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Shirisha (Albizia lebbeck benth) – Drug review
1 P. G. Scholar, Department of Agada Tantra
* Corresponding Author: Dr. Manjula Turamari, E-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT:
Man has always been frightened about poison and its effect. Our ancestors or the tribal people since long time
are using herbal medicine to treat poisons like Sthavara Visha (inanimate) or Jangama Visha (animate) and have
succeeded. Shirisha (Albizia lebbeck Benth) is best Vishagna Dravya amongst the all herbal drugs. Apart from its
Vishagna property it is also having effective results in Kushta (skin disorders).
KEY WORDS: Vishagna, Kusta, Sthavara Visha, Jangama Visha
INTRODUCTION:
Review Article
Ancient sage of Ayurveda has illustrated many herbs
as a Vishghna. But Charakacharya mentioned that
Shirisha is the best drug in the treatment of Visha
Vikaras (Antitoxic).1 while describing its properties
Acharya mentioned that it has Madhur Rasa, Anushna
Veerya and Katu Vipak. 2 It is Tridoshshamaka. It’s
action is Shothara(anti-inflammatory), Vedanasthapan
(analgesic), Varnya(complexion promoter), Vrishya
(Spermatogogue), Vishaghna (antipoisonous)
Shirovirechana (Nasya), Chakshushya (beneficial to
eyes), stambhana(antiDiarrheal), Kaphagna
(antitussive), Raktashodhaka(Blood purifier) and
Kustagna(antilepretic), Kandugna(Antipruritic).3
In Samhita Acharya mentioned Shirisha as a Vishghna
dravya. Apart from its antipoisonous action, it also
acts as a Kushtagna, Kandugna, Twakrogahara
properties, so this review is a small attempt to explore
Kushtagna property of Shirisha on literature based.
Review of Literature
Botanical name - Albizzia lebbeck benth
Family - Fabaceae (formerly Leguminoseae)
Sub Family - Mimosaceae
Kula - Shimbi
Sanskrit name - Shirisha, shukapriya, Bhandi, Kapitana
Part Used - Bark, Seeds, Leaves, Flowers, Root
Dose - Stembark: 3-6gm powder;
decoction-20-50 gm
Varga - Charaka - Vishaghna, Vedanasthapaka,
Shirovirechaka, Kashayaskandha.4
Sushruta - Salsaradi Gana.5
Nirukti :
“शिर्यते हहस्र्ते अशतकोमलत्वात्”
“श्रुनशत शिर्यते वा इशत श्रशुहसार्ाम्” 6
“शिरिष शवषघ्न श्रेष्ट्तत्वम्” 1
“शिरिषो शवष्ट्घ्ननाम्” 7
The flowers of the Shirisha are very delicate, fades
immediately.
Amongst all Vishahara dravya Shirisha is best.
Shirisha is antipoisonous.
VERNACULAR NAMES:
English - Siris tree
Hindi - Siris, Siras
Bengal - Sirisha
Gujarat - Pilo sarasio, Sarsado, Kakiyo
Kannada - Bagemara
Malayalam - Vaga
Marati - Chichola, Shirisha
Tamila - Vagei
Telagu - Dirasana
Arabic - Sultanatul ashjar
Unani - Siras 8
Ayurved Darpan
Journal of Indian Medicine An International Quarterly Publishing Peer Reviewed Journal
Manjula Turamari
SDM Trust’s Ayurvedic Medical College. Danigond PG Centre, Terdal, Dist: Belgaum, Karnataka, India - 587315
70
Article Received on: 11/02/2019 Accepted on: 22/03/2019 Published on: 31/03/2019
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Botanical Description:
Large deciduous quick growing tree about 50 to 60
feet, tall generally along road side, crown spreading,
bark brownish grey, rough with numerous short
irregular cracks, blaze crimps on; sapwood yellowish
white, heart wood dark brown with lighter or darker
streaks, resembling walnut.
Leaves pubescent rachis 17.7 – 23 cm, with a large,
oblong gland near base, pinnae 2 to 3 pairs with one
or more smaller glands between upper pinnae, 1.27
to 1.52 cm long; leaflets 6 to 18 pairs, 2.5 to 4.5+ 1.3
to 1.9 cm, obliquely oblong, obtuse
Inflorescence-Spikes forming short, corymbase
racemose 2.44mm slender pedicles, flowers white,
mildly scented, stamens greenish, 3.8 cm long.
Fruits-Pods glabrous thin; straw colored 20- 30.5 +
2.5 - 5 cm, dehiscence is often tardy and partial and
as a rule after reaching grounds; seeds 6-12, flat.
Flowering & fruiting Time:
Plant flower in April-May or June. Fruiting begins and
ripens during cold seasons. Pods are found in well
mature state on trees till summer season. Plant
becomes leafless during winter.
Distribution:
Plant occurs throughout the country and ascends in
Himalayan region up to 4000 feet.9
Types:
1 - Albizzia odorotissima Benth.
2 - Albizzia lucida Benth.
