Rgveda documented Sigru as a domestic plant. It is applied externally (mixed with butter) in krimi rogas (Kousika sutra 29/26). Dharma Sutras prohibit its utility as tooth brush as well as in rituals. Brihat Trayi have quoted Sigru extensively in their works. Generally its bark is useful for krimi, seeds are used for Nasya karma and leaves are used for Rgveda. Nighantu texts describe Sigru bija as ‘Sveta Marica’. The author is of the opinion that Sveta Marica may not be the seeds of Sigru. The unprocessed fruits of Piper nigrum will be white in colour are probably interpreted as the seeds of Sigru. Leaves of Sigru are considered to be Sukrala and its seeds are AVrishya.
Controversial Studies–Two kinds of Sigru are usually mentioned out of which the first one is Sveta Sigru or Madhu Sigru. The second one is Rakta Sigru or Sigruka or Krishna gandha or Mulaka parni. The term Krishna gandha may be due to the colour of its black seeds and Mulaka parni may be due to shape of its root and root-bark with Mulaka in taste or medicinal properties. From this it is clear that there is no relation between its smell (gandha) and leaf (parni). The second variety is botanically identified with Mornga concanensis. Thakurji explained that- Akshiva is considered to be a synonym of Mahanimba and Sigru (C.S.Su.4/15 & Ci. 3/266). The later reference indicates it can neither Sigru nor Sobhanjana which are mentioned in this context. Neither it has the possibility of being Mahanimba which being a Sita virya drug should not be included in the context of Ushna virya drugs. It is therefore possible that the correct version may be ‘Akirasmantaka’ in stead of ‘Akivasmanaka’. Similarly Bahupatra / Bahupatra described by Sushruta is disputed (S.S.Ka.1/68). It may be the synonym of Sigru or Satavari or Mayurasikha.
Different varieties– In Brihat Trayi texts described two varieties viz., Sigru (white) & Sigruka (red). Sigru dvaya is described by Sushruta (S.S.Ka. 5/73). Bhavamisra quoted three varieties viz., Syama (blackish), Sveta (white) & Rakta (red).
Syama – Grahi
Sveta – Dahakara
Rakta – Sraka (Madhu Sigru)
Raja Nighantu mentioned about Nila Sigru as well.
The three varieties of sigru as M. pterygosperma (white variety), M. cancenensis (red variety) and M. peregrina (black variety). The fourth variety i.e., the blue variety mentioned by raja narahari may be M. rivae or M. borziana.i
Botanical Description – A small or medium-sized tree, growing upto 10m. Bark- corky, soft, thick, deaply fissured. Wood is soft. Leaves- tripinnate, 30.5-61.0 cm long; leaflets elliptic. Flowers- bisexual, irregular, fragrant, white, in large panicles. Fruits- pod, triangular ribbed, pendulous, greenish, 22.5-50.00 cm or more in width. Seeds- trigonous, winged (flowers blossom in Feb-March and fruits in March-April).
Distribution– Indigenous to north-west India. Frequently cultivated all over India.
Major chemical constituents–
Bark- sterols, terpenes (bayrenol)
Leaves- amino acids viz., aspartic and glutamic acid, serine, glycine etc.
Whole plant- moringine, moringinine, bayrenol, indole acitic acid, pteregospermine, carotene etc.
Flowers- Ouercetin, kaempferol.
Part Used– Root bark, stem bark, leaves, fruits, seeds
Dosage–Root bark juice 10-20 ml, seed powder 1-3 g, stem bark decoction 50-100 ml.
Research–
(1) 4 (a-L-Rhamnosyloxy) isothiocyanate showed antimicrobial activity (Ind. J. Exp. Biol; 1981) and antibacterial activity (Philipp. J. Sci., 1990) Bhatnagar et al; 1961 & Bhawasar 1965).
(2) The juice from the leaves and stem bark of M. oleifera inhibited Staph. Aureus (Bhawasar et al., 1965).
(3) The bark extract showed antifungal activity against Micro. Gypseum, Tricho. Mentagrophytes, Candida albicans and Helmin. Sativum (Bhatnagar et al., 1961).
(4) 50% ethanolic extract of root bark showed antiviral activity (Dhar et al., 1968 & Babbar et al., 1970).
(5) M. oleifera root extract (50% ethanolic) at a dose of 200 mg/kg led to foetal resorption in 60% female pregnant rats (Prakash & Mathur, 1976).
(6) Ethanolic extract (50%) of the fruit, root and root bark were also found to have spasmogenic effect on the isolated guinea pig ileum (Dhar et al., 1968).
(7) The alcoholic extract of root bark showed anti-inflammatory activity against formalin-induced rat paw oedema, cotton pellet implantation and granuloma pouch in doses of 500, 750 and 1000 mg/kg oral doses respectively in albino rats. It also showed analgesic activity (Singh et al., 1972).
(8) The seed extract agglutinated blood cells of various animals (Sathe et al., 1970).
(9) The alcoholic extract of leaves caused an initial rise in B.P. in mongrel dogs and cats followed by a gradual fall lasting for a considerable duration and it also potentiated the response of norepinephrine on B.P. and nictitating membrane. Its action on B.P. suggested the presence of a potent adrenergic neurone blocking substance(s) in the alcoholic extract (Singh et al., 1976).
(10) The fruit extracts of M. concanensis showed the LD50>1000mg/kg (Aswal et al; 1984 b).
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