Shyonak or the Indian trumpet tree is one of the most important medicinal plants in Indian and Chinese systems of medicine. Botanically known as Oroxylum indicum, it belongs to the Jacaranda family (Bignoniaceae). It has been used for centuries in traditional medicinal systems in India, China and other Southeast Asian countries for the prevention and treatment of several diseases, such as jaundice, arthritic, rheumatic problems, gastric ulcers, tumours, respiratory diseases, diabetes, and diarrhoea and dysentery, among others. Its seeds adorn the beautiful green Pahari Caps worn by the people from Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh, where they call its winged seeds Kinnauri phool.
NAMES IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
• English: Indian trumpet tree, Indian caper, Indian trumpet flower, Broken bones tree (fallen large-sized leaf stalks collect near the base of the trunk, appearing like a pile of broken limb bones), Scythe tree, Tree of Damocles, Laminated paper, Midnight horror (because its flowers open at night, emitting foul stink that attracts bats to facilitate pollination)
• Hindi: Bhut-vriksha, Dirghavrinta, Kutannat, Manduk, Patrorn, Putivriksh, Shallak, Shuran, Son, Sonpatha, Saona, Vatuk, Urru, Arlu, Ullu
• Sanskrit: Shyonak, Aralu
• Punjabi: Mulin, Tatmorang
• Pahari: Tatplang, Tatplanga, Tarlu, Tat madenga (Bilaspur), Tat modhinga (Bhaghli), Arlu, Aerlu (Bilaspur), Tat badinga (Sirmaur), Alse (Mandi)
• Assamese: Toguna, Bhatghila, Dingari
• Bengali: Sona, Nanosa, Sonpatti
• Gujrati: Aralu, Tentu
• Kannada: Bunepale, Sonepatta, Tigdu, Tigade, Tattuna, Anangi, Alangi, Patagani, Salaa
• Konkani: Davamadak
• Malayalam: Palaqapayyani, Vashrppathiri, Vellappathiri , Palakappayyani, Vella, Pathiri
• Manipuri: Shamba
• Marathi: Tayitu, Tetu
• Mizo: Archangkawm
• Nepali: Tatelo
• Oriya: Phapni, Phonphonia
• Singhali: Totila, Thotila
• Tamil: Chori-Konnai, Palai-y-Utaicci, Puta-Puspam, Cari-konnai, Kalai-y-utaicci, Puta-puspam, Achi, Pana, Pei-maram, Venga maram, Peruvaagai
• Telugu: Manduka-Parnamu, Pampena, Suka-Nasamu, Tundilamu , Dundilamu, Pampini, Nemali, Chettu
Source: eFloraofIndias, Flowers of India, Wealth of India
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DISTRIBUTION
The Indian trumpet tree is native to the Indian subcontinent, growing to the Himalayan foothills up to an altitude of 1200 metres above mean sea level. It has also been introduced into Trinidad and Tobago.
MORPHOLOGY
The Indian trumpet tree is a semi-deciduous tree growing to a height of up to 25m. The trunk has grey-brown bark with leaf scars of fallen leaf stalks. The leaves are large, compound, 2 – 4-pinnate, imparipinnate and range in length from 50 to 130 cm. The leaflets are ovate to oblong, with an entire leaf margin, acute to acuminate leaf tip and unequal to cuneate leaf base. They have 4 – 5 pairs of lateral veins, glands scattered on the underside of young and some mature leaves and are mostly 4 – 11 cm long and 3 – 9 cm wide. As the leaves fall, the leafless stalks break apart at the joints and resemble the appearance of limb bones and the plant gets its name broken bone tree. Inflorescence is a long, erect, and terminal raceme, measuring about 25 – 150 cm long. The flowers are large, brownish-yellow to purplish in colour, funnel-shaped, 7 – 10 cm in size. They open at night and emit a foul smell to attract bats for pollination and wilt before sunrise. Calyx is purple, campanulate, 2.2-4.5 X 2-3 cm in size, glabrous, and becomes semi-woody in fruits. Corolla is brownish yellow to purplish in colour, broad tubular with distinct lobes, tube fleshy and 3-9 X 1-1.5 cm in size. Corolla tube is bilipped, upper lip 2-lobed, lower lip 3-lobed and lobes are reflexed. Five stamens are hairy and inserted in the middle of the corolla tube. The ovary is fleshy, 5-lobed, and has a 2-parted stigma. Fruits is a woody, compressed, sword-shaped capsule that measures 40-120 X 5-10 cm in size. Seeds are rounded with papery wings and measure 5-9 X 3-4 cm in size.
