Abstract
Semecarpus anacardium is classified in Ayurveda under the category of toxic plants. However, this toxic plant is reported to possess anti-inflammatory activity, anti-arthritic effect, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, anti- carcinogenic activity, hypoglycemic activity, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and hypolipidemic activity etc. All these activities are attributed to its various constituents like phenolic compounds, flavonoids, carbohydrates, alkaloids, steroids, etc. In Ayurveda, a series of pharmaceutical procedures which converts a poisonous drug into a safe and therapeutically effective medicine is termed as Shodhana. Shodhana improves the yield, decreases the phenolic and flavonoid content; and converts toxic urushiol into nontoxic anacardol derivative thereby reducing toxicity of nuts of Semecarpus anacardium. There are reports of alteration in pharmacology and phytochemistry of nuts of Semecarpus anacardium due to Shodhana.
Highlights
IntroductionAyurveda is proven to be the ancient traditional way of treatment in India, which is fully based on philosophical, experimental and practical concepts
Ayurvedic proven concepts signifies more on human health and disease that recommend the use of herbal enriched compounds as special diets
Shodhana helps in conversion of toxic urushiol into nontoxic anacardol [56]
Summary
Ayurveda is proven to be the ancient traditional way of treatment in India, which is fully based on philosophical, experimental and practical concepts It includes the use of indigenous drugs which have been preferred by many pharmaceutical industries towards a novel strategy for natural drug discovery. Plants like Atsanabha (Aconitum species), nux-vomica, Acorus calamus, Semecarpus anacardium, Strychnos, Abrus precatorius etc., are the most known examples of toxic plants These plants are known for their hidden medicinal values and broadly accepted by the Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine. Shodhana is the purificatory measure used in Ayurveda to purify toxic medicinal plants (upavishadravyas), by various pharmaceutical procedures like soaking, rubbing and washing etc. Alternative Medicine - Update process), before their therapeutic use This process reduces toxicity of poisonous plant considerably and keeps it at required optimum level. It is reported that Rf values change in shodhita samples of Bhallataka when compared to raw bhallataka [3]
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