Abstract

ASRAWL - RAUWOLFIA SERPENTINA (L) BENTH. EX. KURZ, AN EFFECTIVE DRUG OF UNANI SYSTEM OF MEDICINE FOR NEUROLOGICAL AND CARDIOLOGICAL DISORDERS: A REVIEW

Mohd. Afsahul Kalam* and Sehla Majeed

ABSTRACT

Asrawl is a well-known drug of Unani System of Medicine, which was earlier used mainly for the treatment of snake bite and insanity. Later on, it was introduced for the first time by Hakeem Ajmal Khan in Europe as a hypotensive medicine, where it decreased the death rate due to hypertension. It is used since last many centuries and because of its snake like shape it is called as „Serpentina root‟. Asrawl, an evergreen perennial under-shrub belongs to the family Apocynaceae, which comprises of the root of Rauwolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. Ex. Kurz. The plant is found world-wide and is best known for its sedative and hypotensive properties which makes it useful in the treatment of neuropsychiatric and cardiological disorders especially Daght al-Dam Qawi (hypertension) respectively. These actions are attributed to the presence of two important group of constituents in it; Ajmaline and Serpentine group. Reserpine, an indole alkaloid is the most significant alkaloid of Asrawl which was isolated by Mueller in 1952. It acts as an adrenergic neuroblocker that lowers the amount of nor-adrenaline from the peripheral nerve endings and helps in lowering the raised blood pressure. It depletes the stores of catecholamines at the nerve endings which prevents the reuptake of nor-epinephrine at storage sites, allowing enzymatic destruction of neuronal transmitter. In Unani System of Medicine it is the most common drug used for neuropsychiatric disorders such as insomnia, hysteria, epilepsy, melancholia and mania. This review gives a complete information of its root regarding the morphology, phytochemistry, pharmacological studies and therapeutic uses in the perspective of Unani System of Medicine.

Keywords: Asrawl, Rauwolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. Ex. Kurz., Antihypertensive, Reserpine, Neuropsychiatric Disorders.