INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND CHEMICAL SCIENCES ISSN: 22775005

Review Article

Phytochemical and Pharmacological Importance of indica Anil Kumar, Neelam Rajbhar and Ashok Kumar ,٭Aditya Mishra Pharmacy College, Itaura, Chandeshwar, Azamgarh- 276128, Uttar Pradesh, .

ABSTRACT Ashoka is the most ancient of India, known as a (Roxb.), De.wild or belonging Caesalpinaceae. Saraca indica is reported to contain glycoside, flavonoids, tannins and saponins. It is used as spasmogenic, oxytocic, uterotonic, anti-bacterial, anti-tumour, anti- progestational, antiestrogenic activity against menorrhagia and anti-cancer. This review contains phytochemical constituent and pharmacological activity of various parts of .

Keywords: Saraca indica, Phyto-chemistry, Pharmacology. INTRODUCTION pain, and uterine spasms. The Ashoka herb Herbal medicine has such an amazing benefits the endometrium and uterine muscles influence that various alternative medicine and this makes it effective as a uterine tonic therapies with herbal remedy, Unani and for irregular menstrual cycles and miscarriage. Ayurveda. Ashoka is one of the most It is also effectively used in Ayurveda for legendary and sacred of India. Ashoka clearing congestion from the Medas Dhatus tree, universally known by its binomial Latin and Mamsa, especially when there may be name Saraca asoca (Roxb.), De.wild or leucorrhoea, endometriosis, cysts, and fibroids Saraca indica belonging to family from excess kapha and ama in the Artava leguminaceae. In the Ramayana, one of the Srotas .The Ashoka herb also has a books of Hindu mythology, there is mention of nourishing effect on the circulatory system, Ashoka tree. Ashoka means “without Sorrow” thereby making it an effective remedy in a reference to this bark’s reputation for arrhythmia and cardiac weakness. The keeping healthy and youthful and Buddha was Ashoka herb also helps in encouraging urine said to be born under this tree. Saraca indica flow and thus helps in treating conditions that is grown all over India. It cultivated in many cause painful urination. The specific analgesic gardens for evergreen beautiful foliage. The properties present in Ashoka can used to calm Ashoka tree belongs to the family of legumes the nerves when they have been aggravated and is a part of the subfamily Caesalpinaceae. by the Vata. The Ashoka herb is also said to It was originally found mainly in the middle part improve the complexion of skin. This herb can of the Western Ghats in western India. This be used to obtain relief from burning tree has an important role in Indian cultural sensations on the skin. It also helps to get rid traditions. The Ashoka tree's dried bark of the toxins from the body. The Ashoka herb contains tannins, sterol, catechol, and other is also effective in purifying the blood naturally organic calcium compounds. The powered and in preventing skin allergies. bark of the tree also contains Aluminum, strontium, calcium, iron, magnesium, Vernacular name phosphate, potassium, sodium, and silica. In Kankeli (Sanskrit), Ashoka (Assamese), order to maintain the medicinal values and Ashoka (Bengali) , Ashoka (Gujrati), Ashoka physicochemical properties of the Ashoka (Hindi), Ashokadamara (Kannada) , Ashok herb. The Ashoka tree has many health (Kashmiri), Asokam (Malayalam), Ashok benefits and has long been used in traditional (Marathi), Ashoka (Oriya), Ashok (Punjabi), Indian medicine as a key ingredient in various Asogam (Tamil), therapies and cures. One of the uses of the Ashoka herb is in the treatment of menstrual Classification disorders associated with excessive bleeding, Kingdom: Plantae congestion, pain, dysmenorrhoea, abdominal Division: Magnoliophyta

