Shatavari - Asparagus racemosus

Common Names Shatavari (Sanskrit), Constituents Satavari (Hindi), wild • steroidal saponins, known as shatavarins asparagus, asparagus bush I- IV. Shatavarin I is the major glycosid4 Part Used Root • isoflavones including 8-methoxy-5,6,4'- trihydroxyisoflavone 7-O-beta-D- Description glucopyranoside5 Shatavari is a woody climber growing to 1-2 m • asparagamine, a polycyclic alkaloid6 in length. The leaves are like pine-needles, • racemosol, a cyclic hydrocarbon (9,10- small and uniform. The inflorescence has tiny dihydrophenanthrene)7 white flowers, in small spikes. The roots are finger-like and clustered.1 The plant, of the • polysaccharides, mucilage Liliaceae family, is common at low altitudes in shade and in tropical climates throughout Scientific studies India,2 Asia, Australia and Africa. Shatavari is recommended in Ayurvedic texts Adaptogenic Activity for prevention and treatment of gastric ulcers, Six rasayana plants from Ayurveda, has been dyspepsia and as a galactogogue studied for their adaptogenic potential. The Shatavari means ‘who possesses a hundred whole, aqueous, standardized extracts of husbands’. It is considered both a general tonic selected plants (Tinospora cordifolia, and a female reproductive tonic. Shatavari is Asparagus racemosus, Emblica officinalis, the main Ayurvedic rejuvenative tonic for the Withania somnifera, Piper longum and female, as is Withania for the male. Shatavari is Terminalia chebula) were administered orally however, used for sexual debility and infertility to experimental animals, in a dose extrapolated in both sexes. It is also used for menopausal from the human dose, after which they were 3 exposed to a variety of biological, physical and symptoms and to increase lactation.2, chemical stressors. Due to its traditional usage and the fact that it The plant extracts were found to protect contains steroidal saponins, shatavari is fast against the stressors, as measured by markers of becoming a popular alternative to false unicorn stress responses and objective parameters for root. stress manifestations. Shatavari is a soothing and antispasmodic Using a model of cisplatin induced alterations diuretic (although the Western Asparagus root, in gastrointestinal motility, the ability of the A. officinalis, is a stronger diuretic). It is used plants to exert a normalizing effect, irrespective wherever increased flow of urine is desirable, of direction of pathological change was tested. such as fluid retention and urinary infections. All the plants reversed the effects of cisplatin The diuretic and cleansing activities of the roots on gastric emptying, while Asparagus are of benefit in the treatment of rheumatic racemosus also normalized cisplatin-induced pain. intestinal hypermotility. All the plant drugs It is a sweet and bitter herb which is said to be were found to be safe in both acute and particularly balancing to Pitta Dosha. subacute toxicity studies. Studies on the Recent research has shown it to be an mechanisms of action of the plants revealed that immunomodulator with antioxidant, healing they all produced immunostimulation.8 and adaptogenic properties.

