Weeds are treated as unwanted material in the crop fields as they are sharing the nutrients, water and other essentials ultimately affecting the main crop. Many Crop weeds are known to possess medicinal values. However, these weeds of medicinal value are not subjected to systematic phyto-pharmacological evaluation. If a systematic scientific approach is adopted, its acceptability enhances and promotes them as herbal drugs. The global market for herbal drugs increasing day by day and a lot of imbalances are being developed between supply and demand. Any attempt on weeds to explore their possible medicinal value highly needed and preparing the scientific background for exploiting a natural bounty in a totally innovative way. 

The Chemotypic variation and medicinal value of weed flora at different growth stages in food and commercial crops grown in different regions has not been studied much so far. Hence, the present investigation provides an opportunity to profile chemical and pharmacological properties. By studying the chemotypic and pharmacological activity variations in different growth stages of the weeds of medicinal value will give information on the best time of farmer friendly collection, processing and storage for further use. 

Broadly, the project consists of four objectives with different activities under them. The first objective aims to isolate bioactive compounds from weeds of medicinal value in selected crop fields in different ecosystems and systematic seasonal collection of plant parts and plants together with preparation of herbarium with specimen vouchers and establishment of digital libraries. Development of proper storage conditions to prevent the loss of biological properties of crude drugs, preparation of crude extracts for biological study. 

Second objective aims to chemical identification of bioactive molecules and its derivatives from selected weed species. The third objective aims to pharmacological validation of bioactive molecules using various test organisms and, the fourth objective involves selection of highly potent genotypes from each species and their chemotyping and assessment of post harvest handling techniques for preserving the medicinal properties of the identified weeds at the farm level. 

 A systematic study in the present project on the best time of collection, processing and harvesting methods of weeds of medicinal values (best way for farmer friendly collection) provides valid report for further use with practically no investment. 

Innovation

Exploring the possibility of identifying the novel bio-active molecules with specific activities from selected weeds of medicinal value;and identification of highly potent genotypes from each species and their chemotyping.

Project Location and Jurisdiction

The Coordinating centre for the project is situated in the AU College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam Andhra Pradesh. The Consortium Partner Institute is Acharya N.G.Ranga Agricultural University and the Consortium CoPIs are Dr A.Subrahmanyeswra Rao Regional Agricultural research Station Guntur (LAM), and Dr M.Bharath Lakshmi,, Regional Agricultural research Station Anakapalle.

Eight Agro-Climatic zones were identified in Andhra Pradesh for the present studies are as follows: