Review Article International Ayurvedic Medical Journal ISSN:2320 5091

SEMECARPUS ANACARDIUM: A REVIEW Mansoria Poornima Sharma Anita Gothecha Vinod Kumar Dept. of P.G.studies in Agad Tantra, N.I.A. Jaipur Rajasthan

ABSTRACT Semecarpus anacardium is commonly known as BHALLATAK. It has been used since hundred of years in Indian system of medicine(Ayurveda).It has lots of medicinal property due to various chemical compounds, which are present in it, like bhilawanol, biflavonoids, phenolic compounds etc. The present review deals with the description, chemical composition, pharmacological ac- tivities of Semecarpus anacardium.. Key words: Bhallataka, Semecarpus anacardium

INTRODUCTION plant has been claimed as “HAIF PHYSI- Semecarpus anacardium is a well known CIAN”, in Ayurveda. medicinal plant in Ayurvedic medicine.It is Recent reports from all over the world re- one of the most powerful and fast acting veals several scientific studies have been Ayurvedic herbs. It is used extensively in conducted on S.anacardium to evaluate its piles,skin diseases,etc. Since it is very hot in medicinal value. The present review summa- potency,it is used only after purification rizes its description procedures. In Sanskrit commonly known ,phytochemistry,therapeutic activity, phar- as, Bhallatakah,aruskarah;bhela,bhilva in macological activity. hindi;goddugeru,karigeri, bhallika in kan- nada; ceru,allakkuceru in Malaya- PLANT DESCRIPTION It is a medium sized to large tree,15-25m in lam;senkottai,erimugi in tamil; bhal- [1] height with a grey bark exfoliating in small latamu,jidi in telugu. irregular flakes. Leaves are simple, alternate, Semecarpus anacardium Linn. (Family: obviate oblong, rounded at the apex, Anacardiaceae) is distributed in sub-Hima- coriaceous, glabrous above and more or less layan region, tropical and central parts of pubescent beneath, main nerves 15- India. The nut is commonly known as 25pairs.Flowers are greenish white fascicled ‘marking nut’ and in the vernacular as in pubescent pedicles .Fruits are obliquely ‘Bhallataka’ or ‘Bhilwa’. It has high priority ovoid or oblong drupes and 2-5cm long. The and applicability in indigenous system of [2,3] upper portion of the fruit is cup shaped, medicine. smooth, fleshy, orange red in colour and In English commonly known as Marking nut sweet & edible when ripe. It is formed of the tree, oriental cashew, marany nut. thickened disc and accerescent calyx base. It has been well known as a medicine since The lower base which may be turned the ancient times where the fruit,gum and oil nut, consists of smooth, black shining are used for their medicinal properties; this pericarp which is thick, containing between its outer and inner laminae oblong cells full Mansoria Poornima et: al; Semecarpus Anacardium: A Review of a corrosive resinous juice. This juice is The black corrosive juice of the pericarp white when the fruit is immature, but contains a tarry oil consisting of 90percent brownish or quite black when the fruit is of an oxy-acid named anacardic acid and ripe. The nut is approximately 1”x 0.75”x 10percent of a higher, non-volatile alcohol 0.33” and weighs on an average 3.5g.[4] called cardol. Naidu isolated catechol and a Marking nut tree is similar to the cashew nut mono-hydroxyphenol which he called ‘ana- tree, in having an edible false fruit that is cardol’, besides two acids and a fixed oil orange & fleshy, like the cashew nut, the from the kernel of the nut. true fruit is black oily and bitter ,the kernels Pericarp also contains a vesicating oil of the nut are edible ,but the juice of the nut 32p.c.,soluble in ether and which blackens is highly vesicant, and has been traditionally on exposure to the air.Fruit yields 2.14p.c. used to mark cloth by washermen. The tree of ash. bark exudes a gum resin used in leprosy, CLASSICAL REFERANCE veneral infections and nervous debility, juice Ācārya Śusruta has included bhallatak (Se- from the nut is used in ascites, rheumatism, mecarpus anacardium) in, Nyagrodhādi