Steriosperum sauveolens & Steriospermum cancensis (PaTala)

Caraka enumerated it under Sothahara groups and its utility is mostly confined to Dasmulas in the Samhita literature. The other species S. tetragonum DC may be used as Patala by some vaidyas. Sushruta in one context described the flowers of Patala (S.S.Su. 46/247). Vagbhata in one context mentioned about the utility of seeds (A.H. Ut. 36/66). He also quoted the second variety of Patala i.e., Krshna Patala (A.H.Ut. 5/20). Thakurji explained that Patala and Patalaa are usually considered to be synonymous. But there seems to be some confusion regarding the identification of Patala and Mushkaka. The later is two kinds viz., Sveta and Krshna. The mention of Krshna Patali in A.H.Ut. 5/42 indicates that it is also of two varieties. Bhavamishra on the other hand, mentions that Mok¦aka and its synonym Mu¦kaka may be Sveta PŒ¢alŒ. At the same time he described two types of Mokshaka as well. But, ‘Patali’ is not described as two varieties. The probable reason for the controversy may be Bhavamishra might have recognized Sveta Patala as a substitute of real Patala and preferred the name Sveta PŒ¢alŒ. Hence it may be concluded that Krshna Patala of A.H.Ut. 5/42 is Krshna-Mokshaka and Patala and Mokshaka being only synonyms.  The tree may exist as two varieties. Bhavamishra described two kinds of Patala viz., Rakta/Tamrapushpa (redish flowers) and Sveta (whitish flowers). S. tetragonum DC. (S. chelonoides) C.B. and S. angusti folium are also in use in place of Patala. One of these species may be Krshna Patala.

Botanical Description (S. sauveolens) – A large tree with dull crimson flowers, and rather thick straight capsules upto 18 inches long. Bark grey, exfoliating in flat scales; wood hard, yellowish-brown, useful for many purposes but little used. Distribution– North circars and Deccan, in deciduous forests; Western Ghats, and also in deciduous forests, in the hills of Mysore, Malabar and Travancore, scarce.

Major Chemical Constituents–

Bark contains crystalline bitter substance.

Part Used– Root bark, flower, seed, leaf, kshara

Dosage– Decoction 50-100 ml, Kshara 1-1.5 g.

Research–

(1) Plant extract (lapachol) showed highly significant activity against walker 256 carcinosarcoma (Cancer Res. 1968, 28, p.1952).

(2) S. cholenoides (L.f.) DC. (S. suaveolens) yielded an ighantu agent lapachol from the leaves (J. Ind. Chem. Soc. 1977, 54, 648).

(3) Ethanolic extract showed activity against Ranikhet disease (The useful plants of India, p. 602).

(4) Ethonolic extract also showed hypoglycemic action in rats (The useful Plants of India, p. 602).