Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, ISSN: 2078-0273, May, 2010

A REVIEW ON PHARMACOLOGICAL PROFILE FOR

PHYTOMEDICINE KNOWN AS
PERGULARIA DAEMIA (FORSK.) CHIOV
Gaurav Nama*, Lincy Joseph
Department of Pharmacognosy, Jaipur National University, Jagatpura (INDIA)
*Corresponding author: gauravnama@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
Pergularia daemia (forsk.) Chiov species are widely distributed in the old worlds tropics and subtropics from
southern and tropical Africa and Asia have multiple applications in different folk medicine, including the Indian
Ayurvedic system, and have been documented for Antifertility, Wound Healing, Antidiabetic, Hepatoprotective,
Cardiovascular Effect, Antibacterial activity.
Key words: Pergularia daemia (forsk.) Chiov, pharmacological importances, traditional uses

INTRODUCTION
ASCLEPIADACEAE is a large genus of shrubs, Pergularia daemia (forsk.) Chiov family Asclepiadaceae is a
foetid smelling laticiferous twiner found in the plains throughout the hot parts of India , ascending to an altitude of 1000
1
mt. in the Himalayas.
Pergularia daemia (forsk.) Chiov species are widely distributed in the old worlds tropics and subtropics from
southern and tropical Africa and Asia have multiple applications in different folk medicine, including the Indian
Ayurvedic system, and have been documented for Antifertility, Wound Healing, Antidiabetic, Hepatoprotective
Cardiovascular Effect, Antibacterial activity. The plant Pergularia daemia (forsk.) Chiov is useful in the diseases of
Vatha, convulsion, Asthma, Poisoning; The root of Pergularia daemia (forsk.) Chiov is useful in mental disorder,
anaemia, leprosy and piles. Plant Pergularia daemia (forsk.) Chiov Possesses Stomachic, Laxative and Diuretic
Properties, useful in cough, biliousness and sore eyes. Leaf paste mixed with castor oil applied to joints in
inflammation, Liver complaints, Spleen Enlargement; leaves have hypoglycemic activity. The juice of the leaves is
given in asthma and applied to rheumatic swellings in combination with lime or ginger; it is also used in the preparation
of medicinal oil given in rheumatism, amenorrhoea, and dysmenorrhoea.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Plant Review
A slender, Hispid, fetid-smelling perennial climber. Leaves opposite, membranous, 3-9cm long and about as
wide, broadly Ovate, Orbicular or deeply Cordate, Acute or short Acuminate at Apex, Pubescent Beneath, Petioles 29cm. Long. Flowers greenish-Yellow or Dull white tinged with purple, borne in axillary, long-peduncled, drooping
clusters. Fruits (follicles) lanceolate, long pointed, about 5cm. long, covered with soft spines and seeds are pubescent,
broadly Ovate.
2

Taxonomic Classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta
Division:
Magnoliophyta
Class:
Magnoliopsida
Subclass:
Asteridae
Order:
Gentianales
Family:
Asclepiadaceae
Genus:
Pergularia
Species:
Pergularia daemia (forsk.) Chiov
Vernacular names 3
Pergularia daemia (forsk.) Chiov, Pergularia daemia Linn., Daemia extensa R.Br., Pergularia extensa N.E.Br. 4

Traditional uses of Pergularia daemia or Asclepias daemia

 Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, ISSN: 2078-0273, May, 2010

