Sanjeevani bootis

sanjeevani (literally meaning something that offers life; jeeva = life) most mysterious and most sought-after herb in Indian mythology existence and identity are controversial miracle herb – due to its alleged potentiality for ‘resurrecting’ life. out of preliminary listing of about 17 plant species which could be sanjeevani only three final species were shortlisted which were cressa cretica, Selaginella bryopteris, desmotrichum fimbriatum. out of which currently Selaginella bryopteris is considered as sanjeevani. Selaginella existed before 300 million years and comes under a group of plants which were the first vascular plants on earth.

1. SANJEEVANI BOOTI Mr. Sagar Kishor savale [Department of Pharmacy (Pharmaceutics)] [email protected] 26-12-2015 1 Department of Pharmacy (Pharmaceutics) | Sagar savale

2. Sanjeevani Booti sanjeevani (literally meaning something that offers life; jeeva = life) most mysterious and most sought-after herb in Indian mythology existence and identity are controversial miracle herb – due to its alleged potentiality for ‘resurrecting’ life. out of preliminary listing of about 17 plant species which could be sanjeevani only three final species were shortlisted which were cressa cretica, Selaginella bryopteris, desmotrichum fimbriatum. out of which currently Selaginella bryopteris is considered as sanjeevani. Selaginella existed before 300 million years and comes under a group of plants which were the first vascular plants on earth. Important description Plants are becoming more known to the Humans with their uses . The plants discovered by our ancients are still in use by us even now a days. As human life could not be sustained without plants as the microbes are growing stronger the use of medicinal herbs also increased. As the use of plants increased we are gaining more knowledge about plants. As the researchers started studying the uses of herbs it was already late and we lost many medicinal plants in deforestation due to lack of awareness of the plants. One of such herbal plant is Selaginella bryopteris . The Selaginella bryopteris also known as Devanagari or Sanjeevani . It has many medicinal uses and it depends on decaying plants and rain water for its nutrients. They grow on rocks . Sanjeevani refers to “One that Infuses Life ”. The name given to it because of its medicinal uses. This plant is used to treat several health problems like Heart stroke, Jaundice , Dysuria, Irregular Menstruation etc. Although it is used from ancient times these are not validated scientifically. Even now these are used by tribals in India. 26-12-2015 2

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5. Scientific classification of Selaginella bryopteris Kingdom : Plantae Division : Lycopodiophyta Class : Isoetopsida Order : Selaginellales Family : Selaginellaceae Genus : Selaginella Species apoda asprella bifida biformis bigelovii braunii Bryopteris canaliculata carinata cinerascens 26-12-2015 5

6. Characteristics and Geographical areas characteristics of Selaginellaceae family of which Selaginella bryopteris is also known as Spike Moss Family includes plants that grow in or on rocks and feed off moss, nutrients in rain water, litter, and even their own dead tissue. These usually have dichotomously branched stems, microphylls ( small leaves ), alternate, opposite or whorled, simple, oneveined, sometimes dimorphic (two sizes), with scalelike ligule (early deciduous). Selaginellas are creeping or ascendant plants with simple, scale-like leaves on branching stems from which roots also arise. The plants are heterosporous (megaspores and microspores ), and have structures called ligules, scalelike outgrowths near the base of the upper surface of each microphyll and sporophyll. Unusually for the lycopods , each microphyll contains a branching vascular trace. Roots borne on wiry rhizophores arising from forks in stems. Sporangia borne in axils of fertile leaves (sporophylls). Plants are heterosporous. Life cycle of Selaginella includes various stages having micro sporangia, megasporangia etc. Microspores are small, numerous, megaspores large, 4 per megasporangium. The gametophyte develops inside the megaspore. Chromosome count of Selaginella bryopteris is n=10 . Sanjeevani grows on the hills of tropical areas, particularly the Arawali Mountain terrains from east to west in India. S. bryopteris is known to be a poikilohydric lithophyte occurring along the mountains and in fact, this herb is sold for this peculiar feature in several markets in India mostly in places of piligrimage such as Rishikesh, Hardwar and Varanasi .The plants grow luxuriantly during rains exhibiting a lush green velvety landscape. Sanjeevani booti ( Selaginella bryopteris ) has been reported to have the highest degrees of drought resistance . During summer the plants undergo extreme desiccation. The fronds curl, become dry and virtually dead. In this condition they look like a closed fist hence often known in Unani as ‘punjemariam ’ or ‘hathazori’. The dry plants when left in water unfold their fronds, turn green and come back to active life . The dry plants have traditionally been used as a remedy for several human health complications for centuries in India, particularly by tribal peoples . 26-12-2015 6

