An update on Ayurvedic herb Convolvulus pluricaulis Choisy

Abstract

Convolvulus pluricaulis Choisy (C. pluricaulis) is a perennial herb that seems like morning glory. All parts of the herb are known to possess therapeutic benefits. The plant is used locally in Indian and Chinese medicine to cure various diseases. It is used in Ayurvedic formulation for chronic cough, sleeplessness, epilepsy, hallucinations, anxiety etc. Based on the comprehensive review of plant profile, pharmacognosy, phytochemistry, pharmacological and toxicological data on the C. pluricaulis, there will be more opportunities for the future research and development on the herb C. pluricaulis. Information on the C. pluricaulis was collected via electronic search (using Pub Med, SciFinder, Google Scholar and Web of Science) and library search for articles published in peer-reviewed journals. Furthermore, information also was obtained from some local books on ethnopharmacology. This paper covers the literature, primarily pharmacological, from 1985 to the end of 2012. The C. pluricaulis is an important indigenous medicine, which has a long medicinal application for liver disease, epileptic disease, microbial disease, cytotoxic and viral diseases, central nervous system (CNS) disease in Ayurvedic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and other indigenous medical systems. The isolated metabolites and crude extract have exhibited a wide of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological effect, including CNS depression, anxiolytic, tranquillizing, antidepressant, antistress, neurodegenerative, antiamnesic, antioxidant, hypolipidemic, immunomodulatory, analgesic, antifungal, antibacterial, antidiabetic, antiulcer, anticatatonic, and cardiovascular activity. A chemical study of this plant was then initiated, which led to the isolation of carbohydrats, proteins, alkaloids, fatty acids, steroids, coumarins, flavanoids, and glycosides as active chemicals that bring about its biological effects. A series of pharmacognostical studies of this plant show that it is a herb, its stem and leaves are hairy, more over it has two types of stomata, anisocytic and paracytic. A herb, C. pluricaulis has emerged as a good source of the traditional medicine for the treatment of liver disease, epileptic disease, microbial disease, cytotoxic and viral diseases, and CNS disease. Pharmacological results have validated the use of this species in traditional medicine. All the parts of the herb are known to possess therapeutic benefits. Expansion of research materials would provide more opportunities for the discovery of new bioactive principles from C. pluricaulis.

Medicinal uses, pharmacology, and phytochemistry of Convolvulaceae plants with central nervous system efficacies: A systematic review

“…C. pluricaulis is mostly used in North India, whereas E. alsinoides is used in South India. Despite belonging to different genera, they share similar therapeutical effects on CNS disorders including insanity, epilepsy, nervous debility, and memory impairment (Agarwa et al, ; Sethiya et al, ). Evolvulus nummularius , another Evolvulus plant morphologically similar to E. alsinoides , is also regarded as a substituent source of Shankhpushpi to improve memory according to literature (Karthik et al, ; Sethiya et al, ).…”

“…The seeds of Turbina corymbosa and Ipomoea violacea are known as ololiuhqui and tlitliltzin , respectively, in the Aztec language and were used to attain a state of mind suitable for divination in religious ceremonials in ancient Mexico (Meira, Silva, David, & David, ). Convolvulus pluricaulis and Evolvulus alsinoides , two important sources of Indian medicine Shankhpushpi, were used to treat several CNS disorders, including insanity, epilepsy, nervous debility, and memory impairment (Agarwa, Sharma, Fatima, & Jain, ; Sethiya, Nahata, Mishra, & Dixit, ). Cuscuta chinensis Lam., a traditional Chinese medicine used to tonify the livers and kidneys, is used as a CNS depressant in India (Akbar, Nisa, & Tariq, ).…”

“…Cuscuta chinensis Lam., a traditional Chinese medicine used to tonify the livers and kidneys, is used as a CNS depressant in India (Akbar, Nisa, & Tariq, ). Recently, extensive studies have been conducted on the CNS efficacies of Convolvulaceae species, such as Argyreia nervosa (Meher & Padhan, ), C. pluricaulis (Agarwa et al, ; Sethiya et al, ), and Ipomoea batatas (J. K. Kim, Choi, et al, ). A number of reviews were published on some specific Convolvulaceae species or genus (Al‐Snafi, ; Austin, ; Chan, Baba, Chan, Kainuma, & Tangah, ; Meira et al, ).…”

Biosynthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles using Aqueous Extract of Convolvulus Pluricaulis Plant, its Characterization and Acute Oral Toxicity Studies

“…The plant contains several active constituents such as alkaloid (Shankhapushpine), triterpenoids, flavonoids, glycosides, anthocyanins, phenolics and steroids 18,19 . Convolvulus pluricaulis has been proved for its potential for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine to treat central nervous system depression, anxiolytic 20 , tranquilizing, anti-depressant 21 , neurodegenerative, anti-stress, anti-amnesic 22 , anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, antioxidant 23 , anticonvulsant 24 , immunomodulatory, analgesic, hypolipidemic, anti-ulcer and cardiovascular activity 25,26 . There are also reports on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using various extracts of Convolvulus pluricaulis 27 .…”

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“…In 200ml of Guduchi Kashaya, 50 ml of Ghee was added along with Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell), 20 Vacha (Acorus calamus L.), 21 Jatamamsi (Nardostachys jatamansi (D. Don) DC. ), 22 Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal), 23 Shankhapuspi (Convolvulous pluricaulis Choisy), 24 Yastimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabraL. ), 25 Pippali (Piper longum L.) 26 and Maricha (Piper nigrum L.) 27 2 gm powder of each and 50 ml of Murchita Ghrita (processed ghee) and cooked on low flame according to preparation of medicated ghee as referred in Ayurvedic literature.…”