Laśuna (Garlic, Allium sativum Linn) - Nature s Wonder Drug. Shivakumar. G. Sajjanar 1

Transcription

1 Laśuna (Garlic, Allium sativum Linn) - Nature s Wonder Drug Shivakumar. G. Sajjanar 1 1 Associate Professor, Dept of Agada tantra and Vyavahara Ayurveda, Shri. C.B. Guttal Ayurvedic Medical College, Dharwad, Karnataka. Abstract Allium sativum Linn. is known as Laśuna in Sanskrit literally. Laśuna means, it is devoid of one rasa i.e amla rasa. Garlic is recognized for its wide-reaching medicinal properties, in the treatment and prevention of diseases. Laśuna - a perennial shrub like herb widely cultivated throughout the world. In traditional systems of medicine, its various plant parts such as leaves, flowers, bulb, and seeds have been used for various diseases viz., heart disease, neurological, anti-aging activity, and memory loss, anticancer. The present review is therefore an effort to give the detailed survey of literature on its pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry as well as traditional and pharmacological uses. Key word: Allium sativum Linn., Laśuna, Garlic, Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, pharmacology.

2 INTRODUCTION L aśuna Allium sativum Linn., commonly known as garlic belonging to family Liliaceae. Laśuna is widely used around the world for its pungent flavour as a seasoning or condiment. Known as nature s wonder drug, Laśuna is recognized for its wide-reaching medicinal properties, in the treatment and prevention of disease. It has been credited with extending human longevity, preventing certain cancers, lowering cholesterol levels, reversing high blood pressure, resisting the common cold and overcoming fatigue. Laśuna, Allium sativum Linn., is a fundamental component in many or most dishes of various regions, including Eastern Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa and Europe. The cultivation of garlic as a commercial crop is similar to that of onion. It is grown in Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Andhra pradesh as and irrigated crop it is cultivated in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat also on a large scale. MYTHOLOGICAL BACKGROUND There are many mythological stories regarding its origin. When Garuda stolen the Amrutha (nector) from the Lord Indra during that time few drops of amrutha fallen on the earth from that the Laśuna existed or developed [i]. It is known that, till 100 years the Indrani didn t give birth to any baby. At that time, Lord Indra gave Amrutha to drink her. In the presence of her husband Devi Ruchi felt shy and some of Amrutha substance drops came out in the form of belch and few drop of it fallen on the ground. Then lord Indra told to Indrani that now onwards, she would have many children [ii]. Reference of Laśuna is available from the time of samhita with various therapeutic uses of this drug are seen. In classical Ayurvedic literature, it has synonyms Laśuna, Rasona, Ugragandha, Mahouśada, Ariṣta, Mleccakanda, Lavanesta, Rasonaka, Juguspita, Mleccangandha, Grinjana, Mahākanda, Garjara, Dīrgapatraka, Bhūtagna, Śītamardaka, Dīrgadala, Śuklakanda, Vātari. Rasa Panchaka (Properties of Laśuna) Rasa (taste) Katu, madhura, lavaṇa, tikta, kaśāya Guṇa Snigdha, tīkśna, guru, sara, picchila Vīrya (potency) Uṣṇa Vipāka : Katu Doṣaghnata Kaphavāta hara Brumhaṇa, vruṣhya, pāchaka, Karma (action) sandhānakara, kantya, medhya, netrahitakara, rasāyana. Prayoga Hrudroga, jīrna jwara, malavibhanda, gulma, kāsa, PHARMACOGNOSY Morphology: shotha, kuṣtha, agnimāndya, krimi, swāsa. Plant: A small herb with half tunicated bulb. Leaves: flat, linear, grass like. Flowers (Dec-Jan) on a scape, white in many flowered globose umbels, spathe long, beaked, bulbils present between flowers perianth segments 6, lanceolate, acute, Stamens 6, exserted. Ovary superior, 3-celled. Style-large. Stigma small. Capsule small [iii]. Macroscopic characters Colour: bulbs are white to pink in colour. Odour: characteristic and aromatic. Taste: aromatic and pungent. Size: 1.5 to 2.5 cm [iv]. Microscopic characters The bulbs show a number of concentric bulbslets; each is 5-10 mm in diameter and consists of an outer scale, an epidermis enclosing a mesophyll