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8. Mythology behind Sanjeevani The popular name Sanjeevani which translates as " One that infuses life" derives from the medicinal properties of the plant. In Hindu mythology, Sanjeevani is a magical herb which has the power to cure any malady. it was believed that medicines prepared from this herb could revive a dead person. This herb is mentioned in the Ramayana when, Ravana (King of demons) hurls a powerful weapon at Lakshmana (brother of Lord Rama ) who had killed his beloved son Indrajit. Lakshmana was badly wounded and was nearly killed by Ravana. When Lakshmana fell unconscious, near death , hit by an arrow from Ravana, Hanuman (beloved disciple of Lord Rama) approached the Lankan Royal Physician Sushena for advice. Sushena asked Hanuman to rush to Dronagiri Hills and fetch four plants: Mruthasanjeevani (restorer of life ), Vishalyakarani (remover of arrows), Sandhanakarani (restorer of the skin) and Savarnyakarani (restorer of skin colour). Hanuman , not able to pick the four from the multitude, brought back the entire hill. And Lakshmana was revived from near death back to life.In various Vedic texts and also in Ramayana it has been clearly mentioned that sanjeevani booti glows in the dark. When made slightly wet and kept in dark it glows; emits light. 26-12-2015 8

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10. Sanjivani booti' under scanner for its secrets of survival 26-12-2015 10

11. Special Features Sanjeevani booti (Selaginella bryopteris) has been reported to have the highest degrees of drought resistance. It is observed that this fern can withstand years of drought very effectively, and still there is no adverse effect in its vigor. The cause for this special power lies in its drought resistant gene. Amazed by this unique property of this fern, the scientists of NBRI (National Botanical Research Institute), Lucknow, India are working to isolate its special drought resistant gene, and they further plan to make transgenic agricultural crops, with the help of biotechnology by incorporating its gene in the genomes of agricultural crops, such as wheat, paddy, legumes etc. So that even in an event of monsoon failure, the agricultural crops do not suffer and can overcome the adverse condition due to Sanjeevani’s gene. As it is well known that India is an agricultural country, but lacks good irrigation system and the success of its agriculture depends upon the timely arrival of monsoon (monsoon is a local wind system in southern Asia and Africa, which produces copious amount of rain in this part of the world). There are numerous examples of biotechnologists evolving “plants of desire” through gene transfer techniques. The examples of Bt Cotton, Bt Tobacco and other such transgenic crops can be taken, where the unique cry gene of the bacteria Bacillus thruingenensis (Bt) is incorporated in the genomes of normal Cotton (Gossypium sp. Family- Malvaceae) and Tobacco (Nicotiana rustica. Family- Solanaceae) to make them transgenic crops. These transgenic crops are now not affected by the attack of Bollworm (a insect harmful to these crops). Because the protein “delta endotoxin”, produced by the bacteria’s cry gene is now being produced by these transgenic crops and the attacking bollworms are killed due to starvation as the toxin dissolves the alimentary canal or gut lining of these harmful bollworms. 26-12-2015 11

12. used Selaginella is said to be effective as follows Relief from heat stroke and the burning sensation during urination Restoring menstrual irregularities to normal Helping in easy delivery of pregnant women (in minimizing the labor pain ) In the treatment of Jaundice 26-12-2015 12

13. Conclusion Several species of Selaginella are also used as food (raw vegetables), ornamental plants, handicrafts materials as well as socio-cultural and packaging materials . The utilization of Selaginella is very limited compared to the number of species and the potential benefits of the medicine, so it requires further ethno botanical and phytochemical researches . Scientifically it is known as Selaginella bryopteris. There is no doubt that this plant has several important medicinal properties and has been worshipped among local people as a magical herb owing to its medicinal properties. But a more important aspect is the existence of a drought resistance gene inside the cells of this fern and it’s sure that soon it will become a true Sanjeevani (Life giving herb) to the world agricultural crops, even in the event of absence of water. 26-12-2015 13

14. Reference 1. A mini review on medicinal properties of the resurrecting plant Selaginella bryopteris ( Sanjeevani) Reena Antony1* and Rini Thomas2 1, Department of Microbiology , Career College, B.H.E.L Govindpura, Bhopal , (M.P) – India 2, School of Pharmacy, KLE University , Belgaum, (Karnataka) – India 2. A review on endemic indian resurrecting herb selaginella bryopteris (l.) Bak. ‘sanjeevani’ Shweta Singh * and Rita Singh 3. An Overview on Properties, Therapeutic Efficacy of the Indian Magical Herb- “SANJEEVANI” Sunita Lahkar*1 , Pallab Kalita1, Arpita Chakraborty1 1. Department of Pharmacy, Assam Downtown University, Panikhatti , Guwahati 781026, Assam . 3. S. Zillur Rahman and M. Shamim Jairajpuri. Neem in Unani Medicine. Neem Research and Development Society of Pesticide Science, India , New Delhi, (1993,) p. 208-219. Edited by N.S. Randhawa and B.S. Parmar. 2 nd revised edition (chapter 21), 1996. 4. K. N. Ganeshaiah, R. Vasudeva and R. Uma Shaanker (2009) In search of Sanjeevani Current Science, Vol. 97, No. 4. 5. Banks JA (2009) Annual Review Plant Biology 60:223-38 . 6. Prof.S.P Agharkar (1944) Enumeration of some of the Indian Species of Selaginella by A H G Alston, British Museum (Natural History) London , Vol XI –No 3. 26-12-2015 14

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