Lantana Camara Linn. (Raimuniya) : A Noxious Weed Having Pivotal Importance In Therapeutics

Sumeet Dwivedi's picture
By Sumeet Dwivedi - 06/16/2008
in
3
Your rating: None Average: 3 (2 votes)

Lantana camara Linn. is a significant weed of which there are some 650 varieties in over 60 countries or island groups.

It is established and expanding in many regions of the world, often as a result of clearing of forest for timber or agriculture. It impacts severely on agriculture as well as on natural ecosystems. The plants can grow individually in clumps or as dense thickets, crowding out more desirable species. In disturbed native forests it can become the dominant understorey species, disrupting succession and decreasing biodiversity. Being the noxious nature of the weed, it is used in the treatment of various ailments. The present paper reviews the phytochemical profile and therapeutic efficacy of the plant.

Introduction

L. camara typically occurs where there is a moderate to high summer rainfall and well-drained sloping sites. Most variants have a preference for fertile organic soils, but some or all can survive on siliceous sands and sandstone-derived soils where these are of moderate depth and other conditions, especially year-round moisture, are suitable. It is a native to tropical regions and exists as dozens of strains and varieties that are highly variable in appearance. Lantana has significant adverse effects on biodiversity. It typically forms dense thickets, suppressing native vegetation and seedlings through shading, nutrient competition, smothering and allelopathy (i.e., chemically suppresses the germination and/or growth of other plant species). Lantana readily invades disturbed sites and communities, including edges and canopy breaks in dense forest communities. In open forests and woodlands lantana often becomes a dominant under storey species. In warmer, moister areas lantana often becomes dominant in regenerating pastures.

There are 29 variants of lantana naturalised in Australia. Native to Central and tropical South America, the earliest record of Lantana in Australia is from 1841 in the old Botanic Gardens in Adelaide. There have been multiple introductions for horticultural purposes since, mainly in NSW and Queensland. Lantana has spread rapidly along the east coast of Australia, from southern NSW north to Cape York. It currently invades about 4 million hectares, mainly in NSW and Queensland. It is also naturalised in the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia, and on Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands. Lantana has the potential for much denser infestation of the coast and ranges, and to expand its range west and south of the Great Divide in NSW and other eastern States. In India the weed is distributed almost in every part of the country in forest and wastelands and called by different local languages viz., Samballei, Nongballei, Thirei (Manipuri); Raimuniya (Hindi); Unnichedi (Tamil); Tantani, Ghaneri (Marathi) and Aripoo, Konginipoo (Malayalam). Being the noxious nature of the weed it is used in the treatment of various ailments.

Morphology

L. camara is a low erect or subscandent, vigorous shrub with stout recurved prickles and a strong odour of black currents; It is a rugged evergreen shrub from the tropics. The species will grow to 6 ft high and may spread to 8 ft in width with some varieties able to clamber vinelike up supports to greater heights with the help of support its root system is very strong, and it gives out a new flush of shoots even after repeated cuttings; Stems and leaves are covered with rough hairs and emit an unpleasant aroma when crushed. The small flowers are held in clusters (called umbels) that are typically 1-2 in across. Leaf ovate or ovate-oblong, acute or subacute, crenate-serrate, rugose above, scabrid on both sides The leaves are 2-5 in long by 1-2 in wide with rounded tooth edges and a textured surface; Flower small, usually orange, sometimes varying from white to red in various shades and having a yellow throat, in axillary heads, almost throughout the year. Flower color ranges from white to yellow, orange to red, pink to rose in unlimited combinations, in addition the flowers usually change in color as they age; Inflorescences are compact, dome-shaped, 2-3 cm across, and contain 20-40 sessile flowers. Fruit small, greenish-blue black, blackish, drupaceous, shining, with two nutlets, almost throughout the year, dispersed by birds. Seeds germinate very easily. (Sastri and Kavathekar, 1990).

Chemical Constituents

The plant contains pentacyclic triterpenoids. New Compounds 1lantanoside (1) 2lantanone (11) 3Methy1 ursoxylate (12) 4Lancamaric acid (13) 5Ursoxy acid(14) 6Ursangilic acid(15) 7Ursethoxy acid(16) 8Camangelogyl acid(20) 9Methlcamaralate(20) 10Camangeloyl acid(21) 11Camarolide(24) Known compounds 12β-Sitosterol-3-O- β-D- glucopyransoide(2) 13Linaroside(3) 14Dotriacontanoic acid(4) 15Camarinic acid(5) 16Oleanolic acid acetate(6) 17Tetracosanoic acid(7) 18Octadecanoic acid(8) 19Docosanoic acid(9) 20Palmitic acid(10) 21Camaric acid(18) 22Lantanolic acid(19) 23Oleanolic acid(22) 24Lantanilic acid(23) 25Oleanonic acid(25) 26Ursonic acid(26). The essential oil obtained from leaves in Cuba was analysed by GC-FID and GC-MS. The oil was characterized by a high percentage of sesquiterpenes. The major components were: (E)-nerolidol (43.4%), γ-cadinene (7.6%), α-humulene (4.9%) and β-caryophyllene (4.8%). The chemical composition of fruits and stem essential oils of Lantana camara from the northern plains of India were analysed by GC and GC-MS, which resulted in the identification of 52 and 66 constituents, representing 98.1% and 96.6% of the oils, respectively. The major constituents in the fruits oil were palmitic acid (22.8%), stearic acid (12.8%) and germacrene-D (7.1%), while the major constituents in the stem oil were palmitic acid (32.7%) and stearic acid (23.9%).

