Review Article Chauhan Khushbu et al. / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2010, 3(12),3135-3137 ISSN: 0974-6943 Available online through http://jprsolutions.info foetida Linn. As a potential medicinal : A Review Chauhan Khushbu*, Patel Anar, Patel Mayuree, Macwan Carol, Solanki Roshni, Adeshara Subodh. Faculty of Pharmacy, Dharmsinh Desai University, Nadiad-387001. Received on: 09-06-2010; Revised on: 15-08-2010; Accepted on:13-09-2010

ABSTRACT Over the past decade, herbal and ayurvedic drugs have become a subject of world importance, with both medicinal and economical implications. A regular and widespread use of herbs throughout the world has increased serious concerns over their quality, safety and efficacy. , locally known as “Gandhavadulia” (English name “skunkvine”) Fam. has a diverse pharmacological and phytochemical importance. Thus, a proper scientific evidence or assessment has become the criteria for acceptance of herbal health claims. This review article explores the traditional knowledge or claims along with pharmacognostical, phytochemical, pharmacological and future aspects of this plant. Over many centuries humans have been mining the bounties of nature for discovering new phytoconstituent that have been used for the treatment of number of diseases; many such treatments are useful even today as modern day medicine. Emerging evidence also suggests that search is still continuing for harnessing active compounds from nature in combating human illnesses and it also leads the path to search out new active natural and novel semisynthetic or synthetic compounds.

Key words: Paederia foetida, skunkvine, Rubiaceae, iridoid glycosides.

INTRODUCTION During the past decade, the indigenous or traditional system has gained impor- thickets at low and medium altitudes.[7] It is usually found in Himalayas from tance in the field of medicine. a large number populations depend on the tradi- Dehradun eastwards upto an altitude of 1800m and also in , Bihar, Orissa, tional practitioners, who are dependent on medicinal to meet their pri- and Bengal. It contains bitter taste with having foul smell. P. foetida may grow mary health care needs. Although, modern medicines are available, herbal medi- high into the trees in a variety of habitats, from mesic hammocks to xeric sand cine retained their image for historical and cultural reasons. Since the usage of hill communities, although it appears to prefer sunny floodplains and bottom- these herbal medicines has increased, issues and moto regarding their quality, lands. P. foetida can even grow under water. [8] It has been observed that P. foetida safety and efficacy in industrialized and developing countries are cropped up.[1]In occurs frequently in tree gaps, and other disturbed areas. [9] order to make sure the safe use of these medicines, a necessary first step is the reviewing the whole plant for its potential as a medicinal plant. Paederia Life History: [10] foetida, locally known as Gandhavadulia” (English name “skunkvine”) Fam. Fast-growing; shows wide-ranging adaptability to different light, soil, and salt Rubiaceae. The name derives from the distinct odor of carbon bisulphide when conditions. [10] Able to establish and grow above the frost line, though some the are crushed. In fact the name, foetida , is Latin for “stinky” leaves may turn yellow-red or drop following a freeze. Flowers and fruits mostly or “foul smelling”. The decoction of the whole plant is traditionally used in in summer and fall; seeds may be dispersed by birds. May also be spread by Ayurveda medicine for the treatment of various diseases. In Ayurveda, it is accidental transport of rooted fragments. considered as alterative, antiarthritic, antispasmodic, diaphoretic. expectorant and stomachic It is also used in asthma, bowel complaints, diarrhea, diabetes, Botanical Description: [11, 12] seminal weakness etc. The dried fruits are used. The extract is applied for A climbing, herbaceous, hairy or smooth slender vine. Perennial twining vine toothache also. [2] It also enters in to the preparation of Dasmularishta. It is also from woody rootstock; stems to 7 m (23ft) or more, climbing, or prostrate and reported to be used in gout, vesical calculi, diarrhoea, dysentery, piles, inflam- rooting at the nodes. Leaves opposite phyllotaxy (rarely in whorls of 3), ovate mation of the liver and emetic.[3,4] to oblong-ovate, 6 to 10 cm long, 3.5 to 5 cm wide, with conspicuous stipules; petioles commonly to 6 cm (2.4 in) long; blades entire, oval to linear-lan- Classification:[5] ceolate, 2-11 cm (1-4.3 in) long, hairy or glabrous, often lobed at base; leaves Kingdom: Plantae Subkingdom : Tracheobionta Superdivision: Spermatophyta and stems with disagreeable odor, especially when crushed (Figure 1 (a)). Flowers Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Subclass: Asteridae small, grayish pink or lilac, in broad or long, “leafy,” curving clusters, terminal Order: Rubiales or at axils; corolla densely hairy, tubular with 5 (usually) spreading lobes Family: Rubiaceae (Figure 1 (a)). Fruit a shiny brown, nearly globose capsule, to 0.7 cm (0.3 in) : Paederia L. Species: Paederia foetida L. wide, with 2 black, roundish seeds, these often dotted with white raphides (Figure Other Names:[6] 1(c)). Taxonomic name: Paederia foetida L. Synonyms: Paederia chinensis Hance, Paederia scandans (Lour.) Merr., Figure 1: Macroscopy of Paederia foetida Linn. Paederia tomentosa Blume, Apocynum foetium Burm. f. Local name: Biri, Berihara, Prasarini Ayurvedic name:Gandhaprasarani Common names: Chinese fever vine, skunk vine, stinkvine

