Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences Vol. 41(2), April 2012, pp. 121-123

Siddha marine drug Palagarai (Cypraea moneta Linn.) - A review

Mubarak1 H.* & G.Masilamani2 Siddha Regional Research Institute, Puducherry – 605 013, India *[E-mail: [email protected]] Received 18 February 2011; revised 24 August 2011

Considerable marine resources are contributing to the pharmaceutics of Siddha Medicine. Among them formulations prepared out of Palagarai (Cypraea moneta Linn.) are the choice of drug for many indications in Siddha medical practice. Literatures of ancient science and current available materials are reviewed to highlight the importance of Palagarai. This information may serve as an evidence to establish current research in traditional medical systems.

[Keywords: Palagarai, Parpam, Siddha, Minerals]

Introduction Base is compressed with a cleft in the centre which Siddha medical practice one of the ancient runs longitudinally, toothed on both sides and traditional systems practiced predominantly in channelled. The size varies up to 44 mm in length, southern part of India. Siddha pharmaceutics typically about 20 mm (Fig. 1). Literatures say its taste comprises of medicinal plants, minerals and materials is bitter in nature and potency is hot. It has actions obtained from origin1. Palagarai (Cypraea like sedative, expectorant, anti-pyretic, rubefacient moneta Linn.) is one among the five marine resources (external application)3,9. Table 2 shows the mineral mentioned in Siddha literatures (Kadalpadu composition of perforated (mg/100g)4. Dravyangal). Preparations prepared out of Palagarai (english name ) are the choice of drug for Evidences in Siddha literature many indications like liver disorders, lung diseases “manniya kavadi sogi varadiye palagaraip per” etc. in Siddha medical practice2. In the present A book named Nigandu verse indicates the variety scenario, scientific validation and clinical evaluation of names given to Palagarai. They are Kavadi, Sogi, in traditional medical systems are needed to bridge Varaadi, and Palagarai2. between traditional and contemporary science to “sogiya malathaale yulagingache sorvara nee reassure the facts said in the ancient literature. In ariyappa” order to distinguish the medicinal values of Palagarai, The above said verse mentioned in Konganar this literary review has been undertaken. kurunthirattu indicates the value of Palagarai2. “….kavadi venmai yanubanap padiyalithu Description about Palagarai nilaikachethe” It is found in the sea. It lives on rocky ground The above said poem coded in the book named particularly in and around coral reefs. It is found in Maapuranam says the therapeutic usage of Palagarai sea mainly in Indian and Pacific oceans. Table 1 Table 1—Showing languages and common names shows the names given in different Indian languages. Shell-Good shells are in yellow in colour, convolute Tamil Name Palagarai Sanskrit Name Varatika,Varataka and possess circular lines on the dorsal side oblong English Name Cowry, Porcelaneous shells oval shape varying in size from a tamarind seed Hindi Cowrie, Sipi to an almond and approximately 6 g in weight. It Urudu Kauri is collected from the animal by removing its Guj. Codi fleshy part. The upper surface is smooth, shiny Bengali Beya Family Pilidae and convex. Cypraea ——————— Species moneta *Corresponding author Zoological Name Cypraea moneta Linn. 122 INDIAN J. MAR. SCI., VOL. 41, NO. 2, APRIL 2012

high content of calcium confirms its medicinal role in bone formation. Sodium is an extracellular cation involved in the regulation of plasma volume, acid- base balance, nerve and muscle contraction. Iron plays crucial roles in haemopoiesis, control of infection and cell mediated immunity4.

