Kakajangha/ Peristrophe bicalyculata Nees – Ayurvedic Properties, Medicine & More

Abstract

Peristrophe bicalyculata (Retz.) Nees, belonging to the family Acanthaceae, is a lesser-known herb in Unani medicine but widely utilised in Ayurveda for its therapeutic benefits. It is distributed throughout India and locally known as “Chaksini” in regions like Aligarh. In Unani texts, it is referred to as “Massi” or “Kakajangha,” with “Massi” being the most relevant term. Traditionally, the plant is used to manage a variety of conditions such as fever, cough, cold, insomnia, headache, leucorrhea and even for snake bites and sprains. Scientific investigations have highlighted its neuropharmacological properties, including anticonvulsant, narcotic and CNS depressant effects. Additionally, studies have confirmed its antibacterial, antidiabetic and lipid-lowering (antilipidemic) activities, supporting its traditional uses with pharmacological evidence.

Kakajangha/ Peristrophe bicalyculata Nees

Introduction

Peristrophe bicalyculata (Acanthaceae), known as Kakajangha in Sanskrit and Kaliadhedi in Gujarati, is an annual herb that grows wild across India. Traditionally, it has been recommended in the management of tuberculosis, and in Uttar Pradesh, its paste is commonly applied for sprains and bone fractures. The herb is recognised for multiple therapeutic actions, including expectorant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and antibacterial properties. Various Ayurvedic formulations utilise the root, seed, or whole plant, highlighting its diverse applications. Moreover, Peristrophe bicalyculata is also considered an effective substitute for Fumaria parviflora, a well-known remedy for fevers and skin ailments in Ayurvedic practice.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Angiosperms
Class: Eudicots
Order: Lamiales
Family: Acanthaceae
Genus: Peristrophe
Species: Peristrophe bicalyculata

Synonyms

Kakajangha
Nadikanta
Kaakatiktha
Sulomasha
Paravatapadi
Dasi Kaaka
Prachibala
Madhubhushan

Vernacular Names

Bengali Name – Nasabhaga
Hindi Name – Kakajangha, Masi, Kali Aghedi
Kannada Name – Cheebi Gida, Cheebera Soppu
Malayalam Name – Katou-pulcholli
Sanskrit Name – Sulomasha, Kakajangha, Nadikanta
Tamil Name – Nagananda
Telugu Name – Velama Sandhi, Chebira
Marathi Name – Ran Kirayt

Habitat

Peristrophe bicalyculata is naturally distributed across several tropical regions, including India, Myanmar, Vietnam, and parts of Tropical Africa. It thrives in warm, humid climates and is commonly found growing wild in open fields, forest edges and along roadsides in these countries. The plant’s adaptability to a variety of soil types and environmental conditions contributes to its widespread occurrence across these diverse geographic areas.

Morphology

Peristrophe bicalyculata (Retz.) Nees is a small, erect and hairy annual herb that typically grows between 20–90 cm in height. The young shoots are four-sided, while mature stems develop into six-sided structures, both covered with spreading white bristly hairs. The leaves are ovate, arranged oppositely, either equal or unequal, with an acuminate tip and entire margins, measuring around 2.5–7.5 cm in length and 2.0–4.0 cm in width. They are more hairy on the lower surface and have a petiole ranging from 6–12 mm. The flowers are pink, about 1 cm in size, two-lipped with a spreading lower lip and an erect upper lip, usually borne at the tips of branches or in leaf axils, forming a large, loose panicle. Each flower has two stamens with distinct, white, hairy filaments up to 5 mm long. Bracts are two, opposite and unequal, longer than the calyx, with four smaller bracteoles. The pink corolla is about 12 mm long and pubescent externally. The fruit is an ellipsoid capsule, approximately 8 mm long and 2 mm wide, tapering into a cylindrical stalk, pointed and hairy. Each capsule contains four flattened seeds covered with minute papillae. The plant flowers and fruits mainly during the months of August and September.

Classical Categorisation

According to Bhavaprakasha Nighantu – Guduchyadi Varga
According to Raj Nighantu – Shatavahadi Varga
According to Kaiyadeva Nighantu – Aushadi Varga
According to Dhanvantari Nighantu – Karaviradi Varga
According to Shodala Nighantu – Karaviradi Varga

Ancient Verses

काकजङ्घा हिमा तिक्ता कषाया कफपित्तजित् । निहन्ति ज्वरपित्तास्त्रव्रणकण्डूविषक्रिमीन् ॥

(Bhavprakash Nighantu Guduchyadi varga 251)

According to the above shloka, Kakajangha has cold potency, bitter and astringent taste and balances Kapha and Pitta dosha. It is effective in the management of fever, bleeding disorders, wounds, itching, poison and worm infestation.

