Crude drug sample data base

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Crude drug name

Market nameBirhami
Formal nameMandukaparni
Other names　　　

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Brahmi (T), Thakuni, Thankuni, Tholkuri (B), Brahmi (H), Urage, Vondelaga (K), Muttil, Kutangal (M), Brahmi (Te), Vallarai (Ta), Brahmbuti, Brahmi, Ghodtapre, Ghortap, Kholca ghayn (N), Gotukola (Sin)
English nameIndian Pennywort
Original plant nameCentella asiatica (L.) Urban, Indian Pennywort
Family nameUmbelliferae
Used partClassificationPlant origin
Sub classification whole plant
Collection informationIndia, New Delhi, M.H.A. Husain
Collection date1986/11/07
CollectorTsuneo Namba, et al.
TMPW No.5509

The capital city, provincial capital city or the representative　　
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28.6139391
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Scientific information data base

Crude drug nameAyurvedic name or
Sanskrit name, English name		Mandukaparni, Indian Pennywort
SynonymsSuvarcala, Brahmi, Varada, Sukhodbhavakhya, Manduki, Munibrahmi, Divya, Mahausadhi, Bheki, Mandukaparnika, Mandukabrahmi, Supriya, Brahmaputrika, Sarasvataprada
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Original plant nameCentella asiatica (L.) Urban
Family nameUmbelliferae
Used partWhole plant
Distribution areaWet places, banks of streams and ponds throughout India. The plant is also reported to occur in higher altitudes of 1550m in Sikkim and 1200m in Mount Abu in Rajasthan.
RemarksCommon.
Common usesThis drug is diuretic, aphrodisiac and is useful in anaemia/anemia, diabetes (with pruritis), anorexia, dyspnoea/dyspnea, emaciation, leprosy, skin diseases, heart diseases, scrofula, eczema, severe headache, bone fracture, cholera, venereal diseases, and in nervine debility. It is considered to increase receptive and retentive capacity of mind and gives longevity of life. A syrup of leaves with ginger and black pepper is taken for cough. Leaf juice with palm jaggery is given to women as a tonic after delivery. Pills prepared from the paste of leaves of this plant, Ocimum sanctum L. black pepper are used in the treatment of intermittent fever. Boiled leaves are eaten to prevent and cure urinary tract infections and the growth of kidney stones. The herbal drug is a powerful stimulant of circulatory system and its action chiefly affects the vessels of skin and mucous membrane.
Therapeutic usesSvasa kasa (respiratory disorders), Raktapitta (bleeding disorders), Kustha (skin diseases), Meha (diabetic types), Jvara (fever), Aruci (lack of appetite)
Chemical constituentTriterpenoids
Asiatic acid (*C1, *C2, *C5, *C6), Madecassic acid (*C2, *C5), 2alpha,3beta,6beta,23-Tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (*C6), Centellasapogenol A (*C7, *C8), 6beta-Hydroxyasiatic acid (*C11), 2alpha,3beta,6beta-Trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (*C13), 3alpha,6beta,23-Trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (*C13), 3beta,6beta,23-Trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (*C13), 2alpha,3beta,6beta-Trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (*C13),

Triterpenoid saponins
Asiaticoside (*C1, *C2, *C5, *C6), Madecassoside (*C5), Centellasaponin A (*C7, *C8), Centellasaponin B (*C12), Centellasaponin C (*C12), Centellasaponin D (*C12), 2alpha,3beta,23-Trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid-O-6-deoxy-alpha-L-mannopyranosyl-(1-4)-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (*C13), 2alpha,3beta,6beta-Trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid-O-6-deoxy-alpha-L-mannopyranosyl-(1-4)-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (*C13), 3beta,6beta,23-Trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid-O-6-deoxy-alpha-L-mannopyranosyl-(1-4)-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (*C13), 23-(acetyloxy)-2alpha,3beta-Dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid-O-6-deoxy-alpha-L-mannopyranosyl-(1-4)-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (*C13), 3beta,6beta,23-Trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid-O-6-deoxy-alpha-L-mannopyranosyl-(1-4)-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (*C13), 2alpha,3beta,6beta-Trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid-O-6-deoxy-alpha-L-mannopyranosyl-(1-4)-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (*C13)

Sterols
beta-Sitosterol (*C1), Daucosterol (*C1), Stigamasterol (*c4), Stigmasterone (*C4)

Steroid saponins & Sapogenins
Stigmasterol beta-D-glucoside (*C4)

Flavones & Flavonols
Kaempferol 3-3-O-beta-glucuronide (*C8), Myricetin (*C9), Quercetin (*C9、*C13), Kaempferol (*C9, *C13), Luteolin (*C9), Apigenin (*C9)

αーPyrones derivatives
3-Isooctadecanyl-4-hydroxy-alpha-pyrone (*C3)

Phenol derivatives
Vanillic acid (*C1)

Vitamin E (Tocopherols)
Alpha-Tocopherol (*C10)

Pharmacological effectCentella asiatica has been found to have considerable sedative action. The drug showed significant improvement in cases of anxiety neurosis and peptic ulcer. It has been found to improve the faculty of memory in the mentally retarded children. Asiaticoside is shown to be active in the treatment of leprosy. Asiaticoside and oxy-asiaticoside are employed in the treatment of certain type of tuberculosis. The plant is one of the components of the drug “Geriforte” used for senile pruritis. In pharmacological and clinical trials it has been found to improve the power of concentration and general ability and behaviour of mentally retarded children.

