Dried powder of roots contains hentriacontane, beta-sitosterol and its aetat and stigmasterol. Alcoholic extract of the root showed 40—60% anti- implantation activity with no antiovulatory effect in rats.
Flavone vitexicarpin (1), isolated from the leaves, exhibited broad cytotoxicity in human cancer cell line panel. Two pentacyclic triterpenoids, betulinic acid and ursolic acid, along with an aliphatic alcohol, n -hentriacontanol,
Vitis vinifera Linn. 711
beta-sitosterol and p-hydroxybenzoic acid have been isolated from leaves.
The seeds contain p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 5-oxyisophthalic acid, glucose and the triterpene, vitextriterpene. Several anti-inflammatory triterpenoids and flavonoids have also been isolated from the seeds. The flavanone, 5,7,3’ trihydroxy-6, 8,4’ -trimethoxyflavone exhibited anti-androgenic activity in adult mice and dogs.
Dosage Leaf—10—15 ml juice (API, Vol. III) root—10—12 ml juice (API, Vol. IV.)
Vitex peduncularis
Wall. ex Schauer.
Family Verbenaceae.
Habitat Assam, West Bengal, Bihar and South India.
Ayurvedic Kaakajanghaa. (Leea aequata Linn. is also equated with Kaakajanghaa.)
Folk Chirai-godaa, Chirai-gorwaa, Naagpheni.
Action Leaves and bark—used in malarial and black water fevers.
Leaves— antibacterial.
The leaves and root bark gave pachypodol, ursolic acid, vitexin and peduncularcin.
Vitex trifolia Linn.
Family Verbenaceae.
Habitat Throughout India in tropical and subtropical regions.
Ayurvedic Sinduvaara, Nirgundi (white var.).
Siddha/Tamil Karu Nochi, Siru Nochi.
Folk Paani-Sambhaalu.
Action Leaves—febrifuge, antibacterial, anthelmintic, cytotoxic. Extract of the leaves showed inhibitory action against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Leaves used as poultice in rheumatism, inflammations and sprains. Root and flowers—febrifuge. Root—expectorant. Fruit—used in amenorrhoea.
Aerial parts gave friedelin, betasitosterol and its beta-D-glucoside, and a long chain hydrocarbon. The
