Vernacular names

Hindi- Deldona, Dhurpisag, Goma, Guma, Motapati. Goma madhupati. Beng.- Barahalkasa, Ghalaghase Darunaphula, Barahalkusa, Hulksha,

Bholghasiya. Guj.- Doshi no kubo, Khetraukubo, Kubi, Kubo, Kulannuphul.

Kan.- Tumbe. Mal.- Tumbe. Mar.- Deokhumba, Kumbha, Shetvad, Tumba,

Bahuphul. Punj.- Chatra, Guldoda, Maldoda, Phuman, Sisalius, Guldora.

Tam.- Tumbai, Tumbay-Keere.Tel.- Peddatumni, Tumni, Pulatumni. Assam-

Dronaphool. Oriya- Gaisa. Santhal- Andiadhuruparak. Sind.- Kubo.

Konkani.- Tumbo. Bihar.- Gumar. Khandesh.- Kedari. Mundari.-

Gomanaki ara (Kirtikar and Basu, 1988; Chopra et al., 2002; B.N., 1982;

Nadkarni, 1976; Anonymous, 2000; Vaidya, 1985; Sharma, 1978;

Anonymous, 1962; Anonymous, 1999; Anonymous, 1987; Anonymous,

1978; Watt, 1972; Duthie, 1960).

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

An annual erect, stout, hairy, pubescent, aromatic herb, 60-90 cm high. Stems and branches obtusely quadrangular, hairy with spreading hairs. Leaves

simple, opposite, 3-8 x 1.5 -3 cm, ovate or ovate - lanceolate, subacute,

membranous, crenate - serrate, base tapering, shortly petioled. Flowers

white, zygomorphic, bisexual, sessile in large globose dense terminal whorls,

2.5 - 5 cm in diameter. Nutlets small, obovoid - oblong, rounded at the

apex, the inner face angular, the dorsal face rounded, smooth and brown.

74

DRONAPUSHPI Leucas cephalotes Spreng.

75

Flowering and Fruiting : November - February (Cooke, 1967; Anonymous,

1962; Kirtikar and Basu, 1988; Anonymous, 2001; Chatterjee and Pakrashi,

1997; Bole and Pathak, 1988; Gamble, 1967; Hooker, 1973).

DISTRIBUTION

It is found as a weed in cultivated ground, road sides or waste places and

through out the greter parts of India asending up to 1800m in Himalaya

(Anonymous, 1962). Also found in West Bengal, Kashmir, Punjab, Assam,

Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Western Peninsula (Cooke,

1967; Hooker, 1973; Kirtikar and Basu, 1988). Also occurs in Afghanistan

(Duthie, 1960).

PART(S) USED

Whole plant, flower and leaf (Sharma, 1978; B.N., 1982).

ACTIONS AND USES

The leaves and flowers are acrid, thermogenic, carminative, digestive, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, emmenagogue, sudorific, antipyretic,

expectorant, antibacterial and depurative. They are useful in colic, dyspepsia,

verminosis, arthralgia, chronic skin eruptions, psoriasis, cough and catarrh in

children, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, intermittent fevers and ulcers

(Chopra et al., 1958) The juice of the leaves is highly recommendable as an

eye drop in encephalopathy due to worm infestation in children and is useful

as a nasal drops in catarrh and cephalgia. Bruised leaves applied locally in

scabies; juice for cold and headache. The leaves are also useful in fever and

urinary discharges. The whole plant is laxative, diaphoretic, useful in

bronchitis, jaundice, inflammations, asthma, dyspepsia, paralysis and

leukeamia. (Chatterjee and Pakrashi, 1997; Kirtikar and Basu, 1988;

Anonymous, 1987).

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES

Rasa -Madhura, Lavana (A.H.Su.6.93), Tikta (C.S.Su.27.96), Madhura,

Lavana, Katu (Sharma, 1978; B.N., 1982).

Guna - Guru, Ruksha (A.H.Su.6.93).

Vipaka - Madhura (C.S.Su.27.96).

Veerya -Ushna (Sharma, 1978; B.N., 1982), Sheeta (A.H.Su.6.93;

C.S.Su.27.96).

