhizome is having abortive action, this
is prescribed for normal delivery. In traditional medicine system, tuber is
used for the treatment of bruises and sprains colic, chronic ulcers, hemorrhoids,
cancer, impotence nocturnal seminal emissions and leprosy. Many cultures
believe the species to have various magical propertiesThe plump roots of the
plant have been used in the treatment of parasitic skin infections, leprosy,
and internal worms
In Ayurveda and Yunani systems of medicine, the tuber of
plant is well known due to its pungent, bitter, acrid, heating, anthemintic,
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 problem However, ingestion of all
parts of the plants is extremely poisonous and can be fatal
Other uses:Gloriosa superba is also known as the national
flower of Zimbabwe Except miscellaneous pharmaceutical product and other
therapeutic preparations, it is also a popular plant for providing color in
greenhouses and conservatories even immature flowers are beautiful to behold
All parts of the plant, especially the tubers, are extremely poisonous. The
tubers may be mistakenly eaten in place of Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batata)
since the tubers resemble those of sweet potatoes. The juice of the leaves is
used as an ingredient in arrow poisons. The flowers are used in religious
ceremonies.
Gloriosa superba is believed as most important herb that is
exported, and collection of seeds and roots for the foreign market is causing a
shortage of raw material for local drug industries in India. If endangered
plants like G. superba are allowed to become damaged through excessive
collection, a whole series of traditional medicines and plants which have been
in use for thousands of years will be threatened. It is therefore need of the
hour to come forward and rescue this important glorious herb of Patalkot.
Active participation from everyone is highly needed specially people from
Chhindwara district.
Gloriosa Superba is generally found in western parts of
Tamilnadu and Kerela India. It is critically endangered hence IUCN has placed
it in “red data book” recently this species has been spotted for the first time
in Topchanchi and Hazaribag District.This is first report of this endangered
plant from Jharkhand. Gloriosa superba is one of the poisonous plants.
Ingestion of Gloriosa superba tubers causes severe and potentially fatal toxic
effects
Chemical components: Studies reveal 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, Gloriosine (Gooneratne 1966, Angunawela and Fernando 1971). Other compounds such as lumicolchicine, 3-demethyl-N-deformyl-N-deacetylcolchicine, 3-demethylcolchicine, N-formyldeacetylcolchicine have been isolated from the plant (Chulabhorn et al. 1998). Another important alkaloid called gloriosine is also found in tubers (Gooneratne 1966). Colchicine: CAS number: 64-86-8 Molecular formula: C22H25NO6 Molecular weight: 399.44 Structural name: colchicine Toxic effect: A pale yellow to greenish yellow alkaloid Colchicine is mainly responsible for the toxic effect. The toxins in G. superba have an inhibitory action on cellular division resulting in diarrhoea, depressant action on the bone marrow and alopecia. After ingestion of tubers, initial symptoms develop within two to six hours. Intense vomiting, numbness and tingling around the mouth, burning and rawness of the throat, nausea, abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea leading to dehydration etc. are some of the primary symptoms developed initially in the victim. The other important complications include respiratory depression, shock, hypotension, marked leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, coagulation disorders, oliguria, haematuria, confusion, seizures, coma and ascending polyneuropathy. Alopecia and dermatitis are the late manifestations that develop about one to two weeks after poisoning (Inchem 2004). Clinical and toxicological observations were made by various workers time to time (Gooneratne, 1966; Dunuwille et al. 1968, Angunawela and Fernando 1971, Murray et al. 1983, Kimberly 1983, Saravanapavananthan 1985, Craker and Simson 1986, Wijesundere 1986, Ellenhorn et al. 1996, Inchem 2004). All parts of the plant, especially the tubers, areextremely poisonous.Colchicine, an alkaloid, is responsible for the toxic effect of G.superba . The species also contains another alkaloid 'gloriosine'.The toxic properties of the plant are essentially due to the highly active alkaloid colchicine. Colchicine occurs as pale yellow to greenish yellow, odourless crystals or amorphous scales or powder. It darkens on exposure to light. Other physico-chemical characteristics Melting point is 157°C Solubility in water is about 1/20. It is freely soluble in alcohol and chloroform (Windholz 1983). In addition to colchicine and gloriosine, G. superba also contains other compounds such as 3-desmethyl colchicine, beta-lumicolchicine, N-Formyldesacetyl-colchicine,2-desmethyl colchicine, chelidonic acid and salicylic acid (Duke 1985).
