Dhaatriphala, Vayasyaa, Vrshya,
Shiva, Hattha.
Unani Aamalaa, Amlaj.
Siddha/Tamil Nellikkaai, Nelli. Action Fruit—antianaemic, anabolic, antiemetic, bechic, astringent, antihaemorrhagic, antidiarrhoeal, diuretic, antidiabetic, carminative, antioxidant. Used in jaundice, dyspepsia, bacillary dysentery, eye trouble and as a gastrointestinal tonic. Juice with turmeric powder and honey is prescribed in diabetes insipidus. Seed—antibiious, antiasthmatic. Used in bronchitis. Bark—astringent. Leaf—juice is given in vomiting.
A decoction of powdered pericarp is prescribed for paptic ulcer.
Key application As an antacid. (Indian Herbal Pharmacopoeia.).
The fruit is an important source of vitamin C, minerals and amino acids. The edible fruit tissue contains protein concentration threefold and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) concentration 160-fold than those of apple. The fruit also contains considerably higher concentration of most minerals and amino acids than apple.
The fruit gave cytokinine-like substances identified as zeatin, zeatin riboside and zeatin nucleotide; suspension culture gave phyllembin. Phyllembin exhibits CNS depressant and spasmolytic activity, potentiates action of adrenaline and hypnotic action of Nembutal.
The leaves contain gallic acid (10.8 mg!g dry basis), besides ascorbic and music acid. The methanol extract of the leaves is found to be effective in rat paw inflammation.
The bark contains tannin identified as mixed type of proanthocyanidin.
The fruit contains superoxide dismutase 482.14 units!g fresh weight and exhibits antisenescent (anti-aging) activity. Fruit, juice, its sediment and residue are antioxidant due to gallic acid. EtOH (50%) extract anti viral.
Aqueous extract of the fruit increases cardiac glycogen level and decreases serum GOT, GPT and LDH in rats having induced myocardial necrosis.
Preliminary evidence suggests that the fruit and its juice may lower serum cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides and phospholipids without affecting HDL levels and may have positive effect on atherosclerosis. (Eur I din Nutr, 42, 1988, 939—944; Phyt other Res, 14, 2000, 592—595.)
Enicostemma littorale auct. non-Bi. 239
An aqueous extract of the fruit has been reported to provide protection against radiation-induced chromosomal damage in both pre-and post- irradiation treatment. The fruit is reported to enhance natural killer cell activity and antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity in mice bearing Dalton’s
