Asuro

 1. SOURCE: The drug asuro consists of the dried matured leaves, flowers, roots and bark of Justicia adhatoda

2. NOMENCLATURE:

Botanical name: Justicia adhatoda L

Synomys:  Adhatoda vasica Nees, Adhatoda zylanica

Common names: Vasa, Vasaka (Sanskrit), Asuro (Nepali), Aasuri (Gurung)

Family: Acanthaceae

3. IDENTIFICATION:

Botanical identification

Habitat and Distribution

It is a perennial shrub of about 2m in height abundantly found in the Himalayan plains upto the height of 2000m. In Nepal it is distributed throught the country upto the altitude of 1300m.

Botanical Description

Macroscopic identification

J. adhatoda L. is a perennial, evergreen, gregarious, bushy, shrub about 2m in height

Leaves:  opposite, simple, elliptical, entire, lanceolate, acuminate apex, about 10-20cm in size. Petiolate, exstipulate 10-20cm long and 3-10cm broad, light green in color 8-10 parts of lateral veins which are reticularly petioles 2-8 cm long exstipulate glabrescent.

Flowers: Dense spike, sessile, white with purple veins.

Flowering: February-March

Fruits: Capsule longitudinally channeled for seedes.

Stem: Erect and stout branched in upper part, cylindrical with leaf scars, about 2.5cm long and 0.5cm in diameter, brownish in color, bark unpeelable, fracture short.

Medicinally important parts: leaves, root, flowers, stem and bark.

Organoleptic properties:

            Color: Greenish

            Odour: Characteristic

            Taste: Strong bitter taste

Powdered drug

Drug powder is brown, fine with yellowish and blackish particles with somewhat disagreeable odour and bitter taste. It is soluble in water and imparts light brownish colouration in water.

Microscopic identification:

Chromosome number: 2n=28

T. S. of leaf: Transverse section of the leaf shows dorsiventral structure with two bilayers of palisade cells. Upper epidermis cells in surface view are somewhat uniform in size but extremely sinuous in outline while lower surface shows variation in their size and less wavy. Both the epidermis shows the presence of diacytic stomata (with two subsidiary cells lying at right angles to the axis of guard cells.) Hairs both glandular and non glandular on each surface of leaf elongated cytolitus articular and prismatic forms of ca- oxalate present in mesophyll below the epidermis in mid rib. There are 4-6 layers of collenchymatous cells. Vascular bundles 3-5 central are being the largest.

T. S. of stem: The transverse section of stem shows outer most cutinized epidermal layer followed by parenchymatous corky zone, endodermis and vascular zone. Central portion is occupied by parenchymatous pith. Vascular zone contains several vascular bundles with distinct cambium between xylem and phloem elemant.

Powder microscopy: Powdered drug shows fragment of epidermal cells, parenchymatous cells, conical two to three uniserate trichomes as well as stomata and fragment of xylem vessels.

4. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS:

Though the chemical constituents of the plants include essential oils, fats, resins, sugar, mucilage etc. the major chemical constituents of the plant are qunazoline alkaloids among them vasicine and vasicinone are the major constituents having pharmacological activities. Vasicine is found to be 45-95 % in the leaf extract other constituents include vasakin, deoxyvasicine, oxyvasicine and organic adhatodic acid etc.

5. COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION:

Cultivation: Propagated by seeds or cuttings. The plant is capable to tolerate variety of soils and can be grown in different climatic conditions.

Collection: collected when leaves are fully grown and flowers begin to expand.

Drying: drying is carried out by sunlight exposing the leaves to the sunglight for about 4-6 hours.

Storage: Dry and airtight container, don’t expose to light the active constituents may get decomposed due to action of light.

Common adulterants: other species of adhatioda like Adhatoda bbeddomei and Ailanthus excels Roxb. are common adulterants.

6. THERAPEUTICS:

Medicinal uses

•   The leaves, roots and flowers of J. adhatoda L. are extensively used in indigenous medicines as a remedy for cough, cold, bronchitis and asthma.
•  The leaves are applied locally as a poultice on rheumatic jounts, inflammation, swelling and neuralgias.
•  Juice of leaf and flowers obtained by squeezing is useful in vomiting, diarrhoes, and dysentery and leaf powder is used in malarial fever.
•  A spoonful of dried powdered plant is taken with warm water to cure tuberculosis.
•  Dried leaves are smoked as cigarette in case of asthma and bronchitis.
•  Strong leaf decoction is good for scabies and other skin complaints.
•  Hot water leaf decoction with honey is given to reduce fever.  Its local use gives relief in pyorrhea and in bleeding gums.

