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VOLUME 10 (1): JANUARY – JUNE 2023
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Review Article
Role of Areca catechu L. on reproductive physiology in Mice: a review
Nati Taba1, Madhu Yashpal2, Pankaj Kumar1*
1Department of Zoology, Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Doimukh, Itanagar-791112, Arunachal Pradesh, India
2Department of Zoology, Gargi College, University of Delhi, Siri Fort Road, New Delhi-110049, India
Article No.: NTAJBR35; Received: 20.08.2022; Reviewed: 08.02.2023; Revised: 09.03.2023; Accepted: 30.04.2023; Published: 30.06.2023
DOI:https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10318404
View Abstract | PDF
Abstract: The Areca catechu palm tree, a medium-sized Arecaceae species,
produces commercially valuable areca nut. Indians chew areca nuts for freshening their mouth breath. Chewing betel nuts has been
a South Asia-Pacific practice for thousands of years. Meghalaya's Khasi tribe relies on kwai (areca nut) as a part of their
hospitality and culture. It is decorated during Assam's Bihu festival and handed to notable people during felicitations.
The Manipur’s Meitei community require betel nuts for all religious rites, including birth, marriage, and death.
Birth guests get kwa or betel nuts as a token of appreciation. It follows the main course at feasts. Kwa aids digestion.
After a good dinner, Nagaland's Ao tribe consumes betel nuts. Every Mizoram paan shop sells kuhvahring (green areca nut),
which visitors and guests are often requested to try. Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Tripura chew areca nuts for refreshment.
Numerous research has examined Areca catechu's dental health risks. This habit can harm reproductive as well as
dental health. In the present review, an attempt has been made to summarise the ethnomedicinal, ayurvedic, and
pharmacological opinions of Areca catechu L. kernel on reproductive physiology since there are few reviews on the
detrimental effects of areca nuts on mice. Areca nuts affect the endocrine system, causing hypothyroidism, prostate
hypertrophy, and infertility. The areca nut suppresses fertility, regulates the menstrual cycle, removes
dysmenorrhea, prostate enlargement, menopausal symptoms, breast pain, delivery pain, and mild euphoria.
During pregnancy, it causes premature birth and low birth weight. Thus, the A. catechu seed must be rigorously
managed for the good of civilization because it is a hazardous and addictive substance that harms both male and
female reproductive systems.
Keywords: Areca catechu; Betel Nut; Reproductive Physiology; Infertility; Fertility; Pregnancy
Research Article
DNA barcoding and molecular phylogenetics of Anguilliform fishes of Assam, India
Shamim Rahman1,*, Amit Kumar2, Amalesh Dutta3, Mohan C. Kalita4
1Department of Zoology, D. C. B. Girls’ College, Jorhat-785001, Assam, India.
2Centre for Climate Change Studies, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai-600119, Tamil Nadu, India.
3Department of Zoology, Gauhati University, Guwahati-781014, Assam, India.
4Department of Biotechnology, Gauhati University, Guwahati-781014, Assam, India.
Corresponding email ID: shamim.piku85@gmail.com
Article No.: SRJBR06; Received: 20.04.2023; Reviewed: 10.05.2023; Revised: 20.05.2023; Accepted: 12.06.2023; Published: 30.06.2023
DOI:https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10513601
View Abstract | PDF
Abstract: Fishes have rarely been seen through the angle of conservation needs as compared to large strata mammals.
Assam is a part of one of the biodiversity hotspots and as it happens to any other species, fishes are also declining from
this region, even before their scientific exploration. DNA barcoding has been proven to be a comparatively quicker, but
authentic tool for species identification. In current study, DNA barcodes for Anguilliform fishes of Assam have been
developed utilizing the partial mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) gene. The 36 barcodes generated in present
study has demonstrated the delineation of 15 morphologically identified species representing monophyletic clusters.
