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Adhatoda vasica Nees: Phytochemical and Pharmacological Profile

Thokchom P. Singh1, Okram M. Singh1,* and Huidrom B. Singh2
1 2

Department of Chemistry, Manipur University, Canchipur, Imphal-795003, Manipur, India North East Institute of Science & Technology, Substation (CSIR), Lamphelpat-795004, Manipur, India
Abstract: Adhatoda vasica Nees (Acanthaceace) is a well known medicinal plant from which certain alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, sterols and their glycoside derivatives have been isolated. Its diverse medicinal activities include cardiovascular protection, abortifacient, antitubercular, antimutagenic, antiulcer, antiasthmatic activities, hepatoprotective, antibacterial and antitussive activities. It is commonly used in indigenous and traditional folk medicine system in South-East-Asia. An up-to-date data on phytochemical compositions and pharmacological properties of different parts of Adhatoda vasica are reviewed and commented in this article.

Keywords: Adhatoda vasica, alkaloids, vasicine, bronchidal and radioprotective activity. 1. INTRODUCTION Adhatoda vasica Nees [synonym: Justicia adhatoda] (Fig. 1) of the Acanthaceae family is a well-known plant drug in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine [1] and the plant has been used in the indigenous system of medicine in India for more than 2000 years [2]. It is commonly known as Malabar nut tree and local names in some areas are Ya-Zui-Hua in China, Vasaka (Sanskrit), Arusha (Hindi), Bakas (Bengali), Nongmangkha-agouba (Manipuri), Alduso (Gujarati), Adasaramu (Telugu), Adadodai (Tamil), Adusoge (Kannada) and Atalotakam (Malayalam) in India. green beneath. The leaves grow in an opposite formation, and are entirely lanceolate, and shortly petiolate, tapering towards both apex and base. The leaves become brownishgreen when dry and taste bitter with a smell similar to strong tea. Its stem is soft and makes a good charcoal. The flowers are large, dense, terminal spikes with large, attractive white petals, streaked with purple on the lower lip. The fruit is a small, clavate, longitudinally channeled capsule, containing four globular seeds. 1.2. Distribution It is an evergreen shrub growing throughout IndoMalayan region, Punjab in the North, and Bengal and Manipur in the South-East to Tranvacore of Kerala, at an altitude of 1350 m. The plant is also seen distributed in Sri Lanka, Upper and Lower Myanmar, southern China, Laos, and the Malay- Peninsular and Indonesian Archipelago. 2. TRADITIONAL USES OF THE PLANT It is used as an herbal remedy for treating cold, cough, whooping cough and chronic bronchitis and asthma, as sedative expectorant, antispasmodic and anthelmintic. It is an official drug and is mentioned in the Pharmacopoeia of India. The leaves, roots, flowers and bark of Adhatoda are all used for medicinal purposes. It is well known for preparation of medicine for bronchitis, asthma and other pulmonary infections. Glycodin, a famous product used for the cure of bronchitis is extracted from the leaves of this plant. It has been used by European herbal practitioners as an antispasmodic, expectorant and febrifuge. It is also known for its antiarthritis, antiseptic, antimicrobial, expectorant, sedative and antituberculosis properties [3]. The plant has been included in the WHO manual The Use of Traditional Medicine in Primary Health Care, which aims to profit health workers in South-East Asia to keep them informed of the therapeutic utility of their surrounding flora [4]. In the manual, A. vasica is recommended for the preparation of sputum more fluid and use to treat cough, asthma and bleeding piles and it can
2011 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.

Fig. (1). Adhatoda vasica.

1.1. Morphology Adhatoda vasica is a small, evergreen, perennial shrub, which reaches an average height of three meters. Its branches are opposite and ascending. The broad, leathery leaves, which are sometimes used as an insecticide, measure from 10 to 15 centimeters in length, and are about 4 centimeters in width. They are pubescent; light green on top and darker

*Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Chemistry, Manipur University, Canchipur, Imphal-795003, Manipur, India; Tel: 0385-2435307; Fax: 0385-2435145; E-mail: ok_mukherjee@yahoo.co.in

