Medicinal Value and Oral health Aspects of Acacia Catechu - An Update

Keywords

Acacia catechu; Phytochemical; Biological; Medicinal; Active Compounds.

Introduction

Diseases that are system oriented or infectious disorders challenge human health, With the advanced diagnostic and imaging techniques, identification of diseases (minor and major) has become easier. Appropriate precaution and treatment facilitate the long living of human beings with good quality of life. To treat the systemic illness, as well as the infectious diseases drug treatment is necessary. Drugs can be derived from synthetic chemicals as well as plant and animal origin [1]. The pros and cons of synthetic drugs are taken in to consideration. Synthetic drugs are created in laboratories and causes unacceptable side effects. Herbal drugs are thought to be effective because people have been using them for thousands of years and are reporting positive results. It’s considered to be more pure and healthier for the body.

Holistic therapy has been shown to be effective in treating cancer, memory deficit and Alzheimer, atherosclerosis, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases [2]. They also possess anti oxidant effects which reduces the toxicity of some toxic agents.

Herbal drugs produce bioactive compounds that are used primarily for the management of infectious diseases. These bioactive compounds acts on different systems of animals including man, and act through interfering in the metabolism of microbes infecting them. The microbes may be pathogenic or symbiotic. The bioactive compounds play a promising role in regulating host-microbe interaction [3]. Hence there is a need for the identification of bioactive compound in plants, their isolation, purification and characterization of active ingredients in crude extracts by various analytical methods.

Medicinal Properties Of Acacia Catechu

The medicinal properties of plants could be based on the antioxidant, antimicrobial, antipyretic, antidiabetic, anticancer, Immunomodulatory effects of the phytochemicals in them [4]. Herbal drugs are economical when compared to the synthetic drugs. Synthetic drugs have been reported to have many adverse effects. Now the healthcare practioner concern is whether it is synthetic or herbal the vital criteria for the utilization of medicine is safety, quality, effectiveness, Identity, purity and stability [5]. Majority of Indian population have access to practice the traditional medicines to treat many diseases.

Herbal Medicine Impact On Global Health

Medicinal plants constitute an effective source of traditional (Ayurvedic, Chinese, Homeopathic and Unani) and alternative medicine [6]. India’s herbal and phytomedicine industries have an annual turnover of about Rs.4000-6000 crore and attains huge export ability in the market (Patwardhan,2004).Stringent quality parameters like quality control ,safety ,efficacy are mandatory to export herbal drugs to western countries like Canada and America [7]. China is the biggest producer as well as exporter of medicinal plants, accounting 30 % of total world trade followed by korea, US and India.China with exports of over 12,000 tonnes per annum and India with 32,600 per annum dominate the international markets [8]. Japan, US, Germany France, Italy, Malaysia and Spain are major market. Hamburg is the world trading centre in medicinal plants [9].

Present And Future Scenario Of Herbal Drugs

Plant based drugs (medicinal plants) represent more than 50% of all the drugs in clinical utility in the world [10]. During the past few decades, Several drugs have been derived from medicinal plants including Dioscorea species derived diosgenin from which all anovulatory contraceptive agents have been derived; reserpine and other antihypertensive and tranquilizing alkaloids from Rauwolfia species; pilocarpine to treat glaucoma and vinca Alkaloids (Vincristine, Vinblastin) as a potent anticancer drugs, opium (Papaver somniferum )as an potent analgesic, atropine (Atropa belladonna) to treat Organophosphorus poisoning. There is a developing interest in the field of herbal medicine, Global demands are raised in the use of the herbal medicine, due to increasing trend towards self-medication, reduction in cost of the synthetic drugs, various international and national health care forum were improving the status of herbal medicine industry and the interest of industrial sectors in isolating useful compounds from the plants [11].

In India most of rural population use herbal medicine for treatment of various infectious diseases [12]. A key challenge in the utilisation of plant based products is to assess the toxicological, epidemiological, and other data and the verification of herbal materials used [13].

Herbal Drugs - Quality Aspects

Quality control is mandatory for the global standardisation and herbal drug trading. WHO and AYUSH (Ayurveda,Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy) has recognised the need to ensure quality control of natural products with the application of suitable standards. Indian Pharmacopoeia, British Pharmacopoeia, Japanese Pharmacopoeia and United State Pharmacopoeia includes the monograph and quality control test for various herbal drugs used in their countries [15].

Medicinal Plants and Clinical Uses

The medicinal plants are widely used by the traditional medical practitioners for curing various diseases in their day-to-day practice. Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is an adaptogen, anti stress, immunity enhancer, tonic, anti diabetic. turmeric (Curcuma longa) is an anti-inflammatory, anti- arthritic, anti-cancer, antiseptic agent, milk thistle (Silybum marianum) possess anti oxidant, liver tonic activity. ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) is a Adaptogenic, Anti ageing, Anti depressant, alzheimer, cardio tonic agent. St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) acta as an anti depressant, In sleep disorder, Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) possess Antiviral, Antiinflammatory, Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective properties Anti-ulcer. [16].

Medicinal Plants and Clinical Uses

The medicinal plants are widely used by the traditional medical practitioners for curing various diseases in their day-to-day practice. Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is an adaptogen, anti stress, immunity enhancer, tonic, anti diabetic. turmeric (Curcuma longa) is an anti-inflammatory, anti- arthritic, anti-cancer, antiseptic agent, milk thistle (Silybum marianum) possess anti oxidant, liver tonic activity. ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) is a Adaptogenic, Anti ageing, Anti depressant, alzheimer, cardio tonic agent. St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) acta as an anti depressant, In sleep disorder, Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) possess Antiviral, Antiinflammatory, Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective properties Anti-ulcer. [16].

