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  • An Overview of Sikkim's Eastern Himalayan Regions Medicinal Plants, with a Focus on Anti-Tuberculosis

  • Department of Pharmaceutics, Mahatma Gandhi University, Daramdin, West Sikkim.

Abstract

Sikkim have a rich diversity of medicinal plants which is located in Eastern Himalayan regions of India, from ancient times Sikkimese’s peoples used medicinal plants in traditionally ways to treat basic health issues and amenities. This review highlights the potential of Sikkim's medicinal plants as anti-TB agents. Out of 550 medicine Plants found in Sikkim ,19 plants have shown promising anti-mycobacterial activity, considering them by their local Name, parts used and treatment procedure in given table. Further research on these plants could lead to the discovery of novel anti-TB drugs. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Sikkim’s Eastern Himalayan Medicinal plants with anti-TB potential.

Keywords

Sikkim’s Eastern Himalayan regions, Medicinal Plants, Anti-TB, traditionally

Introduction

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The airborne diseases are also known as Tuberculosis (TB), Which is caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (MTB), That usually effects the lungs and cause intense coughing, Fever and Chest pains 1. In all over the World, the world Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that total TB infected Patients are 10.4 million but WHO has only received of 6 million cases. Tuberculosis can be prevented, and by 2030, the WHO's End TB Strategy aims to significantly decrease TB incident and death2.

At the ancient times Ayurveda mostly used medicine plants for the treatment of diseases in traditional ways. According to WHO data, approximately 25% of the medicine which are protected by human are derived from plants and 80 % people still used to treat diseases depend on traditional system of medicine3.

As per the world health organization (WHO), 90% of peoples those who live in underdevelopment nations get their main medicine care in traditional ways from plants and their products. India has been listed as one of the worlds twelve essential diversity hubs, According to WHO data, In India there are 21000 plants and 2500 species are found which have medicinal properties4. Sikkim is one of the Eastern Himalayas biodiversity hotspots, even though they only make up 0.2% of the geographical area of the country's 5.

Sikkim is a second smallest states of India which is located in the Eastern Himalayas with area (7096 square kilometres), divided into six districts. The Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepali are the three ethnic groups that form up Sikkim. They fully believed on medicinal plants for therapeutical propose from ancient period of time in traditional ways6.

As per some research’s more than 550 medicinal plants are used by locals for different illness in the Sikkim Himalayas regions, of which only small percentage are used for commercial purpose, in today’s world many peoples they did not gives the important in medicine plants. that, how much plants play vital role to healthcare, they are also the best and safest option for future medicinal researches. So, to known the therapeutical potential plant, many researchers and students are studies on the local or indigenous ethnomedicinal plants that were found in Sikkim, and the finding reports of many research and articles have been widely share so that people can improve their health and learn more about beneficial medication treatments7.

Table 1: Medicinal plants found in Sikkim Eastern Himalayan regions with reported Anti-Tuberculosis

Sr. No

Botanical Name and Family

Common name

(Nepali)

Part Used

Traditionally used

For

Pharmacologically activity reported

1

Allium cepa Family: Amaryllidaceae’s

Onion, Pyaaj

Leaves, stems, Flower

Coughs, allergies, colds, laryngitis, TB

antimicrobial, anti-cancer, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti- cardiovascular8

2

Allium Sativum Family: Amaryllidaceae’s

Lasun, Garlic

Leaves, stem

Coughs, could, TB

Anti-Bacteria, Anti-virus, Anti-histamines9

3

Flemingia Strobili Fera

Family: Fabaceae

Bhatmase

Leaves, Roots, Flowers, Bracts

Treat tuberculosis, diarrhoea, dysentery, insomnia, hysteria,

Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anthelmintic, and anticonvulsant10

4

Piper longum

Family: Piperaceae

Pipla

Fruits

Intensive phase of TB treatment

anti-inflammatory,

antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects11.