2210-3163/11 $58.00+.00

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be used for both adults and children for a long period. Also, the plant is recommended for first-aid medicine in primary health care and can be used in both adults and children and for a long period without any restriction of use. The uses of different parts of Adhatoda vasica in South-East-Asia are listed in Table 1. 3. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS The phytochemical studies of the various parts of Adhatoda vasica revealed the presence of alkaloids, phytosterols, polyphenolics and glycosides as a major class of compounds. Its principal constituents are quinazoline alkaloids with vasicine as its chief alkaloid. The leaves are rich in Vitamin C and carotene and yield an essential oil. Chemical compounds found in leaves and roots of this plant includes essential oils, fats, resins, sugar, gum, amino acids, proteins and vitamin C etc [17]. The various chemical compounds are listed in Table 2 (Ref. [18, 47]). The leaves also contain a very small amount of an essential oil and a crystalline acid [1]. An analysis published in India in 1956 showed the seeds as containing 25.8% of deep yellow oil composed of glycerides of arachidic 3.1%, behenic 11.2%, lignoceric 10.7%, cerotic 5%, oleic 49.9% and linoleic acids 12.3% and -sitosterol (2:6%) [48]. Elemental analysis using atomic absorption spectrophotometry revealed the presence of major (K, Na, Ca and Mg) and trace (Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Co, Cd, Pb, Mn and Fe) elements in Adhatoda vasica [49]. The chemical analysis of various bioactive compounds isolated from leaves and roots of Adhatoda vasica was carried out by Gulfraz et al. [50], which is given in Table 3.

From the data, concentration level of protein (8.5 %), vasicine (7.5%), vitamine C (5.2%), and fats (2.5%) were found in roots samples of Adhatoda vasica. Whereas, level of such compounds was low in leaves except sugar (16.4%), fiber (5.2%), vasicinone (3.5%), Zn (0.6%), S (1.3%) and Fe (1.2%). Some of the main phytochemicals of Adhatoda vasica are shown in Fig. (2). 4. BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY Extracts of Adhatoda vasica are widely used in pharmaceuticals and traditional systems of medicines for a number of ailments [51]. The plant as a whole possesses remarkable biological activities which are summarized in Table 4. 4.1. Antibacterial Activity The leave extract of Adhatoda vasica exhibits moderate antibacterial activity [52]. The antibacterial activity against the microorganism strains of Bacillus subtilis (11mm) and Vibrio cholera (15mm) in petroleum ether extract, and also Bacillus subtilis (11mm) and Vibrio cholera (13mm) in ethanol extract were determined by the disc diffusion technique. Where, the plates were incubated at 37 oC for 24h to allow maximum growth of the organism, the activity of the test agents were measured by the zone of inhibition of the plates. 4.2. Bronchodilatory Activity Both vasicine and vasicinone, the primary alkaloid constituents of Adhatoda are well-known for their therapeutical

Table 1.
Entry 1.

Traditional Uses of Adhatoda vasica Nees

Parts Leaves Uses An infusion of the leaves is an excellent agent for the destruction of white ants, flies, and mosquitoes. The extract obtained by boiling leaves along with fruit of Phyllanthus emblica, mixed with honey is used in asthma. The fresh juice of leaves is mixed in honey and ginger juice, is recommended for all types of cough, chronic bronchitis and asthma. Leaf juice is prescribed in malarial fever. Leaves are macerated and the extract is drunk orally for cough and phlegm congestion during cold. Bruised fresh leaves are used to treat snake bites. Infusion of leaves is used to relieve headache. Paste of the fresh root is applied on abdomen and vagina minutes before childbirth for easy delivery. Used for apiculture. The root is useful as an expectorant, antispasmodial and the infusion is used as an anthelmintic. Fresh flowers are used in high fever and gonorrhea. The leaves and flowers possess expectorant and antiasthmatic properties Juice made from the bark and leaves are used for vomiting and as an anthelmintic. The fruits are used for cold, antispasmodic and bronchitis Country India Ref. [5]

2.

Leaves

India

[6]

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Leaves Leaves Leaves Leaves Leaves Root

Pakistan Nepal Bangladesh India, Sri Lanka Myanmar, Pakistan India

[7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]

9. 10. 11. 12.

Root & Flower Leaves & Flowers Leaves & Bark Fruit

Pakistan India Bangladesh Pakistan

[13] [14] [15] [16]

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Table 2.
Entry 1. 2.

