POLYHERBAL VARMAM MEDICINE FORMULATION KURUNTHOTTI KASHAYAM – A REVIEW

Dr.D.Krishnapriya1*, Dr.M.V.Mahadevan2, Dr.N.J.Muthukumar3

1*PG Scholar, Department of Varma Maruthuvam, National Institute of Siddha,

2Associate professor and Guide, HOD, Department of Pura Maruthuvam, National Institute of Siddha,

3Professor, HOD, Department of Varma Maruthuvam, National Institute of Siddha,

Chennai-47.

ABSTRACT:

            The Siddha system of medicine is one of the traditional systems and it's mainly practiced in South India. Siddha system has a few specialties like Varma, yogam and kayakarpam. Varmam is a subtle energy that flows like a stream, flowing from one point to another in its pathway where the mind, body and soul interact and communicate. Kurunthotti kashayam is one of the non-shashtric preparations of Varmam formulation, described in the Varmam literature named as Varma marunthu seimurigal. It is used for the treatment of all type of Varmam. Most of the ingredients of Kurunthotti kashayam have anti- inflammatory, anti-analgesic, Antinociceptive, anti-arthiritis and anti-oxidant. This review describes the chemical constituents and pharmacological activity of the part of each ingredient used in this formulation. Ingredients of the polyherbal formulation of Kurunthotti kashayam and their pharmacological action in various research studies are discussed in this review. The details were collected from various Siddha texts and electronic databases. In conclusion, the results of the review revealed that the pharmacological action and the chemical constituents of the drug were perfectly matched with each ingredient of the formulation.

KEYWORD:

            Varmam, Siddha system, Review, Kurunthotti kashayam

 

 

 

 

 

1.    INTRODUCTION:

            The Siddha system of medicine is one of the traditional systems and it's mainly practiced in South India. Siddha system has a few specialties like Varma, yogam and kayakarpam. Varmam is a subtle energy that flows like a stream, flowing from one point to another in its pathway where the mind, body and soul interact and communicate. Varmam treatment contains internal medicine and external technique / medicine to treat the diseases.  Kurunthotti kashayam is one of the non-shashtric preparations of Varmam formulation, described in the Varmam literature named as Varma marunthu seimurigal1. It is used for the treatment of all type of Varmam. Most of the ingredients of Kurunthotti kashayam have anti- inflammatory, anti-analgesic, Antinociceptive, anti-arthiritis and anti-oxidant. All the ingredients of Kurunthotti kashayam are herbal only and most used the root part and some bark, rhizome, seed bud and tuber. This review describes the chemical constituents and pharmacological activity of the part of each ingredient used in this formulation.

2.    PREPARATION OF KURUNTHOTTI  KASHAYAM

A.  LIST OF KURUNTHOTTI KASHAYAM  INGREDIENTS AND ITS USED PARTS

 

Table No: 1 - List of Kurunthotti Kashayam ingredients and its used parts

RAW DRUGS

BOTANICAL NAME(2,3)

USED PARTS

WEIGHT

WEIGHT IN GRAMS

Kurunthotti Ver

(Pavonia zeylanica)    

Root

½ palam

17.5 Grams

Vilva Ver        

(Aegle marmelos)

 

Root

½ palam

17.5 Grams

Muthakassu    

 

(Cyperus rotundus)

Root

½ palam

17.5 Grams

Seenthil

           

(Tinospora cordifolia)

 

Root

½ palam

17.5 Grams

Arugan Ver    

           

(Cynodon dactylon)    

Root

½ palam

17.5 Grams

Murungai Ver 

           

(Moringo oleifera)

Root

½ palam

17.5 Grams

Kalyana murungaipattai

 

(Erythrina variegata)

 

Bark

½ palam

17.5 Grams

Sirukanjori Ver

           

(Tragia involucrata)

 

Root

½ palam

17.5 Grams

AamanakuVer

           

(Ricinus communis)

 

Root

½ palam

17.5 Grams

Chukku

           

(Zingiber officinale)    

Rhizome

2 kazhachi

10.2 Grams

Milagu

(Piper nigrum)

 

Seed

2 kazhachi

10.2 Grams

Thippili

           

(Piper longum)           

Dry fruit

2 kazhachi

10.2 Grams

Athimathuram

           

