International Journal of Advanced Scientific Research and Publications ISSN-24549878

International Journal of Advanced Scientific Research

and Publications (IJASRP)
w w w .st ri ng sjo ur n al .c om

Review on Justicia gendarussa and its applications

Raghu.M.G1, Pushpa Agrawal2
1 Department of Biotechnology, Tumkur University, Karnataka, India
2 Department of Biotechnology; C.M.R.T.U; R.V.College of Engineering Campus; Bangalore 560059

Ab s t r a c t

Jus t ic i a g e nda rus s a is a n e ve r g re e n s hrub c o m mo nl y fo und in g re a te r p a rt in I nd ia a nd C hi na . Tra d i t io na l l y Just ic i a ge nd a rus s a is

a n i mp o rta n t he rb a l us e d a s a n Ay u rve d a me d ic i ne . A l a rg e g ro up o f b io l o g ic a l a c tiv e ing re d ie nts a re p re s e nt i n the Jus t i ci a
g e nd a rus s a s o me o f the m a r e vite x i n a nd a p ig e ni n w hic h b e l o ng s to the fl a v o no id g ro up . The p l a nt Jus t ic i a g e nd a rus s a e x hib it
An t i- i nfl a mma to ry , Ca rd io p ro te c tive , a n tic a nc e r fo r v i te x in a nti -p ro s ta te c a nc e r, a v o id l e uk e mia b y a p ig e nin c o mp o u nd p re s e nt
in t he J us tic ia g e nd a rus s a . This re vie w wil l fo c us o n p l a nt, fl a v o no id s (a p ig e nin a nd v i te x in ) a nd its me d ic ina l
e ffe c ts .

Author Information Keywords License

Email: Justicia gendarussa
mg.raghu2@gmail.com Flavonoids
Vitexin
Apigenin

Kannada : Aduthodagidda,Karinekki
INTRODUCTION
Burma : Bavanet, Bawanet
Bombay : Kalaadulsa
Among the innumerable gift of nature belong the fascinating
Marathi : Bakas, Kalaadulsa
varieties of natural in some guise have been inseparable parts of
Sanskrit : Krishnanirgundi, Nilanirgundi,
mankind history, since they fulfill many of our basic requirements.
Hindi : Nilinargandi, Udasanbhalu
The drugs were isolated either from the whole plant or from
Bengal : Jagatmadan, Jogmodon
different parts of the plant like leaves, stem, bark, root, flower and
English : Black vasa, Black Malabar nut
seed. Some drugs are prepared from excretory plant products
Deccan : Kalishanbali
such as gums, resins and latex. Plants have formed on the basis of
Telugu : Addasarambu, Nallavavili,
sophisticated traditional medicine systems among which are DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT:
Ayurvedic, Unani, and Chinese. These systems of medicine have Justicia gendarussa (figure.1) is an erect under shrub, 0.6 to
given rise to some important drugs which are still in use. Natural
1.2 m in height with subterete branches. Leaves are simple,
products derived from plants have historically played an essential
lanceolate or linear lanceolate, 7.5 to 12.5 cm long, glabrous,
role in the discovery of novel new pharmaceuticals. J. gendarussa
short- petioled, pale green beneath and dark violet green
has been utilized to treat chronic rheumatism, inflammations, above, 8 pairs of main nerves, mid rib and main nerves
bronchitis, vaginal discharges, dyspepsia, eye diseases, muscle
prominent on the under surface. Stems and branches are
pain, lumbago, headache, earache, hemiplegia, hair growth
dark violet. Flowers are 5-12.5 cm long from the uppermost
promotion, leucoderma, asthma, antiseptic, haemostatic, nasal
leaf axils; white coloured, spotted with purple and clustered in
bleeding, bone fracture, injuries and fever [1-7].Justicia the interrupted spikes. Fruits glabrous capsules Calyx 3.8-5mm;
gendarussa leaves are used as a contraceptive agent in male
with nearly glabrous linear segments. The leaves and roots are
and female. Chewing of leaves in male reduces the sperm count
acrid, febrifuge, thermogenic, emetic, anodyne,
and in female it postpone pregnancy [8].Root extract obtained
emmenagogue, diaphoretic, insecticidal and
from Justicia gendarussa is mostly prescribed for constipation, antipyretic[12][13].
laxative action helps in normal bowel movement.
J. gendarussa has been considered as rare and endangered
medicinal plant due to its unscientific collection from natural
habitat and over exploitation for commercial purposes to meet
the requirements of various pharmaceutical applications [9-11].
SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION (Justicia gendarussa):
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Scrophulariales
Family: Acanthaceae
Genus: Justicia Fig 1: Shows the Justicia gendarussa
Species: gendarussa DISTRIBUTION;
It is found from northern Luzon to Palawan and Mindanao, in
most islands and provinces, chiefly along streams at low and
VERNACULAR NAMES:
medium altitudes in secondary and primary forests, and
Please cite this article as: Raghu.M.G, Pushpa Agrawal, Review on Justicia gendaruss and its applications, International Journal of Advanced Scientific
Research and Publications, V2-1, page no 05 -08, (2016)

