Jatamamsi is a perennial herb (Fig. 1) that is propagated by cuttings of the underground parts. The plant grows to a height ranging from 10 to 60 cm and has stout and long woody root stocks. Jatamansi is a perennial herb with spindle-shaped rootstock covered with fibres of old leaves and flowering stems 5-30 cm.

The long, sessile and oblong-ovate leaves are 15 to 20 cm in length. While the flowers are rosy, slightly pink or blue in dense cymes and one, two or five in number, The root (Fig. 2) of this taxon consists of short, thick, dark grey rhizomes crowned with reddish brown tufted fibrous remains of the petioles of the radical leaves. Flowers are rose-purple to whitish in dense head borne in terminal. Calyx is coloured, 5 -lobed, the lobes enlarge in fruit and become papery. Corolla tube is 6-20 mm long with 5 rounded spreading lobes. The whole plant has a distinct lingering smell.

Fig. 2 Rhizomes of Nardostachys jatamansi

Nardostachys jatamansi is an herb that is considered as one of the Eleven Holy Herbs used for incense as mentioned in the Old Testament Bible. It was used in ancient times to anoint the feet of revered persons. It continues to be used today as incense that is useful for chronic grief and depression. Other than its medicinal usage, the plant is known for its pleasant odor, as it has been used as a perfume for centuries. The thin, ovate, leaves of N. jatamansi grow vertically directly from the woody rhizome, while the stem yields small, white flowers that grow at the end of the stem, above the height of the leaves. The fruit from the flowers is generally small and white, covered in thin white hairs. Only the root and rhizome make up the medicinal parts of the plant, and they are covered in thin, reddish-brown hairs ⁴.

Taxonomic classification:

Botanical Name(s): Nardostachys Jatamansi, Nardostachys Grandiflora
Family Name: Valerianaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Dipsacales
Family: Valerianaceae
Genus: Nardostachys
Species: N. grandiflora
Popular Name(s): Muskroot, Indian Spikenard, Jatamanshi, Jatamashi, Balchar, Nard, Nardin.
Parts Used: Rhizome, Rhizome Oil
Habitat: Found in India, Nepal and Bhutan

History:

The plant has a rich history of medicinal use and has been valued for centuries in Ayurvedic (Indian) and Unani (ancient Greco-Arab) systems of medicine. The rhizomes of the plant are used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine as a bitter tonic, stimulant, antispasmodic, and to treat hysteria, convulsions, and epilepsy. The root has been medically used to treat insomnia and blood, circulatory, and mental disorders. Some preparations of the plant have been used as a heptotonic, cardiotonic, analgesic, and diuretic in the Unani system of medicine. The plant is of economic importance and has been used to produce perfumes and dyes.

N. jatamansi is an upright herb growing to a height of 60 cm, native to the higher elevations of India, China and Nepal, to an elevation of roughly 3,000 to 5000m. Jatamansi is distributed in sub-alpine to alpine regions in dry, open conifer forests, rocks, edges, small depressions, scrubs and in open meadows mostly on north facing slopes. It is found in the alpine Himalayas from Punjab to Sikkim, Bhutan to the province of Yannan and Szechwanin, South West China at the altitude range of 3000-5000 m ⁵.

In Nepal, it is found in the eastern and central regions but abundantly in the western region growing on open, stony and grassy slopes, and on the turf of glacial flats.

Plant Chemicals:
Nardostachys Jatamansi consists of following constituent,

Alpha-patchoulenese, angelicin, beta-eudesemol, beta-patchoulenese, beta-sitosterol, calarene, calarenol, elemol, jatamansin, jatamansinol, jatamansone, n-hexacosane, n-hexacosanol, n-hexacosanyl arachidate, n-hexacosanyl isolverate, nardol, nardostechone, norsechelanone, oroselol, patchouli alcohol, seychelane, seychellen, seychellene, valeranal, valeranone ^6,
7.

