By: Maneesha Singh and Shreya Singh
1Student, Department of Botany, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Shri Guru Ram Rai University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
2Professor, Department of Botany, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Shri Guru Ram Rai University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
The Himalayas, one of the worlds’ most important biodiversity hotspots, contribute substantially to the vegetational resources of the Indian subcontinent, with the Garhwal Himalaya standing out for its rich and diverse flora. Among the plant species in this region, pteridophytes, particularly ferns, hold notable economic and medicinal value. These plants have long been integral to traditional medicine systems, such as Ayurveda, and their therapeutic properties have been passed down through generations in both documented and oral traditions. Ethnopharmacological studies from around the world have highlighted the use of ferns and their allies for treating various ailments, with different species cultivated globally for their medicinal benefits. In the Dehradun district of the Garhwal Himalaya, 56% of the fern flora consists of terrestrial ferns, which thrive in well-drained, sloped soils. These ferns are typically small and triangular, with many sterile fronds, yet they play a vital role in the local ecosystem and traditional medicinal practices. Historically, the use of crude plant extracts from pteridophytes for medicinal purposes has been a common practice, particularly in ancient Indian and Chinese medicine. Pteridophytes, including bryophytes, lichens, and lycophytes, have been utilized in the treatment of various diseases for centuries. Early research into their therapeutic potential in India, such as studies by Caius, revealed the medicinal benefits of pteridophytes’ spores and rhizomes. Modern investigations have further demonstrated the medicinal properties of these plants, with extracts from various species proving effective in treating a wide range of ailments. Pteridophytes are a cosmopolitan group of seedless vascular plants that exhibit a true alternation of generations. They have diverse applications in medicine, ornamentation, food, and environmental remediation. Several species of pteridophytes, particularly those in the Lycophytes group, have been identified as superior medicinal herbs due to their rich content of phytochemicals, such as tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, and proteins. These compounds have been found to be effective against various diseases, and the medicinal potential of pteridophytes has drawn considerable interest in recent decades. One of the most significant applications of pteridophytes is in the field of antimicrobial research. Between 1975 and 2015, studies documented the presence of antibiotic activity in the extracts of more than 200 species of pteridophytes. Notably, ferns of the Adiantum group have demonstrated efficacy against gram-positive bacteria, while species, such as Dryopteris cochleata have shown strong antifungal properties. In addition, the ethanolic extracts of these plants possess antioxidant qualities, making them valuable for reducing inflammation and protecting against various inflammatory conditions. The wide array of bioactive compounds found in pteridophytes continues to be of great interest to researchers exploring new treatments for bacterial and fungal infections. Apart from their medicinal uses, pteridophytes play a crucial role in phytoremediation, an eco-friendly method of using plants to remove pollutants from contaminated environments. For example, Equisetum diffusum, commonly known as the Himalayan horsetail, is an aquatic macrophyte that has been used for detoxifying polluted sites. Additionally, Selaginella bryopteris, also known as “Sanjeevani,” has gained significant attention for its medicinal properties. The plant’s aqueous extracts have shown growth-promoting activities and are known for their protective effects against stress-induced cell damage. Ethnomedicinal research has also revealed that many fern species are consumed as vegetables by indigenous communities worldwide, owing to their high nutritional value. Species, such as Diplazium contain substantial amounts of vitamin C and essential nutrients, contributing to their increasing popularity in various diets. Studies conducted in the Kumaon Himalayas, for example, have documented the use of 30 different pteridophyte species for treating a wide range of ailments among local communities.
Citation:
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