title: Plant parts substitution based approach as a viable conservation strategy for medicinal plants: A case study of Premna latifolia Roxb.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rapid population growth and catastrophic harvesting methods of wild medicinal plants especially trees, result in the exploitation of natural sources and its management is the need of the hour. Dashamoolarishta is an amalgam of roots of ten plants of a popular Ayurvedic FDC formulation consisting of the root of Premna latifolia Roxb. as one of its ingredients. Presently, their populations like many other trees are under threat due to extensive use of the roots by the herbal drug industry.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  With an aim to conserve the biodiversity, a systematic study based on a rational approach by substituting root/root bark with alternative and renewable parts was conducted.
  
  
  METHODS
  The fingerprint profile together with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of different parts of the plant was established for comparison.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results based on chemical and biological study indicated close similarity between the roots and the leaves and suggest the possible use of latter over root/root bark.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study proposes that the substitution of the root with alternate renewable parts of the same plant shall form the best strategy towards conservation of the trees like P. latifolia.
authors.affiliation: University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences - UGC Centre of Advanced Study, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India. Electronic address: ashjena@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Ashish Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Jena
authors.affiliation: University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences - UGC Centre of Advanced Study, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India.
authors.forename: Maninder
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karan
authors.affiliation: University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences - UGC Centre of Advanced Study, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India.
authors.forename: Karan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vasisht
keywords: Ayurveda; Chemical and biological profile; Conservation; Dashamoolarishta; Plant parts; Premna latifolia Roxb.