chapter-4 review of literature -...

Chapter-4

Review of Literature

CHAPTER 4 REVIEW OF LITERATURE

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LITERATURE REVIEW

4.1 Inula racemosa (Roots)

Fig 4.1 Inula racemosa Roots

4.1.1 Scientific classification

Kingdom Plantae

(Division) Angiosperms

(clade) Eudicots

(clade) Asterids

Order Asterales

Family Asteraceae

Tribe Inuleae

Genus Inula

Species I. racemosa

Binomial name: Inula racemosa


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The plant grows in temperate and alpine Western Himalayas from 1300 to

4500 meters elevation. The plant is a stout herb growing 0.33-2 meters in height. The

stem is grooved, rough and very hairy. The leaves are elliptical, large, 3-6 cm long

and 2-3 cm broad, and have long petioles. The fruits, slender achene’s, 0.4 cm long,

bearded with 0.75 cm long pappus hairs. The flowers are yellow, many in heads, 0.5-

1 cm in diameter. The fresh root is brown and becomes grayish on drying. The fresh

roots resemble in aroma of camphor.

Table 4.1: Other names59:

Common name Indian Elecampane

Hindi pohakarmul, puskarmul

Kannada Rasnabheda

Malayalam puskaramulam, puskkaramulam

Marathi pushakar

Sanskrit Kasmira, kusthabheda, padmapatra, Pauskara

Tamil puskkaramulam

Gujarathi Gali, gari

Telugu Puskaramul

Parts Used: Root powder

Active Compounds: At least four sesquiterpene lactones have been

isolated from Inula.

These along with other ingredients account for the healing medicinal

properties of this herb.

Alantolacton

Isoalantolactone

Dihydroalantolactone

Dihydroisoalantolactone


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Beta sitosterol

Daucosterol

Inunolide

On extraction of the plant with hexane and isolation , the compounds obtained are

dihydroisoalan tolactone, isoalantolactone and alantolactone. From the roots,

sitosterol, octadecanoic acid and D-mannitol have been isolated also. Two

biologically active new sesquiterpene lactones., inunal and isoalloalantolactone are

isolated. Alantolactone, isoalantolactone and dihydroisoa lantolactone isolated from

roots. A germacranolide inunolide isolated from root oil. Also alloalantolactone

isolated from roots and characterized. Two new sesquiterpene lactones inunal and

isolloalantolactone isolated and characterized.

4.1.2 Properties60

Ayurvedic Pharmacodynamic properties:

Rasa : Katu (pungent), Tikta (bitter)

Guna : Laghu (light), Tikshna (sharp)

Virya : Ushna (hot)

Vipaka : Katu (pungent)

Doshakarma : Kapha- Vata Shamaka

Fresh roots of I. racemosa have strong aromatic odour resembling orris and

camphor; dired roots have a weak odour. They are used in Kashmir as adulterant of

Kuth (roots of Saussurea lappa C.B. Clarke). They contain inulinf (10.0%) and an

essential oil (1.3%) containing alntolactone (C15H20O2:m.p., 760). Alantolactone is the

chief constituent of the oil obrained from the European species I. helenium Linn” it

possesses strong anthelmintic properties and is more potent and less toxic than

santonin. Alantolactone in 1:1,000 dilution kills Ascaris in r6 hr. while santonin in the

same dilution requires more than 2 days. It has been used as an anthelmintic for


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children (dosage, 0.009-0.2g). Alntolactone is also antisepric, expectrorant and

diuretic. The seeds are bitter and aphrodisiac.

