Abhava pratinidhi dravya: A Comparative Phytochemical Study of Bharangi and Kantakari

Abstract

Abhava pratinidhi dravya excites the scientific curiosity concerning the Ayurvedic principles behind selection of the substitute drug. Present study had reported a comparative phytochemical study of one such Ayurvedic substitution pair: Solanum surattense Burm.f., a substitute for Clerodendrum serratum L. The study was conducted to understand the logic behind the Abhava pratinidhi dravya (Drug substitution). The strategy was to scrutinize and compare their Ayurvedic properties by literary studies and test the phytochemical profile of these two herbs for biochemical similiarties and differences. On analyzing their Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna properties), findings show that both the drugs possess katu and tikta rasa, but Bharangi is katu rasa dominant and Kantakari is tikta rasa dominant drug. Along with this, both drug possess laghu, ruksha and ushna guna in common. Kantakari which contain different properties i.e. sara and tikshna guna. Both drug possess katu vipaka and ushna veerya. Both drugs had been stated to treat majority of respiratory ailments. Phytochemical observations suggest that in Bharangi root extract alkaloids and tannins was present whereas Kantakari root extract was rich in flavonoids content. Saponins was present in maximum amount in both the plant extracts. Despite taxonomically unrelated and morphologically dissimiliar, Bharangi has been substituted by Kantakari drug. In Ayurveda, more importance was given to pharmacological properties of raw drug rather than its botanical classification. Further comparative pre-clinical studies and bio-equivalence clinical studies has been needed to explore the different pharmacological properties.

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“…However, it has been observed that in South Indian Pharmacies, the root and root nodules of Pygmacopremna herbacea were used as Bhāraṅgī in their preparations (K. Vasudevan Nair et.al 1982) 5 . In a study conducted on the four Indian market samples of Bhāraṅgī, it was found that all samples were adulterated and none of the market sample was found as genuine drug Clerodendrum serratum 3,4,9 . Another study showed that the roots of Bhāraṅgī were adulterated with the stem of Clerodendrum serratum, mostly in South Indian markets 10,11 .…”

“…In a study conducted on the four Indian market samples of Bhāraṅgī, it was found that all samples were adulterated and none of the market sample was found as genuine drug Clerodendrum serratum 3,4,9 . Another study showed that the roots of Bhāraṅgī were adulterated with the stem of Clerodendrum serratum, mostly in South Indian markets 10,11 . Eventually there were no particular studies conducted on Bhāraṅgī in Kerala markets.…”

“…Plants, states that Rotheca serrata (L.) Steane & Mabb belongs to the family Lamiaceae is the botanical source of Bhāraṅgī and the official part used is dried roots 2,3 . Due to increased demand and over-exploitation, there is a significant reduction in the availability of genuine drug; hence chances for adulteration with other spurious, inferior or useless parts of same or different plants is very high.…”