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 International Journal of Advanced Scientific Research and Publications
sometimes in thickets in and about towns, it is rarely planted. Also
occurs in India, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Philippines
and Bangladesh.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS IN JUSTICIA GENDARUSSA:
The quantitative estimation leaves of Justicia gendarussa shows
the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenoide, carotenoids,
phenolic compounds, sugar and alsoThere are several types of
chemical constituent present in the plant (J. Gendarussa) organs
some of the chemical structure is shown below. (2-amino benzyl
alcohol(1),[14], -Sitosterol- D glycoside(2),[15], aromadendrin
(3).
2-amino benzyl alcohol [14] -Sitosterol-D glycoside [15]
Aromadendrin[15]
This chemical molecule comes under phytochemical group.
Phytochemicals are organic compounds found in plants.
Phytochemicals are non-nutritive plant chemicals that have
protective or disease preventive properties. They are non-essential
nutrients, meaning that they are not required by the human body
for sustaining life.
Flavonoids:
Flavonoids are a group of plant metabolites thought to provide
health benefits through cell signalling pathways and antioxidant
effects. These molecules are found in a variety of fruits and
vegetables.
Flavonoids are polyphenolic molecules containing 15 carbon
atoms and are soluble in water. They consist of two benzene rings
connected by a short three carbon chain. One of the carbons in
this chain is connected to a carbon in one of the benzine rings,
either through an oxygen bridge or directly, which gives a third
middle ring. The flavonoids can be divided into six major subtypes,
which include chalcones, flavones, isoflavonoids, flavanones,
anthoxanthins and anthocyanins. Flavonoids are polyphenolic
compounds that are ubiquitous in nature and are categorized,
according to chemical structure, into flavonols, flavones,
flavanones, isoflavones, catechins, anthocyanidins and
chalcones. Over 4,000 flavonoids have been identified, many of
which occur in fruits, vegetables and beverages (tea, coffee,
beer, wine and fruit drinks).
Antioxidants are compounds that protect cells against the
damaging effects of reactive oxygen species, such as singlet
oxygen, superoxide, peroxyl radicals, hydroxyl radicals and
peroxynitrite. An imbalance between antioxidants and reactive
oxygen species results in oxidative stress, leading to cellular
damage. Oxidativestress has been linked to cancer, aging,
atherosclerosis, ischemic injury, inflammation and
neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson's and Alzheimer's).
Flavonoids may help provide protection against these diseases by
contributing, along with antioxidant vitamins and enzymes, to the
total antioxidant defense system of the human body.
Epidemiological studies have shown that flavonoid intake is
inversely related to mortality from coronary heart disease and to
the incidence of heart attacks.
ISSN-24549878
FIG: (2-phenyl-1,4-benzopyrone)
Justicia gendarussa contain two flavonoids which are
Apigenin and Vitexin.
Vitexin:
Vitexin is a naturally-occuring flavonoid and lignan
compound that is identified in various plant sources. Vitexin is
a flavonoid with poor water solubility commonly used to
prevent heart diseases [16] and also It exhibited potent
hypotensive, anti-inflammatory, anti-metastatic potential and
anti-spasmodic properties.
FIG: vitexin (C21H20O10)
Application of vitexin;
Vitexin is a flavonoide compound it plays a main role in
Pharmacological activities such as cardioprotective, anti
inflamatory etc.
Anti-inflammatory Potential:
Vitexin and isovitexin was evaluated by in vitro assays
including rat lens aldose reductase (RLAR), human
recombinant aldose reductase (HRAR), advanced glycation
endproducts (AGEs), protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B),
acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE),
bsite amyloid precursor (APP) cleaving enzyme (BACE1), and
nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and
cyclooxygenase-2 (COX- 2) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-
induced RAW 264.7 cells. Among them, iso vitexin was found
as the most potent inhibitor against RLAR, HRAR, AGE, AChE,
