Biology, Uses and Conservation of Trillium govanianum
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1978; Fu and Chin 1992; Yu and Zou 2008; Zhan 1994). In the Himalayas, T. govanianum is used traditionally for treating cancer, dysentery, open wounds, skin infections, inflammation, sepsis, menstrual and sexual disorder, and for improving general
health (Khan et al. 2013; Shah 2006; Pant and Samant 2010; Rani et al. 2013).
T. govanianum has been recently explored for containing active constituents
having multiple pharmacological uses. As such, six steroidal compounds (Govanoside A, Borassoside E, Pennogenin, Diosgenin, 20-hydroxyecdysone, 5,20dihydroxyecdysone) and govanic acid have been isolated from the rhizomes of T. govanianum (Rahman et al. 2017a). The most promising explored use of the species is in
cancer treatment; rhizome/methanol/butanol extract have shown activity against several cancer cell lines viz. HepG2 cell line (liver), A549 cell line (Lungs), MCF7 cell
line (Breast), EJ138 cell line (Urinary bladder) (Khan et al. 2016), HeLa (Cervix) and
PC-3 (Prostrate) (Rahman et al. 2015a). The species also exhibits antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger ATCC 16888, Aspergillus flavus ATCC 9643, Candida
albicans ATCC 18804, Candida glabrata ATCC 90030 (Rahman et al. 2015b) and
Trichophyton rubrum (Rahman et al. 2017b). Crude extract using methanol and
other solvent showed anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities (Rahman et al. 2015a, 2016). The methanol extract of the species showed toxicity profile
against brine shrimps and leishmanial (Khan et al. 2017).
4 Threats
Trillium species have shown vulnerability to over-exploitation, trade, habitat disturbances, predation and climate change (Chauhan et al. 2019). However, in the
case of T. govanianum over-exploitation appears most important factor which needs
immediate attention for the conservation of the species.
4.1 Over-Exploitation for Trade
Commercial collection of the species was traced from 2010 onwards in Indian
Himalayas (Chauhan et al. 2018). Unsustainable gathering for trade is one of the
major threats to the species (Chauhan et al. 2019). The populations of the species are
declining due to the destructive gathering (Vidyarthi et al. 2013) that supply a traditional medicinal market, where prices have reached USD 50–315/kg (Singh et al.
2017; Chauhan et al. 2018). A survey from some representative villages of Kullu
district in Himachal Pradesh reported 637 tons of trade (Vidyarthi et al. 2013). In a
recent estimate 200–500 tons of species rhizomes are traded in 2014–2015 (Goraya
et al. 2017). The actual amount of trade may be more since trade of the species is
illegal and most of the trade is undocumented.
241
1978; Fu and Chin 1992; Yu and Zou 2008; Zhan 1994). In the Himalayas, T. govanianum is used traditionally for treating cancer, dysentery, open wounds, skin infections, inflammation, sepsis, menstrual and sexual disorder, and for improving general
health (Khan et al. 2013; Shah 2006; Pant and Samant 2010; Rani et al. 2013).
T. govanianum has been recently explored for containing active constituents
having multiple pharmacological uses. As such, six steroidal compounds (Govanoside A, Borassoside E, Pennogenin, Diosgenin, 20-hydroxyecdysone, 5,20dihydroxyecdysone) and govanic acid have been isolated from the rhizomes of T. govanianum (Rahman et al. 2017a). The most promising explored use of the species is in
cancer treatment; rhizome/methanol/butanol extract have shown activity against several cancer cell lines viz. HepG2 cell line (liver), A549 cell line (Lungs), MCF7 cell
line (Breast), EJ138 cell line (Urinary bladder) (Khan et al. 2016), HeLa (Cervix) and
PC-3 (Prostrate) (Rahman et al. 2015a). The species also exhibits antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger ATCC 16888, Aspergillus flavus ATCC 9643, Candida
albicans ATCC 18804, Candida glabrata ATCC 90030 (Rahman et al. 2015b) and
Trichophyton rubrum (Rahman et al. 2017b). Crude extract using methanol and
other solvent showed anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities (Rahman et al. 2015a, 2016). The methanol extract of the species showed toxicity profile
against brine shrimps and leishmanial (Khan et al. 2017).
4 Threats
Trillium species have shown vulnerability to over-exploitation, trade, habitat disturbances, predation and climate change (Chauhan et al. 2019). However, in the
case of T. govanianum over-exploitation appears most important factor which needs
immediate attention for the conservation of the species.
4.1 Over-Exploitation for Trade
Commercial collection of the species was traced from 2010 onwards in Indian
Himalayas (Chauhan et al. 2018). Unsustainable gathering for trade is one of the
major threats to the species (Chauhan et al. 2019). The populations of the species are
declining due to the destructive gathering (Vidyarthi et al. 2013) that supply a traditional medicinal market, where prices have reached USD 50–315/kg (Singh et al.
2017; Chauhan et al. 2018). A survey from some representative villages of Kullu
district in Himachal Pradesh reported 637 tons of trade (Vidyarthi et al. 2013). In a
recent estimate 200–500 tons of species rhizomes are traded in 2014–2015 (Goraya
et al. 2017). The actual amount of trade may be more since trade of the species is
illegal and most of the trade is undocumented.