Therapeutic potential of Chirabilva (Holopteliaintegrifolia planch): A critical review from Ayurveda classical literature

Gaurang Jayantibhai Prajapati; Swati Kanabhai Gavadiya; Tarun Sharma; Vidhi M Bapna

doi:10.4103/jism.jism_73_22

REVIEW ARTICLES

Year : 2023 | Volume : 11 | Issue : 1 | Page : 30-40

Therapeutic potential of Chirabilva (Holopteliaintegrifolia planch): A critical review from Ayurveda classical literature

Gaurang Jayantibhai Prajapati, Swati Kanabhai Gavadiya, Tarun Sharma, Vidhi M Bapna
Department of Dravyaguna, J. S. Ayurveda College, Nadiad, Gujarat, India

Date of Submission	08-Sep-2022
Date of Decision	11-Feb-2023
Date of Acceptance	26-Feb-2023
Date of Web Publication	15-Apr-2023

Correspondence Address:
Gaurang Jayantibhai Prajapati
Department of Dravyaguna, J. S. Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Nadiad 387001, Gujarat
India

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None

DOI: 10.4103/jism.jism_73_22

Abstract

Introduction: Among the quarter of medical management, the drug is placed next to the physician in the chronology of importance. Chirabilva [Holoptelia integrifolia (Roxb.) Planch] is one of the best drugs, which can use internally and externally in many diseases. It is described right from the time of Charak Samhita and had a wide range of therapeutic effects. Many formulations are indicated in Gulma, Arsha, Prameha, Shoola, Grahani, Kandu, Kushtha, and Jwara. Also, in Bhavprakash it is indicated in the treatment of Vami, Pitta Arsha, Krumi, Kushtha, and Prameh.Aim: The aim of this work was to study the Ayurveda literature to collect information regarding the internal therapeutic uses of Chirabilva (Holopteliaintegrifolia Planch). Materials and Methods: A literature review of Chirabilva from Charak Samhita, Susruta Samhita, Bhaisajya Ratnavali, Bharat Bhaisajya Ratnavali, Yoga Ratnakara, Gada Nigraha, and other relevant literature, and various database regarding various formulations, dosage form, indications, and useful parts. Observation and Result: During the literature review, reviewed total 309 formulations, like, Mahatiktak Ghrita, Dhanvantar Ghrita, Putikadhya Ghrita, Kalyanaka Lavana, Himsradhya Ghrita, Abhaya Lavana, Chirbilvadi Kwatha, Chirbilvadhya Churna, Panchamrut Parpati, etc. in 20 different dosage forms of Chirabilva were cited to be recommended in 19 diseases which are Gulma, Arsha, Prameha, Shoola, Grahani, Kandu, Kushtha, Jwara, Pandu, Sotha, Krimi, Swasa, Apasmara, Unmada, Graha Roga, etc. Conclusion: Chirabilva is cited in 19 diseases in 20 different dosage forms. It is mainly indicated in Gulma Roga, Arsha Roga, and Shoola. Based on the outcome of this literature review, new formulations and dosage forms can be developed using this abundantly available medicinal plant.

Keywords: Arsha, Chirbilva, Gulma, internal use, prakriya, putika, shool

How to cite this article:
Prajapati GJ, Gavadiya SK, Sharma T, Bapna VM. Therapeutic potential of Chirabilva (Holopteliaintegrifolia planch): A critical review from Ayurveda classical literature. J Indian Sys Medicine 2023;11:30-40

How to cite this URL:
Prajapati GJ, Gavadiya SK, Sharma T, Bapna VM. Therapeutic potential of Chirabilva (Holopteliaintegrifolia planch): A critical review from Ayurveda classical literature. J Indian Sys Medicine [serial online] 2023 [cited 2023 Jun 7];11:30-40. Available from: https://www.joinsysmed.com/text.asp?2023/11/1/30/374258

Introduction

As per Charak Samhita, a drug is like a fabric material and its properties and action are like the yarn of the fabric. Among the quarter of medical management, the drug is placed next to the physician in chronology.^[1]

Chirabilva [Holoptelia integrifolia (Roxb.) Planch] is one of the best drugs, which can use internally and externally in many diseases. In day-to-day practice, it is mostly used orally and it is abudentally used for internal use. There were 309 formulations given for internal use. Generally, its leaves^[2] are useful in Vatajanya Shool and Udar Roga, and its bark is useful in abscesses^[3] and Sandhisotha^[4]. Its seed oil is used in Dadru Roga.^[5]

Chirabilva is deciduous tree, 5–16 m tall. It has grayish-white or ash colored, smooth, exfoliating into small scales, leaf-bladed alternate, distichous, entire, coriaceous, flowers are shortly united at the base, minute, greyish-yellow, fruits are a one-seeded samara; light brown, obliquely elliptic or orbicular, winged and stalked, indehiscent, seeds are ovate or ovate-oblong.