and BChE while vitexin showed the most potent PTP1B
inhibitory activity[17].
Cardioprotective:
Lagenariasiceraria (Molina) Standl(Cucurbitacae) (LS) Has
been reported to possess cardioprotective, anti hyper
lipidemic and diuretic activities. To evaluate antihypertensive
and cardioprotective effects of the Lagenariasiceraria fruit
powder in N(G)- nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)
induced hypertension in rats. Vitexin, orientin and isoorientin
were detected in methanol extract of LS powder. The
absence of necrosis, inflammation in the heart and significant
reduction in serum cholesterol in LS and L-arginine treated rats
indicated cardioprotective activity. Antioxidant activity of
orientin and isoorientin appears to reduce the L-NAME
induced damage. It is concluded that LS fruit possess
antihypertensive and cardioprotective activity [18].
Study of Vitexin on myocardial Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury
in isolated rat hearts perfused with Langendorff apparatus.
Treatment significantly enhanced coronary flow, and
decreased the pathological scores of myocardium. Therefore,
these results demonstrate that vitexin exhibits significant
protective effect against myocardial I/R injury in isolated rat
heart, which is related to inhibition of the release of
inflammatory cytokines and the apoptosis of cardiac muscle
cell via up regulating protein expression of Bcl-2 as well as
down-regulating Bax and and NF-Bp65[62]. It protects
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 International Journal of Advanced Scientific Research and Publications
against cardiac hypertrophy via inhibiting calcineurin and CaMKII
signalling pathways [19].
Anti-Cancer Potential:
Vitexin-induced metastasis and apoptosis in human oral cancer
cells, OC2 cells by possible existence of p53-dependent pathway.
Vitexin decreased cell viability significantly. Meanwhile, the
expression of tumor suppressor p53 and a small group of its
downstream genes, p21 (WAF1) and Bax, were up regulated. The
p53 inhibitor pifithrin- (PFT-) knockdown of the signaling of p53
led vitexin to lose its antitumor effect and inhibited the expression
of p53 downstream genes, p21(WAF1) and Bax. Vitexin had anti-
metastatic potential accompanied with increasing plasminogen
activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) accumulation and decreasing matrix
metalloproteinase-2 expression. The expression of p53 and its
downstream genes p21 (WAF1) and Bax were enhanced by
blocking the activation of p42/p44 MAPK in response to treatment
with vitexin[20].
Vitexin have a potent effect on hypoxia- inducible factor-1 (HIF-
1) in rat pheochromacytoma (PC12), human osteosarcoma
(HOS) and human hepa- toma (HepG2) cells. Vitexin inhibited HIF-
1 in PC12 cells, but not in HOS or HepG2 cells. In addition, it
diminished the mRNA levels of hypoxia-induciblegenes such as
vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), smad3, aldolaseA,
enolase 1, and collagen type III in the PC12 cells. It inhibited the
migration of PC12 cells as well as their invasion rates, and it also
inhibited tube formation by human umbilical vein endothelium
cells (HUVECs). Interestingly, vitexin inhibited the hypoxia-induced
activation of cjun N- terminal kinase (JNK), but not ofextracellular-
signal regulated protein kinase (ERK), implying that it acts in part
via the JNK pathway. Overall, these results suggest the potential
use of vitexin as a treatment for diseases such as cancer [21].
Anti-Oxidant Activity:
Vitexin inhibited superoxide radicals by about 70% at a
concentration of 100 microg/mL and 1,1-diphenyl- 2-picrylhydrazyl
(DPPH) radicals by about 60% at a concentration of 100
microg/mL .At high concentrations, ROS can cause severe
damage to cellular structures and components including nucleic
acids, pro- teins and lipids, thereby leading to apoptosis [22].
Malondialdehyde (MDA) is the most abundant product of
polyunsaturated lipid peroxidation. The reaction of MDA with
thiobarbituric acid produces thiobarbituric acid-reactive
substances (TBARS) [23].Vitexin is able to reduce the levels of MDA
and TBARS and it also inhibits
Application of Apigenin:
Apigenin is a polyphenol, and is one of the flavonoids found in
many of the foods consumed by humans. Technically, it is a
