Mallotus philippensis (Kampillaka)

Kampillaka is described as a Recana dravya by Brihat Trayi. According to Dr. Anil Kumar (Vijayawada, A.P.) the Kampillaka of Rasa Sastra may be a variety of clay (red coloured) used in Gujrat as purgative. Therefore Kampillaka of Rasa Sastra and Dravya guna may be entirely different the former being mineral and the later is herbal. Vagbhata quoted the synonym Rajanaka (A.H.Su. 15/45) while Sushruta quoted it as ‘Varnaka’ (S.S.Ut. 10/10 & 35/7).

Botanical Description – This tree will attain a height of about 10 m and is found all over South India.

Major Chemical Constituents– Rottlerin, Kamalins I & II, ighant, acetyl aleurifolic acid, saponim, isorottlerin, mallotus- A & B.

Part Used– Flowers, fruit hairs.

Dosage– Powder 0.5-1 g. (fruit hairs).

Research–

(1) In a preliminary screening, the crude extract of fruit hairs at a dose of 0.75 g and 3.0 g daily when given for 4 weeks was found to significantly reduce fertility in rats and guinea pigs respectively (Gujral et al., 1960a).

(2) The antifertility activity of the plant was attributed to rottlerin. At 840 and 200 mg/kg rottlerin showed antifertility effect in all the rats (Gujral et al., 1960b).

(3) The alcoholic and ethereal extracts of fruits showed taenicidal action against Hymenolepis nana and H. diminuta, both in vivo and in vitro (Srivastava et al., 1967).

(4) The resin from capsules showed significant purgative action in rats (Gupta et al., 1984).

(5) Aqueous extract of red resinous powder (0.03 g) showed lithotriptic effect in adult albino rats which was comparable to that of cystone (10.0 mg). Stone formation was induced by insertion of zinc pellets in urinary bladder of adult rats (J. Res. Ay. & Siddha 1989, 10, 175).