Introduction: Over the past few years, there has been a huge surge of interest towards Ayurvedic system of medicine, and it has become a subject of intensive research for various aspects. However, variation in the languages and prevalence of folklore medicines has led to confusion in the true identity of different plants having similar name. Moreover, the description of a plant in the ancient literature is found in verses, having ample use of synonyms. These synonyms have caused controversy in the identification of plants and, hence, the correct source of the plant could be misleading.
Background: Since herbal products are generally prepared using extracts of plants known for particular activity, the controversial source sometimes may lead to preparation of inefficacious medicines.
Review Results: Substantial efforts are being made to standardize the Ayurvedic crude drugs as well as finished Ayurvedic medicines. However, these initiatives imperatively need establishing correct identity of the plant drug. Moorva is an important controversial drug in Ayurveda. Its roots are used for thetreatment of various disorders. Five different plants are considered as Moorva throughout India. Only preliminary pharmacognostic reports are available on these five species.
Conclusion: The present review aims at differentiating these five sources of Moorva roots, i.e., C.fragrans, H.isora, M.arenaria, S.roxburghiana and Marsdeniatenacissima.
Akila, B., &Manickavasakam, K. (2014). ChandrakanthiChoornam: Siddha Medicine indicated for Oligospermia – A Review. Indo American Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 4(7), 3118-3125.
Arulanandraj, C.N., Punithavani, T., &Indumathy, (2011). Effect of moorva (Maeruaoblongifolia) on alloxan induced diabetes in rats. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 2(10), 2754-2756.
http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.2(10).2753-56
Baka, Z.A.M. (2010). Antifungal activity of six Saudi medicinal plant extracts against five phyopathogenic fungi. Archives of Phytopathology and Plant Protection, 43(8), 736-743.
https://doi.org/10.1080/03235400802144595
Basniwal, P.K., Suthar, M., Rathore, G.S., Gupta, R., Kumar, V., Pareek, A., &Jain, D. (2009). In vitro antioxidant activity of hot aqueous extract of Helicteresisora Linn. Fruits. Natural Product Radiance, 8(5), 483-487.
Bean, M.F., Antoun, M., Abramson, D., Chang, C.J., McLaughlin, J.L.,&Cassady, J.M. Cucurbitacin B and Isocucurbitacin B: cytotoxic components of Helicteresisora.Journal of Natural Products, 48(3), 500-500.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578X19858814
Bhavsar, S.K., Foller, M., Gu, S., Vir, S., Shah, M.B., Bhutani, K.K., Dev, D.S., &Lang, F. (2009). Involvement of the PI3K/AKT pathway in the hypoglycemic effects of saponins from Helicteresisora. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 126(3),386-396.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2009.09.027
Bhat, B.A.,Elachezhiyan, C., &Sethupathy, S. (2012). In vitroantioxidative role of Helicteresisora. International Journal of Bioassays, 1(12), 177-183.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/3818945
Chakrabarti, R., Vikramadithyan, R.K., Mullangi, R., Sharma, V.M., Jagadheshan, H., Rao, Y.N., Sairam, P., &Rajagopalan, R. (2002). Antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activity of Helicteresisora in animal models. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 81(3), 343-349.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(02)00120-4
Chandra, A. &Rajput, R. (2011).Chonemorphafragrans, An endangered medicinal plant: a review. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Erudition, 1(3), 10-16.
Chandra, A., &Rajput, R. (2011). Standardization and phytochemical screening of Chonemorphafragrans root powder. Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, 3(1), 759-765.
Chandrachood, P.S., Kamble, G.S., Kulkarni, M., Nirmala, R., &Kashalkar, R.V. (2016). Identification of Metals Found in the Leaves of ChonemorphaFragrans. Biosciences Biotechnology Research Asia, 6(2), 811-814.
Dayal, R., Singh, A., Ojha, R.P., &Mishra, K.P. (2015). Possible therapeutic potential of Helicteresisora (L.) and it’s mechanism of action in diseases. Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies, 3(2), 95-100.
Dhevi, R., Gayathri, K., Shabi, M.M., Subashini, U., Dubey, G.P., Rajamanickam, G.V., &Chitra, M. (2008). A preliminary biochemical screening of Helicteresisora L. stem bark in carbon tetrachloride induced toxicity in rats. Bulgarian Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 11(4), 235-242.
Dobriyal, R.M., &Ananthanarayana, D.B. (2009). Controversial Nomenclature of Ayurvedic drugs. Challenges for Scientists, 3(5), 1-7.
Duraisankar, M., Manjula, D., &Shanmugasundram, P. (2015).Hepatoprotective activity of alcoholic extract of Chonemorphafragrans root in against Paracetamol and Isoniazid-induced liver damage in rats. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Technology and Research, 8(7), 232-242.https://doi.org/10.4103/0253-7613.30763
Ekero, D., Legesse, M., Lelago, A., &Agize, M. (2018). Extraction, Isolation and Characterization of Maeruaoblongifolia (Sanagana). International Journal of Current Researchin Biosciencesand Plant Biology, 5(3), 42-48. https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcrbp.2018.503.006
Goel, A., Nishkam,A., &Gautam, S. (2006). Physical properties of Agro-based Textile Fibre: Murva (Sansevieriatrifasciata). Pantnagar Journal of Research, 3(24),72-76.
