CHITRAKA

Introduction

It is a forbidden leafy vegetable (saka) according to vaikhanasa dharmasutra. Carara described it as the best drug to cure Guda Sotha, Arsas and sula. In the context of Rasayana, Susrutha advocated the utility of citraka rasayana similar to that of Bakuci Rasayana. Vagbhta delineated three varieties of citraka and quoted them of or rasayana purpose.

In Lolambariyam (sodvaidyajivanam) citraka is indicated as the best vehicle (Anupana) in case of Arsas.

Caraka used the terms citra - citraka together under Bhedaniya dasaimani. Some scholars are of the opinion that caraka erroneously enumerated under Bhedaniya group since it also mentioned as the example for Prabhava while comparing it with Dant, cilra-citraka in this context may be Danti-Dravanti acc to the author. Otherwise, citraka described here may be a variety of eranda (remember) caraka mentioned two types of Eranda (Urubuka & Pancangula) under saka varga.

Present research reveals that Plumbagin obtained of Pzeylanica is a Potent cylotoxic / anticancer agent.

Raja Narahari described Rakta cinraka for Parada. Niyamana and Lohavedhana (making sun metals / gold from inf. Metals) this varieties of Citraka is gained to be useful to gain weight and strength of human body.

Cimaka is one of the main ingredients in Trimada, Pancakola and sadusna.

Ganas

1. According to Raja Nighantu

Pippalyadivarga

2. According to Dhanavantari Nighantu

Satapushpadi Dwitiyavarga

3. According to Sodhala Nighantu

Satapushpadi Varga

4. According to Nighantu Adarsa

Pippalyadi varga

5. According to Bhavaprakasa Nighantu

Haritakyadivarga

6. According to Kaiyadeva Nighantu

Osadhivarga

Synonyms

1. According to Rajanighantu :

i. Citraka

ii. Agni

iii. Citrapali

iv. Katu

v. Sikho

vi. Krshnu

vii. Dahana

viii. Vyala

ix. Jyotishka

x. Anala

xi. Daruna

xii. Vanhi

xiii. Pavaka

xiv. Sabala

xv. Pathidvipi

xvi. Citranga

xvii. Palanka

xviii. Shur

2. According to Dhanvantari Nighantu

i) Dahana ix) Vahini xvii) Cikrabhanu

ii) Vyala x) Pali xix) Pavaka

iii) Pathina xi) Pathi

iv) Daruna xiii) Sikhi

v) Agnika xiv) Kshnaaruna

vi) Jyotishka xv) Anala

viii) Vallari xvi) Dvipi

3. According to Kaiyadeva Nighantu

i) Citraka xi) Pathi

ii) Dhana xii) Pavaka

iii) Vahni xiii) Jwala

iv) Pathina xiv) Anala

v) Daruna xv) Jyothi

vi) Aruna xvi) Dvipi

vii) Vyula xvii) Sikhagni

viii) Hrtasa xviii) Jwalana

ix) Hrta Bhuk xix) Shata

x) Pali

4. According to Saligran Nighantu :

i) Citraka vii) Vibhakara

ii) Analanama Pathi viii) Citra

iii) Vyala ix) Kuta

iv) Ushna x) Sikhi

v) Krshnavarthma xi) Dahana

vi) Jataveda xii) Vyala

5. According to Nighantu Adarsa :

i) Agni

ii) Dahana

iii) Citraka

6. According to Ayurveda Niryuktamala

i) Anala

ii) Citraka

iii) Citaschita

iv) Dahana

v) Pathi

vi) Pithi

7. According to J.L.N. Sastry

i. Anala

ii. Dahana

iii. Pithi

iv. Vahnisanjnaka

v. Agni

vi. Agnika

vii. Jyoti

viii. Nirdahna

ix. Vahni

x. Sikhi

xi. Hutasana

Description

The active principle plumbagin and the Pharmacological actions of the Plant drug are due to presence of this neutral principle. Externally it is strong irritant and has a powerful germicidal action on Bacteria and unicellular organisms. The principal action of plumbagin is on the muscular tissue which it stimulates in smaller doses and paralysis in larger ones. It stimulates the secretion of sweat, wine and Bile. It has a stimulant action on the nervous system. This use of drug is based on pharmacological activity on account of as chemical constituents.

The roots of plant are used with honey in obesity. The roots are also given in filariasis. The infusion of roots is given in urinary ailments. The roots decoction is orally useful in anemia. Roots are regarded as one of the alternative or restorative medicine (rasayana). The oil prepared with the roots and other ingredients is used in Fistula-in-and. The roots are useful in liver and spleenic disorders.

The roots of another variety, Rakta citraka has the almost similar medicinal properties as that of sveta citraka. It is specially flattening, alternative and cures leprosy; and this kind of drug is considered very effective and suitable certain diseases being its peculiar efficiency and in some Pharmaceutical processes.

