Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult.

Apocynaceae

Common Names:
Iramusu (S)
Kurinjaan, Nannari (T)
Indian Sarsaparilla (E)
Svetha Shariva (Sa)

Traditional Knowledge

Useful plant parts :
Root

Uses in traditional medicine :

Dried root infusion is taken in summer as a blood purifier and to control unpleasant odours due to sweating
Acts as an alterative and a demulcent and also used for acute inflammation
Used to treat anorexia, coughs, diaphoretics and diarrhoea

Scientific Research

Chemical constituents:

Pregnane glycosides: medidesmine, hemisine, desmisine, denicunine and heminine from plant; triterpene lactone: lupeol derivative from stem; benzoic acid derivatives from roots

Bioactivity :

Aqueous and alcohol extracts of roots: antibacterial, antinociceptive, hepatoprotective, inhibit lipid peroxidation, hydroxyl and superoxide radical scavenger, inhibit adinosine diphosphate (ADP) induced platelet aggregation, antiulcer; benzoic acid derivatives: anti-snake venom

Clinical:

Note :

Dry roots are used to prepare herbal drinks

References :

Alam, M. I. and Gomes, A., (1998), Viper venom-induced inflammation and inhibition of free radical formation by pure compound (2-Hydroxy- 4-Methoxy Benzoic Acid) isolated and purified from anantamul (Hemidesmus indicus R.Br) root extract, Toxicon, 36(1), 207-215.

Anoop, A. and Jegadeesan, M., (2003), Biochemical studies on the anti-ulcerogenic potential of Hemidesmus indicus R.Br. var. indicus, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 84, 149-156.

Deepak, D. et al., (1997), Pregnane Glycosides From Hemidesmus Indicus, Phytochemistry, 44(1), 145-151.

Gayathri, M. and Kannabiran, K., (2009), Antimicrobial activity of Hemidesmus indicus, Ficus bengalensis and Pterocarpus marsupium roxb, Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 71(5), 578-581.

Gupta, M. M. et al., (1992), Terpenoids from Hemidesmus indicus, Phytochemistry, 31(11), 4036-4037.

Mary, N. K. et al., (2003), In vitro antioxidant and antithrombotic activity of Hemidesmus indicus (L) R. Br., Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 87, 187-191.

Prabakan, M. et al., (2000), Protective effect of Hemidesmus indicus against rifampicin and isoniazid-induced hepatotoxicity in rats, Fitotera- pia, 71, 55-59.

Ravishankara, M. N. et al., (2002), Evaluation of antioxidant properties of root bark of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. (Anantmul), Phytomedicine, 9, 153-160.

Sigler, P. et al., (2000), C21 steroidal glycosides from Hemidesmus indicus, Phytochemistry, 54, 983-987.

Verma, P. R. et al., (2005), Antinociceptive activity of alcoholic extract of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. in mice, Journal of Ethnopharmacology 102, 298-301.

Copyrights Reserved By
Natures Beauty Creations