asthma, neuralgia, epilepsy and psoriasis, as gaņa and Mustādi gaņa. well as for warts and tumours, the juice of Caraka samhita describes it in, Deepaniya- the nut was effective against epidermal car- Group of herbs that promotes digestion. cinoma, it also has some antidiabetic activ- Kushtaghna-Group of herbs that are useful ity, nut bruised and the exudates is used as in skin diseases an abortifacient and a vermifuge. Mutrasangrahaniya –Group of herbs that CHEMICAL COMPOSITION cause urine retention A variety of nut extract preparations from MEDICINAL PROPERTIES S.anacardium are effective against many RASA(taste)- diseases viz. arthritis,tumours,infections etc. Katu(pungent),Tikta(bitter),Kashaya(astrin- Understanding the mechanism of the phar- gent). macological action of S.anacardium can be GUNA(qualities)-Laghu(light to di- greatly aided by the isolation of its active gest),Snigdha(unctuous), ikshna(piercing) principle and determination of structure and Veerya- Ushna(hot in potency). function relationship.Based on this principle Vipaka- madhura(undergoes sweet taste a lot of phytopharmaceuticals from different conversion after digestion ) parts of S.anacardium have been isolated. Bhallataka Shodhana– (Purification me- The most significant components of the thod) Because it is very hot in nature, its S.anacardium are bhilawanols, phenolic mere skin contact may cause boils. To re- compounds,biflavonoids. Bhilawanol from duce its hot potency and toxicity, it is sub- fruits was shown to be a mixture of cis and jected to purification procedure. trans isomers of ursuhenol. Kernel of the nut According to Raj nighantu, Bhallataka ripe contains a small quantity of sweet oil; the seeds are taken, and put into water. Only pericarp of the fruit contains a bitter and those which sink are used for purification powerful astringent principle (which is uni- and rest are discarded. The seed is cut into versally used in India as a substitute for two and kept immersed in dry brick powder marking ink). for some time. During this time, the dry 70 www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 1; Issue 6; Nov– Dec2013 Mansoria Poornima et: al; Semecarpus Anacardium: A Review brick powder absorbs all the strong pungent nan-induced paw edema and cotton pellet oil of Bhallatak, reducing its pungency and granuloma. These results indicate the potent making it usable for medicinal purpose. antiinflammatory effect and therapeutic effi- Therapeutic uses of bhallatak— cacy of SA Linn. Nut extract against all 1. There is no Kapha imbalance disease, no phases of inflammation is comparable to that constipation, which can’t be cured by Bhal- of indomethacin.[5] Kalpaamruthaa (KA), an lataka. It improves intelligence and pro- indigenous-modified Siddha formulation, motes digestion. ¼charaka chikitsa sthana consists of SA nut milk extract and fresh &1½ dried powder of Emblica officinalis (EO) 2. Khadira seeds help to treat all skin dis- fruit along with honey. Kalpaamrutha was eases. Similarly, all hemorrhoids can be well found to be nontoxic up to the dose level of treated with Bhallataka. ¼shushruta chi- 2000 mg/kg. Further, KA has been reported kitsa sthana&6½ for its potent antioxidant analgesic, antipy- Bhallatakfruit retic and non-ulcerogenic properties. My- After ripening, it is Svadupaka rasa – sweet thilypriya et al. studied the antiinflammatory in taste, Laghu – light to digest, Kashaya – activity of SA in adjuvant-induced arthritic Astringent, Pachana – helps in digestion, rat (AIA) Snigdha (unctuous) Teekshna – piercive model with Ushna – hot, Chedana – has cutting, slicing reference to effect, Bhedi – induces purgation, Medhya – mediators of improves intelligence, vahnikara – promotes inflammation digestion, kaphavatahara -balances Kapha (lysosomal and Vata, Vranahara – induces quick wound enzymes) and healing, Udarahara – useful in ascites, its effect on proteoglycans. The activities of Kushta – useful in skin diseases, Arshahara – various