INTRODUCTION:

India possesses the world's richest medicinal plant heritage of traditional and local knowledge and Himalaya is one of the mega biodiversity regions of the world (Heywood, 2000). Plants are potent biochemists and have been components of phytomedicine since times immemorial; man is able to obtain from them a wondrous assortment of industrial chemicals. A rich heritage of knowledge on preventive and curative medicines was available in ancient scholastic work included in the Atharva -veda (an Indian religious book), Ayurveda (Indian traditional system of medicine) and so on. An estimate suggests that about 13000 plant species worldwide are known to have been used as drugs. Plant-based natural constituents can be derived from any part of the plant like bark, leaves, flowers, roots, fruits, seeds and so on (Gordon et al., 2001). Hiptage benghalensis (L.) Kurz, Syn. Hiptage madablota Gaertn.; Hiptage parvifolia W. and A. (Malpighiaceae) is an Ayurvedic plant with important medicinal values.

It is known by various names, eg. Clustered hiptage, Helicopter Flower (English), in India it is known by its various vernacular names, the most commonly used ones are Madhavi, Vasanti, Pundraka, Mandaka, Atimukta, Vimukta, KamuluJa, Bhramarotsava (Ayurveda/ Sanskrit), Madhavilata, Madhumalati , Madmalti, Aneta (Hindi), Madhavilata, Madubhi, Madubh lata (Bengali), Madhavi, Ragatpiti (Gujarati), Madhavi, Madhavivasantadhuti (Kananad)- Sitampu (Malyalam), Madhumaalati, Haladwail (Marathi), Boromali , Endra, Chopar (Punjabi), Madhm', Vasantagalamalligai, Benkar (Sidhha/Tamil) , Madhavi tige, Maadhavi, Kurukkathi (Telgu), Kerek-lata (Assamese), Boromali, Gorunda (Oriya) (Data Base and API, 2008).

Origin and distribution:

Hiptage benghalensis (L) Kurz is native to subtropical and tropical Asia (parts of southern China, Taiwan, India, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand. It is found throughout India, predominantly in Western Ghats, Konkan, Deccan, Kumaon, Assam and Andaman island, chiefly in damp places up to an altitude of 1500 m (Data Base and API, 2008).

Cultivation and Description:

Hiptage benghalensis (L) Kurz. is cultivated for medicinal uses and holds a reputed position in Indian traditional medicines. It is cultivated in gardens also for its attractive flowers. Hiptage benghalensis plant is large, evergreen, climbing shrubs. Vine-like shrub or liana with scandent branches to 5 m high or more. Leaves simple, opposite, blade usually elliptic with an attenuate tip. Flowers, fragrant, borne in compact axillary racemes. Corolla of five free, elliptic to round, reflexed petals, white with one petal yellow in the center, margins fringed. Fruit a samara with three spreading, papery oblanceolate to elliptic wing. White and fragrant flowers are borne in erect, pubescent racemes. Flowers have a yellow centre and orbicular to elliptic petals that is hairy outside. Seeds are subglobose (Warrier et al., 1995). Ayurveda is an ancient Indian medical system dating back to the Vedic period about 3000–1500 BC (Saraswati, 1988). It is considered to be one of the oldest of healthcare medical systems, and is based on sound scientific principles. The word Ayurveda (Sanskrit) is derived from the words Ayur and Veda. Ayur means life, while Veda means Science. Therefore, Ayurveda literally means the Science of Life.

Ayurvedic Properties and Action of the plant:

Guna (Quality) of Hiptage benghalensis is Laghu, Rasa (Taste) are Madhura, Tikta, Katu and Kashaya,Vipaka (Metabolism) is Madhura, Virya (Potency) is Sheeta. RogaghnaJa of Hiptage benghalensis are Vrana, Kushtha, Twagroga, Kandu, Jeerna amavata, Daha, Shotha, Shosha, Kasa, Raktapitta, Visphota, Krimi and Karma is Dahashamaka, Shothahara, Vranaropaka, Medohara, Krimighna (Data Base and API, 2008).

