Serpentine roots

Rauvolfia is a plant that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. The root of the plant is the most important part, and it contains a number of alkaloids, including reserpine. Reserpine is a powerful antihypertensive agent, and it is also used to treat anxiety and other conditions. Rauvolfia alkaloids belong to the general class of medicines called anti hypertensives. They are used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly.

This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure may also increase the risk of heart attacks. These problems may be less likely to occur if blood pressure is controlled. Rauvolfia alkaloids work by controlling nerve impulses along certain nerve pathways. As a result, they act on the heart and blood vessels to lower blood pressure.

An equivalent dose of pure Rauvolfia alkaloids, also known as alseroxylon extract or pure reserpine, can also be used to treat hypertension. Rauvolfia is used to treat a variety of conditions, including:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Menstrual disorders
• Anxiety
• Snake bites
• Depression
• Insect bites
• Insomnia

Rauvolfia alkaloids belong to the general class of medicines called antihyper-tensives. They are used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure may also increase the risk of heart attacks. These problems may be less likely to occur if blood pressure is controlled. Rauvolfia alkaloids work by controlling nerve impulses along certain nerve pathways. As a result, they act on the heart and blood vessels to lower blood pressure.

Biological Sources –

The drug Sarpagandha consist of the dried roots of Rauwolfia serpentina.

Sarpagandha, an evergreen plant, has been in use since 4000 years in Indian medicine. An erect under-shrub, it is a species of flowering plants. The leaves are 7-10cm long, spear-shaped. The flowers are 1 inch long, white and violet. It contains nectar at the deep of the corolla tube. The blooming time is in

the month of August and September. The root is branched and tuberous. It is used as a useful herb in the Ayurveda, Unani and Homoeopathy treatments.

Introduction –

Flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae. Evergreen, glabrous, errect and grows up to a height of 60 cm (rarely more than that). It consist of long irregularly yellowish root.

Botanical description –

• Macroscopic character –
  • Leaves:- Simple, opposite, leaves are arranged in whorls of 3 to 4, to 10 cm long and 5 cm broad.
  • Fruits:- Round, 5 cm in diameter, dark, purple or blackish when ripe.

Chemical Constituents –

The major chemical constituents are –

1. Serpentine
2. Reserpine
3. Ajmaline
4. Ajmalicine
5. Ricinnamine
6. Fatty acids
7. Unsaturated alcohol
8. Fumaric acid

Pharmacological action –

Reserpine is used to treat mild to moderate hypertension. These are normally involved in controlling heart rate, force of contraction and peripheral resistance. The effects of reserpine include respiratory inhibition, stimulation of peristalsis, relaxation of membranes and influence on the temperature regulating centre.

Modern Therapeutic uses –

It is used as laxative, diuretics, antidote for snake venom and as expectorant. It is generally used to control hypertension. It major alkaloid named as reserpine is used as an effective antidepressant. Yohimbine an another alkaloid of this plant is agonist of alpha-2-adrenergic receptors which helps muscles to remain relaxed and improve blood flow and used as sports supplements. It produces effects of sedation and used as tranquilizer. It is used to treat a mental disorder known as schizophrenia in which person if affercted is altered with thoughts, feelings and behaviour.

Ayurvedic uses –

It has a property to balance vata and pitta dosha in human body. It is used to regularize menstrual cycle when used with ginger and black pepper. It is used to treat heart beat, goiter, plague and fever. It is used to cause greater uterine contraction during the childbirth. It can be given to diabetes patients which are suffering from high sugar problem.

Homeopathic uses –

It is given to the patient who are suffering from bursting sensation of head. It is used to cure blurry vision of eyes and relives from pain of urethra. It is used to treat copious urine. It treats dryness and nose congestion. Can also be given to a person who has confused thoughts in his or her mind and has bad memory power and restless at night.

Ethnomedical uses –

As the antidote against the bites of venomous reptiles, insect and animal bites. Used in the anxiety states. Traditionally being used in the intestinal disorder.

Dosage –

A. Rauvolfia:- 100 to 150 mg (oral twice a day)

B. Reserpine:- Initial dose 250 µg once a day

C. Root powder:- 1-2 gm daily

The dried roots of rauvolfia is one of the most important crude drugs which has been used in the indigenous system of medicine from ancient times. It has been used in treatment of blood pressure (hypertension), or as a sedative and transqualising agent.