| Latin Names |
Sanskrit Names |
Saxifraga ligulata (Wall.)
Syn. Bergenia ciliata, B. ligulata.
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Pasanabheda |
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 History
The rhizome was a well known Indian drug, mentioned
by the name PASANADHEDA or Stonebreaker. It was believed to
break the rock, in which it lived. It was used to dissolve
gravel or stone in the bladder and act as a diuretic.
Habitat
It grows in the temperate
Himalayas between altitudes of 900 and 3,000 m. |
Morphology Description (Habit)
It is a perennial herb with stout rootstock. The leaves are
variable, coarsely hairy, sparsely hairy to glabrous,
broadly obovate or elliptic, finely or sparsely denticulate
or shallowly sinuate-dentate. The flowers are white, pink or
purple, in long cymose panicles. Capsules are rounded. The
rhizome is buff-brown color outside and pinkish brown
inside. The market sample is transversely wrinkled or
irregularly shrivelled with exfoliating, thin bark, having
rootlets or thin scars, buds and scaly leaves.
Principal Constituents
The rhizome contains an active principle, bergenin (0.6%)1.
Pharmacology
It is reported to be helpful in dissolving kidney stones. In
lower doses, the extract is mildly diuretic2.
Toxicology
In higher doses it is cardio-toxic, shows anti-diuretic
action, and has depressant action on the central nervous
system3.
Indications
It is given to dissolve kidney stones and also as a
diuretic.
References
- Jain & Gupta, J Indian Chem Soc, 1962, 39, 559.
- Sharma et. al., J Res Indian Med, 1975, 10 (4), 7 &
Pathak & Karnick, Nagarjun, 1979-80, 23, 242.
- Sharma et. al., J Res Indian Med, 1975, 10 (4), 7;
Seth et. al., ibid, 1974, 9 (2), 1; Shah & Joshi, Econ Bot,
1971, 25, 414; Pathak & Karnick, Nagarjun, 1979-80, 23,
242.
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