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INDEX – GJRMI - Volume 6, Issue 9, September 2017

INDIGENOUS MEDICINE

Ayurveda- Kaya Chikitsa – Review

THERAPEUTIC EVALUATION OF QUASSIA AMARA LINN. - A CRITICAL REVIEW

Remya E1*, Mandip Goyal 109–113

COVER PAGE PHOTOGRAPHY: DR. HARI VENKATESH K R, PLANT ID – TWIG OF VITEX NEGUNDO L.*

OF THE FAMILY LAMIACEAE

PLACE – OFF KANAKAPURA ROAD, BANGALORE, KARNATAKA, INDIA *BOTANICAL NAME VALIDATED FROM www.theplantlist.org AS ON 30/08/2017

Global J Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med. | Volume 6, Issue 9 | September 2017 | 109–113

Global Journal of Research on Medicinal Plants & Indigenous Medicine || GJRMI ||

ISSN 2277-4289│ www.gjrmi.com │International, Peer reviewed, Open access, Monthly online Journal

THERAPEUTIC EVALUATION OF QUASSIA AMARA LINN.

- A CRITICAL REVIEW

Remya E1*, Mandip Goyal2

1PhD Scholar, Dept. of Kayachikitsa, IPGT & RA, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar – 361008., Gujarat,

India 2Associate Professor, Dept. of Kayachikitsa, IPGT & RA, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar – 361008.,

Gujarat, India

*Corresponding author : drremyaenair@gmail.com; Mobile : +91-9447378133

Received: 09/08/2017; Revised: 15/09/2017; Accepted: 23/09/2017

ABSTRACT

Quassia amara Linn., famous as bitterwood or quassia, is a neotropical forest shrub indigenous to

Northern Brazil. Indian Quassia, mostly seen in northern and eastern states, is a source of numerous

compounds including b–carbonile, cantin-6 alkaloids and primarily, the bitter compounds known as

quassinoids. Purpose of the present study was to review the pharmacological and clinical profile of

Quassia critically. Pharmacologically, Quassia bark wood extracts (QaE) provide an excellent

preventive effect in gastric ulcer models at low dose with no toxicity. QaE effectively normalized

diabetes and associated hyperlipidaemia in nicotinamide–streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Intra-

peritoneal administration of QaE has shown sedative, muscle relaxant and psycho-mimetic activities,

which is not reversible by Naloxone. Significant anti-malarial activity and reversible anti-fertility

action of QaE had been proven in rats. In a clinico-experimental trial, Ankush gunjal et al., concluded

that Quassia is a promising drug for Type 2 Diabetes mellitus and associated hyperlipidaemia and can

be included under the umbrella of Prameha-hara Dravya. It is need of hour to look into eco friendly,

cost effective, toxicity free herbal medicines like Quassia and to develop a framework to include these

drugs to enrich Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia after proper scientific evaluation.

Key words: Quassia amara, Anukta Dravya, Prameha, Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Review Article

Cite this article:

Remya E, Mandip Goyal (2017), THERAPEUTIC EVALUATION OF QUASSIA AMARA LINN.

- A CRITICAL REVIEW, Global J Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med., Volume 6 (9): 109–113

Global J Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med. | Volume 6, Issue 9 | September 2017 | 109–113

Global Journal of Research on Medicinal Plants & Indigenous Medicine || GJRMI ||

INTRODUCTION

Tremendous expansion of health issues and

treatment expenses have resulted in a paradigm

shift of global interest from conventional

medical science to Complementary and

Alternative Medicine in 21st century. This is

evident from the change in health policies of

individual nations which outreached to the

development of Traditional Medicine Policy by

WHO. In developing countries like India, usage

of medicinal plants in healthcare practices is

relatively high (WHO Traditional Medicine

Strategy 2002–2005). Red listed important

medicinal plants species of India are 195 which

contain certain drugs used in folk or traditional

systems other than Ayurveda (Nishteshwar K,

2014). It becomes mandatory to search for

medicinal plants with optimum therapeutic

potentialities. This scenario has made us to

probe into the therapeutic potential of Quassia

amara Linn. which can be used in a wide

spectrum of maladies, but still unexplored.

Quassia amara Linn.is a folklore medicinal

plant indigenous to Northern Brazil and this tree

is also called Quassia. Indian Quassia (Picrasma

quassioides Ben.) has been included in Indian

pharmacopeia list 1946 and Indian

pharmaceutical codex in 1952. Habitat of Indian

Quassia is Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,

Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir,

Meghalaya, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh (Bapalal

G Vaidya, 2007). Indian Quassia is having equal

medicinal properties as that of Quassia amara

Linn. Quassia amara contains quassin, the

bitterest substance found in nature. All parts of

Quassia are useful including root, bark, stem,

heart wood, leaf and flower. Photographs of

Quassia amara has been shown in figure 1.