Materials and Methods

For this literary study, information regarding the internal uses of Chirabilva was reviewed from 38 various texts. Among them, 15 classical texts have references regarding the internal application of Chirabilva. (1) Charaka Samhita (C.S.);^[6] (2) SushrutaSamhita (S.S.);^[7] (3)Ashtanga Samgraha (A.S.);^[8] (4)Ashtanga Hridaya (A.H.);^[9] (5) Kashyapa Samhita (K.S.);^[10] (6)Bhela Samhita (B.S.);^[11] (7)Chakradatta (Chak.);^[12] (8) Harita Samhita (H.S.);^[13] (9)GadaNigraha (G. N.);^[14] (10)VangasenaSamhita (V.S.);^[15] (11) SharangdharaSamhita (S.S.);^[16] (12)BhavaprakashaSamhita (B.S.);^[17] (13) Yogaratnakara (Y.R.);^[18] (14) Bhaishyajya Ratnavali (B.R.);^[19] and (15) Bharata Bhaisajya Ratnakara (B.B.R.)^[20]. Chirabilva is also reviewed from other 23 texts for collecting more detailed information. They are Abhidhan Manjari, Abhidhan Ratnamala, Amarkosha, Ashtanga Nighantu, Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Dhanvantari Nighantu, Dravyaguna Sangraha, Hridaya Dipaka Nighantu, Kaiyadeva Nighantu, Madanadi Nighantu, Madanpala Nighantu, Madhav’s Dravyaguna, Nighantu Shesha, Paryayratnamala, Raj Nighantu, Saraswati Nighantu, Saushruta Nighantu, Shabda Chandrika, Shaligram Nighantu, Shivakosha, Shodhala Nighantu, Siddhamantra Prakash, and Siddhasara Nighantu.

Observation and Result

In the literary study of the various texts as per the predecided methodology, it was noted that Chirabilva has been used as an ingredient in a total of 309 formulations in various diseases, and the useful part is described 182 times.

The disease-wise internal application of Chirabilva is as follows:

Gulma (abdominal tumor): Total 36 formulations are having Chirabilva as an ingredient. Among them, Ghrita (12) has been reported maximum time followed by Lavana (5), Kwatha (4), Ksharaa (4), Kalka (3), Vatika (3), Bhristha (1), Chukra (1), Bhasma (1), Churna (1), and Avleha (1) in management of Gulma [Table 1].

Arsha (piles): Total 35 formulations are having Chirabilva as an ingredient in the management of Arsha. Ghrita (14) has been reported maximum time in the management of ArshaRoga. Other formulations are Churna (12), Ksharaa (4), Chukra (1), Vatika (1), Avleha (1), Kwatha (1), and Taila (1) [Table 2].

Shoola (pain): In the management of Shoola, 24 formulations are having Chirabilva as an ingredient. Taila (8) has been reported maximum time in the management of Shoola Roga. Chirabilva is also used in Kwatha (5), Ksharaa(3), Vatika (3), Ghrita (2), Bhristha (1), Manda (1), and Parpati (1) in the management of Shoola [Table 3].

Swasa (dyspnea): Total 23 formulations are having Chirabilva as an ingredient in the management of Swasa. Among them, Ghrita (11) has been reported maximum time followed by Ksharaa (4), Vatika (3), Kwatha (2), Taila (1), Manda (1), and Parpati (1) in the management of Swasa [Table 4].

Udar Roga (abdominal disorders): Total 22 formulations have Chirabilva as an ingredient in the management of Udar Roga.Among them, Vatika (5) has been reported maximum time followed by, Ghrita (4), Lavana (4), Ksharaa(3), Taila (2), Chukra (1), Bhasma (1), Churna (1), and Parpati (1) in the management of Udara Roga [Table 5].

Kustha (skin disease): Total 19 formulations are having Chirabilva as an ingredient in the management of Kustha. Among them, Ghrita (8) has been reported maximum time followed by Taila (5), Kwatha (2), Avleha (1), Parpati (1), Aristha (1), and Rasa (1) in the management of Kustha [Table 6]

Jwara (fever): Total 18 formulations are having Chirabilva as an ingredient in the management of Jwara. Among them, Vatika (6) has been reported maximum time followed by Kwatha (4), Ghrita (3), Taila (2), Agada (1), Kajjali (1), and Parpati (1) in the management ofjwara [[Table 7].

