Research Projects

This multi--institutional project component will explore the medicinal plant resources of Indian Himalayan region for development of alternative effective new generation therapeutics through translation of traditional knowledge with proper scientific validation. It’s an effort to explore North-eastern Himalayan resource for human well-being and to develop sustainable bio-economy of these regions.

Ethnomedicinal field surveys were conducted in 09districts of Manipur namely Imphal West (Khurkhul, Phayeng and Laphupat Tera); Bishnupur (Leimaram); Senapati; Churachandpur; Kangpokpi; Tamenglong (Khangchiuluan, Chiuluan, Bamgaijang, Kahulong and Duigailong); Thoubal; Kakching and Chandel (Liwa Changning and Heibunglok) and from Meghalaya wereconducted in 05districts of Meghalaya namely East Khasi Hills; West Khasi Hills; South WestKhasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi districts. A total of 248 informants were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires where 502medicinally important plant species from 92 families were documented used against 29ailments. A total of 134 plant species were collected and authenticated with Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata and Meghalaya respectively. Suitable extracts were prepared and studied for phytochemical screening, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, standardized using HPLC and HPTLC analysis, metabolite profiling by GC-MS and LC-MS related analysis.The extracts were tested for antioxidant activity, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, hepato-protective, anti-cancer, anti-hyperlipidemic, and neuro-protective potential to provided scientific evidence supporting the traditional claims by in-vitro, in-vivo and in-silico methods.