Ayurvedic Properties

Taste (Rasa) – Bitter (Tikta), Astringent (Kashaya)
Potency (Veerya) – Cold Potency (Sheet)
Effect on tridosha – Balance Pitta and Kapha dosha

Therapeutic Properties

Astringent
Anti-inflammatory
Antipyretic
Antibacterial
Antiseptic
Expectorant
Hemostatic
Vulnerary (wound healing)

Chemical Composition

α-Pinene
β-Pinene
α-Phellandrene
p-Cymene
1,8-Cineole
Linalool
Naphthalene
β-Cyclocitral
α-Cubebene
α-Copaene
β-Bourbonene
β-Cubebene
γ-Caryophyllene
α-cis-Bergamotene
β-Caryophyllene
α-Ionone
β-Gurjunene
α-trans-Bergamotene
Aromadendrene
α-Humulene
trans-β-Farnesene
Alloaromadendrene
γ-Muurolene
Germacrene D
ar-Curcumene
β-Ionone
α-Zingiberene
Germacrene A
β-Bisabolene
γ-Cadinene
δ-Cadinene
Cadina-1,4-diene
α-Cadinene
α-Calacorene
Elemol
trans-Nerolidol
Spathulenol
Globulol
1-epi-Cubenol
ι-Cadinol
Torreyol
α-Cadinol
epi-α-Bisabolol
(2Z,6E)-Farnesol
Heptadecane
Octadecane
6,10,14-Trimethyl-2-pentadecanone
Nonadecane
Farnesyl acetone
Eicosane
Heneicosane
(E)-Phytol
Docosane
Tricosane
Pentacosane
Heptacosane
Nonacosane
Hentriacontane
Alkaloids
Coumarins
Potassium chloride
Saponins
Free sugars
Sterols (stem)
Fatty acids (stem and root)
Free amino acids
A yellowish-brown essential oil (obtained by steam distillation)

Modern Overview

Anticonvulsant Activity

A study was conducted to evaluate the anticonvulsant activity of the aqueous extract of Chaksini (Peristrophe bicalyculata) using the Supra Maximal Electroshock (SMES) model in albino Wistar rats. The extract was administered orally at a dose of 25 mg per 100 g of body weight. The key parameter observed was the duration of the extensor phase of convulsions. In the control group, this phase lasted 10.2 ± 0.17 seconds, while in the treated group it was significantly reduced to 6.95 ± 0.39 seconds, indicating strong anticonvulsant action. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01), suggesting the plant’s potential efficacy in managing conditions like grand mal epilepsy.

Narcotic Effect

An in vivo study was carried out to evaluate the central depressant activity of the aqueous extract of Chaksini (Peristrophe bicalyculata). The extract was administered orally at a dose of 25 mg per 100 g of body weight to rats, and the test was conducted using pentobarbitone sodium-induced narcosis as the model. The findings revealed a significant prolongation of sleep duration, indicating notable central nervous system depressant activity. These results support the traditional use of the plant for calming and sedative effects.

Practical Uses

The plant’s characteristic smell and taste repel bees; hence, honey collectors apply its juice on their bodies before harvesting honey.
The plant is commonly used as fodder for horses.
The mucilage from dried seeds forms fine threads, traditionally used to extract foreign objects from the eyes and ears.
The plant, when macerated in a rice infusion, is used as an antidote for snake venom.
A paste of leaves is applied externally to help set bone fractures.
For sprains and fractures, the entire plant is ground into a paste with salt and applied over the affected area.
In conjunctivitis, two drops of fresh leaf juice are instilled into the eyes twice daily for 2–3 days.
Leaf extract is given to treat fever, cold, cough, malarial fever, and flatulence in cattle.
A poultice of the plant is used externally to manage various skin disorders.
Decoction of the plant mixed with honey is used to kill worms infesting teeth.
Root paste is applied to ulcerative wounds to reduce pain, eliminate odour, and promote healing.

Controversy

There has been some controversy regarding the correct botanical identity of the herb Kakajangha. Several plants, including Leea hirta and Leea macrophylla from the Vitaceae family and Vitex peduncularis and Vitex leucoxylon Linn. from the Verbenaceae family, were previously referred to by this common name. However, among these, Peristrophe bicalyculata (Retz.) Nees has now been correctly identified and widely accepted as the authentic source of Kakajangha. This clarification is important for the accurate use of the herb in traditional medicinal systems like Ayurveda and Unani.

Part Used

Whole plant

Dosage

Powder- 1-5 grams

Ayurvedic Medicines

Maha Vishgarbha Taila

Conclusion

Chaksini (Peristrophe bicalyculata) is a relatively lesser-known herb in the Unani system of medicine, traditionally employed for managing fever, cold, cough, insomnia, headache, and leucorrhea. While it holds a more established place in Ayurvedic practices, particularly among tribal healers and Vaidyas, much of its therapeutic use remains supported by traditional knowledge rather than extensive scientific evidence. Preliminary pharmacological studies have demonstrated its anticonvulsant, narcotic, CNS depressant, antibacterial, antidiabetic and antilipidemic activities. However, more rigorous clinical research is essential to substantiate these traditional claims and fully explore the plant’s medicinal potential.