Elaeocarpus Oblongus

Elaeocarpus Oblongus

 The Elaeocarpus Oblongus tree found at Kaas plateau of India

Elaeocarpus is a genus of tropical and subtropical trees distributed from Madagascar in the west through India, Southeast Asia, Malaysia, Japan, and Australia to New Zealand, Fiji and Hawaii in the east with its estimated about 350 species. In India, most of the species grow in the Himalayan region. Elaeocarpus species possess many biologically active molecules they are Indolizilidine alkaloids, Triterpenes, Tannin such as Geraniin and 3, 4, 5-tri methoxy geraniin, Grandisines, Rudrakine, and Flavonoids; Quercitin.

Most of the Elaeocarpus species have exhibited Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Anti-anxiety and Analgesic, Antidepressant and Antihypertensive activities. The ancient literature shows in Elaeocarpus was used as Ayurvedic medicine, but biological studies revealed that a number of other therapeutic uses of this genus make known its species as the chief source of multi-use medicinal agent proved in experimental animals.  Elaeocarpus oblongus is found wild in Western Ghats ascending to 6,000 ft. The tribe of Nilgiris district todas, kurumbas, kothas, irulas, kattanaikes are broadly using these fruits for therapeutic purpose. During our field trip, we had seen that the fruits were a very cheapest resource for the treatment of rheumatism and body pain. It has been reported further various ancient tribes were using this fruit for the treatment of leprosy, pneumonia, rheumatism, ulcers, piles, and dropsy.

 Literature shows very few biological studies had been conducted on leaf stem and stem bark. But there was no report on the pharmacognostic evaluation of much-used part of the tree the fruit. Since the fruits are edible and important seasonal food commodity (May to August) and it is extensively sold in the local market of Nilgiris district, Tamilnadu state, India. The current study has decided to investigate the anatomical, physicochemical characters and the presence of sugars in edible fruits of Elaeocarpus oblongus. This is the first time the fruit was assessed for anatomical and physicochemical characters.

Elaeocarpus oblongus is familiar with Elaeocarpaceae. Elaeocarpaceae is a tree and found throughout Western Ghats of India. The present study indented to establish the pharmacognostic and physicochemical quality control parameters of E.oblongus fruits to avoid confusion in taxonomic identification. Physicochemical evaluation of fruit was carried out according to the guidelines of WHO and Indian Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia. The elemental analysis was done by using Perkin Elmer 5000 an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Nonglandular unicellular trichomes found to be a distinguished character of powder analysis. It was quantified to be 700µm long and 400µm thick at the base. Lerachysclereids were found plenty in powder. The rosettes type of calcium oxalate crystals were 15 µm in diameter. Cells of the endosperm showing darkly stained globular bodies and the cotyledon are 170µm thick. Physio-chemical parameters such as total ash and acid-insoluble ash, extractive values, foreign organic matter and loss on drying were estimated. Qualitative analysis showed the presence of Fructose, Glucose, Flavanoids and Tannins and Sterols and Phenolic compounds and fatty acids in the fruit. The number of elements in the fruit pulp powder was estimated by elemental analysis.

The result shows Mn-53.5 and Zn – 46.2 were the major contents, While Pd- 14.3, Cu- 7.5 and Cr- 4.9 were minor contents. This study provided the pharmacognostic profile used to differentiate the other similar looking fruit from other ones of this genus.