Vasaka

Botanical names: Adhatoda vasica (syn. Justicia adhatoda, A. zeylanica), A. beddomei, Acanthaceae

Other names: Vasa (S), Adosa, Adarsa, Adulasa, (H) Adadodi, Kattumurungai (T), Malabari nut (E)

Botany: Vasaka is a dense evergreen shrub between 1.2-2.4 meters high, with long ascending branches covered in a yellowish bark, oppositely arranged. The glabrous leathery leaves are borne on short petioles, elliptic-lanceolate, tip acute, minutely hairy when young. The flowers arise in short, dense terminal pedunculate spikes with large bracts, the corolla white, streaked pink or purple within. The fruit is a small club-shaped capsule with longitudinal channels, containing 4-6 seeds. Vasaka is found wild and cultivated in a diverse range of habitats throughout tropical India and S.E. Asia up to 1300 meters in elevation. A. beddomei is found primarily in the hilly forest regions of Kerala (Kirtikar and Basu 1935, 1899-1900; Williamson 2002, 20; Warrier et al 1994, 244).

Part used: Root, bark, leaf, flower

Dravyaguna:

• Rasa: tikta, kashaya

• Vipaka: katu

• Virya: shita, laghu, ruksha

• Karma: chardinigrahana, bhedana, jvaraghna, chedana, kasahara, svasahara, raktastambhana, raktasprasadana, mutravirechana, shotahara, kushtaghna, sandhaniya, Pittakaphahara (Srikanthamurthy 2001, 241; Dash 1991, 127; Kirtikar and Basu 1935, 1900-1902; Warrier et al 1995, 268).

Constituents: The most widely studied constituents in A. vasica are the quinazoline and pyrroloquinazoline alkaloids, of which vasicine (peganine) is the major. Other related alkaloids include vasicinone, adhatodine, adhatonine and vasicoline in the leaves, and vasicinol, vasicinolone, vasicinone, adhatonine and vasicol in the roots. Vasaka also contains flavonoids (e.g. apigenin, astragalin, kaempferol and quercitin), the phytosterols ?-sitosterol and daucosterol, triterpenes ?-amyrin and epitaraxerol, an essential oil containing at least 36 different components including the ketone 4-heptanone, as well as fatty acids and hydrocarbons (Williamson 2002, 20; Yoganarasimhan 2000, 22; Kapoor 1990, 216).

Medical research:

Respiratory: The antitussive activity of an Adhatoda vasica extract was assessed in anaesthetized guinea pigs and rabbits and in unanaesthetized guinea pigs. The extract was shown to have an antitussive activity similar to codeine in cough induced by irritant aerosols (Dhuley 1999). Researchers studied the activity of bromhexine and ambroxol, semi-synthetic derivatives of the alkaloid vasicine isolated from A. vasica. The benzylamines bromhexine and ambroxol are commonly used as mucolytics in modern medicine, and have a pH-dependent growth-inhibitory effect on Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These compounds are concentrated in macrophages and appear to enhance lysozyme levels in bronchial secretions, as well as the levels of the antitubercular drug rifampicin in lung tissue and sputum (Grange and Snell 1996). The compound 7,8,9,1 o-tetrahydroazepino (2,1 -b)-quinazoline-12 (6h), one, isolated from A. vasica was determined to have a potent bronchodilatory effect in humans (Malhotra et al 1988).

Antiallergenic: Researchers assessed the activity of compound 73/602 (AA) a structural analogue of vasicinone, an alkaloid found in the leaves and roots of Adhatoda vasica. The compound was shown to possess potent antiallergic activities in mice, rats and guinea pigs. Through pharmacokinetic testing the researchers determined that only about 60% of the oral dose reaches systemic circulation (Paliwa et al 2000).

Antiinflammatory: Researchers examined the antiinflammatory activity of the methanol extract of Adhatoda vasica, as well as its non-alkaloid, saponin and alkaloidal fractions in the modified hen's egg chorioallantoic membrane test. The alkaloid fraction was most active, showing an activity equivalent to that of hydrocortisone (Chakraborty and Brantner 2001).

Oxytocic: Researchers investigated the effects and potential toxicity of the alkaloid vasicine isolated from A. vasica. Vasicine was injected intravenously with a saline solution in 24 human volunteers from the 2^nd to 8^th day after childbirth, in doses up to 16 mg. Vasicine was apparently well-tolerated and showed no undesirable clinical effects, nor any negative effects upon hematological and biochemical investigation, and in kidney and liver function tests carried out before, during and after vasicine treatment. Researchers note however that the uterus became firm and contracted after vasicine treatment, indicating an oxytocic effect (Wakhloo et al 1980).

