Abstract

THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF CLASSICAL DRUG AGNIMANTHA

Mishra H. S., Agarwal A. K., Rai Surabhi*, Rajesh Sharma, Kumar Sanjeev, Mishra Anurag and Abhishek Kumar

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Abstract

Ayurveda has a peculiarity in the management of diseases. In the Vedic lore, the drug Agnimantha occupied an important place and was employed to ignite the Agni (fire) for Yajna (ritual of sacrifice). An important medicinal plant has been used in the Indian system of medicine since antiquity for the treatment of various disorders. According to classical texts it possess different properties like Kapha- Vata-hara (Kapha-Vata pacifying), Shothahara (anti-inflammatory), Dipana (stomachic), Jwarnashaka (anti-pyretic), Agnivardhaka (digestive power stimulator) properties and is indicated in diseases like shotha (inflammation), vatavyadhi (neurological diseases), prameha (increased frequency and turbidity of urine), sthoulya (obesity), agnimandhya (digestive impairment), arsha (piles). It is also included in the group of Dashmoola (a group of ten drugs whose roots form the valuable part) which has broader applications in therapeutics. It contains various active principles like raffinose, apigenin, betulin, and premnenol. In pharmacological studies, it has been found to possess Anti-microbial, Anti-fungal, Anti-obesity, Anti-diabetic, and Antiinflammatory activities. The present study aims at a comprehensive review of this drug to establish its therapeutic potential.

Keywords: Agnimantha, Dashmoola, Shothahara Mahakashaya.