Aragvatha

LITERARY REVIEW

Many references are available about the drug Aragvatha. In Vedic literature the dried branches of Aragvatha are used for ritual performance. AmoungBrhatTrayiCarakaemphasized its utility in kushta and described a chapter in its name Aragvathiyam (C.su.2) several external application containing Aragvatha are mentioned in this chapter. It is important to note that the leaves are repeatedly used in these conditions but not the fruit pulp.

Carakaseparately specified the utility of Aragvadha(fruit pulp) as a laxative or purgative (C.su.25)

Sargadhara quoted it as an example for sramsana group of drug Kaiyadeva identified the properties of leaves, flowers and fruit pulp of Aragvadha and mentioned them separately.

SYNONYMS

• Rajavrksa

VARIETIES

According to DhanvantariNighantu

2. Karnikara

According to Raja Nighantu

1. Aragvadha .

According to Vagbhata- varieties of palevata are

1. (sweet)
2. Amla (sour)

VERNACULARNAME

Hindi – Amaltas, Girimala

English – Purging cassia, Indian Laburnum.

Kannada – Kakke, kakkemara.

Malayalam – Kanikkonna.

Tamil – Konnai.

PROPERTIES

Rasa :Madhura, Tikta

Guna :Guru,Mrdu,soigdha

Virya :Sita.

Vipaka :Madhura.

Dosagnatha : Vatapittasamaka,pittakapha

samsodhana, Tridosahari

KARMA

• Kusthagna
• Kandugna
• Rakthasodhana
• Anulomana
• Kosthasuddhikara
• Ruchivadhaka
• Hrdyasothhara
• Mutrajanana
• Dahaprasamana
• Jvaraghna
• Sula prasamana.

PRAYOGA

Abhyantara :-

In Vibandha, kosthagata kamala, vistambha, udararoga, udavarta, sula, aruci, yakrcchotha, kamala, pittodara, pandu, hrdrogaraktapitta, sotha, kustha, daha, tvagvikara, visarpa, jvara, pittajvara , vatavyadhi, vatarakta, urustambha, mutrakrccha, prameha, haridrameha, upadamsa, sitapitla

Bahya :-

In kustha, kandu, dadru, kitibhapama, vrana, vranasotha, sadyovrana, vatavikara, vedanasotha, sandhivata. mukhagalaroyagandamala, granthi.

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENT

• Seeds – sugars, galactomann.
• Flowers – fistulin, leucopelargonidin, tetramer, kaempherd
• Pod – fistulic acid,
• Pulp – rennin, small amound of volatile oil, mucilaginous substance,

Glutine, pectine, colouring matter, calcium oxalate, alkalies.

• Bark and heart wood– barbaloin, fistucacidin rennin etc.
• Leaves – Rhein, sennosides A and B, very little tannin

OFFICINAL PART

• Root bark
• Leaves
• Fruit pulp.

DOSAGE

Root barkdecoction : 50- 100ml.

Flowerpaste : 5-10g,

Fruit pulp : 5-10g.

FORMULATIONS

• Aragvadhaditaila

THERAPEUTIC USES

• Kamala- Aragvadha fruit pulp is given with the juice of sugar cane or vidari or amalaki after fortifying with ( A.H.Ci.16)
• Gandamala- Root bark of Aragvadha is grinded with rice water and used for nasya and lepa. (V.M)
• Kusta – leaves of Aragvadha are made into paste with Aranala and applied externally ( V.S and V.M)
• Good laxative and anti dermatosis drug.
• Useful in boils, wound, ulcers, itchi and other skin affections, leprosy, gonorrhoea, constipation, abdominal disorders dyspepsia, indigestion, fever, jaundice, rheumatism, gout, goiter worms, paralysis.

RESEARCH

• Fruit pulp has been found to possess sighificant antipyretic and analgesic properties ( Patel et. al. 1965)
• The sugar free residue from the fruit pulp has been found to possess cathartic property in mice which was more than that of the total pulp. The minimum effective dose was 12 mg per mouse weighing 2gm (lyengar et al .1966)
• Aqueous entract of the fruit pulp has significant purgative action. In a dose of 250 mg and above, it caused purgative action that reached maximum in 6-9 hrs and lasted for 24 hrs. the purgative activity was attributed to the anthraquinones present ( Lilly kulty 1968)
• Out of the five glycosoids tested CFRI (one to the glycoside) alone exhibited marked antifungal activity ( venkitaraman and Radhakrishnan, 1972)
• The aqueous extract of fruit pulp had very little effect on arterial B.P of anaesthetized dogs and cats.But it caused an inhibitory effect on the isolated heart of frog and rabbit. At a dose of 80mg and above, it exhibited stimulant effect on smooth muscles of rabbit duodenum and guineapig ileum in vitro (Lillykkutty . 1968)
• The aqueous extract of leaves, stem bark, root bark and fruit pulp in a doseof 1g /100g body weight produced significant anti – inflammatory effect on albino rats. The root bark had maximum activity ( Lillykkutty, 1968)
• The leaves, stem bark and fruit pulp were found to have antibacterial activity the fruit pulp being the most potent in this respect ( Lillykkutty&Shanthakumari 1969)
• Elthanolicextract of root lowered blood sugar level up to 30% after 2 hrs in fasting rats ( Fitoterapia 1993)

FOLKLORE USES

The plant is used in folk remedies for tumors of the abdomen, glands, liver, stomach and throat impostumes of uterus.

Reported to be astringent laxative, purgative and vermifuge. Used in burns, cancer, constipation, convulsion, delirium,diarrhoea, disuria, epilepsy, haematuria, pimples and glandular tumors.

Fruit is used in abdominal pain

Seeds are considered as emetic

Leat poultices are applied externally for paralysis and rheumatism.

Bark and leaves are used for skin disease

Flower used for fever.