Colchicine affects cell membrane structure indirectly by
inhibiting the synthesis of membrane constituents (Craker and Simson 1986). It
binds to tubulin (the structural proteins of microtubules) 63 http://jsrr.in
Science Research Reporter 1(2): 61-64, Sept. 2011 ISSN:
2249-2321 (Print)preventing its polymerization into microtubules. This
antimiotic property disrupts the spindle apparatus that separates chromosomes
during metaphase. Cells with high metabolic rates (e.g. intestinal epithelium,
hair follicles and bone marrow) are the most involved by the arrest of mitosis.
The variable effects of colchicine may depend on its binding to the protein
subunit of microtubules with subsequent disruption of microtubule function
(Ellenhorn et al. 1996). Colchicine also has an inhibitory effect on various
phosphatases (Craker and Simson 1986). Gloriosine also has an antimitotic
effect (Gooneratne 1966). Conclusion: G. superba produces two important alkaloid
clochicine and gloriosine, which are present in seeds and tubers It is
conventional drug for gout obtained from corms of G. superba Gloriosa superba
is a commercially imperative medicinal plant which has diverse medicinal
applications and eventually due to over-explotatlon this plant is facing local
exlinction. It has been affirmed as endangered plant by IUCN and hence there is
a pressing need to conserve the plant by in situ and ex situ multiplication in
general and micropropogation in particular so as to meet the ever increasing
demand from the industries There is a greater need of a Community-based
Approach in conservation. Awareness among the local community is one the most
important task. For this, various activities like poster presentation, campaigns,
educational pamphlets and slogans can be applied. A society can be made in the
villages that will look after the conservation of important medicinal and
economical plants. Universities, Colleges, NGOs and other agencies should come
forward and adopt a village of their respective region. These organizations can
play a vital role in conservation of important medicinal plant. A medicinal
plant garden/ herbal garden and green house can be made in the village itself.
At one side there is need of Ex-situ and in-situ conservation, on the other
hand, preservation of traditional Ethno-medicinal-botanic knowledge is highly
needed. Local healers of targeted area should be encouraged and given support
time to time.
Gloriosa superba is believed as most important herb that is
exported, and collection of seeds and roots for the foreign market is causing a
shortage of raw material for local drug industries in India. If endangered
plants like G. superba are allowed to become damaged through excessive
collection, a whole series of traditional medicines and plants which have been
in use for thousands of years will be threatened. It is therefore need of the
hour to come forward and rescue this important glorious herb .
CULTIVATION PRACTICES
Regions cultivated in India:It can be grown throughout
tropical India, from the Northwest Himalaysas to Assam and the Deccan peninsula,
extending upto an elevation of 2.120 m.
In India, the herb is largely cultivated in Tamil Nadu
particularly in Karur and Moolanur region.
In Karnataka, it is also commonly found growing all along
the Western Ghats.
Soil conditions:Red soil preferred.Hard soil not suitable
pH of soil 6% to 7% neutral to acid, must be of free
draining.
Average rainfall in a year 70 cm.Height from sea level 600
metres preferred
Seeding and Propagation:Seeds should be sown during late
winter or early spring
Temperature should be between 20 deg.C & 25 deg.C for optimal
germination.
Offset of tubers should be taken in late winter.
Flowering time Summer
Spacing between plant : 30 to 45 cm
Tuber required per acre 500 kg of tuber per acre
Height Up to 1.8m to 2.4m
Irrigation:After seeding, irrigation at the interval of 5 days.Irrigation
necesssary at the flowering period.Irrigation not necesssary at the harvesting
period.Keep the soil evenly moist during growing season.Reduce the watering
after flowering.Temperature Best growing temperatures are between 15°C and 30°C.The
plant will tolerate slightly higher or lower of these.
Light Semi-shaded to full sun position. Do not seem to grow
well under
artifical light indoors.
Humidity Requires high humidity for good flowering.
Pest & Problems Aphids are the prime pest of the plant.Fertiliser Organic fertiliser to the level of around 120 kg
per acre
Propagation
It is commercially propagated from its underground, V shaped
rhizomes or sexually
propagated by seeds.The plants raised from seeds take nearly three to four years
to flower. Hence, except for experimental purposes, seed propagation is not favoured by
the growers.
