Albezia lebbek (SirIsa)

Vedic literature extensively quoted Ýir¶¦a among the Ýœnta V¾k¦as. It is considered as one of the best plants for Danta KŒ¦¢has (tooth brushes). Though Caraka enumerated Ýir¶¦a under Vishaghna, Vedanast-hŒpana, Sirovirecana and Ka¦Œya groups, he emphasized its Vishaghna property. Recent works prove that albeznin is found to be an universal anti-dote. Bhavamishra described PaÛcavalkalas or PaÛca V¾k¦as. Among the five trees PŒr¶¦a is omitted by few scholars and Ýir¶¦a or Vetasa is accepted instead.

Controversial Studies– According to Thakurji GaÄζra is considered as Albizzia julibrissin Durazz or A. lebbek or Dalbergia sericea G. Don. Due to the Vishaghna property attributed to Ka¢abh¶ some authors consider it as Ýir¶¦a while others consider KiÄih¶ as Ýir¶¦a. KiÄih¶ is identified as Sveta Ýir¶¦a i.e; Albizzia procera Benth as mentioned by Thakurji.

Different varieties– Albizia amara (Roxb.) Boiv. Or A. odoratis-sima Benth. Is being described as ‘K¾¦Äa Ýir¶¦a’ by some scholars. Similarly A. procera (Roxb.) Benth is considered as Sveta Ýir¶¦a by others. A. lucida Benth is also considered as Ýir¶¦a by some. Raja Narahari described two varieties viz., Ýir¶¦a and Kan¢aki Ýir¶¦a. In one context Sushruta mentioned five varieties i.e.; PaÛca Ýir¶¦a (S.S.Ka.5/81).

Botanical Description– It is a deciduous, erect, spreading tree, growing to 15.2-18.3 m. height. Bark- rough, dark-brown to greenish-black with transverse and longitudinal striations inside. Leaves- bipinnate with 8-18 leaflets. Infloresence- in globose heads of greenish-yellow flowers. Fruits- pods, yellowish-brown, with 6-10 seeds. (Flowers during rainy season and fruits during winter).

Distribution– Common throughout India.

Major chemical constituents– albigenin, albiziagenin, albegenic acid, saponins- lebbekanins A-H etc.

Bark- condensed tannins viz., D-catechin, lebbecacidin, (-) melacacidin etc. friedelin, sitosterol.

Heart wood- Lebbecacidin, leucopelargonidin, melacacidin, melanoxetin, okanin, (+) pinitol

Seeds- Proteins, amino acids

Flowers- benzyl alcohol, benzok acid, p-nitrobenzoate etc.

Leaves- caffeic acid, kaempferol, myricitrin, reynoutrin etc.

Part Used– Stem bark, seeds, flower, leaves

Dosage– Powder 3-6 g; decoction 50-100 ml; fresh juice 10-20 ml.

Research–

(1) The alcoholic extract of the roots was found to possess anti-cancer activity against sarcoma 180 in mice. The stem bark of the plant had hypoglycaemic activity in albino rats. The pods possessed anti-protozoal activity against Ent. Histolytica. It also showed hypoglycaemic activity in albino rats and anti-cancer activity in human epidermal carcinoma of the nasopharynx in tissue culture (Dhar et al; 1968).

(2) Biochemical finding alongwith the histochemical picture of the adrenal medulla of the guinea pigs suggest that simultancous administration of A.lebbeck alongwith tylophorine (from Tylophora indica) and mangostin (from Garcinia mangostana) reduces the release of catecholamine in response to histamine. (Tripathi et al., 1983)

(3) Aqueous extracts of both stem bark and flowers significantly reduced (P<0.01) bronchospasm induced by micro-aerosals of histamine acid phosphate (1% solution) and acetylcholine chloride (1% solution) in guinea pig bronchi. In another study Sirisha has shown a significant disodium cromoglycate-like activity on the mast cells. The bark decoction significantly reduced the blood sugar content of the fasting rats on 7 days administration. The serum cholesterol and adrenal cholesterol were also reduced significantly in the rats (Annual Reports, CCRAS 1975-80 & Ind. J. pharmacol. 1977).

(4) Saponins showed heamolysis against buffalo and sheep blood and haemolysis against human blood. Purified saponin showed antifungal activity against Macrophomina phascolina (MIC 32.8g), stemphilum species and Fusarium solani (Pakistan Vet.J.1990).

(5) Saponin fraction and seed extract of plant significantly reduced the number of ruptured mast cells, in both mesenteric bits and peritoneal fluid obtained from ighantuy rats and this effect was identical in both types of systemic anaphylaxis (active and passive)- Ind. J. Physiol. Pharmacol., 1985).