Talk:Rasna
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Rasna |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Pluchea lanceolata Oliv. |
| Family | Asteraceae (Composite) |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Pluchea lanceolata Oliv., popularly known as Rasna, is a xerophytic perennial herb native to dry and semi-arid regions of India and South Asia. It is highly revered in Ayurveda as a primary drug of choice for managing painful inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions, particularly Vata disorders and Amavata (rheumatoid arthritis). Modern experimental studies have examined its anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, antioxidant, antimalarial, anti-asthmatic and neuro-inflammatory-modulating effects; these are summarised below together with its classical description.[1]
English name
Indian camphor weed
Therapeutic Uses
Sotha (edema), Vatavyadhi (neurological and Vata disorders), Swasa (dyspnea/asthma), Kasa (cough), Jvara (fever), Udararoga (generalized abdominal distension), Sidhma (skin disease), Adhyavata, Amavata (rheumatoid arthritis), Vatarakta (gout).[2]
Other Varieties / Other Botanical names
- Berthelotia lanceolata DC.
- Berthelotia lanceolata var. senegalensis DC.
- Conyza proteiformis Perr. ex DC.
- Conyza rubra Buch.-Ham. ex DC.
- Pluchea lanceolata (DC.) Oliv. & Hiern
- Saussurea mucronata Spreng. ex DC.
Botanical Profile & Traditional Context
Pluchea lanceolata is an erect, perennial undershrub growing up to 30–100 cm in height, with a cylindrical, hairy, branched stem and simple, alternate, oblong to lanceolate leaves. In traditional Indian medicine it is described as an antipyretic, analgesic, bitter, laxative and nervine tonic, and is used for dyspepsia, bronchitis and rheumatoid arthritis.[3]
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
Shreyasi (Rasna is regarded as the best drug for vataroga), Elaparni, Yuktarasa (plant is full of juices), Rasa, Suvaha, Surasa (the juice has good qualities), Sugandha, Surabhi, Nakuli (it is liked by mongoose).
Additional Synonyms in Bhavprakasha Nighantu
Rasya (the taste of rasna is very pleasant), Rasana[4]
Varieties
Raja Nighantu
Mentioned 3 types[5]
- Mula rasna – Rauwolfia serpentina
- Patra rasna – Lochnera rosea
- Trina rasna – Vanda tessellata
Ayurvedic Pharmacological Properties
| Sr.no. | Pharmacological criteria | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taste (rasa) | Bitter (tikta) |
| 2 | Potency (veerya) | Hot (ushna) |
| 3 | Post digestion effect (vipaka) | Pungent (katu) |
| 4 | Qualities (guna) | Heavy (guru) |
| 5 | Actions (karma) | Pacify Kapha and Vata |
Reference in Charak Samhita and its actions
| Sr.no. | Reference in Charak Samhita | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 4/9(26) | Anuvasanopag mahakashay (unctuous enema) |
| 2 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 25/40 | Agrya Sangraha |
| 3 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 27/107 | Shaka Varga (Class of vegetables, mentioned as Sheyasi) |
| 4 | Cha.Sa. Vimana Sthana 8/135 | Vamana dravyani (List of medicines used in therapeutic emesis) |
| 5 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 3/250 | As an ingredient of Jeevantyadi anuvasana basti |
| 6 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 3/267 | As an ingredient of Agurvadi taila |
| 7 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 12/72 | As an Unmardan dravya in Kaphaj Shvayathu |
| 8 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 13/110 | In treatment of Udara roga (for parisheka) |
| 9 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 14/43 | Used in swedana kriya (fomentation) |
| 10 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 14/63 | As an ingredient of traushnadi churna |
| 11 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 17/96 | Used in yusha preparation for hikka svasa |
| 12 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 18/58 | As an ingredient of agastya haritaki leha |
| 13 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 26/82 | As an ingredient of Punarnavadi taila for vataja hrudroga |
| 14 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 28/165 | As an ingredient of Rasna taila |
| 15 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 30/60 | As an ingredient of Guduchyadi taila for Vataja yoni roga |
Dose
- 25–50 g (Decoction)[2]
Useful Part
Leaf[2]
Important Formulations
As per A.P.I.[2]
- Dashamularishta
- Devadarvarishta
- Rasnadi kwath churna
- Rasanaerandadi kwath churna
Current Availability
Available in India: Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab.