MYTHOLOGY
Indian trumpet tree is deeply nestled in the mythology of India and other countries of the Indian subcontinent. The winged seeds are strung together and offered to the gods and goddesses in Buddhism. In Assam, people hang its branches over their house entrances to ward off evil spirits. The tribal people of central India keep the seedpods of this plant in their houses with the belief that snakes will not enter them in their presence. They also keep small snakes made up of its root wood for the same purpose. Those people also believe that keeping flowers of the Indian trumpet tree in their homes will protect them against evil spirits. Some people in the Himalayas hang garlands made up of winged seeds of Indian trumpet trees from the roof of their homes with the belief that it will protect them. In some areas, winged seeds are strung as ornaments on idols in the temples. This plant has special importance during marriages in Nepal and Laos.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS
Indian trumpet tree contains diverse bioactive phytochemicals in its different parts, which are directly associated with its healing properties. It is reported to contain various types of flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids, tannins, terpenoids, saponins, phenols, quinines, etc. Baicalein (5,6,7-trihydroxyflavone), a flavone flavonoid is the most abundant compound present in all parts of this plant and is a dominant bioactive compound. Other major bioactive compounds are prunetin (isoflavone), sitosterol (sterol), oroxindin (flavone), oroxylin-A (methylated flavone), biochanin-A (methylated isoflavone), ellagic acid (polyphenol), tetuin (flavone), anthraquinone, and emodin.
Photograph courtesy: Prof. Soumana Datta, Jaipur
USES
I. CULINARY USE
All parts of the Indian trumpet tree are edible and find use in various dishes in Indian Subcontinent. Flower buds, open flowers and tender seedpods can be cooked as a vegetable or can be pickled. Young seedpods are grilled, and seeds are eaten in Thailand and Laos. Flowers and tender pods are cooked as vegetable by the Bodos of Northeast India and the Chakma tribe in the Chittagong hills. It is a popular vegetable in the southeast Asian country Java. People use the mature seeds to make chub liang, a refreshing drink.
Photograph courtesy: Prof. Soumana Datta, Jaipur
Photograph courtesy: Prof. Soumana Datta, Jaipur
II. CULTURAL USES
People from Kinnaur district and adjacent areas in Himachal Pradesh use winged seeds of the Indian trumpet tree as an accessory on their traditional Himachali caps. These seeds are called Kinnauri phool and are mostly sourced from Riwalsar area in Mandi (H.P.), which may be due to religious association with this place. Indian trumpet tree is a sacred plant in Buddhism where its seeds strung together are offered to gods and goddesses. Earlier, Kinnauri phool was used on the caps only by the well-off families, but now, it has become a fashion and can be easily sourced from Bilaspur, Kangra, Hamirpur, Mandi, Solan and Sirmaur districts.
The Indian trumpet tree is a fast-growing species. It can be used as a pioneer species within its native range for restoring woodland on degraded soils. It is also a suitable species for the consolidation of terraces and slopes.
IV. MEDICINAL USES
1. As a Tonic and Rasayana Drug
The bark of the Indian trumpet tree is considered a Rasāyana drug (which focuses on restoring and rejuvenating health through plant-derived medicines). Its roots are integral parts of Ayurvedic preparation Dashmularishta, a widely used health tonic.
Photograph source: Dabur India (https://www.dabur.com/our-brand/dabur-dashmularishta)
The bark extract of the Indian trumpet tree is reported to have anti-cancerous activity on different types of human cancer cell lines in many experimental studies. The different phytochemicals present in this plant Inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells and induce apoptotic cell death. The stem bark flavonoids baicalein, chrysin and oroxylin A are reported to inhibit the activity of endoprotease and proprotein convertase enzymes which play a key role in the growth of cancers. Flavonoid baicalin (baicalein 7-D-β-glucuronate) has growth-inhibitory effects on several human cancer cell lines through apoptosis in vitro studies and is considered the most bioactive phytochemical.
Experimental studies with Indian trumpet tree extract (Sabroxy) containing 10% oroxylin A, 6% chrysin, and 15% baicalein have shown that this plant has neuroprotective properties. It possesses antioxidant activity and decreases the damage caused by the exacerbation of radicals during neurodegeneration. It works by over-expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and additive or synergistic effects of phytoconstituents via five possible targets including GABA, Adenoside A2A and estrogen receptor bindings, anti-inflammatory effects, and reduced mitochondrial ROS production.
