Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2017) 6(11): 1215-1223

International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 6 Number 11 (2017) pp. 1215-1223 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com

Review Article https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2017.611.144

Pharmacological Profile of racemosus: A Review

Pooja Shaha and Anurag Bellankimath*

Department of Biotechnology, Basaveshwar Engineering College, Bagalkot- 587102, Karnataka, *Corresponding author

ABSTRACT

Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari) is a useful traditional medicinal , found to be grown K e yw or ds throughout the tropical and subtropical parts of India. Today it is a widespread belief on

Shatavari, Medicinal the percentage of the general public that natural substances are inherently superior to man- plant, Morphology, made substances and have run a mainstream role in the wellness maintenance system for Pharmacological the prevention of diseases. The major bioactive constituents which impart the medicinal profile. value of the herb are a group of steroidal saponins, sarsasapogenins, flavonoids, Article Info kaempferol, quercetin, rutin and polyphenols. The tuberous roots of this herbaceous plant are widely applied in the pharmaceutical as well as on biotechnological scale, in Accepted: preparation of various herbal preparations because it possesses outstanding potential, and 12 September 2017 defence system. It is used in almost 67 Ayurvedic preparations and commonly referred as Available Online: ‗Rasayana‘ in Ayurveda due to itsformulations medicinal uses. This review deals with the A. 10 November 2017 racemosus, and its bioactive constituents that impart medicinal value to the herb.

Introduction

Asparagus racemosus is an important containing Asparagus racemosus are used to medicinal plant of tropical and subtropical adjust the menstrual irregularities by India. Its medicinal use has been accounted in Ayurvedic practitioner many formulations the Indian and British Pharmacopoeias and in containing Asparagus racemosus are indigenous systems of medicine. The genus presently available in the marketplace for Asparagus racemosus includes about 300 work. Therapeutic usage of the Asparagus is species around the globe. The genus is due to the phytoestrogenic components thought to be medically important because of present in it. the presence of steroid saponins and sapogenins in various parts of the plant. Out Nomenclature of the 22 species of Asparagus recorded in India; Asparagus racemosus is the single The plant Asparagus racemosus can be most commonly used in traditional medicine. classified as given in the table 1. Use of Asparagus racemosus was mentioned in the ancient literature of Ayurveda. It is Morphology used to rectify the gynecological problems like irregularities in menstrual cycle and Shatavari is a highly branched, consisting of sexual dysfunction. Even till today the thorn under shrubs. It is a woody climber 1215

Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2017) 6(11): 1215-1223 plant which is 1-2 m in distance and readily layers which are composed of small thin cell grows up a documentation or over other plant. walls and are elongated to form the root The leaves of the Shatavarilooks like cortex. The hair cortex can be split into two needles, uniform and small in size. The roots regions, namely outer cortex and inner cortex. of the plant have a finger like structure and These layers are 25-29 in number and can be are clustered in nature. It has a tiny white present either in group or as a single entity coloured while the plant itself is forming the continuous to discontinuous bittersweet in taste (Amit Chawla et al., 2011) regions in the outer regions (Nagar B. P et al., (Fig. 1). 2011). The epidermal cells are much elongated with the longitudinal orientation to Habitat axis if the organ. They likewise bear a smooth surface, rapids are also present. The vascular Racemosus shrubs contain succulent roots and bundle pattern is dispersed in nature with rows at an altitude of 1500 m above the sea great amount of xylem vessels. These are level. It is spread throughout the tropical paired and circular in nature and outline with Africa, Java, Australia, India and southern large lumen. The flora delivers a total of section of the china (Jayashree et al., 2013). twelve of these vascular bundles (Rupali Subhashrao Kaikade et al., 2015). Microscopy of Asparagus racemosus Chemical constituents Powdered microscopy Primary metabolites can be specified as the Root components which are immediately involved in normal growth and evolution, while Root is one of the main part of Asparagus secondary metabolites are the organic racemosus which is used in the compounds that are not immediately required pharmacological studies. The root tuber in its in the plant growth. The major bioactive powdered state is morphologically pale components present in the plant are steroidal yellow in colour, odourless and slight saponins. It mainly contains six components, sweetish in taste. The powder mainly consists Shatavarin I-VI, with shatavarin IV a major of the parenchyma cells with or without the glycoside being present in the roots of the inter-cellular spaces. While more or less . The structure of shatavarin IV consist amount of starch grains presented in the of two molecules of asparagus rhamnose powder, it largely consisted of the acicular along with 1 molecule of glucose and is rapids, rapid bundles and pericyclic fibres mainly found in the leaf, and roots of (Fig. 2). the plant (Amit Chawla et al., 2011).

The different extracts can be obtained from The trace elements like copper, zinc, the employment of different solvents with the manganese, cobalt, potassium, calcium and efficiency ranging from 41.25 % for alcohol selenium can also be found (Mohanta et al., extracts and 0.6 % from that of petroleum 2003), fruits and of shatavari contains ether extracts (Mahesh Kawale et al., 2014). flavanoids which are nothing but glycosides of quercetin, rutin and hyperosides (Kamat et Anatomical structure al., 2000).

