Phytochemical and pharmacological studies of Vaj Turki ( Acorus calamus Linn . ) & Unani Description – A Review

of Vaj Turki (Acorus calamus Linn.) & Unani Description– A Review 1* Nadir Shahzad, Md. Anzar Alam Naziya Sultana, Abdullah, Kum Asma 1,3 & PG Scholars,Dept. Of Ilmul Advia,National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bengaluru-91 PG Scholar, Dept. Of Moalajat, National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bengaluru-91 PG Scholar, Dept. Of Gynae & Obs, National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bengaluru-91 Email ID:drnadirazmi@gmail.com Mob: +91-8050245210 ABSTRACT: Vaj Turki (Acorus calamus Linn.) is a marshy perennial herb and rhizomes which has been traditionally used as medicine, against different diseases viz; Nisyan (dementia), Zofe Dimagh (Alzheimers disease), Humma (fever), Zeequn Nafs (asthama), Sual Muzmin (chronic cough), Ziabetus (ziabetes), Dyslipidemia, Quroohe Muzmina (chronic ulcer) and mainly for digestive problems such as Dyspepsia (Zofe Hazm, Sue Hazm and Tukhma). A large number of chemical constituents such as phenyl propanoids, sesquiterpenes, monoterpenes as well as xanthone glycosides, flavones, lignans, steroids obtained from the Vaj have been proved to show various pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, immunomodulator, anti-inflammatory, nootropic, antipyretic, anti-asthamatic, hypoglycaemic, hepato-protective, cardioprotective, cytotoxic activity etc. The aim of this review is to provide information regarding Unani description in classical texts and scientific studies at current scenario which will motivate the research scholars on the basis of current scientific updates in their field of research. Key Word: Vaj Turki, Acorus calamus, Unani medicine, Traditional Medicine INTRODUCTION: Acorus calamus is well known medicinal plant commonly known as Vaj Turki belongs to the family of Araceae. Rhizome of this plant is used for medicinal purposes in Unani as well as Ayurveda since ancient time [1]. The Araceae family also known as Arum family contain 115 genera and 2,000 species,of which about 25 genera and over 140 species has been reported in India [2]. All the herbs of the family are rhizomatous or tuberous. It is commercially available in both peeled and unpeeled forms. This perennial herb is commonly found on the banks of streams and in damp marshy places [3]. The genus Acorus is derived from the word “Acoron” meaning the pupil of the eye and the “calamus” is derived from the Greek word Calamos meaning reed [4]. The drug is adulterated with siliceous earth, ground marsh mallow root and cereal flowers [5]. Commercially available Acorus calamus are being adulterated with the rhizomes of Alpinia galangal and Alpinia officinarum in the local market of Calcutta under the name of bachh and ghorbuch [6]. Hippocrates (460377 B.C.) used it medicinally, and in early herbals of the first century Dioscorides and Pliny referred to a plant called acoron, which appears to be sweet flag. Theophrastus (371-287 B.C.) mentioned calamus in his works, and Celsus reported its occurrence in Indian markets just about two thousand years back [7]. In Materia Medica of Hindoostan 1813, it has been mentioned that any druggist who refuses to open the door of his selling in the middle of the night to a parent in need should be penalized, as it was a chief remedial aid for children's stomach complaints and colic in India. The first record of its crop growing was in 1574 by the Austrian botanist Clusius, who obtained a rhizome from Asia Minor and propagated it in Vienna. Its fragrant leaves were used in medieval period on the floors of castles, churches and cottages to help cover odours and keep away insects consequential from poor sanitation [8]. HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION: It is found all over India and Ceylon, in marshes, natural or cultivated, uphill the Himalayas up to 6,000 ft. in Sikkim. It is abundantly found in the marshy tracts of Kashmir and Simoor but commonly in Manipur and Naga Hills [9, 10, 11, 12]. BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION: A semi-aquatic rhizomatous perennial herb, rhizome creeping, much branched, as thick as middle finger, cylindrical or slightly dense, light brown or pinkish brown on the outside, white and spongy inside [9]. Leaves 0.9-1.8 meter long and 1.7-3.8 cm width, bright green, distichous, ensiform, base equitant, thickened in the central point, borders wavy. Flowers light brown, densely packed, sessile, cylindric spadix 5-10 by 1-3.2 cm Nadir Shahzad et al./ International Journal of Pharma Sciences and Research (IJPSR)