formulation and characterizatin of transdermal patches by using ...

Venkata Subbaiah K.P., et al. / International Journal of Advances in Pharmaceutical Research 

IJAPR 

Available Online through 

www.ijapronline.org 

Research Paper 

ISSN: 2230 – 7583 

BIO-PROSPECTING AND DOCUMENTATION OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL 

PLANTS USED TO TREAT SELECTED SKIN DISEASESBY ETHNIC GROUPS OF 

KURNOOL DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA. 

Venkata Subbaiah K.P * and Savithramma N. 

Department of Botany, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh – 517502, India. 

Received on 17 – 11 - 2011 Revised on 21 – 12- 2011 Accepted on 30– 01 – 2012 

ABSTRACT 

WHO Promoting the herbal drugs because of its therapeutic potentials. The present paper aimed to document the 

wealth of medicinal plant species used by ethnic groups of Kurnool District to curing scabies, leucoderma, boils and 

cuts skin diseases. It was found that all plant parts and their extracts used to treat scabies, leucoderma, boils and 

cuts skin diseases skin disease. The information of plants used to treat these skin diseases from tribal people was 

collected and plant species were identified with the help of the floristic treatises and date was documented. The 

documented information was cross checked with Ayurvedic physicians. The results revealed that 21 plants species 

are using by people belonging to four ethnic groups. Among these 8 plant species used by ethnic groups to treat 

scabies, leucoderma, boils and cuts skin diseases are also prescribed by Ayurvedic physicians. Nationally four 

Ayurvedic companies are preparing 21 types of drugs and releasing in the market. Remaining 13 plant species 

should be explored for the safety of herbal preparation to cure scabies, leucoderma, boils and cuts skin diseases. 

These plants represent a major source for the pharmaceutical industries in a view of their raw material. The 

information will draw the attention of pharmacologists and phytochemists for further critical investigations. 

Keywords: Bio-prospecting, Medicinal plants, Scabies, Leucoderma, Ethnic groups. 

INTRODUCTION 

The relationship between man, plants and 

drugs derived form plants described the history of 

mankind. Since ancient times, people have been 

exploring the nature particularly plants in search of 

new drugs. This has resulted in the use of large 

number of medicinal plants which curative properties 

to treat various diseases 1 . WHO encouraging the 

traditional drugs because of its less side effects and 

matter of low cost, easy availability hence most of 

the European countries expanding towards Ayurvedic 

medicines 2 . Now-a-days plant based drugs are widely 

used and many countries contributes 40-50% of their 

total health budget in the production of novel drugs 3 . 

Author for Correspondence 

K.P. Venkata Subbaiah 

Research Scholar 

Department of Botany 

S.V. University, Tirupati-517 502 

Chittoor (Dt), Andhra Pradesh, INDIA 

In India, drugs of herbal origin have been used in 

traditional systems of medicines such as Unani, 

Ayurveda, Siddha 4 . India is one of the worlds 12 

biodiversity centers with the presence of over 45000 

different plant species. Of these, about 15,000 to 

20,000 plants have gold medicinal value. Everyday 

new inspiring information is being added to folklore 

medicine for the development of drugs 5 . 

Ethnic groups have staunch confidence on 

medicinal plants for the treatment of scabies, 

leucoderma, boils and cuts skin diseases. Scabies is 

an itching skin disease caused by a mite. Leucoderma 

or vitiligo is skin disorder where the skin loses its 

normal colour. The occurrence of leucoderma about 

42% is stress related, 28% hereditary and 30% 6 . 

Ethnic groups was confounded that a small colored 

almost milky patch on the skin surface. Boils or 

furuncle is deep folliculated, infection on the hair 

follicle. It is caused by Staphylococcus aures, 

bacteria 7 . Boils are bumpy red, pus-field lumps 

around a hair follicle that are tender, warm and very 

IJAPR / Feb. 2012/ Vol. 3 / Issue. 2 / 790 - 797 790


painful 8 . Despite of various studies that have been 

conducted on medicinal plants of Andhra Pradesh 9-15 , 

India. The studies on medicinal plants to treat disease 

are scanty. Hence the present study was under taken 

to document the traditional use of plant species to 

treat scabies, leucoderma, boils and cuts skin 

diseases. 