The Microscopic outline of the T.S section of Kaepfrol is another component along with the plant composed of the periferous cell that of sarsapogenium which can be isolated 1216

Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2017) 6(11): 1215-1223 from the woody portions of the tuberous roots hormone level. The study shows that the oral (Choudhary et al., 1992). Some of the administration of A. racemosus led to thrice essential fatty acids like gamma linoleinic increase the level of prolactin than that of the acids, disogenin are also obtained from this control group. plant. (Shashi Alok et al., 2013). Immunomodulatory activities Pharmacological profile The use of Asparagus racemosus dried root Gastrointestinal effects powder modulates the action of the immune system. That in turn, decreases the The powdered dried roots of Asparagus inflammatory response. It induces the racemosus promote gastric emptying in immune system to fight against immune healthy volunteers and its action comparable deficiencies (like AIDS), infections and with that of the synthetic dopamine antagonist cancer. It may be helpful in obtaining higher metoclopramide (Dalvi et al., 1990).It has protective antibody against different been reported that A. racemosus along with vaccinations including more effective cell Terminalia chebulaprotect gastric mucosa mediated immune response for protection against pentagastrin and carbachol induced against various bacterial, viral, and other ulcers, by significantly reducing both severity diseases. Several workers has studied the of ulceration and ulcer index (Dahanukar et effect of Asparagus racemosus root extract in al., 1983). augmentation of humoral and cell mediated immune response providing better protection Shatavari is primarily known to ease the pain level against infections (Akansha Singh et al., and burning sensation as well as other 2014). dyspeptic symptoms due to the ulcers. Since it does not have any antacids or anti-secretory Anticancer activity properties, the observed mild acid secretion can be ascribable to the changes in gastric Natural products have long been used for mucosa (Singh et al., 1983). treatment against cancer. There are at least 10000 species of plants, documented to have Galactagogue effect anti-cancerous properties. As described by Shankar et.al the isolated shatavarin IV along Alcoholic extract of Asparagus racemosus with AR-2B containing 5.05% shatavarin IV have a significant effect on lactating mother showed potent cytotoxicity. It showed to increase milk production and have been increase in non-viable cell count when observed along with increased growth of the compared to untreated mice of group in the mammary gland alveolar tissue and acini. The study (Chitme et al., 2009). Hence from growth of lobuloavelar tissue and milk various in vitro and in vivo models it can be secretion in the estrogenic primed rats was concluded that the root extract of the plant thought to be due to the action of released which contains shatavari IV fraction exhibits corticoids or prolactin (Amit Chawla et al., significant activity against cancer cells. 2011) (Fig. 3). The galactagogue effect has also been studied in buffalo as described by Cardiovascular effects Patel et al., (Patel et al., 1969). As described by Akansha Singh et al., the effect was Increase in serum lipid levels especially evaluated in 60 lactating mothers by cholesterol along with the generation of measuring the change in the prolactin reactive oxygen species are the major reasons 1217

Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2017) 6(11): 1215-1223 for development of coronary artery disease substantial burden on companies worldwide. and atherosclerosis ‗Abana‘ a herbo-mineral In such circumstances, herbal medicines for formulation containing 10mg Asparagus the treatment of diabetes become significant. racemosus extract per tablet, as found to have Asparagus racemosus roots have been significant hypocholerolacemic effect in rats reported to reduce blood glucose level in rats, and therefore established a potential for use as and rabbits. Asparagus racemosus root extract a cardio-protective agent. causes a wide ranging stimulatory effect on physiological insulinotropic pathways (Fuller The Asparagus racemosus root powder et al., 1983). supplements decreased lipid peroxidation and causes a dose-dependent reduction in lipid Antioxidant action profiles. The total lipids, total lipids, total cholesterol and triglycerides in plasma and Antioxidants are the moieties which are liver as well as plasma LDL (low density involved in the prevention of cell damage, lipoprotein) and VLDL (very low density common pathway for many diseases. As lipoprotein) cholesterol decrease. Through it given by Aarati K the Methanolic extract of can be hypothesized that the the root possess significant anti-oxidant hypocholesteremia is alleviated by decreasing properties when administered through the oral and increasing conversion of endogenous method. cholesterol to bile acid (Shankar K. Mitra et al., 2012). The levels of enzymes like superoxidase dismutase, catalase and ascorbic acid increase Immunological activity with significant reduction in the lipid peroxidation. The antioxidant properties were The use of Asparagus racemosus dried root mainly exhibited due to the presence of powder modulates the activity of immune Isoflavons (Wiboonpun et al., 2004). system. That in turn, decreases the inflammatory response. It induces the Antiulcer effect immune system to fight against immune deficiencies (like AIDS), infections and Ulcer is one of the burning problems in cancer. developing and even developed countries. It is induced due to imbalance among aggressive It may be helpful in obtaining higher factors, especially gastric acid and pepsin, and protective antibody against different protecting factors including gastric mucosa, vaccinations including more effective cell bicarbonate and prostaglandin. mediated immune response for protection against various bacterial, viral, and other Asparagus racemosus is an effective diseases. Several workers has studied the antiulcerogeneric agent whose activity can effect of Asparagus racemosus root extract in easily be compared with that of ranitidine augmentation of humoral and cell mediated hydrochloride Asparagus racemosus causes immune response providing better protection an inhibitory effect on release of gastric level against infections (Khanna et al., 1991). hydrochloric acid, and protects gastric mucosal damage. Hence the roots of the Antidiabetic effect Shatavari plant in the form of powder can be administered to chronic ulcer patients along Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major reason of with other patients (Anil Mangal et al., 2004). disability and hospitalization that parents a 1218

