Shatavari

PHARMACOGNOSY

1. SHATAVARI

Synonym

Asparagu, Satmuli.

Biological source

The drug is derived from dried tuberous roots of Asparagus racemosus Wild.

Family- Liliaceae.

Geographical Source

The plant is a climber growing to 1–2 m in length found all over India. And grows
widely throughout the topical regions of Africa, Australia, Asia.


Organoleptic Evaluation-

(1) Roots-The roots are finger-like and clustered. The roots are cylindrical,
fleshy raberous, straight or slightly curved, tapering towards the base and
swollen in the middle; white to colour, 5–15 cm in length and 1–2 cm
diameter, irregular fracture, longitudinal furrows and minute transverse
wrinkles on upper surface.
(2) Taste- bitter in taste.
(3) Odour- Odourless.
(4) Leaves- Liner Green and needle like.


Chemical Constituents

The active constituents are steroidal saponins, such as, Shata-varin I-IV (0.1–
0.2%). The aglycone unit is sarsapogenin. In shatavarin I three glucose and one
rhamnose molecules are attached whereas shatavarin IV possesses two glucose and
one rhamnose molecules. The other compounds isolated from A.
racemosus are β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, their glycosides, sarsasepogenin,
spirostanolic acid, furostanolic saponins, 4,6-dihydroxy-2-O-(2’-hydroxy-isobutyl)
benzaldehyde, undecanyl cetanoate and polycyclic alkaloid asparagamine A.

2. Uses

The root is alterative, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, demulcent, diuretic,
galactogogue and refrigerant. It is taken internally in the treatment of infertility,
loss of libido, threatened miscarriage, menopausal problems, hyperacidity, stomach
ulcers and bronchial infections. Externally it is used to treat stiffness in the joints.
The root is used fresh in the treatment of dysentery.

Marketed Products

It is one of the ingredients of the preparations known as K.G. Tone (Aimil),
Menosan, Diabecon, Galactin, Abana (Hima-laya), Dhatuposhtik churna, Rhuma
oil, Brahmi Rasayan, Mahanarayan tel (Baidyanath), J.P. Massaj oil, Painkill oil
(Jamuna Pharma), Memoplus, Jeevani malt (Chirayu) and Satavari kalp and
Satavarex granules (Zandu).