The vegetable of plant, especially leaves (citrakasakam) is also mentioned in some texts.

Excess use of roots of drug caves toxic signs and symptoms on accounts of plant. It is poisonous (vanaspatika visa) effects and administration of antibilious cold and oleos medicines and measures in suggested to counter toxicity stage.

Different Varieties :

Vagbhata quoted three varieties viz., Sweta, Pita & Asita Citraka usually use come across the following three verities.

Plumbago zeylanica (white)

Plumbago rosea (red)

Plumbago capensis (blue)

P.V.Sharmaji described later 2 varieties as.

Plumbago indica linn

Plumbago auriculata linn.

In raja nighantu the 2^nd variety of citraka i.e. Rakta Citraka is denoted as “Kalah”.

Port used :

Root Bark (Potentiality of crude drug material – Fresh roots)

Dose : 4-16 grains

Formulation (Yoga)

Citrakadi vatigutika, Citrakaharitaki, Citrakaghrta, Citrakadichurna, Pippalyadi, Mustadi, Amalakyadi, Muskakadi, Panchakola, Sadusna (Bhavaprakasa), Aragvadhi (Susruta)

Groups :

Dipaniya, Trptighna, Sulaprasamana, Bhedaniya, Arsoghna, Lekhaniya, Katukas Khandha (caraka).

Chemical Constituents

The following are the chemical constituents of citraka

i. Chitranone

ii. Plumbagin

iii. 3-Chloro plumbagin

iv. Droserone

v. Elliptinone

vi. Isozeylinone

vii. Isozeylan-one

viii. Zeylanone

ix. Zeylinone

x. Maritone

xi. Plumbagic acid

xii. Dihydrosterone

xiii. b-sitosterol etc.

Therapeutic uses

Charaka Samhita :

1. Pain :

Pippali

Cavya

Srngavera

Marica

Citraka – These drugs are used in pain and indicated in Jigandi Ranithi Dasaimani (C.Su. 3-45 slokas)

2. Toxication :

In case of Toxication and fainting, the patient should be administered five oleation therapies. In this Triphala along with ghee honey, Pippali, citraka with milk, ten year old ghee and such other exits may also be administered. (C.su 36^th sloka)

3. It help the root of citraka mula helps I Promoting digestion, carmination and curing piles and colic pain. (C.su. 48^th sloka)

4. The medicated oil of citraka, by adding with saindhavana lavana cures Kaphaja diseases, udavarta, gulma, arsas plihan diseases, meha anaha and asmari (c.si. 13-16)

Susruta Samhita :

5. Sukrameha : Cilraka Kasaya is useful in Sukrameha conditions. (S.S.Ci 11/9)

6. Svitra : Citraka and Trikatu are mixed with honey and cows urine should be kept in a jar coated with ghee for a fortnight and taken orally. (s.s.ci 9/39)

7.Kushta : The consumption of citramula cures Kushta. (s.sci. 9)

8. Suitra : Cows urine : Citraka mula, Trikatu, Ghrta, Madhu all these are mixed in Kumbham upto 15 days and then when consumed it helps in cure of svitra. (s.ci.)

9. Pandu : The mixing of citrakamula and Balamula and them consumed helps in curing of Anaemia. (s.c.26)

10. Nasasrava : In nasasrava devadaru and citramula paste lepa in that Takra is kept upto one night and given in meals them Ekadosa and Dvidosa arsas will be decreased.

11. Dental diseases : The Kalka or paste of dhramula, Indrayava, Patha, Katukarohini, Athivisa, Haritaki all these are made into paste and given then dental disorders wont come.

12. Arsas : In kalasa citramula paste lepa in that Takra is kept upto one night and given in meals than ekadosa and Dvidosa Arsas will be decreased.

Properties of the drug

Name of the Book	Rasa	Guna	Virya	Vipaka	Prabhava
Dhanvantari Nighantu	-	Tiksnausna	-	Katu	-
Rajanighantu	-	Usna	-	Katu	-
Kaiyadeva Nighantu	Katu, tikta	-	Usna	Katu	Rochako
Saligrama Nighantu	-	-	-	Charapara	-
Nighantu Adarsa	Katu, tikta	-	Usna	Katu	-
J.L.N. Sastry	Katu	Laghu Autsa Tiksna	Usna	Katu

Indications

1. Dhanvantari Nighantu :

Vata, Udararoga, Arsas, Grahani, Kshaya and Panduroga

2. Raja Nighantu :

Vataroga, udararoga, Arsasvikara, Grahani, Krmiroga and Allergy diseases.

3. Kaiyadeva Nighantu

Agni Deepana, Grahani, Kaphavata, Amaadosa, Sotha, Kushta and udararoga.

4. Saligrama Nighantu :

Mrni, Dryskin, Sangrahani, Ocdema, Cough and decreases vatakapha.