4.1.3 Uses61

Puskaramula is one of the herbs mentioned in all Ayurvedic scriptures. It

possesses various synonyms like kasari an enemy of cough, sulahara – pain killer,

svasari – an enemy of breathlessness, Kashmira – grows abundantly in Kashmir,

sughandhika – fragrant etc. The great sage Charaka has categorized it as hikka

nigrahana – stops hiccup and svasahara – hana – stops hiccup and svasahara –

alleviates the breathlessness, asthma. Also, he has cited it as the best medicament

for pleurisy along with cough and asthma. Puskaramula is highly acclaimed to be the

drug of choice for pleurisy (parsvasula)

4.1.4 Actions according to Ayurveda62:

Kasa-shwashara- Pushkarmool is useful in cough and respiratory discomfort

Hikka nigrahana- Pushkarmool alleviates hicough

Parshwa shoola hara- Pushkarmool helps in pain in thorax region

Shophaghna- Pushkarmool is useful in all edematous conditions

Pandunashanam- Pushkarmool is useful in Anemia and its complications

Ardit vinashanam- Pushkarmool is useful in conditions involving nervous system

specially the facial paralysis

Hrich chhulaghna- Pushkarmool alleviates pain in heart region

4.1.5 Medicinal value:

The rhizome is sweet, bitter and acrid in taste with a neutral potency and act

as antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and mild

diuretic. It is used in the treatment of contagious fevers, angina pectoris, heart

disease and ischemic heart disease. It is also used in cough, hiccup, bronchial


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asthma, indigestion, flatulence, inanorexia and in fever. Externally, the paste of its

roots is used effectively, in dressing the wounds and ulcers as the herb possesses

antiseptic property. Also used to boost the appetite.

Inula racemosa root powder was investigated in patients with proven ischemic

heart disease63. The powder prevented ST-segment depression and T-wave

inversion as observed in the post-exercise electrocardiogram. This indicates that one

of the constituents of Inula racemosa may have adrenergic beta-blocking activity64.

Inula racemosa exhibits antiperoxidative, hypoglycemic and cortisol lowering

activities, it is suggested that its extracts may potentially regulate diabetes mellitus.

Inula racemosa possesses potent ant allergic properties.

The herb Inula racemosa was shown to help lower the stress hormone, cortisol,

which in turn leads lower blood sugar levels.

4.1.6 Reported activities:

64Lokhande et al, have reported the Anti bacterial activity of isolated

constituents and extract of Inula racemosa

65Mishra A. K. et al, reported the Antimicrobial activities of

isoalantolactone, a major sesquiterpene lactone of Inula racemosa.

66Shashi Sharma et al, studied on Seed physiological aspects of

pushkarmool (Inula racemosa), a threatened medicinal herb: response to

storage, cold stratification, light and gibberellic acid.

67Santosh kumarai* & Dharamvir Arya et al, reported the Cardio protection

by inula racemosa hook in experimental model of myocardial ischemic

reperfusion injury.

68Kalachaveedu Mangathayaru et al, reported the Modulatory effect

of Inula racemosa Hook. f. (Asteraceae) on experimental atherosclerosis

in guinea-pigs.


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69Shah R. D et al, reported the Evaluation of Anti-inflammatory and

Analgesic Activity of Ethanolic extracts of Inularacemosa and Albizia

amara.

It has not been reported for hepatoprotective, adaptogenic and anti-

oxidant activities.

4.2 Sida cordata (Whole plant)

Fig 4.2 Sida cordata


Kingdom Plantae

(Division) Angiosperms

(clade) Eudicots

(clade) Rosids

Order Malvales

Family Malvaceae

Genus Sida

Species S. cordata


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Binomial name: Sida cordata

4.2.2 Plant profile:

Sida cordata (Burm. f.) Waalkes, belongs to the family malvaceae is distributed in

India, Pakisthan and other tropical countries. A procumbent, diffuse, much branched

hairy herb with a very short main stem and long slender trailing branches that

occasionally root at places of contact with the soil; leaves long-petioled, cordate to

roundish with stellate hairs; flowers yellow, solitary or in pairs in the axils; fruits

schizocarp located within the persistent calyx; seeds brownish, glabrous.70

Common name: Long-stalk Sida, Heart-Leaf Sida, Country-mallow, flannelweed,

Heartleaf Fanpetals

Table 4.2 :Other names:

Hindi Bhuinii

Marathi Bhumi petari, Bhoybal

Tamil Kurunthotti,Palampasi, Mayirmanikkam

Malayalam Kuruntotti, nela-vaga

Telugu Benda, gayapaku, tirunala

Kannada Bekkinathale gida

Gujarati Bhoybala

Sanskrit Bhumibala, nagabala

Parts used: whole plant


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4.2.3 USES:

It is used for medicinal purposes in the codified Indian systems of

medicine namely Ayurveda and Siddha. The whole plant material

rejuvenate and given for chronic liver diseases71.

