Sarpagandha - A detailed review

[Dr. Hari Venkatesh.K.Rajaraman]

Dear members,

Herewith I would like to elaborate “Sarpagandha”.Rauvolfia serpentina in detail,  W.S.R to its Adulterants & Substitutes.

We know that Rauvolfia serpentina was the world’s first known Anti-Hypertensive drug & a major contribution of India to the world.

History of the Discovery:

What on earth can calm an agitated, Wild Elephant???. Believe it or not, a root, the root of a plant Rauvolfia serpentina!!!

The calming properties of Rauwolfia were noticed by Mr.M.Manal, the founder of the Himalaya Drug Company, on a trip to Burma(Myanmar) in the early 1930’s. Fascinated by Rauwolfia’s effect on elephants, he had it tested Scientifically and thus the world got its first anti-hypertensive drug, Serpina in 1934. (Ref: An article by the Chairman Himalaya drug Company, Bangalore)

In 1931, G.Sen & K.G.Bose reported the efficacy of the roots of Rauwolfia in Psychosis & Hypertension in an Indian Journal. The findings were ignored until 1955 when Rustom Jal Vakil, reported Rauwolfia’s efficacy in the British Heart journal. With a characteristically reductionism approach, German scientists isolated among other Alkaloids, Reserpine from the roots of Rauwolfia and demonstrated its activity. Thus reserpine was marketed as an important drug for high B.P & Psychosis. However, when used in the isolated and refined form, the alkaloids almost invariably produced side effects including Parkinson’s syndrome, sedation & Weight gain. As such R.serpentina was withdrawn after a short span of success.

Well before this discovery, it was Ayurveda & Siddha systems of medicine which had mentioned this plant in the name of Sarpagandha(Sushrutha samhita) for the treatment of ailments ranging from Insomnia, Psychiatric disorders, lack of appetite, snake bites(Siddha), & Hypertension.

Thank You

Dr Hari Venkatesh K Rajaraman

[Dr. Hari Venkatesh.K.Rajaraman]

Adulterants & Substitutes:

Though the usage of Reserpine is not in vogue now a days. But still the drug as a whole is still being utilized to treat Hypertension in the world of Traditional medicines.

 

As a part of it, many Pharmaceutical industries of Herbal medicine have their own Patented formulations with Rauvolfia serpentina, to be one of its key ingredients. The bulk of the raw material is usually procured from various raw drug markets across our country. In connection to its collection & Genuinity lots of doubts & Questions arise in our mind. So hereby, I had taken this topic for discussion to analyze the various market available sources of Sarpagandha & its genuinity.

 

The major Substitues:

In the world trade the following species are substituted for the genuine drug.

1.     R. vomitoria

2.    R. canescens

3.   R. tetraphylla

4.      R. micrantha (all these varieties contains Reserpine but percentage differs)

 

 

The major Adulterants:

Due to the lack of ‘Reserpine’, the following plants have been accepted to be pure adulterants of the genuine drug.

 

1.     R. densiflora

2.      R. perakensis (Both have stratified cork & Stone cells)

3.   Chassalia curviflora, Rubiaceae

 

Microscopy of Rauvolfia serpentina:

Identifying Characters –

Cork:  Stratified cork in several layers (Some lignified) appearing like ‘benzene’ rings, in surface view.

Parenchyma: Pitted and lignified parenchymatous cells of the Xylem parenchyma & medullary ray cells.

Wood elements: vessels few, long and with oblique end walls & perforations.

Starch granules: largely simple but compound ones are also known to occur. Granules are fairly large, possessing a distinct hilum in the form of a ‘star’ or a ‘split’.

Calcium oxalate: crystals in the form of prisms but not many in number.

Distinguishing  points:

R. vomitora can be distinguished from the official drug on the basis of sclereids which are present here in abundance.

R. canescens possesses stone cells similar to the genuine drug but the characteristic stratified cork is totally absent.

R. micrantha shows stratified cork & stone cells.

 

Please go through the photographs, which depicts the more or less similar appearance of the inflorescences of R.serpentina with that of Chasalia curviflora.

 

Because of these resemblances, laymen collect the roots of Chassalia curviflora  mistaking its identity, but now it has become one of the chief adulterants of the genuine drug in various parts of our country.

 

 

Comments & critiques welcome..

[tanay bose]

Nice and informative Pharmacological note Hari Ji thanks the research and accumulation of the lovely information.
Regards
Tanay

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Tanay Bose
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