Saraca asoca

Abstract: Five lignan glycosides, lyoniside, nudiposide, 5-methoxy-9-β-xylopyranosyl-(−)-isolariciresinol, icariside E3, and schizandriside, and three flavonoids, (−)-epicatechin, epiafzelechin-(4β→8)-epicatechin and procyanidin B2, together with β-sitosterol glucoside, were isolated from a methyl alcohol (MeOH) extract of Saraca asoca dried bark. Their structures were determined by 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectroscopic analysis. Antioxidant activities were evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging assay.

Abstract: Twenty three Bangladeshi medicinal plants used in traditional medicines were evaluated for brine shrimp lethality toxicity. Different solvent extracts of Abroma augusta, Acanthus ilicifolius, Alstonia scholaris, Calotropis procera, Catharanthus roseus, Citrus grandis, Coccinia grandis, Croton tiglium, Cuscuta reflexa, Excoecaria agallocha, Heritiera fomes, Ipomoea aquatica, Lagerstroemia speciosa, Madhuca indica, Musa sapientum, Nypa fruticans, Piper peepuloides, Premna esculenta, Saraca asoca, Sonneratia apetala, Stevia rebaudiana, Syzygium fruticosum, and Trichosanthes dioica were used in the study. Of the 23 plants tested, about 80% were toxic to brine shrimp (LC50 < 30 g/ml). Among the extracts screened, the methanolic extract of Croton tiglium had the highest toxicity to brine shrimp (LC50 = 0.0924 g/ml). The drug vincristine sulfate was considered as reference standard.

Abstract: Objective To conduct a systemic evaluation of the medicinal value of seeds which include macroscopic and microscopic characterization, physiochemical evaluation, preliminary phytochemical screening and experimental antipyretic activity.

Abstract: Saraca asoca (Roxb.) Willd, commonly known as “Asoka” or “Ashoka,” is one of the most important medicinal plants used in raw herbal trade in India. The bark extracts of the tree are used in the treatment of leucorrhea and other uterine disorders besides also having anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-pyretic, anti-helminthic, and analgesic activity. The indiscriminate and rampant extraction of the wood to meet the ever-increasing market demand has led to a sharp decline in naturally occurring populations of the species in the country. Consequently, the species has recently been classified as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Increasing deforestation and increasing demand for this medicinal plant have resulted in a limited supply and suspected widespread adulteration of the species in the raw herbal trade market. Adulteration is a serious concern due to: (i) reduction in the efficacy of this traditional medicine, (ii) considerable health risk to consumers, and (iii) fraudulent product substitution that impacts the economy for the Natural Health Product (NHP) Industry and consumers. In this paper, we provide the first attempt to assess the extent of adulteration in the raw herbal trade of S. asoca using DNA barcoding validated by NMR spectroscopic techniques. Analyzing market samples drawn from 25 shops, mostly from peninsular India, we show that more than 80 % of the samples were spurious, representing plant material from at least 7 different families. This is the first comprehensive and large-scale study to demonstrate the widespread adulteration of market samples of S. asoca in India. These results pose grave implications for the use of raw herbal drugs, such as that of S. asoca, on consumer health and safety. Based on these findings, we argue for a strong and robust regulatory framework to be put in place, which would ensure the quality of raw herbal trade products and reassure consumer confidence in indigenous medicinal systems.