 Michael Thomsen & Phytomedicine A traditional Ayurvedic formulation, Siotone, a hypertrophied muscular wall, whereas the ovary rasayana formulation with adaptogenic revealed no effect of the drug. The results properties contains Withania somnifera, suggest an oestrogenic effect of Shatavari on Ocimum sanctum, Asparagus racemosus, the female mammary gland and genital Tribulus terristris and shilajit (a mineral-rich, organs.11 composted plant exudate scraped off rocks). All Further, a glycoside, Shatavarin I, isolated from ingredients are classified in Ayurveda as the root of A. racemosus has been found to be rasayanas which are reputed to promote responsible for the competitive block of physical and mental health, improve defense oxytocin-induced contraction of rat, guinea pig mechanisms of the body and enhance longevity. and rabbit's uteri, in vitro as well as in vivo.[21] An in vivo study has shown that Siotone improved glucose tolerance, libido, depression, Antioxytocic Activity cognitive dysfunction and immunosupression The saponin rich fraction was shown to have caused by chronic stress.9 antioxytocic activity. The saponin inhibited oxytocin-induced uterine contractions in vivo.12 Hormonal Activity Pure 9,1 0-dihydrophenanthrene has been shown Galactogogue to interact with androgen receptors and may Extract of shatavari has been shown to increase therefore inhibit androgen-dependent prostatic both the weight of mammary lobulo-aveolar growth.10 Shatavarins, the steroidal saponins, tissue and the milk yield. This effect was may be responsible for the hormonal like effect attributed to the action of released of shatavari and explain its traditional use as a corticosteroids or an increase in prolactin.1 reproductive tonic. Shatavari has been found to stimulate milk 13 Experimental studies have shown that shatavari production in buffaloes. The galactogenic 14 may have oestrogenic effects on breast tissue effect has been confirmed by a clinical trial. and genital organs in female rats. An alcoholic extract of the shatavari rhizome was Antibacterial Activity administered orally to adult pregnant female Different concentrations (50, 100, 150 mcg/mL) albino rats at a dose of 30 mg/100 g body of the methanol extract of the roots of weight, daily for 15 days (days 1-15 of Asparagus racemosus showed considerable in gestation). The macroscopic findings vitro antibacterial efficacy against Escherichia revealed a prominence of the mammary glands, coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella sonnei, a dilated vaginal opening and a transversely Shigella flexneri, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella situated uterine horn in the treated group of typhi, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas animals. The weight of the uterine horns of the putida, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus treated group was found to be significantly aureus. The effects produced by the methanol 15 higher (p < 0.001) but the length was shorter (p extract were compared with chloramphenicol. > 0.01). Microscopic examination of the treated The antimicrobial activity may be due to 9,10- 16 group showed proliferation in the lumen of the Dihydrophenanthrene. duct of mammary gland. It was obliterated due to hypertrophy of ductal and glandular cells. Immunological Activity Hyperplasia of the glandular and muscular Shatavari is an immunomodulator. Animal tissue and hypertrophy of the glandular cells studies found that shatavari is capable of were observed in the genital organs. The producing leucocytosis with neutrophilia and, parenchyma of the genital organs showed furthermore, was able to prevent abundant glycogen granules with dilated blood myelosuppression by reducing vessels and thickening of the epithelial lining. cyclophosphamide-induced leucopenia.17 The oviduct in the treated group showed