It is stated in traditional siddha literature under the author Bhava Mishra,

‘Bhava Prakash Nigandu’. Roots of this plant (nagapala) used in liver

diseases, rejuvenation and anti ageing72.

Powder of the root is given with "ghee" as an alterative; in

elephantiasis the powder is given with rice water. Traditionally it is used as

astringent, thermogenic, tonic, and in the treatment of fever, uropathy,

arthritis, leucorrhoea, gonorrhoea, hyperdiuresis, rheumatism, spermatorrhea

and diarrhoea.70

In inflammation of the joints it is given with milk and a little castor oil. A

paste of the roots made with rice water is applied over rheumatic swelling and

rubbed over the body to reduce obesity. The whole plant is reported to have

antiseptic properties. The leaves are antiphlogistic; they are applied over skin

diseases and wounds; the silky side of the leaf is applied over tumors, boils,

sores, and carbuncles;, as an irritant to promote maturation and suppuration.

The leaves are also used for extracting guinea worms. A drop of the leaf juice

is used in otitis.


So far sida cordata was not reported scientifically.


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4.3 Indigofera tinctoria (Leaves)

Fig 4.3 Indigofera tinctoria (Leaves)


Kingdom Plantae

Phylum Angiosperms

Class Eudicots

Clade Rosids

Order Fabales

Family Fabaceae

Genus Indigofera

Species tinctoria

Binomial name: Indigofera tinctoria

The genus Indigofera L. is a member of the family Leguminosea-

Papilionoideae among the dicotyledons: a very large family of herbs, shrubs, and tree

with a great variety of habit, including hydrophytes, xerophytes and climbers73. A

shrub 1.2-1.8m high, branches teret or more or less angular, slightly silvery from fine


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oppressed hairs. Leaves are 2.5-7.5cm long, stipules small subulate. Leaflets 9-13,

opposite, membranous, green but drying a grayish black, 1.2-2.5 by 0.6-1.2cm

oblong or oblanceolate, rounded, epiculate, glabrous, above or nearly so thinly

clothed with apprised hairs beneath, base acute, petiolules of lateral leaflets 1.25-

2mm, those of the terminal reaching 6mm. long flowers numerous in early sessile lax

spicate racemes 5-10cm long, hairy, outside teeth triangular, acute as long as the

tube., corolla pink, 4mm. long, standard pubscent at the back. Pods 2-3.2 cm. long,

linear, straight, or slightly curved, apiculate, thickened at the sutures, glabrous not

Toulouse, seeds 8-12cm74. Indigofera is one of the oldest coloring agents known to

man and is among the most widely used naturally dye in the world75. Medicinally the

chines use Indigofera tinctoria to clear the liver, detoxify the blood, alleviate pains

and reduce fever. Sap from the whole plant of I. hirsute is used in the case of injury

to the eyeball and inflammation of the eyelids. A root decoction is applied in most

parts of Nigeria to counteract various poisons76. Indigofera tinctoria is native to India

one of the oldest known centers of indigo dye production. The association of India

with indigo is revealed in the Greek word for the dye, “indikon”, meaning 'blue dye

from India' or more literally 'Indian substance'. The Romans used the term indicum,

which passed eventually into English as the word Indigo. Many species of the

Indigofera genus give blue indigo dye, of these Indigofera tinctoria is believed to give

the highest yield under ideal growing conditions77

Common names: Indigo, Indian indigo


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Table 4.3 :Other Names:

