Evaluation of Allelopathic Potential of Rutin, Hesperidin and Curcumin

The present study aimed to evaluate the potential allelopathic effects of curcumin, hesperidin, and rutin on the radicle growth and germination of Triticum aestivum and Cicer arietinum seeds. The scientific phenomena known as allelopathy occurs when an organism produces one or more biochemicals that have an impact on the development, survival, and reproduction of other organisms. Allelochemicals are typically regarded as a subset of secondary metabolites that are not necessary for the metabolism of the allelopathic organism, which includes growth, development, and reproduction. Flavonoids rutin, hesperidin, and curcumin have shown numerous pharmacological properties. The number of seeds that germinated and the length of the radicles were used to assess allelopathy. The radicle length of gram seeds was measured at 48, 72, and 96 hours, while that of wheat seeds was measured at 24 and 48 hours using a mm scale. This preliminary study showed that ashwagandha root had remarkable negative allelopathic potential and significantly affected the germination and radicle growth of both C. Arietinum and T. Aestivum. T. Aestivum was found to be more sensitive than C. Arietinum. The observed allelopathic activity was probably caused by its alkaloid and with anolide concentrations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of allelopathic consequences of ashwagandha. Further research is needed to pinpoint the exact chemical components of ashwagandha that give it its allelopathic qualities.