Botanical Name: Holarrhena antidysenterica (Linn.) Wall.
Family: Apocynaceae
Identification No.: SDACH/HG/159
Introduction:
This drug used in bleeding piles & G.I. tract disorders
Names in different Indian languages :
English : Easter tree,Ivory tree,Tellicherry Bark.
Hindi : kurchi
Kannada : Kodakasana
Malayalam : Kutakapala
Sanskrit : Kutaja
Tamil : Kudasappaalai-pattai,vidai (bark, seed)
Telugu : Kodisapala
Synonyms :
कुटजः कूटजः कौटो वत्सको गिरिमल्लिका ॥११६॥कालिङ्गः शक्रशाखी च मल्लिकापुष्प इत्यपि । इन्द्रो यवफलः प्रोक्तो वृक्षकः पाण्डुरद्रुमः ॥११७॥
Kutaja, Girimallikaa, Kaalinga, Kalingaka, Indravriksha, Shakra, Vatsa, Vatsaka, Shakraahvya. Indrayava, Indrabija, Vatsabija (seed). Kurchi (bark).
Holarrhena pubescens (Buch.- Ham.) Wall. ex G. Don
Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata :
Charaka :Arsoghna, Kandughna Stanyasodhana Asthäpanopaga
Susrutha : Aragvadi, Pippalyadi, Haridradi, Laksadi
Vagbhata : Aragvadi, Pippalyadi
Varieties & adulterants – (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants) :
1. W. tinctoria [CV]
2. Wrightia tomentasa [CV[
3. Salvadora oleoides – [AD]
4. Holarrhena pubescens
Morphology :
A small lactiferous, deciduous tree with woody branches.
Leaves- simple, opposite, elliptic oblong, ovate or ovate-oblong.
Flowers- in corymbose cymes, whiter fragrant.
Fruits- follicles, long, slender, parallel, , coriaceous, with long white spots.
Seeds- narrowly, oblong glabrous. Tipped at apex with spreading deciduous coma of brown hairs.
(Flowers from April-July and fruits from August-October)
Distribution & Habitat :
Common in tropical parts of India and in sub- Himalaya tract.
Chemical constituents :
pubescine, norholadiene, pubescimine, kurchinin, kurchinine, kurchinidine,holarrifine, holadiene, kurchilidine, kurchamide, kurcholessine, kurchessine, conessine, Conessidine, connessimine, conkurchine, holadiene, holarrhenine holarrhimine, kurchine, holarrhine, kurchicine, holadysine, holadysamine, holantosines A & B; kurchaline, kurchiphyllamine, holacetine etc
Properties :
Rasa Tikta, Kasäya
Virya sita (Raja Nighantu quoted it as Usna virya)
Guna Laghu, Rüksa
Vipãka Katu
Karma – Kapha-pitta hara, Grãhi, Dipana, stambana, kandughna
astringent, anthelmintic, amoebicidal, diuretic
Indication :
Rakãras, Atisãra, Grahani, Kustha, Krimi, Amavãta, Chardi, Visarpa, Vãtarakta, Jvara.
constipating, astringent, expectorant, asthma, hepatopathy, uropathy, haemorrids. diarrhea, dysentery, expectorant, gastropathy, hepatosplenomegaly, rheumatism, malaria, vomiting, skin disease etc.
Part used : Bark, leaves, seeds, flowers
Srotogamitva :
Dosha : vathahara
Dhatu :raktha
Mala :mutrala
Organ : skin, intestine
Dosage :
Powder 3-6 g decoction 50-100 ml
External use : Stem, bark and indrayava (bitter seeds) are optimum for healing of ulcers. A decoction of these helps in ulcer treatment On exuding ulcers. in cleaning indrayava is used.
Internal uses :
Digestive system : Vatashaman, deepan inhibitor of inflammation, (cures) loss of appetite, pittasarak and parasiticidal. Useful in diarrhoea and dysentery. Scientists feel that it is of great use in amoebiasis without the long term side effects of emetine. The total alkaloids of the tender pods and leaves are useful in worm infection in children. Bark is most effective in jaundice.
Circulatory system : Useful in bleeding disorders
Reproductive system: Removes muscular weakness and tones up vaginal tissues after delivery. Fevers : Antipyretic, especially in fevers of lymphatic or blood origin. Therapeutic in typhoid.
Therapeutic Uses:
(1) Jvara- Decoction in Indrayava and Katukarohini is taken with rice-water (H. S.312166).
(2) Pittatisära- Seeds and bark of Kutaja are pounded with honey and Ativisa is added to it. This combination is taken with rice Water (C.S.Ci.19l5I)
(3) Kustha- Paste of Lodhra, Dhãtaki, Indravyava, Karanja and Jãti is applied externally (C.S.Ci.7195)
Yoga / Formulations:
Kutajarishta, Kutaja Ghana Vati, Kutajavaleha, Bilvadi Kwatha
IUCN Status : Least Concern (LC)
Research Updates
1. Antidiarrheal and Antimicrobial Effects
Ethanolic extracts of H. antidysenterica seeds have demonstrated significant antidiarrheal activity in animal models. Studies indicate a reduction in the severity of castor oil-induced diarrhea, suggesting its potential in managing diarrheal conditions .ResearchGateSpringerLink
Additionally, the plant exhibits antimicrobial properties. Its extracts have shown effectiveness against various bacterial strains, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Shigella, and Salmonella typhi, supporting its traditional use in treating gastrointestinal infections .Drug Delivery Journal+3ResearchGate+3PMC+3SpringerLink
2. Antidiabetic Activity
Research involving streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats has revealed that ethanolic seed extracts of H. antidysenterica can significantly reduce blood glucose levels. The treatment also improved lipid profiles and liver enzyme levels, indicating its potential as an antidiabetic agent .ResearchGate
3. Anti-inflammatory and Ulcer-Protective Properties
The plant’s extracts have been found to possess anti-inflammatory effects. In animal studies, administration of the extracts led to a reduction in inflammation and provided protection against ulcer formation, suggesting its therapeutic potential in inflammatory conditions .
4. Neuroprotective and Enzyme Inhibitory Activities
Recent studies have identified that H. antidysenterica exhibits neuroprotective properties. Its extracts have shown inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme linked to neurodegenerative diseases, indicating potential benefits in neurological disorders .
5. Hepatoprotective and Antiurolithic Effects
The plant has demonstrated hepatoprotective activity in models of chemically induced liver damage. Additionally, its extracts have shown antiurolithic properties, suggesting a role in preventing kidney stone formation