3 - Albizzia procerra Benth.10
In Raja Nighantu 2 varieties of Shirisha are mentioned
1 - Shirisha
2 - Kantaki Shirisha (Botanical source not yet
established)6
Actions & Uses:
Local:
Being Shothahara and Vedanastapana a paste of the
seeds should be applied in Shotha and Gandamala.
Being Varnya, paste of the bark is useful in
Varnavikaras, Kushta. Gums become firm if gargled
with bark decoction. Fine seed paste obtained by
rubbing seeds on a stone is applied in the eyes in
night blindness and eye diseases. Leaf juice should be
instilled in the eyes in night blindness. Seed paste
should be applied in Kaphaja Netrabhishyanda.
Albizia lebbeck should be used in Vishavikaras.
Shirish Pushpa Swaras with honey is useful in
Vrishchik Dansh. Powder of Shirish is used as
Anjanarth in Sarpvisha. A seed of Albizia lebbeck is
used in Loota visha.11
In Mushikha Visha powder of seeds mixed with honey
is used as Pratisarana. Shirish bark, rasanjan and
haridra should be made into a paste with honey and
applied on syphilitic ulcers. Shirish bark should be
made into a paste with milk and applied to rash due
to allergy. 12
Rasa Guna Virya Vipaka Prabhava
Tikta, Kashaya,
Madhura, Katu
Laghu, Tikshna,
Ruksha
Anushana Katu Tridosha Shamaka,
Vishagna
Table 1: Rasapanchaka’s of Shirisha2
Table 2: Karma and Prayoga Karma Prayoga Reference
Vishaghna(Anti-Poisonous)
Vedana Sthapan(Analgesic)
Hicca, Shwasa
Visarpa, Sarpavisha
Charaka Samhita13
Shirovirechana,
Vishahara, Pittashamana
Kushta, Arsha
Ashmari, Visha
Sushruta Samita14
Rakthasthamabhak (Styptic)
Balya (Tonic)
Arsha, Shopha,
Visarpa, Bhagna
Shodala Nighantu15
Tridosha Shamaka,
Varnya
Kushta, Kandu,
Shwasa, Kasa, Vrana
Kaideva Nighantu16
Tridosha Shamaka,Varnya
Kushta, Kandu,
Shwasa, Kasa, Twakdosha
Dhanvantari Nighantu17
Vishahara (Anti-Poisonous) Pama, Kushta,
Kandu, Twakdosha
Rajanighantu18
Visarphagna
(AntiErysepelas)
Shosha, Kasa,
Vrana, Visha
Bhavaprakash
Nighantu19
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Phytoconstituents of Plant:
The main phytoconstituents of plant are melacacidin,
D-catechin, sitosterol, albiziahexoside, betulnic acid
and echinocystic acid glycosides.
Phytoconstituents of Roots:
Lupeol, stigmasterol, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic
acid and trans-p-coumaric acid were isolated from
the n-hexane and chloroform fractions of a methanol
extract of the root of A. lebbeck echinocystic acid
(saponin) s tigmas t -4 ,20, 23- trien-3-one
(lebbeksterone) and an alcohol tricontan-10a-ol
(Isotriacontanol), tricosanyloctadec-9-en-1- oate and
pentacosanyloctadec-9-en-1-oate
Phytoconstituents of Bark:
D-catechin, isomers of leucocyanidin and
melacacidin,leucoanthrocyanidin, lebbecacidin,
friedelin, _-sitosterol, acacic acid lactone 3-O-beta-D-
xyl opyra nosyl - (1 l ea ds to 2)-al pha-L-
a ra binopyra nosyl - ( l l ea ds to 6) - beta-
Dglucopyranoside, 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1
leads to 2)- O-[alpha-arabinopyranosyl (1 leads to 6)]
-beta-Dglucopyranoside and 3 -O -beta-D-
xyl opyra nosyl - (1 l ea ds to 2)-al pha-L-
arabinopyranosyl-(1 leads to 6)-O-[beta-
Dglucopyranosyl (1 leads to 2)-beta-D-
glucopyranoside, anthraquinone glycosides.
Phytoconstituents of leaves:
Flavone, 3', 5-dihydroxy-4', 7-dimethoxyflavone and a
nitrogenous compound, N-benzoyl-L-phenylalaninol,
friedelan-3-one and g-sitosterol; Hexaglycosylated
saponins, quercetin, unsaturated carboxylic acid
methyl ester, a triterpene saponin, albigenic,
albigenin; two tri-Oglycoside flavonols i.e,
kaempferol, quercetin; albizziahexoside (a
hexaglycosylated saponins) and cardiac glycoside. On
performing the phytochemical screening of leaves of
different extract of A. lebbeck, the leaves are rich in
flavonoids, tannins and saponins, along with the
presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, steroids are
absent.