List of Compounds Extracted from the Leaves of Adhatoda vasica

Compound 9-acetamido-3,4-dihydropyrido-(3,4-b)-indole adhatodic acid Class Alkaloid Organic acid Sources RT PNS IF RT YP LF LF PO FL RT YP LF AP FL FL PNS RT PNS RT RT RT RT LF/RT LF RT FL LF/FL AP RT PO FL AP PNS AP Country India India India India Switzerland Pakistan India India Pakistan India Switzerland Pakistan Germany Pakistan Pakistan India India India India India India India India Pakistan India India Germany Pakistan India India India Pakistan India India Ref. [18] [19] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [22] [20] [21] [22] [25] [22] [22] [26] [27] [28] [20] [20] [18] [27] [29] [30] [18] [29] [25] [31] [20] [24] [32] [31] [32] [33]

3.

adhatodine

Alkaloid

4. 5. 6. 7.

adhatonine adhavasinone amino-n-butyric acid -amyrin

Alkaloid Alkaloid Amino acid Triterpenoid

8.

anisotine

Alkaloid

9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.

apigenin astragalin betaine -carotene -glucoside-galactose -sitosterol-D-glucoside daucosterol D-glucoside D-galactose

Flavonoid Flavonoid Alkaloid Terpenoid Glucoside Glucoside Sterol Glucose Glucose

18.

deoxyvasicine

Alkaloid

19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27.

deoxyvasicinone 2,4-dihydroxychalcone-4-O- -D-glucopyranoside epitaraxerol 2-glucosyl-4-hydroxyl - oxychalcone glycine 4-heptanone 3 -hydroxy-D-friedoolean-5-ene hydroxyl oxychalcone 37-hydroxy-hexatetracont-1-en-15-one

Alkaloid Chalcone Steroid Chalcone Amino acid Alkyl Ketone Triterpenoid Chalcone Alkyl Hydroxyketones Alkyl Hydroxyketones Triterpenoid Alkaloid Flavonoid

28. 29. 30. 31.

37-hydroxy-hentetracontan-19-one 3 -hydroxy-oleanane-5-ene 3-hydroxyanisotine isovitexin

AP AP LF LF/FL

India Pakistan India Germany

[33] [34] [35] [25]

32 The Natural Products Journal, 2011, Vol. 1, No. 1 Table 2. contd. Entry Compound Class Sources FL FL FL RT LF LF RT LF FL LF LF LF AP AP AP LF/FL RT AP PO FL FL FL FL LF/FL PO RT AP RT LF Country India Pakistan India India India India India India India India India India Pakistan India India Germany India Pakistan India India Pakistan India India Germany India India Pakistan India India

Singh et al.

Ref. [20] [22] [36] [20] [35] [35] [20] [29] [32] [37] [38] [37] [34] [39] [39] [25] [18] [31] [24] [20] [22] [36] [20] [25] [24] [27] [34] [18] [37]

32.

kaempferol

Flavonoid

33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46.

l-vasicinone l-vasicol maiontone 3-methylheptanone 5-methoxyvasicinone 7-methoxyvasicinone hydrate 7-methoxy-3R-hydroxy-1,2,3,9-tetrahydropyrrolo-[2,1-b]quinazolin-9-one(7-methoxy-vasicinone) 29-methyltriacontan-1-ol N-oxides and glycosides of vasicine N-oxides and glycosides of vasicinone 2 O-xylosylvitexin O-ethyl- -D-galactoside peganidine proline

Alkaloid Alkaloid Alkaloid Alkanone Alkaloid Alkaloid Alkaloid Alkanol Alkaloid Alkaloid Flavonoid Galactoside Alkaloid Amino acid

47.

quercetin

Flavonoid

48. 49. 50. 51. 52.

rhamnosylvitexin serine sitosterol sitosterol- -D-glucoside 1,2,3,9-tetrahydropyrrolo(2,1-b)-quinazolin-9-one-3Rhydroxy-3(2 -dimethylamino phenyl (desmethoxyaniflorine) 1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-5-methoxy-pyrrolo[2,1-b]quinazoline-3ol tritriacontane valine

Flavonoid Amino acid Sterol Glucoside Pyrroloquinazolines

53. 54. 55.

