English Nigerseed.
The leaves contain gymnemic acid.
298 Gymnema sylvestre B. Br.
Gymnema sylvestre B. Br.
Family Asclepiadaceae.
Habitat Central and Peninsular India.
English Australian Cow Plant, Ipecacuanha (Indian).
Ayurvedic Meshashringi, Meshav G ishaanikaa, Meshavalli, Chhaagal shrngi Ajashringi (also equated
with Dolichandrone falcata and Pergularia extensa).
Unani Gurmaar Buuti.
Siddha/Tamil Kannu Minnayamkodi, Passaam, Shirukurinja.
Action Leaf—antidiabetic. Stimulates the heart and circulatory system, activates the uterus. Used in parageusia and furunculosis. Plant—diuretic, antibiious. Root— emetic, expectorant, astringent, stomachic.
Gymnemagenin, the main sap ogenm in the leaves, yielded 3.9—4.6% of total gymnemic acids.
Gymnemic acids are antisweet principles and exhibit inhibitory effect on levels of plasma glucose.
The extract of dried leaves, given to diabetic rats at a dose of 20 mg/day per rat for 8 weeks, was found to bring about blood glucose homoeostasis by increasing serum insulin levels. Increased glycoprotein level and the resultant nephropathy, retinopathy and micro-and macro-angiopathy were also controlled.
The leaf extract (25—100 mg/kg), when orally administered to experimentally induced hyperlipidaemic rats
for 2 weeks, reduced the elevated serum triglyceride and total cholesterol in a dose-dependent manner. The efficacy and antiatherosclerotic potential of the extract (100 mg/kg) were comparable to that of a lipid lowering agent, clofibrate.
In homoeopathy, a drug obtained from the leaves and roots is prescribed for both diabetes mellitus and insipidus
Gymnemic acid is reported to inhibit melanin formation in vitro. It also inhibits dental plaque formation.
Dosage Root, leaf—3—5 g powder; 50—100 ml decoction. (CCRAS.)
Gymnosporia spinosa
(Forsk.) Fiori.