Figure : 1 Photographs of Quassia amara

1a: (Source: www.ipecacostarica.com) 1b: (Source: www.tropical.theferns.info)

The description of plant is avaliable in ‘The

Wealth of India’(CSIR)(2003).Sanskrit name of

Quassia amara is Jwaraghni, Tikta. This plant

has been described in Ingudi Varga

(Simaroubaceae family) quoted in Aadarsha

Nighantu. Quassia bark in Bengal is used as

Bharangi by Vaidya Kaviraj. Quassia is

Jwaraghna (Anti-pyretic), Krimighna (Anti-

helminthic) and also effective in Ajirna

(Indigestion) and Agnimandya (Vitiation of

digestive fire). Its Basti (Enema) is administered

in Sutrakrimi (Threadworm). In a taste

exploration study conducted by Ankush Gunjal

et al. (2015) among 30 healthy volunteers from

Ayurvedic fraternity, it was found out that

Quassia amara L possesses Tikta Rasa (Bitter

taste) with Katu-Kashaya Anurasa. (Pungent –

astringent subtaste)

MATERIALS & METHODS

An attempt was made to collect available

clinical and experimental works on therapeutic

profile of Quassia amara L.at different research

Global J Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med. | Volume 6, Issue 9 | September 2017 | 109–113

Global Journal of Research on Medicinal Plants & Indigenous Medicine || GJRMI ||

centres and supportive data was collected from

Ayurvedic compendia, dissertations, research

articles & related websites.

DISCUSSION

Pharmacological studies on Quassia amara

Walber Toma et al. (2002) had analyzed the

possible antiulcerogenic activities of four

extracts of different polarities:70% ethanol

(70% EtOH), 100% EtOH, 100%

dichloromethane (DCM), and 100% hexane

(HEX) obtained from Quassia amara bark. All

extracts, administered at doses of 5000 mg/kg

orally and 1000 mg/kg intraperitoneally, caused

neither toxicity nor death. This shows that even

at high doses, the drug does not possess any kind

of toxicity & highly safe. Therefore Quassia

amara bark extracts can be safely administered

in risk groups like children, elder people,

pregnant ladies etc. All these extracts

significantly inhibited the development of

indomethacin/bethanechol induced gastric ulcer

and reduced the gastric injury induced by the

hypothermic restraint–stress test in mice. In the

pylorus ligature of the mouse stomach, 100%

Ethanol, DCM and HEX extracts presented

decreased gastric juice content, increased pH

values and decreased acid output. They also

exhibited significant antiulcerogenic activity on

HCl–EtOH-induced gastric ulcers in mice at

four doses (25, 50, 75, 100 mg/kg, p.o.), All

extracts showed significant increase (p<0.05) of

free mucous and Prostaglandin synthesis.

Quassia amara can be effectively

administered in all kinds of gastric and duodenal

ulcers, gastro-esophageal reflux disorders,

digestive disturbances due to chemo and radio

therapy. But it may not be effective in patients

who are frequently taking NSAID’s as anti-

ulcerogenic effect was abolished when the

animals were pre-treated with indomethacin.

The main active compounds are the quassinoids,

and the mechanism of this effect is probably

related to prostaglandins and mucous synthesis.

The fact that low doses obtain the best effects,

with no toxicity at a dose of 5000 mg/kg, is

crucial, demonstrating the high efficacy and

safety of these extracts.

Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats were

treated with oral doses of methanol extract of

Quassia amara (100 and 200 mg/kg) and

Glibenclamide (10mg/kg as standard) for 14

days. Both doses of Quassia amara extract

significantly (p<0.01) reduced elevated FBS

levels in diabetic rats significantly increased

(p<0.05) glucose tolerance in the oral glucose

tolerance test. QaE and Glibanclamide

effectively normalized dyslipidaemia (Total

cholesterol, LDL–C, HDL–C and triglycerides)

associated with Streptozotocin induced diabetes

(Gulam Muhammed Hussain et al., 2011). Due

to anti-diabetic and normo lipidaemic property,

Quassia amara can be used as a prophylaxis

against diabetes induced complications like

stroke, coronary artery disease etc.

W. Toma et al. (2003). evaluated the

possible anti dematogenic, anti nociceptive and

sedative effects of 70% ethanol, 100% ethanol,

dichloromethane and hexane Quassia bark wood

extracts. Oral administration of these extracts

did not show any significant effects. When

administered intra – peritoneally, HEX extract

showed anti – nociceptive effects on hot plate

test and sedative effects on pento - barbital

induced sleep. Naloxone did not reverse the anti

– nociceptive effect of this extract. Although,

the mechanisms are uncertain, these effects are

apparently related to sedative, muscle relaxant

and psycho-mimetic activities of the HEX

extract of the plant. Quassia amara can be

recommended as a safe herbal sedative after

establishing its efficacy in clinical trials.