Distribution: In , Paederia foetida Linn. is of medicinal value. It is widely distributed in

*Corresponding author. Khushbu R. Chauhan Faculty of Pharmacy, a. Leaves and flowers of Paederia foetida Linn. Dharmsinh Desai University, Nadiad. b. Growing over native vegetation, c. Mature fruits of Paederia foetida Linn. Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol.3.Issue 12. December 2010 3135-3137 Chauhan Khushbu et al. / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2010, 3(12),3135-3137 Figure 2: Microscopy of Paederia foetida Linn. Table 1: Proximate Analysis of dried leaves Paederia foetida Linn. Parameters Values Physical contents 11.5 Moisture (%) 10 Ash (%) 1.5 Acid insoluble (%) 1 Water soluble (%) Extractive value Alcohol (%) 21.717 Water (%) 11.5

and lower side and rest parenchyma; a large median crescent-shaped vascular bundle consisting usual elements with xylem towards upper side and phloem towards lower side (Fig.2 (d)).

PROXIMATE ANALYSIS: [13] Figure 2 (a): T S of Paederia foetida (Linn.) leaf; [T–Trichomes; M – Physico-chemical analysis and extractive value of dried leaves Paederia foetida Mesophyll; C –Collenchyma; PAR – Parenchyma; VB– Vascular Bundle; L. are given in Table 1. Preliminary qualitative chemical tests showed that plant LE – Lower Epidermis; UE –Upper Epidermis ] is credited with carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, tannins, phenolics, fla- vonoids, steroids, mucilage and saponins.

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: The major classes of chemical constituent present in this plant are iridoid glycosides, sitosterol, stigmasterol, alkaloids, carbohydrates, protein, amino acid and volatile oil.[3,4] This aromatic climbing plant is a leafy vegetable that can be eaten raw or steamed [4]. This popular plant is used as a remedy for diarrhoea and dysentery in [14] and to inhibit intestinal motility [15]. Iridiod glycosides, paederolone, paederone, paederine and paederenine were the phytochemicals identified in this plant [15]. Previous studies [16,17] also identified a number of steroids and terpenoids and 77 constituents in the volatile oils of the leaves, stems and flowers of P. foetida, some at high levels. Upon distillation, a Figure 2 (b): T S of Paederia foetida (Linn.) leaf; Lamina [M – Mesophyll; volatile oil is obtained with the offensive odor of the fresh crushed leaves two LE – Lower Epidermis; UE – Upper Epidermis] alkaloids are obtained: a- and b-Paederine. The leaves yield an indole. Leaves are rich in carotene and vitamin C.[18] Plant yields friedelan-3-1, beta-sitosterol and epifriedelinol. Leaves yield iridoid glycosides, asperuloside, paederoside and scandoside; sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol, ursolic acid, palmitic acide and methyl mercaptan. The methyl mercaptan is responsible for the foetid odor of the plant.[19]