Therapeutic uses of Hiptage benghalensis

Hiptage benghalensis is used in the therapeutic of Angnimandya (digestive impairment), Karmi roga (worm infestation), Kustha (itching) , Pama (eczema) , Raktapitta (bleeding disorder), Sthaulya (obesity), Tvakroga (skin diseases). Bark, leaves, seeds and flowers of Hiptage benghalensis are aromatic, bitter, acrid, cooling, vulnerary, astringent, expectorant, cardiotonic, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, wound healing and used in burning sensation of the body, wound, pruritus, foul ulcers, scabies, leprosy, skin diseases, cough, asthma, cardiac debility, rheumatism, hyperdipsia, obesity, intrinsic haemorrhage (Data Base).

Important Ayurvedic Formulation:

Candrakalā rasa is an important ayurvedic formulation prepared by use Hiptage benghalensis as ingredient. Bark, leaf, flower and seed plant parts are used in ayurvedic system of medicine (API, 2008).

Traditional uses of Hiptage benghalensis

Hiptage benghalensis (L) Kurz. is cultivated for medicinal uses and holds a reputed position in Indian traditional medicines. Hiptage benghalensis (L) Kurz is an aromatic plant which is well known for its characteristic fragrance and distinct aroma. Whole plant powder is used as an analgesic in babies suffering from high fever. Water boiled plant decoction is administrated orally in case of weak mothers after childbirth. Leaves are used as a temporary cure in asthmatic problems (Dey et al., 2011). In Bhaavaprakasha the seed kernel of Madhavilata taken with honey checks the growth of abdomen due to obesity. Vegetable curiey prepared from the leaves of Ficus benghalensis, Hiptage benghalensis and Vitex negundo with ghee given in intrinsic haemorrhage. Leaves are usefull in skin diseases. Bark of Hiptage benghalensis is used in case of rheumatoid arthritis and dyspnoea. Hiptage benghalensis flowers use as a good coolant taken with drinking water. Madhavi root, with buttermilk was also given for reducing the waist girth. Sushruta prescribed heart wood in internally in obesity, jaundice, urethral discharges and externally in chronic skin diseases, Seed oil also given for internally for flatulence, biliousness and for increase slimy secretions of the body (Khare, 2004).

Phytochemistry:

Shweta and Kumar reported the quantitative analysis of flavonoid of aerial parts of Hiptage benghalensis, maximum free flavonoids were obtained from flowers (0.006mg/gdw) and maximum bound flavonoids were obtained from leaves (0.007mg/gm.drywt). However total flavonoids were found to be maximum in leaves (0.008mg/gdw), followed by flowers (0.007mg/gdw) and stem (0.002mg/gdw). Kaempferol and Quercetin also present in the plant. Cellulose, neutral detergent hemicellulose, lignin and crude protein (leaves); hiptagin and tannin (bark); 1, 3, 6, 7- tetrahydroxy- 2 p- D- glucosylxanthone (mangiferin) (root bark). Aqueous extracts showed more potent anthelmintic Compound-2 (3, 4- dihydroxyphenyl)-3(4,6dihydroxy-3- methoxytetrahydro-2H-pyran- 2carbaldehyde)-5-hydroxy, 7methoxy-4Hchromen- 4one (Chenthurpandy et al., 2010). The stem and bark contain friedelin, epifriedelinol, octacosanol, α-amyrin, and β-sitosterol. The root bark contains a lead compound hiptagin, a nitrogenous glucoside, identical with endecaphyllin and mangiferin (glucosyl xanthone) (Khare, 2004, Hridi et al., 2013, Yadav et al.,2012 and Winka et al., 2012)