5

Plant pudica L

Family; Fabaceae

Lajjawati

Foliage and Roots

Treatment of TB

antioxidant and antimicrobial12

6

Flower tilliaceus

Family: Malvaceae

Kapas Phul

Flower, leaves

Boiled liquid removes from flower and is employed for Tb Treatment

cytotoxic, antibacterial,

analgesic13

7

Azadirachta indicajuss

Family: Meliaceae

Neem

Leaves

Foliage paste of Neem against TB, administered orally twice a 24 hours.

antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant14.

 

8

Trigonella foenum-graecum L

Family: Fabaceae

Methi

Foliage, Roots, Kernels

Handle asthma, pneumonias and TB

antibacterial, antimicrobial

antioxidant15.

9

Syzygium aromaticum

Family: Myrtaceae

Lwaang

Leaves, roots, seeds

Fever, toothache, colds

Antiviral, antimicrobial, antifungal, anticancer, antioxidant, anti- inflammatory16

10

Stephania glabra

Family : Menispermaceae

 

Taubarkey

 

Root bulb

 

Powder used in diabetes tuberculosis, asthma, fever

Antiviral, antimicrobial anticancer, anti-inflammatory17

11

N asturtium officinale Br.

Family: Brassicaceae

Simrayo

leaves

soup is made to treat tuberculosis

Anticancer, antimicrobial, Antiviral18

12

Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Blumr

Family; Lauraceae

Dalchini

Bark

Bark soup used for treatment of Tuberculosis

antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial19

13

Cinnamomum cassia

Family: Lauraceae

Tejpatta

Bark:

Health benefit, Digestive issues , and boost immune system

anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant20

14

Spinacia Oleracea

Family: Amaranthaceae

Paalak

leaves

eye health, heaviness loss, body pain

antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer21

15

Aloe vera (L)

Family: Asphodelaceae

Ghewkumari

 

leaves

Wound healing, skin care

Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant22.

16

Nasturtium Indicum

Family: Tropaeolaceae

Pahelo Jhar

Leaves, Flower

Boiled liquid utilized in TB treatment

antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory23

17

Acorus Calamus

Family : Acoraceae

Bojoh

Roots, leaves

digestive issues, cognitive function, and other health benefits

Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant24

18

Tabernaemontana Coronaria

Family: dogbane

Tagare Phul

Flowers

Boiled flower liquid used in Tb treatment

Antimicrobial, Anticancer,

Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Analgesic, Local anaesthetic activity25

19

Heliotropium indicum

Family: Boraginaceae

Hattisunde Jhar

Flowers, roots

Wound healing, skin care Insect bites, antimicrobial purposes

Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant26

CONCLUSION

In this Earth millions of medicine plants have been a gifted to human beings from Mother Nature. Plants play a very vital role in this medicinal world, because in modern days mostly medicine is derived from the plant sources. Medicinal plants which are available in Sikkim Himalayan region are almost 550 plants out of these 19 plants has shown anti-tuberculosis activity according to many Review and Research papers. where people of Sikkim have huge belief in medicine plants for the treatment of many illnesses in traditional ways which are easily available in local village. Further future investigation can be carried out from those plants with modern therapies to care the Tuberculosis. Furthermore, more research on the rich ethnobotanical knowledge of the Sikkim Himalayas could provide useful data to formulate plant-based, sustainable solutions to the increasing health needs in modern societies.