flavone with three OH groups on it. This compound is being widely
studied for its anti-cancer properties. In particular, it has some anti-
tumor properties that some other flavonoids lack. Apigenin has
anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-spasmodic properties, and acts
as an antioxidant. It is the subject of intensive research for its
biological properties. The most widespread research has been for
its potential to fight cancer. Apigenin is a non-toxic natural
flavonoid that is abundantly present in common fruits and
vegetables. It has been reported that apigenin has various
beneficial health effects such as anti-inflammation and
chemoprevention. Multiple studies have shown that inflammation
is an important risk factor for atherosclerosis, diabetes, sepsis,
various liver diseases, and other metabolic diseases. Although it
has been long realized that apigenin has anti-inflammatory
activities. The most widespread research has been for its potential
to fight cancer.It is very abundant in chamomile tea, and exerts
Anxiety-reducing effects when consumed in these high doses. At
even higher doses, it may be sedative.It beneficially protects
against a wide variety of cancers with high selectivity for cancer
cells as opposed to non-cancerous cells. It also has a very high
safety threshold, and active (anti-cancer) doses can be gained
through consuming a vegetable and fruit rich diet.
Structure of Apigenin
Fig: Apigenin (C15H10O5)
Apigenin for prostate cancer
In a recent study done on mice, apigenin was also found able
to suppress prostate cancer progression inhibiting
angiogenesis and metastasis. It is also well known that diets
rich in flavones, as apigenin, are very beneficial for our health,
protecting it against cardiovascular and neurological
disorders
Apigenin for leukemia
In studies on the effectiveness of apigenin on the treatment of
leukemia, scientists discovered how apigenin was able to
induced natural cell death (apoptosis) in U937 human
leukemia cells, exerting also anti-leukemic activity in vivo. It
was also discovered that tumor growth in U937 xenografts was
attenuated, something that raises the hopes for the medical
industry to find proper ways to use this chemopreventive
properties on the development of new medicines against
leukemia. Apigenin has been subject of many clinical trials
and investigations for its believed capabilities to arrest the
progression of carcinogenesis.The preventive use of apigenin
from natural sources seems to be, as well as any diets rich in
fruits and vegetables, a good way to prevent cancer
occurrence.
Anti-inflammatory:
Anti-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory refers to the property
of a substance or treatment that reduces inflammation or
swelling.
There are two basic types of anti-inflammatory drugs which
are
a. Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (SAIDs)- Eg: Cortisone,
Hydrocortisone
b. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)- Eg:-
Acetaminophen, Aspirin
Inflammation has been studied in an attempt to deal with it
for thousands of years. Celsius (in 30 A.D.) described the four
famous signs of inflammation (rubor, calor, dolor, and tumor,
or redness, heat, pain, and swelling) and used extracts of
willow leaves to relieve them. Throughout the Roman times of
Pliny the Elder, Dioscorides, and Galen, the use of salicylate
containing plants was further developed. In Asia and China
also, salicylate-containing plants were applied
therapeutically. Throughout the Middle Ages further uses were
found, as plasters to treat wounds and various other external
and internal applications, including the treatment of
menstruation and dysentery.
Hence now a days anti-inflammatory drugs are used to avoid
inflammation caused by cells like macrophages, t-cells, b-cells
which causes inflamation in the tissue
Conclusion:
Justicia gendarussa plays a vital role in the development of
modern civilization. Because of the traditional medicinal value
which cures certain diseases.This review article briefly explains
the plant and its flavonoids that isvitexin and apigenin which
plays a main role in anticancer agent and anti-inflammatory.
From the present study wecan conclude that plant Justicia
gendarussa is used for development for commercial drugs.
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