Argyreia nervosa : a medicinal plant used among tribal communities as threaputic medicine

Sanjeet Kumar
sanjeet.biotech@gmail.com

Argyreia nervosa (Burm.f.) Bojer.

Common name: “Mundanoi”

Botanical name: Argerya nervosa (Burm.f.) Bojer.

Family: Convulvulaceae

Vernacular name (s)                                                 Taxonomic classification

Oriya: Mundanoi                                                         Kingdom: Plantae

Bengoli: Gaguli                                                            Division: Asterids

Hindi: Samandar Sok                                                  Order: Solanales

Telgu: Samudra Pala                                                    Family: Convolvulaceae

English: Elephant creeper                                             Genus: Argyrea

Sanskrit: Vidhara                                                         Species nervosa

Botany of Argyreia nervosa                                                                           

It is a perennial vine, stout climber with woody stem. Shots densely tomentose. Leaves broadly ovate, apex rounded or abtusely acute. Flowers purple or pink with long peduncled, subcapitate cymes. Sepals ovate or orbicular, obtuse. Corolla tubular-shaped, midpetaline bands. Fruit globose.

Distribution

Native in India, Deccan, Karnataka, East Slopes of West Ghats, Eastern Ghats of India. Hawaii, Africa, Caribbean.

Chemical compound(s)

Lysergamide alkaloids (Ergine) and Argyreioside (Seed)

Medicinal Value(s)

Leaves are used by Rajasthani tribes to prevent conception. Seeds are used in Hypotension and as anti-inflammatory activity. Roots are used as Appetitiser, Aphrodisiac, Cerebral disorder.

Common Use(s)

·         It has aesthetic values, which produce psychedelic effects and hallucinogenic properties.

·         Extracting Ergine from Argyreia speciosa seeds is illegal in the USA

·         In most countries it is legal to purchase, sell or germinate Argyreia nervosa seeds, but they are generally unapproved for human consumption. In Australia, retailers are required to treat their seeds with chemicals to discourage consumption, and it is illegal to buy or possess untreated seeds.

(Krishnaveni A and Santh Rani Thaakur, Pharmacognostical and Preliminary phytochemical studies of Argyreia nervosa Burm. 2009, 13: 293-300.)