Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical, and Pharmacological Aspects of Hemidesmus indicus

Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. is commonly known as Indian Sarsaparilla or Anantmula. Traditionally, it has been utilised as a vital herb for the treatment of several disorders. Indian Sarsaparilla is rich in a wide range of phytoconstituents such as pregnane glycosides, steroids, terpenoids, aromatic aldehydes, lignans, saponins, flavonoids and aliphatic acids which may further contribute to its pharmacological properties. This chapter gathers and compiles the traditional ethnobotanical and ayurvedic aspects of H. indicus and recently updated knowledge regarding the pharmacology, phytochemistry, adulteration, and current trends of this medicinally important herb in the field of modern phytomedicine. It also presents the ayurvedic pharmacology of this herb and summarizes the biomedical researches in as much as it helps glean a better understanding of H. indicus safety and effectiveness in humans, and describes the various natural products and polyherbal medicines containing H. indicus.

ROLE OF ASPHOTA (HEMIDESMUS INDICUS R.BR.) KSHARASUTRA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF LOW-ANAL FISTULA

In this modern era, due to a sedentary lifestyle and improper dietary habit digestive disorder shows greater inci- dence. Among them, fistula-in-ano is troubleshooting one, which is a communicating tract between two epithelial surfaces lined by granulation tissues. Due to the higher recurrence rate and postoperative complication fistula-in- ano is a headache in the present era. In Ayurvedic classics, Ksharasutra prayoga is mentioned for the treatment of Nadi Vrana, which can be adopted in the management of anal fistula. The objective of the present study was to be evaluated the efficacy of Asphota Kshara sutra in the management of low anal fistula. The clinical trial was con- ducted in OPD and IPD of Shalyatantra department at Pankajakasthuri Ayurveda Medical College. The intervention was ligation of the fistulous tract with Asphota Ksharasutra. 25 subjects were selected satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria. The clinical assessment was done before treatment, after treatment and follow up on the 30th day after cutting through of the tract. The assessment was done based on parameters prepared for anal fistula by Paul O Madson and Peter. Pain, burning sensation, inflammation, itching, discharge and unit cutting time was statistically analysed in different periods. Outcome variables were analysed statistically by using the Friedman test and Wilcox- son signed-rank rest, and a conclusion was drawn. Pain, burning sensation, inflammation, discharge, itching was effectively managed using Asphota Ksharasutra. The unit cutting time of Aspota ksharasutra was found to be more than standard Ksharasutra. The result showed that Aspota Ksharasutra is effective in the management of low anal fistula. Keywords: Fistula-in-ano; Asphota ksharasutra.

CLINICAL EVALUATION OF THE ROLE OF SARIVA PHANTA (HEMIDESMUS INDICUS R. BR.) IN THE TREATMENT OF MADHUMEHA (DIABETES MELLITUS OR TYPE II DIABETES) WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ITS HYPOGLYCAEMIC EFFECT

Diabetes is a complex endocrine disease that affects more than 100 million of people worldwide (6% of the total population). The prevalence of Diabetes mellitus is increasing, despite multiple treatment options. Along with allopathic medications, several formulations or single forms of plant origin are employed in its treatment, especially in non-insulin dependent diabetic mellitus (NIDDM). Herbal medications are effective, broad range of action, fewer adverse effects, and are relatively inexpensive, making them a suitable alternative. The aim of this study is to investigate hypoglycaemic effect of Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus R.Br.) root phanta (teabag) in Madhumehi. The current trial is a randomised, parallel group interventional trial. After initial screening for inclusion criteria, 60 patients were enrolled and separated into 3 groups (20 patients each), which was conducted according to the International Conference on Harmonization-Good Clinical Practices Principles (ICH-GCP) or the Declaration of Helsinki guidelines and statistically analysed using the chi square test. Madhumeha had a better clinical outcome with the medication. The majority of vata-kaphaja prakriti had side effects such as constipation and nausea. Patients in the 40–50-year age group with Vataja-dosha derangement were found to be more prone to DM-2. In married mostly in males, there is a greater preponderance. Madhura, snigdha guṇa relieves vata, Tikta rasa relieves kapha, meda duṣya, sheeta virya relieves pitta; Hence it has tridoṣatmaka activity, which is beneficial in the treatment of Madhumeha. Sariva in the form of teabag has kaphaghna, vataghna, kandhughna (curing pruritus), meha durgandhi nashan, sarvamehahara properties. Thus, it collectively acts in Madhumeha.

HEMIDESMUS INDICUS (ANANTMOOL): A POTENTIAL TRADITIONAL PLANT WITH ANTIVENOM ACTIVITY

The field of Ayurvedic Science is acquiring more importance and prevalence all through the world as a result of its amazing medicinal uses. Therapeutic plants have been utilized by humankind since ancient times. According to World Health Organization, 80% of individuals depend on natural drugs for some aspect of their primary healthcare. Hemidesmus indicus (Anantmool) is a significant medicinal plant, which is described in Ayurvedic literature and current science because of the presence of its number of remedial properties. Hemidesmus indicus is locally known as Anantmool and Indian Sarsaparilla. It is an aromatic, long-rooted plant that belongs to the Apocynaceae family. The plant is widely cultivating in deciduous forests, uncultivated lands and moist hedges. The medicinal plant is used against a variety of diseases due to the presence of various phytochemicals like Hemidesmol, Resin, Glucoside, Tannin and Resin. The plant parts, roots and rhizome have been utilized for hundreds of years in Ayurvedic medication for relieving countless diseases. Many reported studies highlighted the potential pharmacological properties of H. indicus like anti-cataractous, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-cancerous, anti-diabetics, anti-venom, anti-angiogenic. The present work aims overall Ayurvedic and modern therapeutical information of Hemidesmus indicus with various reported Ayurvedic literature and scientific pharmacological studies.

Detection of adulteration of Decalepis hamiltonii Wight & Arn. with Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. by pharmacognostic, molecular DNA fingerprinting by RAPD, chemical and HPTLC studies

Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. (Apocynaceae) root is extensively used in Indian traditional systems due to its biological activities. Decalepis hemiltonii Wight & Arn. is another member from the same family resembling H. indicus and is adulterated in the herbal market. Aim of the study was to compare and evaluate the distinguishing features based on macroscopy, microscopy, powder microscopy, molecular differences in the genomic DNA by RAPD, physiochemical, phytochemical screening, TLC and HPTLC fingerprint profiling of successive extracts. Microscopically cork, cortex, phloem, xylem, medullary rays and pith; powder microscopically size and shape of the cork cells, fibre, fibre tracheids, vessels, xylem parenchyma cells were different from each other. Polymorphism (75.4 %) was found in eight primers out of 16 primers analyzed. The water soluble extractive and the hexane soluble extractive of D. hamiltonii was higher than H. indicus. Tannins, flavonoids, steroids and coumarins were present only in H. indicus and absent in D. hamiltonii. After derivatization, spots at Rf 0.88 (hexane extract), 0.81 (chloroform extract) and 0.55 (ethanol extract) in H. indicus; spots at Rf 0.22, 0.45 (chloroform extract), 0.19, 0.35, 0.58, 0.59 (ethanol extract) in D. hamiltonii were observed. This study will be helpful to find out adulteration of D. hemiltonii in place of H. indicus sold in the crude drug market and in herbal formulations.