Baicalin present in the bark of the Indian trumpet tree is suggested to be a promising natural immunosuppressive compound for treating inflammatory auto-immune diseases. It works by up-regulating Foxp3 (forkhead/winged-helix transcription factor) mRNA expression in experimental studies with HEK 293 T cells and promotes Treg (regulatory T-cells, formerly known as suppressor T cells) cell differentiation for maintaining self-tolerance and regulating immune system homeostasis. Experimental evidence suggests that Treg cells inhibit the function of Th1, Th2, Th17, and other effector cells, thus inhibiting inflammation and preventing autoimmunity.
5. Analgesic Properties
In traditional Indian medicine, the boiled leaves of the Indian trumpet tree are used as a poultice during and after childbirth.
Recent experimental studies have shown strong anti-asthmatic activity of the stem bark of the Indian trumpet tree. It possibly works through membrane stabilization as well as its anti-histaminic potential.
7. Anti-Allergic Properties
Indian trumpet tree (bark) is used in the treatment of allergic conditions, urticaria and asthma. Fresh bark paste is externally applied on allergic dermatitis.
8. Antibacterial Activity
The stem bark extract has been reported to have potent anti-bacterial activity against Bacillus cereus, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus subtills, Staphylococcus aureus, Sarcina lutea, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Shigella boydii, Shigella dysenteriae and Vibrio mimicus.
9. Antidiabetic Activity
Indian trumpet tree has been reported to possess anti-diabetic properties in experimental animal models.
10. Anti-helminthic Activity
Indian trumpet tree has been reported to possess anti-helminthic activity in experimental studies.
Shyonal/ Indian trumpet tree bark (Photograph source: Amazon India)
11. Anti-Inflammatory Properties
A lot of research has been conducted to ascertain the anti-inflammatory properties of the Indian trumpet tree and reported it to be effective in managing inflammatory conditions.
12. Antioxidant Properties
Indian trumpet tree contains many bioactive phytochemicals which have good antioxidant activity.
Recent human trials with 60-85-year-old men and women in Australia have provided very encouraging results of Indian trumpet tree phytochemicals in improving cognitive function in older adults with self-reported cognitive complaints. The trial group was treated with 500 mg Sabroxy (10% oroxylin A, 6% chrysin, and 15% baicalein) for 12-week twice daily. The trial group responded very well to the treatment with greater improvements in episodic memory and a faster rate of learning.
The bark of the Indian trumpet tree has been used for birth control in the North-Eastern part of the country for ages. Recent pharmacological studies on female rats have reported that it has abortifacient and anti-implantation activity through the regulation of gonadotropic releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels.
Indian trumpet tree is considered to have a gastroprotective activity. It has been reported to significantly reduce gastric ulceration against ethanol-induced gastric damage.
16. Hepatoprotective Activity
The bark of the Indian trumpet tree is used in liver-related problems in Indian traditional folk medicine. The leaf, stem and root bark extracts have also shown significant hepatoprotective activity against CCl4 and paracetamol-induced liver damage in experimental animals.
Experimental studies on rats have shown that bark extract of the Indian trumpet tree reduces the body weight, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the animals, while it increases the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
18. Immunomodulatory Activity
The immunomodulatory activity of the Indian trumpet tree can be attributed to its ability to enhance specific immune responses (both humeral and cell-mediated) as well as to its antioxidant potential.
19. Nephroprotective Activity
The root and leaf decoction of the Indian trumpet tree are used to remove kidney stones in the Indian system of medicine. It has been reported to play a protective role against cisplatin-induced renal injury in Wistar male albino rats. The nephroprotective activity has been assigned to different flavonoids present in the bark.
20. Useful in Cough
Indian trumpet tree is considered useful in bronchitis and chronic coughs due to its ability to clear congestion and improve breathing.
AYURVEDIC PREPARATION
Dasamularistha, Syonaka putapaka, Syonaka sidda ghrta, Brhatpancamulyadi kvatha, Amartarista, Dantyadyarista, Narayana Taila, Dhanawantara Ghrita, Brahma Rasayana, Chyavanaprasa, etc.
TOXICITY
Literature indicates that Indian trumpet tree extract taken in physiologically relevant doses (3-6 grams bark powder or 50-100 ml decoction or 250-500 mg capsules/tablets taken twice a day) do not have any adverse effects on serum parameters, liver and kidney (1). However, studies on animal models have shown that fruit extract may cause acute liver toxicity in doses above 2 g/kg body weight (2). Leaf extract in doses above 0.5 g/kg body weight exhibits sub-acute toxicity in animal models (3).
DISCLAIMER
This blog is for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to consult registered medical practitioners before using plant-based medicine.
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