enzymes and levels of plasma pro- useful in piles, Grahani – Useful in malab- tein bound carbohydrate components of gly- sorption syndrome, Gulma – Useful in ga- coproteins were determined and were found seous distention of abdomen, Shopha –Re- to be elevated in arthritic rats when com- lieves inflammation Anaha – relieves bloat- pared to control animals. [6] ing, Jwara – useful in fever, Krimi- useful in worm infestation. ANTI-ARTHRITIC EFFECT Semecar- Bhallataka seed kernel is sweet, aphrodi- pus anacardium nut milk extract was found siac, Branghani – nutritious, balances Vata to be effective against adjuvant-induced and Pitta Bark is good for hair and improves arthritis in albino Wistar rat at the dose level digestion. of 150mg/kg body weight on the basis of dose dependent study.[7] The milk extract of RECENT RESEARCHES DONE ON the nut was found to inhibit acute tuberculin ANTI INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY reaction in sensitized rats and also the pri- The ati-inflammatory effects of SA nut ex- mary phase of adjuvant arthritis.[8,9] Nut tract investigated on developing and devel- milk extract modulates reactive oxy- oped adjuvant arthritis. Semecarpus anacar- gen/nitrogen species levels and antioxidative dium significantly decreased the carragee- system in adjuvant arthritic rats. A signifi- 71 www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 1; Issue 6; Nov– Dec2013 Mansoria Poornima et: al; Semecarpus Anacardium: A Review cant increase in the levels of lipid peroxides yellow solid crystal, which was identified as (LPOs), ROS (superoxide radical, hydroxyl butein. This compound exhibited antioxidant radical, H2O2 and myeloperoxidase) and activity (IC50 values of 43.28 ± 4.34 μg/ml), RNS (nitrate + nitrite) observed in adjuvant which was comparable to rutin, taken as a arthritic animals were found to be signifi- standard.[13] cantly decreased on administration of the drug at 150 mg/kg body weight/day. Treat- ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY Alco- ment with SA recouped the altered antioxi- holic and oil extracts of S.anacardium dry dant defense components to near normal le- nuts have antimicrobial activity against vels. These evidences suggest that the SA Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacte- [14] preparations are mainly used for irregulari- ria. An Ayurvedic preparations of ties caused during arthritis and to cure arth- S.anacardium called “Bhallatakasava” was ritis.[10] Apart from this ,S.anacardium also shown to have antibacterial activity against [15]. possess a capability to modulate the accu- tetanus causing micro organism . Alco- mulation of neutrophils.[11] and brings down holic extract of dry nuts showed dose de- the increased levels of lysosomal enzymes pendant antifungal activity in vitro against in adjuvant induced arthritis rats. All these Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albi- observations indicated that S.anacardium cans. At 400mg/ml concentration, growth of nut milk extract is a good therapeutic agent both fungi were inhibited and considerable for the arthritis. reduction in size of cells,hyphae, and re- duced sporulation was also observed .[16] ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY Semecar- Anacardic acid from the nuts exhibited an- pus anacardium has been reported in various timicrobial properties.[17] Monoene and di- studies to possess potent antioxidant activ- ene bhilawanols inhibit gram positive anae- ity. investigated antioxidant activity of the robes but not gram positive anaerobes which aqueous extract of nuts of medicinal plant is probably due to lipoprotein layer which SA in AKR mouse liver during development prevents penetration of lipophilic agents like of lymphoma. Administration of the aqueous bhilawanols into the cell membranes. Bhi- extract of SA to lymphoma-transplanted lawanols are susceptible to atmospheric oxi- mouse leads to increase in the activities of dation and complex polymerization in the antioxidant enzymes, whereas LDH activity presence of oxygen which makes them una- is brought down significantly indicating a ble to inhibit aerobic bacteria.