Eternal wellness: Anti-aging herbs of the Sikkim Himalayas

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.4194

Keywords:

Anti-ageing herbs, lifestyle, eternal wellbeing, Sikkim Himalaya, medicinal plants

Abstract

This review paper delves into the anti-aging potential of herbs from the Sikkim Himalayas, highlighting their significance in promoting overall wellbeing. Through a comprehensive literature review and targeted searches, we identified and analyzed fifteen prominent anti-aging herbs, such as Rhodiola rosea, Curcuma longa, and Cordyceps sinensis. Given the projected growth of the global anti-aging market to US$71.6 billion in 2023, there is an increasing demand for natural, plant-based solutions. Our findings emphasize the practical applications of these herbs, discussing methods for integrating them into daily life and their potential health benefits. The review also notes that roots were the most commonly utilized plant part, followed by leaves. In terms of family distribution, the Zingiberaceae and Fabaceae families each accounted for 13% of the identified herbs. This study underscores the importance of further exploration into the medicinal and antiaging properties of Sikkim’s herbal flora, offering insights for future research and the development of natural health products aimed at fostering longevity and wellness.

Downloads

References

Arking R. Biology of ageing: observations and principles. Oxford University Press. 2006

Kalache A, Barreto SM, Keller I. Global ageing: The demographic revolution in all cultures and societies. Cambridge University Press. 2005 . https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511610714.005

Chettri U, Kumari S. A list of medicinally important plants of Sikkim Himalayan region, India. J Med Plants. 2021;9(4):24-27. https://doi.org/10.22271/plants.2021.v9.i4a.1307

Sherpa MT, Mathur A, Das S. Medicinal plants and traditional medicine system of Sikkim: a review. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2015;4(2):161-84.

Chakraborty A, Sahoo M, Roy SD, Dasgupta RK. Anti-ageing natural herbs: A systemic review. Indian Research Journal of Pharmacy and Science. 2018;5(3):1589-98. https://doi.org/10.21276/irjps.2018.5.3.4

Dhanjal DS, Bhardwaj S, Sharma R, Bhardwaj K, Kumar D, Chopra C, et al. Plant fortification of the diet for anti-ageing effects: A review. Nutrients. 2020;12(10):3008. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12103008

Hajra PK, Verma DM. Flora of Sikkim vol. 1. Botanical Survey of India; 1996.

Rosa F, Giuseppe C, Luca R. Ganoderma lucidum and cordyceps sinensis in anti-ageing medicine. Pharmacology Online. 2020;3:1-6.

Panda AK, Swain KC. Traditional uses and medicinal potential of Cordyceps sinensis of Sikkim. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine. 2011;2(1):9. https://doi.org/10.4103/0975-9476.78183

Arun PP, Kumar G, Tiwari RK, Sharma B. Herbal-based medicine approach in the treatment of infertility: a review.

Prajwala B, Raghu N, Gopenath TS, Basalingappa KM. Guduchi: its medicinal properties. J Plant Physiol Pathol. 2019;3(2):7.

Mishra LC, Singh BB, Dagenais S. Scientific basis for the therapeutic use of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha): a review. Alternative Medicine Review. 2000;5(4):334-46.

Pawar SS, Gosavi SA, Gorde PL, Harak SS, Shendge RS, Dumbare MR. Study of different parameters on formulation, phytochemical and pharmacological profile of liquorice wine. Nveo-Natural Volatiles and Essential Oils Journal. NVEO. 2021;13489-504.

Jafari M, Felgner JS, Bussel II, Hutchili T, Khodayari B, Rose MR, et al. Rhodiola: a promising anti-ageing Chinese herb. Rejuvenation Research. 2007;10(4):587-602. https://doi.org/10.1089/rej.2007.0560

Li Y, Pham V, Bui M, Song L, Wu C, Walia A, et al. Rhodiola roseaL.: an herb with anti-stress, anti-ageing and immunostimulating properties for cancer chemoprevention. Current Pharmacology Reports. 2017;3:384-95. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40495-017-0106-1

Shahrajabian MH, Wenli SU, Cheng Q. Pharmacological uses and health benefits of ginger (Zingiber officinale) in traditional Asian and ancient Chinese medicine and modern practice. Notulae Scientia Biologicae. 2019;11(3):309-19. https://doi.org/10.15835/ nsb11310419

Ashrafizadeh M, Ahmadi Z, Mohammadinejad R, Farkhondeh T, Samarghandian S. MicroRNAs mediate the anti-tumor and protective effects of ginsenosides. Nutrition and Cancer. 2020;72 (8):1264-75. https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2019.1675722

Gautam AS, Singh A, Kumar K. Analysis of therapeutic value of Tinospora cordifolia. Asia Pac J Multidiscip Res. 2020;8:27-41.

Verma A, Kumar A, Kumar R. Medicinal plants as source of antiageing agents: A review.