In viral diseases:-the leaves of Pergularia daemia are identified botanicals used for the treatment of poultry
5
diseases in Ekiti state, Nigeria.
C.Alagesaboopathi et al., 2009: Reported Pergularia daemia Linn.(Asclepiadaceae) Vernacular name :
Veliparuthi. The paste of the leaf with black pepper is applied on forhesd for the relief of headache. The decoction of
6
the leaves is used in treatment of asthma and snake bite.
C.Chitravadivu et al., 2009: Reported Root of Pergularia daemia in respiratory problems in oral administered 10
7
ml./day for 15 days.
Garima G Patil et al., 2008: Reported fresh leaf juice(5ml.) of Pergularia daemia is given 2-3 times a day in
8
Asthma.
H.N.Thatoi et al., 2008 : Reported the leaves of Pergularia daemia are useful in leprosy and haemorrhoids.
Fruits are digestive and thermogenic. Plant extract is useful in uterine and menstrual disorders and in facilitating
9
parturition.
John De Britto et al., 2007 : Reported the crude leaf paste of Pergularia daemia is consumed to treat
10
Lactation.
Tilahun Teklehaymanot et al., 2007: Reported that Pergularia daemia Linn. family Asclepiadaceae used in
11
snake bite.
Eugene Wilson et al., 2007:Reported that Pergularia daemia or Daemia extensa family Asclepiadaceae Leaf,
12
Root powder and Oil are used for Joints Pain.
S.Ignacimuthu et al., 2006: Reported that Pergularia daemia (Forsk.) Chiov.Local name Veliparuthi , Family
13
Asclepiadaceae Fresh leaves are boiled with water and the vapour is inhaled in Headache.
Hebber et al., 2004:Reported the ethnomedicine of Dharwad district of Karnataka in southern India.it was
14
reported that Pergularia daemia Linn. family Asclepiadaceae was used to treat toothache.
S.Marimuthu et al., 1989: reported that Comparative Gross heat value of Pergularia daemia Linn. family
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Asclepiadaceae was 15.9 MJ/kg.
Pharmacological / Biological Activity of Pergularia daemia Linn.
Hariram V Bhaskar et al., 2009 : Reported that extracts from the Roots of Pergularia daemia exhibit antioxidant
activities which may be attributed to the presence of polyphenolics and other Phytochemical constituents. The roots of
Pergularia daemia could be Potential Sources of Natural antioxidants that could have great importance as therapeutic
agents in preventing various Liver disorders And Oxidative Stress related Degenerative Diseases.16
N.G.Sutar et al., 2009 : Reported that Alcohol Extract of Pergularia daemia Linn. Shows Significant Reduction
in Swelling of Paw at a dose of 300 mg./kg.of body weight. Which is Equivalent to Diclofenac Sodium as a standard in
a dose of 15mg/kg? This could be due to presence of more amount of active constituent as steroids were present in
16
plant Pergularia daemia. Show significant antiinflammatory activity of plant Pergularia daemia.
Lokesh T. Nikajoo et al., 2009: Reported that Aquous and alcohol root extracts of Pergularia daemia (forsk.)
Chiov. Possesses analgesic effect. Analgesic effect of the extracts was demonstrated in the experimental model using
Eddys hot plate method and heat conduction method using thermal stimuli. The preliminary phytochemical study
revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, phytosterols, tannins, and flavanoids. Both Aqueous and alcohol
root extracts of Pergularia daemia (forsk.) Chiov. Possesses analgesic activity when analysed statistically by Tukey
Kramer Multiple Comparison Method or Test. On The basis of These Findings, it may be inferred that Pergularia
17
daemia (forsk.) Chiov. Is an effective agent for analgesic activity.
S.V.Suresh Kumar et al., 2008 :Reported that Ethanol Extracts and its ethanolic fractions from aerial parts of
Pergularia daemia (forsk.) exhibited significant Hepatoprotective Effect against CCl4 induced Hepatotoxicity in rats.
Glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase , glutamic pyruvic transaminase alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, total
cholesterol, total protein and albumin in serum indicated Hepatoprotective Effect of the Ethanol Extracts and its
ethanolic fractions from aerial parts of Pergularia daemia (forsk.). Histopathologial examination of liver section cells
confirmed that, pre-treatment with ethanol extract and its ethanol fractions prevented hepatic damage induced by CCl4.
the result were comparable with the standard hepatoprotective drug Silymarin. The extracts and its fractions Showed
no signs of toxicity up to a dose level of 2000mg/kg. It is suggested that, the presence of Flavanoids in Ethanol
Extracts and its ethanolic fractions from aerial parts of Pergularia daemia (forsk.) exhibited significant
Hepatoprotective Effect against CCl4 induced Hepatotoxicity in rats. High Performance Thin layer Chromatography of
Flavanoids of bio-active extracts was developed using Quercetin-3-glucoside as a marker. Result indicated Ethanol
Extracts and its ethanolic fractions from aerial parts of Pergularia daemia (forsk.) exhibited significant
18
Hepatoprotective Effect against CCl4 induced Hepatotoxicity in rats.
S.V.Suresh Kumar et al., 2008 :Reported that Hepatoprotective effect of Acetone and ethanol sub fraction
obtained from total ethanol extract was carried out using CCl4 induced Hepatotoxicity in primary cultured rat
hepatocytes.In vitro activity was assessed by determining the changes in hepatocyte viability and other biochemical
parameters such as Glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase , glutamic pyruvic transaminase and total protein. Acetone and
ethanol sub fraction Showed significant (P<0.05) protective effect by restoring altered parameters in the selected in
vitro Models.The Flavanoids present in Acetone and ethanol sub fraction obtained from total ethanol extract from
19
Pergularia daemia (forsk.) may be responsible for significant Hepatoprotective properties.
C.Kartikeyan et al., 2007: Reported that Antisecretory, Gastric transit time and Wound Healing activity of the
shade dried powder of Asclepias daemia or Pergularia daemia leaves was studied in albino mice and albino rat
respectively. Concentration of gastric hydrogen ions was determined for Antisecretory activity by titration with 0.01 N
Sodium hydroxide using Tofers reagent as an indicator. The Gastric transit activity was determined by using charcoal
meal. The result showed that CHCl3 and aqueous extract produced significant action on Antisecretory, Gastric transit
time and Wound Healing activities, while petroleum ether extract have no remarkable activity. Aqueous Extract of
20
Asclepias daemia or Pergularia daemia Showed highly significant (p<0.01) Antisecretory, Gastric transit Activities.

 Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, ISSN: 2078-0273, May, 2010

Wahi et al., 2002: Reported that Ethanol and Aqueous extracts of entire plant of Pergularia daemia (forsk.)
21
Chiov. 200mg/kg.Showed Antidiabetic activity on rat by alloxan induced hyperglysemia Method.
Hossein et al., 2002: Sertie et al., 2000 : Albino rats of either sex weighing between 120 and 200gm. Were
starved for 48 hr. with water adlibitum. To prevent coprophogy animals were housed in individual cages having
22
specially designed grid floor the pyloric ligation was done under Ether Anesthesia
Golam Sadik et al., 2001: Reported that the ethanol extract of Pergularia daemia and its steroidal fractions
were studied for Antifertility activity. Both the ethanol extract and the steroidal fractions of Pergularia daemia showed
significant Antifertility activity in the pre-implantation stage in female mice. The ethanol extract of Pergularia daemia
23
also showed late abortifacient activity.
Golam Sadik et al., 2001: Reported that oral administration of the alkaloid fraction of ethanol extract at a dose
of 200mg/kg. body weight showed significant Antifertility activity in the pre-implantation stage in female mice. The
24
ethanol extract of Pergularia daemia also showed late abortifacient activity.
Perumal Samy et al., 2000: Reported that antibacterial activity of various extract of leaf of Pergularia daemia by
disc diffusion method and found methanol extract active against B.subtilis, S.aureus and E.coli at 10 mg/ml.
25
concentration.
Qureshi et al., 1997: Reported that sensitivity of the Keratinophilic fungi in Pergularia daemia extract by dry
26
weight Method.
Anonymous 1976 : Reported aqueous , Ethanolic extract of fruit, leaf and stem exhibited cytotoxic (CA-9KB)by
27
cell culture method and ED50 was 20 g./ml.
CONCLUSION
Thorough screening of literature available on Pergularia daemia it is found to be very useful plant in cure many
diseases. The Pharmacological studies prove the Medicinal importance of plant Pergularia daemia. The
Phytochemical and Phytoanalytical studies may lead to development of novel agents for various diseases. Synthesis of
the active constituents can lead to development of promising Pharmacological actions.
RESULT
Pergularia daemia (forsk.) Chiov species are widely distributed in the old worlds tropics and subtropics from
southern and tropical Africa and Asia have multiple applications in different folk medicine, including the Indian
Ayurvedic system, and have been documented for Antifertility, Wound Healing, Antidiabetic, Hepatoprotective,
Cardiovascular Effect, Antibacterial activity.
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