Holarrhena antidysenterica (Linn.) Wall.
Synonym H. pubescens (Buch.Ham.) Wall. ex G. Don.
Family : Apocynaceae.
Kutaja - Holarrhena antidysenterica
Habitat The tropical Himalayas, going up to an altitude of 1,100 m. Also found throughout many forests of India, in Travancore, Assam and Uttar Pradesh.
English Easter tree, Ivory tree, Tellicherry Bark.
Ayurvedic Kutaja, Girimallikaa, Kaalinga, Kalingaka, Indravriksha, Shakra, Vats a, Vats aka, Shakraahvya. Indrayava, Indrabija, Vatsabija (seed). Kurchi (bark).
Unani Inderjo tallth, Teewaaj-eKhataai.
Siddha/Tamil Kudasappaalai-pattai,
-vidai (bark, seed).
Action Root and bark—used in amoebic dysentery. Bark—astringent, anthelmintic, amoebicidal, diuretic. Used in colic, dyspepsia, piles, diseases of the skin and spleen. Seed—antibilious. Used for promoting conception, also for toning up vaginal tissues after delivery.
The bark contains the alkaloids, regholarrhenine-A, -B, -C, -D, -E and
-F; pubescine, norholadiene, pubescimine, kurchinin, kurchinine, kurchinidine, holarrifine, holadiene, kurchiidine, kurchamide, kurcholessine, kurchessine, conessine, cones- simile and isoconessimine, and the steroidal compounds kurchinicin and holadyson.
The alkaloid conessine is used as a therapeutic drug for the treatment of dysentery and helminthic disorders. Conessine and conimine inhibited the growth of Shigella sonnei, S. flexneri and Salmonella enteritidis strains in vitro. In chronic amoebiasis, Bi-iodide compound of total alkaloids, given orally, compare favourably with emetine Bi-iodide.
The plant possesses potent immunostimulant property.
The Kurchi seeds are sold as a substitute for Strophanthus sp. seeds in Indian market. (Seeds of Strophanthus sp. contain a toxic glucoside, strophanthin, and are poisonous.)
Dosage Stem bark—20—30 g for decoction. (API Vol. I); seed—3— 6 g powder; 20—30 g for decoction.