REFERENCES

  1. Fogel N. Tuberculosis: a disease without boundaries. Tuberculosis. 2015 Sep 1;95(5):527-31.
  2. Kant S, Mitta V, Mavi AK, Chaturvedi R, Singh P. Tuberculosis: An overview and review of literature. Acta Scientific Pharmacology Volume. 2021 Aug;2(8).
  3. Panda AK. Medicinal plants use and primary health care in Sikkim.
  4. Nepal A, Chakraborty M. An overview on medicinal plants of Sikkim Himalayas region with emphasis on antidiabetic: A review. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 2021;10(4):215-7.
  5. Sherpa MT, Mathur A, Das S. Medicinal plants and traditional medicine system of Sikkim: a review. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2015 Mar 11;4(2):161-84.
  6. Chettri B, Khar TU, Bhutia S. Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants for bone fracture treatment in Lingmoo, Sikkim. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Research. 2025 Feb 28;13(1):162-9.
  7. Nepal A, Jana S, Bhutia S. Review on medicinal plants of Sikkim Himalayan Region with emphasis on anticancer study. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science. 2024 Feb 5;14(2):013-26.
  8. Mehta S, Mehta SS, Patyal P, Bhatnagar S. Emergence of Allium Cepa as Antitubercular Agent. Global Journal of Medical Research: B Pharma, Drug Discovery, Toxicology and Medicine. 2015 Jul 15;15(4).
  9. Hannan A, Ullah MI, Usman M, Hussain S, Absar M, Javed K. Anti-mycobacterial activity of garlic (Allium sativum) against multi-drug resistant and non-multi-drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2011 Jan 1;24(1):81-5.
  10. Sajeev S, Jeganathan A, Byju A, George AR, Thangasamy K, Geetha N. Flemingia strobilifera (L.) WT Aiton: A Holistic Review on Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Aspects. Pharmacognosy Reviews. 2024 Jul 1;18(36).
  11. Lu N, Yang Y, Li X, Li J, Cheng J, Lv Z, Du Y. The protective action of piperlongumine against mycobacterial pulmonary tuberculosis in its mitigation of inflammation and macrophage infiltration in male BALB/c mice. Journal of Veterinary Research. 2021 Nov 20;65(4):431.
  12. Mandal AK, Pandey A, Sah RK, Baral A, Sah P. In Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potency of Mimosa pudica of Nepalese Terai Region: Insight into L?Mimosine as an Antibacterial Agent. Evidence?Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2022;2022(1):6790314.
  13. Abdul-Awal SM, Nazmir S, Nasrin S, Nurunnabi TR, Uddin SJ. Evaluation of pharmacological activity of Hibiscus tiliaceus. Springerplus. 2016 Jul 29;5(1):1209.
  14. Srivastava SK, Agrawal B, Kumar A, Pandey A. Phytochemicals of Azadirachta indica source of active medicinal constituent used for cure of various diseases: A Review. Journal of Scientific Research. 2020;64(1):385-90.
  15. Tripathy B, Sahoo E, Ray S, Jal S, Bhattacharyay D. Trigonella foenum-graecum Derived Phytochemicals against Tuberculosis. Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International. 2020:121-4.
  16. El-Saber Batiha G, Alkazmi LM, Wasef LG, Beshbishy AM, Nadwa EH, Rashwan EK. Syzygium aromaticum L.(Myrtaceae): traditional uses, bioactive chemical constituents, pharmacological and toxicological activities. Biomolecules. 2020 Jan 30;10(2):202.
  17. Panda AK, Misra S. Health traditions of Sikkim Himalaya. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine. 2010 Jul;1(3):183.
  18. Aggarwal S, Bhadana K, Singh B, Rawat M, Mohammad T, Al-Keridis LA, Alshammari N, Hassan MI, Das SN. Cinnamomum zeylanicum extract and its bioactive component cinnamaldehyde show anti-tumor effects via inhibition of multiple cellular pathways. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2022 Jun 2;13:918479.
  19. Zhang C, Fan L, Fan S, Wang J, Luo T, Tang Y, Chen Z, Yu L. Cinnamomum cassia Presl: A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology. Molecules. 2019 Sep 25;24(19):3473.
  20. Zhang C, Fan L, Fan S, Wang J, Luo T, Tang Y, Chen Z, Yu L. Cinnamomum cassia Presl: A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology. Molecules. 2019 Sep 25;24(19):3473.
  21. Verma S. A study on medicinal herb Spinacia oleraceae Linn: Amaranthaceae. Journal of drug delivery and therapeutics. 2018 Jul 1;8(4):59-61.
  22. Azal S, Zodape GV. Effect of Aloe vera Extract and Second Line Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs on Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Strain-H37Rv. Saudi J. Med. Pharm. Sci. 2023;9:214-9.
  23. Quezada-Lázaro R, Fernández-Zuñiga EA, García A, Garza-González E, Alvarez L, del Rayo Camacho-Corona M. Antimycobacterial compounds from Nasturtium officinale. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines. 2016;13(2):31-4.
  24. Hussain A, Ali AA, Ayaz S, Wahidullah MP. Anti-tuberculosis effects of different medicinal plants: A narrative review. Open j plant sci. 2021;6(1):099-102.
  25. Mohamad S, Ismail NN, Parumasivam T, Ibrahim P, Osman H, A. Wahab H. Antituberculosis activity, phytochemical identification of Costus speciosus (J. Koenig) Sm., Cymbopogon citratus (DC. Ex Nees) Stapf., and Tabernaemontana coronaria (L.) Willd. and their effects on the growth kinetics and cellular integrity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. BMC complementary and alternative medicine. 2018 Jan 8;18(1):5.
  26. Machan T, Korth J, Liawruangrath B, Liawruangrath S, Pyne SG. Composition and antituberculosis activity of the volatile oil of Heliotropium indicum Linn. growing in Phitsanulok, Thailand. Flavour and Fragrance Journal. 2006 Mar;21(2):265-7.

