Bryophytes: Hoard as emerging lower plant group in Ethno-medicinal usage by local vendors from Kerala some observations

Abstract

Bryophytes are one of the largest plant groups distributed all over the world comprising approximately about 25000 species. They are considered as transitional between aquatic algae to land plants and have been recorded in the fossil dating from Palaeozoic era. The usage of bryophytes in herbal ethnic medicines has been from ancient periods in India, China, and Native Americans. The secondary metabolite profile depends on species, its habitat, geography and season. Many metabolites like conjugated carbohydrates, proteins, sugar alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic compounds, lipids, terpenoids and polyphenolic were documented from these small imaged plants. Commonly, the species were used to treat liver disorders; yellow fever, acute/chronic inflammation and in wound healing. In the present study, a baseline information of this unexplored neglected group of plants in Kerala was documented. Targionia, Plagiochasma, Polytrichum, Marchantia, Riccia, Reboulia, Porella, Thuidium, Bryum, Fissidens were recorded with multiple curing ailments. The usage of the species was considerably as crude extract/paste. In some cases more than one species was used with the concept of synergistic activities of the extract. The mode of application was topical or oral. In certain cases the extract was mixed with salt/honey/ with local toddy. In many cases the modus operandi resembles Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha system. These novel herbal treatments require scientific validation and will pay way for remarkable avenues for drug formulations in future human health care system.