Kasa (cough): Total 18 formulations are having Chirabilva as an ingredient in the management of Kasa. Among them, Ghrita (7) has been reported maximum time followed by Ksharaa (4), Vatika (3), Kwatha (2), Taila (1), and Parpati (1) in the management of Kasa [Table 8].

Pliha Roga (splenomegaly): Total 16 formulations are having Chirabilva as an ingredient in the management of Pliha Roga. Among them, Ghrita (7) has been reported maximum time followed by Ksharaa (3), Kwatha (1), Vatika (1), Chukra (1), Lavana (1), Swarasa (1), and Churna (1) in the management of PlihaRoga [Table 9].

Pandu (anemia):Total 15 formulations are having Chirabilva as an ingredient in the management of Pandu. Among them, Ghrita (4) has been reported maximum time followed by, Taila (3), Vatika (3), Lavana (2), Chukra (1), Aristha (1), and Bhasma (1) in the management of Pandu Roga [Table 10].

Sotha (inflammation): Total 14 formulations are having Chirabilva as an ingredient in the management of Sotha. Among them, Taila (4) has been reported maximum time followed by, Ghrita (3), Vatika (3), Lavana (2), Aristha (1), and Bhasma (1) in the management of Sotha [Table 11].

Grahani (irritable bowel syndrome): Total 13 formulations are having Chirabilva as an ingredient in the management of Grahani. Among them, Ksharaa (3), Churna (3), and Ghrita (3) have been reported maximum time followed by Vatika (2), Kwatha (1), and Parpati (1) in the management of Grahani [Table 12].

Prameha (diabetes mellitus): Total 13 formulations are having Chirabilva as an ingredient in the management of Prameha. Among them, Ghrita (5) has been reported maximum time followed by, Kwatha (4), Vatika (2), Parpati (1), and Aristha (1) in the management of Prameha [Table 13].

Krimi (intestinal worms): Total 11 formulations are having Chirabilva as an ingredient in the management of Krimi. Among them, Swarasa (3) has been reported maximum time followed by Ghrita (2), Taila (2), Kwatha (1), Vatika (1), Ksharaa(1), and Rasa (1) in the management of Krimi [Table 14].

Apasmaraa (convulsion): Total nine formulations are having Chirabilva as an ingredient in the management of Apasmaraa. Among them, Ghrita (5) has been reported maximum time followed by Churna (3) and Taila (1) in the management of Apasmaraa [Table 15].

Shlipada (filariasis): Total nine formulations are having Chirabilva as an ingredient in the management of Shlipada. Among them, Swarasa (4) has been reported maximum time followed by Taila (3), Ghrita (1), and Rasa (1) in the management of Shlipada [Table 16].

Unmadaa (psychosis): Total seven formulations are having Chirabilva as an ingredient in the management of Unmadaa. Among them, Ghrita (4) and Churna (3) have been reported maximum timein the management of Unmadaa [Table 17].

Kandu (itching): Total four formulations have Chirabilva as an ingredient in the management of Kandu. Among them, Ghrita (2) and Taila (2) have been reported maximum time in the management of Kandu [Table 18].

Graha Roga (possession): Total three formulations have Chirabilva as an ingredient in the management of Graha Roga. Among them, Taila (2) and Dhoopa (1) have been reported maximum time in the management of GrahaRoga [Table 19].

Table 1: Chirabilva as an ingredient of various formulations indicated in Gulma

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Table 2: Chirabilva as an ingredient of various formulations indicated in Arsha

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Table 3: Chirabilva as an ingredient of various formulations indicated in Shoola

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Table 4: Chirabilva as an ingredient of various formulations indicated in Swasa

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Table 5: Chirabilva as an ingredient of various formulations indicated in Udara Roga

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Table 6: Chirabilva as an ingredient of various formulations indicated in Kustha

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Table 7: Chirabilva as an ingredient of various formulations indicated in Jwara

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Table 8: Chirabilva as an ingredient of various formulations indicated in Kasa

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Table 9: Chirabilva as an ingredient of various formulations indicated in Pliha Roga

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Table 10: Chirabilva as an ingredient of various formulations indicated in Pandu

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Table 11: Chirabilva as an ingredient of various formulations indicated in Sotha

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Table 12: Chirabilva as an ingredient of various formulations indicated in Grahani

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Table 13: Chirabilva as an ingredient of various formulations indicated in Meha

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Table 14: Chirabilva as an ingredient of various formulations indicated in Krumi

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Table 15: Chirabilva as an ingredient of various formulations indicated in Apasmara

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Table 16: Chirabilva as an ingredient of various formulations indicated in Shlipada

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Table 17: Chirabilva as an ingredient of various formulations indicated in Unmada

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Table 18: Chirabilva as an ingredient of various formulations indicated in Kandu

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Table 19: Chirabilva as an ingredient of various formulations indicated in Graha

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The details of parts used, dosage forms, and indications are as below.

3.2. Parts: All parts of Chirabilva (i.e., Valkala, Moola, Patra, Phala, Beeja, etc.) have been included in these formulations. Among them, Valkala (bark) has been reported in the maximum time in 69 dosage forms followed by Patra (leaves 57), Beeja (seed 22), Moola (root 19), Phala (fruit 10), Pallava (tender leaves 3), and MoolaTwaka (root bark 2).

3.3. Dosage forms: Maximum of formulations, in internal therapeutics, include as Ghrita (97), other are Taila (oil) (37), Vatika (tablet) (36), Ksharaa (29), Kwatha (decoction) (27), Churna(powder) (24), Lavana (14), Parpati and Swarasa (extraction) each are 8, Chukra (5), Bhasma (4), Aristha (4), Kalka (3), Avleha (3), Rasa (3), Manda (2), Bhrista (2), Agada (1), Kajjali (1) and Dhoopa (fumigation) (1).

Discussion

All of this we can use in many diseases internally. We can see many references in internal use in many clinical conditions. As mentioned in Bhavprakash Nighantu, Chirbilva possesses Tikta, Kashaya Rasa, Usna Virya, and Katu Vipaka.^[21]. It has Shophaghna, Kandughna, Jwaraghna, Kusthaghna^[22], Lekhana, and Bhedana^[23] properties

Chirabilva has Tikta-Kashaya Rasaand Bhedana, Sophaghna Karma; hence, it is useful in Gulma Roga. In Kustha Roga, the effect of Chirabilva can be explained on the basis of Rasapanchak of Dravya. Chirbilva has Tikta-kashaya Rasa; Tikshana, Ruksha, Sara Guna; Katu Vipaka; Usna Virya; and Vatavrutta Kapha-Pitta hara^[24] qualities that help to resolve Samprapti. Hence, Chirabilva can be used in the management of TridoshajaVyadhi like Kushtha. In relation to Arsha Roga, it has Lekhana, Shophaghna, and Bhedana Karma along with Tikta-Kashaya Rasa and Usna Virya it mitigates Arsha Roga

In relation to Shoth, it has anti-inflammatory activity (a dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg was given to observe percentage inhibition of paw edema which were comparable with indomethacin (10 mg/kg) used as a reference drug).^[25] In relation with Prameha, anti-diabetic activity. (The stem bark extract of H. integrifolia was given in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The treatment was continued for three weeks to estimate blood glucose level, body weight, and lipid profile. Blood glucose level decreases gradually^[26]) It has Krumighnakarma which relates with anthelmintic activity (the activity of different stem bark extracts was evaluated against Pheretima posthuma. Among all the extracts tested, methanolic and aqueous extracts showed better and dose-dependent activity in comparison with reference standard piperazine citrate. Methanolic extract at 80 mg/mL showed the shortest time of paralysis [9.0 ± 0.89 min] and death [35.66 ± 0.81 min] when compared to piperazine citrate [33.4 and 55.6 min, respectively, at 60 mg/mL]),^[27] it has Kandughna and Kusthghna Karma which relates to anti-fungal activity. (The alcoholic leaf and stem extracts of H. integrifolia were studied for antifungal activity against five fungal strains, namely, Candida tropicana, Candida krusei, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae using the agar well diffusion method. The results indicated that C. tropicana [MIC: 39 μg/mL] is most sensitive to MSBE [methanolic stem bark extract] and S. cerviceae [MIC: 156.2 μg/mL] and C. tropicana [MIC: 156.2 μg/mL] is most and equal sensitive organisms to MLE (methanolic leaf extract].)^[28]

Chirabilva (Holopteliaintegrifolia) has other pharmacological actions like anti-diarrheal,^[29] adaptogenic activity,^[30] anti-cancer activity,^[31] wound-healing activity,^[32] and anti-ulcer activity.^[33] We can review its external uses also and use it in patients accordingly

Conclusion

Chirabilva plant finds a wide range of medicinal uses. It is also useful in shaak (vegetable). Though internally Chirabilva has 309 internally applicable formulations in 20 different dosage forms for 19 different diseases. Maximum numbers of formulations found in Gulma. And we can see all parts of Chirabilva (i.e., Valkala, Moola, Patra, Phala, Beeja, etc.) have been used in these formulations, among them Valkala (bark) reported maximum in 69 dosage forms. As this plant is abundantly available in India. Therefore, it can be used in various disease conditions.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

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