The Kurnool Districts is one of the oldest 

and richest cultural traditions of using medicinal 

plants, which is located (14 0 54 1 and 16 0 11 1 NL; and 

76 0 58 1 and 78 0 25 0 EL]; with the total geographical 

area of 18,799 km 2 in Andhra Pradesh, India 16 . The 

study area is inhabited by the ethnic groups of 

Chenchu, Yerukala, Sugali (Lambadas) and Yanadi. 

The ethnic groups inhabited at the river bank of water 

streams in the forest posses fairly good knowledge 

about the medicinal properties of plants. Even 

though a number of reports are available on the 

ethnobotany of Kurnool District 17-25 , the detailed 

study on medicinal plants used to cure scabies, 

leucoderma, boils and cuts skin diseases is not 

reported so far. Therefore, an attempt has been made 

to record the medicinal plants used to treat scabies, 

leucoderma, boils and cuts skin disease from ethnic 

groups (traditional healers) and compared with 

Ayurvedic medicines which are available in the 

market. This study is most helpful of ethnobotanists, 

phytochemists and pharmacologists for validation 

and clinical studies, to explore the importance of left 

over medicinal plants which are only used by ethnic 

groups and not mentioned hitherto. 

MATERIALS AND METHODS 

An extensive field survey was carried out 

during 2010 to 2011 in the tribal belts and adjoining 

forest areas of Kurnool district to collect the 

information on medicinal plants used to treat scabies, 

leucoderma, boils and cuts skin diseases by ethnic 

groups Chenchu, Yerukala, Sugali and Yandi. The 

information was gathered on plants used to treat 

scabies, leucoderma, boils and cuts skin diseases 

mainly on plant part and time of collection from the 

field; preparation of medicine and type of 

administration of the drug. All plants mentioned by 

them to treat scabies, leucoderma, boils and cuts skin 

diseases were collected and identified with the help 

of the floristic treatises published by Gamble 26 ; 

Venkataraju and Pullaiah 27 . The information given 

by ethnic groups was cross checked with Ayurvedic 

physicians of Sri Venkateswara Ayurvedic Hospital, 

Tirupati, for authentication. Ayruvedic drugs are 

available in the market in various brands in which 8 

plants mentioned by ethnic groups were included. 

Chi-square test was carried out to test the association 

of plant part used to scabies, leucoderma, boils and 

cuts skin diseases. 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

From the study area documented plants 

claimed to have medicinal value for the treatment of 

scabies, leucoderma, boils and cuts skin diseases are 

presented in (Table-1). Scientific names of plants 

have been arranged alphabetically. The identified 

taxa are taxonomically analyzed and nomenclature is 

updated with the help of ICBN rules 28 . The plant 

species are followed by family name within the 

parentheses, vernacular name, plant part used, 

preparation of medicine, form of medicine and 

therapeutic action are provided. The information is 

obtained for 23 plant species which are belonging to 

22 genera of 20 families. 

Among the plant parts of rhizome (4.76%) 

followed by tuber (4.67%), root (14.85%), leaves 

(28.57%), latex (4.76%), stem (4.67%), bark 

(9.52%), fruit (23.80%) and seed (4.67%) (Fig-1) are 

using in the preparation of medicine. 