[18] decrease in carcinogenesis.[12] Sahoo et al. investigated the antioxidant activity of ethyl ANTI- CARCINOGENIC ACTIVITY acetate extract of stem bark of SA. Ethyl Semecarpus anacardium has been under in- acetate extract showed the stronger antioxi- vestigation for its antitumour properties . A dant activity (due to presence of highest to- variety of marking nut preparations had been tal phenolic content of 68.67% measured as used in clinical practice and encouraging pyrocatechol equivalent) compared to the results have been reported, particularly for other (hexane, chloroform and methanol) cancer of the oesophagus, liver, urinary [19] extracts. The isolation of the ethyl acetate bladder and leukaemia. The investigation extract of SA stem bark yielded a bright- of pericarp oil revealed its anticancer activ- 72 www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 1; Issue 6; Nov– Dec2013 Mansoria Poornima et: al; Semecarpus Anacardium: A Review ity.[20] The flavanoids present in the feeding also caused marked reduction in the S.anacardium nut have the ability to prevent numder of primary spermatocytes,secondary various cancers. [21] spermatocytes and spermatids. The number S.anacardium nut extract revealed potent of mature leydig cells was also decreasd and anticarcinogenic activity against AFB1 me- degenerating cells increasd proportionately. diated hepatocellular carcinoma. The ad- These results clearly show the anti sperma- verse effects induced by AFB1 were re- togenic activity of S.anacardium.[26] versed to near normal cells with referance to biochemical parameters and histological HYPOGLYCAEMIC ACTIVITY Etha- pattern.[22] nolic extract of dried nuts (100mg/kg) of S.anacardium oil prepared according to the S.anacardium reduced blood glucose levels Ayurvedic principle displayed strong cyto- of both normal(hypoglycaemic) and strepto- toxic activity in human leukaemia cell lines. zotocin-induced (antihyperglycaemic) di- It is surmised that this cytotoxic activity of abetic rats.The antihyperglycaemic activity S.anacardium oil in human leukaemia cells of S.anacardium was compared with tolbu- is attributed to its phenolic constituents, tamide, a sulfonylurea derivative used in di- [27] particularly biflavones. [23] abetes in diabetes mellitus. Mathivadhani et al. studied SA nut extract for inhibitory effect on human breast cancer HYPOLIPIDEMIC AND HYPOCHO- cells (T47D). Cytotoxicity analyses sug- LESTEROLEMIC ACTIVITY gested that these cells had become apoptotic. Semecarpus anacardium nut extract oil Semecarpus anacardium was discovered to fraction at adose of 1mg/100g body weight induce rapid Ca(2+) mobilization from significantly reduced serum cholesterol le- intracellular stores of T47D cell line, and its vels and increased HDL cholesterol levels in [28] cytotoxicity against T47D was well corre- the rat fed with atherogenic diet. lated with altered mitochondrial transmem- brane potential. At the molecular level, these TOXICITY changes are accompanied by decrease in Since Bhallataka is extremely hot and sharp Bcl(2) and increase in Bax, cytochrome c, in its attributes, it should be used with cau- caspases and PARP cleavage, and ultimately tion. Individuals showing allergic reactions by internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. to it should stop and avoid the usage of Taken together, our results provide unprece- Bhallataka. It should not be used in small dented evidence that SA triggers apoptotic children, very old persons, pregnant women signals in T47D cells.[24] CONTRACEP- and individuals of predominant pitta con- TIVE AGENT Narayan et al.(1985) stitution. The use of the same should be re- reported that the water extract of the aerial stricted in summer season. For its allergic part of S.anacardium exhibited a spermi- reactions like rash, itching and swelling, the cidal activity.