The plant showed good therapeutic effects on peptic ulcers. A paste of the plant is applied on boils and tumours. The whole plant mixed with Drymaria cordata Willd. and Oxalis corniculata Linn. is boiled and taken to cure dysentery. In large doses the plant acts a narcotic producing cephalalgia, vertigo and sometimes coma. Asiaticoside is useful in the treatment of leprosy and certain types of tuberculosis. Madecassol an extract of plant containing madecassic acid, asiatic acid and asiaticoside accelerates the cicatrization and grafting of wounds. Madecassoide and madecassic acid also show anti-inflammatory activity.

Different fractions of the drug “Mandukaparni” have shown barbiturate hypnosis potentiating effects in growing albino rats. It has also anti-convulsion activity, besides producing significant alterations in the neurochemistry of the brain. In comparative clinical and instrumental trial against placebo, the plant extract was found to improve venous disorders of lower limbs. The clinical trials demonstrated that the herbal drug possess Ayurvedic medhya rasayana effect (brain invigorating). It was found that the extract increases the intelligence quotient in the mentally retarded children. In a clinical trial of “Mental” (BR 16A) an Ayurvedic drug having Centella asiatica as one of the main ingredients, marked improvement is seen in children with behavioural problems.“Mental” is found to improve short term memory and learning performance due to possible nootropic action involving cholinergic and GABA ergic modulation.“Mental”is a safe non-analgesic herbal preparation which can be used in the treatment of opiate addiction.

Centelloside also has been found useful in leprosy. Asiaticoside has been used for lupus and experimentally for tuberculosis. Repeated injection of 0.5ml of 4% aqueous asiaticoside reduces the number of tubercular lesions in the liver, lungs, nervous ganglia and spleen.

The extract from the plant also promotes epithelialization and very early decrease in the wound surface area. Brahmoside present in the plant is reported to exhibit tranquilizing and anabolic activity. The glycosides brahmoside and brahminoside possess anti-spasmodic properties.
Medical systemAyurveda (Traditional Indian medicine)
Traditional conceptRasa (Taste)Kasaya (Astringent), Madhura (Sweet), Tikta (Bitter)
Virya (Potency)Sita (Cold)
Guna (Quality)Laghu (Light)
Vipaka
(Post digestive taste)		Madhura (Sweet)
Prabhava
(Special action)		Medhya (good for intellect)
Karma
(General action)		Ayusya (life promoting), Bala vardhana (increasing strength), Agnikrt (increasing digestive fire), Varnya (promoting complexion), Svarya (improving speech), Medhya (promoting intellect), Rasayana (rejuvenative)
Dosakarma
(Action on dosa)		Decreases Kapha Pitta, increases Vata
Mala
(Action on excretory mechanism)		Grahi (constipative), Sara (laxative)
Avayava
(Action on organ)		Hrdya (good for heart)
Traditional usage1. Juice of Mandukaparni (Centella asiatica) is applied to boils and carbuncles.

2. Mandukaparni fried in ghee is consumed as a food (one shouldn't take any other food) for rejuvenation.

3. Juice of Mandukaparni is effective in "Atatvabhinivesa" (a state of unconsciousness).

4. Mandukaparni, Madhuka (liquorice) and Sunthi (dry ginger) are also used according to the method (initial dose 5 gm. gradually increasing in a mouth upto 40gm) with milk keeping also on milk diet without cereals.

5. Mandukaparni combined with Bilva (Aegle marmelos) root, Kustha (Saussurea lappa) and Sankhapuspi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) and mixed with honey is used for clearing voice.

6. Juice of Mandukaparni combined with equal quantity of that of Dhattura (Datura metel) leaves and Somavalli (Ceropegia juncea) alleviates insanity.

7. Juice of Mandukaparni, powder of Madhuka, juice of whole plant of Guduci (Tinospora cordifolia) and paste of Sankhapuspi should be used with milk. They are life giving, disease destroyers and promoters of strength, digestive power, complexion and voice. These are intellect promoting rasayanas among which Sankhapuspi is the outstanding one.

8. Decoction of Mandukaparni, Marica (black pepper) and Kulattha (Dolichos biflorus) alleviates chronic coryza. The patient, during the course of treatment, should drink warm water.

9. One should take vegetable of Trivrt (Operculina turpethum) and Mandukaparni cooked in own juice and water without sours, salt and fat, steamed or slightly steamed for a month keeping on non-cereal diet. When thirsty, he should take fresh juice of the plant.

