Résumé
Vamana is the Agrya karma for Kaphaja vikaras. Madanaphala - Randia dumetorum Lam is the drug of choice for Vamana karma because of its property – Anapayitwat (without untoward effect). Specific collection method, season and processing is required to get Phalapippali to possess above quality. Madana shalatu– Unripen fruits of Madanaphala is an Abhavapratinidhi dravya mentioned in Sushrutha Samhita and Ashtanga Hrudaya which does not require this processing- Samskara. So, in the present study comparative qualitative and quantitative physicochemical and phytochemical analysis of the Madana Shalatu, Pakwa Madanaphala Ripen fruit of Madanaphala and Madanaphala Pippali– Processed fruits of Madanaphala has been carried out. Aim: 1. Pharmacognostic, Physicochemical and Phytochemical analysis of Madana Shalatu, Pakwa Madanaphala, Madanaphala Pippali. 2. Comparative qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis of Madana Shalatu, Pakwa Madanaphala, Madanaphala Pippali. Method: 1. Pharmacognostic study – Macroscopic study and Microscopic study. 2. Preliminary physico chemical analysis. 3. Qualitative phyto chemical evaluation of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of the test drugs. 4. Quantitative analysis– UV Spectrophotometry. Result: Microscopic study, qualitative phyto chemical evaluation of all test drugs did not showed much differences. In total saponin estimation by UV Spectrophotometry of methanol and Water extract of ripen processed fruits of Randia, Ripen fruits of Randia and Unripen fruits of Randia is found to contain 73.71, 83.23, 71.35 and 72.62, 92.44, 75.25µg DE/mL of Saponin content respectively. Conclusion: Quantity of Saponin which is the main active principle in Randia Dumetorum responsible for Vamana Karma was similar in the Madana Shalatu and in Phala Pippali, whereas it was highest in Pakwa Madanaphala, thus it may be used like Phala Pippali without any laborious process of Samskara. Further Toxicity studies and clinical trials are required to prove its safety and efficacy in humans.
Résumé
In the absence of a desired first choice medicinal herb, classical Ayurveda recommends use of a functionally similar substitute. Post 16th century Ayurvedic texts and lexicons give specific examples of possible substitutes. Here we report a preliminary study of one such Ayurvedic substitution pair: Musta (Cyperus rotundus L., Cyperaceae), a common weed, for the rare Himalayan species, Ativisha (Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. ex Royle; Ranunculaceae). The study’s strategy was to use modern phytochemical and pharmacological methods to test the two herbs for biochemical and metabolic similarities and differences, and literary studies to compare their Ayurvedic properties, a novel trans-disciplinary approach. No previous scientific paper has compared the two herbs’ bioactivities or chemical profiles. Despite being taxonomically unrelated, the first choice, but relatively unavailable (Abhava) plant, A. heterophyllum, and its substitute (Pratinidhi) C. rotundus, are not only similar in Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna) profile, but also in phytochemical and anti-diarrheal properties. These observations indicate that Ayurveda may attach more importance to pharmacological properties of raw drugs than to their botanical classification. Further research into the nature of raw drugs named could open up new areas of medicinal plant classification, linking chemistry and bioactivity. Understanding the logic behind the Ayurvedic concept of Abhava Pratinidhi Dravya (drug substitution) could lead to new methods of identifying legitimate drug alternatives, and help solve industry’s problems of crude drug shortage.