Ayurvedic physicians of Sri Venkateswara 

Ayurvedic Hospital are prescribing the medicine to 

treat scabies, leucoderma, boils and cuts skin diseases 

by using ten different forms of drugs like Arista, 

Churna, Capsule, Lehya, Thailams, Savam, 

Yanakam, Pills, Syrup and Rasayana (Table-2). The 

total 21 plants species mentioned by ethnic groups to 

treat scabies, leucoderma, boils and cuts skin diseases 

8 plants species are including in the preparation of 21 

types of Ayurvedic drugs. These 21 types of 

Ayurvedic drugs in different trade names 

Dasamoolarista, Triphala churna, Himstantim-P-Tab, 

Palasugandha lehya, Neelithailam, Moolaka Savam, 

Hemipure, Madhusnuhirasayana etc. (Table-2) are 

releasing in the market by four Ayurvedic companies 

(manufactures) after clinical trails and getting 

approved from the Department Drug Control of 

India. 

However remaining thirteen plant species 

are purely used by ethnic groups only. The results 

reveled that there is a significant association between 

scabies, leucoderma, boils and cuts skin diseases and 

plant part (Table-3), (‘p’ value is 0.003


medicine. Among 21 plants used by ethnic groups of Kurnool district for treating scabies, leucoderma, 

boils and cuts skin diseases only 8 plant species has been known to public, remaining 13 plant species 

should be explored for herbal preparation to cure for scabies, leucoderma, boils and cuts skin diseases 

skin diseases. Otherwise this traditional knowledge will slowly disappear due to lack of proper 

documentation and awareness. These plants represent a major source for the pharmaceutical industries 

in view of their raw material. Modern medical facilities are now making a rapid penetration into tribal 

villages, which may result in the disappearance of the herbal wealth. It is hoped the remaining 13 

plants species that this study will draw the attention of ethnobotanists, phytochemists and 

pharmacologists for further critical investigations. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

The authors are highly grateful to ethnic groups who shared their knowledge of plants for 

treating scabies, leucoderma, boils and cuts skin diseases and locating the plants in the field. Our 

thanks to Ayurvedic physicians Dr. B. Gnana Prasuna, Dr. B. Harinathachary, Dr. H. Datthathreya of 

Sri Venkateswara Ayurvedic Hospitals, Tirupati, for their valuable discussions and clinical 

information. 

S.NO 

Table No. 1 

List of medicinal plants used to treat scabies, leucoderma, boils and cuts skin diseases in Kurnool 

District, Andhra Pradesh, India by Ethnic Groups 

SCIENTIFIC NAME AND 

FAMILY 

VERNACULAR 

NAME (TELUGU 

LANGUAGE) 

DISEASE 

PART 

USED 

MODE OF 

ADMINISTRATION 

1. Alangium salvifolium (L.f.) Wang 

(Alangiaceae) 

2. Andrographis echioides (L.) Less 

(Acanthaceae) 

3. Andrographis nallamalayana Ellis. 

(Acanthaceae) 

4. Anogeissus latifolia (Roxb. ex. DC) 

Wall. Ex 

Guill.&Perr.(Combretaceae) 

Ooduga Cuts Leaf Leaves along with egg albumin 

layer made into paste, bounded 

on cuts (only one time). 

Yeedipalu Cuts Leaf Fresh leaves crushed and made 

into paste, applied externally to 

cure cuts. 

Kachugadda Leucoderma Root 5 g of root (5 g) along with that 

of Anthroxanthum indicum 

L.(5g whole plant) ground, 

boiled with water decoction 

given orally (5 ml) for twice a 

day for 2 months to treat 

leucoderma. 

Chirumanu Scabies Bark Fresh stem bark crushed and 

made into juice mixed with 

coconut milk, given (50 ml) 

orally once a day an empty 

stomach before going to bed. 

This process is repeated 2 weeks 

to cure scabies. 

5. Cadaba fruticosa L. (Capparidaceae) Vuttarasi chettu Leucoderma Leaf Fresh leaves ground into paste 

and applied as an external 

application on white spots on the 

skin to treat leucoderma. 