Palagarai Parpam A white oxide (parpam) of Palagarai is prepared to treat certain pathological conditions in Siddha medical practice. Palagarai Parpam is pungently bitter, also alterative and expectorant. It is recommended in dyspepsia, jaundice, enlarged Figure 1—Showing the Palagarai spleen and liver, asthma and cough. The parpam is Table 2—Showing chemical constituents of perforated cowrie given internally in scalding and gonorrhea in the Element Value dose of 5 to 10 grains. (325 mg-650 mg) (in a dose Calcium 91.35±0.45 of 3 to 5 grains, It is used in colic and other Magnesium 1.22±0.02 abdominal pain). It is externally used as caustic in Potassium 0.24±0.01 various skin disorders2,6,10. Aluminium 30.82±0.68 Sodium 29.71±0.03 Uses and Indications Manganese 5.40±0.10 Palagarai Parpam is used in indigestion, colic, Iron 47.52±0.02 Zinc 0.61±0.02 peptic ulcer, eye diseases, dysentery, ear ache, ulcer. Calx is prepared from the shells is used as expectorant parpam as anti-dote for poisoning of and in Chronic bronchitis, White variety is considered to also mankind2. be good. It is diuretic, anti-diarrheal and of value in "mantham thaagam kirani maavidach surankannoi eye diseases if used in the form ofAnjanam. Local thontham namach soolaikaya-mintha application with Saltpetere (KNO3) is good for vulakaraiyai kalodivaiyodu naraitha Leucoderma and Skin diseases. Parpam is mixed with palagaraiyai kaaniniyam paar” butter and used for curing blemishes and to improve The general core nature of the Palagarai is depicted complexion. Instillation of Parpam with lemon juice in the book Gunapadan Jeeva vaguppu. The poem alleviates ear ache5. says that white variety is used in the treatment of indigestion, thirst, dysentery, virulent fever, eye Other therapeutic usages diseases, painful conditions, kshayam (Tuberculosis), Palagarai Parpam is used in syphilitic and other Vatha thontham and Kabavatham conditions2. similar type of ulcers. It is also used in many dermatological conditions like impetigo, allergic Purification rashes and to suppress the itching. It is mainly The cowries are first purified by being soaked or indicated as Anti-dote for Poisoning in animals and macerated for three hours, lime juice or rice water and also mankind. It is also used as Anti ulcer in some then calcined in covered crucibles. The process is different type of ulcers as external application with repeated 10 or 12 times. egg yolk of different birds. Its significance is [They are insoluble in water. It is soluble in highlighted as it revitalizes the health and restores the Hydrochloric acid with effervescence. They contain happiness. The above said usages have to be phosphate, fluoride and carbonate of calcium, evaluated with adequate scientific parameters in the magnesium phosphate, manganese and sodium field of research. chloride]5. Toxicity study on Palagarai Parpam: Pharmacological activities An article states that the Kapardika (Cowry An article on cowrie states that the presence of Shell-Cypraea moneta), bhasma is used in the these minerals contributes to its medicinal value. The treatment of Agnimandya (indigestion), Parinamshula MUBARAK & MASILAMANI: SIDDHA MARINE DRUG PALAGARAI 123

(Duodenal ulcer), Grahani (Malabsorption syndrome) Siddha literatures has to be reviewed for scientific etc. It also reveals the toxicity profile of the bhasma. validation. More Clinical trials have to be conducted to reassure the facts claimed in the literatures. Acute toxicity study Thus the economic marine sources of drugs have Animals (mice) treated with Kapardika bhasma did to be scientifically explored to strengthen the not show any sign of toxicity in the acute toxicity traditional values. study. No abnormal behavior and mortality was observed during 72 hrs after drug treatment in any 7 References experimental group . 1 Sambasivam Pillai T.V, Introduction to Siddha Medicine, IInd Edition, (Directorate of Indian medicine and Sub chronic toxicity study Homeopathy),1993,11 & 21 The criteria for the assessment of effect of 2 Thiyagarajan R, Gunapadam Thathu- Jeeva vaguppu, IInd Kapardika bhasma administration in rats was based on Edition, (Directorate of Indian medicine and Homeopathy), 1968, 391-396. the appearance of any kind of abnormal signs 3 Anonymous, Inventory of animal products used in Ayurveda and symptoms feed and water intake and growth Siddha and Unani, Part II (Publisher:Centalm Council for pattern. The haematological, biochemical parameters Ayurveda and Siddha ) , 2008, 422- 426 and biopsy were also taken into consideration for 4 O.I.Oloyede, Chemical Constituents of Cowry (Cyparica assessing the toxicity of above-mentioned drug7. samplomoneta) Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 7 (4): 540-542, 2008ISSN 1680-5194© Asian Network for Scientific It did not show any acute toxicity up to 5000 mg/kg Information, 2008, 541 dose in albino mice. Oral administration of all these 5 Nadkarni K.M., Indian Materia Medica, Volume drugs to albino rats at doses of 3 and 10 times higher 2,1982,158-159 than recommended dose also caused no toxicological 6 Anonymous, The Ayurvedic Formulary of India: Part I, effects. Acute and sub chronic toxicity studies of second revised English edition, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India, The Controller of drugs used in the study clearly showed the non-toxic Publications, civil lines, Delhi (2003). nature and high safety profile of Kapardika bhasma, 7 Anita Singh et al. Acute And Subchronic Toxicity Study Of in rodents7. Calcium Based Ayurvedic ‘Bhasmas’ And A ‘Pishti’prepared From Marine Animals Journal of Herbal Medicine and Siddha Medicines prepared out of Palagarai Toxicology by 4 (1) (2010), 35-47 8 Anonymous, Formulary of Siddha Medicines 4th Edition, The y Palagarai Parpam Indian Medical Practitioners Co-Operative Pharmacy & y Palagarai Chenduram Stores Ltd, Chennai),1993,22 & 513 y Vishnuchakkra Mathirai 9 Maurice l. Renaud, Observations on the Behavior and Shell y Kuttam kurai punkalakku Thylum Types of Cypraea moneta (, ) at Enewetak, Marshall Islands, Vol. 30, No.2, Pacific Science (1976), 147-158 Conclusion 10 Uthamarayan CS & Kuppusamy Mudaliar KN,Siddha Palagarai (Cypraea moneta Linn.) plays important Vaithiya Thirattu, (Directorate of Indian medicine and role in medical practice. The usage mentioned in Homeopathy,Chennai),1998,123