Evaluation of Allelopathic Potentials from Medicinal Plant Species in Phnom Kulen National Park, Cambodia by the Sandwich Method

Phnom Kulen National Park, in north-western Cambodia, has huge richness in biodiversity and medicinal value. One hundred and ninety-five (195) medicinal plant species were collected from the national park to examine allelopathic potentials by using the sandwich method, a specific bioassay for the evaluation of leachates from plants. The study found 58 out of 195 medicinal plant species showed significant inhibitory effects on lettuce radicle elongation as evaluated by standard deviation variance based on the normal distribution. Three species including Iris pallida (4% of control), Parabarium micranthum (7.5% of control), and Peliosanthes teta (8.2% of control) showed strong inhibition of lettuce radicle elongation less than 10% of the control. The results presented could present as a benchmark for isolation and identification of allelochemicals among medicinal plants used in Cambodia.

Automated summary

Phnom Kulen National Park in Cambodia is rich in biodiversity and medicinal value, with 195 medicinal plant species collected for allelopathic potential evaluation. Among them, 58 species showed significant inhibitory effects on lettuce radicle elongation, with three species exhibiting strong inhibition of less than 10% of the control. These results could serve as a benchmark for the isolation and identification of allelochemicals in medicinal plants used in Cambodia.