PHARMACOGNOSY of SHATAVARI/ ASPARAGUS
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Synonym: Shatmuli
Biological Source: Shatavari consists of dried roots and the leaves of the plant known as Asparagus racemosus
Family: liliaceae.
Macroscopic Characters:
Colour: Roots are silver white or ash colored and internally white
Odour: None
Taste :Sweet taste after starchy bitter
Size : 5-15 cm x 2 cm in thickness.
Shape: Spindle shaped
Extra features longitudinally wrinkled with yellow hand central core.
Chemical Constituents : Steroid saponins
Shatavarin I - IV (0.2%).
Shatavarin I with 3 glucose and rhamnose moieties attached to sarsapogenin,
Shatavarin IV two glucose and one rhamnose moieties are attached.
Flowers and fruits of shatavari contain quercetin, rutin and hyperoside, while leaves contain diosgenin and quercetin.
Uses:
As galactogogue, tonic and diuretic.
Antioxytocic property shown by shatavarin I
Roots are used as Rheumatism and nervine disorders
Its use in Ayurveda in threatened abortion and safe delivery is justified by uterine blocking activity.
References:
1. Trease D. & Evans W.C.: Text Book of Pharmacognosy: W.B. Saunders.
2. Tyler V. E. Brady L. R. & Robbers J. E.: Pharmacognosy; Lea Feibger, USA.
3. Wallis T. E.; Text Book of Pharmacognosy; CBS Publishers, Delhi.
4. Kokate C. K., Purohit A. P. & Gokhale S. B.: Pharmacognosy; Nirali Publications, Pune.
5. Harbone J. B.: Phytochemical Methods: A guide to modern techniques Analysis: Chapman & Hall, London.
6. Bruneton J.: Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants: Intercept Limited.
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