The Centre for Medicinal Plants Research functions as a pioneer institute in the area of research, education, conservation and popularisation of Ayurvedic medicinal plants

Divisions

Plant Systematics

PLANT SYSTEMATICS AND GENETIC RESOURCES DIVISION

Exploration, collection, conservation, identification and documentation of medicinal plants of Western Ghats and adjoining areas form the major thrust area of the division. Rare, endangered and threatened plants are also being collected and conserved. These plants are grown in the National Field gene bank of Ayurvedic medicinal plants established at Kottakkal with the financial support from Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt. of India.  A herbarium, raw drug museum and an image library are also being set up. The long-term objective is to develop a unique database on the medicinal plants of Kerala. Identification of elite cultivars of medicinal plants for commercial exploitation through morphological (micro and macro), biochemical, phytochemical and molecular characterisation of germplasm collected from different agroclimatic zones in collaboration with concerned divisions is also one of the mandates.


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Crop Improvement

CROP IMPROVEMENT AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

The Crop Improvement & Biotechnology division is working on propagation of Ayurvedic medicinal plants through tissue culture and conventional methods, selection of high yielding quality lines and variety development and development of cultivation practices for enhancing the resource base. Division is also working on developing DNA markers for species identification and authentication. Work is also being carried out on biosynthesis of biologically active secondary metabolites in in vitro cultures.


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Extension

EXTENSION DIVISION

The main objectives of the division are popularization of medicinal plant conservation, cultivation and sustainable utilisation to enlarge the resource base of medicinal plants so as to make available genuine herbs to Ayurvedic industry.

 

With a view to enlarge the resource base of medicinal plants and to make available genuine raw drugs to the industry, extension activities are being done in a big way.

 


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Pharmacognosy

PHARMACOGNOSY DIVISION

Undertaking pharmacognostic studies of the raw drugs used in Ayurveda with a view to evolve their standards is the aim of the Pharmacognosy division. In this division, using a computerized Herb Authentication System, the anatomical images of genuine raw drugs with identifying features are stored in the database, which can be retrieved for floor level checking. This facility is being used for standardization, quality control and authentication of the raw drugs used in Ayurveda.


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Phytochemistry

PHYTOCHEMISTRY DIVISION

Phytochemistry division forms core activity of the centre and has played significant role for authentication of genuine raw drugs used in Ayurvedic industry. The data base of the division comprises chemical finger prints of more than 100 genuine raw drugs. The division focuses on identification and isolation of active molecules from medicinal plants.  The Division is equipped with sophisticated instruments including High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Gas Chromatography, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer, Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer, Fourier Transform Infra Red Spectroscopy, UV-Visible Spectrophotometer etc. The research outcome of the division is evidenced by good number of research articles in various national and international journals published by world renowned publishers like Elsevier, Taylor & Francis, Springer, Hindawi etc


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  • "The Centre for Medicinal Plants Research functions as a pioneer institute in the area of research, education, conservation and popularisation of Ayurvedic medicinal plants."

  • "The Centre for Medicinal Plants Research functions as a pioneer institute in the area of research, education, conservation and popularisation of Ayurvedic medicinal plants."

  • "The Centre for Medicinal Plants Research functions as a pioneer institute in the area of research, education, conservation and popularisation of Ayurvedic medicinal plants."