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Piper nigrum (black pepper), a globally significant spice and medicinal crop, has its primary centre of origin in the Western Ghats of India. Despite extensive agronomic studies, direct chemical assessment of piperine variability in its wild accessions remains limited. In this study, thirty wild P. nigrum accessions collected from the southern Western Ghats were analyzed for piperine content in their roots and fruits using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) densitometry. The analyses were performed under standardized conditions (silica gel 60 F254 plates, pet. ether:acetone 13.5:6.5 v/v; detection at 340 nm). Dried fruits exhibited significant quantitative variation, with piperine contents ranging from 2.90 ± 0.22
Bamboo, considered the "green gold," has attracted world attention as a green substitute for the traditional materials because of its fast growth, renewability, and mechanical properties. In this first-ever study, we present the creation and holistic characterization of a new hybrid bamboo, BH-1⚥ (Bambusa alamii ♀ × Gigantochloa nigrociliata ♂), the first of its kind to be scientifically designed and cultivated at KSCSTE–Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI), Kerala, India. Both the parent species and their hybrid combination were analyzed microstructurally in detail to assess anatomical differences and structural integration. The hybrid was tested under a multi-disciplinary analysis consisting of physical, chemical, thermal, tensile, and morphological tests, with comparison to its parental species. The hybrid exhibited a crystallinity index of 72.18
A recent taxonomic study within the genus Miliusa has revealed that Miliusa flaviviridis N V Page, Poti and K Ravik and Miliusa ammaiae Karuppusamy and P S S Richard, both described from the same type locality- Naraikadu Estate, Kalakkad, Tamil Nadu exhibit close morphological resemblance to Miliusa wightiana Hook. f and Thomson. Upon re-examination of live specimens and herbarium materials, including type specimens, it was determined that M. flaviviridis and M. ammaiae are conspecific with M. wightiana. Notably, the original descriptions of M. flaviviridis and M. ammaiae did not provide comprehensive comparisons with M. wightiana. Based on the morphological evidence, we propose that M. flaviviridis and M. ammaiae be treated as taxonomic synonyms of M. wightiana. Photographs illustrating key morphological and taxonomic characters are provided to support the proposed synonymy.
Background: Snakebite envenoming remains a significant public health challenge in tropical regions. Although antivenom therapy is the primary treatment, concerns regarding adverse reactions, limited efficacy against local tissue damage, and accessibility have prompted the search for alternative or complementary therapies. Acorus calamus L. has been traditionally used in India for the treatment of snakebite, but scientific evidence supporting its efficacy remains limited. Aim of the study: This study evaluated the antivenom potential of methanolic rhizome extract of A. calamus against cobra (Naja naja) venom through in vitro, in vivo, and in silico investigations. Methods: The extract was assessed for its ability to inhibit venom-induced hemolysis and cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. In vivo anti-lethal activity was evaluated in male Swiss albino mice, followed by histopathological examination of liver and brain tissues. Phytochemical profiling of rhizome samples collected from Idukki and Ernakulam districts, Kerala, was performed using GC–MS. Identified compounds were subjected to molecular docking against fourteen major cobra venom proteins using AutoDock. Results: The methanolic extract effectively reduced venom-induced hemolysis and cytotoxicity, indicating significant neutralizing activity. In vivo studies demonstrated improved survival and reduced tissue damage in treated animals compared with venom controls. Histopathological analyses confirmed the protective effects of the extract on vital organs. GC–MS profiling identified several bioactive phytochemicals, many of which exhibited strong binding affinities toward key venom proteins, supporting their potential role in venom neutralization. Conclusion: The study provides experimental evidence for the antivenom activity of A. calamus and validates its traditional use against snakebite. The findings highlight the plant as a promising source of bioactive compounds for developing adjunct therapies against cobra envenoming, warranting further pharmacological and toxicological investigations.
Phytophthora foot rot, caused by Phytophthora capsici, remains a significant challenge in the cultivation of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) worldwide. In this study, we analyzed the impact of P. capsici infection on photosynthetic efficiency and gas exchange in six elite black pepper genotypes under field conditions. By monitoring chlorophyll fluorescence and foliar gas exchange at 24, 48, and 72 h post-inoculation (hpi) of P. capsici, we observed significant disruptions in PSII function and key physiological processes. The fluorescence parameters, including F0, F0/Fm, Fv/Fm, ΦPSII, qP and qL, showed sensitive responses to infection, effectively distinguishing tolerant genotypes from susceptible ones. The genotypes IISR-Shakti—the only released genotype of black pepper for cultivation, designated as ‘moderately resistant’ against Phytophthora foot rot and Kuruvantherivalli—the high yielding traditional cultivar of the crop, demonstrated greater resilience by maintaining higher photochemical efficiency and stable gas exchange, while genotypes such as ‘PMM’- the only reported ‘lemon scented’ genotype of black pepper and Edamalayar-III—a wild genotype of the crop experienced notable decreases in Fv/Fm, ΦPSII, Pn, Ci, and E values. Correlation analysis revealed strong negative correlations between disease severity index (DSI) and these physiological traits. The results highlight the potential of chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange measurements as practical, non-invasive tools for early disease detection and screening. Notably, IISR-Shakti shows significant promise for breeding programs aimed at enhancing resistance to foot rot.
