Adhatoda vasica-Therapeutic
Monograph
Author: Dr Amrit Pal Singh, B.A.M.S, MD (Alternative Medicine),
Medical
Executive,
Address for correspondence:
Email: amritpal2101@yahoo.com
Introduction:
Vasaka is a common shrub distributed throughout
Taste: Bitter, Astringent.
Quality:
Light, Unctous.
Post
Digestion Effect: Pungent
Potency:
Cold
Adhatoda vasica belongs to family Acanthacrae.
Leaves, flowers and bark found use in medicine.
The plant is distributed in lower
Himalayan range.
B.
Botanical Identification
1. Vasaka is a dense pernnial shrub.
2. Leaves are of dark green colour above and pale yellow below. Flowers are typical, white arranged in pendunculated spike.
3. Commercial samples consist of dried drug consisting of leaves mixed with other parts.
Phytochemistry:
Alkaloids:
Vasicine, and vasicinone.
Essential oil, coloring matter.
An
organic acid (Adhatodic acid)
Sampling
Adhatoda
is obtained from commercial sources or collected from open fields. Since it is
easily identified, it is not difficult to get a genuine product.
A. Taste: Bitter
B. Fresh juice collected from flowers and aerial parts
is of typical odour and consistency.
1. Colour: Grey brown
2. Odour: Characteristic
3. Taste: Bitter
4. Positive for alkaloids
Strength 5:1
Total alkaloids NLT 0.5%
Ash value (app. 8%)
Moisture determination (8.46 approx)
PH 7-8
1. Petroleum ether extract:
Expectorant, and bronchodilator
2. Alcoholic extract:
weakly antibacterial.
3. The alkaloids vasicine and vasicinone
are potent bronchodilators.
4. In large doses vasicine is abortifacint.
5. Expectorant action is due
to volatile oil. (In animal studies, it has been found that
bronchodilator activity of vasicine is increased
after administration of atropine. It has no marked action on alimentary canal
and cardiovascular system).
6.
Vasicinone, oxidation product of vasicine is more potent bronchodilator besides having
anti-anaphylactic activity.
7.
Vasakin a non-nitrogenous principle obtained
from alcoholic extract is antidiabetic.
Adhatoda
is contraindicated in pregnancy.
1-3 G of dried leaves.
References:
1. Chopra, R.N.: Indigenous Drugs of
2. Gogate, V.M. : Dravyagunavignyana,
continental prakashan, Pune
(1982).
3. Pandita, K: Planta Med, 48:81
(1983).
4. Nath, D.,
5. Glasby JS. Encyclopedia of the alkaloids.
6. Rajani, M. and K. Pundarikakshudu
(1996). A note on the seasonal variation of alkaloids in Adhatoda
vasica Nees. International
Journal of Pharmacognosy 34(4): 308-309. {a} Dep. Pharmacognosy, J. J. De Chane Lab. Pvt. Ltd., Residency Road,
7. Thappa, R. K., S. G. Agarwal, et
al. (1996). Two pyrroloquinazolines from Adhatoda vasica. Phytochemistry