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Ethnobotanical
Leaflets 10: 294-304. 2006. Pharmaceutical
Studies and Therapeutic Uses of Plumbago Zeylanica L. Roots (Chitraka,
Chitramulamu)
K. Madhava Chetty,
K. Sivaji, G. Sudarsanam*,
P. Hindu Sekar Department of Botany, * Corresponding author Email : sudarsanamg@gmail.com Issued Abstract
The
pharmaceutical studies and therapeutic uses of Plumbago zeylanica, in fresh root and as well
as dry drug (root), were studied. The
fresh root drug preparation includes Chitraka swarasam (freshly expressed juice), Chitraka
kalkam (paste) and their therapeutic uses. Dry drug reveals preparation of Chitraka churnam (powder), Chitrakadi vati (tablets), Chitrakadi dutika (pills), Chitraka ghritam (ghee
preparation), Chitraka quatham
(decoction), Chitraka himam
(cold infusion), Chitraka Phantam
(hot infusion) and their therapeutic use for the treatment of various
ailments was recorded.
Key
words : Pharmaceutical
studies, Therapeutic uses, Plumbago zeylanica, Chitraka, Chitramulamu. INTRODUCTION
The plant species Plumbago zeylanica (known
vernacularly as Chitraka, Chitramulamu, Tellachitramulamu,
Agnichela,
Agnimaala
or by its trade or popular names of “Lead wort-white
flowered” and “Ceylon Lead wort”) of the Plumbaginaceae, is distributed as a weed in throughout
the tropical and subtropical countries of the world. The family Plumbaginaceae
consists of 10 genera and 280 species.
The genus Plumbago includes 3 species, namely Plumbago indica L. (P. rosea L.)
P. capensis L., and P. zeylanica L., which are distributed in several parts
of Chittoor
district, the southernmost region of Andhra Pradesh (Madhava
Chetty, et.al.
1998) has a total population of 3.22 million of which 2.62 million are living
in rural areas (Amulya Rathnanda,
1991). The most important communities
of the district (Kamma, Kapu,
Balija, Konda Reddy, Harijana, Jangama, Padmasali, Vaddi, Kamsali, Kummari, Tsakali, Gandla, Mangali, Irula, Yanadi, Sugali, Tanda, Yerukala, Nakkala etc.) are well experienced with the numerous
therapeutic uses of the chitraka (Sudhakar & Madhava Chetty, 1998). The present study is therefore
undertaken to lay special emphasis on pharmaceutical studies and therapeutic
uses of the root of Plumbago zeylanica used
by different communities in this district. EXPERIMENTAL
The data on the pharmaceutical
studies and therapeutic uses of Plumbago zeylanica were gathered from Sri Srinivasa
Ayurvedic Pharmacy, 10 Km from Tirupati,
local healers, local and tribal medicine men, age old persons, farmers, mid-wivers and other dwellers having high degree of knowledge
in herbal medicine. The method of drug
preparation, qualitative, quantitative ingredients used, quality of the drug,
colours used in medicine, basic media used for
preparation, preparation of the drug, activators or precaution to be taken
during drug preparation, mode of preparation of final form, temperature
variation in the preparation of the drug, shelf life and stability of the
drug after preparation, method of preservation, mode of administration,
therapeutic uses of the drug, age wise dosage levels, duration of treatment,
toxic levels of the drug, effective dosage, side effects and precautions to
be taken when using the drug are reported in detail. The plant material was identified
with the help of South Indian and local floras (Gamble & Fishcher, 1957; Mathew, 1983; Thammanna,
et. al. 1994). The nomentclature was updated by consulting the recent
literature (Henry, et.al.1989). The voucher herbarium specimen was
deposited in the Herbarium of Botany Department, S.V.University,
Tirupati. Its accession number is 1156. RESULTS
Our
results are given under the following headings: PLANT DESCRIPTION Plumbago zeylanica, a
rambling subscandent perennial herb or under shrub
with green branches, stems somewhat woody, spreading, terate,
striate, glabous.
Leaves alternate, ovate or oblong, petiole narrow, amplexicaul
at the base and often dialted into stipule like
auricles. Flowers white, in axillary and terminal elongated spikes, bisexual. Calyx
densely covered with stalked, sticky glands.
Corolla white, very slender, tubular.
