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Open Access   Full Text Article                                                                                                                                                     Review Article

The Neuropharmacological Properties of Malkangni (Celastrus paniculatus Willd.): Insights from Unani Medicine and Pharmacological Research: A Review

Rayees Ahmad Mir ¹*, Farheen Zehra ², Mohd Nayab ³, Abdul Nasir Ansari ⁴

¹ Postgraduate Scholar at National Institute of Unani Medicine Banglore, Department of Ilaj Bit Tadbeer (Regimental Therapy), Kottigapelya Banglore, 560091

² Assistant Professor at Hayat Unani Medical College and Research Centre, Department of Mahiyatul Amraz (Pathology), Lucknow,226101

³ Associate Professor at National Institute of Unani Medicine Banglore, department of Ilaj Bit Tadbeer (Regimental Therapy), Kottigapelya Banglore, 560091

⁴ Professor at National Institute of Unani Medicine Banglore, Department of Ilaj Bit Tadbeer (Regimental Therapy), Kottigapelya Banglore, 560091

 

 

Introduction

Malkangni, also known as Celastrus paniculatus Willd., is a significant herb in the Unani system of medicine. It is widely used for its neuropharmacological properties. The seeds and oil of Malkangni are known for their therapeutic benefits, including enhancing memory and cognitive functions. In Unani medicine, Malkangni is considered to have a hot and dry temperament, making it effective for treating conditions related to the nervous system and brain, such as facial paralysis, hemiplegia, and amnesia¹.Malkangni seeds have nervine and brain tonic, diaphoretic, febrifugal, and emetic properties. Seed oil is applied topically to scabies, eczema, wounds, rheumatic pains, and paralysis, and to cure mental depression, and hysteria, and to improve memory. A decoction of seeds is administered to cure leprosy and other skin conditions, rheumatism, paralysis, and gout. Malkangni leaves have antidysenteric and emmenagogue properties. For enlarged veins and pneumonic diseases, a root-bark paste is administered². Due to the multiple side effects of synthetic drugs, it is need of hour to incorporate natural medicine in practice to safeguard patients from the hazardous side effects of these synthetic drugs. In this review, we are describing the medicinal properties and therapeutic applications of Malkangni through the unani medicine perspective and its phytochemical and pharmacological studies. 

Vernacular Names 

Arabic: Qaifur, Tilan; Bengali: Lataphatki; Burma: Myinkongnayoung; Deccan: Malkanguni; English: Intellect tree, Black oil tree, Staff tree; Garhwal: Malkauni; Gujrati: Makngana, Malkangani; Hindi: Jyotishmati, malkakni; Kannada: Kariganne; Kumaon: Makagni, malakoni; Marathi: Kanguni; Malyalam: Palulavam; Panjabi: Samphu, sankhu; Tamil: Atiparichcham, valuluwai; Telgu: Malaerikata, malkangni; Urdu: Malkangani, Sansikrit: Amruta, Jyotishmati, Jyotishka, swarnlata, pita tel, mati priya, vanhiruchi, katumbhi, maghzsudhi, medhya; Sinhalese: Duhudu.^1–4 

Scientific classification

Botanical Name                        Celastrus Paniculatus Willd.

 Kingdome                                  plantae

 Class                                             angiospermae 

 Order                                            celastrales 

 Family                                          celastraceae

 Genus                                           celastrus 

 Species                                         paniculatu

Description in Unani Literatures 

The plant is described by several unani physicians, including Hakim Azam Khan, Hakim Sharif Khan, Hakim Najmul Ghani, and others. They claim that it is a seed that was acquired from Malkangni, an Indian climber (Celastrus paniculata Willd.). It reaches the summit of Qad-i-Adam (height of a man). It has one or two stems with numerous branches; the leaves are more rounded and serrated than those of Morus; the fruits resemble clusters and split into three sections after drying; the seeds are triangular in shape, rough, and contain both yellowish white and blackish red insides. The seeds are enclosed in a capsule (fruit) that ripens in the late summer. This plant produces bitter, unpleasant-smelling, and bitter-tasting seeds that are used to make the medicine^1,2.Rogan malkangni is produced by cold-expelling the Malkangni seeds.⁵One technique for gathering oil is to cover the head of a Deg with a towel that has been partially filled with water and cover the coarsely ground seeds. The head is covered by a Sarposh once the seeds are planted (head cover). To boil, the deg is now placed on fire. The oil from the seeds is carried away by the rising vapours that travel across the cloth and warm the seeds. They eventually touch the roof of the Sarposh (head cover) before falling back. Oil occasionally gathers in the water and is subsequently separated¹.

Malkangni is a woody climber with simple, oval leaves that sporadically develop one by one. The stem's margins are toothed. The shrub produces clusters of greenish-white or greenish-yellow flowers. The fruit on this plant is globose and yellow-orange. Every fruit contains one to six oval-shaped, bitter, and offensively scented yellow or reddish-brown seeds. The Malkangni plant has reddish-brown or pale bark on the outside, with a rough, broken surface. The inside of the bark has a light yellow color  ^6,7 .