Haldar, P.K., Kar, B., Bhattacharya, S., Bala, A., &Kumar, R.B.S. (2010). Antidiabetic activity and modulation of antioxidant status by Sansevieriaroxburghiana rhizome in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. DiabetologiaCroatica, 39(4), 115-123.
Huang, Z., Lin, H., Wang, Y., Cao, Z., Lin, W., & Chen, Q. (2013). Studies on the anti‑angiogenic effect of Marsdeniatenacissima extract in vitro and in vivo. Oncology Letters, 5(3), 917-922. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2013.1105
Jiang, S., Qiu, L., Li, Y., Li, L., Wang, X., Liu, Z., & Wang, H. (2016). Effects of Marsdeniatenacissima polysaccharide on the immune regulation and tumor growth in H22 tumor-bearing mice. Carbohydrate Polymers, 137(2), 52-58.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.10.056
Kulkarni, P.H., &Shahida, A. (2004). The Ayurvedic Plants. Sri Satguru Publications, Indological and Oriental publishers, New Delhi, 177-181.
Kulkarni, A. V., Patwardhan, A. A., Upadhye, A. S., &Malpathak, N. P. (2011). Pharmacognostic evaluation of Chonemorpha grandiflora, an endangered medicinal plant. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 2(10), 2690.
http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.2(10).2690-93
Kumar, R.R., Ray, N.M., &Das, A.K. (2005). Skeletal muscle relaxant effect of Chonemorphamacrophylla in experimental animals.Indian Journal of Pharmacology, 37(2), 116-120.https://doi.org/10.4103/0253-7613.15113
Kumar, G., &Murgesan, A.G. (2008).Hypolipidaemic effect of extracts of Helicteresisora L. bark extracts in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Journal of Pharmacology, 116(1), 161-166.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.10.056
Kumar, T.M., Christy, A.M., Ramya, R.C., Malaisamy, M., Sivaraj, C., Arjun, P., Raaman, N., &Balasubramanian, K. (2012). Antioxidant and anticancer activity of Helicteresisora dried fruit solvent extracts. Journal of Academic and Industrial Research, 1(3), 148-152.
Kumar, N., &Singh, A.K. (2014). Plant profile, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Avartani (Helicteresisora Linn.): A review. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 4, S22-S26.https://doi.org/10.12980/APJTB.4.2014C872
Lambade, P., &Thorat, A. (2017). Efficacy of murva (SansevieriaroxburghianaSchult. and Schult. f.) as a suture material in closure of incisions in third molar surgeries: A prospective study. National Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery, 8(1), 19-22.
https://doi.org/10.4103/njms.NJMS_42_15
Li, C., Yang, S. C., Guo, Q. S., Zheng, K. Y., Shi, Y. F., Xiao, X. F., & Long, G. Q. (2014). Determining the geographical origin of the medicinal plant Marsdeniatenacissima with multi-element analysis and data mining techniques. Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems, 136, 115-120.https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-014-0860-x
Lochan K. Ayurvedic Thesaurus or ParyayaKosa (Herbs and Diseases). Chaukhambha Publications, New Delhi, 2007.
Madhavan, V., Shukla, A. K., Murali, A., Usha, M., &Yoganarasimhan, S. N. (2010). Antipyretic activity studies of two botanical sources of the drug Murva.Asian Journal of Traditional Medicines, 5(5), 171-180.
Madhavan, V., Munisamy, U., Yoganarasimhan, S., Gurudeva, M., Rajamanickam, D., Saravanan, S., &Mythreyi, R. (2012).Pharmacognostical studies on the roots of Maeruaoblongifolia (Forsk.) A Rich (Capparaceae). Asian Journal of Traditional Medicines, 7(1), 29-38.https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8070610
Moideen, M.M.J., &Raffick, M.M. (2012). Antibacterial. Antifungal Activity and Phytochemical Analysis of Sanseviveriaroxburghiana root. International Journal of Phytopharmacology,3(1), 21-26
Moglad, E.H.O, Abdalla, O.M, Algadir, H.A., Koko, W.S., &Saadabi, A.M. (2014).In vitro antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of Maeruaoblongifolia. International Journal of Medical Sciences, 1(3), 32-37.https://doi.org/10.3897/folmed.63.e56840
Nair, R. V. (2004). Controversial drug plants. Universities Press., 129-131.
Obydulla, O. (2016). SansevieriaroxburghianaSchult. &Schult. F., Agavaceae: phytochemistry, traditional uses and its pharmacological activities-a review. World Scientific News, 59, 24-34.