Stameus 5, free. Ovary superior, 5-gonous, one celled, ovule
one, basal. Roots are light yellow coloured when fresh, reddish brown when dry, found in the
form of taugh pieces, straight unbranched
or slightly branched with or without secondary roots, with uniform and smooth
texture, strong and characteristic odour with acrid
and bitter taste. PHARMACEUTICAL STUDIES PREPARATION OF MEDICINES The
root of Plumbago zeylanica (Chitraka, Chitramulamu)
collected at the stage of flowering can be pharmaceutically moulded into two main categories of dosage forms by using
(A) Fresh
root and (B) Dry drug (root). A)
FRESH ROOT The freshly collected root can be converted in the
following forms for therapeutic use. 1.
Chitraka swarasam
(Freshly expressed juice) The fresh juice
expressed by macerating the fresh root of chitraka
is called as chitaka swarasam. Therapeutic uses :
The fresh juice
(5-10 ml) is taken with cow’s urine (15-30 ml) twice a day for 2-3 weeks
relieves internal piles. 2. Chitraka
kalkam (Paste) The
fresh root of chitraka is ground into a fine paste
by using sufficient water is known as a chitraka kalkam. Therapeutic uses: a. External application of the paste to the filarial
leg is useful. b. The paste made out of the root of chitraka and stem barks of Erythroxylon monogymum Roxb. And Moringa oleifera Lam. in equal proportions gorund with
cow’s urine is useful as an external application to relieve oedema of the legs. c. External application of the paste made out of the
root of chitraka, Nerium oleander L. and stem bark of Semicarpus anacardium L. f., Holoptelia integrifolia (Roxb.)
Planch. and excretory
matter of pigeon in equal proportions induces early maturation, rupture and
healing of abscess. d. The root of Plumbago is to be pasted within a jar on to the inner walls and bottom of
the jar. Curd or butter milk prepared
in that jar is taken in a dosage of 30-60 ml, twice a day for a period of
7-10 days relieve piles. e. External application of fine paste made out of
fresh roots of chitraka, soaked in cow’s urine for
a period of 24 hours alleviates the signs and symptoms of scabies. f. Local administration of fine root paste (3-5 g)
of chitraka into the vaginal track for a period of
3-5 days found to having abortifacient action. B)
DRY DRUG The dry drug can be prepared in the following
forms. 1. Preparation
of chitramula churnam
(Root powder) The
freshly collected roots of the plant are thoroughly cleaned by soaking in
fresh water repeatedly to separate mud particles sticking on to the
roots. Then the root is excavated and
cut into small bits of about 2-3 cm in size.
The pieces are thoroughly shade dried and subjected to grinding to
convert into fine powder. Whenever
necessary the fine power is again sieved to obtain microfine
powder by using mesh No.80 (Sifter sieving machine used in pharmaceutical industries). The so prepared powder is to be preserved
in antigut container for usage as a single drug or
it can be mixed proportionally with other plant drugs to prepare drugs such
as chitrakadi vati
(pills) and chitraka gutika
(tablets), chitraka ghritam
(ghee preparation), chitraka quatham
(decoction), chitraka himam
(cold infusion) and chitraka phantam
(hot infusion). The churnam (powder) should be used in dosage of about 2-3 g
in divided doses (twice or thrice in a day) preparably
after meal with luke warm water or with the
prescribed vehicle. Therapeutic uses a. The paste made out of the root churnam (1-2 g) is taken with butter milk (30-60 ml), 2-3 times a day gives quick relief in diarrhoea. b. The decoction prepared out of the root bark churnam is taken orally (30-60 ml) twice in day for about
1-2 weeks gives relief from dysentery, abdominal disorders, peptic ulcers,
piles and improves appetite. In
children the dosage should be limited to 5-10 ml in divided doses. c. The fine powder of the root is taken orally (2-5
g) with honey twice a day for a period of 3 months, it gradually reduces hypercholostremia. d. The fine powders of chitraka
and Abutilon indicum
(L.) Sweet. root
in equal proportion is given in dosages of 1-3 g with milk ones in a day for
3 months gradually reduces the condition of anemia and improves blood
formation. e. The fine powder of chitraka (1 part), dry zinger, Piper longum L. and Piper nigrum L.
(1 part each) are taken orally 2-3 g with ghee or honey, twice a day for
period of 3 months gives results in leucoderma and
psoriasis. Side Effects If the powder (churnam) is taken in excessive doses it produces severe
irritation in the stomach, vomiting, diarrhoea,
painful micturition (burning urination) and
abortion etc. It also produces
ulceration in the stomach. 2. Preparation
of chitrakadi vati
(tablets) and gutika (pills) Medicines
prepared in the form of tablets or pills is known as
vati and gutika. These are made of one or more drugs of
plant, animal or mineral origin. Table 1. Ingredients used in the preparation of chitrakadi vati and gutika .
