Propagation and Phytochemical Analysis of Crepidium acuminatum (D.Don) Szlach

Orchidaceae is the second largest family of flowering plants with nearly 35,000 species in more than 850 genera. The whole family is endangered of survival due to habitat loss, fragmentation of populations, genetic drift and huge anthropogenic pressures. The Chinese were the first to cultivate and describe orchids for their medicinal uses. Theophrastus reported the medicinal properties of orchids. De Materia Medica of Dioscorides featured two terrestrial orchid species. Ashtavarga, the important ingredient of various classical Ayurvedic formulations, is a group of eight herbs, out of which four are orchids namely Malaxis muscifera, Malaxis acuminata syn. Crepidium acuminatum syn. Microstylis wallichii, Habenaria intermedia, Habenaria edgeworthii. In addition to these, Dactylorhiza hatagirea (Salam panja), Dendrobium macrei (Swarna Jivanti), Eulophia dabia (Salam misari), Eulophia nuda (Amarkanda), Vanda tassellata (Rasna), Saccolabium papillosum (Rasna substitute) are also acclaimed for their tremendous therapeutic potential. There have been a number of reports of their curative properties including diuretic, anti-rheumatic, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, hypoglycemic, antimicrobial, anticonvulsive, neuro-protective and antiviral. These have been attributed to the presence of certain phytochemicals. Similarly, orchid seeds can be germinated in vitro without fungal association. Seed culture will help in the production of quality planting materials in larger scale. Orchids are mainly used as nutraceuticals due to the want of scientific studies on the chemical evaluation for drug and nutritional constituents and clinical safety and toxicity. Now when we are imparting the various herbal values of Himalayan flora, this is also the right time to know the medicinal value of the orchids. Initiative must be undertaken for Astavarga plants with germplasm collections and maintenance. Hence there is a dire need to study phytoconstituents, pharmacological evaluation and in vitro propagation of these orchids. Out of four orchids plants mentioned in ‘Astavarga’ we have concentrated on Crepidium acuminatum (D.Don) Szlach since a very less work is reported on this plant.