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY:

In Folkloric it was used for rheumatism. The leaves, boiled and mashed, applied Figure 2 (c): T S of Paederia foetida (Linn.) leaf shows Trichomes. to the abdomen for urinary retention. Decoction of leaves also used for urinary retention and for urinary bladder stones. Decoction-soaked cloths applied to the forehead for fevers and taken internally at the same time. Bark decoction used as emetic. Decoction of leaves used for antirheumatic baths. Pounded leaves applied to the abdomen for flatulence. Decoction of roots for expelling gas. Fruit used for toothaches and to blacken the teeth. Decoction of whole plant used for abdominal pain, abscesses, arthritis. In many traditional therapies, used for diarrhea and dysentery. In Bangladesh, used for diarrhea. Poultice of leaves used to relieve distention and flatulence Roots and bark used as emetic, and in the treatment of piles and liver inflmmation. Fruit used for toothache. In India used for rheumatism and stiffness of the joints. Poultice of leaves applied to abdomen to relieve distention and flatulence. Juice of the root is used for piles, liver and spleen ailments. In Ayurveda, used for asthma, bowel problems, Figure 2 (d): T S of Paederia foetida (Linn.) leaf; Midribs [VB – Vascular diarrhea, diabetes, rheumatism and seminal weakness. Extract applied to tooth- Bundle; PAR – Parenchyma; P – Phloem; X – Xylem] aches.[20] Note: May be confused with the closely related, also naturalized, sewer vine, PHARACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES: P.cruddasiana Prain, but its fruits are oval, flattened, with distinctly winged • Antidiarrheal: seeds. Study showed P. foetida reduced the purging index in a dose-dependent manner in magnesium sulfate-induced diarrhea, reducing gastrointestinal motility and MICROSCOPY: [13] enhanced morphine-induced reduction of motility. Results showed PF has an- The leaf is distinctly dorsi-ventral with prominent midrib and lamina. Epider- tidiarrheal activity by inhibiting intestinal motility supporting its use in tradi- mal trichomes are sparsely seen both on the upper and lower epidermis. Meso- tional medicine.[21] phyll composed of single layered palisade cells and 3-4 layered spongy tissue; in margin of the leaf mesophyll replaced by thickwalled cells (Fig. 2 (a &b)). • Antiinflammatory: Trichomes are present on both surfaces elongate to produce uniseriate tri- Study of the butanol fraction of a methanol extract of the defatted leaves of P. chomes (Fig.2 (c)). Midribs composed of single layered epidermis covered with foetida showed significant inhibition of granulation tissue formation in cotton- cuticle; ground tissue consisting of 2-5 layered of collenchyma towards upper pellet implanted rats, decreased liver aspartate transaminase activity and pres-

Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol.3.Issue 12. December 2010 3135-3137 Chauhan Khushbu et al. / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2010, 3(12),3135-3137 ence of disease-modifying antirheumatic activity. Resuts showed some rationale REFERENCE: for its ethnomedical anti-inflammatory use. [22] 1. WHO, 1999. WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants. Vol. 1, World Health Organization, • Antispasmodic: Geneva. 2. Ashok Kumar Panda, Medicinal plants of in Ayurvedic practice; 4th edition, Vol-I, Sahel Ethanolic extract exhibited antispasmodic activity on isolated guinea-pig ileum. International, pg no 5, 1987 [21]3. Blatter E, Caius JF, et. al. (1981), Indian Medicinal Plants. Vol. II 1297-1299. • Anthelmintic: 4. Indian Materia Medica (2002). (Nandkoni KMed). Bombay Popular Prakashan, Mumbai. 892. 5. ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System), 2005. Online Database Paederia foetida Juice of leaves showed potent anthelmintic effect against bovine helminths– 6. 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Source of support: Nil, Conflict of interest: None Declared

Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol.3.Issue 12. December 2010 3135-3137