free from chlorophyll, a ground tissue and a layer of lower epidermal cells. Dry scales consist of 2 or 3 layers of rectangular cells having end walls with a broadly angular slant. These cells contain many rhomboid crystals of calcium oxalate. The upper epidermal cells next to the dry scale layer consist of a single layer of rectangular to cubical cells next to which are layers of large parenchymatous cells. Among these cells are interspaced many vascular bundles, each of which consists of xylem and phloem arranged alternately. Lower epidermis consists of cubical cells, which are much smaller than the upper epidermis. The same arrangement of tissues is met within different bulblets, 2or 3 of which are arranged concentrically [v]. Standard Identity, Purity and Strength Values [vi] Tests Identity, purity and strength values Limits Foreign matter Not more than 2% Total ash Not more than 4% Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 1% Alcohol soluble Not more than 2.5% Loss on drying Not more than 60% Volatile oil Not more than 0.1% Moisture Not more than 7% 530

3 Micro biology The test for salmonella in garlic products should be negative. The maximum acceptable limits of other microorganisms are as follows - 1. Aerobic bacteria--not more than 10 5 /g or ml 2. Fungi - Not more than 10 4 /g or ml 3. Entero - bacteria and certain gram negative bacteria - Not more than 10 3 /g or ml 4. Escherichia coli - 0/g or ml Pesticide residues: Normally the maximum residue limit of aldrin and dieldrin for garlic is not more than 0.05 mg/kg. Heavy metals Recommended: Lead - Not more than 10mg or ml Cadmium - Not more than0.3mg or ml Nutritive Value of Laśuna (Garlic) [vii]. Proximate principles per 100 gm of edible portion garlic dry. Moisture 62.00% Protein 6.3 grain Fat 0.1g Minerals Fiber Carbohydrate Energy Calcium Phosphorus Iron Mg Cu Mn Zn Cr Mineral and trace: 1.0 g 0.8 g 29.8 g 145 k cal 30 mg 310 mg 1.2mg 71 mg 0.63 mg 0.86 mg 1.93 mg mg Vitamins content per 100 gm of edible portion Thiamine Riboflavin Niacin 0.4 Vitamin C 0.06 mg 0.23 mg 13mg Major chemical constituents: The most important chemical constituents reported from garlic are Sulphur compounds [viii]. 1. Alliin 2. Thiosulfinates (allicin) 3. Ajoenes 4. Z- ajoene 5. Vinyldithiins vinyl - (4H), 2 - dithin 7. Sulfides (diallyl disulfide) 8. Diallyl trisulfide. Action and uses in ayurveda and siddha. All rasa (taste) except amla, root is katu, stem kaśāya, leaf tikta, top lavaṇa, bulb madhura, poondu - katu, madhura rasa. Katu vipāka, uṣṇa vīrya (potency), snigdham, tīkṣṇam. It acts as brahmaṇam, vruṣhya, pāchaka, sandhānakara, rasāyana and used in śwāsa, kāsa, arśas, kuṣtha, krimi, agnimāndyam. Juice: - Tuberculosis & sinusitis [ix]. Action and uses in Unani. Hot 3, Dry 3, paralysis, forgetfulness, tremor, colicky pains of the intestines, internal ulcers of the lungs, secrete semen and chronic fever [x]. PHARMACOLOGY Pharmacological Activities/Actions: Antihelmintic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antibacterial, anticoagualant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antitubercular, antiandrogenic, anticancer, antifertility, antiviral, antioxidant, antirickettsial, antirheumatic, alterative, blood thinner, diaphoretic digestive, diuretic, carminative, chelogogue, emmenogogue, expectorant, febrifuge, hypotensive, hypocholesteremic, insecticidal, molluscicidal, stimulant, radical scavenging, rubefacient, vermifuge. [xi] Pharmacological Activities, Clinical Trails and Research Updates. AIDS therapeutic effect: Fresh bulb taken orally by human adults at variable dosage levels was active. Allergenic activity: Ethyl acetate, ethanol (95%) and water extracts of bulbs applied externally to human adults were active. Analgesic activity: Ethanol (70%) extract of fresh bulbs administered IP to mice of both sexes at variable dosage levels was active. Anti-Helminthic activity: Butanol extract of dried bulbs, administered by gastric intubation to mice at a dose of 200 mg/kg on day 1-5 was active on Aspiculurus Tetraptera. Anti aging activity: Water extract of dried bulb in cell culture at a concentration of 100 mcg/ml increased the life span of leuk-p388 (ARA-C) cells in cultures. Anti allergenic activity: Water extract of fresh bulb in cell culture, at a concentration of 100 microlitre /ml was active on leuk-rbl2h3 vs. biotinylated Anti- DNPIGE /avidin induced beta-hexosaminidase release. 531

