Action Wood decoction— emmenagogue, antidiarrhoeal; used in skin diseases.
The heartwood gave an anti-inflammatory principle braziin; amyrin glucoside, amino acids and carbohydrates. EtOH (50%) extract of stem exhibited semen coagulant activity.
Aqueous and chloroform extracts of the wood exhibited inhibitory action
110 Cajanus cajan (Linn.) Millsp.
on cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase. The methanolic extract of the sappan lignan showed sleep-time-elongation effect in mice. Significant anti-hypercholesterolaemic activity is attributed to benziic compounds.
The oil exhibited antibacterial and antifungal activity.
Plant pigments find use in facials which are resistant to light, heat and water and are non-irritating.
Dosage Heartwood—5—l0 g (API Vol. IV.)
Cajanus cajan (Linn.) Millsp.
Synonym C. indicus Spreng.
Family Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.
Habitat Cultivated as pulse crop, chiefly in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka.
English Pigeon Pea, Red Gram.
Ayurvedic Aadhaki, Tuvari, Tuvara, Shanapushpikaa.
Unani Arhar.
Siddha/Tamil Thuvarai.
Action Green leaves are considered hypocholesterolaemic. Pulse shows cholesterol and phospholipid lowering effect (reported to cause flatulence). A paste of leaves with salt and water, is taken on an empty stomach for jaundice. Leaves are used in diseases of the mouth, and topically for treating measles and other eruptions.
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India indicated the use of the seed in
lipid disorders and obesity; externally for promoting breast development, and attributed blood purifying properties to the root.
Amino acid analysis of the seed extract showed that phenylalanine (26.3% of the total amino acids) is responsible for about 70% of the anti- sickling potency of the seed extract.
Seeds also contain riboflavin and pyridoxine. Root bark contains isoflavones, sterols, triterpenoids, flavones, anthraquinone derivatives. Plant also contains an isoflavone, cajanol.
The aqueous extract of leaves showed vasodilatory effect in experimental animals.