Ethnomedicinal notes

•   In west Nepal root is powdered with black pepper and is used by tharu community of Dang district to treat stomach pain.
•   In central Nepal twigs are boiled in water in the evening in the morning the lilquid is taken to relieve colds and fever by the tharus oif Chitwan. They use the decoction for the treatment of cough and bronchitis.
•   Fruit is consumed as pickle in case of body ache by darai tribe in Chitwan.
•   Decoction of leaf is used to treat asthma in Kathmandu valley.
•   Similarly leaf juice is used in malarial fever by Tamangs of Kavrepalanchok district.

Pharmacological actions:

•  The drug has definite expectorant action and relieves from acute bronchitis. The active alkaloids vasicine and its autooxidation product vasicinone have shown bronchodilator and antihistaminic effects. It relieves the irritable cough by its soothing action on the nerves and by mucolytic action.
•   Uterine stimulant activity (Intraamniotic injection of vasicine hydrochloride was effective in inducing mid-trimester abortions at dose of 60 mg.) and moderate hypotensive activity of the alkaloids were reported.
•   Thrombopoetic activity of vasicine has been observed. It is also prescribed commonly for bleeding due to idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpurea ( ITP) local bleeding doe to peptic ulcer, piles, menorrhagia etc.
•   The aqueous leaf extract of adhatoda vasica shows significant hepatoprotective  activity of on d-galactosamine- induced liver damage in rats .
•   Vasakin non nitrogenous principal is antidiabetic.
•   Alcoholic extract shows some antibacterial property.
•   Other actions of the drug include antispasmodic, antitussive and febrifuge, properties.

7. OTHER INTERACTION    

Toxicology: Leaves are said to be toxic to all forms of lower life. The alcoholic extract of leaves reported to be poisonous to flies and flea mosquitoes, centipedes and other insects. It prevent growth of lower aquatics and check development of parasitic vegetation.

Acute toxicity in mice and absorption pattern in dogs of vasicinone administrated by different routes confirmed the activity and safety of vasicinone.

Contraindications: The drug should be avoided in pregnancy as its constituent’s vasicinone has the absortifaciaent property.

Side effects: There are no reported side effects for the therapeutic dose in the treatment of asthma though higher dose may cause diarrhea vomiting and gastric irritation.

Traditional healing practice and conservation of the indeginious knowledge in Nepal

Before the arrival of allopathic system of medicine tribal healer from different ethnic groups widely used to practice different healing systems for the purpose of restoring and protecting the health of people. The healing approach of our tribal healers still practices nowadays although not tremendously as before. It is greatly based on the particular culture and tradition and this indigenous knowledge has been handed over generation to generation till now. Different ethnic groups have different healers and are named accordingly as pande of chepangs, lama of gurungs, and gurewa of tharu and so on. However all the tribal healers basically practice plants, animals, and minerals based medicines, spiritual therapeutics (e.g. shamanism), ritual systems and many more to treat, diagnose or prevent illness. In different regions of Nepal still traditional beliefs and practices are deeply rooted in such a way that they think the occurrence of complicated ailments due to curse of some evil spirits, displeasure of Gods or breaking of religious taboos. Many more people are attracted towards their healing system because of several demerits of allopathic system of medicine as well. Although not described from the scientific background a lot of evidence of efficacy of the healing system of these tribal healers can be found. A number of people in community have been found treated of their ailments with these sorts of practices, especially the people with chronic illness.

In the present context, there is a great danger of this indigenous knowledge being lost in the country because of lack of proper documentation and scientific study. These several traditional healers may pass away without handing down their knowledge and the future generation will be of more aware of their culture and tradition in this regards. Most predominantly, tribal healers use several herbs in their healing traditions. They use their own knowledge for the treatment of any disorders and these things are stored only in their memories. From their experiences in treating and diagnosing disease, it is possible to gather important knowledge regarding the using strategy of several herbs and the harmful and useful aspects as well. The healing tendency of the particular herbs in specific ailments can be the subject of research. This information can be used further in the development of medicines as well. Scientific study is very necessary to be done in order to utilize the locally available medicinal resources to great extent. These sorts of ailments are also found benefited from this healing practice of tribal healers. The great achievement could be obtained if a lot of scientific study can be carried out and this things be explained from scientific background. Hence the identification, documentation, and scientific study of traditional healing system are much necessarily to be carried out prior to the loss of vast srores of indigenous traditional healing knowledge stored in the mermory of these tribal healers.