(+)- volatile essential oil, resin, sugar, starch, bitter extractive matter, gum, ketone, jatamansone, jatamansic acid, jatamansone semicarbazone, lupeol, malliene, calarene, terpenic coumarin - jatamansin, oroselol, dietheniod bicyclic ketone – nardostachone, sesquiterpene ketone - jatamansone.

Caution⁴

Jatamansi, when consumed in large doses, causes vomiting and diarrhea with abdominal pain, nausea, colic and urinary problems.

Consult a healthcare professional before using jatamansi during pregnancy and lactation.

Phytochemistry:
The rhizomes and roots of the plant have medicinal value and, therefore, have been the focus of chemical studies. They contain a variety of sesquiterpenes and coumarins. The sedative sesquiterpene valeranone, which also is found in valerian and other plants, is a major component of the root essential oil, at least in some samples⁸. Other terpenoids include spirojatamol⁹, nardostachysin¹⁰, jatamols A and B¹¹ and calarenol¹². Coumarins include jatamansin¹³.

The roots of the plant contain essential oil, rich in sesquiterpenes and coumarins ¹⁴. Jatamansone or valeranone (Fig. 1) is the principal sesquiterpene^15,16. Other sesquiterpenes include nardostachone (Fig. 2), dihydrojatamansin, jatamansinol, jatamansic acid¹⁷, jatamansinone, jatamansinol, oroseolol, oroselone, seselin, valeranal, nardostachysin ¹⁸, nardosinone, spirojatamol ¹⁹, jatamol A and B ²⁰, calarenol ²¹, seychellene, seychelane, coumarin: jatamansin or xanthogalin ^22,
23. A new sesquiterpene acid, nardin and new pyranocoumarin: 2’, 2’-dimethyl-3’-methoxy-3’, 4’-dihydropyranocoumarin have been reported.

Chatterjee et al. undertook the chemical examination of the rhizomes in detail leading to the isolation of a new terpenoid ester, nardostachysin ²⁴.

Again in 2005, Chatterjee et al. carried out an investigation on the chemical constituents of N. jatamansi which resulted in the isolation of a new sesquiterpene acid, nardin and a new pyranocoumarin: 2’, 2’- dimethyl-3’-methoxy-3’, 4’- dihydropyranocoumarin. Besides these two, several coumarins were already known ²⁵.

Sesquiterpenes and coumarins are present in considerable amount in the roots of jatamansi plant mainly responsible for its essential oil ²⁵.

N. jatamansi has been discovered with both volatile and non-volatile constituents. Sesquiterpenes contribute to the major portion of the volatile compounds while sesquiterpenes, coumarins, lignans, neolignans, alkaloids and steroids form the major components of the nonvolatile extracts ^26-29.

Sesquiterpene was eventually found in abundance in both the categories and found to accumulate in higher levels. Valeranone (jatamansone) is a sesquiterpene found to be present at up to 0.7%.

Other sesquiterpenes include nardin, nardal, nardol, valerenal, jatamnsic acid, b- maline and patchouli alcohol³⁰.

Various other sesquiterpenes known are nardostachone , dihydro jatamansin, jatamansinol, jatamansic acid³¹, jatamansinone, jatamansinol, oroseolol, oroselone, seselin, valeranal, nardostachyin, nardosinone, spirojatamol ³², jatamol A and B³³, calarenol³⁴, seychellene, seychelane, coumarin: jatamansin or xanthogalin^35,36. An alkaloid named actinidine has also been reported. Nardal has been reported to be an active component ³⁷.

Uses of Jatamansi and its Pharmacology:

N. jatamansi is primarily used in modern medicine for cognitive and neurological function benefits. Other than this various uses of N. jatamansi are as follows

· Jatamamsi can be used internally as well as externally.

· It is a well-known brain tonic and imparts a sense of calm and peace to mind.

· The herb is mixed with cold water to form a paste and reduce burning sensation, inflammation, pain and improving skin texture.

· Since it is fragrant, jatamansi powder is used as a deodorant in case of excessive sweating.