Alkaloid Hydrocarbon Amino acids

LF RT PO RT YP LF LF LF LF PNS PNS

India India India India Switzerland Pakistan India India China India India

[40] [21] [24] [20] [21] [22] [41] [42] [43] [44] [45]

56.

vasicine

Quinazoline alkaloids

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Table 2. contd. Entry Compound Class Sources AP LF LF LF PNS PNS LF RT PNS IF YP IF YP IF RT PNS RT LF/RT AP RT LF LF PNS LF/FL LF/FL Country Pakistan India India India India India India India India ndia Switzerland India Switzerland India India India India India India India China India India Germany Germany Ref. [31] [38] [41] [42] [44] [45] [46] [47] [26] [19] [21] [19] [21] [19] [47] [26] [20] [29] [33] [20] [43] [35] [26] [25] [25]

57.

vasicinone

Quinazoline alkaloids

58. 59.

vasinol vasicoline

Alkaloid Alkaloid

60.

vasicolinone

Alkaloid

61. 62.

vasicol vasakin

Alkaloid Fatty acid

63.

vasicinolone

Alkaloid

64. 65. 66. 67. 68.

vasicinol vasnetine vitamin C vitexin violanthin

Alkaloid Alkaloid Vitamin Flavonoid Flavonoid

LF = Leaves, FL = Flower, IF = Inflorence, PO = Pollen, AP = Aerial Parts, PNS = Part Not Specified, YP = Young Plant.

Table 3.

The Percentage (%) of Various Chemical Compounds Analyzed from Edible Parts of Adhatoda vasica [50]
Constituent Dry matter Moisture Berberine Protein Fat Sugar Fiber Sodium Sulphur Calcium Iron Zinc % (Leaves) 50.4 15.3 6.5 1.6 16.4 6.4 1.4 1.3 1.5 1.2 0.6 % (Root) 66.4 24.6 0.3 8.5 2.5 2.6 5.2 2.4 1.2 3.1 0.7 0.5

Entry 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

34 The Natural Products Journal, 2011, Vol. 1, No. 1 Table 3. contd. Entry 13. 14. 15. Constituent Vasicine Vasicinone Vitamin C % (Leaves) 4.5 3.5 1.5 % (Root) 7.5 5.2

Singh et al.

NHCH3

O NHCOOCH3 N N Adhatodine HO OH HO N H H HO H H H N H CH3 O Peganidine[45] HO H H H N Vasicine[56]

Fig. (2). Compounds isolated from Adhatoda vasica.

OH O OH Daucosterol[15] H

H H H H

Epitaraxerol[21] HO N

H H H

N N O Vasicinone[57] H

H H

Table 4.
Entry

Biological Activities for Different Extracts of Adhatoda vasica Nees

Extract LC50/ED50/ZI/Conc.used/ICG Species Ref.

A. Antibacterial activity(Leaves): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Ethanol Ethanol Ethanol Ethanol Ethanol Ethanol Methanol 19 mm (ZI) 18 mm(ZI) 14 mm(ZI) 15 mm(ZI) 15 mm(ZI) 12 mm(ZI) NS Staphylococcus aureus Staphylococcus epidermidis Bacillus subtilis Pseudomonas aeroginosa Proteus vulgaris Candida albicans Staphylococcus aureus [67] [67] [67] [67] [67] [67] [68]

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Table 4. contd. Entry 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. Extract Methanol Methanol Chlorofom Chlorofom Chlorofom Chlorofom Chlorofom Chlorofom Chlorofom Aqueous Aqueous Aqueous Aqueous Aqueous Aqueous Aqueous LC50/ED50/ZI/Conc.used/ICG NS NS 14 mm(ZI) 14 mm(ZI) 15 mm(ZI) 17 mm(ZI) 13 mm(ZI) 12 mm(ZI) 15 mm(ZI) 16 mm(ZI) 16 mm(ZI) 16 mm(ZI) 14 mm(ZI) 18 mm(ZI) 14 mm(ZI) 17 mm(ZI) Species Pseudomonas aeruginosa Shigella boydii Escherichia faecalis Staphylococcus epidermidis Vibriopara heamolysis Serratries masciens Staphylococcus heamophytenus Bactere maserins Vibrio cholorae Staphylococcus aureus Bacillus brevis Vibrio cholerae Pseudomonas aeruginosa Shigella flexneri Bacillus licheniformis Bacillus subtilis Ref. [68] [68] [69] [69] [69] [69] [69] [69] [69] [70] [70] [70] [70] [70] [70] [70]

