Abstract

INFLUENCE OF PHRAGMITES KARKA ACTIVE MATABOLITES ON INFLAMMATORY DISEASE OF RODENTS

Nitin Raj, Anup Kumar Chakraborty*, Sarita Karole and Kavita R. Loksh

Abstract

Phragmites karka spreads naturally and can be propagated by division and by seed. A procedure has been developed for the large scale micropropagation of Phragmites karka from axillary buds, with buds from the lower and middle stem giving best results. Plants represent one of the important sources of lead compounds, with up to 40% of modern drugs being derived from plant materials. Empirical knowledge based on the ethnomedical benefits of plants, coupled with bioassay-guided fractionation and isolation, has the potential to identify novel antivirals that could be used against influenza. Currently, herb and plant resources are relatively unlimited with respect to the search for functional phytochemicals but these resources are dwindling rapidly due to deforestation and advancements of industrialization. Even though a number of studies have been performed using purified plant chemicals, very few studies have addressed the antiviral activities of crude plant extracts.

Keywords: Phragmites karka, Phragmites mauritianus, Karka, Active metabolites.