5. J.L.N.Sastry :

Arsas, Grahami, Udara, Krmi, Sula, Pandu, Masa.

Karma

1. Dhanvantari Nighantu :

It decreases the Kapha and sopha.

2. Raja Nighantu :

It decreases the sotha and Kaphabam diseases.

3. Kaiyadeva Nighantu :

Agnivardhaka, Pachana, Rochaka.

4. Saligrama Nighantu :

It decreases vata and Kapha and destroys Kaphapitta.

5. J.L.N.Sastry

Vata-Kaplahara, Dipana-pacana, Grahi.

Research

1. Plant extract (100mg/kg) Prevented 100% ovulation and implantation in female rats.

2. Plumbagin exhibited specific antimicrobial activity against yeasts and potent insect antifeedant activity against larva of African army worms.

3. Plumbagin administered intra tumorally and orally at 2mg/kg decreased tumour growth by 70% and 60% respectively in rats with methyl cholanthrene induced famouses. Its EDSO was 6.75mg/kg. plumbagin was active against P388 lymphocytic leukemia at 4mg/kg and showed antibacterial and antifungal activity against a wide variety of bacteria and fungi.

4. Plumbagin administered to hyper lipidemic rabbits reduced serum cholesterol by 53-86% and Lol-cholestrol by 61-91%. It lowered cholesterol / phosphate ratic by 45.8% and elevated HDL-Cholesterol significantly. It prevented accumulation of cholesterol and triglycodes in liver and aorta and regressed atheromatous piques of Thoracic and abdominal aorta. Plumbagin treated hyper lipidaemic subjects excreted more facial cholesterol and phospholipids.

5. Topical application of plumbagin has been found to be useful in patients with common work.

6. Plumbagin significantly increased the prothrombin time, total proteins, GPT and alkalike phosphates levels in the liver tissue and decreased GPT levels in the serum. An anti Vit-K activity on the part of plumbagin has been suggested.

7. The LDSO of the 50% alcoholic extract of seeds was > 1000mg/kg in albino rats.

8. 50% ethanolic extract of roots showed hypothermia and antagonism to amphethamine hyper activity in mice. The LD 50 of the extract in albinomice was 500mg/kg i.p.

Bibilography

S.No.	Name of the Book	Author	Published by	Place	Year
1	Dravya Guna Vignan	J.L.N.Sastry	Chaukamba orientalia	Varanasi	2005
2	Dhanvantari Nighantu	P.V.Sharma	Chaukamba orientalia	Varanasi	2002
3	Sodhala Nighantu	Sodhala	Oriental Institute	Baroda	1978
4	Bhava Prakasa Nighantu	Bhavamisra	Chaukamba Bharati Academy	Varanasi	1995
5	Raja Nighantu	Pandit Narahari	Krishnadas Academy	Varanasi	1982
6	Kaiya deva Nighantu	P.V.Sharma	Chaukamba orientalia	Varanasi	1979
7	Saligrama Nighantu	Saligrama	Khemraj Shri Krishna das	Bombay	1993
8	Madanapala Nighantu	Pandit Ram Prasad	Khemraj Shri Krishna Das	Bombay	1990
9	Nighantu Adarsa	Bapalal G.Vaidya	Chaukamba Bharati Academy	Varanasi	1985
10	Caraka Samhita	R.G.Bhagwandash	Chaukamba Bharati Academy	Varanasi	2004
11	Susrutha Samhita	P.V.Sharma	Chaukamba Bharati Academy	Varanasi	1999
12	Astanga Hydayam	K.P.Srikantha Murthy	Chaukamba Bharati Academy	Varanasi	2002
13	Cakradatta	P.V.Sharma	Chaukamba orientalia	Varanasi	1994
14	Yogaratnaka	Nirmal Saxena	Chaukamba orientalia	Varanasi	2003
15	Gadanigraha	Indradev Tripati	Chaukamba samskrwa samsthan	Varanasi	2003
16	Bhaisajyaratnavali	Ambikadatta sastri	Chaukamba samskrwa samsthan	Varanasi

17	Sidha Prayoga Sangraha	Krishna Gopal	Chaukamba Sanskrit Bhavan	Varanasi	1991
18	Dravya Guna	Gyanendra Pandey	Chaukamba Orientalia	Varanasi	2002
19	Classical uses of medianal plants	P.V.Shrma	Chaukamba Orientalia	Varanasi	1996
20	Controversial drugs in Indian Medicine	Bapalal Vaidya	Chaukamba Orientalia	Varanasi	1982

Index

Page No.

1. Introduction 1

2. Ganas 2

3. Synonyms 3-4

4. Description 5-7

5. Chemical Constituents 8

6. Therapeutic uses 9-10

7. Properties of the drug 11

8. Indications 12

9. Karma 13

10.Research 14

11.Bibliography 15-16

Compilated by…..

Md.Juneed, (II/IIB.A.M.S)