Plant parts substitution based approach as a viable conservation strategy for medicinal plants: A case study of Premna latifolia Roxb.

BACKGROUND: Rapid population growth and catastrophic harvesting methods of wild medicinal plants especially trees, result in the exploitation of natural sources and its management is the need of the hour. Dashamoolarishta is an amalgam of roots of ten plants of a popular Ayurvedic FDC formulation consisting of the root of Premna latifolia Roxb. as one of its ingredients. Presently, their populations like many other trees are under threat due to extensive use of the roots by the herbal drug industry. OBJECTIVE: With an aim to conserve the biodiversity, a systematic study based on a rational approach by substituting root/root bark with alternative and renewable parts was conducted. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The fingerprint profile together with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of different parts of the plant was established for comparison. RESULTS: The results based on chemical and biological study indicated close similarity between the roots and the leaves and suggest the possible use of latter over root/root bark. CONCLUSION: The study proposes that the substitution of the root with alternate renewable parts of the same plant shall form the best strategy towards conservation of the trees like P. latifolia.