 Michael Thomsen & Phytomedicine Shatavari has also been shown to inhibit drug examined in rat liver mitochondria. An extract induced mammary carcinogenesis.18 of shatavari was shown in vitro to have potent The hypothesis that macrophages play a pivotal antioxidant properties in mitochondrial role in the development of intraperitoneal membranes of the rat liver. Both the crude adhesions and that modulation of macrophage extract as well as a polysaccharide-rich fraction activity, therefore, may prevent adhesions, was significantly inhibited lipid peroxidation and tested in an Indian study.19 The effects of protein oxidation. Both fractions also partly shatavari was evaluated in an animal model of protected against radiation-induced loss of protein thiols and inactivation of superoxide intraperitoneal adhesions. Shatavari reduced the 23 severity of the adhesions and this correlated dismutase. with a significant increase in the activity of the macrophages. Cytoprotective & neuroprotective effects An vitro study found that shatavari increased Oral pretreatment with Asparagus racemosus 20 (200 mg/kg/day) was found to protect against phagocytic activity of macrophages while an 24 in vivo study found that Asparagus racemosus, chemical induced gastric damage in rats. Tinospora cordifolia, Withania somnifera and Pretreatment with shatavari has also been Picrorhiza kurrooa inhibited drug-induced shown to reduce drug induced lung fibrosis. suppression of chemotactic activity and Bleomycin increases the hydroxyproline production of interleukin- 1 and TNF-alpha by content of lung tissue causing intra-alveolar macropahges.21 fibrosis and deranged alveolar architecture. Oral administration of an aqueous root extract Shatavari significantly (p<0.001) the bleomycin (100 mg/kg per day for 15 days) to animals induced lung fibrosis. These protective effects were associated with a significant increase in immunised with diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis 8 (DTP) vaccine resulted in significant increase alveolar macrophage activity. (p = 0.0052) in antibody titers to Bordtella Shatavari has also been shown to reduce pertussis as compared to untreated (control) alcohol induced damage to the gastric mucosa. animals. Immunised animals (treated and Pretreatment for seven days caused a 70% 8 untreated) were challenged with B. pertussis reduction in the ulcer index. and the animals were observed for 14 days. The A study has compared the antiulcer and treated animals showed a significant increase in antisecretory activity of shatavari and withania antibody titers as compared to untreated root extracts with a standard drug, ranitidine, in animals after challenge (p = 0.002). various models of gastric ulcer in rats. Immunoprotection against intra-cerebral Ulcers were induced by the indomethacin challenge of live B. pertussis cells was (N SAID) and swim (restraint) stress treatment. evaluated based on degree of sickness, paralysis Results demonstrated that shatavari as well as and subsequent death. Reduced mortality withania methanolic extract (100 mg/kg per accompanied with overall improved health day) given orally for 15 days significantly status was observed in treated animals after reduced the ulcer index, volume of gastric intra-cerebral challenge of B. pertussis secretion, free acidity and total acidity. A indicating that shatavari promoted a protective significant increase in the total carbohydrate immune response. This study suggest that and total carbohydrate/protein ratio was also shatavari is a potential immunomodulator observed. Study also suggest that the herbs which may be used to reduce morbidity increase the antioxidant defence, as indicated 22 associated with vaccinations. by increases in the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase and ascorbic Antioxidant Activity acid, with a concomitant and significant Membrane damage induced by free radicals decrease in lipid peroxidation. Shatavari was generated during gamma-radiation were more effective in reducing gastric ulcer in

 Michael Thomsen & Phytomedicine indomethacin-treated gastric ulcerative rats, Diuretic Activity whereas withania was effective in stress- Shatavari has been shown to inhibit antidiuretic induced gastric ulcer. Results obtained for both hormone (ADH).12 herbal drugs were comparable to those of the 25 standard drug ranitidine. Antitussive Activity Excitotoxicity and oxidative stress are the The methanol extract of Asparagus racemosus major mechanisms of neuronal cell death in root (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) showed neurodegenerative disorders that occurs in both significant antitussive activity on sulfur Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Reactive dioxide-induced cough in mice, the cough oxygen species (ROS) that are generated inhibition (40.0 and 58.5%, respectively) being extracellularly and intracellularly by various comparable to that of 10-20 mg/kg of codeine mechanisms are among the major risk factors phosphate (36.0 and 55.4%, respectively).28 that initiate and promote neurodegeneration. Shatavari has been shown in experimental Digestive and Anti-diarrhoeal Activity designs to be protective against kainic acid- Shatavari is used in Ayurveda for dyspepsia induced hippocampal and striatal neuronal (amlapitta) and it has been shown to improve damage. The impairment of hippocampus and digestion by increasing the levels of amylase striatal regions of brain was marked by an and lipase.29 An Indian study with eight healthy increase in lipid peroxidation and protein male volunteers compared shatavari with the carbonyl content and decline in glutathione drug metoclopramide, which is used in peroxidase activity and reduced glutathione dyspepsia to reduce gastric emptying time. content. Shatavari supplementation improved Metoclopramide and shatavari did not differ the glutathione peroxidase activity and significantly in their effects. It was found that glutathione content and reduced the membrane 26 shatavari reduced gastric emptying time by lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl. 37% (p<0.001).30

