Fumaria indica L. Scientific Name: Fumaria indica L. Synonyms: Fumaria parviflora auct. Non Lam. Burkill, Fumaria parviflora ssp. vaillanii (Lois.) Hook.f. & Thomas, Fumaria vaillanii var. indica Hausskn. Family: Papaveraceae Subfamily: Fumarioideae Tribe: Fumarieae Subtribe: Fumariinae Genus: Fumaria Specie s: indica Common Name: Fumaria, Pitpapra, Shahtrah, Common fumitory Part used: whole plant Plant Description: Fumaria indica is a delicate much-branched annual herb with clusters of tiny pale-pinkish to whitish flowers, each 5-6 mm long. Sepals are minute. Upper petal has short, somewhat down-curved sac-like spur. Flower-stalks are erect, as long as or slightly shorter than the lace-shaped bracts. Leaves are 2-3 times cut into narrow pointed segments, about 1 mm broad. Stems are glaucous, leafy, 5-30 cm long. Fruit is round, about 2 mm. Chemical Constituents: narceimine, (-)-tetrahydro-coptisine, narlumidine, methyl fumarate, protopine, bicuculine, and fumariline. Papraine, Fumarizine, Papracinine, Paprarine, Paprafumine, Papracine, Papraline, Paprazine, Noroxyhydrastinine, Oxy-hydrastinine, 3-N- methylo-corydaldine, Fumariflorine, Stylopine, Cryptopine, 8-oxocoptisine, Bisnorargemonine, Lastourvilline, (-)-β-hydrastine, N-methylhydrastine, Fumaramine, Parfumine, Fumaritine, Fumaritine N-oxide, N-Feruloyltyramine. Structures of chemical constituents of Fumaria indica L. Narceimine (-)-Tetrahydrocoptisine Methyl fumarate 253 Protopine Bicuculine Fumariline Fumaritine N-Feruloyltyramine Stylopine Cryptopine Noroxyhydrastinine Actions of Herb: Anti-inflammatory, Anti-nociceptive, anthelmintic, antipyretic, hepato- protective , hypoglycemic, antidyspeptic, blood purifier, cholagogue, diaphoretic, sedative, antifungal, anti-periodic, carminative, restorative, anti-infective, appetizer, aperient. Medicinal Uses: It is used in the treatment of constipation, diarrhea, fevers and blood disorders.Its use is also been recommended in case of chronic skin diseases, urinary diseases and cough.It is used in syphilis, scrofula, leprosy, gall bladder disease and given in ague and jaundice. The plant is used to purify blood in cutaneous disease and liver obstruction. Externally used for the treatment of boils, sores and abscesses due to its mucilage content. Side Effects: GI complaints, flushing, bleeding, drowsiness, sedation, eye problem, trembling, convulsions, death. Contraindications: Pregnancy and lactation; long treatments are contraindicated, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, epilepsy, glaucoma, biliary tract infection, gall stones, jaundice. Dosage: Plant can be taken as an infusion 2-4 g per 200 ml of water, thrice a day. Do not prolong the treatment more than 15 days. To treat muscle spasms associated with stomach and intestinal disorders, 250-milligram capsules have been taken by mouth. To treat skin problems, a 1:5 tincture of Fumaria in 25% alcohol has been taken by mouth in doses of 1-2 milliliters three times daily. Doses of 1-4 milliliters of a 1:5 liquid extract of 254 Fumaria in a 45% alcohol solution have been taken by mouth. Various topical preparations containing Fumaria have been applied to the skin. To treat irritable bowel syndrome, 1,500 milligrams of Fumaria has been taken daily in three divided doses for 18 weeks. Drug interactions Interactions with Drugs : Fumaria may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin®) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix®), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) or naproxen (Naprosyn®, Aleve®). Fumaria may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some drugs. Examples include benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan®) or diazepam (Valium®), barbiturates such as phenobarbital, narcotics such as codeine, some antidepressants, and alcohol. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery. Fumaria may also interact with acne medication, agents that may treat muscle spasms, anticancer agents, antifungal agents, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-parasitic, antipyretics (agents that may reduce fever), antiviral agents, central nervous system (CNS) depressants, cholinesterase inhibitors, and heart health agents. Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements Fumaria may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with herbs and supplements that are believed to increase the risk of bleeding. Multiple cases of bleeding have been reported with the use of Ginkgo biloba , and fewer cases with garlic and saw palmetto. Numerous other agents may theoretically increase the risk of bleeding, although this has not been proven in most cases. Fumaria may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some herbs or supplements. Fumaria may also interact with acne-treating herbs and supplements, anticancer herbs and supplements, antifungal herbs and supplements, anti-inflammatory herbs and supplements, anti- parasitic herbs and supplements, antipyretics (herbs and supplements that may reduce fever), central nervous system (CNS) depressants, cholinergics, heart health herbs and supplements, and herbs and supplements that may treat muscle spasms. Physico-chemical parameters of the study drugs Physico-chemical parameters like foreign matter, moisture content (Loss on Drying), pH, total ash, acid insoluble ash, water soluble extractive, alcohol soluble extractive values of F. indica were determined. Table: Physico-chemical parameters of Fumaria indica Parameter F. indica pH value 6.5 Loss on drying 12.036 % Ash value 24.962 % Acid insoluble ash 5.530 % Water soluble extractive value 29.571% Alcohol soluble extractive value 17.661 % Proshanta M, Harisha CR, Shukla VJ.A comparative pharmacognostical & phytochemical study on different plant sources of Parpatak. 2014. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 3(4): 1531-1548 . 255 Macroscopic characteristics The drug consists of crumpled stems and leaves. The dried leaves and stems are dull green in color and on crushing emit peculiar pungent odor and bitter taste. Stem is herbaceous, branched, angular and striated longitudinally. Leaves are simple and divided into narrow and flat segments. Leaf margin is entire with acuminate apex. Fruit is a nut globose and one-seeded. Microscopic characters Stem: Transverse section of stem shows single layer of epidermis covered by thin cuticle. One to three layered collenchymatous cells are present beneath the epidermal layer. Cortical parenchyma consists of several layers of polygonal cells. Patches of sclerenchymatous cells are present in the cortical region. Conjoint collateral and open vascular bundles are arranged in a ring. Parenchymatous pith is present in the center of stem. Figure: Transverse section of stem Proshanta M, Harisha CR, Shukla VJ.A comparative pharmacognostical & phytochemical study on different plant sources of Parpatak. 2014. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 3(4): 1531-1548. Leaf petiole: The transverse section of the leaf cetiole shows that the outermost surface of epidermal layer is covered with thin cuticle. Epidermis is followed by 2- 3 layers of collenchymatous cells. Below the collenchymatous layers spongy parenchyma with small air spaces is present. Ranunculaceous stomata are present in the epidermis. Stele shows separate vascular bundles consisting of xylem and phloem tissues. Leaf: Transverse section of leaf shows that epidermis consists of single layer of parenchymatous cells covered with thin cuticle. Below the epidermi mesophyll is differentiated into 1-2 layered palisade parenchyma and 2-3 layered loosely arranged spongy parenchyma with small intercellular spaces. Conjoint collateral vascular bundles are present in the center of midrib and are enclosed in several layers of parenchymatous cells. Ranunculaceous stomata are present epidermis. Figure: Transverse section of Leaf petiole × 80. B. A portion of Leaf lamina × 60 256 Figure: Transverse section of leaf through mid-rib Proshanta M, Harisha CR, Shukla VJ.A comparative pharmacognostical & phytochemical study on different plant sources of Parpatak. 2014. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 3(4): 1531-1548. Root: Transverse section of the root revealed circular outline. 2-4 layers of cork cells and cortex cells 4-6 layered. Endodermis was not distinct; secondary phloem was well developed and consisted of sieve tube, companion cells and phloem parenchyma; central core of F. indica root revealed a wide zone of xylem comprising of vessels, tracheids and fibers. Vessels were found in radial rows having reticulate and spiral thickening, medullary ray were observed to be broad and radiating, fibers moderately long, thick walled, having narrow lumen and blunt tips. Figure: TS section of root Proshanta M, Harisha CR, Shukla VJ.A comparative pharmacognostical & phytochemical study on different plant sources of Parpatak. 2014. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 3(4): 1531-1548. Powdered drug of stem is yellowish green in color with unpleasant odor and bitter taste. Distinguishing microscopic characters are epidermis with thin cuticle, thick walled collenchymatous cells and polygonal parenchymatous cells. Annular and spiral vessels are also seen in the powdered drug. Powdered drug of leaf is dull green in color with pungent odor and bitter taste. Microscopic study shows epidermis with ranunculaceous stomata, parenchymatous cells, palisade parenchyma and vasicentric parenchymatous cells. Spiral, pitted and annular