· The powder also helps in treating mental retardation and mental disorders, regularizing digestion in the body, regularizing respiratory tract and suppressing general body weakness.

· The decoction of the herb is poured on the affected areas in ailments associated with burning and in erysipelas.

· The medicated jatamamsi oil is extremely beneficial for smooth, silky and healthy hair.

· Jatamamsi is useful for urine-related problems and maintaining the circulatory system.

· The herb increases appetite, relieves the phlegm in cough and asthma, proves useful in hepatitis and treats enlargement of the liver.

· It is used as an adjunct in the treatment of sexual debility and impotence.

· Jatamamsi relieves symptoms like vertigo, seizures etc. in fever.

· Since it exerts a cleansing effect on the uterus, it is used in menstrual ailments like dysmenorrheal and inflammation of the uterus.

· The herb stops fermentation and gas in the stomach.

· Jatamamsi is considered as one of the best herbs for treating epilepsy.

· It reduces hyperactivity, restlessness and aggressiveness in hyperactive children.

· The plant has a rich history of medicinal use and has been valued for centuries in Ayurvedic (Indian) and Unani (ancient Greco-Arab) systems of medicine. The scientific literature contains primarily phytochemical and animal studies of the plant's activity on the nervous system.

CNS activity:

Valeranone prolonged barbiturate anesthesia, impaired rotarod performance, inhibited electroshock convulsions, and potentiated the hypothermic effects of reserpine³⁸. Limited results from behavioral tests revealed that an extract from N. jatamansi exhibited significant antidepressant activity ³⁹.

A 15-day treatment with an alcoholic root extract of N. jatamansi caused an overall increase in the levels of central monoamines and inhibitory amino acids, including a change in the levels of serotonin, 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid, gamma-amino butyric acid, and taurine in rat brain ⁴⁰.

Pretreatment with an alcoholic extract dosed at 250 mg/kg of N. jatamansi for 15 days protected rats against focal ischemia caused by middle cerebral artery occlusion. The protective effect may be associated with improving glutathione content, inhibiting lipid peroxidation, and activity on the Na+/K+ ATPase and catalase enzyme systems ⁴¹.

Antifungal activity:

N. jatamansi essential oil demonstrated fungistatic activity against Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger , and Fusarium oxysporum ^42,
43.

Lipid Lowering activity:

A 50% ethanolic extract of Curcuma longa (tuber) and N. jatamansi (whole plant) elevated the HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio in triton-induced hyperlipidemic rats. There also was a reduction in the ratio of total cholesterol/phospholipids ⁴⁴.

Hepatoprotective activity:

Pretreatment of rats with 800 mg/kg body wt of the 50% ethanolic extract of N. jatamansi demonstrated significant hepatoprotective activity against thioacetamide induced hepatotoxicity. Marked reduction in raised levels of serum transaminase and alkaline phosphatase was observed. Pretreatment of the animals with the extract furtherresulted in an increase in survival in rats intoxicated with LD90 dose of the hepatotoxic drug ⁴⁵.

Cardio protective and hypolipidemic activity:

Rats administered doxorubicin (15 mg/kg (-1), i.p.) showed myocardial damage that was manifested by the elevation of serum marker enzymes (lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, aspartate aminotransaminase and alanine aminotransaminase).

The animals showed significant changes in the antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase) and lipid peroxidation levels. Pretreatment with N. jatamansi extract significantly prevented these alterations and restored the enzyme activity and lipid peroxides to near normal levels.

Restoration of cellular normality accredits the N. jatamansi with a cytoprotective role in doxorubicin-induced cardiac damage ⁴⁶.

In a study, ethanolic extract of N. jatamansi was studied in Wistar albino rats for cardio protective activity against doxorubicin induced myocardial injury. Doxorubicin is inhibitor of fatty oxidation in the heart and results in cardio toxicity. The rats treated with a single dose of doxorubicin (15 mg/kg) intraperitoneally showed an increase in serum and cardiac lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids and phospholipids), along with a significant rise in serum low density lipoproteins, very low density lipoproteinsand drop in high density lipoproteins levels, resulting in alteration of serum and cardiac lipid metabolizing enzymes.

