Kumari et al.
Asian J Pharm Clin Res, Vol 14, Issue 7, 2021, 16-23
Bhringraja taila is used for Khalitya (Hair fall or loss of hair). Another people use whole plant as a liver tonic. Leaf juice along with honey
formulation of yakrit plihantak churna is used as an hepatoprotective. is used to treat cough and watery nose in children. Furthermore, the
An important Ayurvedic cosmetological formulation of E. alba along leaves juice is used for hair growth [119]. In Karnataka, this plant is
with Vitex negundo, Sphaeranthus indicus and Carum copticum is used used as an antidote for scorpion bite while the paste made up of this
as a rejuvenator in the treatment of Kayakalpa. plant is used to blacken and strengthen the hair [120]. In Chittagong
Hill Tracts, Bangladesh, people use paste made up of stem, and leaves
Folk view of E. alba against skin problems [121]. In Koikuri, Dinajpur, this plant is
E. alba (Bhringraja) is an important medicinal herb with rich history used to heal wounds and as a remedy for skin diseases [122]. In West
of its utilization in various folk systems around the world. It is used to Singhbhum districts of Jharkhand, people eat E. alba leaves used as a
treat numerous diseases. For instance, in Thailand, people use E. alba leafy vegetable as a cure to anemia [123]. The plant is administered
leaves against skin related problems and hair fall. They use stem to treat as nasal or eye drop to get relief from pain and chronic headache in
tuberculosis, asthma and as a blood tonic while E. alba roots exhibit Bayelsa state of Nigeria [124].
antibacterial properties [95]. In Egypt, people administer plant juice to
blacken the hair and beard [96]. In Philippines, people use this plant Modern view
for hemoptysis and hematemesis. It is used in tea for treating sprains, In the modern era people are showing great interest in herbal medicines
furuncle and dermatitis. Dried for the herb is also use against dysentery because these have several advantages over the modern synthetic
and heamturia urine [97]. It is used as an emetic and purgative agent and drugs. The demand of herbal drugs in the market is increasing rapidly
in the treatment of cuts and wounds. People also use it in the treatment due to which the chances of their adulteration/contamination have
of jaundice in Eastern Nepal [98,99]. In many areas of India, leaf extract also increased [125,126]. There are several factors which promote the
along with cow milk is used against the weakness of vision whereas degradation of the herbal products such as misidentification of species
leaves are also used to reduce wrinkles and heal wounds, palpitation, or plant parts, intentional adulteration, and contamination. Due to all
pimples, premature greying of hair, gingivitis, and alopecia. Whole plant these factors the quality and safety of herbal drugs is in question [127].
is consumed in treating diarrhea and dysentery, fever, general weakness, There are reported cases of misidentification of herbal plants that
jaundice, liver related problems, loss of appetite, and edema, whereas might happen due to similarities of morphology of the plants and
root extract is used against hemorrhoids [100]. In Himachal Pradesh sometimes due to conflict in the common as well scientific names of
India, people use leaf decoction of E. alba against headache. The extract the plants. This is one of the primary reasons that lead to the degrading
obtained from the leaves is used against head lice, cold, and asthma of the herbal products [128]. Another major factor of degradation of
[101]. E. alba is a common remedy for the upper respiratory infections herbal products is intentional adulteration which is done in many ways
and eye/ear infections in children. Bhringraj oil is used all over the such as by inducing either orthodox drugs or by substituting products
India for good hair [102]. In Punjab, Pakistan leaves, roots, and flowers of inferior quality or by introducing foreign particles or contaminants
of E. alba are prescribed by herbal healers as a cure for liver disorders, like sand, metals, soil etc. The main purpose behind intentional
hepatic, and spleen ailments. Leaves are used to enhance the digestion adulteration is to derive maximum profit [129-131]. Most commonly
and appetite. The whole plant is used as hair tonic, whereas leaves are used contaminants in herbal products are heavy metals like mercury,
used to treat athlete’s foot disease [103,104]. In Bahawalnagar District, arsenic, and lead, cadmium, copper and thallium. Other contaminants
Punjab, Pakistan, people use to chew E. alba leaves to improve their used are pesticides, microbes, and mycotoxins [132-138]. The most
eye health and they treat hypertension using the extract of this plant common forms of herbal drugs available in the market are powders,
[105]. In Bahawalpur, Pakistan, this plant is used as a blood purifier capsules, and extracts. Adulterants are often induced before processing
and hair tonic. It is also used against leprosy, itching, earache, jaundice, stage or during the processing of herbal drugs. Proper quality analysis
fevers and bleeding disorder, toothache and gum complaints, nausea, standardization at these stages are required to avoid health risks [139-
and vomiting [106]. In Odisha, India, leaves are used as an antibacterial 141]. Standardization of herbal drugs confirms the accurate quantity,
agent [107]. The juice of E. alba is useful for the expulsion of worms in quality and associated therapeutic properties with dosage [142].