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Fig.1a Shatavari plant Fig.1b Closeup on flowers

Fig.2 Powdered form of root, A – Vascular Elements, B - Tracheids fragments, C - Acicular Raphides and Raphide Bundles, D - Vessel elements, E - Starch grains

Fig.3 1 – Asparagus racemosus gonoclados habit, 2 - Fresh drug (root tubers), 3 - T.S of root tuber, 4 - Portion showing exodermis and cortex, 5 - portion showing stellar region, 6 - Stele enlarged, 7&8 - Portion showing cortex, raphide bundle and sap cell content, 9 to 23 - Macerate, 9 - Portion showing piliferous layer with root hairs, 10 - Unicellular root hair, 11 to14 - Parenchyma cells, 15 to 17 - Pitted parenchyma, 18- Aseptate fibre, 19- Septate fiber,20 - Tracheid, 21 to 23 – Vessels

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Fig.4 Satavarin I Fig.5 Sarasasapogenin

Table.1 Nomenclature of Asparagus racemosus

Kingdom Plantae Clade Angiosperms Clade Monocots Order Family Sub family Genus Asparagus Species Aracemos

Antidiarrhoeal effect respiratory tract infection, exhibiting the antitussive properties. In the experimental Diarrhoea can be classified as one of the setup by Akansha Singh and Sinha (2014) the major problems faced mainly in the methanol extract of the roots showed activity developing countries with an estimated death against sulphur induced cough in mice which rate of 2.2 million people globally, mainly in was likened to the codeine phosphate, a drug the developing countries. The fatal cases can obtained from opium. be mainly seen in the children with the 5 years of age (Nishritha Bopana et al., 2007). Hence this extract can be used against the The ethanol and aqueous extracts of roots of opium based drugs, since there are no side A. racemosus exhibited a significant anti- effects like nausea, sweating, tiredness which diarrhoeal activity against the castor oil can be observed by use of codeine phosphate induced diarrhoea in the rats as described by associated drugs. the Venkatesan et al., (2005). Studies have shown that the action of ―prostaglandin E‖ Aphrodisiac activity caused the diarrhoea in the test subjects, hence it can be said that the action of this can Lyophilized aqueous extracts roots of be to prevent the biosynthesis of Asparagus racemosus have sexual behavioral prostaglandin which in turn inhibits the effect in male albino rats. Administration of diarrhoeal effect. the aqueous extracts has pronounced anabolic effect in treated animals as evidenced by Antitussive effect weight gains in body and reproductive organs. There was a significant variation in the sexual A. racemosus has been commonly used in the behaviour of animals as reflected by reduction treatment of cough and in minor upper of mount latency ejaculation latency, post

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Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2017) 6(11): 1215-1223 ejaculatory latency, intromission latency dependable alternative to synthetic steroidal (Mayank Thakur et al., 2004). hormones. Asparagus racemosus being known sources of phytoestrogen can be Anti-dyspepsia effect effective in reducing adverse menopausal symptoms (The chemical entities from plants Dyspepsia is the condition characterised by which mimic hormone are called the inability to digest, commonly stated as phytoestrogens). These are weaker than impaired digestion which is frequently natural estrogen in action (Aarti, 2015). associated with the gastritis. In small minority it can as well be the first symptom for gastric Various studies have been conducted on A. ulcer and cancer. As recorded by David S S, racemosus. Shatavari is a very important et.al the activity was analysed in the healthy medicinal plant, which can be applied in human volunteers. The Shatavari was different phases of medicament which is compared with that of Metoclopramide, demonstrated by its function in the traditional which is a synthetic dopamine used in patients practices as well as several modern works. with dyspepsia to increase the rate of Several experiments have been taken away to emptying of the abdomen. Hence it was found explore the pharmacological activities and the that the rate of emptying did not differ potential applications of the plant in the significantly. It can be reasoned that the pharmaceutical industries are countless. extract can be utilised for the treatment and Hence, further detailed and systematic study the side effects from the use of must be taken out, which can provide better metoclopramide like drowsiness can be knowledge and understanding the averted (Dalvi et al., 1990). pharmacological importance of this plant.

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How to cite this article:

Pooja Shaha and Anurag Bellankimath. 2017. Pharmacological Profile of Asparagus racemosus: A Review. Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci. 6(11): 1215-1223. doi: https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2017.611.144

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