Pharmacology of Ativisha, Musta and their substitutes.
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Date
2015-04
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Abstract
The Ayurvedic literature during the medieval period suggests the use of Musta (Cyperus rotundus), a common weed, as
a pratinidhi dravya (substitute) for Ativisha (Aconitum heterophyllum), an endangered species. Contemporary Ayurvedic
practice also uses Cryptocoryne spiralis, (known as Naattu Atividayam in South India) and Nagaramusta (Cyperus scariosus)
as substitutes for Ativisha and Musta, respectively. This article reviews published literature on the pharmacology of
the above four species. Both A. heterophyllum and C. rotundus are reported to possess antiinflammatory, antipyretic,
antibacterial and antidiarrhoeal properties, while antiinflammatory and antibacterial activities are attributed to C. scariosus.
No reports exist on the bioactivity of Cryptocoryne spiralis. It is interesting to note that other than the veerya which is
different, the biological properties of Ativisha and Musta are similar according to Ayurvedic classification of dravyaguna.
This is also supported by modern pharmacological studies, which show that, both A. heterophyllum and C. rotundus
have antidiarrheal, antipyretic, antiinflammatory, antihyperlipidemic and hypoglycemic activities. However, the similarities
between the discussed species cannot be attributed to their phytochemical composition or taxonomical classification as
these are quite distinct. The dravyaguna method of classifying materials, which we are calling as “pharmaco‑taxonomy”,
offers a unique way of classifying those plant materials which lack similarity at the botanical or chemical level, but are
similar at the level of biological functions.
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Keywords
Aconitum, Ativisha, Ayurveda, Cryptocoryne, Cyperus, Musta, pharmacology
Citation
Nagarajan M, Kuruvilla Gina R, Kumar K Subrahmanya, Venkatasubramanian Padma. Pharmacology of Ativisha, Musta and their substitutes. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine. 2015 Apr-June; 6(2): 121-133.