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| Common Name: |
Asparagus
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| Hindi Name: |
Satavar |
| Sanskrit Name: |
Shatavari |
| Latin Name: |
Asparagus racemosus Willd. |
| Habit and Habitat:
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This is found in the jungles up to 8,000 feet altitude throughout India,
especially in Northern India. |
| Part Used:
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Dried tuberous roots are used in Ayurvedic formulations. |
| Effect on Dosha:
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Pacifies Vata and Pitta. |
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Medicinal properties in Ayurveda: In
Ayurvedic system of medicine Shatavari is indicated as brain tonic, epilepsy
and for Vata disorders. It helps to regulate cardiac disorders and
hypertension. It is extensively used in disorders of male genital dysfunctions,
oligospermia spermatogenic irregularities and other male disorders such as
painful micturation. It used in Ayurvedic formulations for digestive
discomfort, indigestion, amoebiasis and piles. In females it is indicated in
habitual abortitions, weakness of uterus, excessive bleeding during
menstruation. Researches of modern times have proved that Shatavari is
antidiarrhetic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, antidysenteric, demulcent,
diuretic, galactagogue, nutritive, mucilaginous, refrigerant, stomachic
properties and works as tonic for humanbeings. It also indicated in Ayurveda
for general weakness due to prolong illnesses. Improves immunity and protects
heart, brain and other vital organs of body.
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Main classical uses: Shatavari is used in
large number of formulations in Ayurveda. Main formulations where Shatavari is
as chief ingredient are- Shatavari ghrita, Narayana tail, Vishnu tail,
Shatvaryadi churan, Shatmulyadi lauha and Shatavari panak.
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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:
Shatavari 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) Indian J Med Sci. 2003 Sep;57(9):408-14.
Asparagus racemosus--an update.
Goyal RK, Singh J, Lal H.
Pt. B. D. Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Science, Rohtak, Haryana.
Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari) is recommended in Ayurvedic texts for
prevention and treatment of gastric ulcers, dyspepsia and as a galactogogue. A.
racemosus has also been used successfully by some Ayurvedic practitioners for
nervous disorders, inflammation, liver diseases and certain infectious
diseases. However, no scientific proof justifying aforementioned uses of root
extract of A. racemosus is available so far. Recently few reports are available
demonstrating beneficial effects of alcoholic and water extracts of the root of
A. racemosus in some clinical conditions and experimentally induced diseases,
e.g. galactogogue effect, antihepatotoxic and immunomodulatory activities. The
present article includes the detailed exploration of pharmacological properties
of the root extract of A. racemosus reported so far.
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2) Indian journal of Pharmacology - RESEARCH PAPER Year : 2005 . Volume : 37 .
Issue : 6 . Page : 376-380
Hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of Asparagus racemosus in
hypercholesteremic rats
Visavadiya NP, R.L. Narasimhacharya AV
Department of Biosciences, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar - 388
120. Gujarat, India
OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy of Asparagus racemosus in reducing the
cholesterol levels and as an antioxidant in hypercholesteremic rats.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hypercholesteremia was induced in normal
rats by including 0.75 g% cholesterol and 1.5 g% bile salt in normal diet and
were used for the experiments. Dried root powder of Asparagus racemosus was
administered as feed supplement at 5 g% and 10 gm% dose levels to the
hypercholesteremic rats. Plasma and liver lipid profiles, hepatic HMG-CoA
reductase, bile acid, malondialdehyde, ascorbic acid, catalase and SOD, fecal
bile acid, cholesterol and neutral sterols were estimated using standard
methods.
RESULTS: Feed supplementation with 5 g% and 10 g% Asparagus
racemosus resulted in a significant decline in plasma and hepatic lipid
profiles. The feed supplementation increased the HMG-CoA reductase activity and
bile acid production in both groups (5 and 10 g% supplemented groups) with
concomitant increase in fecal bile acid and fecal cholesterol excretion. The
activities of catalase, SOD and ascorbic acid content increased significantly
in both the experimental groups (5 and 10 g% supplemented groups). On the other
hand, the concentration of malondialdehyde in these groups (5 and 10 g%
supplemented groups) decreased significantly, indicating decreased lipid
peroxidation.
CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that addition of
Asparagus racemosus root powder at 5 g% and 10 g% level as feed supplement
reduces the plasma and hepatic lipid (cholesterol) levels and also decreases
lipid peroxidation.