Therapaeutic Uses

L. camara has several uses, mainly as a herbal medicine and in some areas as firewood and mulch (Sharma et al. 1988; Sharma and Sharma 1989, in Day et al. 2003). In some countries, it is planted as a hedge to contain or keep out livestock (Bradley 1988, Ghisalberti 2000 in Day et al. 2003).

There has been much work conducted, especially in India, on the chemical constituents of lantana; extracts from the leaves exhibit antimicrobial, fungicidal, insecticidal and nematicidal activity (Chavan and Nikam 1982, Sharma and Sharma 1989, Begum et al. 2000, in Day et al. 2003). The use of lantana extracts as potential biocides has been suggested. For example, aqueous leachate at 1–3% can kill water hyacinth, a troublesome weed in many tropical countries (Saxena 2000, in Day et al. 2003).

Its application as a weedicide would depend on the size of the waterbodies being treated and the cost of extraction of the leachate. Verbascoside, which possesses antimicrobial, immunosuppressive and antitumor activities, has been isolated (Mahato et al. 1994, in Day et al. 2003). Lantanoside, linaroside and camarinic acid have been isolated and are being investigated as potential nematocides (Begum et al. 2000, in Day et al. 2003).

Lantana oil is sometimes used for the treatment of skin itches, as an antiseptic for wounds (Anon. 1962), and externally for leprosy and scabies (Ghisalberti 2000). Plant extracts are used in folk medicine for the treatment of cancers, chicken pox, measles, asthma, ulcers, swellings, eczema, tumors, high blood pressure, bilious fevers, catarrhal infections, tetanus, rheumatism, malaria and atoxy of abdominal viscera (Anon. 1962, Kirtikar and Basu 1981, Ghisalberti 2000, in Day et al. 2003).

The stems of lantana, if treated by the sulphate process, can be used to produce pulp for paper suitable for writing and printing (Gujral and Vasudevan 1983, in Day et al. 2003). However it is hard to harvest, so is likely to be uneconomical. The roots of lantana contain a substance that may possibly be used for rubber manufacture (Gujral and Vasudevan 1983) although the economic viability of production has not been examined. Lantana twigs and stems serve as useful fuel for cooking and heating in many developing countries (Sharma et al. 1988), although it is less important than other fuel sources such as windrows, woodlots or natural bush (Bradley 1988, in Day et al. 2003).

In many regions, lantana has become a dominant component of natural and agricultural ecosystems. The rapid removal of natural forests without replacement by structurally similar native vegetation may be partially replaced with thickets of lantana. Consequently, the amount of available habitat for native animals may decrease. In some areas, weeds such as lantana may provide shelter and vital winter food for many native birds. A number of endangered bird species utilise lantana thickets when their natural habitat is unavailable.

In Australia, the vulnerable black-breasted buttonquail, Turnix melanogaster, feeds and roosts in lantana thickets adjacent to its more favoured habitat, vine forest (Smith et al. 1998, in Day et al. 2003). While buttonquails prefer intact vine forest, lantana provides an important temporary refuge for them between forest remnants (Smith et al. 1998, in Day et al. 2003).

In central Kenya, where natural riverine thickets have been almost completely cleared, the endangered Hinde’s babbler, Turdoides hindei, has become dependent on lantana thickets, and unless sufficient suitable natural habitat can be restored the survival of this species depends on the retention of lantana infestations (Njoroge et al. 1998). Apart from benefiting some bird species, lantana is a major nectar source for many species of butterflies and moths.

Lantana benefits from the destructive foraging activities of introduced vertebrates such as pigs, cattle, goats, horses, sheep and deer (Thaman 1974; Denton et al. 1991; Fensham et al. 1994, in Day et al. 2003), and grows well on rich volcanic soils (Humphries and Stanton 1992, in Day et al. 2003). It can grow at altitudes from sea-level to 2000m (Matthew 1971 in Day et al. 2003). It can tolerate some shade, growing in plantations and open eucalypt forests in Australia, but it does not flower readily under these conditions (Humphries and Stanton 1992, Wells and Stirton 1988, in Day et al. 2003).

