Biological, chemical and pharmacological aspects of Madhuca longifolia

Madhuca longifolia(M. longifolia) is also known as Mahua belonging to the family sapoteace family. M. longifolia is used in traditional and folklore system of medicine widely across India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka for its various pharmacological properties as in snake bites and in diabetes. Phytochemicals studies documented the different bioactive constituents, namely,glycosides, flavonoids, terpenes and saponins. The pharmacological studies proved that it possess wide range of biological activities such as antiulcer, antiinflammatory, antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. The toxicity studies reveal its non-toxic effect even at larger doses.Thus M. longifolia can be considered as a therapeutic agent for specific diseases. Scientific investigation on various isolated bioactive components and its efficacy on diseases proved the future usefulness of different species of Madhuca. This review summarizes the phytochemical,pharmacological, medicinal and non-medicinal uses of M. longifolia. Further exploration on M.longifolia for its therapeutic potential is however required for depth traditional knowledge.

Feeding patterns of Indian giant flying squirrel(Petaurista philippensis, Elliot 1839) with reference to seasonal variation in central Gujarat, India

Indian Giant Flying Squirrel(Petaurista philippensis Elliot 1839)is widely distributed in South Asia and the only species of flying squirrel found in Gujarat.We studied the seasonal variation in its feeding behaviour at selected sites of Central Gujarat.Focal sampling was employed to study the behaviours and mainly feeding behaviours.Feeding analyses were consistent with other studies and indicated Madhuca longifolia as an important food resource.The diet of the species mainly consisted of pith,twig,seed,bark,petiole,young to mature leaves,flower and fruits of 20 species of plants of 15 families along with lichens,Vanda tessellata and Dendrophthoe falcata.Madhuca longifolia(25%)contributed most to the squirrel diet,followed by Diospyros melanoxylon(10%)and Terminalia tomentosa(9%).Among the plant parts consumed,pith formed the highest bulk as a food at 23%,followed by fruits(21%),bark(16%),twig(14%),flower(10%),seed(6%),leaf(6%),and bud(4%).The findings reveal the high dependency of flying squirrel on certain tree species.These tree species are well represented and distributed throughout central Gujarat,indicating that this area is important for the survival of this species and that the area should be conserved for protection and future management of this species.