Distribution

These enormous climbing shrubs, which may reach a height of up to 10 metres and have golden fruits, are found in India's mountainous regions at elevations of up to 1,800 metres, or 590 feet. Grown in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Bombay, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Jammu Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh ^6–8.

 Parts used (Ajza-i-musta’mla) 

The Unani medical system primarily uses seeds and oil for therapeutic purposes; however, some ailments can also be treated using the leaves³.

 

 

 

A                                                                                                        B

Figure: Malkangni (A) fruits (B) seeds

 

 

Temperament (mizaj) 

The seeds' temperament is third-degree hot and dry ^1,3.

Actions (AF’AAL)

 muqawi-i-bāh (aphrodisiac), muqawwi-i-dimāgh (brain tonic), muqawwi-i-ḥāfiẓa (memory tonic), muqawwi-i-chashm (eye tonic), muqawwi-i-haḍm (digestive tonic), muqawwi-i-jigar (liver tonic), munaffith-i-balgham (expectorant), mushil khafīf (mild laxative), muḥallil-i-awrām (anti-inflammatory), musakkin-i-alam (analgesic), mudirr-i-bawl (diuretic), muddirr-i-ḥayḍ (emmenogogue), mu’arriq (diaphoretic), muwallid-i-ḥarārat (thermogenic), muḥarrik-iishtiha (appetiser), hāḍim ta’ām (digestive), kāsir-i-riyāḥ (carminative), muqi (emetic), \smumsik (retentive), tiryāq sumūm-i-afiyūn (antidote of opium poisoning) etc.

Uses 

Seeds and their oil are used to boost cognition and appetite, improve memory, ease joint discomfort, and lessen headaches (especially in the patients of arthritis) both externally and internally. In particular, it is used to treat conditions such as Laqwa (facial paralysis), Falij (hemiplegia), Dard-i-Zanu (thigh pain), Dard-i-Sar (headache), Waja' al-Ṣadr (chest pain), Niqris (gout), Irq al-Nisa (sciatica), Tashannuj (spasm), Waja' al-Warik (hip pain), Zat al-riya (pneumonia), Zat al-janb (pleurisy), Ḍufi' ḥafiḍa (amnesia), Baraṣ (leucoderma), Ḍiq al-nafas (asthma), etc. Additionally, it is used to treat a number of illnesses, including Su al-Qinia (anaemia), Istisqa (ascites), and Juzām (leprosy) ^1,3.

Dosage (miqdar khurak): 500 mg–1 gm of seeds; 20–40 ml of leaf juice; and 10–15 drops of oil ³.

Adverse effect (mazarrat): It is harmful to younger people who are hot-tempered or live in hot climates. It is also contraindicated during pregnancy because it triggers abortion and gives headaches^1,3.

Correctives (musleh)

Because of the third degree of temperament, it can have some poisonous or unfavourable effects. To counteract them, cold materials like cow milk and cold regimens are utilised ^1,3.

Badal: In Unani medicine, drugs can sometimes be substituted for one another when one is absent or not available. Clove oil, or roghan Qarnful, is a suitable replacement for roghan malkangni³.

Compound Formulations

‘Asbi⁹, Habb-i-Sar’ Khas⁹, Halwa-i-Malkangni¹⁰, Dawa-i-Takor¹¹, Majun Nishat Angaiz⁹, Roghan Malkangni¹², Tila-i-Ajib¹¹, Tila-i-Khas al-Khas⁹, Tila-i-Benazir⁹, Tila-i-Iksir⁹,Tila-i-Nishatangaiz⁹, Zimad Kharatin Shangarfi⁹, Zimad Muqawwi⁹

Chemical constituents 

Seeds 

Sesquiterpene alkaloids

Celapanin, Celapagine, Celapanigine

Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats

Sesquiterpene ester

1α, 6β, 8β-triacetoxy-9β-benzoyloxydihydro beta-agarofuran along 

with the some known compounds which are 1α, 6β, 8α-triacetoxy9α-benzoyloxydihydro-beta agarofuran angulatueoid C, and 1α, 6β, 

8β, 14-tetra acetoxy-9α-benzoyloxy dihydro beta-agarofuran from 

the carbon tetrachloride-soluble fraction of Celastrus paniculatus

methanolic seed extract ¹³.

Triterpenoids

Pristimerin ¹⁴

Fatty acids

Palmittic, Oleic, Linoleic and Linolenic acid.

80% of the methanolic extract of seed oil contain Malkanguinol, 

Malkangunin, Paniculatadiol. 

Polyalcohol esters

Malkagunuin, Polyalcohol A, B, C and D ^15,16

Sterols 

Vitamin C, minerals, carbohydrates and proteins are also found in 

the seeds^17,18.

Stem

Wifornine F, Paniculatine A and B alkaloids, are extracted from the stem¹⁹.