6. Calotropis procera (Ait). R. 

Br.(Asclepiadaceae) 

7. Cyanotis tuberosa (Roxb) Shult & 

Shult.f. (Commelinaceae) 

8. Dioscorea bulbifera L. 

(Dioscoreaceae) 

Jilledu Scabies Latex Latex mixed with caster oil, 

slightly warned and applied as an 

external application to treat 

scabies. 

Yeggogula gaddalu Boils Root Root dried, ground into powder, 

mixed with coconut oil and 

applied externally to treat boils. 

Chedupattu dumpa Boils Tuber Dried tuber ground into powder 

(5g), mixed with buttermilk 



(50ml) and given orally at 

morning times with an empty 

stomach for four weeks to treat 

boils. 

9. Elephantopus scaber L. (Asteraceae) Eddunaluka Scabies Root Dried roots (10 g) ground into 

powder, mixed with mustard oil, 

slightly warmed and applied to 

treat scabies. 

10. Entada rheedii Spr. (Mimosaceae) Adavichinta Scabies Stem Stem crushed and juice is 

applied externally to treat 

scabies. 

11. Helicteres isora L. (Sterculiaceae) Gubatada Scabies Fruit Fresh fruits made into paste and 

prepared a pills of peanut size, 3 

pills are given ones a day for 15 

days to cure scabies. 

12. Holarrhena pubescens (Buch. Ham) 

Wall.ex G.Don.(Apocynaceae) 

Kolamusti Leucoderma Bark Dry stem bark ground, powder 

mixed with coconut oil and 

applied on the white spots to 

treat leucoderma. 

13. Jasminum azorium L. (Oleaceae) Jazi Scabies Leaf Leaves made into paste and 

applied as plaster to treat 

scabies. 

14. Ocimum tenuiflorum L. 

(Lamiaceae) 

15. Phyllanthus emblica L. 

(Euphorbiaceae) 

16. Scleria lithosperma (L.) Sw. 

(Cyperaceae) 

Tulasi Scabies Leaf Fresh leaves ground and paste is 

applied as an external application 

to treat scabies. 

Usirikaya Scabies Fruit Dried cotyledons (50 g) are 

boiled in coconut oil and the oil 

extract is externally applied 

thrice a day to treat scabies. 

Kahilu pulu Leucoderma Rhizome 10 g of the dried tuberous 

rhizome made into a paste with 

water is externally applied twice 

a day to treat leucoderma. 

17. Sphaeranthus indicus L. (Asteraceae) Bodasaramu Scabies Leaf Leaves along with those of 

Coldenia procumbens L. Leaves 

(1:1 ratio) ground with lime and 

applied as an external application 

to treat scabies. 

18. Strychnos nux vomica L. 

(Strychnaceae) 

19. Terminalia chebula Retz. 

(Combretaceae) 

20. Toddalia asiatica( L.) Lam. 

(Rutaceae) 

21. Tribulus terrestris L. 

(Zygophyllaceae) 

Musti Leucoderma Seed Dry seeds ground, made into ash, 

mixed with neem oil and applied 

as an external application to treat 

leucoderma. 

Karaka Scabies Fruit Fruit powder mixed with honey 

and given orally for 20 days to 

cure scabies. 

Konda mirapa Scabies Fruit Dried fruits mixed with stem 

bark of Cassia fistula L.(1:1 

ratio) ground and powder is 

made into decoction. 10 ml of 

decoction is given twice a day 

for 7 days to cure scabies. 

Nela palleru Scabies Fruit Fruit pulp mixed with turmeric 

and applied externally to treat 

scabies. 



S. 

No. 

Table 2- Medicinal plants used by ethnic groups and also listed in the preparation of Ayurvedic Drugs (Popular brands released nationally in the market) to treat 

scabies, leucoderma, boils and cuts skin diseases 

Scientific name 

D.S. 

(64) 

d 

Form of drug 

Arista's Chruna CAP/TABLET Lehya Thailams Savam 

K.H 

(16) 

d 

SAD 

(24) 

d 

S.C. 