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Class: Mgnoliopsida asoca bark were screened against the enteric Order: pathogen isolates, namely, Escherichia coli, Family: Caesalpinaceae Shigella sonnei and Salmonella enteritis. All : Saraca the extracts other than aqueous extract : indica showed antimicrobial activity with the methanol extract having the highest Phytochemistry percentage of activity. Methanol and water The Phytochemical study shows the presence extracts of Saraca asoca leaves exhibited of various chemical constituents of Ashoka good activity against Bacillus subtilis, plant. Bark- procyanidin, epicatechin, 11'- Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella deoxyprocyanidin B, catechin, typhimurium. Both extracts showed marked leucopelargonidin and leucocyanidin. Flower- activity against Alternania alternate, Oleic, linoleic, palmitic and stearic acids- colletotrichum gloesporioides and Drechlera sitosterol, quercetin, kaempferol, quercetin, specifera. Bark extracts of Saraca asoca apigenin- 7-0-p-D-glucoside, Pelargonidin- 3, (Roxb.) de Willde were investigated for in vitro 5- diglucoside, cyanidin-3, 5- diglucoside, antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus palmitic, stearic, linolenic, leucocyanidin and aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas gallic acid. Seed and Pod contains oleic, aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Bacillus aureus linoleic, palmitic and stearic acids, catechol, (-) and Klebsiella pneumoniae at 4 mg/ml using epicatechol and leucocyanidin. Five lignan agar well diffusion method. The ethanol and glycosides, lyoniside, nudiposide, 5-methoxy- distilled water extracts showed significant 9-β-xylopyranosyl, isolariciresinol, and broad spectrum antibacterial activity. The schizandriside, and three flavonoids, crude extracts of leaves, flowers, and bark of epicatechin, epiafzelechin-(4β→8)-epicatechin Saraca asoca were screened for larvicidal and procyanidin B2, together with β-sitosterol activity for 24-48 h at an initial concentration of glucoside, were isolated from dried bark. 1,000 ppm against early IV instar larvae of the vector mosquitoes viz., C. quinquefasciatus, A. Pharmalogical activity aegypti, and A. stephensi. The petroleum Antimicrobial activity ether extract of S. indica/asoca leaves and Saraca indica was subjected to antibacterial chloroform extract of the bark exhibited more activity (ethanol: water, 1:1) on agar plate with than 50% larval mortality against C. different organisms such as Bacillus subtilis, quinquefasciatus larvae at an exposure period Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhosa, of 48 h. Staphylococcus aureus, (plant pathogen). Agrobacterium tumefaciens showed negative Anticancer activity activity. Saraca indica dried flower buds tested The anticancer principle from Saraca indica against antibacterial activity of methanol flowers indicated 50 percent cytotoxicity (in extract on agar plate against Salmonella vitro) in Dalton's lymphoma ascites and viballerup, Shigella boydii, Escherichia coli, Sarcoma-180 tumour cells at a concentration Vibro cholera, Shigella flexneri and Shigella of 38 mug and 54 mug respectively, with no dyserteriae showed active . Saraca indica activity against normal lymphocytes but leaves tested against antibacterial activity of preferential activity for lymphocytes derived ethanol (95%) and water extract on agar plate from leukemia patients. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus. Escherichia coli were found active whereas ANTIMENORRHAGIC ACTIVITY tested against Staphylococcus aureus gave Ashoka dried bark has been used for negative result. The methanolic extracts of menorrhagia in India. In India Saraca indica Saraca indica was assayed against Alternaria dried bark as well as flower is given as a tonic cajani, Helminthosporium sp., Bipolaris sp., to ladies in case of uterine disorders. Saraca Curvularia lunata and Fusarium sp. at different indica stem bark also used to treat all disorder concentrations (1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and associated with the menstrual cycle. Ashoka 5000 μg/ml). The extracts exhibited good bark in used for menstrual disorder inhibitory activity against A. cajani, while it and menorrhagia. Ashoka bark in India, used effective at lower concentrations against other as a uterine sedative and hot water extracts fungi also. Four different extract of Saraca administered to human adult female stimulates asoca bark tested antibacterial activity against the uterus similar to ergot, but without Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, producing tonic contraction. Also employed in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus menorrhagia, as an emmenagogue, uterine aureus, Bacillus cereus, K. aerogenes, Sh. sedative, uterine affections as well as used in Boydis, P. vulgaris . Different extract of Saraca several preparations related to female

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troubles. Saraca indica bark, in Pakistan, endogenous gastric mucosal prostaglandin employed for uterine affection and synthesis. menorrhagia. Saraca indica, in India, dried bark, used as an astringent in menorrhagia, to Anti-inflammatory activity stop excessive uterine bleeding, also as a The ethanolic extract of Saraca indica leaves refrigent, demulcent, uterine disorders, regular find out the anti-inflammatory activity. The menstrual pain in abdomen, used for uterine leaves of Saraca indica determined the anti- problems. Aqueous extract of the bark is inflammatory activity against Carrageenan reported to contain active principles, one induce paw edema in animal is most suitable stimulating and the other relaxing the plain test procedure to screen anti-inflammatory muscle of the ileum of the guinea pig. The activity. The ethanolic extract of Saraca indica drug is reported to stimulate the uterus, reduce the paw edema significantly (P<0.01). making the contraction more frequent and The plant extract at dose of 200 mg/kg prolonged. The crystalline glycoside substance showed significant anti-inflammatory activity. It is also reported to stimulate uterine caused 56.95% inhibition in increase paw contraction. volume, though of a short duration and intensity, as compare to that of 10 mg / kg Antioxytocic activity diclofenec. Oxytocic activity of the plant was seen in rat and human isolated uterine preparations. Uterine tonic activity Estrogen primed or gravid uterus was more Saraca indica is outstanding in ayurvedic sensitive to the action of the alcoholic extract. medicine for its use as a stimulant to the Pentolinium bitartrate completely blocked the endometrium and ovarian tissue. The oxytocic action. Seed extract is found effective estrogenic effect of U-3107 (1mg/kg p.o) was against dermatophytic fungi. In vitro tests on considered in normal and overiectomised rats. rat uterus preparation, extracts of Saraca U-3107 was administered as an aqueous indica did not show oxytocic activity. Ashoka suspension for a period of 21 days. The has been tested twice previously with negative management of overiectomised rats did not results and once with positive results. any expand on uterine weight. U-3107 holds estrogenic activity only in the presence of Antidiabetic activity functional ovary and is devoid of any Dried powder of the plant Saraca indica is progestational activity. U-3107 is herbal taken with milk or decoction of Ashoka bark is preparation formulated with different plant taken twice a day for the treatment of extract which are useful in a variety of diabeties. menstrual disorders such as puberty, menorrhagia, Dysmenorrhagia, premenstrual CNS depressant activity syndrome, abnormal bleeding and threatened The leaves of Saraca indica shows CNS abortion. depressant activity in various solvent such as petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and Analgesic activity water respectively depending upon their Saraca indica leaves extracts are accountable polarity. The activity was evaluated using for analgesic activity. The leaf extracts like phenobarbitone induced sleeping time by petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and using actophotometer. The extract of Saraca water were investigated for Phytoconstituents indica significantly decreased the locomoter like sterols, glycosides, saponins, activity in mice by 67.33%. Thus we concluded carbohydrates alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, that leaf of Saraca indica possess CNS protein etc.The analgesic activity above activity. extract was evaluated by using tail immersion method and formalin induced pain method in Antiulcer activity albino mice. Analgesic activity of petroleum The aqueous suspension of Saraca indica ether, chloroform, methanol and water extracts flowers are used against gastric ulcer in albino create dose dependent analgesic activity, rats. The major constituent of Saraca indica formalin test is one of the principle analgesic flowers contains saracasin, saracadin, waxy models to compare with clinical pain. In the substance, fatty acids and flavonoids etc. So early phase of formalin test pain arise due to the flowers of Saraca indica suspension the direct stimulation of the sensory nerve exhibit an antiulcer potential activity through at fibers by formalin while in the late phase pain least one or more possible mechanism was due to inflammatory maditors like including inhibition of basal gastric secretion, histamine, prostaglandins, serotorin and stimulation of mucus secretion and bradykinins.