Root bark

Alkaloids including n-triacontanol and pristimerin, benzoic acid, uncharacterized quinine, and golden-yellow oil are all present in the petroleum ether extract of Celastrus paniculatus root bark. Found in the outer root bark as qunione, methide, and phenolic triterpenoids are zeylaseral, zeylasterone, and celastrol²⁰.

Tannins are present in Celastrus paniculatus ethanolic extract.

Leaves

Alkaloids, glycosides, and colouring materials are found in leaves. It has dulcitol in it.

Ethnobotanical study 

Celastrus paniculatus is used in traditional Himalayan medicine to cure leprosy, rheumatism, and diarrhea. It is also used in reducing the swelling of the anus and rectum veins, which can cause discomfort and bleeding²¹. Folk remedies for pneumonia include crushed roots²¹. The ground root is used to treat cancer by a Gond tribe in Uttar Pradesh²². Celastrus paniculatus root powder and seed decoction are used to treat rheumatism in the Madhya Pradesh districts of Chendwara and Betul²³. Herbal therapists utilize the oil from Celastrus paniculatus seeds to promote hair growth and smoothness²⁴. The seed oil is applied topically to joints by tribes from Purandhar ²⁵ and Jalgaon and Nandurbar districts of Maharashtra^25,26 to relieve rheumatic discomfort.They also using the oil topically and orally in the morning and evening  to treat paralysis²⁷.

Pharmacological Studies 

Neuromodulating effect:

The alkali extract of Celastrus paniculatus has a neuromodulating impact on rat’s brains by preventing aluminum-induced neurotoxicity in the hippocampus, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex. In all brain regions, it markedly reduced GSH and the activities of SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, sodium/potassium ATPase, and Mg2+ ATPase, and elevated LPO and the activities of ALP, ACP, ALT, and AST in comparison to control rats²⁸.

Anti-nociceptive: Swiss albino mice treated with C. paniculatus seed extract showed notable results in tail immersion, hot plate, and acetic acid-induced writhing test models²⁹.

Effect of tranquilization: At 200 mg/kg, seed oil had a calming effect on cats, rats, mice, and monkeys. It caused mice to become hypothermic and enhanced the effects of hexobarbitone. Additionally, it decreased oxygen consumption, amphetamine-induced hyperactivity, and spontaneous motor activity in mice³⁰.

Learning and memory

According to a study, C. paniculatus impairs learning capacity and dramatically lowers AChE activity in the rat brain after 400 mg/kg body weight of CP oil, also known as Jyotishmati oil, has been administered to the hippocampus, frontal cortex, and hypothalamus³¹. Once more, observations revealed that the oral administration of two grams of Celastrus paniculatus extract per kilogram of body weight in male Wistar albino rats significantly impacted their ability to learn and remember³².

Sedation and Anti-convulsion activity

Research showed that the seeds of C. paniculatus Willd. had anti-convulsive properties when extracted ethanolically and in petroleum ether. Seizures were induced by giving maximal electroshock and pentylenetetrazole in mice. The intraperitoneal administration of petroleum ether extract and ethanolic 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, and 600 mg/kg was done. Seizures' latency, the time of death, and the mortality percentage were all noted. Significant protection was provided by both extracts against convulsions caused by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and maximum electroshock (MES). The outcome suggests that the plant extract of C. paniculatus Willd.may be effective in treating convulsions³³.

Antioxidant

An important protective impact against H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity and DNA damage in human non-immortalized fibroblasts supports the dose-dependent scavenging ability and protective effect on DNA cleavage indicated by the methanolic extract of C. paniculatus³⁴.

Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory

In the carrageenan-induced pedal edema in rats and the hot water tail immersion test in mice, a methanol extract of C. paniculatus flowers demonstrates analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties³⁴.

Male Wistar rats weighing 120–150 g were given an absolute ethanol extract of Celastrus paniculatus seeds developed by Kulkarni and colleagues in 2015³⁵. The alcoholic extract of Celastrus paniculatus seeds had a significant anti-inflammatory effect in experimental evaluation, potentially due to its suppression of prostaglandin production and IL-1β. 

Antifungal activity

The antifungal efficacy of a methanolic extract derived from the roots and aerial parts of three plants viz Acorus calamus, Tinospora cordifolia, and Celastrus paniculatus were examined by Singh et al. (2010) in relation to species of Helminthosporium, Fusarium, Bipaloris, and Curvularia lunata³⁶. Doses of 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 μg/ml were employed. The outcome has shown that Celastrus paniculatus exhibited superior efficacy against Celastrus lunate and Fusarium when administered at 5000μg/ml.

Conclusion

Malkangni is one of the most important herbal drug that has been used extensively in the Unani system of medicine both orally and locally for various disorders including neurological, musculoskeletal, dermatological, rheumatism etc. Ethnobotanical studies on Malkangni's traditional uses and pharmacological studies on its neuromodulating, anti-nociceptive, tranquilizing, learning and memory enhancing, sedative, anti-convulsive, antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties have shown promising results. Further research on Malkangni's efficacy and safety can contribute to the development of novel therapeutic interventions.

Conflict of interest: None declared.

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