Pang, X., Kang, L. P., Fang, X. M., Zhao, Y., Yu, H. S., Han, L. F., & Ma, B. P. (2017). Polyoxypregnane glycosides from the roots of Marsdeniatenacissima and their anti-HIV activities. Planta Medica, 83(01/02), 126-134.
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-108057
Quattrocchi, U. (2012). CRC world dictionary of medicinal and poisonous plants: common names, scientific names, eponyms, synonyms, and etymology (5 Volume Set). CRC press.
Rao, J. K., &Reddi, T. V. V. (2018). Ethnomedicine for aphrodisiac by the tribes of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh. Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources (IJNPR)[Formerly Natural Product Radiance (NPR)], 9(3), 267-272.https://doi.org/10.56042/ijnpr.v9i3.12092
Rathore, M. S., &Shekhawat, N. S. (2011). Micropropagation of Maeruaoblongifolia: A rare ornamental from semi arid regions of Rajasthan, India. Journal of Developmental Biology and Tissue Engineering, 3(8), 92-98.https://doi.org/10.5897/JDBTE.9000015
Roy, J., Kuddus, M., Begum, B., & Choudhury, H. (2012). Evaluation of analgesic, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of SansevieriaroxburghianaSchult. and Schult. f. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 2(2), S723-S726.https://doi.org/10.1016/S2221-1691(12)60303-7
Sabale, P. M., Grampurohit, N. D., Banerjee, S. K., Gaikwad, D. D., &Gadhave, M. V. (2012). Recent advances on the phytochemical and pharmacological profile of plant Helicteresisora Linn. International Research Journal of Pharmacy, 3(4), 14-7.https://doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2016.v9s2.12178
Shriram, V., Jahagirdar, S., Latha, C., Kumar, V., Dhakephalkar, P., Rojatkar, S., &Shitole, M. G. (2010). Antibacterial &antiplasmid activities of Helicteresisora L. Indian Journal of Medicine Research, 132, 94-99. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2018.02618
Sethiya, N. K., Nahata, A., Mishra, S. H., & Dixit, V. K. (2009). An update on Shankhpushpi, a cognition-boosting Ayurvedic medicine. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 7(11), https:doi.org/1001-1022. 10.3736/jcim20091101
Sethiya, N. K., Thakore, S. G., & Mishra, S. H. (2009). Comparative evaluation of commercial sources of indigenous medicine shankhpushpi for anti-stress potential a preliminary study. Pharmacology Online, 2, 460-467.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaim.2017.08.012
Singh, A. (2008). Contribution of dravyaguna to herbal materiamedica. Ethnobotanical Leaflets, 2008(1), 79.https://doi.org/0.4103/2231-4040.82948
Sethi, P. (2013). Biological characterisation of the rhizome of SansevieriaroxburghianaSchult. Schult. f.(Agavaceae). Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 7(17), 1201-1203.
https:doi.org/10.5897/JMPR11.1649
Shah, V. C., D’sa, A. S., & de Souza, N. J. (1989). Chonemorphine, stigmasterol, and ecdysterone: steroids isolated through bioassay-directed plant screening programs. Steroids, 53(3-5), 559-565.https://doi.org/10.1016/0039-128x(89)90031-7
Sundara, K.S., Madhavan, V. (2016). Anticonvulsant activity of ethanol and aqueous extract of Maeruaoblongifolia (Forsk.) A. Rich. Root in albino mice. International Journalof Pharmaceutical Sciences, 8, 46-49.https://doi.org/10.1179/1743132814Y.0000000460
Tambekar, D. H., Khante, B. S., Panzade, B. K., Dahikar, S. B., &Banginwar, Y. S. (2008). Evaluation of phytochemical and antibacterial potential of Helicteresisora L. fruits against enteric bacterial pathogens. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 5(3), 290-293.https://doi.org10.4314/ajtcam.v5i3.31285
Vaidya, B. G. (1982). Some controversial drugs in Indian medicine (No. 33). ChaukhambhaOrientalia.
Van Vuuren, S. F., &Viljoen, A. M. (2006). The in vitro antimicrobial activity of toothbrush sticks used in Ethiopia. South African Journal of Botany, 72(4), 646-648.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2006.03.009
Varghese, E., Narayanan, S.S., Gopal, R.V., Nair, A., Chittethu, A.B., &Anson, T.A. Anticancer activity of chloroform extract of Helicteresisora. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Technology, 3, 2560-2564.
https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2021.2313-2316
Wang, P., Yang, J., Zhu, Z., & Zhang, X. (2018). Marsdeniatenacissima: a review of traditional uses, Phytochemistry and pharmacology. The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 46(07), 1449-1480.https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X18500751
Wilson. (1864). On the medical and surgical sciences of the Hindua. Oriental Magazine, London, 3, 269-76 and 380-93.
Ye, B., Li, J., Li, Z., Yang, J., Niu, T., & Wang, S. (2014). Anti-tumor activity and relative mechanism of ethanolic extract of Marsdeniatenacissima (Asclepiadaceae) against human hematologic neoplasm in vitro and in vivo. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 153(1), 258-267.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.02.035