Toxicity: The compound 7,8,9,1 o-tetrahydroazepino (2,1 -b)-quinazoline-12 (6h), one, isolated from A. vasica was determined to have no negative effect upon fertility and reproduction in rats (Pahwa and Zutushi 1993).

Indications: Nausea and vomiting, hepatitis, bleeding diarrhea, fever, catarrh, cough, asthma, consumption, hemoptysis, menorrhagia, passive hemorrhage, rheumatism, inflammatory joint disease, ophthalmia.

Contraindications: Vatakopa; Vasaka is contraindicated in pregnancy due to its oxytocic effects, although it may be safely used as a parturient and post-parturient.

Medicinal uses: Vasaka is among the most commonly used medicaments in the treatment of respiratory disorders in Ayurvedic medicine, favored especially in cases marked by hemoptysis, dyspnea and wasting. The simplest application of Vasaka is to simply pluck off a flower bud or the leaves and chew them. As a remedy for cough and bronchitis the fresh juice can be taken in doses of between 10-25 mL, mixed with a smaller amount fresh Shunthi juice (Zingiber officinalis) and honey. An infusion of the leaf or decoction of the root may also be taken with Pippali churna and honey for coughs, bronchitis and asthma. The fresh juice mixed with honey and sugar is used in the treatment of fevers caused by Pitta and Kapha, as well as in jaundice (Sharma 2002, 19). In the treatment of hoarseness, hemoptysis and asthma the fresh juice can also be taken with Talisha churna (Abies webbiana leaf) and honey (Sharma 2002, 123). In the treatment of cough, dyspnea, hemoptysis, chest wounds, and consumption the Chakradatta recommends Vasakhanda, prepared by decocting 4 kg of Vasaka in eight times water and reducing this to one quarter of its original volume. To this are added sugar (4 kg) and the powders of Haritaki (2.56 kg) and Pippali (80 g), and decocted further, after which honey (160 g) and Chaturjata (40g, comprised of equal parts Ela, Tvak [Cinnamomum cassia bark], Tamalapatra [Cinnamomum tamala leaf] and Nagakeshara) are added when cool (Sharma 2002, 131). Decocted with Ashvagandha, Shatavari, Dashamula (‘ten roots’ formula), Bala, Pushkaramula (Inula helenium) and Ativisha (Aconitum heterophyllum), Vasaka is used in wasting caused by consumptive conditions, taken along with a diet rich in meat and dairy (Sharma 2002, 134). For conditions marked by catarrh Vasaka is also recommended in dhuma, and as an emergency remedy for asthma attacks can be smoked in combination with parasympatholytics such as Dhattura (Datura stramonium). In the treatment of vomiting the Chakradatta recommends a paste of Vasaka, Chandana, Ushira, Balaka (Coleus vettiveroides), and Shunthi (Zingiber officinalis), taken with rice water (Sharma 2002, 168). A poultice of the leaves and decoction of the root is also used in rheumatic afflictions and joint pain. Decocted with Guduchi and Aragvadha (Cassia fistula), and taken with castor oil, the Chakradatta states that Vasaka is taken as a general remedy for vatarakta (gout) (Sharma 2002, 233). Noted for its oxytocic effects Vasaka root is highly regarded as a parturient in stalled labor, and can help to check post-partum hemorrhage. The antihemorrhagic properties also indicates Vasaka in other diseases marked by passive hemorrhage (rakta pitta), including bleeding diarrhea, menorrhagia and epistaxis, taken in various forms as well as a medicated ghee (Sharma 2002, 127). In combination with Haritaki, Nimba, Amalaki, Musta, Vibhitaki, and Kupilu (Strychnos nuxvomica) Vaidya Mana Bhajracharya indicates that Vasaka is useful in formulations used to treat dacryohemorrhea and blenorrhea (1997, 70). In the treatment of wounds, insect and snake bites the fresh plant poultice is applied externally, the fresh juice or infusion taken internally at the same time (Kirtikar and Basu 1935, 1901). Vasaka has also been traditionally used as an insecticide, and can applied as a medicated oil of the root with Nimba and Haridra in the treatment of scabies, and when mixed with Shankabhasma (Conch shell ash) the fresh juice is used to remove foul body odors (Nadkarni 1954, 42).

Dosage:

• Svarasa: 10-25 mL b.i.d.-t.i.d.
• Churna: 2-5 g b.i.d.-t.i.d.
• Kvatha: 30-120 mL b.i.d.-t.i.d.
• Tincture: root and bark, 1:3, 50%; 2-5 mL b.i.d.-t.i.d.