B. Ovicidal activity (Aerial Parts): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Aqueous Aqueous Aqueous Aqueous Aqueous Aqueous Ethanol Ethanol Ethanol Ethanol Ethanol Ethanol 14.79mg/ml(ED50) 12.59 mg /ml(ED50) 14.79 mg /ml(ED50) 15.85 mg /ml(ED50) 15.49 mg /ml(ED50) 18.20 mg /ml(ED50) 12.59 mg /ml(ED50) 11.48 mg /ml(ED50) 12.59 mg /ml(ED50) 14.79 mg /ml(ED50) 14.79 mg /ml(ED50) 18.20 mg /ml(ED50) Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus spp Ostertagia circumcincta, Strongyloides papillosus Oesphagostomum columbianum Chabertia ovina Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus spp Ostertagia circumcincta, Strongyloides papillosus Oesphagostomum Columbianum Chabertia ovina [71] [71] [71] [71] [71] [71] [71] [71] [71] [71] [71] [71]

C. Hepatoprotective activity(Leaves): 1. 2. D. Toxicity(Leaves): 1. Aqueous >5,000 g/mL(LC50) Artemia salina [74] Aqueous Ethanol 50100mg/kg p.o. (conc. used) 100-200mg/kg p.o. (conc. used) Wistar rats Wistar rats [72] [73]

E. Germination(Leaves): 1. Ethanol 100 % (ICG) Bipolaris sorokiniana [75]

F. Chemopreventive activity:

36 The Natural Products Journal, 2011, Vol. 1, No. 1 Table 4. contd. Entry 1. 2. 3. Extract Methanol Ethanol Ethanol LC50/ED50/ZI/Conc.used/ICG 50100mg/Kg b.wt. (conc. used) 50-100mg/kg b.wt./day (conc. used) 800 mg/kg b.wt. (conc. used) Species Human peripheral lymphocytes Swiss albino mice Swiss albino mice

Singh et al.

Ref. [76] [77] [78]

G. Antitussive effect (Leaves & Flowers): 1. 2. 3. 5% Citric acid 2.8% NH4OH 0.5N H2SO 4 75.6 mg/kg p.o. (ED50) 200.0 mg/kg p.o. (ED50) 125.8 mg/kg p.o. (ED50) Guinea pigs Guinea pigs Guinea pigs [79] [79] [79]

H. Anticestodal activity(Leaves): 1. Methanol 800 mg/kg p.o. (conc. used) Hymenolepis diminuta [80]

Zone of inhibition = ZI, ED50 =Effective dose, LC50 = Lethal concn., Enzyme inhibition = +, Inhibition of conidial germination % = ICG, p.o. = per orally, b.wt. = body weight, Not Specified = NS.

respiratory agents. Vasicine showed bronchodilatory activity both in vitro and in vivo [53]. Vasicinone, the main metabolite of vasicine, showed bronchodilatory activity in vitro but bronchoconstrictory activity in vivo, suggesting that it is probably biotransformed in vivo, causing bronchoconstriction. The two alkaloids in combination showed a bronchodilatory activity both in vitro and in vivo. 4.3. Anti-Allergic and Anti-Asthmatic Activities The two main alkaloids vasicine and vasicinone are known to exhibit antiallergic activity. An extract containing the alkaloid vascinol and 20% vasicine [54] inhibited ovalbumin-induced allergic reactions by about 37% at a concentration of 5 mg. Vasicinone has been shown to be a potent anti-allergen in tests on mice, rats and guinea pigs as studied by Wagner [55]. Also, the methanolic extract from the entire plant has been shown to possess anti-allergic and antiasthmatic activities in the guinea-pig after inhalation or intragastric administration at doses of 6 mg peranimal or 2.5 gm/kg, respectively [25]. 4.4. Radioprotective Effects Swiss albino mice [56] when exposed to 60Co radiation showed radiation-induced sickness including marked changes in histology of testis and chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells with 100% mortality within 22 days. The ethanolic extract of A. vasica leaf when given orally at a dose of 800 mg kg_1 body weight per mouse for 15 consecutive days and then exposed to radiation, death of Adhatodapretreated irradiated mice was reduced to 70% in 30 days. Adhatoda pretreatment significantly prevented radiationinduced chromosomal damage in bone marrow cells, which suggests that Adhatoda plant extract has significant radioprotective effects on testis. 4.5. Antimutagenic Activity Jahangir et al. [57] studied the antioxidant and anticlastogenic efficacy of A. vasica against cadmium chloride

