Ayurvedic Shukanaasaa, Nahikaa, Katunaahi, Paataala-garudaa.
(Cocculus hirsutus is used as Paataala-garudi).
Siddha/Tamil Kollankovai, Aaakaasagarudam.
Action Laxative. Root used during later stages of dysentery and chronic mucous enteritis; also in syphilitic rheumatism. The herb shows no apparent effect on acute dysentery.
The root contains a bitter principle allied to bryonin.
Corchorus aestuans Linn. Synonym C. acutangulus Lam. Family Tiliaceae.
Habitat Throughout the warmer parts of India, as a weed.
English White Jute. (Tossa Jute is equated with C. olitorius Linn.).
Ayurvedic Chunchu, Chanchu, Chinchaa. (bigger var. is equated with C. olitorius; smallar var. with C. capsularis.)
Folk Chench shaaka, Titapat (Bengal).
Action Seeds and aerial parts— stomachic, anti-inflammatory. Used in pneumonia.
The seeds contain cardenolides, beta-sitosterol, ceryl alcohol, oligosaccharides. The aerial parts contain triterpenoidal glycosides—corchorusins. Corchorusins have similar structural similarity with saikosaponins (isolated so far from Bupleurum sp. of Japan, China and Korea) and some of them exhibit antiviral, anti-inflam
172 Corchorus capsularis Linn.
matory and plasma-cholesterol lowering activities.
The alcoholic extract of the entire plant was found to have anticancer activity against epidermal carcinoma of nasopharynx in tissue culture. Alcoholic extract and glycosides of seeds exhibit cardiotonic activity. Digitoxose containing glycosides are reported to be present in Corchorus sp.
C. olitorius Linn. is known as Jew’s Mallow (Pattaa Shaaka or Patuaa Shaaka).
Corchorosid A, reported from the plant, improved cardiac competence experimentally.
The leaf extracts may be used as moisturizers in skin cosmetics. The extracts consist of uronic acid containing muco-polysaccharide, Ca, K and P, among others, which act as effective moisturizers.
Corchorus capsularis Linn.
Family Tiliaceae.
Habitat Throughout warmer parts of India; extensively cultivated in West Bengal.
English White Jute.
Ayurvedic Kaala shaaka.
Siddha/Tamil Pirattai-keerai.
