Veena Megaravalli Krishnappa Hegde and H. N. Girish
Department of Studies and Research in English, Sahyadri Arts and Commerce College, Shimoga, 577201, Karnataka, India
Women in many developing countries are often the protectors of biodiversity and have a developed understanding of the medicinal and nutritional uses of a plethora of rare wild and cultivated plants. Biodiversity is fundamental for the continued growth, sustainability and vitality of individuals and communities across the globe. Women, especially in developing nations, are most vulnerable to change in biodiversity and at the same time most capable of protecting and retaining biodiversity. Here is a case study on inhibitory effects of gloriosa superba extract on Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting about 1 % of the population in developed countries. Gloriosa superba Linn. (family-Liliaceae) is one of the herbaceous climbers distributed throughout Western Ghats and well documented traditionally in Ayurveda system of medicine for various ailments like inflammation, gout, gonorrhea, leprosy, rheumatoid arthritis, jaundice, etc. The plant is highly valued in modern medicine owing to the presence of alkaloids. Despite its wide spread use in traditional medicine for treatment of gout and rheumatism, the present investigation was to evaluate the effect of chloroform extract of tubers of Gloriosa superba in Freund's complete Adjuvant (FCA) induced arthritis using albino rats. The chloroform extract of tubers of Gloriosa superba has shown a dose dependent and significantly decreased paw edema and ankle diameter in treated groups as compared with arthritic group. Synovial membrane damage and neutrophil infiltration in histopathological examination was restored significantly by the extract as compared to arthritic group. Eco-feminism is a movement that applies feminist principles and ideas to ecological issues such as women's rights, peace, labour, ecological and environmental justice. Moreover, the slogan "glocal", that is from global to local, which emphasizes localized cultures, economies, community based sustainable practices that need to be rejuvenated for a harmonious relation between nature, man and woman.
Keywords: Women, Gloriosa Superba, Rheumatoid Arthritis.