Anti-lithic effect Shatavari has been used traditionally in Ayurveda for the treatment of diarrhoea and Shatavari has been shown to reduce urinary dysentery. Experimental animal studies have stone formation in rats. An ethanol extract of shown that both water and ethanol extracts of shatavari was evaluated for its inhibitory shatavari (200 mg/kg) may significantly (p< potential on lithiasis (stone formation), induced 0.05) inhibit castor oil induced diarrhoea and by oral administration of 0.7 5% ethylene PGE2 induced enteropooling (excessive glycolated water to adult male albino Wistar secretion of water and electrolytes). Both rats for 28 days. The ionic chemistry of urine extracts also showed significant (p < 0.001) was altered by ethylene glycol, which elevated reduction in gastrointestinal motility in a the urinary concentration of calcium, oxalate charcoal meal test in rats. These tests suggest and phosphate ions, thereby leading to renal that shatavari may be an effective remedy for stone formation. The ethanol extract, however, diarrhoea.31 significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the elevated level of these ions in urine. Furthermore, Toxicity shatavari elevated the urinary concentration of magnesium, which is considered to be one of The LD50 is >1g/kg. No toxic effects or the inhibitors of crystallization. The high serum mortality were observed with doses ranging creatinine level observed in the ethylene glycol- from 50mg/kg to 1g/kg for four weeks. Acute treated rats was also reduced, following and subacute (15-30 days administration) treatment with the shatavari extract. The toxicity studies did not detect any changes in histopathological findings also showed signs of vital organ function tests. improvement after treatment with the extract.27

 Michael Thomsen & Phytomedicine

Actions References Adaptogen, antitussive, antioxidant, 1. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Swami Prakashananda antibacterial, immunomodulator, digestive, Ayurveda Research Centre. Selected Medicinal Plants cytoprotective, galactogogue, anti-oxytocic, of India. Bombay: Chemexcil, 1992. antispasmodic, antidiarrhoeal, antiulcerogenic, 2. Thakur RS, Puri HS Husain A. Major Medicinal Plants oestrogen modulator. of India. 78-81. 89. Lucknow, Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. Indications 3. Frawley D, Lad V. The Yoga of Herbs. 183-184. 86. • Stress, fatigue, general weakness Santa Fee, Lotus Press.

• Chronic disease, prevention of adhesions, 4. Joshi J DS. Chemistry of ayurvedic crude drugs: Part cancer VIII: Shatavari: 2. Structure elucidation of bioactive shatavarin I and other glycosides. 27(1): 12-16. Indian • Cough Journal Of Chemistry Section B Organic Chemistry • Fluid retention 5. Including Medicinal Chemistry 1988;27:12-6. • Inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts including 6. Saxena VK,.Chourasia S. A new isoflavone from the cystitis, gastritis, diarrhoea and roots of Asparagus racemosus. Fitoterapia 2001;72:307- gastrointestinal ulceration. 9. 7. Sekine TIFFNal. Structure and relative stereochemistry • Prevention of urinary stones of a new polycyclic alkaloid, sparagamine a, showing • Sexual debility and infertility; insufficient anti-oxytocin activity, isolated from Asparagus lactation, menopausal symptoms. racemosus. Journal of Chemical Society 1995;Perkin Trans 1:391-3. • Threatened miscarriage. • As an alternative to False Unicorn Root. 8. Sekine TFNMIaRN . Racemosol, a 9,10- Dihydrophenanthrene from Asparagus racemosus. • General antioxidant, neuroprotection Phytochemistry 1997;44:763-4.

Contraindications 9. Rege NN, Thatte UM, Dahanukar SA. Adaptogenic properties of six rasayana herbs used in Ayurvedic medicine. Phytother Res 1999;13:275-91. Use with caution in pregnancy. 9. Bhattacharya SK, Bhattacharya A, Chakrabarti A. Adaptogenic activity of Siotone, a polyherbal Dosage formulation of Ayurvedic rasayanas. Indian J Exp Bio 1:2 root extract in 25% alcohol: 30-60 mL per week

 Michael Thomsen & Phytomedicine \

 Michael Thomsen & Phytomedicine