Doshagnata - Kaphapittashamaka (C.S.Su.27.96), Kaphanashaka

(S.S.Su.38.18), Vatashleshmakara (A.H.Su.6.93).

76

Karma - Vatakara, Pittakara, Vishtambha, Bhedani (A.H.Su.6.93), Ruchya,

Kaphaghna, Jantughna, Vishaghna, Deepana, Anulomana, Pittasaraka,

Rechana (S.S.Su.46.274), Krimighna, Raktashodhaka, Shothahara,

Artavajanana, Jwarghana, Vranashodhaka (S.Su.38.18) (Sharma, 1978;

B.N., 1982).

Rogaghnata -Tamakashwasa, Kasa, Shwasa (S.S.Su.38.18), Agnimandya,

Kamala, Shotha, Aruchi, Krimi (S.S.Su.38.18) Vishamjwara, Amadosha,

Shoola, Vibandha (S.S.Su.46.274), Raktavikara, Rajorodha, Kastartava, Skin

diseases, Sarpavisha (Sharma, 1978; B.N., 1982).

Doses - Powder 1-3 gm.; Juice 5-10 ml. (Sharma, 1978; B.N., 1982).

SIDDHA PROPERTIES

Siddha Name - THUMBAI

Suvai (Taste) - Inippu (Sweet).

Veeriyam (Potency) - Seetham (Cold).

Vibakam (Transformation)- Kaarppu (Pungent).

Gunam (Pharmacological action) - Kozhaiyagattri (Expectorant),Ushna-

mundaakki (Stimulant).

Siddha pharmaceutical preparations - Pitha sura kudineer, Sambirani poo

pathangam,Seeraga chooranam.

Uses - Used in treatment of Sinusitis & Coryza.

PHARMACOGNOSY

Macroscopic

Root - Cylindrical, zig-zag, smooth, elongated with numerous wiry, fine rootlets, size variable, fracture fibrous; taste characteristic.

Microscopic

Transverse section shows single layered epidermis composed of rectangular,

thin walled cells; secondary cortex consists of thin-walled tangentially

elongated, parenchymatous cells; secondary phloem consists of sieve

elements and phloem parenchyma; secondary xylem consists of vessels,

tracheids, fibres and xylem parenchyma; vessels long with spurs, vessels and

tracheids have simple pits, xylem fibres much elongated with pointed ends

and moderately thick walls, some having simple pits; medullary rays 1-2

seriate and upto 8 cells high (Anonymous, 1999).

Macroscopic

Stem - Light greenish-yellow, surface rough, hairy, quadrangular with four

prominent furrows, upto 4 mm thick, nodes and internodes distinct; taste

slightly bitter.

77

Microscopic

Transverse section shows squarish outline with four ridges and furrows

consists of single layered epidermis, composed of oval to rectangular thin-

walled cells having number of uni to tricellular trichomes; secondary cortex

5-9 layered consisting of 3-5 layers of circular, oval to irregular

collenchymatous cells at the ridge and 2-4 layers of thin-walled, tangentially

elongated, parenchymatous cells; endodermis single layered consisting of

barrel-shaped, thin-walled cells; pericycle single layered of thin-walled cells

comparetively smaller than the cells of endodermis, a few pericyclic cells

converted into pericyclic fibres; phloem very narrow consisting of usual

elements; xylem consists of vessels, tracheids, fibres, and large amount of

xylem parenchyma; vessels mostly cylindrical with simple pits and spiral

thickening, tracheids and xylem parenchyma have simple pits on their walls.

Pith wide consisting of circular to oval thin-walled parenchymatous cells

(Anonymous, 1999).

Macroscopic

Leaf- Yellowish-green, 3-9 x 1.2.5 cm., ovate or ovate - lanceolate, subacute,

more or less pubescent, crenate, serrate; taste pungent.