The above dried drugs
should be powdered, sieved and mixed in the proportions stated above and
mixed all together. The compound is
thoroughly macerated by using fresh juice of Citrus medica or C. limon or Punica granatum repeatedly till fine paste is
obtained. The criteria to determine
the final stage of the formulation before making tablets or pills is that it
should not stick to the fingers when rolled.
The so obtained paste is to be dried under shade and to be converted
into pills or tablets of desired size (dosage form) of about 500 mg. The pills or tablets should be preserved in
airtight plastic containers or plastic bags and can be used upto 1-2 years. Therapeutic uses a. The above prepared
tablets or pills (2 tablets or pills) are taken orally thrice in a day after
meal preparably with luke
warm water or butter milk for period of two weeks relieves dyspepsia (loss of
appetite), indigestion, peptic ulcers, dysentery and diarrhoea.
b. The pills prepared by
using chitraka and haritaki
(Terminalia chebula Retz., fruit) in equal proportions in the dosage of 1-2
pills of about 500 mg each, in divided doses (twice or thrice a day) in luke warm water for about 1-2 weeks relieves coryza (running nose). c. The plain (single drug)
made of chitraka root if taken orally in dosage of
2-3 pills twice a day for about 3 months with luke
warm water or butter milk, results in reducing excessive liquid levels in
blood i.e. reduces obesity. 3. Chitraka ghritam (Ghee
preparation) It
is a preparation in which ghee is boiled with the prescribed decoction of the
plant drug to the formula. This
process ensures absorption of the active therapeutic principles of
ingredients used. Methods of preparation It
involves three essential components for the preparation of chitraka ghritam. 1. Liquid (water) - 16 parts 2. Fine paste of the drug
(roots) - 1 part 3. Ghee - 4 parts The
fine paste of the drug and the liquid are mixed together and ghee is then
added, boiled and stirred well continuously so that the paste is not allowed
to adhere to vessel walls. When all
the liquid contents have evaporated, the moisture content in the fine paste
of the drug will also begin to evaporate.
At this stage it has to be stirred more often and carefully to ensure
that the fine paste of the drug does not stick to the bottom of the vessel. The fine paste is taken out with the help
of ladle and tested from time to time to know the condition and stage of the pakam. When the pakam is harder
when put in fire burns without any crackling noise indicates the optimal
stage for oral intake. In the
beginning the boiling should be on mild fire and in the end also it should be
mild fire. Characteristics : The chitraka ghritam
will generally solidify when cooled.
It will have the colour, odour
and taste of the plant (s) drug used. Preservation :
They are preserved
in glass, polythene or aluminium containers. They keep their potency upto
2 years. Method of usage :
It has to be taken after warming in the
doses of 3-6 g, twice in a day for period of 15-30 days for satisfactory
results in the said indications. Therapeutic uses a. Sprue
(dysentery) b. Abdominal disorders
like splenomegaly, hepatomegaly
and ascitis. c. Oedema
(swelling of limbs and other parts of the body). d. Goats ghee processed
with yavaksara, Carcum copticum fruits, chitraka
root and Phyllanthus emblica L.
fruits in equal proportions and mixed with honey, if taken orally in doses of
1-2 tea spoonful twice or thrice in a day for a
period of 7-10 days relieves hoarseness of voice and sore throat. e. Cow’s urine (500 ml)
mixed with chitraka and trikatu
(Zingiber officinale Rosc. + Piper longum + P. nigrum in
equal proportions) of each about 100g and honey 100 g and kept in a air,
smeared with ghee of about (250 g) kept for a fortnight can be used in doses
of 3-5 g twice a day for period of 45 days reduces the symptoms of vitiligo. 4. Chitraka quatham (Decoction) When
fresh drug is not available, the dry drug is to be made into coarse powder
and add 16 times water to the coarse powder in a container and reduced to the
contents of the container to one fourth by boiling, filter while warm and
kept ready for use. Therapeutic uses The
decoction of chitraka root in a dosage of 30-60 ml
twice daily for a period of 2-3 weeks is useful in checking and preventing spermatorrhoea. 5. Chitraka himam (Cold infusion) Add
4 times of the water to the coarse powder of chitraka
root and allow it to soak for about 24 hours and in the next day early
morning, filter and the cold infusion kept ready for use. Therapeutic uses a. The cold infusion is
taken in a dosage of 20-40 ml thrice a day for a period of 8-10 days to relieve piles. b. The cold infusion is
also prepared by using chitraka (20 g) and turmeric
(40 g) using cow’s urine as the medium if taken orally in doses of 30-60 ml
twice a day for period of 3-4 months relieves symptoms of leprosy and allied
skin disorders. 6. Chitraka phantam (Hot infusion) Add
8 times water to the coarse powder, soak for 24 hours and in the next day
morning reduce to half volume by boiling, filter while warm and hot infusion
is kept ready for use. Therapeutic uses The
hot infusion (15-30 ml) is taken orally twice a day for a period of 7-10
days, relieves dyspepsia, peptic ulcers and indigestion. C. COLOURS USED IN CHITRAKA DRUG
PREPARATION Classical
preparations such as churnam, pills, tablets, ghritam, swarasam, kalkam, decotion,
hot or cold infusions do not involve addition of any flavouring
agents, colour dyes and preservatives. However patient or ethical preparations of chitraka by modern Ayurvedic
pharmacies involve. a. Encapsulation of the
powders by using gelatin capsules of capacity 250-500g. b. Film coating, blister
packing and strip packing using aluminium foil, to
attract the consumer to mask bitter taste while swallowing by the consumer
which otherwise produce nausea and vomitings and
for attractive presentation to improve the shelf life and to promote
marketing of the product. c. Syrups, linctus etc., contain favouring
agents, dyes and preservatives like sodium benzoate, citric acid, propile paraben and methyl paraben are used to improve the palatability, appearance
and shelf life. D. SHELF It
is period from the date of preparation of the dosage form till the
therapeutic action of the plant drug ceases. Table 2. Shelf Life of Chitraka.
The dried raw material
of the chitraka drug should be preserved in gummy
bags allowing aeration and care should be taken to prevent damage by
infestation, ants, rats, animals, insects, chemicals, etc. It should not be kept in airtight containers
and the material of the container should not reach with the raw
material. It should kept
away from moisture during rainy season. E.
AGEWISE DOSAGE LEVELS OF CHITRAKA DRUG Table 3. Chitraka dosages.
Different dosage forms
using chitraka should be processed under optimum temperature not exceeding 600C,
which otherwise reduces the potency of the drug used. F.
DIETARY PRECAUTIONS TAKEN WHEN USING CHITRAKA DRUG Control of the food habits of the patient under
treatment is another important aspect of Indian medical system in order to
avoid crude interaction between the drug and food in the system. To achieve good results and for total
effectiveness of the plant drug for absorption and bio-availability, the
following precautions to be taken. 1. Potatoes, tubers and
other root vegetables are avoided during the treatment to facilitate good
absorption of the plant drug. 2. Oil food stuff spices
and condiments to be reduced for effective absorption of the plant drug. 3. Plenty of water is to
be taken in between meals and also while taking the plant drug for good
absorption, bio-availability and good excretion of the plant drug. 4. Vegetable food stuffs
which have allied action with the plant drug should taken
during the course of treatment instead of incompatable
foodstuff for synergetic action. DISCUSSION The root of Plumbago zeylanica (Chitraka or Chitramulamu) has numerous therapeutic uses. The root is known to be abortifacient
and to have vesicant properties. It is
used as appetizer, dysentery, diarrhoea, diuretic,
expectorant, piles and peptic ulcers.
The root paste is applied topically for filarial leg is useful. It is used topically for early as
maturation, rupture and healing of abscess.
The root powder taken orally along with honey gradually reduces hypercholostraemia and improves blood formation (anaemia). It is
used to reduce obesity, vitiligo, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly and ascitis. It is
also used to relieve coryza (running nose),
hoarseness of voice and sore throat.
It is used in the form of local applications for leucoderma,
scabies, psoriasis, symptoms of leprosy and allied skin diseases. The decoction of the root is useful in
checking and preventing spermatorrhoea. The present study have clearly reveals that, it will be
beneficial to establish or to start pharmaceutical industry for the
production of chitraka swarasam,
chitraka kalkam, chitraka churnam, chitrakadi vati, chitrakadi gutika, chitraka ghritam, chitraka quatham and chitraka phantam of purity,
safety and high therapeutic values of the drugs with more commercial profits. The present study also provides an opportunity to
investigate and establish the status of Plumbago zeylanica will find their use for
utilization in different ailments. Finally it can be concluded that these studies are also
initiate the researchers who are in this field for further pharmaceutical
studies and therapeutic uses on chitraka for total
drug evaluation. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors express a deep sense of gratitude to Dr.Narappal Reddy Senior, Medical Officer, S.V. Ayurvedic Pharmacy, Srinivasa Mangapuram near Tirupati for
their constant encouragement, help for sharing valuable knowledge and
information. The authors are also very
much greatful to the rural and tribal people who
shared their valuable information. REFERENCES Amulya | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||