The crude methanol extract of the stemwood

of Quassia amara significantly caused a

reduction in the weight of testis, epidydymis and

seminal vesicle, but an increase in that of

anterior pituitary gland. Epidydymal sperm

counts, serum levels of testosterone, LH, FSH

were significantly reduced. The basal and LH

stimulated testosterone secretion of leydig cells

isolated from rats pretreated with the extract was

inhibited. These changes seemed to be restored

8 weeks after the withdrawal from extract

reatment. Quassin appears to be the anti fertility

principle of Quassia amara (Yinusa Raji et al.,

1997). Thus Quassia can be added to the set of

Global J Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med. | Volume 6, Issue 9 | September 2017 | 109–113

Global Journal of Research on Medicinal Plants & Indigenous Medicine || GJRMI ||

Sukra Soshana (Anti- fertility) drugs. Quassia

amara Extract showed significant anti malarial

activities in the 4 day suppressive in vivo anti

malarial assay in mice inoculated with RBC

parasitized with Plasmodium bergheiberghei.

Quassia leaf hexane extract and methanol

extract had exhibited significant suppressive in

vivo anti-malarial activity (E Ajayieoba et al.,

1999).

Ankush Gunjal et al. (2015), studied the

effect of heartwood powder of Quassia amara

L. in the dose of 390 mg/kg body weight in

normal overnight fasted Swiss albino mice. The

results concluded that test drug did not lower the

blood glucose level below the normal level in

normoglycaemics and it did not cause drug

induced hypoglycemia in normoglycaemics.

RCT conducted by the same investigators

studied the effect of Quassia amara Linn. 3

Capsules (500 mg each) twice daily before

meals with luke warm water and compared its

synergestic action with ongoing modern

medication, in type II diabetic patients. Effect of

therapy resulted in significant decrease in FBS,

PPBS and fasting urine sugar in both groups by

the therapy. It was concluded that, Quassia

amara Linn. can be added as adjuvant drug with

conventional antidiabetic therapy and can also

be used as potential therapy as a single herb in

patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

CONCLUSION

Pharmacologically, Quassia extract is

proved to have anti-diabetic, anti-malarial, anti-

ulcerogenic, anti-fertility, anti-nociceptive,

sedative, muscle relaxant and psychomimetic

properties. On the basis of Rasa and

pharmacological trials, it can be concluded that

Quassia possess Kapha Pitta Samana

(Pacification of Kapha and Pitta),

Vishamajwarahara (Anti – pyretic),

Shukrasoshana (Anti fertility) and

Pramehahara (Anti diabetic) properties. Further

pharmacological trials and RCT’s may be

warranted to validate the therapeutic profile of

Quassia amara Linn. The threat to our nation’s

imperiled wildlife is immediate and real. Hence

it is need of hour to look into eco friendly, cost

effective, toxicity free herbal medicines like

Quassia amara Linn and to develop a

framework to include these drugs to enrich

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia after proper

scientific evaluation.

REFERENCES

Ankush Gunjal, Mandip Goyal (2015) , A

Clinico-experimental Study on Quassia

amara Linn. in Apathyanimittaja

Prameha (Type II Diabetes Mellitus),

Department of Kayachikitsa, IPGT &

RA, Gujarat Ayurved University, Ph D

thesis

Bapalal G Vaidya (2007) Ingudiyadi varga,

Nighantu Aadarsha, Chaukhambha

Bharati Academy, Varanasi,

vol.1.p.251–257.

E. Ajayieoba, U.I. Abalogu, H. C. Crebs, A M

J Oduola (1999) In vivo anti malarial

activities of Quassia amara and Quassia

undulata plant extracts in mice, Journal

of Ethno pharmacology, Volume 67,

Issue 3, Pages 321–325

Gulam Muhamed Husain, Paras Nath Sing,

Rakesh Kumar Singh, Vikas Nath,

(2011) Anti – diabetic activity of

standardized extract of Quassiaamara in

Nicotinamide - Streptozotocin –

induced Diabetic rats, Phytotherapy

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Global Journal of Research on Medicinal Plants & Indigenous Medicine || GJRMI ||

Nishteswar K. (2014) Cultivation, collection

and endangered status of medicinal

plants – Ancient and modern

perspectives: Conservation, cultivation

and exploration of therapeutic potential

of medicinal plants. New Delhi:

CCRAS, Dept. of AYUSH, Govt. of

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W toma, J S Gracioso, C A Hiruma-Lima, F D

P Andrade, W Vilegas, A R M Souza

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Alba Regina Monteiro Souza Brito

(2002) Anti ulcerogenic activity of four

extracts obtained from the barkwood of

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Biol. Pharm. Bull. 25(9) 1151–1155

Wealth of India, (2003) Raw material, Vol-4,

CSIR, NISCHAIR, New Delhi. p.428

WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2002–

2005 (2002)

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Anti – fertility activity of Quassia

amara in male rats – In vivo study, Life

sciences, Volume 61, Issue 11,Pages

1067–1074

Source of Support: NIL Conflict of Interest: None Declared

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