Pretreatment with an extract of N.jatamansi (500 mg/kg) orally for seven days to doxorubicin induced rats showed a significant prevention in the lipid status with the activities of the lipid metabolizing enzymes. Histopathological observations were also in correlation with the biochemical parameters. These findings suggest that the protective and hypolipidemic effect of N. jatamansi against doxorubicin induced myocardial injury in rats could possibly be mediated through its anti lipid peroxidative properties ⁴⁷.

A 50% ethanolic extract of Curcuma longa (tuber) and N. jatamansi (whole plant) elevated the HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio in triton-induced hyperlipidemic rats. There also was a reduction in the ratio of total cholesterol/phospholipids ⁴⁸.

Effect on nervous system:

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitory activity of methanolic and successive water extracts of N. jatamansi (rhizome), were investigated for acetyl cholinesterase inhibitory activity in vitro. Results indicated that methanolic extracts to be more active than water extracts. The IC (50) values obtained for methanolic and successive water extracts of N. jatamansi was 47.21mug/ml. These results partly substantiate the traditional use of N. jatamansi for improvement of cognition ⁴⁹.

Anticonvulsant activity:

Ethanol extract of the roots of N. jatamansi was studied for its anticonvulsant activity and neurotoxicity, alone and in combination with phenytoin in rats. The results demonstrated a significant increase in the seizure threshold by N. jatamansi root extract against maximal electroshock seizure model as indicated by a decrease in the extension/flexion ratio. However, the extract was ineffective against pentylenetetrazole induced seizures. N. jatamansi root extract also showed minimal neurotoxicity against rota rod test at doses that increased the seizure threshold. Further, pretreatment of rats with phenytoin at a dose of 12.5, 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg in combination with 50mg/kg of N. jatamansi root extract resulted in a significant increase in the protective index of phenytoin from 3.63 to 13.18. The dose response studies of phenytoin alone and in combination with N. jatamansi extract on the serum levels of phenytoin clearly demonstrated the synergistic action of both the drugs ⁵⁰.

Antidepressant activity:

A 15-day treatment with an alcoholic root extract of N. jatamansi caused an overall increase in the levels of central monoamines and inhibitory amino acids, including a change in the levels of serotonin, 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid, gamma-amino butyric acid, and taurine in rat brain ⁵¹.

Antiparkinson’s activity:

Rats were treated with 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight of N. jatamansi roots for 3 weeks. On day 21, 2 μl of 6-OHDA (12 μg in 0.01% in ascorbic acid-saline) was infused into the right striatum, while the sham-operated group received 2 μl of vehicle. Three weeks after the 6-OHDA injection, the rats were tested for neurobehavioural activity and were sacrificed after 6 weeks for the estimation of lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione content, the activities of glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase, quantification of catecholamines, dopaminergic D2 receptor binding and tyrosine hydroxylase expression. The increase in drug-induced rotations and deficits in locomotor activity and muscular coordination due to 6-OHDA injections were significantly and dose-dependently restored by N. jatamansi.

Lesioning was followed by an increased lipid peroxidation and significant depletion of reduced glutathione content in the substantia nigra, which was prevented with N. jatamansi pretreatment. The activities of glutathione-dependent enzymes, catalase and superoxide dismutase, in striatum which were reduced significantly by lesioning, were dose-dependently restored by N. jatamansi. A significant decrease in the level of dopamine and its metabolites and an increase in the number of dopaminergic D2receptors in striatum were observed after 6-OHDA injection, and both were significantly recovered following N. jatamansi treatment. All of these results were exhibited by an increased density of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive fibers in the ipsilateral striatum of the lesioned rats following treatment with N. jatamansi; 6-OHDA injection had induced almost a complete loss of TH-IR fibers. This study indicates that the extract of N. jatamansi might be helpful in attenuating Parkinsonism ⁵².

