Ethnomedicinal uses and phenotypic attributes of four Viola species from the Kashmir Region

Abstract

Abstract

Background: The Violaceae family consists of the flower-bearing taxa Viola, which is mostly utilized in Kashmir region to treat respiratory disorders and hold substantial ecological and cultural importance. Viola species (Viola odorata L., Viola biflora L., Viola canescens Wall. ex. Roxb. and Viola indica W. Becker) are widely distributed in the Himalayan regions of India, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Nepal, China, Bhutan, Europe and other Asian countries. Their wide geographical distribution, coupled with significant morphological diversity, has made the genus an important subject in taxonomy, phylogeny, ethnobotany and pharmacological research.

Methods: In the present study, four commonly found species of Viola genus which include V. odorata L., V. biflora L., V. canescens Wall. ex. Roxb. and Viola indica W. Becker, were compared based on their ethnomedicinal uses and phenotypic traits. These Viola species are traditionally used as herbal remedies to relieve respiratory ailments, reduce inflammation and pain and promote relaxation and sleep in local Unani and Ayurvedic practices in the Kashmir region. Further, the standardized trait descriptors (11 qualitative and 9 quantitative) were used to assess the extent of variation among the four Viola species.

Results: The phenotypic attributes revealed significant morphological differences among the four Viola species based on analysis of qualitative traits. Besides, PCoA and cluster analysis grouped four Viola species into two major groups. Group I comprise Viola indica W. Becker and group II consists of three Viola species (V. canescens Wall. ex. Roxb., V. ordorata L. and V. biflora L.).

Conclusions: The study suggested that the Kashmir region has a rich interspecific diversity of Viola species, which needs to be conserved for the maintenance of ecological balance and exploring its potential therapeutic applications.

Keywords: Ethnomedicinal potential, Himalayan region, Phenotypic attributes, Trait descriptors, Viola species