Phytoconstituents
Triterpenoids, sterols and flavonoids
Constituents reported to have been isolated from the plant include the triterpenoids α-amyrin, β-amyrin caproate, moretenol, moretenol acetate, neolupenol and ψ-taraxasterol acetate; the sterol stigmasterol; and the flavonoids quercetin and isorhamnetin. Preliminary screening of aerial-part extracts showed proteins, starch, fixed oil, steroids, glycosides, triterpenoids and flavonoids, with a total flavonoid content of 67.24 ± 1.4 µg/mL in the samples studied.[3]
Volatile oil (aerial parts)
GC-MS and NMR analysis of the hydrodistilled essential oil of the aerial parts identified oxygenated monoterpenes (53.4%) as the major group. The principal components were linalool (32.2%), β-caryophyllene (8.5%), α-terpineol (8.0%), spathulenol (7.4%) and linalyl acetate (5.6%).[6]
Therapeutic Efficacy: Pharmacological Evidence
The evidence summarised below is preclinical (animal and in vitro studies). No controlled human clinical trial of Pluchea lanceolata alone was found during the preparation of this monograph.
Anti-inflammatory activity
A chemical investigation of the plant, carried out alongside anti-inflammatory evaluation, supported the traditional use of Rasna in inflammatory conditions.[7]
Anti-arthritic, analgesic and antipyretic activity
A comprehensive review of the plant's chemistry and pharmacology records anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity, along with analgesic, laxative and antipyretic activities, and attributes the anti-inflammatory effect mainly to its triterpenoids. This agrees with the classical use of Rasna in Amavata and Vatavyadhi, though the review-level evidence is not a substitute for clinical trials.[1]
Immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory activity
In Balb/c mice, a 50% ethanolic leaf extract reduced the humoral antibody response and delayed-type hypersensitivity, and also decreased phagocytosis and delayed skin-graft rejection. Its chloroform fraction (25–200 mg/kg, orally) significantly suppressed CD8+/CD4+ T-cell surface markers and the intracellular Th1 cytokines IL-2 and IFN-γ. The authors concluded that the plant acts by inhibiting Th1 cytokines, which is relevant to autoimmune joint disease.[8]
Neuro-inflammation (Vata disorders)
In LPS-stimulated rat astrocytoma (C6) cells, the triterpene taraxasterol, isolated from the plant, significantly reduced the release of TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-6. Its acetate derivative did not inhibit IL-6 at lower concentrations. This offers an experimental basis for the traditional use of Rasna in neurological (Vata) disorders.[9]
Acetylcholinesterase inhibition
The hydrodistilled volatile oil of the aerial parts inhibited acetylcholinesterase in mouse brain homogenate with an IC50 of 2.54 ± 0.03 µg/mL, compared with 1.03 µg/mL for the reference drug physostigmine.[6]
Anti-asthmatic activity (Swasa, Kasa)
In isolated guinea pig tracheal chain, the ethyl acetate fraction of the leaf extract (100 µg/mL) significantly reduced histamine-induced contraction; the maximum contraction fell from 100% in controls to 57.81 ± 1.22%. This is an in vitro finding and has not been confirmed in clinical studies.[10]
Antimalarial activity (Jvara)
The hexane extract and taraxasterol acetate showed antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro and P. berghei-infected mice in vivo. Taraxasterol acetate also inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokines and raised blood glucose and haemoglobin levels in infected mice. No synergy with chloroquine was seen.[11]
Antioxidant and protective activity
In mice challenged with benzo(a)pyrene, pretreatment with the plant extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) restored renal glutathione and its dependent enzymes, increased catalase and quinone reductase, reduced micronuclei formation in bone marrow cells, and restored DNA integrity.[12]
Safety, Toxicity, and Precautions
- Toxicity: The hexane extract was reported as non-toxic at higher concentrations in in vitro and in vivo safety evaluation.[11] No formal human safety data were found.