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3) Phytother Res. 2005 Aug;19(8):721-4.
Effect of Asparagus racemosus rhizome (Shatavari) on mammary gland
and genital organs of pregnant rat.
Pandey SK, Sahay A, Pandey RS, Tripathi YB.
Department of Anatomy, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University,
Varanasi 221005, India. pandeyskbhu@rediffmail.com
Asparagus racemosus (AR) Willd (family Liliaceae) is commonly
known as Shatavari. The alcoholic extract of its rhizome was administered
orally to adult pregnant female albino rats at a dose of 30 mg/100 g body
weight, daily for 15 days (days 1-15 of gestation). The macroscopic findings
revealed a prominence of the mammary glands, a dilated vaginal opening and a
transversely situated uterine horn in the treated group of animals. The weight
of the uterine horns of the treated group was found to be significantly higher
(p < 0.001) but the length was shorter (p > 0.01). Microscopic
examination of the treated group showed proliferation in the lumen of the duct
of mammary gland. It was obliterated due to hypertrophy of ductal and glandular
cells. Hyperplasia of the glandular and muscular tissue and hypertrophy of the
glandular cells were observed in the genital organs. The parenchyma of the
genital organs showed abundant glycogen granules with dilated blood vessels and
thickening of the epithelial lining. The oviduct in the treated group showed
hypertrophied muscular wall, whereas the ovary revealed no effect of the drug.
The results suggest an oestrogenic effect of Shatavari on the female mammary
gland and genital organs.
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4) J Herb Pharmacother. 2006;6(1):13-20.
Antisecretory and antiulcer activity of Asparagus racemosus Willd.
against indomethacin plus phyloric ligation-induced gastric ulcer in rats.
Bhatnagar M, Sisodia SS.
Department of Zoology, University College of Science, MLS University,
Udaipur-313001, India. mbhatnagar@yahoo.com
OBJECTIVE: To study the antisecretory and antiulcer activity of Asparagus
racemosus Willd. (methanolic extract) and its action against indomethacin (a
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) plus pyloric ligation (PL)-induced
gastric ulcers in rats. METHOD: Indomethacin plus PL-induced gastric ulceration
model was used in the study.
RESULTS: Treatment with Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari) crude extract (100
mg/kg/day orally) for fifteen days significantly reduced ulcer index when
compared with control group. The reduction in gastric lesions was comparable to
a standard antiulcer drug Ranitidine (30 mg/kg/ day orally). Crude extract also
significantly reduced volume of gastric secretion, free acidity and total
acidity. A significant increase in total carbohydrate (TC) and TC/total protein
(TP) ratio of gastric juice was also observed. No significant change in the
total protein was noted.
CONCLUSION: Asparagus racemosus was found to be an effective
antiulcerogenic agent, whose activity can well be compared with that of
ranitidine hydrochloride. The results of this study suggest that Asparagus
racemosus causes an inhibitory effect on release of gastric hydrochloric acid
and protects gastric mucosal damage.
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5) J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Apr;91(2-3):251-5.
Immunoadjuvant potential of Asparagus racemosus aqueous extract in
experimental system.
Gautam M, Diwanay S, Gairola S, Shinde Y, Patki P, Patwardhan B.
Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Pune, Pune,
Maharastra 411007, India. gautam_monty@hotmail.com
The immunoadjuvant potential of Asparagus racemosus (Willd.) Family (Liliaceae)
aqueous root extract was evaluated in experimental animals immunized with
diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTP) vaccine. Immunostimulation was evaluated
using serological and hematological parameters. Oral administration of test
material at 100 mg/kg per day dose for 15 days resulted significant increase (P
= 0.0052) in antibody titers to Bordtella pertussis as compared to untreated
(control) animals. Immunized animals (treated and untreated) were challenged
with B. pertussis 18323 strain and the animals were observed for 14 days.
Results indicate that the treated animals did show significant increase in
antibody titers as compared to untreated animals after challenge (P = 0.002).
Immunoprotection against intra-cerebral challenge of live B. pertussis cells
was evaluated based on degree of sickness, paralysis and subsequent death.
Reduced mortality accompanied with overall improved health status was observed
in treated animals after intra-cerebral challenge of B. pertussis indicating
development of protective immune response. Present study indicates applications
of test material as potential immunoadjuvant that also offers direct
therapeutic benefits resulting in less morbidity and mortality.
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