R HAQUE, S SAHA, T BERA
Chlorophytum borivilianum Santapau & Fernandes (Liliaceae) is a very popular herb in traditional Indian medicine and constitute a group of herbs used as ?Rasayan? or adaptogen Thirteen species of Chlorophytum have been reported from India [2,14,17,18, ] All these species differ in appearance, native species are sold as ?Safed musli? in the Indian drug market. Major biochemical constituents of safed musli are carbohydrates 42%, protein 80-90%, fibres 3 - 4%, saponins 2 -17% and alkaloids 15 - 25% [3]. Primarily saponins and alkaloids impart medicinal value. Chlorophytum borivilianum has therapeutic application in ayurvedic system of medicine [2,3,17] Fasciculated roots of Chlorophytum borrivillianum is used as tonic and constitute and important ingredient of 20 ayuervedic and unani preparation. Roots are used for the preparation of nutritional tonic used in general sexual weakness. Administration of Chlorophytum borivilianum root power also increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes and vitamin C levels which may have enhanced the antioxidant capacity of the live]. Chlorophytum tuberosum Baker commonly referred as Safed Musli has been widely used as a potent "Rasayna? drug in Ayurveda as a rejuvenator and tonic . The aqueous extract of Chlorophytum borivilianum(250mg/kg for 7 days) significantly reverted levels of plasma glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and serum corticosterone and also reduced the ulcer index, adrenal gland weight more as effectively as standard drugs(diazepam) in rats.