- Precautions (inference, not from a cited study): Because the extract showed immunosuppressive activity in mice, caution is reasonable in patients taking immunosuppressant drugs. Data on use in pregnancy, lactation and children are lacking, and people with known sensitivity to the Asteraceae (Compositae) family should be watchful for allergic reactions.
Summary of Therapeutic Profile
| Indication | Experimental finding | Type of evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Amavata / joint inflammation | Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity; Th1 cytokine suppression | Review; mouse study |
| Vatavyadhi (neurological disorders) | Reduced TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-6 (taraxasterol); acetylcholinesterase inhibition (volatile oil) | Cell culture; ex vivo |
| Swasa / Kasa (asthma, cough) | Reduced histamine-induced tracheal contraction | Isolated guinea pig trachea |
| Jvara (fever, malaria-like fever) | Antimalarial activity of hexane extract and taraxasterol acetate | In vitro; mouse model |
| Oxidative stress / DNA damage | Restored renal antioxidant enzymes and DNA integrity | Mouse model |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Srivastava P, Shanker K. Pluchea lanceolata (Rasana): Chemical and biological potential of Rasayana herb used in traditional system of medicine. Fitoterapia. 2012;83(8):1371–1385. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2012.07.008. PMID: 22877846
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 3:73
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Khan S, Rawat R, Rawat AKS, Shirwaikar A. A report on the quality control parameters of aerial parts of Pluchea lanceolata (DC.) Oliv. & Hiern, Asteraceae. Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia. 2010;20. Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/rbfar/a/vpXGbMFB45qRpt6V76tyhQn/?lang=en
- ↑ Shri Bhavamishra, Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Haritakyadi Varga, Verse no. 162, Edited by Padmashree Pro. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Reprint Edition, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 2020;
- ↑ Dr. Indradev Tripathi , Raja Nighantu of pandit Narhari, ed.2006, Chaukhambha Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, pippalyadi varga 81
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Srivastava P, Jyotshna, Chanda D, Shanker K. Chemical characterization and acetylcholinesterase inhibition potential of volatile components of aerial parts of Pluchea lanceolata (DC.) Oliv. & Hiern. Records of Natural Products. 2015;9(4):586–591.
- ↑ Chawla AS, Kaith BS, Handa SS, Kulshreshtha DK, Srimal RC. Chemical investigation and anti-inflammatory activity of Pluchea lanceolata. Fitoterapia. 1991;62(5):441–444.
- ↑ Bhagwat DP, Kharya MD, Bani S, Kaul A, Kour K, Chauhan PS, Suri KA, Satti NK. Immunosuppressive properties of Pluchea lanceolata leaves. Indian Journal of Pharmacology. 2010;42(1):21–26. doi:10.4103/0253-7613.62405
- ↑ Srivastava P, Mohanty S, Bawankule DU, Khan F, Shanker K. Effect of Pluchea lanceolata bioactives in LPS-induced neuroinflammation in C6 rat glial cells. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology. 2014;387(2):119–127.
- ↑ Arora R, Gill NS, Dhingra VK, Rana AC. Evaluation of anti-asthmatic potential of ethyl acetate fraction of Pluchea lanceolata. Pharmacologyonline. 2011;2:1126–1133.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Mohanty S, Srivastava P, Maurya AK, Cheema HS, Shanker K, Dhawan S, Darokar MP, Bawankule DU. Antimalarial and safety evaluation of Pluchea lanceolata (DC.) Oliv. & Hiern: in-vitro and in-vivo study. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2013;149(3):797–802. PMID: 23954323
- ↑ Jahangir T, Safhi MM, Sultana S, Ahmad S. Pluchea lanceolata protects against benzo(a)pyrene induced renal toxicity and loss of DNA integrity. Interdisciplinary Toxicology. 2013;6(1):47–54. doi:10.2478/intox-2013-0009