2020, Vol. 4 Issue 1, Part APages: 07-11
Suranjan (Colchicum autumnale L. and merendra persica): Great resolvent herbs of Unani system of medicine- a review
Kalam Mohd Afsahul and Farhat Anjum
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Abstract:
Colchicum is a Latin word given by Dioscorides. In Unani System of Medicine its corm is used by the name of Suranjan which is obtained from Colchicum autumnale, Colchicum luteum L. (bitter) and Merendra persica (sweet) from the family Liliaceae. Colchicum luteum L. is distinguished from sweet variety by its bitter taste, small size and reticulated appearance of corms. The plant is widely distributed over Europe and abundant in some parts of England. In India Kashmir is the paradise of medicinal herbs used in Unani and Ayurvedic System of Medicine. Many species include Podophyllum hexandrum, Taxus baccata, Cholchicum luteum, Sausurea costus etc. extracted from Kashmir have gain world fame due to their medicinal and aromatic values. Colchicum luteum L. is one of them, which is used as substitute of Colchicum autumnale L. and found in North Western Himalaya, commonly in Jammu and Kashmir. There are about 70 species in the Genus Colchicum and two are native to India. It is well known for its Musakkin (sedative) and Muhalil (resolvent) properties and used for the treatment of arthritis, gout and other painful diseases. These actions may be attributed due to bioactive compounds isolated from the plant, mainly alkaloids colchicine, colchicoresin, demecolcine etc. This review gives an account of the current knowledge on the morphology, phytochemistry, pharmacological action along with its uses and action in the perspective of Unani System of Medicine and modern researches.