Sanskrit Nilla, nili nilika, rangapatri

Hindi & Bengali Nil

Gujarathi Gali, gari, nil

Tamil. & Kannada Nili

Telugu Aviri, nili

Malayalam Nilam

Parts Used: Roots, leaves

4.3.2 Active Compounds 78

DeFeudis et al. (2003) reported that whole plant of Indigofera tinctoria Linn.

contains glycoside, indican, indigotine, indirubin and galactomannan composed of

galactose, mannose and 2.5% of alkaloids, rotenoids and flavonoids.

79Mohmammed, et al., 1994 reported that it contained carotenoids, coumarins and

flavanoids, rotenoids deguelin, dehydrodeguelin, rotenol, rotenone, tephrosin and

sumatrol. Isolation of flavanoids viz apigenin, kaempferol, luteolin and quercetin from

the plant has been reported by Kamal and Mangla, 199080, 81 .

4.3.3 Uses:

Grown for green manure. It was grown in India, China and other eastern

countries for indigo, but was later replaced by I. sumatrana, I. suffruticosa and

finally by I. erecta.

Extract used in epilepsy and other nervous disorders. In the form of ointment

used for sores, old ulcers, and piles. Decoction of leaves given in

blennorrhagia. Roots used in urinary complaints and hepatitis.


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Constituents - Indican (a glucoside) the oxidized form of Luc-indigo or Indigo-

white, the produce obtained from the fermentation of the fresh green plant.

The oxidized from the fermentation of the fresh green plant. The oxidized

product—collected, washed and pressed into cakes of 3 to 31/2 inches

square and finally dried. The yield of indigo is as much as 50 p.c. Indigotin is

insoluble in water, alcohol and dilute acids; it is soluble in strong sulphuric

acid forming sulphate of indigo called “Extract of Indigo”. Impurities present

are water, mineral matter, indigo-red other substances.

4.3.4 Action and uses in Ayurveda and Siddha:

Tikta rasam, katu rasam. ushna veeryam, katu vipaka, anthelmintic,

antiperiodic.

Root--Antipoison, giddiness, colic, gonorrhoea.

Leaves--Jaundice, produces complexion, vatha fever, mantham, gout.

4.3.5 Action and uses in Unani:

Haemostatic, sedative,-piles, healer of ulcers, diuretic, dropsy. Juice of the

Leaves and indigo in powder are used mixed with honey in enlargement of

the liver and spleen, epilepsy and other nervous affections. In hydrophobia

two ounces of fresh juice with an equal quantity of milk is given in the morning

for 3 days, as a prophylactic.


82Amarnath V Bangar et al, reported the Anti-hyperglycaemic activity of

ethanol extract and chloroform extract of Indigofera tinctoria leaves in

streptozotocin induced diabetic mice (Family- Papilionaceae)

83Suree Phutrakul et al, reported on Simple Purification of Indirubin from

Indigofera tinctoria Linn. and Inhibitory Effect on MCF-7 Human Breast

Cancer Cell.


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84Gunasekaran balamurugan et al, studied on preliminary phytochemical

screening and anthelmintic activity of Indigofera tinctoria linn.

85G Asuntha et al. reported the Effect of Ethanol Extract of Indigofera tinctoria

Linn on Lithium/Pilocarpine-Induced Status Epilepticus and Oxidative Stress

in Wistar Rats

86Pramod K.Tyagi et al, reported the Preliminary phytochemical screening

and Evaluation of Anti-inflammatory activity of Ethanolic extract of leaves of

Indigofera tinctoria Linn.

87Verma S.M et al studied the Antidiabetic Activity of Leaves of Indigofera

tinctoria Linn

88Indigofera tinctoria or Avuri or Neelamari studied for its use as: Natural

medicine for jaundice, indigestion, all types of toxicities, leucorrhoea etc

It has not been reported for hepatoprotective, adaptogenic and anti-oxidant activities

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