Pharmacological activities of Hiptage benghalensis

The presence of flavonoids represents the possibility of some biological activity of the extracts of Hiptage benghalensis such as it can modify allergens, viruses, and carcinogens indicating flavonoids have potential to be biological "response modifiers". It can also be used as an anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory (Akinmoladun et al.,2007), anti-microbial and anti-cancer activities. Flavonoids were reported to have a role in analgesic activity primarily by targeting prostaglandins (Rajnarayana et al., 2001 and Rao et al., 1998). The presence of tannins represents the possibility of some biological activity of the extracts of H. benghalensis such as antidiarrheal, hemostatic, antihemorrhoidal, anti-inflammatory, astringent, and anti-infective. It can be used for immediate relief of sore throats, diarrhea, dysentery, hemorrhaging, fatigue, skin ulcers and as a cicatrizant on gangrenous wounds. It may have anti-viral effect which tannins have. It can also be used against poisons. There are also reports on the role of tannins in anti-nociceptive activity (Vanu et al., 2006). Besides, alkaloids are well known for their ability to inhibit pain perception (Uche et al., 2008). Flavonoids and other phenolic compounds of plant origin have been reported as antioxidants and as scavengers of free radicals. Antioxidants can also exert anti-inflammatory effects (Ferrandiz et al., 1991). The flavonoids and tannins have been reported to produce antidiabetic activity (Suba et al., 2004). The phytochemical screening of ethanol extract of Hiptage benghalensis exhibited the presence of several phytochemical components including the presence of flavonoids and terpenoids which have been reported to possess anti-diabetic properties of stem of Hiptage benghalensis claimed in Ayurveda medicine(Hridi et al.,2013). On the basis of pharmacological studies 200 mg /kg of extract of stems of the Hiptage benghalensis exhibited significant antidiabetic activity than the lower dose level with standard drug as Glebinclamide. The antidiabetic activity of the plant has been further confirmed by biochemical parameters and histopathological studies (Chordiya et al.,2009, Kumudhavalli et al.,2010 and Winka et al., 2012).

Shah et al (2012) reported that ethanolic extract of Hiptage benghalensis possess highly significant antiasthmatic activity which is due to inhibited migration of leukocytes in early as well as in late phase (after 48 hr.) on exposure to antigens, thus confirming its anti-allergic activity. These effects are important evidence for traditional use of Hiptage benghalensis plant as an anti-asthmatic. The acetone root bark extract of Hiptage benghalensis is a potential natural mosquito larvicide. The larvicidal efficacy of H. benghalensis leaf extracts is comparable to well established insecticidal plant species. Maheshwari et al (2012) reported that the methanolic extract of Hiptage. benghalensis possessed potential antioxidant effect by increasing the levels of glutathione and also possessed free radical scavenging activities. The hepatoprotective effect of Hiptage bengalensis was comparable to standard drug silymarin (50 mg/kg). Lalrotluanga et al. studied and reported the acetone root bark extracts of Hiptage benghalensis is less toxic to adults and repelled laboratory-reared female A. barbirostris, A. albopictus, and C. quinquefascitus with the short median protection times of 57.66-135, 72.41- 134.16, and 47.66-93 min, respectively. The study proves it as a potent larvicide against A. albopictus, A. barbirostris, and C. quinquefascitus, which can be recommended to control these mosquito species on its breeding site (Lalrotluanga et al., 2012).

CONCLUSION:

The collected scientific research information clearly indicates that Hiptage benghalensis is an important ayurvedic medicinal plant with diverse pharmacological activities. The collected information provides evidence for the probable medicinal properties of Hiptage benghalensis claimed in Ayurveda medicine. A significant complementary role is emerging for traditional herbal medicines and holistic approaches to health in the prevention and treatment of the passive illness of modern civilization. Recognizing the importance of broadening western medical perspective, the World Health Organization has recommended that traditional health and folk medicine systems be integrated with modern medical therapies to more effectively address health problems worldwide. The present review deals with its origin, distribution, cultivation, phytochemical properties, Ayurvedic properties and therapeutic uses of Hiptage benghalensis.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

The authors are very grateful to Director General, and Program officer (Chemistry) CCRAS, New Delhi for providing facilities and encouragement for carrying this review work.

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Received on 12.03.2014 Accepted on 24.03.2014

Asian J. Pharm. Tech. 2014; Vol. 4: Issue 1, Pg 28-31