Abstract
Malaxis acuminata is one among the 300 species of the genus with medicinal properties and hence used in traditional Indian medicine system. The species is a perennial, monopodial, threatened terrestrial orchid distributed in moist ground and in rocks laden with mosses in south Asia including, Himalaya and southern Indian hills, Australia, and western region of South America. Medicinally, the species is used in Ayurvedic formulations in the preparation of energetic tonic with adaptogenic, immunomodulating, rejuvenating, and other health benefits. Various essential nutrients and pharmacological compounds are identified and detected in the pseudobulb of the species. The species has been successfully validated for antioxidant, antiaging, UV-A blocking, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and antimicrobial activities, which supported its traditional use also. Propagation methods for large-scale multiplication of the species are available but need further refining for robustness for farming purposes. Various research gap areas and possible research areas for harnessing the potential of the species have been highlighted in the end of the chapter.
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Abbreviations
- A/F:
-
Abundance and frequency ration
- AAE:
-
Ascorbic acid equivalent
- ABTS:
-
2,2-Azinobis (3-ethylbenzoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging assay
- BA:
-
6-Benzylaminopurine
- CITES:
-
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
- DPPH:
-
1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay
- IBA:
-
Indole-3-butyric acid
- IC50%:
-
Inhibitory concentration.
- LOX:
-
Lipoxygenase
- NAA:
-
1-Naphthaleneacetic acid
- NCBI:
-
National Center for Biotechnological Information
- ppm:
-
Parts per million
- ROS:
-
Reactive oxygen species
- SPF:
-
Sun Protection Factor
- TDZ:
-
Thidiazuron
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Acknowledgments
The authors thank the Director of G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment for the support and encouragement.
Funding information:
This study was partially funded by the Botanical Garden Scheme of Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India, New Delhi (F.N. BSI-290/6/2013-Tech; September 29, 2013).
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Suyal, R., Rawat, S., Rawal, R.S., Bhatt, I.D. (2020). A Review on Phytochemistry, Nutritional Potential, Pharmacology, and Conservation of Malaxis acuminata: An Orchid with Rejuvenating and Vitality Strengthening Properties. In: Merillon, JM., Kodja, H. (eds) Orchids Phytochemistry, Biology and Horticulture. Reference Series in Phytochemistry. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11257-8_15-1
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