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| Herb Monograph-Shankhpushpi
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| Common Name: |
Shankhpushpi |
| Hindi Name: |
Shankhpushpi |
| Sanskrit Name: |
Mangalya kusuma |
| Latin Name: |
Convolvulus pluricaulis Chois. |
| Habit and Habitat:
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Plant of Shankhpushpi is found everywhere in India in sandy and stony areas and
prefers dry climate. |
| Part Used:
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The whole plant is used in Ayurvedic system of medicine. |
| Effect on Dosha:
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Pacifies Tridoshas especially In Vata and Pitta dominating disorders. |
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Medicinal properties in Ayurveda: Shankhpushpi
is indicated as Medhya (brain tonic), digestive, appetite stimulant and
carminative for digestive system. It has cardio-protective, heart strengthener
and controls hypertension. It is used in Ayurvedic formulations for chronic
cough as it has mucolytic properties thus helps in chest congestion. It is a
proved spermetogenic and strengthens urogenital system. It is a common
ingredient of Ayurveda based herbal hair oils as it helps to stimulate hair
growth. It is used in Ayurvedic formulations meant for sleeplessness, epilepsy,
hallucinations and anxiety. In Ayurveda it is indicated for general debility
and is a known Rasayana herb.
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Main classical uses: Shankhpushpi is used
in many formulations in Ayurveda. Main formulations containing Shankhpushpi
are: Shankhpushpi panaka, Medhya kashay.
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References:
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Dravyaguna Vigyan, By- Prof. Priyavrat Sharma, Published By-
Chaukhambha Bharti Academy, Varanasi. INDIA.
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Bhavprakash Nighantu, By- Dr. Ganga Sahay Pandey & Dr. Krishna
Chandra Chunekar.
Published By- Chaukhamba Bharti Academy, Varanasi. INDIA.
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Clinical studies / Clinical justification:
The herb Amalaki is well supported with research papers published all over the
world in renowned medical research journals of recent times. Summary of some of
the research papers is given below to support its inclusion in NEEROGA
Capsules.
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1) Biomed Pharmacother. 2003 Sep;57(7):296-300.
Immunomodulatory effects of agents of plant origin.
Ganju L, Karan D, Chanda S, Srivastava KK, Sawhney RC, Selvamurthy
W.
Immunomodulation Laboratory, Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied
Sciences, Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi 110054, India. lganju@rediffmail.com
The immunomodulatory properties of amla (Emblica officinalis) and shankhpushpi
(Evolvulus alsinoides) were evaluated in adjuvant induced arthritic (AIA) rat
model. Injecting Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) in right hind paw of the
animals induced inflammation. The crude extracts of both the herbs were
administered intraperitonially following a repeated treatment profile. The
anti-inflammatory response of both the extracts was determined by lymphocyte
proliferation activity and histopathological severity of synovial hyperplasia.
Both the extracts showed a marked reduction in inflammation and edema. At
cellular level immunosuppression occurred during the early phase of the
disease. There was mild synovial hyperplasia and infiltration of few
mononuclear cells in amla or shankhpushpi treated animals. The induction of
nitric oxide synthase (NOS) was significantly decreased in treated animals as
compared to controls. These observations suggest that both the herbal extracts
caused immunosuppression in AIA rats, indicating that they may provide an
alternative approach to the treatment of arthritis.
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2) J-Ethnopharmacol. 1992 Jan; 35(3): 285-8
Analysis of a clinically important interaction between phenytoin and
Shankhapushpi, an Ayurvedic preparation.
Dandekar, U P : Chandra, R S : Dalvi, S S : Joshi, M V : Gokhale, P
C : Sharma, A V : Shah, P U : Kshirsagar, N A
During the course of routine plasma drug level monitoring an unexpected loss of
seizure control and reduction in plasma phenytoin levels was noticed in two
patients who were also taking 'Shankhapushpi' (SRC), an Ayurvedic preparation.
Therefore, the present study was undertaken in rats to investigate any
SRC-phenytoin interaction from both pharmacokinetic (serum levels) and
pharmacodynamic (electroshock seizure prevention) aspects. Single dose SRC and
phenytoin (oral/i.p.) coadministration did not have any effect on plasma
phenytoin levels but decreased the antiepileptic activity of phenytoin
significantly. On multiple-dose coadministration, SRC reduced not only the
antiepileptic activity of phenytoin but also lowered plasma phenytoin levels.
SRC itself showed significant antiepileptic activity compared to placebo and is
worth further investigation. However, the clinical combination of SRC with
phenytoin is not advised.
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3) Indian J Med Sci. 2000 Aug;54(8):339-41.
Evaluation of comparative and combined depressive effect of Brahmi, Shankhpushpi
and Jatamansi in mice.
Indurwade NH, Biyani KR.
Sudhakarrao Naik Institute of Pharmacy, Pusad (M.S.) Dist. Yavatamal 445204.
Evaluation of depressive activity of drug extract of Brahmi, Jatamansi &
Shankhpushpi and their combined effects were studied on 66 mice of either sex.
It was found that combined effect of Jatamansi, Shankhpushpi & Brahmi
showed the potent depressiveness in mice. While in individual drug extract,
jatamansi exhibited more potent effect than other two drugs.
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4) Indian J Exp Biol. 2001 Apr;39(4):350-4.
Effect of Convolvulus pluricaulis Chois on gastric ulceration and secretion in
rats.
Sairam K, Rao CV, Goel RK.
Department of Pharmacology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.
Convolvulus pluricaulis is an indigenous plant commonly mentioned in Ayurveda,
an ancient system of Indian medicine, as a rasayana which is mainly advocated
for use in rejuvenation therapy. The present study was conducted to evaluate
the potential anti-ulcerogenic effect of juice of fresh whole plants of C.
pluricaulis (CPJ) against various experimental gastric ulcer models induced by
ethanol, aspirin, 2 hr cold restraint stress and 4 hr pyloric ligation in rats.
The drug was given orally twice daily for five days in the doses of 375 and 750
mg/kg body weight. CPJ showed anti-ulcerogenic effect at both doses in all the
experimental gastric ulcer models and was comparable to the reference drug
sucralfate (250 mg/kg). Gastric juice secretion and mucosal studies were
undertaken to find out the possible mechanism of action of antiulcer effect by
studying its effects both on offensive and defensive mucosal factors. The
antiulcerogenic effect of CPJ was found to be due to augmentation of mucosal
defensive factors like mucin secretion, lifespan of mucosal cells and
glycoprotiens rather than on the offensive factors like acid-pepsin.
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