“Pitpapra/Parpataka” in India,
their uses and chemical constituents
Parpataka is considerd an esteemed remedy for all types of fevers.
Fumaria parviflora is considered as the original Pitpapra.
But at least 5 different plants with various active principles are used as Parpataka in different regions of India.
It is interesting to note that none the other substitutes possess the alkaloids, the active principles of Fumaria parviflora.
Fumaria parviflora
(Fumariaceae) is considered the original Pitpapra by most and physicians of Punjab, Sindh, U.P and Bihar.
This plant is used in fever, influenza and regarded as a laxative, diuretic, diaphoretic and is beneficial in dyspepsia, liver complaints and scrofulus skin affections and jaundice.
It contains isoquinoline alkaloids like protopine, tetrahydro coptisine, gum, and flavonols quercetin and 3'-OMe quercetin.
Other plants used as Pitapapra are as follows
2. Oldenlandia corymbosa, (Hedyotis corymbosa) (Rubiaceae).
Used in Kerala. usually administered in the form of a decoction in remittent fever with gastric irritability and nervous depression caused by deranged bile.
Constituents are iridoids such as geniposide, 6α-hydroxygeniposide, scandoside methyl ester, asperulosidic acid, deacetylasperuloside, asperuloside, 10-O-benzoylscandoside methyl ester, 10-O-p-hydroxybenzoylscandoside methyl ester, (+)-lyoniresinol-3α-O-β-glucopyranosideThe plant is also known to contain alkaloids biflorine and biflorone, flavonoids such as quercetin, 3‘-methoxy quercetin and 3‘, 4‘-dimethoxy quercetin.
The plant also possessed Anthocyanins cyanidin and pelargonidin,
3.Peristrophe bicalyculata, (Acanthaceae)
Used in central India as an antidote to snake poison and in bone fractures and sprains (Anon.1966).
The ethanolic extract of the plant has been reported to exhibit analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
The constituents are phenolic acids such as vanillic, syringic, ferulic, coumaric (cis- and trans-isomers), caffeic and p-hydroxy benzoic acids and mucilage
4. Polycarpea corymbosa (Caryophyllaceae),
In North India, this plant is used for the treatment of inflammation, jaundice, urinary disorders and other kidney problems.
The chemical principles are saponins and flavonoids such as apigenin, acacetin, 3'- OMe luteolin and 7,3-di OMe quercetin.
5. Rungia repens (Acanthaceae)
This is Parpataka of Gujarat and Sourashtra
The herb is used in the treatment of cough and fever and is also credited with vermifugal and diuretic properties.
Contains flavonoids such as quercetin, 7‘- methoxy quercetin and kaempferol and phenolic acids like vanillic, syringic and ferulic acids.
6. Justicia procumbens (Acanthaceae)
The whole plant used in fever, pain due to pharyngolaryngeal swelling and cancer.
In India the decoction of leaf used in asthma and root in fever due to typhoid.
The chemical constituents are flavones apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, β - sitosterol ,β - daucosterol , scopoletin
In some places Glossocardia linearifolia (Asteraceae) and Mollugo stricta (Molluginaceae) also are used as Parpataka.
Source:
Amit Gohil (2014) Phytochemical and pharmacognostic studies on some substiutes of common medicinal plants , Ph.D Thesis, The M.S.University of Baroda, Vadodara
Mammen Daniel