Mean intra-specific divergence levels for most of the species were found to be less than 1%, except Mastacembelus
armatus which exceeded 2%, which has traditionally been considered a threshold for species determination. Excluding
M. armatus, the maximum conspecific distance and minimum congeneric distance were found at 1.97% and 8.78%, respectively,
thus establishing 4.46 fold barcode gap for species-level discrimination. Comparative analysis with secondary data
indicates data voids of Pillaia indica and probable misidentification of Anguilla spp. and Botia spp. in public
databases; thus it demands deposition of more DNA barcodes and review of morphotaxonomy. Besides the inherent
benefit of barcoding in tagging species, it also provides baseline information on the molecular characterization
to decipher indications on the phylogenetic significance of lesser studied fishes of Assam. The novelty of this
study lies in the de novo development of certain DNA barcodes from this region making this study significant
for conservationists and field biologists as a whole.
Keywords: Eel, Ichthyos, mtCOI, Taxonomy, Conservation
Research Article
Quantitative assessment of ethnobotanical resources and medicinal plants utilization patterns in Tripura, India
Muktadhar Reang, Biplab Banik, Silvia Debbarma, Badal Kumar Datta
Department of Botany, Tripura University, Suryamaninagar 799022, Tripura, India.
*†Corresponding author email: dattabadal2008@gmail.com
Article No: MRJBR10; Received: 8.04.2023; Revised: 15.05.2023; Accepted: 28.05.2023; Published on 31.06.2023
Doi: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10513730
View Abstract | PDF
Abstract: The North Eastern Region of India is an essential component of the Indo-Myanmar biodiversity hotspot and ranks as one of the
world's 25th most biodiverse regions. This region hosts more than one-third of India's total biodiversity.
Ethnomedicinal plants are essential in meeting the primary healthcare needs of global population in their rural
regions. In the present findings, 91 plant species belonging to 53 families and 87 genera used by the ethnic people in
the state of Tripura, India have been documented. A total of 25 key informants (traditional healers) comprising both men
and women were interviewed. Chi-square test show significant relationship exists between their age and ethnobotanical
knowledge (χ² = 18.824, df = 10, P = 0.043). A quantitative ethnobotany helps us identify the utility of significant species
used by the ethnic communities for the treatment of some common ailments that traditional medicine practitioners claim.
Analysis of ethnobotanical indices such as UR, UV, CI, FC, RFC, and FL (%) can be used as a quantitative tool to assess
the cultural importance of plants, prioritize species for further study or for conservation priority, and provide insights
into local ecological knowledge and traditional resource management practices. This approach recognizes the importance
of traditional knowledge and fosters a sense of community ownership over conservation efforts. Further formulations and
research on each species can direct the discovery of new medicinal products with significant potential for the future.
Keywords: Quantitative Ethnobotany; Ethnic Community; Tripura; Medicinal Plants; Ethnobotanical Indices; Traditional Knowledge; Biological Diversity
Research Article
An in-vitro study on antibacterial potential of few medicinal plants of Assam against Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Isolates
Indrani Gogoi, Shyamalima Saikia, Minakshi Puzari, Pankaj Chetia*
Department of Life Sciences, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh-786004, Assam, India.
*Corresponding Author email: chetiapankaj@dibru.ac.in
#Equally contributed first authors
Article No.: IGJBR34; Received: 07.05.2023; Revised: 01.06.2023; Accepted: 15.06.2023; Published: 30.06.2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10513715
View Abstract | PDF
Abstract: Since time immemorial, plants have been used as medicine to cure various ailments. Plants
contain different bioactive compounds which make them potential alternate as antimicrobial agents. The excessive use
or misuse of antibiotics has been developing resistance in bacteria to almost all the available antibiotics and resulting
in serious health issues throughout the world. The exploration of plant-based therapeutic strategies could be a great choice
to mitigate emerging health issues. The present study aimed to screen the antibacterial properties of five locally available
medicinal plants of Assam, Garcinia pedunculata Roxb. ex Buch.-Ham, Garcinia lanceifolia Roxb., Garcinia morella (Gaertn.)
