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Om Prakash Rout et al / IJRAP 3(1), Jan – Feb 2012 Review Article www.ijrap.net OLEOGUM RESIN GUGGULU: A REVIEW OF THE MEDICINAL EVIDENCE FOR ITS THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES Om Prakash Rout1*, Rabinarayan Acharya2, Sagar Kumar Mishra3 1Dept of Dravyaguna, Rajiv Lochan Ayurvedic Medical College, Chandkhuri, Durg, Chhatisgarh, India 2Dept. of Dravyaguna, I.P.G.T & R.A., Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India 3Pharmacognosy & Phytochemistry Division, University Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utkal University, Vani Vihar, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India Received on: 14/10/2011 Revised on: 22/12/2011 Accepted on: 09/01/2012 *Corresponding author Dr. Om Prakash Rout, Lecturer, Dept of Dravyaguna, Rajiv Lochan Ayurvedic Medical College & Hospital, Chandkhuri, Gundardehi Road, Durg, Chhatisgarh, India Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT Guggulu is an oleogum resin that exudes spontaneously as a result of injury from the bark of Commiphora wightii Bhandari (Syn : Commiphora mukul Hook. ex Stocks or Balsamodendron mukul Hook. ex Stocks). In Ayurveda guggulu enters into the preparation of several compound medicines most of which are named with suffix ‘guggulu’. It is a complex mixture of steroids, diterpenoids, aliphatic esters, carbohydrates, amino acids and variety of inorganic compounds. Traditionally it is used to treat arthritis, obesity, and other disorders. Guggul has been shown to lower cholesterol and triglycerides. This review is an effort to compile all the available information reported on its macroscopic features, chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, toxicity and adverse reactions, Keywords: Guggulu, Commiphora wightii, macroscopic features, chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, toxicity, adverse reactions. INTRODUCTION Samhita Guggulu is an oleogum resin that exudes spontaneously It is observed that the internal usage of Guggul increased as a result of injury from the bark of Commiphora wightii during Samhita period only. Acharya Charaka included Bhandari (Syn : Commiphora mukul Hook. ex Stocks or Guggul in “Sangya Sthapana Maha Kashaya” (Su. 4/48) Balsamodendron mukul Hook. ex Stocks). Guggul, more and in “Kashaya Skandha” (Vi.8/144)7. Maharishi popularly known as Bdellium, is derived from the gummy Sushruta has described Guggul in the list of seven most resinous exudate of a plant closely related to myrrh that is important drugs for the treatment of Sthaulya (Su. 15/32). found in arid to semi-arid areas of Northern India, He has prescribed Guggul with Go-mutra in condition of Bangladesh and Pakistan1. The Sanskrit definition of the vitiated Vata with Medodhatu dominated Kapha dosha term "guggul" is "one that protects against diseases." This (Chi. 5/35). The drug is also mentioned as highly attests to the wide respect and therapeutic Ayurvedic effective in the treatment of Vrana as a fumigating agent applications for this botanical, considered the most (Su. 5/10-12), Kushtha (Chi. 9/6), Vidradhi (Chi. 17/32), important for the removal of "ama," toxic substances Pratisaranartha (Chi. 22/5), Shotha (Chi. 23/12), Gulma which accumulate as a result of sluggish digestion and (Utt. 42/63)8,9 etc. Acharya Kashyapa has quoted Guggul circulation associated with a slowing of metabolism2,3. in different formulations to treat various diseases. Ghrita, Guggul is a resin, the major ingredient in joint care and Taila, Avaleha, Dhoopana etc. many formulations of it are immuno care that has been regarded as a remedy in also described for the treatment of many ‘Bala Rogas’10. Ayurvedic medicine, known to increase white blood cell Maharishi Bhela has prescribed that Dhoomrapana of count and to possess strong immuno-modulating Guggulu should be taken after bath and after taking meal. properties. Guggul is one of the "broad spectrum" health He also described the Vrana ropana property of products with a wide range of benefits. Mode of action Guggulu11. Maharishi Harita has elaborated Guggulu in a makes this product very helpful not only in protecting separate chapter titled “Guggulu Kalpa” (5th Chap.6-8). against the common cold but also in various other Here, he has opined that Guggulu from Marudesha must conditions. It has been shown to have remarkable be collected in Ushna Ritu and Guggulu from hilly areas properties as an adjuvant of other types of therapies. In must be collected in Sheeta Ritu12. Many formulations of addition, lower cholesterol and triglycerides, while Guggulu have been mentioned in Sharangadhara Samhita. maintaining the HDL to LDL ratio has long known However, in Vati kalpadhyaya (Sha. Sam. M. Kha. 7), Guggul. It has been subjected to hundreds of clinical Guggulu has been suggested specifically for the Vati studies4. preparation, because