Microscopic

Petiole in transverse section shows epidermis on either side with uni to tricellular trichomes with pointed ends, cortex consisting of single layered,

round to angular collenchymas; parenchyma consists of thin-walled cells

containing prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate, vascular bundles four, two

smaller located towards each corner and two larger in centre. Mid-rib shows

epidermis on either side with uni to tricellular trichomes, followed by 1-2

layers of collenchyma towards lower surface, 3-4 layers towards upper

surface, followed by round to oval parenchyma, 4-7 layered, vascular bundle

arc shaped present in the center. Lamina shows epidermis on either side with

uni to tricellular trichomes rarely on upper surface; palisade single layered,

spongy parenchyma 3-5 layered, irregular, thin-walled cells; a few veins

present in this region; stomata diacytic, present on both surfaces; stomatal

index 16.6-40.51 on lower surface, 16.6-30.7 on upper surface and palisade

ratio 7-9 (Anonymous, 1999).

Powder microscopy

Whole plant powder dull yellow in colour; shows groups of round to polygonal parenchymatous cells, pitted and spiral vessels; aseptate fibres,

uni-to tricellular trichomes and diacytic stomata (Anonymous, 1999).

Physical constants

78

Total Ash- Not more than 17%, Acid insoluble Ash - Not more than 6%,

Alcohol soluble extractive - Not less than 5%, Water soluble extractive - Not

less than 14% (Anonymous, 1999).

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS

Plant:-Sitosterol and its glycoside (Bahadur and Sen, 1969), new labdane,

norlabdane- and abietane-type diterpenes named leucasdins A, B and C,

respectively, and two protostane-type triterpenes named leucastrins A and B,

oleanolic acid, 7-oxositosterol, 7-oxostigmasterol, 7-hydroxysitosterol, 7-

hydroxystigmasterol, stigmasterol, 5-hydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavone, pillion,

gonzalitosin I, tricin, cosmosin, apigenin 7-O-beta-D-(6-O-p-

coumaroyl)glucopyranoside, anisofolin A and luteolin 4'-O-beta-D-

glucuronopyranoside (Miyaichi et al., 2006).

Seed oil: Laballenic acid (Octadeca-5, 6-dienoic acid), lauric acid, glutaric

acid, tridecanoic acid, adipic acid (Sinha at al, 1978).

PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES

Plant was reported to be cardiac depressant, hypotensive (P.R.U., Jodhpur), anthelmintic, antiseptic (Anonymous, 1962), insectisidal (Chopra et al.,

2002), antiscabies (Purohit et al., 1985) and anticoagulant (Sharma et al.,

1978a). Dhawan et al., (1980) reported antispasmodic activity in 50%

ethanolic extract of the plant. In contrast any such activity was reported to be

absent in the 90% ethanolic extract (Sharma et al., 1978a). The ethyl acetate

extract of whole plant failed to protect carbon tetrachloride induced

hepatotoxicity in mice and rats up to a dose of 300 mg/kg (Singh et al.,

1978).

Leucas cephalotes exhibited potent antifilarial activity against adult worms

and the microfilariae of Setaria cervi (Parveen et al., 2002).

TOXICOLOGY

The LD₅₀ of 50% ethanolic extract was 750 mg/kg bw i.p. in mice (Dhawan et al., 1980). The LD₅₀ of 90% ethonolic extract was found to be 1000 mg/kg

bw i.p. in rats (Sharma et al., 1978). The LD₅₀ of ethylaetate extract was 1680

 21 mg/kg bw i.p. in mice (Singh et al., 1978).

FORMULATIONS AND PREPARATIONS

Churna - Sudarshan churna

Vati And Gutika - Gorochanadi vati, Pleehari vatika (Anonymous, 1978).

79

SUBSTITUTES AND ADULTERANTS

Leucas aspera Spreng and L. lavandulaefolia Rees are also called as

Dronapushpi and used as substitute (Sharma, 1978; Anonymous, 2003;

Kurup et al., 1979; Garg, 1992).

PROPOGATION AND CULTIVATION

The plants are easily cultivated through seeds. The plant comes out during rainy season in field borders and waste places (Chauhan, 1999).

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84

GORAKSHGANJA

BOTANICAL NAME: Aerva lanata Juss. ex Schult.

FAMILY: Amaranthaceae

SYNONYMS

Aadan paki, Gorakhsganja (in South India it is considered as Pashanabheda) Shatkabhedi, Silavari (B.N., 1982).