|  Botany
Sedang-dahon is a pubescent or tomentose, coarse, twining,
climbing perennial herb. Stems about 5 centimeters or more in diameter, reaching a length of 15 meters or more. Leaves
are simple, alternate, broadly ovate or ovate-cordate,10 to 30 centimeters across,
12 to 25 centimeters long, prominently heart-shaped, green and smooth above and
tomentose (with soft, silky white hairs) underneath. Peduncles are axillary, stout, up to 30 centimeters in length, with crowded flowers at the end. Calyx is ovoid, about 1.5 centimeters long. Corolla is 6 to 7 centimeters long; the tube is at first slender and then abruptly inflated, and 2 to 2.5 centimeters in diameter, while the limb is somewhat spreading, about 6 centimeters in diameter, externally hairy, and pale lilac in color except that internally it is a rather deep purple. Fruit is somewhat rounded, brown, smooth, and about 1.5 centimeters in diameter, fleshy, pulpy, and indehiscent.
Distribution
- Widespread in the Philippines.
- Occasionally, ornamentally cultivated.
- Originated from India.
- Introduced from tropical Asia.
- Found in parts of Africa, Asia, Australia, and Hawaii.
Constituents
- Roots yield an acid resin of an amber
color, soluble in ether and benzole.
- Root also contains a tannin-like principle.
- Phytochemical studies have yielded triterpenoids, flavanoids, steroids
and lipids.
- Studies have yielded various alkaloids, glycosides, flaconoid glycoside, and steroids.
- Contains many ergoline alkaloids.
- The major alkaloidal constituent in A nervosa seeds is ergine (780
mcg/g of fresh seed) and isoergine and penniclavine (555 mcg).
- A. nervosa grown in Hawaii reported to have higher concentrations of LSA, the main ingredient that causes intoxication.
Properties
- Root is considered alterative, tonic, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory.
- Leaves are antiphlogistic, maturative, absorptive, and a powerful vesicant.
- Considered tonic and aphrodisiac.
- Reported antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, nootropic, anticonvulsant, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, antiviral, nematicidal, immunomodulatory, analgesic, anti-inflammatory.
- Seeds considered hypotensive, spasmolytic and antiinflammatory.
- A few of the alkaloids are hallucinogenic.
Parts utilized
Roots, leaves, seeds, flower.
Uses
Folkloric
- Roots used in rheumatism and nervous
system problems.
- Hindus used the leaves as a local stimulant and rubefacient.
- Leaves used as emollient poultices for wounds and skin diseases.
- Used for bronchitis, cough, syphilis, diabetes, and tuberculosis.
- In India, used by Rajasthani
tribes to prevent conception. Root is used in gonorrhea, rheumatism and nervous system diseases; also, used as tonic. Used for stomach complaints, small pox, dysentery, syphilis.
Leaf used for gonorrhea and chronic ulcers.
- In Ayurveda, widely used
for neurologic disorders.
- In Thailand, used as antiinflammatory
and for skin infections.
Others
One of several in an herbal components in a concoction
touted to increase sperm count.
Studies
• Phytochemical: Study
of leaf powder yielded sterols, flavanoids, phenols, tannins and saponins in large amounts.
• Aphrodisiac: Study
in male mice showed the root, flower and leaf of AN to show aphrodisiac
activity and potential source of safe and effective medicines for stimulating
sexual activity. Investigations are ongoing to determine the mechanisms
of actions.
• Hallucinogenic: Study has found LSA (lysergic acid amide), a relative and precursor
to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in the seeds of AN (Hawaiian baby
woodrose) and Ipomoea violacea (morning glory). Seeds of AN have been
found to be a powerful natural hallucinogenic.
• Nootropic: Study
in mice assessed the nootropic and anti-cholinesterase potential of
Argyreia speciosa. A speciosa significantly decreased AChE levels in the whole brain homogenate indicating its potential in the attenuation of learning and memory deficits especially in aged mice. Study warrants further study and confirmation of
the nootropic potential of AS for dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
• Anti-Inflammatory: Study
evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of a water extract of A. nervosa in a carrageenan-induced paw edema method. Results showed significant anti-inflammatory activity.
• Aphrodisiac: Study of root, flower and leaf extract
in mice showed aphrodisiac activity as shown by an increase in mounting activity in mice and increase in mating performance.
• Immunomodualatory: Administration of ethanolic extract of A. speciosa in mice showed dose-dependent potentiation of delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction induced by sheep red blood cells and oxazolone.
• Hepatoprotective: Ethanol and ethyl acetate extract of A. speciosa roots decreased the enzyme elevation induced by carbon tetrachloride.
• CNS Activity: Study
of n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions of hydroalcoholic extracts showed CNS depressant activity as indicated by reduced spontaneous motor activity and potentiated pentobarbital induced hypnosis in mice.
• Hypoglycemic: Study
of an alcoholic extract of A. speciosa showed significant dose-dependent blood glucose reduction in normal and diabetic rats. Results were compared to standard drug tolbutamide.
• Anticonvulsant: Study
of a hydroalcoholic extract showed significant delay of latency to onset of seizure as well as onset of death in unprotected mice.
• Analgesic: Study
of a methanolic extract showed analgesic activity with a significant decrease in acetic acid induced writhing.
• Antibacterial: Study
of alcoholic extract of leaves showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus. Seed oil showed activity against Klebsiella sp., E. coli, P. aeruginosa and B. anthracis.
• Antifungal: Study
of roots yielded hexadecanyl p-hydroxycinnamate and scopoletin. Both compounds caused 100% inhibition against A. alternate.
• Cardiac Effects / Chronotropic / Ionotropic: Study
in perfused frog heart assembly investigated the cardiotonic effect of an infusion of whole plant of A. nervosa. Preliminary studies confirmed better cardiotonic activity of A. nervosa than digoxin. A significant increase in force of cardiac contraction (positive ionotropic effect) and decrease in heart rate (negative chronotropic effect) was observed.
Availability
Wildcrafted.
Seeds in the cybermarket.
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