Ribeiro-Santos R, Andrade M, Madella D, Martinazzo AP, Moura LD, de Melo NR, Sanches-Silva A. Revisiting an ancient spice with medicinal purposes: Cinnamon. Trends in Food Science and Technology. 2017;62:154-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2017.02.011

Wanakhachornkrai O, Banglao W, Thongmee A, Sukplang P. Determination of antioxidant, anti-ageing and cytotoxicity activity of the essential oils from Cinnamomum zeylanicum. Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Food Sciences. 2020;10(3):436-40. https://doi.org/10.15414/jmbfs.2020.10.3.436-440

Theerawitaya C, Pipatsitee P, Taota K, Praseartkul P, Tisarum R, Samphumphuang T, et al. Impact of irrigation regime on morpho- ADHIKARI ET AL 6 https://plantsciencetoday.online physiological and biochemical attributes and centelloside content in Indian pennywort (Centella asiatica). Irrigation Science. 2023;41 (1):23-34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-022-00832-9

Kotnala A, Verma K, Sharma A, Parashar S, Rathi B, Kumar R, et al. Indian medicinal plants for skin care and cosmeceuticals: A review. Journal of Biomedical and Therapeutic Sciences. 2019;6(2):24-60.

Havaldar VD, Mali KK, Mali SS, Jadhav NY, Shinde SS, Shinde AA. Phytochemical and pharmacological screening of Delonix regia: A brief review. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 2024;13 (4):234-39.https://doi.org/10.22271/phyto.2024.v13.i4c.15014

Zhang J, Yuan K, Zhou WL, Zhou J, Yang P. Studies on the active components and antioxidant activities of the extracts of Mimosa pudica Linn. from southern China. Pharmacognosy Magazine. 2011;7(25):35. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-1296.75899

Mirunalini S, Krishnaveni M. Therapeutic potential of Phyllanthus emblica (Amla): the ayurvedic wonder. Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology. 2010;21(1):93-105. https:// doi.org/10.1515/JBCPP.2010.21.1.93

Wang M, Yang TT, Rao Y, Wang ZM, Dong X, Zhang LH, et al. A review on traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and the analytical methods of the genus Nardostachys. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2021;280:114446. https://doi.org/10.1515/ JBCPP.2010.21.1.93

Pradhan P, Dasila K, Singh M. Uses of ethnomedicinal plants by the people living around Kitam Bird Wildlife Sanctuary, South Sikkim, India. Acta Ecologica Sinica. 2022;42(4):259-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chnaes.2021.09.020

Salsabila DU, Wardani RK, Hasanah NU, Tafrihani AS, Zulfin UM, Ikawati M, Meiyanto E. Cytoprotective properties of citronella oil (Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendl.) and lemongrass oil (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf) through attenuation of senescent-induced chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin on Vero and NIH-3T3 Cells. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention. 2023;24(5):1667-75. https://doi.org/10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.5.1667

Sarma SK, Subba T, Hazra N, Pradhan A, Bhattacharjee T. Antiageing activity of various topical nano herbal formulations. Universal Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research. 2023;9 (1):21-27.

Singh HB, Prasad P, Rai LK. Folk medicinal plants in the Sikkim Himalayas of India. Asian Folklore Studies. 2002:295-310. https:// doi.org/10.2307/1178975

Pradhan BK, Badola HK. Ethnomedicinal plant use by Lepcha tribe of Dzongu valley, bordering Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, in North Sikkim, India. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 2008;4:1-8. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4269-4-22

Idrisi MS, Badola HK, Singh R. Indigenous knowledge and medicinal use of plants by local communities in Rangit Valley, South Sikkim, India. NeBIO. 2010;1(2):34-45.

Banik B, Das S, Das MK. Medicinal plants with potent antiinflammatory and anti-arthritic properties found in Eastern parts of the Himalaya: An ethnomedicinal review. Pharmacognosy Reviews. 2020;14(28).

Bharati KA, Sharma BL. Plants used as ethnoveterinary medicines in Sikkim Himalayas. Ethnobotany Research and Applications. 2012;10:339-56. https://doi.org/10.17348/era.10.0.339-356

Badola HK, Pradhan BK. Plants used in healthcare practices by Limboo tribe in South–West of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim, India.

Lepcha TT, Pradhan P, Gaira KS, Badola HK, Shahid M, Singh M. Ethnomedicinal use of plants by Bhutia tribe in Sikkim Himalaya. Proceedings of the Ist Himalayan Researchers Consortium. 2019;1:71-78.

Rai B, Bhutia S, Pal P, Kakoti BB. Phytochemical analysis andantibacterial evaluation against selected gram strains by Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz stem bark extract, a folklore medicine of Sikkim Himalaya. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 2020;9 (1):11-16.

Sharma A, Pal P, Sarkar BR, Mohanty JP, Bhutia S. Preparation, standardisation and evaluation of hypoglycaemic effect of herbal formulation containing five ethnomedicinal plants in alloxaninduced hyperglycemic wistar rats. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. 2020;13(12):5987-92. https://doi.org/10.5958/0974-360X.2020.01044.6

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;14(2):013-26. https:/

Published

12-01-2025 — Updated on 25-01-2025

Versions

How to Cite

1.
Adhikari A, Neopaney A, Bhutia CN, Pradhan A, Bhutia S. Eternal wellness: Anti-aging herbs of the Sikkim Himalayas. Plant Sci. Today [Internet]. 2025 Jan. 25 [cited 2025 Mar. 30];12(1). Available from: https://horizonepublishing.com/journals/index.php/PST/article/view/4194

Issue

Section

Review Articles