(Glycyrrhiza glabra)  

Root

2 kazhachi

10.2 Grams

Oomam          

 

(Trachyspermum ammi)

Seed

2 kazhachi

10.2 Grams

Kothamalli     

(Coriandrum sativum)

 

Seed

2 kazhachi

10.2 Grams

Kiramppu       

(Syzygium aromaticum)

 

Bud

2 kazhachi

10.2 Grams

Sittarathai       

(Alpinia galanga)

 

Tuber

2 kazhachi

10.2 Grams

 

B.SOURCE OF RAW DRUGS:

            The required raw drugs for the preparation of Kurunthotti kashayam were purchased from a well-reputed country raw drug shop and drugs were authenticated by the competent authority Medicinal Botany. After that, the raw drugs were purified separately and the Medicine was prepared in Gunapadam laboratory – National Institute of Siddha.

C.PURIFICATION(4,5):

Kurunthotti Ver: Raw root was washed with water and dried it.

Vilva Ver: Raw root was washed with water and dried it.

Muthakassu: The drug was dried under sunlight without any dust particles.          

Seenthil: Outer layer of the root was removed.

Arugan Ver: Raw root was washed with water and dried it.

Murungai Ver: Raw root was washed with water and dried it.

Kalyana murungaipattai: The drug was dried under sunlight without any dust particles.  

Sirukanjori Ver: Raw root was washed with water and dried it.

AamanakuVer: Raw root was washed with water and dried it.

Chukku: Soaked in limestone for 3 hours (1 samam) and dried it. Then the outer layer was scrapped.

Milagu: Kept the drug in buttermilk for 3 hours (1 samam) and dried it.

Thippili: The drug was soaked in lemon juice and dried under sunlight.

Athimathuram: The drug was dried under sunlight without any dust particles.

Oomam: The drug was soaked in limestone water and dried it.

Kothamalli: The drug was dried under sunlight without any dust particles.

Kiramppu: The nab of the raw drug was removed.  

Sittarathai: Raw root was washed with water and dried it.

D.METHOD OF PREPARATION(1):

1. All the drugs were purified by the above methods and crushed into a coarse powder.

2. Then 8 folds of water were added with the coarse powder and boiled

3. Decoction was prepared by reducing it into 1/8 part

4. Then filtered and added 2 grams of palm jaggery.

DRUG STORAGE:

The trial drug Kurunthotti kashayam chooranam was stored in a clean and dry container.

Dosage                        : 60 ml twice a day (after food)

Duration                     : 3 days

Indication                   :  All types of Varmam

Reference                   : Varma marunthu seimuraikal(1)

Table no: 2- Taste, Potency and Division of Kurunthotti Kashayam ingredients

RAW DRUGS

TASTE(3)

POTENCY(3)

DIVISION(3)

Kurunthotti Ver

Bitter

Hot

Sweet

Vilva Ver        

Bitter, Sour

Cool

Spicy

Muthakassu    

 

Bitter

-

Spicy

Seenthil

           

Bitter

Hot

Spicy

Arugan Ver    

           

Sweet

Cold

Spicy

Murungai Ver 

           

Sour, Bitter, Sweet

Cold

Spicy

Kalyana murungaipattai

 

Bitter, Spicy

Hot

Spicy

Sirukanjori Ver

           

Bitter

Hot

Spicy

AamanakuVer

           

Bitter

Hot

Spicy

Chukku

           

Spicy

Hot

Spicy

Milagu

Bitter, Spicy

Hot

Spicy

Thippili

           

Spicy

Hot

Sweet

Athimathuram

           

Sweet

Cold

Sweet

Oomam          

 

Spicy

Hot

Spicy

Kothamalli     

Spicy

Cold hot

Spicy

Kiramppu       

Bitter, Spicy

Hot

Spicy

Sittarathai       

Spicy

Hot

Spicy

 

3.    CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS AND ITS ACTION:

Table no: 3- Chemical Constituents and its action of Kurunthotti Kashayam ingredients

Tamil name

Chemical constituents

Action(3)

Kurunthotti Ver

 

Ø  Ephedrine Pseudoephedrine Sterculic, malvalic and coronaric acid. Fatty acids, Saponine, Betaphenethylamin,e Hypaphorine, Ecdysterone, Indole, alkaloids, Palmitic, stearic and β – sitosterol(6)

