Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn.
Family :- Oleaceae; Nyctanthaceae.
Habitat :- Outer Himalaya, Assam,
West Bengal; cultivated in many parts of India.
English :- Tree of Sorrow, Night Jasmine, Coral Jasmine.
Ayurvedic :- Paarijaata, Shephaali, Shephaalikaa, Mandaara.
Unani :- Harasingaar.
Siddha :- Pavazha mattigai.
Action :- Leaves—bitter tonic, cholagogue,
febrifuge, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, hypotensive, respiratory
stimulant. Used for fevers, rheumatism, obstinate sciatica.
The leaves and seeds contain iridoid glycosides; other constituents reported
from the leaves are mannitol, beta-amyrin, beta-sitosterol, hentriacontane,
benzoic acid, astragalin, nicotiflorin, oleanolic acid, nyctanthic acid,
friedelin and lupeol. The seeds containa polysaccharide glucomannan.
All parts of the plant are used for allergic disorders. Alcoholic extract of
the plant was found to inhibit passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in experimental animals. The inhibition was
comparable to standard drugs used for allergy and bronchial asthma.
Ethanolic extract of the leaves, flowers and seeds demonstrated strong
stimulation of antigen specific and non-specific immunity in mice.
The 20% ethanolic extracts of the leaves, flowers, seeds and roots were found effective in treating caecal amoebiasis caused by Entamoeba histolytica in rats. But the extracts did not exhibit direct amoebicidal activity in vitro against trophozoites of the parasite. The iridoid glucosides showed antileishmanial activity both in vivo and in vitro.
Dosage :- Leaf—10–12 ml juice.
