CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

The Vitex negundo L. which is also locally known as the Lagundi is an erect shrub that usually grows up to an average of five meters in height. Lagundi has a single, thick, woody stem like a trunk and is usually seen in swamps of the Philippines. Lagundi leaves appear palmately, in the form of five pointed leaves which splay out like the fingers of a hand. Lagundi leaves are 5-foliate, rarely with 3 leaflets only. Lagundi leaves are 4-10 cm long, slightly hairy beneath. The lagundi flowers are blue to lavender, 6-7 mm long bearing fruit globose of about 4mm in diameter that turns black when rip. Lagundi grows in the Philippines and has been traditionally used as herbal medicine. The Philippine Department of Health has conducted research and study for Lagundi and has suggested that the lagundi plant has a number verifiable therapeutic value. Since it grows in the Philippines, which is an archipelago, it is known in different names depending on which part of the country it is. Tugas (Cebuano); Molave-aso, Magupay (Surigaonon); Dangla, Lino-lino (Ilongot); Dabatan(Ifugao); Lingei (Bontoc); Sagarai (Bagobo); five-leaved Chaste Tree (English). Lagundi is generally used for the treatment of coughs, asthma symptoms, and other respiratory problems, Lagundi is also known for its analgesic effect that helps alleviate pain and discomfort. The lagundi is also used for the relief of asthma and pharyngitis. It is also

recommended as relief of rheumatism, dyspepsia, boils and diarrhea. Health care practitioners also prescribe is as treatment for colds, cough, fever, flu and other bronchopulmonary disorders. It is also said to alleviate symptoms of Chicken Pox and removes worms from the body system. Today, pharmaceutical companies sell it in capsule form at drug stores. The root is reported to be tonic, febrifuge, and expectorant. The root is also used in a great variety of diseases: dyspepsia, colic, rheumatism, worms, boils, and leprosy. The flowers are used in diarrhea, cholera, fever, and diseases of the liver, and are also recommended as a cardiac tonic. The seeds make a cooling medicine for skin diseases and leprosy, and for inflammation of the mouth. The leaves are reported to be used for coughs and asthma. (Philippine Medicinal Plants; Huang Jing Zi) Vitex negundo (family: Verbenaceae), is an important medicinal plant found throughout India. Though almost all of its parts are used in Ayurvedic and Unani systems of medicine, the extracts from its leaves and roots are the most important in the field of medicine and drug. Its leaves and seeds are widely used externally for rheumatism and inflammations of joints and are also reported to have insecticidal properties. Internally, decoction of its leaves is taken as diuretic, expectorant, vermifuge, tonic and febrifuge. The chemical components of the essential oil of leaf isolated from V. negundo and other Vitex species have been reported by several researchers in the past. Its essential oil is found to be useful for sloughing wounds and ulcers. The leaves of V. negundo are reported to possess pesticidal, antifungal and antibacterial properties so in the present study, besides GC/MS analysis of fresh leaves, flowers and dried fruits, the antibacterial potential of all three different oils and five

successive extracts was studied. (Essential Oil Composition and Antibacterial Studies of Vitex negundo Linn. Extracts; S. L. Khokra et al.) Lagundi or Vitex negundo is a large shrub native to the Philippines which has been used as a traditional herbal medicine for centuries. Research on lagundi conducted by the Philippine Department of Health has suggested that the plant has a number of practical uses, and the use of lagundi is actively promoted by the government as a result. Outside of the Philippines, preparations of lagundi are sometimes available at stores which supply herbal medicines, or through practitioners of herbal and alternative medicine. This plant is native to the swamps of the Philippines, where it can sometimes grow quite tall. It has a single thick, woody stem like a trunk, and the leaves appear palmately, in the form of five pointed leaves which splay out like the fingers of a hand. The leaves, root, flowers, and seeds of lagundi all appear to have medicinal value. Preparations of lagundi have been used for a wide variety of complaints traditionally, although scientific research has concentrated on its use for respiratory complaints. Lagundi is generally accepted in the Philippines to be useful for coughs, asthma symptoms, and other respiratory problems, and the Philippine government actively promotes it as an alternative to Western cough medicines. Some doctors also prescribe lagundi to assist in the treatment of asthma, as regular doses appear to reduce the strength of asthma attacks. (Retrieved from:

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-lagundi.htm) Commonly known as Lagundi in the Philippines, Vitex Negundo is a large shrub with thin and greyish bark and bluish-purple flowers. It has finger-like structured

(digitate) leaves which grow in quadrangular branches. It bears flowers that develop in to clusters within densely matted filaments. V. Negundo is considered as a hardy plant because it can thrive even in the most extreme conditions though they are commonly found among humid areas or along courses of water. V.Negundo has gained popularity due to its medicinal value. More recent studies show its proven effectiveness to treat common illnesses such as cough and colds, to name a few. Vitex Negundo is widely used on par with other proven herbal plants in traditional medicine. Its significance is known since the early times. As a matter of fact, it is vastly promoted and recommended by different health institutions worldwide upon verification of its use in relieving symptoms of respiratory ailments. Other scientific findings also claim that almost every part of this plant serves a variety of medicinal purposes such as remedy for febrile state, inflammation, rheumatic conditions, wounds, and ulcers. AS ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AGENT During an episode of inflammation several chemical mediators are released which increase blood flow and extravasation of fluid through the area of affectation. One of these mediators is prostaglandin. It activates inflammatory response, produces pain sensations, and even induces increase in body temperature (known as fever). The leaves of the V.Negundo have essential phytochemicals that are said to be effective in treating acute or sub-acute inflammations and pain. Its action is geared primarily on the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis . Such action was said to be achieved all alone or in conjunction with other commonly used anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen. AS ANALGESIA

As

mentioned

earlier,

pain

results from

prostaglandin

synthesis. The

phytochemical extracts from the leaves of V.Negundo act on inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandin. Hence, pain and discomfort is reduced or alleviated. In addition, there are various studies showing that sub-therapeutic doses of leaf extracts increase the analgesic effects of some standard pain-relieving medications such as Meperidine (a type of narcotic) and Aspirin. There are also several experimental studies involving administration of V.Negundo extracts which indicates that its analgesic effect is not associated with opiod-mediated receptors as evidenced by its lack of response to Naloxone, a potent narcotic antagonist. RELIEF OF RESPIRATORY AILMENTS Vitex Negundo has properties that can treat a wide array of illnesses. It has essential phytochemicals which are effective in treating common respiratory ailments and asthma. Studies show that they work to alleviate cough, colds, and pharyngitis. Its properties are also capable of inhibiting the production of leukotriene, also a mediator of inflammatory process, in mast cells associated with asthma attack. AS ANTI-MICROBIAL Certain bioactive phytochemicals present in Vitex Negundo, namely phenols, terpenoids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, and carotenoids are said to be associated in the antibacterial capabilities of the plant. Examinations showed that certain pathogenic agents such as salmonella paratyphi, klebsiella pneumonia, streptococcus mutans, and vibrio cholera are susceptible to these innate bioactive agents.

(Retrieved from: http://thesingernurse.hubpages.com/hub/VITEX-NEGUNDO-TheMulti-Purpose-Medicinal-Plant) The Philippine Department of Health has certified Lagundi (five-leaved chaste tree) as a medicinal plant for treatment of cases like colds, flu, pharyngitis, and asthma. These products are approved by the Bureau of Food and Drugs. The Department of Science and Technology has performed numerous studies on Lagundi (five-leaved chaste tree). Phytochemical studies have revealed that chaste tree contains chrysoplenol D, a smooth muscle relaxant with anti-histamine properties. It also contains isoorientin, casticin, luteolin-7-0-glucoside, among other things, which exhibit an anti-histamine effect. Chaste tree also shows leukotriene release inhibition, an important mechanism in controlling asthma. Also, recent study indicates that the chaste tree extract is one of promising cancer prevention substance. We are applying Lagundi tea to cancer patients and the result is remarkable. Reduced cancer cells are reported on some patients. In USA, from California, especially in Texas, to the most part of Florida, you can find chaste trees around. It is a beautiful tree and one of tourist attraction during autumn season in Japan. Most vitex negundo trees are located within National Parks of Japan. Japanese pharmaceutical companies import tons of it from Philippines, because of its wild and non-cultivated quality. (Five-leaved Chaste Tree or Lagundi Vitex Negundo L.; Junji Takano)