Neuroprotective activity:

Pretreatment with an alcoholic extract of N. jatamansi dosed at 250 mg/kg of for 15 days protected rats against focal ischemia caused by middle cerebral artery occlusion. The protective effect may be associated with improving glutathione content, inhibiting lipid peroxidation, and activity on the Na+/K+ATPase and catalase enzyme systems ⁵³.

Nootropic activity:

The elevated plus maze and the passive avoidance paradigm were employed to evaluate learning and memory parameters. Three doses (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) of an ethanolic extract of N. jatamansi were administered for 8 successive days to both young and aged mice. The 200 mg/kg dose of N. jatmansi ethanolic extract significantly improved learning and memory in young mice and also reversed the amnesia induced by diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.) and scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg, i.p.). Furthermore, it also reversed aging-induced amnesia due to natural aging of mice. As Scopolamine-induced amnesia was reversed, it is possible that the memory improvement may be because of facilitation of cholinergic transmission in the brain. Hence, N. jatamansi might prove to be a useful memory restorative agent in the treatment of dementia seen in elderly persons. The underlying mechanism of action can be attributed to its antioxidant property ⁵⁴.

Anticataleptic Activity:

Hydro alcoholic root extract from Nardostachys jatamansi was investigated for its antioxidant and anti cataleptic effects in the haloperidol-induced catalepsy rat model of the disease by measuring behavioral, biochemical parameters and neurotransmitter levels. Catalepsy was induced by administration of haloperidol (1 mg/kg, i.p) in male wistar rats. A significant (P < 0.01) reduction in the cataleptic scores were observed in all the drug-treated groups as compared to the haloperidol-treated group; with maximum reduction observed in the Nardostachys jatamansi (500 mg/kg body weight) administered group. Haloperidol administration increased generation of TBARS and significantly reduced GSH, which were restored to near normal level with the Nardostachys jatamansi treatment. Catalase and SOD levels were also increased to normal levels, having been reduced significantly by haloperidol administration. Haloperidol administration decreased the dopamine levels significantly, which were restored to near normal levels with the Nardostachys jatamansi treatment. Our findings of behavioral studies and biochemical estimations show that Nardostachys jatamansi reversed the haloperidol-induced catalepsy in rats ⁵⁵.

Diabetes activity:

Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disorder that impairs glucose homeostasis resulting in severe diabetic complications including retinopathy, angiopathy, nephropathy, and causing neurological disorders due to perturbation in utilization of glucose. The present study was designed to investigate the hypoglycemic properties of ethanolic extract of Nardostachys jatamansi (N. jatamansi) which is widely used as a traditional treatment for diabetes mellitus. The present study was carried out to evaluate the antidiabetic activity of Nardostachys jatamansi ethanolic rhizome extract in alloxan induced diabetic rats for 7 days. The ethanolic extract at high dose (1200 mg/kg) exhibited significant antihyperglycemic activity than at low dose (400 mg/kg) in diabetic rats. The results showed that it has significant antihyperglycemic effect in experimental model of diabetes mellitus ⁵⁶.

CONCLUSION:

N. jatamansi is an essential herb with multiple remedies. N. jatamansi is important plant of Ayurvedic materia medica. The plant is major ingredient of Ayurvedic formulations for the treatment of central nervous disorders. The rhizome of the herb is used in various Ayurvedic formulations and has a history of use as an essential oil known to be effective for insomnia, stress and tension. It is used in various Tibetan healing incenses. As its demand in the market increases, the chances of its variation increases. Also N. jatamansi could engender new cures for degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease. The researchers must therefore select genuine raw materials from the market. Its antitoxic activity could be explored in more details thereby increasing the possibility of developing new drugs. Present review states that the N. jatamansi has a so many pharmacological activity, thereby increasing the use of it.

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Received on 07.05.2013

Modified on 01.06.2013

Accepted on 10.06.2013

Research Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 5(5): September – October 2013, 251-257