Ø Emollient

 

Vilva Ver

Ø  Marmenol, marmin, marmelosin, marmelide, psoralen, alloimperatorin, rutaretin, scopoletin, aegelin, marmelin, fagarine, anhydromarmelin, limonene, a-phellandrene, betulinic acid, marmesin, imperatorin, marmelosin, luvangentin and auroptene(7)

Ø Aphrodisiac

 

Muthakassu

Ø 12-methyl cyprot-3-en-2-one-13-oic acid, two aliphatic ketone viz. n-dotriacontan-15-one and n-tetracontan-7-one, fatty esters n-pentadecanyl octadec-9, 12- dienoate (n-pentadecanyl linoleate, 3), n-hexadecanyl linoleate (8)

Ø Stomachic,

Ø Expectorant,

Ø Stimulant,

Ø Diaphoretic.

 

Seenthil

Ø  Alkaloids, diterpenoid lactones, glycosides, steroids, sesquiterpenoid, phenolics, aliphatic compounds and polysaccharides, etc(9).

Ø Stimulant,

Ø Stomachic,

Ø Demulcent,

Ø Tonic,

Ø Antiperiodic

 

Arugan Ver

 

Ø Flavanoids,  alkaloids, glycosides,  terpenoides,  triterpenoids  steroids,  saponins,  tannins,  resins,    phytosterols,    reducing  sugars, carbohydrates, proteins, volatile oils and fixed oils(10).

Ø Emollient,

Ø Astringent,

Ø Diuretic.

 

Murungai Ver

Ø β-carotene, phytyl fatty acid ester, polyprenol, chlorophyll a, β-sitosterol, triacylglycerols, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and saturated hydrocarbons(11)

Ø Stimulant,

Ø Antispasmodic

 

Kalyana murungaipattai

Ø Alkaloids, flavonoids, pterocarpans, triterpenes, steroids, alkyl trans-ferulates, proteins, and lecithin(12)

Ø Febrifuge,

Ø Expectorant,

Ø Anti-bilious

 

Sirukanjori Ver

Ø Alkaloids, carbohydrates, protein, tannins, flavonoids, sterols and saponins(13)

Ø Diaphoretic

 

AamanakuVer

Ø  Dipiperenoyl methyl ester methylene (Ricipiperanyl ester), Erandone, Indole-3-acetic  acid,  Lupeol,  1-Oleio-2-palmitoglyceryl phosphate, etc(14)

Ø Anti-vatha

Chukku

Ø Monoterpenoids (B-phellandrene, camphene, cineole, geraniol, curcumene, citral, terphineol, borneol, cineole, geranyl acetate, limonene, linalool) and sesquiterpenoids, zingiberol(15).

Ø Sialogogue

Ø Stomachic

Ø Carminative

Ø Stimulant

Ø Rubefacient

Milagu

Ø Piperonal (2E,4E)-N-isobutyl-2,4-decadienamide. Piperine, Piperanine, piperettine, piperylin A, piperolein B, pipericine, flavanoids, alkaloids, phenolic amides(16).

Ø Acrid

Ø Carminative

Ø Antiperiodic

Ø Stimulant

Ø Rubefacient

Thippili

Ø    Alkaloids, lignins, Piperine, piplartine, piperenonaline, pipercide B-sitosterol dihydrostigmasterol L-tyrosine, Lcysteine, hydrochloride, L-aspartic acid, palmitic, hexadecenoic, stearic, linoleic, oleic, linolenic high saturated acids arachidic and L-tyrosine(17).

 

Ø Carminative

Ø Stimulant

Ø Diuretic

Ø Aphrodisiac

Ø Alterative

Athimathuram

Ø Triterpene, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhetic acid, glabridin, liquiritin, etc(18).

Ø Emollient,

Ø Laxative

Ø Tonic

Oomam

Ø Thymol, carvaco, p-cymene(19).

Ø Carminative

Ø Stimulant

Ø Stomachiac

Ø Antispasmodic

Ø Tonic

Kothamalli

Ø Tannins, terpenoids, reducing sugars, alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, fatty acids, sterols and   glycosides(20).