(CdCl2)induced renal oxidative stress and genotoxicity in Swiss albino mice. A single intraperitoneal dose of CdCl2 (5 mg\kg b.wt.) resulted in significant (p<0.001) increase in chromosomal aberration and micronuclei formation. Oral administration of A. vasica at two doses (50 and 100 mg/kg BW) for seven consecutive days showed significant (p<0.001) suppression of mutagenic effects of CdCl2 in plant-pretreated groups. Cadmium intoxication altered the antioxidant levels and enhanced MDA formation significantly (p<0.001). A. vasica showed significant (p<0.001) recovery in antioxidant status, viz., GSH content, its dependent enzymes, and catalase activity. Prophylactic pretreatment of A. vasica extract in cadmium-intoxicated mice showed marked (p<0.001) inhibition of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and xanthine oxidase (XO) activity. 4.6. Anti-Tubercular Activity The anti-tubercular activity of Adhatoda vasica was studied by Barry et al. [58]. Bromohexine and ambroxol- two widely-used mucolytics, semi-synthetic derivatives of vasicine from Adhatoda vasica have growth inhibitory effect on Mycobacterium tuberculosi [59]. 4.7. Anti-Ulcer Activity The Leaves of Adhatoda vasica possessed anti-ulcer activity. Adhatoda leaf powder showed a considerable degree of anti-ulcer activity in rats with the highest degree of activity (80%) observed in the ethanol-induced ulceration model in comparison to pylorus, and aspirin [60]. 4.8. Allopathic Activity Recently, Mitra et al. [61] studied the alleopatic activity of Adhatoda vasica. The aqueous leaf and flower extracts showed inhibitory effects on seed germination and seedling survival of turnip. Remarkably lesser inhibitory effect of the flower extract was noted at all the doses. Contrary to this, there was stimulating effect of both the extracts, particularly at the lower and moderate doses, on seed weight of turnip.

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4.9. Antifeedant and Toxic Activity Sadek [62] studied the effect of crude methanolic extracts of Adhatoda vasica leaves on the feeding and performance of Spodoptera littoralis larvae. The mortality rate of larvae was 100% when fed on fresh leaves after 26 days of unsubstantial growth. The extract exhibited strong antifeedant and toxic activity against the larvae when applied either on leaf discs or incorporated into artificial diet. The consumptiondependent growth efficiency of animals fed on extract-free diet was significantly higher than the growth efficiency of animals fed on extract-containing diets, suggesting both antifeedant and toxic activities of the extract. 4.10. Sucrase Inhibitory Activity The methanolic extract from the leaves of Adhatoda vasica Nees (Acanthaceae) showed excellent sucrase inhibitory activity with sucrose as a substrate [43]. The alkaloids, vasicine and vasicinol inhibited sucrase activity, with an IC50 value of 125 M and 250 M respectively. Though, the alkaloids did not show inhibitory effects (IC50 > 1 mM) on intestinal maltase, isomaltase and -amylase. Thus, A. vasica can be explored as a natural antidiabetic agent. 4.11. Anti-inflammatory Activity Vasicine, the main alkaloid of Adhatoda vasica showed anti-inflammatory activity [63]. The antiinflammatory activity of the methanol extract, the non-alkaloid fraction, the saponins and the alkaloids were evaluated by the modified hen's egg chorioallantoic membrane test. The alkaloid fraction showed potent activity at a dose of 50 /pellet equivalent to that of hydrocortisone while the MeOH extract and the other fractions showed less activity [64]. 4.12. Abortifacient Activity Adhatoda vasica possessed abortifacient and uterotonic properties, making it useful for inducing abortion and for stimulating uterine contractions in order to speed childbirth [51]. The activity of vasicine in stimulating uterine contractions was studied using human myometrial strips taken from the uterus of both pregnant and non-pregnant women. The result was found to induce uterine contractions, with effectiveness similar to the drug oxytocin [65]. The abortifacient effect on guinea pigs were more marked when estrogens were used as a priming influence, indicating that the actions of vasicine was probably mediated via the release of prostogladins [66]. CONCLUSION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We are thankful to the DST, New Delhi (project No. SR/S1/OC-31/2009) for financial assistance. REFERENCES
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Received: June 23, 2010

Revised: August 04, 2011

Accepted: August 04, 2010