infants. Manipuri tribes use stem decoction of this plant against liver Techniques like standard DNA barcode have proved to be important in
enlargement while use extracts of leaves in cough and fever. Toto tribe detecting species misidentification [143].
of India uses it as an antidote against scorpion sting. Some communities
of Odisha use it as remedy for itching, conjunctivitis and other eye PHARMACOLOGICAL AND THERAPEUTIC USES OF E. ALBA
problems. Tribal Societies of Anaikatty Hills, Tamil Nadu, consumes this (BHRINGRAJA)
plant against antifertility, antidote to snake bite, fever, and headache. It
is used against toothache, headache, gland swelling, and elephantiasis E. alba (Bhringraja) has variety of phytochemical constituents present
by people of Sagar tribes, Madhya Pradesh. Asthma, bronchitis, and in it which exhibit various therapeutic properties. Some of its reported
leukoderma are treated by consumption this plant by tribal Societies therapeutic uses are summarized below.
of Saurashtra, Gujarat [108]. In Chandauli District of Uttar Pradesh,
people use leaves of E. alba against dandruff along with seeds of Hepatoprotectivity
Foeniculum vulgare [109]. In Javadhu Hills Tamil Nadu, E. alba leaves Singh et al. conducted a study on rats and mice models in which lung
are used for treating diabetes [110]. Gujjars of Rajaji Tiger Reserve, injury was induced artificially by carbon tetrachloride. It was found
Uttarakhand, treat liver problems with the leaves of this plant [111]. that alcoholic extract of E. alba (Bhringraja) exhibit hepatoprotective
In some areas of Tamil Nadu, people use the paste made up of leaves activity at a dosage of 62.5–500.0 mg/kg p.o. Extract restored all the
of E. alba to prevent dandruff and to enhance the hair growth [112]. In changes induced by carbon tetrachloride [144]. The experimental study
some villages of Dakshin Dinajpur District, West Bengal, people use leaf conducted by Naik et al., on albino rat models treated with high fatty
and seed of this plant to treat problems related to stomach and liver, diet to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of E. alba (Bhringraja)
inflammation, digestion, and use it as a hair tonic [113]. In West Nimar demonstrated that phytochemical constituents such as Wedelolactone,
district, Madhya Pradesh, people use oil extracted from the seeds of demethylwedelolactone, and saponins are associated with
E. alba to enhance the hair growth [114]. In areas around the Dandeli hepatoprotectivity. It was found that these phytochemicals significantly
Wild Life Sanctuary, people treat warts and leprosy by applying the E. reduced the fat deposition, mononuclear infiltration, and necrotic foci.
alba leaf juice [115]. People of Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh, use Regeneration of hepatocytes in the liver was also stimulated by these
this plant to avoid hair fall and provide strength to hair and to increase phytochemical constituents [145]. This activity was also investigated
the appetite [116]. The people of Nandurbar tribe of Maharashtra use by Ahirwar and Saxena, on albino rat models. Models were artificially
this plant as a remedy for menorrhagia [117]. The tribal people of Peth induced with hepatotoxicity by carbon tetrachloride. It was found
and Trimbakeshwar of Nashik District, Maharashtra, the leaves of E. that isolated fraction of E. alba had significant hepatoprotective
alba are used for treating the injuries caused by mud [118]. In Chennai, potential at dosage of 200 mg/kg body weight. The protein levels were
19
