KAKANASIKA (Seed)
Kakanasika consists of dried seed of Martynia annua Linn. Syn. M diandra Glox. (Fam. Martyniacem); an annual herb found throughout the country in waste places.
SYNONYMS
Sansk. : Kakangi, Sirobal, Cerasnaya
Assam. : —
Beng. : Kurki, Kaih, Baghnoki
Eng. : Tiger’s Claw, Devil’s Claw
Guj. : —
Hindi. : Bichu Hathajori, Kawathodi
Kan. : Garuda Mugu
Kash. : —
Mal. : —
Mar. : Vinchuachajada
Ori. : —
Punj. : Kaktundi, Bichu, Hathajari
Tam. : Kakatundi
Tel. : Garudamukku, Telukondikaya
Urdu. : —
DESCRIPTION
a) Macroscopic
Seed oblong, hard, woody, 2-5 cm long and 1.5-1.7 cm wide; surface wrinkled, light brown to black; two sharp recurved hooks present at anterior end; four prominent grooves present each on convex and concave side and on lateral sides, 2-4 hairy spines present inside groove on concave side; no taste and odour.
Powder– Black and rough; shows groups of thick-walled cells, numerous fibres, unicellular hairs and oil globules.
IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH
Foreign matter Not more than 2 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.2
Total ash Not more than 3 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.3
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 1 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.4
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 3 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.6
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 3 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.7
T.L.C. –
T.L.C. of the alcoholic extract on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Toluene: Ethylacetate (9:1) shows under U.V. (366 nm) two fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.66 and 0.95 (both blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour four spots appear at Rf. O.11, 0.42, 0.57 and 0.95 (all yellow). On spraying with Vanillin-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate for ten minutes at 1050 C four spots appear at Rf. 0.11, 0.42, 0.57 and 0.95 (all violet).
CONSTITUENTS – Fixed Oil- (Semidrying type).
PROPERTIES AND ACTION
Rasa : Madhura
Guna : Sita
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Pittaghna, Dardhyakara, Rasayana
IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Cyavanprasa, Aveleha, Tryusanadi Ghrta
THERAPEUTIC USES – Palita
DOSE – 2-5 g.