Medicinal plants and Crude drugs of Kaski

Nepal is a country rich in great Himalayas ranging from minor to major heights. The Himalaya is a compound word derived from two Sanskrit words Hima=snow and Alaya=home lie in the central Asia separating the Indian subcontinent from the mainland Asia. The Himalayan range which is the highest topographical range in the world covers the part of Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, China and Bhutan. Himalayas are known as secret in the vedic civilization and always considered a the Tapovumi as well the land of medicine.

While studying the Himalayan region with topographical approach the region can be divided in to three or four categories.

1. The great Himalayas (3600m and above) consists of hundreds of snow laden peaks.
2. The middle Himalayas (1500m to 3600m) includes Mahabharat mountain forest and valleys.
3. Sub Himalayan region (below 1500m) includes Siwalik range and fertile foothills

Kaski is known for its typical and unique vegetation and animals which are directly influnced by the climate and elevation there. As the elevation goes increasing the variety of plant diversity also get specificated. There are number of medicial plants amonst the plants available in the region like Aconitum spp, Rauwolfia serpentine, Terminallia chubula, Swertia chirata, Cannabis sativa etc. The geographical location encompasses a portion of Himalayan range in the norh and gangetic plane in the south.

Crude drug is any naturally occurring unrefined substance derived from organic or inorganic sources such as plant, animal, bacteria, organs or whole organisms intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease in man or other animals. Medicinal plants are the plants of medicinal worth.

Ghorepani-Poonhill trek

Ghprepani-Poonhill trekking

Ghorepani Poonhill trek is the part of Annapurna region is also known as the best of the trekking in Nepal. The trek begins with the spectacular mountain scenery along with fabulous charming village inhabitated particularly by Gurung and Magar communities. It is enriched by dense rhododendron forests full of birds and deep sub tropical valleys all set below the Annapurna with the picturepue peak of Machhapuchhere dominating the skyline.

Poonhill possibly the most spectacular mountain scapes on Earth is one of the important highlight of this trip. As soon as sun rises, it kisses the snow caped summits of the Himalayan giants, Dhaulagiri (8167m), and Annapurna (8091m) along with the maze of other peaks.

Trekking regions of Kaski

Dhampus trek

Dhampus is one of the beautiful village of Kaski located in the northern central part of Nepal. It is also the main gateway of Annapurna Conservation Area. It,s altitude varies from 800m to 1600m. Journey of Dhampus village is one of the glamorous paradises of Nepal that starts from the Phedi village that is nearby 20 minutes drive from central core of Pokhara. One can glance the beautiful views of golden rice terraces the vast expanse of the Annapurna Himalayan Range. About 2 hours climb to Dhampus continues through magnificant rhododendron forest nesting wide variety of birds around the village of Chandrakot, where we can observe warn hearted and hospitable inhabitant of Gurung people. As soon as we emerge from the rhododendron forest we will be able to marvel at exceptional view of massive Machhapuchhere popularly known as fishtail as it's resemblance to fish tail. We can grab the fabolous view of pokhara valley fro Dhampus. In this small village we can find enormous beauty of mountain, hospitable Gurung community, a small lake that reflects the image of the fish tail, temples, flowers,mustard field,birds and many more. It is the way to Ghandruk, tourist normally stay here as a halt point.

Begnas and Rupa lakes

It is believed that the name Pokhara had been remained from ‘pokhari’ that means pond or pokhari. There are 8 lakes in pokhara and Begnas and Rupa are the next big lakes of pokhara apart from Fewa lake and are the ideal place of relaxation, boating and fishing. They are located about 15 km east from the central pokhara. There are a few hotels for accommodation in and the odd refreshment shop. Walk along the road leading to Begnas Tal is fascinating; the seasonal rhythms of daily life in the country make great images.

Sarangkot

This is regarded as the best viewpoint of Pokhara and located at altitude of 1,600 m located at the northers shore of Fewa Lake.  Another view point is Thulakot that is located in lekhnath  a part of famous Royal Trek from where four lakes Phewa, Begnas, Khaste and Dipang and whole Annapurna range can be seen perfectly.  Trekking route and a vehicle road lead almost at the top of Sarangkot with an excellent view of the mountains and the city. The way to Sarangkot is surrounded by schimactonopsis forest enriched with variety of birds. One can find few hotels an da gorgeous tower on the top of the hill from where one can glance the beautiful views of Pokhara valley, Mt. Annapurna, Machhapuchhere, and Dhaulagiri. We can also see Fewa lake and its tributaries. It is exceptionally famous for the view of golden sunshine in the morning and sunset in the evening. About an hour of walk from Sarangkot lead to Kaskikot that is supposed to be a historical place. It is also famous for paragliding purposes. It offers the bird’s eye view of Seti river, Fewa lake and the valley itself.