Acacia Catechu As A Promising Medicinal Plant

The botanical name of khadira is Acacia catechu. In Tamil it is known as Karungali.The Sanskrit word Khadira literally means that which alleviates the diseases and stabilizes the body [17]. It is a medium sized thorny deciduous tree grows up to 13 meters in height. Leaves are bipinnately compound, leaflets paired, main rachis pubescent, with large conspicuous gland near the middle of the rachis. Flowers are pale yellow, sessile, found in axillary spikes. Fruits show flat brown pods, with triangular beak at the apex, shiny, narrowed at base. Seeds 3-10 per pod. The gummy extract of the wood is called katha or cutch [18].

A. catechu occurs naturally in mixed deciduous forests and savannas of lower mountains and hills. It is especially common in the drier regions on sandy soils of river banks and water sheds. It is native in India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, Exotic in Indonesia, Kenya, Mozambique. Parts used are Bark, Leaves, Heartwood, Seed.

Acacia catechu (Family: Fabaceae and subfamily: Mimosoideae.) is widely used in Ayurveda for many diseases and mainly for skin diseases. Most of the people in Kerala use karungali water for drinking purpose. There are a number of ayurvedic formulations, which contain Khadira as one of the active ingredients. Acacia catechu is highly valuable for its powerful astringent and antioxidant activities. It is commonly known as Katha, which is an indispensable ingredient of pan that is beetle leaf preparation chewed in India. It is useful in dental, oral and throat infections, and as an astringent for reducing oozing from chronic ulcers and wounds. [19, 20].

Therapeutic Aspects Of Acacia Catechu

The concentrated aqueous extract known as Khair gum or cutch is an astringent, cooling and digestive, beneficial in cough and diarrhea, applied externally to ulcer, boils and skin eruptions .It is used in the treatment of passive diarrhea either alone or in combination with cinnamon or opium [21, 22]. The bark of Acacia catechu in combination with other drugs is prescribed for snake bite The seeds of the plant are reported to possess hypoglycemic activity when tested in vivo. Acacia catechu also shows hypotensive effect The decoction of bark mixed with milk is taken to cure cold and cough (Gunindro et al, 2013). Acacia catechu is useful as a topical agent for sore gums and mouth ulcers.This agent has been commonly used in India as an ointment for indolent ulcers. Other uses include arresting nose bleeds and acting as a contraceptive. Chronic gonorrhea can be treated with an infusion of catechu [23, 24].

Phytochemical Constituents Of Acacia Catechu

Acacia catechu exhibits various pharmacological effects like antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antidiarrhoeal, hypoglycaemic, hepatoprotective, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities .Main chemical constituents of Acacia catechu leaves are catechin, (-) epicatechin,epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, Epigallocatechin galleterocatechin,phloroglucin,protocatechuic acid, quercetin, ellagic acid, porifera sterol glucosides, porifera sterolacy glucosides, lupenone, lupeol, kaempferol, dihydrokaemferol, taxifolin, (+)- afzelchin gum and mineral. The chief phytoconstituent of the heartwood are catechin and epicatechin. Catechins have siginificant antioxidant and antimicrobial effects [25, 26].

Acacia Catechu as an Hepatoprotective Agent

Acacia Catechu heartwood extract possesses significant hepatoprotective activity. Cyanidanol, an active principle of Acacia catechu, is claimed to be effective in treating liver diseases .ethylacetate extract of heartwood of Acacia catechu decreased carbontetrachloride -induced elevated enzyme levels in acute and chronic models of liver damage. The results indicated some form of repair of the structural integrity of the hepatocyte cell membrane or regeneration of damaged liver cells. Biochemical and histopathological parameters substantiated the efficacy of the extract. The hepatoprotective activity of Acacia catechu could be due to the presence of bioflavonoids which have hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties [27].

The hepatoprotective activity was investigated in Acacia catechu heartwood extract on CCl4 (Carbon tetra Chloride) induced liver damage in rats. Blood and tissue biochemical assays have been studied for evaluation of hepatoprotection. From the results of the parameters done it is clear that Acacia catechu gave best recovery for hepato protection [28].

Acacia Catechu On Oral Health

Oral microbial flora is dominated by gram positive microorganisms, hence dental plaque which is formed on the tooth surface contains gram positive cocci and bacteria. The use of natural products has been one of the most successful strategies for the discovery of new drugs. Various botanicals have been reported to inhibit the growth of several oral microrganisms particularly Streptococcus mutans and thus prevent caries. Acacia catechu is widely used as a traditional medicine for treatment of various diseases [29] Several literature study proves its efficacy as antibacterial, antioxidant, anti inflammatory, wound healing activity. On the other context this herb is valuable in treatment of dental infections. the antibacterial compound Epi-catechin present in Acacia catechu may be responsible for anti caries and antiplaque activity [30].

Conclusion

Acacia catechu is used in traditional medicinal system for various diseases. Various parts of the tree viz., bark, leaves and heartwood possess diverse pharmacological actions. many studies have been carried out to evaluate its anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant ,anti- diabetic activity of the extract. This review enlightens the therapeutic aspects of Acacia catechu and its applications.