Reference

  1. Fogel N. Tuberculosis: a disease without boundaries. Tuberculosis. 2015 Sep 1;95(5):527-31.
  2. Kant S, Mitta V, Mavi AK, Chaturvedi R, Singh P. Tuberculosis: An overview and review of literature. Acta Scientific Pharmacology Volume. 2021 Aug;2(8).
  3. Panda AK. Medicinal plants use and primary health care in Sikkim.
  4. Nepal A, Chakraborty M. An overview on medicinal plants of Sikkim Himalayas region with emphasis on antidiabetic: A review. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 2021;10(4):215-7.
  5. Sherpa MT, Mathur A, Das S. Medicinal plants and traditional medicine system of Sikkim: a review. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2015 Mar 11;4(2):161-84.
  6. Chettri B, Khar TU, Bhutia S. Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants for bone fracture treatment in Lingmoo, Sikkim. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Research. 2025 Feb 28;13(1):162-9.
  7. Nepal A, Jana S, Bhutia S. Review on medicinal plants of Sikkim Himalayan Region with emphasis on anticancer study. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science. 2024 Feb 5;14(2):013-26.
  8. Mehta S, Mehta SS, Patyal P, Bhatnagar S. Emergence of Allium Cepa as Antitubercular Agent. Global Journal of Medical Research: B Pharma, Drug Discovery, Toxicology and Medicine. 2015 Jul 15;15(4).
  9. Hannan A, Ullah MI, Usman M, Hussain S, Absar M, Javed K. Anti-mycobacterial activity of garlic (Allium sativum) against multi-drug resistant and non-multi-drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2011 Jan 1;24(1):81-5.
  10. Sajeev S, Jeganathan A, Byju A, George AR, Thangasamy K, Geetha N. Flemingia strobilifera (L.) WT Aiton: A Holistic Review on Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Aspects. Pharmacognosy Reviews. 2024 Jul 1;18(36).
  11. Lu N, Yang Y, Li X, Li J, Cheng J, Lv Z, Du Y. The protective action of piperlongumine against mycobacterial pulmonary tuberculosis in its mitigation of inflammation and macrophage infiltration in male BALB/c mice. Journal of Veterinary Research. 2021 Nov 20;65(4):431.
  12. Mandal AK, Pandey A, Sah RK, Baral A, Sah P. In Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potency of Mimosa pudica of Nepalese Terai Region: Insight into L?Mimosine as an Antibacterial Agent. Evidence?Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2022;2022(1):6790314.
  13. Abdul-Awal SM, Nazmir S, Nasrin S, Nurunnabi TR, Uddin SJ. Evaluation of pharmacological activity of Hibiscus tiliaceus. Springerplus. 2016 Jul 29;5(1):1209.
  14. Srivastava SK, Agrawal B, Kumar A, Pandey A. Phytochemicals of Azadirachta indica source of active medicinal constituent used for cure of various diseases: A Review. Journal of Scientific Research. 2020;64(1):385-90.
  15. Tripathy B, Sahoo E, Ray S, Jal S, Bhattacharyay D. Trigonella foenum-graecum Derived Phytochemicals against Tuberculosis. Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International. 2020:121-4.