4 Anti Amebic activity: Essential oil in broth culture at a concentration of 2 microlitre / ml was active on Entameba histolytica. Fresh bulb juice in broth culture at a concentration of 25 mcg/ml was active on Entameba Histolytica. Anti Arrhythmic activity: Dried bulb in the ration of rats at a concentration of 1.0% of the diet for 10 weeks decreased coronary artery ligation reperfusion induced arrhythmias. Anti Atherosclerotic activity: Water extract of fresh bulb in the ration of rabbits at a dose of 1.0 gm/ kg was active vs. cholesterol- loaded animals. Anti Bacterial activity: Essential oil on agar plate was active on Erwina amylovora MIC mg/litre. Ethanol (95%) extract was active on Escherishia coli, Salmonella typhosa, Shigella sonnei and staphylococcus aureus. Water extract was active on bacillus mycoides, E.coli and Salmonella typhosa. Anti cardio toxic effect: Water extract of aged bulb administered IP to mice at a dose of 0.05 ml/ animals sex times weekly was active. Anti Convulsant activity: Ethanol (70%0 of fresh bulb, administered IP to mice of both sex at variable dosage levels was active. Anti Diarrhea activity: Essential oil administered orally to mice at a concentration of 0.01 ml/ gm was active vs castor oil induced diarrhea. Anti Edema activity: Methanol extract of bulbs applied externally to mice at a dose of 2.0 mg/ ear was active vs tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced ear inflammation. Inhibition ratio (IR) was 32. Anti fungal Activity: Essential oil on agar plate was active on Lenzites trabea, Lentinus lepideus and Polyporus versicolor. Anti Hepato toxic activity: Butanol extract of bulbs administered intra gastrically to mice at a dose of 100 mg/kg was active vs. CCl4 induced hepato toxicity. Conjugated diene levels, thiobarbituric acid levels, hepatic triglycerides content and hepatic lipid content were decreased. Anti histamine activity: Water extract of dried bulbs was active on guinea a pig small intestine vs. histamine-induced contractions. Anti-hypercholesterolemic activity: Bulb in the ration of 16 weeks old male rats, at a concentration of 2.0 and 4.0% of the diet was active in cholesterol-loaded and lard fed animals. Antihyperglycemic activity: Butanol extract of bulbs taken orally by human adults of both sex at a dose of 1.35gm/person daily for 100 days was active. Antihyperlepidemic activity: Bulb in the ration of 16 week-old male rats, at a concentration of 2.0 and 4.0% of the diet was active in cholesterol-loaded and lard fed animals. Antihypertensive activity: Bulbs administered by gastric intubation to dogs and orally to human adults at variable concentration were active. Antihypothermic activity: Ethanol (95%) extract of bulbs administered intragastric to mice at a dose of 250 gm/kg was active vs. three weeks of cold stress. Anti-inflammatory activity: Bulb taken orally by 30 patients with diff rheumatic conditions was active. Ethanol/ water (1:10extract of bulbs, administered IP to rats was active vs. carrageen-induced pedal edema. Anti-ischemic effect: Powdered dried bulbs in the ration of rats at a concentration of 1.0% of the diet for 10 days were reduced coronary artery ligation-induced infarct size. Anti-mycobacterial activity: Bulb taken orally at variable dosage levels by a group of 55 patients was active on mycobacterium tuberculosis. Antioxidant activity: Ethanol /water (1:1) extract of aged bulbs at a concentration of 0.15% produced 30.7% inhibition of low level chemiluminescence. Anti spasmodic activity: Butanol extract of bulbs taken orally by 30 patients suffering from dyspepsia gave moderate to full relief in major symptoms i.e. abdominal distension and discomfort belching and flatulence. Anti thrombotic effect: Fresh bulbs extract, administered IV to dose at a dose of 1.0ml/animals was active. Antitumor activity: Butanol extract of dried bulbs in the ration of mice at a dose 0.6gm/day was active on CAehrlichascites. Antitissue