34 

d 

T.C. 

(3) 

d 

B.T. 

(7) 

a 

H.T. 

(10) 

a 

R.G. 

(7) 

a 

AL 

(22) 

d 

PAL 

(27) 

d 

Trade Name of the drug 

1 Andrographis echioides 1 1 2 

2 Calotropis procera 1 1 

3 Holarrhena pubescens 1 1 2 

4 Jasminum azorium 1 1 

5 Phyllanthus emblica 1 1 1 3 

6 Terminalia chebula 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 

7 Tribulas terretris 1 1 1 3 

8 Ocimum tenuifolorum 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7 

Total 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 4 2 1 2 4 1 1 30 

AT 

(8) 

b 

DT 

(35) 

b 

NT 

(14) 

b 

PT 

(23) 

b 

ST 

(22) 

b 

M.S. 

(9) 

b 

S.S. 

(17) 

b 

Yana 

kam 

DY. 

(33) 

b 

Pill 

GP 

(52) 

b 

Syrup 

SH 

(4) 

c 

Rasa 

yana 

M.R. 

(25) 

d 

Total 

DS : Dasamoolarista RG : RG-tab ST : Satnadhara Thailam a, b, c & d are manufacturer of the drug 

KH 

SAD 

: 

: 

Khadiarista 

Saribaddyarista 

AL 

PAL 

: 

: 

Amruthabhallataka 

Lehya 

Palasughandha Lehya 

MS 

SS 

: 

: 

Moolaka savam 

Surasa savam 

a: Kerala Ayurvedic Ltd., Athani, Alura, Kochi, Kerala-683585, India 

b: Viadyaratnam Oshadhasala, Olluru, Thrissur, Kerala-683585, India 

c: Fours Lab, Achayyanagar, Hyderabad-500044, Andhra Pradesh, 

SC : Sudharsana churna AT : Ashtapathradi Thailam DY : Doorvadi yanakam 

India 

d: Imi's Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., Seetharamapuram, Vijayawada- 

TC : Triphala curna DT : Dharunaka Thailam GP : Gopechandandi pill 

50002, India 

BT : Biogest tab NT : Neeli Thailam SH : Hemispure 

HT Hinstantim-P-Tab PT Paranthyandi Thailam MR Madhusnuhi Rasayana 

The number in the peranthesis indicates total number of ingreadients present in the formulation 



Chi-Square 

value=55.243** 

p-value=0.003 

Table No. 3 

SUMMARY OF CHI-SQUARE TEST 

DISEASE 

TOTAL 

PLANT PART Scabies Leucoderma Boils Cuts 

RHIZOME 

TUBER 

ROOT 

LEAVES 

LATEX 

STEM 

BARK 

FRUIT 

SEED 

- 1 - - 1 

0 4.76% 0 0 4.76% 

- - 1 - 1 

0 0 4.76% 0 4.76% 

1 1 1 - 3 

4.76% 4.76% 4.76% 0 14.85% 

3 1 - 2 6 

14.85% 4.76% 0 9.52% 28.57% 

1 - - - 1 

4.76% 0 0 0 4.76% 

1 - - - 1 

4.76% 0 0 0 4.76% 

1 1 - - 2 

4.76% 4.76% 0 0 9.52% 

5 - - - 5 

23.80% 0 0 0 23.80% 

- 1 - - 1 

0 4.76% 0 0 4.76% 

TOTAL 57.14 23.80 9.52 9.52 100% 


Plant part 


Fig.1 Different plant parts used by Ethnic groups to treat these skin 

diseases 

100% 

90% 

80% 

70% 

60% 

50% 

40% 

30% 

20% 

10% 

0% 

Scabies Leucoderma Boils Cuts 

Seed 

Fruit 

Bark 

Stem 

Latex 

Leaves 

Root 

Tuber 

Rhizome 

Disease 

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