Desr., Capsicum chinense Jacq. and Flacourtia jangomas (Lour.) Raeusch. against multidrug-resistant bacteria. The plant
extracts were prepared using solvents- petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and methanol. The Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method
was performed for testing the antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial isolates. For screening the in vitro antibacterial
activity of the plant extracts, the agar well diffusion method was carried out along with the determination of the
minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) respectively. In in vitro
antibacterial screening, the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of G. lanceifolia Roxb. showed the highest zone
of inhibition followed by ethyl acetate extracts of G. pedunculata Roxb. ex Buch.-Ham. However, among all the
selected plants G. lanceifolia Roxb. displayed the highest bactericidal effect (at 50 mg/mL concentration) against
bacterial pathogens with MIC of 0.39 mg/mL. The result indicated that G. lanceifolia Roxb. could be a potent
inhibitor of multidrug-resistant bacteria.
Keywords: Antibiotics; Antibiotic Susceptibility; Gram-negative Bacteria; Minimum Inhibitory Concentration; Minimum Bactericidal Concentration; Plant Extract.
Research Article
Feeding ecology of Large Whistling Teal Dendrocygna bicolor (Vieillot, 1816) in Deepor Beel wetlands, Assam, India
Jyotismita Das1, Shatabdi Biswas1, Abhijit Chandra Roy1, Anjela Ahmed1*, Prasanta Kumar Saikia2
1Department of Zoology, Nowgong College (Autonomous), Nagaon-782001, Assam, India.
2Department of Zoology, Gauhati University, Jalukbari, Guwahati- 781014, Assam, India
*Corresponding author email: aanjela747@gmail.com (Anjela Ahmed)
Article No.: Article No.: SBJBR26; Received: 19.01.2022; Revised: 16.06.2023; Accepted 20.06.2023; Published on 30.06.2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo
View Abstract | PDF
Abstract: The study focuses on the Large Whistling Teal's feeding ecology. The current work is significant for
the study of feeding ecology since it focuses on the examination of various food sources and the feeding preferences of
the large whistling teal at the only Ramsar site in Assam, the Deepor Beel wetlands. The varieties of meals were investigated
using a non-destructive stomach-flushing technique. Before analysis, all samples were preserved in 5% buffered formalin.
Utilizing a reference specimen, the samples were sorted and identified under the microscope. Results were displayed in terms
of how frequently different meal items appeared. The examination of the Large Whistling Teal's favourite foods revealed that
Euryale ferox was the bird's top choice both during the breeding season (26.3%) and non-breeding season (25%) compared to
other foods. However, the Large Whistling Teal had chosen Cynodon dactylon least among others as food during the mating
season. In the Deepor Beel Wetlands, the occurrence of various food types varied significantly. Additionally, this study
demonstrated that the Large Whistling Teal employs distinct activity patterns to make use of the Deepor Beel's valuable
resources.
Keywords: Deepor Beel; Breeding; Ramsar Site; Bird; Conservation; Habitat; Feeding Ecology
Short Communication
Ethnobotanically significant plants used by the Nyishi tribe of Papum Pare District in Arunachal Pradesh
Taba Yehi1, Pallabi Kalita Hui2, Hui Tag1*
1Plant Systematics and Ethnobotanical Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Doimukh-791112, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
2Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Arunachal Pradesh, Jote-791123, Papum Pare, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
E-mail: hui.tag@rgu.ac.in
Article N0.: TYJBR56; Received: 04.10.2023; Revised: 10.11.2023; Accepted: 18.12.2023; Published: 31.12.2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10513902
View Abstract | PDF
Abstract: An ethno-botanical study was conducted in the Papum Pare district of Arunachal Pradesh covering
13 far-flung villages. The structured, semi-structured questionnaire format, focused group discussion, open-ended interview
and transect walk methods were used for gathering ethnobotanical information from 97 key informants. This study revealed
40 ethnobotanical species belonging to 27 plant families used by the Nyishi tribe of Papum Pare district as a food, housing,
medicine, spice and condiments and cultural materials.
Keywords: Ethnobotanical Uses; Wild Edible Plants; Nyishi Tribe; Papum Pare; Arunachal Pradesh
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