In Brazil, lantana rarely grows in secondary forest and commercial plantations (Winder and Harley 1983, in Day et al. 2003). Wapshere (1970) suggested that when there is reduced herbivory by natural enemies, original habitat restrictions, such as climate and soil type, may become less significant and lantana can expand into previously marginal habitats.

Lantana has many secondary impacts, especially in many tropical countries where it can harbour several serious pests. Malarial mosquitoes in India (Gujral and Vasudevan 1983 in Day et al. 2003) and tsetse flies in Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya shelter in bushes and are the cause of serious health problems (Greathead 1968, Katabazi 1983, Okoth and Kapaata 1987).
For ornamental purposes: Dutch explorers introduced the plant into the Netherlands in the late 1960s from Brazil (Ghisalberti 2000) and it was then grown in glasshouses in Europe before its importation to other countries as an ornamental (Day et al. 2003).

References:

  1. Massee, B., McGahey, C. A Framework for Action; Child Diarrhea Prevention. Global healthlink, a publication of the Global Health Council, www.globalhealth.org. 2001.
  2. Harrison, TR. Principles of internal medicine. 16. New York: Macgraw Hill; 2005. Diarrhea and Constipation; pp. 224–232.
  3. Hardman, JG.; Limbird, LE. The pharmacological basis of therapeutics. 10. New York: Macgraw Hill; 2001. Goodman's and Gilman's: Drugs affecting gastrointestinal function; 1023–1024.
  4. Chitme HR, Chandra R, Kaushik S. Studies on anti-diarrhoeal activity of Calotropis gigantea R.Br. in experimental animals. J Pharm Pharmaceut Sci. 2004; 7:70–75.
  5. Sharma OP, Makkar HPS, Dawra RK. A review of the noxious plant Lantana camara. Toxicon. 1988;26:975–987.
  6. Sharma OP, Makkar HPS. Lantana – the foremost livestock killer in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Livestock Adv. 1981; 6:29–31.
  7. Sharma OP, Dawra RK, Makkar HPS. Toxicity of isolated lantana (Lantana camara L.) constituents to male and female guinea pigs. Vet Hum Toxicol. 1989;31:10–13.
  8. Ghisalberti EL. Lantana camara Linn. (Review). Fitoterapia. 2000;71:467–485.
  9. Duke,; James, A. Handbook of phytochemical constituents of GRAS herbs and other economic plants. Boca Raton, FL. CRC Press; 1992.
  10. Shashi BM, Niranjan PS, Subodh KR, Sharma OP. Potential Antitumor Agents fromf Lantana camara: Structures of Flavonoid and Phenylpropanoid Glycosides. Tetrahedron. 1994; 50:9439–9446.
  11. O' Neill MJ, Lewis JA, Noble HM, Holland S, Mansat C, Farthing JE, Foster G, Noble D, Lane SJ, Sidebottom PJ, Lynn SM, Hayes MV, Dix CJ. Isolation of translactone-containing triterpenes with thrombin inhibitory activities from the leaves of lantana camara . J Nat Prod. 1998; 61:1328–1331.
  12. Uzcategui B, Avila D, Heberto SR, Quintero L, Ortega J, Gonzalez YB. Anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antipyretic effects of Lantana trifolia Linnaeus in experimental animals. Investigacion Clinica. 2004; 45:4.
  13. Barton DHR, De Mayo P, Orr JC. Triterpenoids Part XXIII: The nature of lantadene A. J Chem Soc. 1956:4160–4162.
  14. Sharma S, Singh A, Sharma OP. An improved procedure for isolation and purification of lantadene A, the bioactive pentacyclic triterpenoid from Lantana camara leaves. Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Sciences. 1999; 21:686–688.
  15. Jabbar S, Khan MTH, Choudhuri MSK, Gafur MA, Ahmad K. Effect of Semicarpus anacardium Linn. on acute experimental diarrhea. Ham Med. 1999;XLII: 48–53.
  16. Awouters F, Niemegeers CJE, Lenaerts FM, Janseen PAJ. Delay of castor oil diarrhea in rats; a new way to evaluate inhibitors of prostaglandin biosynthesis. Journal of Pharmacy Pharmacology. 1978; 30:41–45.
  17. Lundregen O. Enteric nerves and diarrhea. Pharmacology and Toxicology. 2002;90:109–120.
  18. Korman, LY. Secretory and miscellaneous noninfectious diarrhea. In: Lewis JH. , editor. A Pharmacologic Approach to gastrointestinal disorders. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore; 1994. 281–291.
  19. Furness, JB.; Costa, M. The enteric nervous system. Churchill Livingstone, New York; 1987.