  16. El-Saber Batiha G, Alkazmi LM, Wasef LG, Beshbishy AM, Nadwa EH, Rashwan EK. Syzygium aromaticum L.(Myrtaceae): traditional uses, bioactive chemical constituents, pharmacological and toxicological activities. Biomolecules. 2020 Jan 30;10(2):202.
  17. Panda AK, Misra S. Health traditions of Sikkim Himalaya. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine. 2010 Jul;1(3):183.
  18. Aggarwal S, Bhadana K, Singh B, Rawat M, Mohammad T, Al-Keridis LA, Alshammari N, Hassan MI, Das SN. Cinnamomum zeylanicum extract and its bioactive component cinnamaldehyde show anti-tumor effects via inhibition of multiple cellular pathways. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2022 Jun 2;13:918479.
  19. Zhang C, Fan L, Fan S, Wang J, Luo T, Tang Y, Chen Z, Yu L. Cinnamomum cassia Presl: A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology. Molecules. 2019 Sep 25;24(19):3473.
  20. Zhang C, Fan L, Fan S, Wang J, Luo T, Tang Y, Chen Z, Yu L. Cinnamomum cassia Presl: A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology. Molecules. 2019 Sep 25;24(19):3473.
  21. Verma S. A study on medicinal herb Spinacia oleraceae Linn: Amaranthaceae. Journal of drug delivery and therapeutics. 2018 Jul 1;8(4):59-61.
  22. Azal S, Zodape GV. Effect of Aloe vera Extract and Second Line Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs on Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Strain-H37Rv. Saudi J. Med. Pharm. Sci. 2023;9:214-9.
  23. Quezada-Lázaro R, Fernández-Zuñiga EA, García A, Garza-González E, Alvarez L, del Rayo Camacho-Corona M. Antimycobacterial compounds from Nasturtium officinale. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines. 2016;13(2):31-4.
  24. Hussain A, Ali AA, Ayaz S, Wahidullah MP. Anti-tuberculosis effects of different medicinal plants: A narrative review. Open j plant sci. 2021;6(1):099-102.
  25. Mohamad S, Ismail NN, Parumasivam T, Ibrahim P, Osman H, A. Wahab H. Antituberculosis activity, phytochemical identification of Costus speciosus (J. Koenig) Sm., Cymbopogon citratus (DC. Ex Nees) Stapf., and Tabernaemontana coronaria (L.) Willd. and their effects on the growth kinetics and cellular integrity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. BMC complementary and alternative medicine. 2018 Jan 8;18(1):5.
  26. Machan T, Korth J, Liawruangrath B, Liawruangrath S, Pyne SG. Composition and antituberculosis activity of the volatile oil of Heliotropium indicum Linn. growing in Phitsanulok, Thailand. Flavour and Fragrance Journal. 2006 Mar;21(2):265-7.

Photo
Diwas Manger
Corresponding author

Department of Pharmaceutics, Mahatma Gandhi University, Daramdin, West Sikkim.

Diwas Manger, An Overview of Sikkim's Eastern Himalayan Regions Medicinal Plants, with a Focus on Anti-Tuberculosis, Int. J. of Pharm. Sci., 2025, Vol 3, Issue 8, 2797-2801. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16949435

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