Ø Stimulant

Ø Stomachiac

 

Kiramppu

Ø Sesquiterpenes, monoterpenes, hydrocarbon, and phenolic compounds. Eugenyl acetate, eugenol, and β-caryophyllene(21).

Ø Stomachic

Ø Carminative

Ø Antispasmodic

 

Sittarathai

Ø Terpenoids,diarylheptanoids, phenylpropanoids, flavanones,  phenolics, steroids,  alkaloids,  stilbenes, etc(22)

 

Ø Stomachic

Ø Febrifuge

Ø Expectorant

 

4. PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF KURUNTHOTTI KASHAYAM

1.    Kurunthotti ver (Pavonia zeylanica)

            i) Antinociceptive activity(23) 

            ii) Anti-inflammatory activity(23)

2. Vilva ver (Aegle marmelos)

            i) Anti-inflammatory activity(24)                                                                                       

            ii)  Anti-oxidant activity(25)

3. Muthakaasu (Cyperus rotundus)

            i) Anti-arthiritis activity(26)

            ii) Anti-inflammatory activity(26)

            iii) Analgesic activity(27)

4. Seenthil (Tinospora cordifolia)

            i) Anti-inflammatory activity(28)         

            ii) Analgesic activity(28)

5. Arugan ver (Cynodon dactylon)

            i) Anti-inflammatory activity(29)

            ii) Analgesic activity(30)          

6. Murungai ver (Moringo oleifera)                 

            i) Anti-arthiritis activity(31)

            ii) Antinociceptive activity(32)

7. Kalyana murungaipattai (Erythrina variegata)            

            i) Anti-inflammatory activity(33)         

            ii) Analgesic activity(34)

8. Sirukanjori ver (Tragia involucrata)

            i) Analgesic activity(35)           

9. Aamanaku ver (Ricinus communis)             

            i) Anti-arthiritis activity(31)

            ii) Antinociceptive activity(36)

10. Chukku (Zingiber officinale)

            i) Anti-inflammatory activity(37)

            ii) Anti-arthiritis activity(31)

11. Milagu (Piper nigrum)

            i) Analgesic activity(38)

12. Thippili (Piper longum)

            i) Anti-arthiritis activity(31)

            ii) Anti-inflammatory activity(39)

            iii) Analgesic activity(40)         

13. Athimathuram (Glycyrrhiza glabra)              

            i) Anti-arthiritis activity(31)

            ii) Antinociceptive activity(41)

14. Oomam (Trachyspermum ammi)

            i) Anti-inflammatory Effect(42)

            ii) Antioxidant activity(43)

15. Kothamalli (Coriandrum sativum)

            i) Anti-inflammatory activity(44)

            ii) Anti-oxidant activity(45)     

16. Kiramppu (Syzygium aromaticum)             

            i) Antinociceptive activity(46)

            ii) Anti-inflammatory activity(46)        

17. Sittarathai (Alpinia galanga)       

            i) Anti-arthritis activity(31)

CONCLUSION:

            According to the review of the literature of Kurunthotti kashayam, the following topics were analyzed such as parts used, chemical constituents and pharmacological actions of each ingredient.

            Based on the review, the pharmacological actions, organoleptic characters and chemical constituents of each ingredient were perfectly matched with the indications of ‘Kurunthotti kashayam’ mentioned in Siddha's text.    

CONFLICT OF INTEREST:

            The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest in this research.

SOURCE OF FUNDING: Nil

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

                        I express sincere heartfelt thanks to Dr.M.V.Mahadevan, MD(s), Ph.D., Associate Professor and my guide, HOD, Department of Pura Maruthuvam gave her insightful comments and constructive criticisms at different stages of my research which were thought-provoking and they helped me to focus my ideas. And also I express my thanks to Prof Dr.N.J.Muthukumar, MD(s), Ph.D., Head of the Varma Department, Dr.V.Mahalakshmi, MD(s), Ph.D., Associate Professor, HOD, Department of Siddhar Yoga Maruthuvam,  Dr.D.Periyasami, MD(s), Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Pura Maruthuvam and Dr.P.Samundeswari, MD(s), Assitant Professor, Department of Varma Maruthuvam, National Institute of Siddha, Chennai for the guidance and encouragement in carrying out this study.

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