Anti-Hepatotoxic Effect of Vananimbuka (Glycosmis pentaphylla Retz.)

Liver, one of the largest of organs and a chief site for intense metabolism and excretion. It has a surprising role in the maintenance, performance and regulating homeostasis of the body. The major functions of liver are carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism, detoxification, secretion of bile and storage of vitamin. Maintaining a healthy liver is a crucial factor for overall health and well-being. But it is continuously and frequently exposed to environmental toxins, abused by poor food habits and alcohol. Prescribed and over-the-counter drugs can eventually lead to various liver ailments like hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. Thus liver diseases are some of the fatal health issues in the world today. According to Ayurveda, Yakrut is considered as one of the 15 koshtangas. It is also considered as sthana of ranjaka pitta and plays an important role in maintenance of agni. Hepatic disorders can be compared to yakrut vikaras and yakrutpleeha vikaras. In ayurveda Vananimbuka discribtion is available for yakrut vikara.


INTRODUCTION
Liver is considered as a seat of Ranjakapitta, Moola of Raktavaha srotas and Raktadhara kala, Ranjaka pitta acts on the rasa when it reaches Yakrit and Pleeha converting it into Rakta dhatu and Pitta will be formed as Rakta mala. Yakrit rogas is one of the major diseases and it includes Yakrit shotha, Pandu, Kaamala, Kumbakamala, Haleemaka, Raktapitta etc. The Nidana, Samprapti, Lakshana, Chikitsa are similar to that of Pleeha roga. The profound knowledge of herbal remedies in traditional cultures are developed through trial and error over many centuries, and that the most important cures were carefully passed on verbally from one generation to another. People who use traditional remedies may not understand the scientific rationale behind their medicines, but they know from personal experience that some medicinal plants can be highly effective if used at therapeutic doses. Since we have a better understanding today of how the body functions, we are thus in a better position to understand the healing powers of plants and their potential for multi-functional chemical entities for treating complicated health conditions. Medicinal plants typically contain mixtures of different chemical compounds that may act individually, additively or in synergy to improve health. Modern medicines have little to offer for alleviation of hepatic diseases and it is chiefly the herbal preparations which are employed for the treatment. In the lack of any effective remedy for severe hepatic disorders, management by herbal plants plays a vital role.
Flowers: Small, Crowded in small clusters on the peduncle branches, shortly pedicelled, bract beneath the calyx, triangular.

General Uses: [4]
 Juice of leaves are used in fever and liver complaints.  Leaves are considered as a good antidote for eczema and other skin troubles, applied in the form of paste.  The roots are good for facial inflammations, rheumatism, jaundice and anaemia.  The leaves are useful in helminthiasis, wounds and erysipelas.

Ethnobotanical and Folk uses: [5]
 Glycosmis pentaphylla is taken to treat bilious attacks.  A decoction of roots and leaves is taken for intestinal trouble.  In Vietnamese folk medicine, the leaves are considered appetitive, stomachic and an infusion of roasted leaves is prescribed for women after delivery as an appetizer.  An infusion of leaves and roots is given after childbirth as a protective medicine.  Bitter juice of leaves used for fevers, liver complaints and intestinal worms, especially in children.  Stems and roots of plant used for ulcers.  Paste of leaves, with a bit of ginger, applied to eczema and other skin diseases, also applied over the navel for worms and other bowel disorders.

Uses in Other System of Medicine: [6]
Siddha: The bark is astringent, febrifuge and is indicated in anorexia, burning sensation in eyes and rheumatism.

ANTIHEPATIC ACTIVITY OF VANANIM-BHUKA [7-12]
Vananimbhuka possess Tikta rasa. Tikta rasa reduces the excessive drava guna of Pitta. In addition to this tikta rasa has its inherent Pitta shamaka property. Hence acts against vitiated pitta. The drug also by its rechana action suppresses the vitiated pitta dosha. Because of its Kasaya rasa, Ushna veerya and katu vipaka, it show the actions of kapha shamaka. On the other hand it counteracts Vata with Ushna veerya. Hence Vananimbhuka acts as a Tridoshaghna with specific effect of Pitta shamana. Tikta rasa,tikshna guna, Katu vipaka and Ushna veerya stimulates the Agni and helps in the process of digestion. Because of their Agni vriddhikara property, they increase digestive power and digests amarasa due to their Deepana, Pachana action. Due to its Ushna veerya it removes srotorodha. The additive effect of the drug with predominance of tikta rasa also acts on rakta dhatu by bestowing the property of rakta sodhaka which is the prime function of hepato-biliary system. Thus vananimbhuka acts on Yakrit rogas and minimize the process of pathogenesis.

CONCLUSION
Intake of vidahi and abhishyandi ahara habitually for long periods brings about great vitiation of Rakta and Kapha and produces diseases of the liver. Along with the above aetiology, factors which are responsible for the vitiation of Rakta and Pitta are also causative factors in the origin of Yakrit rogas. Most of the signs and symptoms told in the classics are similar to the signs and symptoms of liver diseases. The main aetiological factor considered for the origin of the disease is "Mandagni" in our shaastra. Yakrit is one of the koshtangas which is also a seat for the Ranjaka pitta, Moola of Raktavaha srotas and Raktadhara kala. A lot of reference regarding yakrit rogas is found in the classics. The basic principles of Ayurvedic pharmacology are capable enough to explain the mode of action in scientific way. Pharmacology of Ayurveda is based on the theory of Rasa, Guna, Veerya, Vipaka and Prabhava which were the simplest parameters in those days to ascertain the action of drug on body. Vananimbuka help to prevent the slightly damaged liver to further advanced pathetic stages, hence the drug consider as a hepato protective drug.

CONSENT
It is not applicable.

ETHICAL APPROVAL
It is not applicable.