it facilitates the binding capacity. Sarangadhara quoted it among the drugs to be used when HISTORY they are older (Purana)13. Veda Vagbhata has described that it is a drug of choice for Guggul is described as “Agni Sthana” and used for Medoroga and Vatavikaras.He has also quoted its ‘Dhupa’. In Atharva Veda, it is mentioned that Yaksma Medohara action along with other drugs like Shilajatu, and other diseases will not spread to the areas fumigated Rasanjana and Brihat panchmula (A. H. Su. 14/23). He by Guggulu. ‘Sayana also introduced it as a well known has also used Guggul in Sneha vyapada chikitsa (A. H. ‘Dhupana dravya’. It was used for the treatement of Su. 16/34) and prescribed Guggulu in diseases produced diseases of cattle2,3,5,6. due to vitiated Vata, Kapha, Medodhatu and in Amavata 15 Om Prakash Rout et al / IJRAP 3(1), Jan – Feb 2012 (A. H. Chi. 21/50). Vagbhata has also mentioned Guggul variety has been prescribed for specifically in human and in the list of selected drugs for the treatment of certain animals. important diseases like Kushtha, Prameha, Shopha14 etc. The Kanaka type has been told as best among all and Nighantu prescribed to use as medicine in human beings. An elaborative description can be traced about Guggul as Mahishaksha can be used as medicine in humans, regards its synonyms, types, properties and uses in Mahaneel and Mahishaksha have been told to be useful in Dhanvantari nighantu, Madanpal nighantu, Raj nighantu, elephants and Kumuda and Padma has been said to be Bhavaprakasha nighantu, etc15-21. useful in horse. Rasa Granthas Synonyms (Paryaya) Guggul is not included anywhere in Maharasa, Uparasa, Unfolding the hidden meanings of the paryayas or Sadharanarasa etc. groups in Rasa shastra. But it is quoted synonyms of the drugs, mentioned in Ayurvedic texts in Dravaka Gana and Mitra Panchaka gana as a reducing becomes more relevant as these define various agent for different metals and minerals22-24. characteristics of the drugs and hence help in identifying Mythological origin of Guggul by God Vishnu has been them15-21. described in Prathmollas of Anand Kanda. It has also Rasapanchaka quoted five types of Guggulu2-3. Rasa: Tikta, Katu Rasa Ratna Samuchchaya, Rasendra Sar Sangraha, Rasa Guna: Laghu, Ruksha, Tikshna, Visada, Sukshma, Sara, Ratnakar, Chakradatta, Yoga Ratnakar etc. have Sugandhi (Purana Guggulu) & Snigdha, Picchila (Navina prescribed many Yogas of Guggul for various ailments22- guggulu) 29. Virya: Ushna Gana( Classification) Vipaka: Katu Different Acharya have described Guggulu under Dosakarma: Tridosahara different Ganas, which are described as follows – Dhatu karma: Rasayana, vrisya (old Guggulu), lekhana Grantha: Gana/Varga (new Guggulu) Charaka Samhita7: Sangyasthapana, Kashaya Skandha Rogaghnata: Sthoulya/ medoroga, amavata, vata vyadhi, Sushruta Samhita8-9: Eladi, Kaphasmari bhedana prameha, apaci, gandamala, sotha, pitaka, ashmari, arsha Ashtanga Sangraha28: Eladi and kustha32,34 Ashtanga Hridaya14: Eladi, Rasayana Apathya Harita Samhita12: Rasayana During the administration of Guggulu the patients should Dhanvantari Nighantu17: Chandanadi be advised not to take Amla rasa, Tikshna guna Madanpala Nighantu19: Karpooradi predominant drug and diet. Should also not drink Madya Kaiyadeva Nighantu20: Aushadhi and to avoid Ajirna bhojana, Maithuna, Vyayama, Atapa Bhavaprakasha Nighantu16: Karpooradi sevana and Krodha32. Rajavallabha Nighantu30: Nanoushadhi Side effects Saligrama Nughantu21: Karpuradi On improper use, it gives bad effect to livers and lungs. Madhava Dravyaguna15: Vividhaousadhi Long term and higher dose administration of Guggulu Nighantu Adarsha31: Guduchyadi may lead to Timira, Mukhasosa, Klaibya, Krisata, Dravya Guna Vigyana32: Vedana Sthapana (P. V. Murcha, Sauthilya and Roukshata32. Sharma) Sodhana (Purification process) of Guggulu Again Vagbhata has quoted that Guggulu was evolved as Different shodhana processes are described for the “Amrita” by Lord Vishnu during Devasur Sangrama for various drugs in our classics. For the Shodhana of replenishing lost Bala, Shourya and Teja of Devas. (As. Guggulu, Gomutra, Godugdha, Triphala kasaya, vasa San. Utt. 49)33. kasaya/svarasa and Nirgundi svarasa with Haridra curna Types of Guggulu are used as media reported in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia In Atharva veda, it is reported that Guggulu has two types of India, Part II, Volume, II; 2008:277. i.e.3. Scientific Clasification 1. Nadi Sameepottha, Which is found near the Sindhu Kingdom: Plantae - Plants River. Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants 2. Samudra Sameepottha, This is found near the ocean. Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants Bhavaprakasha has reported five types of Guggulu on the Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants basis of color16 – Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons