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| Latin Name |
Sanskrit Name |
Saxifraga
ligulata (Wall.)
Syn. Bergenia ciliata, B. ligulata |
Pasanabheda |
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| History |
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The rhizome
was a well known Indian drug, mentioned by the name PASANADHEDA or
Stonebreaker. It was believed to break the rock, in which it lived.
It was used to dissolve gravel or stone in the bladder and act as
a diuretic.
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| Habitat |
It grows
in the temperate Himalayas between altitudes of 900 and 3,000 m.
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| Morphology
Description (Habit) |
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It is
a perennial herb with stout rootstock. The leaves are variable, coarsely
hairy, sparsely hairy to glabrous, broadly obovate or elliptic, finely
or sparsely denticulate or shallowly sinuate-dentate. The flowers
are white, pink or purple, in long cymose panicles. Capsules are rounded.
The rhizome is buff-brown color outside and pinkish brown inside.
The market sample is transversely wrinkled or irregularly shrivelled
with exfoliating, thin bark, having rootlets or thin scars, buds and
scaly leaves.
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| Principal
Constituents |
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The rhizome contains
an active principle, bergenin (0.6%)1.
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| Pharmacology |
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It is
reported to be helpful in dissolving kidney stones. In lower doses,
the extract is mildly diuretic2.
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| Toxicology |
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In higher
doses it is cardio-toxic, shows anti-diuretic action, and has depressant
action on the central nervous system3.
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| Indications |
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It is given to dissolve
kidney stones and also as a diuretic.
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| Product
Range |
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Cystone (UriCare),
Nefrotec.
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| References |
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- Jain & Gupta, J Indian Chem Soc, 1962, 39, 559.
- Sharma et. al., J Res Indian Med, 1975, 10 (4), 7 &
Pathak & Karnick, Nagarjun, 1979-80, 23, 242.
- Sharma et. al., J Res Indian Med, 1975, 10 (4), 7; Seth
et. al., ibid, 1974, 9 (2), 1; Shah & Joshi, Econ Bot,
1971, 25, 414; Pathak & Karnick, Nagarjun, 1979-80, 23, 242.
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