activity: Fresh bulb taken orally by human adults at variable dosage levels was active. Antiulcer activity: Fresh bulb taken orally human adults at variable dosage levels was active. Antiviral activity: Commercial sample of bulbs in cell culture at a concentration of 0.15 mg/ml was active on Herpes simplex 1 virus. Influenza virus B (Lec) and cox-sackie B1 virus, and HELA cells. Cardiovascular effects: Water extract of dried leaves, administered IV to cats and rats at a dose of 5-20 mg/kg, did not produce any appreciable alteration of ECG pattern. Carminative activity: Dried bulb taken orally at a dose of 0.64 gm/ persons was active. CNS depressant activity: Ethanol (70%) extract of fresh bulb, administered IP to mice of both sexes at variable dosage levels was active. Diuretic activity: Ethanol/water (1:1) extract of fresh bulb administered intra-gastrically to rats at a dose of 40 ml/kg was active. 532

5 Radical scavenging effect: Powdered fresh bulb at a concentration of 90mg/ml was active. Wound healing acceleration: Plant applied externally to human adults was active. Perforated eardrums were healed in 18 cases. Formulations and Preparations Laśunadi vati Laśunasdi ghritha Rasona pinda Laśuna ksheerapaka Rasona Bhairava Yoga Laśuna taila Palankashadi taila Laśunadi Sneha Yoga Laśuna kalpa Bhootarava ghrita CONCLUSION Y.R. Vatavyadhi B.R.32/ B.R.29/135 B.R.32/13 Y.R. Apa. Chi B.P.141/36 C.S.Chi.10/34 A.H.U.5/39 K.S. Laśuna kalpa A.S.U.8/11 The extensive survey of literature revealed that Laśuna Allium sativum Linn. is an important plant used in ayurveda and in routine life. It is being used since a long time in making recipes and Ayurvedic medicines. In Classic and in modern scientific researches has proven its value as Nature s wonder drug. It is best Vāta hara drugs and used in many vāta vikāra janya vyādhi (diseases), it removes srotorodha (obstructions in channels) by its uṣṇa and tīkṣṇa guṇa and causes anulomana (downward movement) and śamana of prānavāyu and nourishes it. Alliin, allicin are the two main chemical constitutes of garlic. Garlic is best anti-oxidant, anti lipidemic, anti-hypertensive and anti-cancer drug. Laśuna is traditionally used to provide relief from the common cold and cough Studies suggest that Garlic help to reduce total cholesterol and serum triglyceride while rising levels of high density lipoproteins or good cholesterol. REFERENCES. i. Bhavamisra, Bhavaprakasha Nighantu Haritakyadi varga sloka 218. G.S.Pandey editor. 7th ed. Reprint. Varanasi: Chaukhamba Bharati Academy; Pg 131. ii. Vrddha Jivaka, Kashyapa Samhita Lashunakalpadhyaya Sloka 7-12, Sri Satyapala Bhisagacharya editor. 4th edition. Varanasi: Chaukhamba Sanskrit Santhana; Pg 174. iii. R.N.Sutaria, Text book of a Systematic Botany, Sutaria editor. 5th ed. Ahmedabad; Khadayata Book Depot; Pg 555. iv. Dr.C.K.Kokate. Prof.Purohit. S.B.Gokhale, Pharmacognosy. 12th ed. Pune: Nirali Prakashan; Pg 301 v. World Health Organizations Monograph on Selected Medicinal Plants. Pg 17. vi. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India Part I Vol-III. 1st ed. New Delhi: Published by Government of India. Ministry of Health and Family welfare. Department of Health Pg vii. C.Gopalan, B.V.Rama and S.C.Balasubramanaiana, Nutritive value of Indian foods, first edition. 21st edition. Hyderabad: National Institute of Nutrition Indian Council of Medical Research: Pg and 63 viii. World Health Organizations Monograph on Selected Medicinal Plants. Pg 19 ix. K.M.Nadakarni, Indian Materia Medica Vol-1. A.K.Nadakarni editor. 3rd edition. Bombay: Popular Prakashan; Pg 68. x. K.M.Nadakarni, Indian Materia Medica Vol-1. A.K.Nadakarni editor. 3rd edition. Bombay: Popular Prakashan; Pg 68. xi. K.R.Kirtikar B.D.Basu, Indian Medicinal Plants Vol-IV. 2nd edition. Dehra Dun: International Book Distributors; Pg CORRESPONDING AUTHOR Dr. SHIVAKUMAR. G. SAJJANAR Associate Professor, Dept of Agada tantra and Vyavahara Ayurveda, Shri. C.B. Guttal Ayurvedic Medical College, Dharwad, Karnataka. shiva2006dg@gmail.com Source of Support: Nil. Conflict of Interest: None declared How to cite this article: Shivakumar: Laśuna (Garlic, Allium sativum Linn) - Nature s Wonder Drug. AAMJ 2016;