  20. Iwao I, Terada Y. On the mechanism of diarrhea due to castor oil. Jpn J Pharmacol. 1962; 12:137–145.
  21. Watson WC, Gordan RS. Studies on the digestion absorption and metabolism of castor oil. Biochem pharmacol. 1962;11:229–236.
  22. Uchida M, Kato Y, Matsuede K, Shode R, Muraoka A, Yemato S. Involvement of NO from nerves in diarrhea induced by castor oil in rats. Jpn J Pharmacol. 2000; 82:168–170.
  23. Saito T, Mizutani F, Iwanaga Y, Morikawa K, Kato H. Laxative and anti-diarrheal activity of polycarbophil in mice and rats. Jpn J Pharmacol. 2002;89:133–141.
  24. Izzo AA, Gaginella TS, Mascolo N, Capasso S. Recent findings on the mode of action of laxatives: the role of platelet activating factor and nitric oxide. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 1998; 19:403–405. Kellerman, TS.;Coetzer, JAW.; Naude, TW. Plant poisoning and mycotoxicosis of livestock in Southern Africa. Oxford University Press, Cape Town; 1988.
  25. Akhter MH, Mathur M, Bhide NK. Skin and liver toxicity in experimental Lantana camara poisoning in albino rats. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 1990; 34:13–16.
  26. Pass MA, Seawright AA, Heath TJ. Lantadene toxicity in sheep. A model for cholestasis. Pathology. 1979; 11:89–94.
  27. Dhillon KS, Paul BS. Clinical studies of Lantana camara L. poisoning in buffalo calves with special reference to its effect on rumen motility. Indian J Animal Sci. 1971; 41:945–948.
  28. Sweeney, MC. Pass, MA. The mechanism of ruminal stasis in lantana poisoned sheep. Q J Exp Physiol Cogn Med Sci. 1983,301–314.
  29. Holson D, Oster N. Constipation. eMedicine. 2001; 2:S1–9.
  30. Bruns, JohnJ. Toxicity, Anticholinergic. eMedicine. 2001; 2:S1–10.
  31. Longanga_Otshudi A, Vercruysse A, Foriers A. Contribution to the ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological studies of traditionally used medicinal plants in the treatment of dysentery and diarrhea in Lomela area, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). J Ethnopharmacol. 2000; 71:411–423.
  32. Heinrich M, Robles M, West JE, Ortiz de Montellano BR, Rodriguez E. Ethnopharmacology of Mexican asteraceae (Compositae). Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol. 1998; 38:539–565.
  33. Pan WD, Mai LT, Li YJ, Xu XL, Yu DQ. Studies on the chemical constituents of the leaves of Lantana camara. Yao Xue Xue Bao. 1993;28:35–39.
  34. Begum S, Wahab A, Siddiqui BS. Pentacyclic triterpenoids from the aerial parts of Lantana camara. Chem Pharm Bull. 2003; 51:134–137.
  35. Ahmed ZF, Shoaib AM, Wassel GM, Sayyad SM. Phytochemical study of Lantana camara L . Planta Med. 1972; 21:282–288.
  36. Herbert JM, Maffrand JP, Taoubi K, Augereau JM, Fouraste I, Gleye J. Verbascoside isolated from Lantana camara, an inhibitor of protein kinase C. J Nat Prod . 1991; 54:1595–600.
  37. Sales ME, Sterin-Borda L, de Bracco MM, Borda ES. Tyrosine kinase regulatory action on ileal muscarinic effects of IFN-gamma. J Interferon Cytokine Res. 1999; 19:375–382.
  38. Nikiema JB, Vanhaelen Fastre R, Vanhaelen M, Fontaine J, De Graef C, Heenen M. Effects of anti-inflammatory triterpenes isolated from Leptadenia hastate latex on keratinocyte proliferation. Phytother Res. 2001; 15:131–134.
  39. Pass MA, Heath TJ. The effect of Lantana camara on intestinal motility in sheep. J Comp Path. 1978; 88:149–156.
  40. NSW Scientific Committee (2006) Invasion, establishment and spread of Lantana camara - Key Threatening Process declaration - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney
  42. www.pier.com
  43. www.floridata.com
  44. www.richfarmgarde.com
  45. www.usfda.com
  46. www.davesgarden.com

About Authors:

Dwivedi S

Dwivedi S
Lecturer, Chordia Institute of Pharmacy, Indore, M.P. (India)-452010
E.mail:sumeeeciop@sify.com
Sumeet_dwivedi2002@yahoo.com

Dubey R
Chordia Institute of Pharmacy, Indore, M.P.-India

Patidar P
Chordia Institute of Pharmacy, Indore, M.P.-India

Dwivedi A

Dwivedi A
NRI Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bhopal, M.P.-India

Patel R
Nanda College of Pharmacy, Erode, T.N.-India