Chemical constituents of flower:
Lupeol, and amyrin, benzyl acetate, benzyl benzoate
and crocetin different sterols i.e., taxerol,
cycloartemol, lupeol, campesterol, sitosterol
triterpene, lebbekanin, saponin, saponin glycosides,
crocetin lebbekanin-D, F, G & H. On performing the
preliminary qualitative analysis of A. lebbeck on
flower powder; phenols tannins, flavonoids were pre-
sent in the methanol and water extract, steroids and
alkaloids are present in the methanol and chloroform
extract whereas glycoside shows their presence in all
the extracts (methanol, chloroform, benzene, diethyl
ether, and water.
Phytoconstituents of seed:
Crude protein, calcium, phosphorous, iron, niacin,
ascorbic acid, amino acid composition of protein is
arginine, histidine, leucine and isoleucine lysine,
methionine, phenyl alanine, theonine, tyrosine and
valine 18, echinocystic acid and sitotosterol,
N-demethyl budmunchiamines 19, (Albizia lebbeck
a-amylase inhibitor); fatty acid reported are palmitic,
stearic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, arachidic, cis-11-
eicosenoic, behenic, pentadecanoic, nheneicosanoic,
cis-9- heptadecenoic, octadecenoic and myristic
acidsthe 20
Specific formulation: MahaShirisha Agad,
Shirisharista,PanchaShirisha Gruith,Dashanga Lepa.6
Recent research Works:
The alcoholic extract of the root was found to possess
anticancer activity against sarcoma 180 in mice. The
stem bark of the plant had hypoglycemic activity in
albino rats. The pods have anti protozoal activity
against ent-histolytica. It also showed hypo glycemic
activity in albino rats & anti cancerous activity in
human epidermal carcinoma of the naso pharynx in
tissue culture.
Aqueous extract of both stem & flowers significantly
reduced broncho spasm, induced by micro-aerosols of
histamine acid phosphate and acetylcholine chloride
in guinea pig bronchi. The bark decoction
significantly reduced the blood sugar content of the
fasting rats on 7th day of administration. Serum
cholesterol & adrenal cholesterol were also reduced
significantly in the rats.21
Anti allergic activities:
Albizza lebbeck shows partial protection against
histamine and acetylcholine induced broncho spasm.
In a series of studies Albizzia lebbeck the plant
extract administered in the oral dose of 25 mg/kg/
day for 7 – 12 days produced a significant anti allergic
effect. A stabilizing effect on mast cell as compared
with disodium cromoglycate and steroid in produced.
Degranulation was inhibited by 62 %. It also
inhibited the early process of sensitization. The
level of allergy induced antibodies is seemed to be
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be depressed by Albizzia lebbeck. If the drug is used
for a long period it is known to depress the
T lymphocyte and B- lymphocyte activity.
Administration of the liquid extract of Albizzia
lebbeck on histamine induced broncho spasm in
guinea pig showed significant rise in plasma cortisol,
which shows the protective action of Albizzia lebbeck
in bronco spasm and other allergic disorders.
14 -Miscellaneous activity:
Albizia lebbeck is known to reduce plasma cholesterol
level significantly. Root of Albizia lebbeck possess
antifungal properties against Helminthosporium
sativum. Pods of the plant exhibits anticancer activity
against human epidermis carcinoma of nasopharynx
in tissue culture. Bark of Albizia lebbeck possesses a
wide antibacterial property against E. coli and
anti-amoebic activity against Entamoeba histolytica.
Seed of Albizia lebbeck in the dose of 200mg/kg
inhibits ovulation in 60 % of experimental animals.
The extract at 2 % concentration exhibits spermicidal
effect on rat and human semen.22
Drug interactions:
Drug interactions are not reported up till date with
Albizia lebbeck.
Toxicity: Albizia lebbeck does not exhibit any toxic
effect.
Folklore practice of Shirisha:
A. lebbeck Linn. Used in Indian folk medicine to treat
several inflammatory pathologies such as asthma,
arthritis and burns. It is reported to be useful in the
treatment of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
The flowers are being commonly used to treat
anxiety, depression and insomnia in traditional
system of medicine.23
CONCLUSION:
In Charak Samhita It’s mentioned that in all types of
Purana Kushta (chronic skin disorders) to use
Agadaushadi’s for better results, and in many
Kushtahara Lepa’s Shirisha is one of the main
ingredient. As Shirisha is Vishagna as well as it is
having property of Kushtagna, Kandugna, Shothagna,
Visarpagna, and indicated in Sweda and Twak
Vikara’s. So in chronic or chronically relapsing and
allergic skin manifestations we can use Shirisha for
better results.
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20. h t t p s : / / w w w . r e s e a r c h g a t e . n e t /
publication/286699208-A-review-on-parts-of-
Albizia-lebbek-L-Benth-used-as-Ayurvedic-
drugs.
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Harmeet Kour and Inderpal Kaur
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Mirghany O, El Tahir K, Evaluation of Albizia
lebbeck Flowers. Pharacol pharm, 2013; 4: p 473-
477.
Cite this article as:
Manjula Turamari, Shirisha (Albizia lebbeck benth) –
Drug review, ADJIM 2019: 4(1), p. 70-74.