[25] The administration of etha- antidotes used externally are coconut oil, nolic extract of S.anacardium fruit leads to rala ointment, ghee, coriander leaves pulp or spermatogenic arrest in albino rats.The sig- butter mixed with musta (Cyperus rotun- nificant reduction in the sperm motility and dus). The oily part of the nut is toxic and its density was observed. The fruit extract 73 www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 1; Issue 6; Nov– Dec2013 Mansoria Poornima et: al; Semecarpus Anacardium: A Review degree of removal is proportional to its It is concluded that Semecarpus Anacardium safety margin. is used for various medicinal properties. The TREATMENT OF OVERMEDICATION fruit and nut extract shows various activities With mild toxic symptoms it is often not ne- like an anti inflammatory, hypoglycaemic, cessary to stop the drug altogether, only a anticarcinogenic activity etc. It can be used reduction of the dose being sufficient;but if as a drug of choice for many dreaded dis- there is any great difficulty in micturition or eases but with some special precautions. any rash, S.anacardium should at once be omitted.Antidotes for the treatment of the REFERENCES toxic symptoms produced by this drug 1. Niteshwar, K., Text Book of Dravyaguna, :These are the albumen of the coconut, se- Chaukhambha Surbharti Prakashan, Vara- samum seeds, the chebulic myrabolan, and nasi. so forth. Best results are obtained by using 2. Chopra RN. 2nd ed. Calcutta: Academic the first antidote. Milky juice of the albumen Publishers; 1982. Indigenous drugs of India; of coconut, sweetened to taste, is to drunk in pp. 407–9. large quantities, and as soon as there is the 3. Khare CP. Encyclopedia of Indian me- full purgative action, the itchiness, rash etc., dicinal plants. Encyclopedia of Indian Me- disappear. Any saline purgative also serves dicinal Plants. 1982:419–21. the same purpose. The itchy parts are to be 4. Singh, M.P. and Himadri Panda, Medi- covered with lint soaked in Goulard’s lotion. cinal herbs with their formulations, Vol.II, Restrictions to be observed when taking Daya Publication House, Delhi, 2005. preparations of S.anacardium: Avoidance 5. Ramprasath VR, Shanthi P, Sachdanan- of walking in the sun of excess in sexual in- dam P. Immunomodulatory and antiinflam- tercourse of indulgence in nitrogenous foods matory effects of Semecarpus anacardium and salt and water. Plenty of ghee, milk, LINN.Nut milk extract in experimental in- starchy and saccharine foods should be flammatory conditions. Biol Pharm Bull. taken. Speedy marked benefit is the result 2006;29:693–700. of observing the restrictions. 6. Mythilypriya R, Shanthi P, Sachdanan- Contra-indications against administra- dam P. Therapeutic effect of Kalpaam- tion: Bilious temperament, haemorrhagic ruthaa, a herbal preparation on adjuvant in- diathesis, pregnancy, diarrhoea, dysentery, duced arthritis in wistar rats. Inflammo- and gastritis, also inflammatory diseases of pharmacology. 2008;16:21–35. the kidneys and chronic constipation. Toxic 7. Vijayalakshmi, T., Muthulakshmi, V. and Sachdanandam, P. 1996. Effect of the milk ex- symptoms of over medication with tract of Semecarpus anacardium nut on adjuvant S.anacardium are: High coloured and scanty arthritis - A dose dependent study in Wistar al- urine, sometimes tinged with blood, irritable bino rats. Genetical Pharmacology 27(7): 1223- and loose bowels with griping, crythomatous 1226. skin eruptions with itching and burning. 8. Satyavathi, G.V., Bajpai, H.S. and Prasad, D.N. 1968. Experimental and clinical evaluation CONCLUSION of Semecarpus anacardium Linn for its anti-in-

