The pharmacological activities of vasicine and vasicinone are well known.
Recent investigations on vasicine showed bronchodilatory activity comparable to
theophylline, both in vitro and in vivo. Both the alkaloids in combination
showed pronounced bronchodilatory activity.
Vasicine also exhibits strong respiratory stimulant activity. There has also
been a report of thrombopoetic4 (platelet-increasing) activity with vasicine.
Uterine stimulant activity and moderate hypotensive activity of the alkaloids
have been observed. (http://thestar.com.my/)
Adulsa(Adhathoda vasica), also known as vasaka, is distributed all over
the plains of India & in lower Himalayan ranges, ascending to a height of 1.5 m. The plant has been recommended by
Ayurvedic physicians for the management of various types of respiratory
disorders. It possesses potent
bronchodilatory, expectorant, anti-spasmodic
and anti-septic properties. It also possesses significant antimicrobial activity
against gingival inflammation and pyorrhea. It has also shown Uterine stimulant
activity, moderate hypotensive activity and thrombopoeitic activity. The leaves
of the plant contain two major alkaloids called vasicine and vasicinone which
are responsible for its medicinal properties. The bronchodilatory &
expectorant properties of the leaves are attributed to vasicine. Recent
investigations on vasicine showed bronchodilatory activity comparable to
theophylline, which is a methylxanthine drug used in therapy for respiratory
diseases such as COPD or asthma. (http://www.associatedcontent.com/)
The pharmacological action of the alkaloids in Adhatoda vasica were studied as
early as 1959. Amin and Mehta studied vasicinone for its action on guinea pig
trachea and perfused lung and on intact guinea pigs. Vasicinone antagonized
histamineinduced constriction, but was less effective than adrenaline. A
quinazol4one ring is found in vasicine and vasicinone and may be responsible for
the action of Adhatoda. Vasicinone is the autooxidation product of
vasicine.Cambridge et al. stated that in vitro tests showed relaxation of guinea
pig trachea rings by vasicinone and quinazol4one at about 1/2000 the activity of
adrenaline.Vasicinone was 1/700 and quinazol4one was 1/3800 as active as
adrenaline against histamineinduced contraction. In in vivo studies of
anesthetized guinea pigs, vasicine produced bronchoconstriction at high doses.
Vasicine and vasicinone were found to have a weak antihistaminic effect which
was of short duration. Vasicinone had less antihistaminic activity than vasicine
and the effect decreased at higher doses.(http://www.whereincity.com/)
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