10. Juice of Mandukaparni mixed with honey, Haridra (turmeric), Amalaka (Phyllanthus emblica) or milk and taken in the morning is wholesome for those suffering from jaundice.
FormulationValiya cincadi tailam, Brahma rasayanam, Papphanadi tailam, Papphanadi ghrtam, Brahmi pak, Sarasvatarista, Sarasvata ghrta, Brahmi malahara and Brahmi taila.
Related drugsBacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell (Scrophulariaceae)
CommentsThere are four different types of Brahmi, they are Satalabrahmi, Medhabrahmi, Munibrahmi, Mandukaparni. Here the synonym Mandukaparni refers to one of the types of Brahmi. Mandukaparni has also got a synonym Brahmi. Terms like Manduki, Mandukabrahmi, Bheki etc., refer to a similarity of this plant and frog. Sarasvataprada indicates it's action on speech.

This is included in the Vayasthapana gana (a group of drugs capable of maintaining youthful vigour and strength. This is also included in Prajasthapana, Tiktaskandha groups by Caraka and Tiktavarga by Susruta.
ReferencesReference book　

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[2] Indian Medicinal Plants - A Compendium of 500 species, Varier, P.S., Orient Longman Ltd. Chennai (Madras)
Vol. 2 (Repr.1997), pp 52-55.

Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants, 1956. Chopra, R.N., Nayar, S.L. and Chopra, I.C., Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, New Delhi. - New Edition (1996) National Institute Science Communication; Supplement
p 58.

Illustrated Manual of Herbal Drugs Used in Ayurveda, 1996. Sarin, Y.K., Council of Scientific & Industrial Research and Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi
p 316.

Ayurvedic Drugs and Their Plant Sources, 1994. Sivarajan, V.V. and Balachandran, I., Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi
p 289.

Plants in Ayurveda (A Compendium of Botanical and Sanskrit Names), 1997. Abdul Kareem, M., Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions, Bangalore
371.

Dravyagunavijnana, Vols. 1-5, reprint 1998. Sharma, P.V., Chowkhambha Bharati Academy, Varanasi
Vol. 2, pp 3-6.

Classical uses of Medicinal Plants, 1996. Sharma, P.V., Chaukhambha Visvabharati, Varanasi
p 281.

Research paper*C1 He, M. -F., Meng, Z. -M. and Wo, L. -Q.; Zhongguo Yaoke Daxue Xuebao, 31, 91-93 (2000).
*C2 Morganti, P., Fionda, A., Elia, U. and Tiberi, L.; J. Chromatogr. Sci.; 37, 51-55 (1999).
*C3 Srivastava, R. and Shukla, Y. N.; Indian J. Chem., Sect. B: 36B, 963-64 (1997).
*C4 Srivastava, R., Shukla, Y. N. and Tripathi, A. K.; Fitoterapia, 68, 93-94 (1997).
*C5 de Paula Reis, J. E., Farinazzo Vitral, L. W. and Barbosa de Albuquerque, F.; Rev. Bras. Farm., 77, 71-72 (1996).
*C6 Maquart, F. -X., Chastang, F., Simeon, A., Birembaut, P., Gillery, P. and Wegrowski, Y.; Eur. J. Dermatol., 9, 289-96 (1999).
*C7 Murakami, Y., Matsuda, K., Ueda, H., Yoshikawa, M. and Yamahara, J.; Jpn. Kokai Tokkyo Koho JP 2000080044 A2, 8pp (2000).
*C8 Matsuda, H., Morikawa, T., Ueda, H. and Yoshikawa, M.; Heterocycles, 55, 1499-1504 (2001).
*C9 Miean, K. and Mohamed, S.; J. Agric. Food Chem., 49, 3106-12 (2001).
*C10 Ching, L. S. and Mohamed, S.; J. Agric. Food Chem., 49, 3101-5 (2001).
*C11 Shukla, Y. N., Srivastava, R., Tripathi, A. K. and Prajapati, V.; Pharm. Bio., 38, 262-67 (2000).
*C12 Matsuda, H., Morikawa, T., Ueda, H.and Yoshikawa, M.; Chem. Pharm. Bull., 49, 1368-71 (2001).
*C13 Kuroda, M., Mimaki, Y., Harada, H., Sakagami, H. and Sashida, Y.; Nat. Med., 55, 134-38 (2001).
RemarksThere is a confusion regarding the Bramhi. In North India, Centella asiatica is used as Brahmi. Where as in South India Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell is used. Centella asiatica is called Mandukaparni in Southern India. Glossary of vegetable drugs in Brhatrayi and Ayurvedic formulary of India identify Centella asiatica as Mandukaparni even though P.V.Sharma equates it to Brahmi. It has to be concluded that Centella asiatica is Mandukaparni based on the opinion of Majority.
Last renewal date2023/12/08
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