74 www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 1; Issue 6; Nov– Dec2013 Mansoria Poornima et: al; Semecarpus Anacardium: A Review flammatory activity, Paper presented in the First 18. Patwardan, B., Ghoo, R.B. and David, S.B. congress of seapal against rheumatism, Bombay. 1988. A new anaerobic inhibitor of herbal ori- 9. Satyavathi, G.V., Prasad, D.N., Das, P.K. and gin. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Science 5: Singh, H.D. 1969. Antiinflammatory activity of 130-132. Semecarpus anacardium Linn.-a preliminary 19. Vad, B.G. 1973. Study of complete regres- study. Indian Journal of Physiological Pharma- sion in four cases of cancer. Indian Practitioner cology 13: 37-43. 26: 253-263. 10. Ramprasath VR, Shanthi P, Sachdanan- 20. Gothoskar, S.V., Chitnis, M.P., Adwankar, dam P. Semecarpus anacardium Linn.Nut M.K. and Ranadive, K.J. 1971. Antitumour ac- milk extract, an indigenous drug prepara- tivity of SAN-AB: an extract of marking nut, tion, modulates reactive oxygen/nitrogen Semecarpus anacardium. Indian Journal of Ex- species levels and antioxidative system in perimental Biology 9: 399. 21. Tumova, L. 1995. Flavonoids in the preven- adjuvant arthritic rats. Mol Cell Biochem. tion of cancer. Ceskaslov-Farm (C2ech) 44: 18- 2005;276:97–104. 21. 11. Nada, R., Datta, U., Deodhar, S.D. and 22. Premalatha, B. and Sachdanandam, P. Sehgal, S. 1999. Neutrophil functions in Rheu- 1999a. Effect of Semecarpus anacardium nut matoid Arthritis. Indian Journal Pathology Mi- extract against aflatoxin B1-induced hepatocel- crobiology 42: 283-289. lular carcinoma. Fitoterapia 70(5): 484-492. 12. Verma N, Vinayak M. Bioscience Re- 23. Chakraborty, S., Roy, M., Amit, K., Taraph- ports Immediate Publication; 2008. p. dar, A.K. and Bhattacharya, R.K. 2004. Cyto- BSR20080035. toxic effect of root extract of Tiliacora racemosa 13. Sahoo AK, Narayanana N, Sahanaa S, and oil of Semecarpus anacardium nut in human Rajanb SS, Mukherjee PK. In vitro antioxi- tumour cells. Phytotherapy Research 18: 595- dant potential of Semecarpus Anacardium L. 600. Pharmacologyonline. 2008;3:327–35. 24. Mathivadhani P, Shanthi P, Sachdanan- 14. Nair, A. and Bhide, S.V. 1996. Antimicro- dam P. Apoptotic effect of Semecarpus ana- bial properties of different parts of Semecarpus cardium nut extract on T47D breast cancer anacardium. Indian Drugs 33: 323-8. cell line. Cell Biol Int. 2007;31:1198–206. 15. Kulkarani, C.G., Ravetkar, S.D. and Kul- 25. Narayan, J.P., John, M.S., Ghosh, P.K., karni, P.N. 1995. Antibacterial properties of Singh, J.N., Jha, O.P. and Jha, I.S. 1985. ayurvedic prepartions “Bhallatakasava” and Screening of some medicinal plants for sperma- “Sukshma Triphala”, Deerghayu International tostatic and spermicidal properties. Proceedings 11: 3-5. of symposium on phytochemistry and Botanical 16. Sharma, K., Shukla, S.D., Mehta, P. and Classification CBS publishers and Distributors Bhatnagar, M. 2002. Fungistatic activity of Se- Pvt. Ltd. Delhi, India.pp. 211-216. mecarpus anacardium Linn. nut extract. Indian 26. Sharma, A., Verma, P.K. and Dixit, V.P. Journal of Experimental Biology 40(3): 314- 2003. Effect of Semecarpus anacardium fruits on 318. reproductive function of male albino rats. Asian 17. Chattopadhyaya, M.K. and Khare, R.L. Journal of Andrology 5(2): 121-124. 1969a. Isolation of anacardic acid from Seme- 27. Arul, B., Kothai, R. and Christina, A.J. 2004. carpus anacardium L. and study of its anthel- Hypoglycaemic and antihyperglycaemic effect mentic activity. Indian Journal of Pharmacy 31: of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. in normal and 104-107. streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Methods in

75 www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 1; Issue 6; Nov– Dec2013 Mansoria Poornima et: al; Semecarpus Anacardium: A Review Experimental Clinical Pharmacology 26(10): 759. CORRESPONDING AUTHOR 28. Tripathi, Y.B. and Pandey, R.S. 2004. Se- Dr. Poornima Mansoria mecarpus anacardium L, nuts inhibit lipopoly- PG Scholar, Dep’t of Agad Tantra, National saccharide induced NO production in rat macro- Institute of Ayurveda Jaipur-Rajasthan, phages along with its hypolipidemic property. India Indian Journal of Experimental Biology 42(4): 432-436.

76 www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 1; Issue 6; Nov– Dec2013