Gloriosa produces a biforked tuber during the growing season
and each of these forks has only one growing bud.Tubers should be handled
carefully, as they are brittle and liable to break easily. If the growing bud
is subjected to any kind of damage, the tuber will fail to sprout. Since the vigour
of the vine and its flowering and fruiting ability depends on the size of the
tubers,it should not weigh less than 50-60 g.The plants raised from smaller
tubers do not produce flowers during their first year.Large tubers can be
divided into two by breaking them in the middle. The dormant tubers start
sprouting from the month of May.. Planting during the months of July and August
have been found to favour good growth and yield.About 2.5 to 3.0 t/ha of tubers
are required for planting.In order to avoid rotting of the tubers before
sprouting, only healthy tubers should be selected for planting.
Field preparation and Planting
The field should be ploughed several times until it is
brought to a fine tilth. All the grass stubble and roots should be removed.The
field must be levelled properly and drainage arrangements made to avoid
waterlogging during the rains. The field is then divided into subplots of
convenient sizes.
About 15 to 20 t per ha of FYM or compost should be mixed
well into the soil.The treated tubers are planted at a depth of 6-8 cm, keeping
a plant to plant distance of 30to 40 cm, depending upon the type of soil.
Closer spacing has been reported to favour cross pollination, thereby improving
the fruit set.
Manures and fertilisers
Though gloriosa makes satisfactory progress with little
manuring and fertilisation, the addition of well decayed manure, bonemeal and
fertilisers to the soil ensures a vigorous plant, stronger tubers and better
flowering.
Experiments carried out on this crop have shown that a
fertiliser dose of 120 kg N, 50 kg
P2O5 and 75 kg K2O/ha is required for a good crop.Of the
nutrients, the whole P2O5 and K2O and one third of N is applied as a basal dose
and the remaining two-third of N should be given in the first six to eight
weeks after planting.
Irrigation
Frequent irrigation is required during the sprouting time to
keep the surface soft, so that there is no hard pan formation, in order to
facilitate easy sprouting and emergence of the growing tip outside the
soil.Irrigation should be withheld until after the flowering is over, to
prevent rotting of the tubers.Excess watering is harmful to the plants and causes yellow
or brown coloured patches on the leaves, which fall off prematurely.
Crop monitoring: The provision of some kind of support is
necessary for successfully growing gloriosa
Since the stem is very tender, when the plants are about 30
to 40 cm tall, they should be
tied to wires or allowed to climb on some sort of frame.
Weeding
In the initial stages, the Gloriosa plantation requires
frequent weeding to control the weeds which will otherwise compete with plants
for moisture and nutrients and will restrict the growth of the plant.While
weeding, utmost care should be taken to avoid any damage to the growing tip.Once
damaged, it does not sprout again during the season. Chemical weed control is possible
only when there is wide spacing between the rows and the plants themselves.
Harvesting
Gloriosa is a crop of 170-180 days duration. When planted in
June, it starts bearing flowers after 55 days and continues to flower and fruit
till October. The fruit requires about 105-110 days from the set to reach
maturity.The right stage of harvest is when this capsule starts turning
light-green from dark-greenand the skin of the fruit shows a shrunken
appearance and becomes light in weight.At this stage, when pressed, the pod
gives a crinkling sound.
The yield of seeds differs greatly, depending upon the
vigour and age of the plant which,in turn, depend on the size of the tuber.
The yield in the initial year will be low, but it gradually
increases in the subsequent years.Around: 600 kg to 700 kg of seed per hectare The
yield of pericarp (husk) is about 75% of the seeds.
EXTRACTION PROCESS
After picking, the capsules should be kept in the shade for
7 to 10 days to facilitate the capsules to open up, displaying deep
orange-yellow coloured seeds.The seeds and pericarp are separated manually and
dried for a week in the shade, by spreading them uniformly over any clean, dry
floor or any platform specially erected for the purpose.At the later stages,
the seeds are moved to the sunlight for a week till they dry completely. The
dried seeds are then packed in moisture proof containers and stored until
exported or extracted for the alkaloids.
DRIVING FACTORS FOR DEMAND
Export market for the production of Colchicine, which is
used in the production of drug for treatment of Arthitis.Tamil Nadu is considered as the
preferred area for cultivation of Gloriosa superba
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