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Larvicidal activity Saraca indica, the pet ether extract of the leaf and the chloroform extracts of the bark where effective against the larva of c. quinquefasciatus with respective LC50 value .The Larvicidal bioassay follow the WHO standard protocols for experimental treatment, 1ml of plant extract dissolved in absolute ethanol was added to 99 ml of distilled water in 150 ml disposable wax coated paper cup, which was shaken lightly to ensure a REFERENCES homogeneous test solution. Then 25 early 1. http://www.da-academy.org/ fourth. Inster larve of vector mosquito were dagardens_saraca1.html transfer to each experiment was performing in 2. http://www.saraca- four replicates with a final total of 100 larve for indica.com/Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia each concentration. The test containers were of India. 2001. Vol. I; Part-I: 17-18 held at 27+/-2c, 80-90% relative humidity and 3. Bhandary MJ. Chandrasekhar KR; photoperiod of 12h dark. After 24h exposures averiappa KMK. J Ethnopharmacol, larval mortality was recorded. The experiments 1995;47(3):149-158. were repeated twice. The pet ether extracts of 4. Mitra SK, Gopumadhavan S, leaves of Saraca indica showed Larvicidal Venkatarangana MV, Sharma DNK activity with LC50 and LC90 values of 228.9- and Anturlikar SD. uterine tonic 458.3 ppm respectively. The chloroform activity of U-3107 (even care), a extract of the bark of S. indica also show herbal preparation in rats, Indian larvicidal activity with LC50 and LC90 values journal of pharmacology. 1999;31; of 291.5 and 499.3 ppm respectively. 200-203. 5. Shelar DB, Shirot PJ and Naik NS. CONCLUSION anti-inflammatory activity and brine Saraca indica is highly regarded as an shrimps lethality test of Saraca indica universal panacea in the ayurvedic medicine .it leaves extract. journal of pharmacy is one of the universal plant having medicinal research. 2010;3(8): 2004-2006. activities .This versatile plant is the source of 6. Angad Verma, Houtem KR Jana, various types of compounds. In the present Raja, Saiket Sen, Sandeep Sachan, scenario many plant are used to treat many and Ashutosh Mishra. diseases. But Ashoka is ancient and reliable pharmacological evaluation of Saraca source of medicine so Ashoka is used in many indica leaves for CNS depressant pharmacological activities. It have many uses activity in mice J Pharm sci ,Res…vol. like to treat skin infections, CNS function, 2010;2(6):338-343. genitor-urinary functions .as the global 7. Abbott WS . A method of computing scenario is now changing towards the use of the effectiveness of an insecticide. nontoxic plant product having traditional JECO Enotomal. 1925;18:265-266. medicine use, development of modern drug 8. Nisha Mathew, Anitha MG, Bala TSL, from Saraca indica should be emphasized for Sivakumar SM, Narmadha R, the control of various diseases. Kalyanasundaram M. larvicidal activity of saraca indica extracts against three mosquito vector species springer- verlay. 2009;104:1017-1025. 9. Jaykumar G, Ajithabai MD, Sreedevi S, Viswanathan PK and Remeshkumar B. Ethanobotanical survey of the used in the treatment of diabetes, Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. 2010; 9(1):100-104. 10. Mujumdar AM, Naik DG, Dandge CN and Puntambekar HM. Anti- inflammatory activity of curcuma amada roxb. In albino rats. Indian Journal of Pharmacology. 2000;32: 375-377.

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