Pharmacological and Therapeutic Potential of Oxalis Corniculata Linn. Ansari Mushir, Nasreen Jahan*, Nadeem Ashraf, Mohd
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Anti-proliferative and proteasome inhibitory activity Discoveryof Murraya koenigii Phytomedicine … 2015; 2 ( 3 ) : 18 - 22 . doi: 10.15562/phytomedicine.2015.2 Bindu Noolu & 6 Ayesha Ismail www.phytomedicine.ejournals.ca MINI REVIEW Pharmacological and therapeutic potential of Oxalis corniculata Linn. Ansari Mushir, Nasreen Jahan*, Nadeem Ashraf, Mohd. Imran Khan ABSTRACT Oxalis corniculata is commonly known as Indian wood Sorrel. In Unani it is called as Hummaz and distributed in the whole northern temperate zone, United State of America, Arizona and throughout India. Oxalis corniculata is used in Unani medicine in the management of liver disorders, jaundice, skin diseases, urinary diseases etc. The plant been proven to possess various pharmacological activities like liver tonic, appetizer, diuretic, anthelmintic, emmenagogue, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-pyretic, blood purifier etc. Here we summarize the therapeutic potential of Oxalis corniculata. Keywords: Hummaz, Unani medicine, Oxalis corniculata, Indian wood sorrel Introduction Therapeutic uses Oxalis corniculata Linn. is a well-known Bustani Hummaz (garden variety) is plant described in ancient text of Unani physician beneficial in the treatment of safrawi amraz by the name of Hummaz. It belongs to the family (bilious diseases). Gargling with decoction of its Oxalidaceae which comprises 8 genera and 900 leaves relieves marze akala (stomatitis), it has species being prevalent in the tropics and beneficial effect in treating bilious vomiting, and subtropics and having richest representation in palpitation. Its lotion is used as a wash for snake Southern Hemisphere. In India 2 genera and a bite, the decoction of leaves is used in treatment dozen of species have been reported. It has of Khanazir (cervical lymphadenitis) and paste of delicate-appearance, low growing and herbaceous leaves is used to treat skin diseases like Quba plant. Some varieties have green leaves, while (ringworm), Shiqaqe Nakhun and Dakhas other has purple viz. Oxalis corniculata var. (Koilonychia). Its local application with vinegar is atropurpurea.1 The leaves of Oxalis corniculata are useful in ailment of Azme tehal (spleenomegaly). quite edible with a tangy taste, it is well known for It is also useful in treating Qarahe Isnaa shari its medicinal value and as a good appetizer.2 (duodenal ulcer) and diarrhoea if cooked in The name Oxalis is derived from the Raughane Zaitoon (Olive oil) with Zeera (Cumin Greek word ‘Oxys’ meaning sour, in reference to seed), Kishneez (Coriander seed), and Anardana the sour flavour of the leaves known as Creeping (Pomegranate). It is used in Bars (leucoderma) and Wood Sorrel. The Latin species name corniculata Qarahe Shahdia along with Rose oil and Saffron. means horned and refers to the appearance of the The juice of leaves is Mukhrije Sang Gurdah wa fruits. This plant is called Amlalonika and Masana (lithotripter). It is one of the best remedy Changeri in Sanskrit, and is considered by the for treating Gaseeyan wa Safravi Qai (nausea and Hindus to be cooling, refrigerant and stomachic. bilious vomiting), Pica (eating soil and chalk The fresh juice is given to relieve intoxication habit), Alcoholism (Wine addiction), Yarqan from Datura and said to be useful in the treatment (Jaundice), Warme Muzmin (chronic of dysentery and prolapse of the rectum. In inflammation), Ehtebase tams (Amenorrhea), Madras Presidency, the fresh herb made into a Wajae Dandan (toothache), Illate Tahrike Mevi poultice with hot water is used as a healing (Irritable bowel syndrome), Wajaul uzn (Otitis application to various eruptions. Ainslie describes media), Warme Meda (Gastritis) and Gazeedane it and mentions its use as a cooling medicine in Aqarab (scorpion sting).The great Unani physician doses of two teaspoonful twice a day.3 Ibne Sina (Avicenna) said that hummaz is useful in management of cuts, wounds, swelling, insect Corresponding author, E-mail: [email protected] Department of Ilmul Advia, National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bangalore, India. Copyright: © 2014 Ansari Mushir, Nasreen Jahan, Nadeem Ashraf & Mohd. Imran Khan. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. Pharmacological and therapeutic potential of Oxalis corniculata … Ansari Mushir et al. stings, snakebite, corns, dysentery, fever, rickets free radical scavenging activity of 1,1-diphenyl-2- and stomach-ache.4 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical, total anti- Leaves of Jungali Hummaz (wild variety) are oxidant capacity by phosphomolybdenum beneficial in bilious diarrhoea and abdominal pain. method using ethanolic extract of whole plant The mizaj (temperament) of hummaz is Barid (500 µg/ml, po) . The extract significantly reduced (cold), application of paste of whole plant is very 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical and reduced useful in treating gout and arthritis caused by (62.7%) malondialdehyde levels of murine hepatic excessive heat. A paste is made with its leaves and tissue. The anti-oxidant potential was found to be root of Karela (Momordica charantia) or seeds of comparable to that of standard ascorbic acid.12 gogul (Commiphora mukul) with Raughane mom Reddy et al. (2010) also conducted a detailed (wax) and applied externally on pile mass, both are evaluation of anti-oxidant activity and found beneficial and cure it. Externally the application positive results.13 of paste of whole plant is effective in reducing warme har (inflammation) and pruritus.5 Antitumor activity: Antitumor activity of ethanolic extract of Oxalis corniculata against Pharmacological actions Ehrlich ascites carcinoma on Swiss mice was A wide range of pharmacological actions carried out. Ethanolic extract at the doses of 100 of Oxalis corniculata Linn. have been reported in and 400 mg/kg significantly (p<0.05 and p<0.01) ethno botanical literature such as antibiotic, reduced tumor volume and packed cell volume in antiviral, anti-allergic and anti-septic. Its anti- a dose dependent manner as compared to that of inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antioxidant the control groups. This study showed that the activities have also described. It purifies blood and ethanolic extract of Oxalis corniculata was effective acts as diuretic, lithotriptic and emmenagogue. It in inhibiting the tumor growth in ascetic and solid increases appetite and has anti-amoebic, anti- tumor models.11 diarrheal, and anthelmintic properties. Hummaz is tonic to heart and liver and has refrigerant, Anti-epileptic activity: A study was performed astringent, vermifuge, laxative, and anaphordisiac to evaluate the antiepileptic activity of methanol properties.6 extract of leaves of Oxalis corniculata L. (MEOC) on Maximal Electroshock (MES) and Wound healing activity: The alcoholic and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced seizures models petroleum ether extract of whole plant has been in Wistar rats. Animals were pretreated with evaluated for its wound healing activity by using MEOC at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body excision, re sutured incision and dead space weight. In MES model MEOC showed significant wound models in rats. The result showed reduction in duration of hind leg extension with significant wound healing activity by producing an 200 mg/kg and duration of hind leg extension was increase in wound contraction rate, wound dramatically reduced with 400 mg/kg. While in breaking and significant decrease in epithelization PTZ induced rats MEOC significantly reduced the period.7 duration of convulsion and delayed the onset of clonic convulsion. A dose dependent results were Cardio relaxant and cardio protective obtained in PTZ model by delayed the onset of activity: In anaesthetized rats, a fall in diastolic clonic convulsions. The complete protective effect blood pressure with a lesser fall in systolic blood against mortality was reported in both the tests.14 pressure was also observed.8 Aqueous extract has been proved to be cardio protective in Hepatoprotective activity: Anil et al.15 experimental model of myocardial infarction reported hepatoprotective activity of Oxalis induced by isoproterenol (ISO) in rats.9 corniculata leaves against Carbon tetrachloride induced hepato toxicity in female Wistar rats. The Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory aqueous extract (500 mg/kg) significantly reduced activity: Sachin et al. (2010) reported in vitro carbon tetrachloride induced damage in the liver anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic extract of which is measured by the serum level of aspartate Oxalis corniculata.10 In another study, its anti- aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase oxidant effect was observed.11 One more study (ALT), alkaline phosphatise (ALP) and bilirubin. was done to evaluate its antioxidant activity using Discovery Phytomedicine 2015; 2: 18-12. doi: 10.15562/phytomedicine.2015.26 www.phytomedicine.ejournals.ca 19 Pharmacological and therapeutic potential of Oxalis corniculata … Ansari Mushir et al. Another study was carried out by Nadeem et al.16 floor in a dimly illuminated room was used. Male to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of Oxalis mice were placed individually in the center of the corniculata against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and maze, facing an enclosed arm and the time spent phenyl hydrazine hydrochloride (PHH) induced on the open and closed arm were recorded during hepatotoxicity. Hydro-alcoholic extract of test the next 5 min. An arm entry was defined as all drug in the dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg four feet in the arm. It was observed that 100