An Integrative Review on Khadira in Twak vikara with Special Reference to Brihatrayi

MODE OF ACTION OF KHADIRA WSR TO ITS RASAPANCHAKA

Khadira exhibits its therapeutic action in twak vikara through its Rasapanchaka which collectively influence Dosha, Dhatu and srotas. Khadira possesses tikta and Kashaya rasa. Tikta rasa helps in ama pachana, Rakta shodhana and kleda shoshana, thereby reducing toxins and moisture in skin disorders. Kashaya rasa contributes to stambhana(Astringent action), Ropana(healing), and kleda upashoshana, which aids in reducing exudation, tightening tissues, and promoting wound healing. Its laghu and ruksha guna helps in kapha shoshana and meda kshaya, thereby reducing oiliness, discharge and heaviness associated with skin diseases. It possesses sheeta veerya which help in pitta shamana, reducing inflammation, burning sensation, and erythema commonly seen in skin diseases. Khadira has a special kushtaghna and kandughna Prabhava, making it specifically effective in skin disorders by relieving itching and promoting skin health. Through its rasapanchaka, Khadira primarily balances kapha and pitta dosha, purifies rakta dhatu, reduces kleda and enhances tissue healing. This results in anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, detoxifying and wound healing effects, making it highly effective in managing various skin disorders. ⁽¹⁶⁾

COMTEMPARORAY MODE OF ACTION OF KHADIRA ON SKIN DISORDERS

QUERCETIN-

Quercetin is one of the organic compounds belonging to flavanol group which comes under class of flavonoids. Quercetin exhibits soothing effect on skin; it has been proved that quercetin has anti-oxidant, anti-histamic and anti-itching properties. Due to its antioxidant properties it reduces lipid peroxidation and restores the barrier function of damaged skin thereby reducing the erythema(redness)and itching and produce soothing effect.⁽¹⁷⁾Quercetin also prevents skin aging,   wrinkle formation and inflammation in skin tissue.⁽¹⁸⁾Quercetin is used in many cosmetic products as it inhibits tyrosinase enzyme activity in the body and reduce melanin production acts as anti-melanogenesis.⁽¹⁹⁾Quercetin is used in many skin diseases especially in reducing oxidation processes,  melanogenesis, scarring, aging ,wound healing and protection against UV radiations.⁽²⁰⁾

CATECHIN-

Catechin are natural flavanols, type of polyphenolic compounds belongs to flavonoid family. Catechin is a good antioxidant. It produces and discards free radicals through direct and indirect antioxidant mechanisms. Direct mechanism refers to scavenging of reactive oxygen radicals and indirect mechanism refers to increased antioxidant enzymes and inhibition of pro-enzyme that participates in the oxidant stress. Catechin acts as anti-aging agent by inhibiting collagenase and elastase and maintain skin elasticity and dermal structure. It also reduces melanin production by inhibiting tyrosinase enzyme and acts as depigmentation agent. Catechin also known for its anti-bacterial activity it inhibits the growth of acne pathogens such as staphylococcus epidermidis and Propionibacterium acnes. ⁽²¹⁾

EPICATECHIN GALLATE-

Epicatechin gallate is a catechin with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, significantly speed up wound healing and improves scar quality. It also regulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) thus accelerates angiogenesis, increases early blood vessel formation, elevates inducible nitric oxide synthase activity and nitric oxide production which promotes collagen synthesis and tissue repair. It also stimulates cyclooxygenase 2(COX 2) activity during early healing supports in cell proliferation and resolving inflammation. It also reduces arginase activity and helps in preventing excessive collagen accumulation and fibrosis. ⁽²²⁾

EPIGALLOCATECHIN GALLATE-

Epigallocatechin gallate has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and collagen protective effects. These properties play a vital role in preventing and repairing UV induced skin photoaging. It helps in preserving collagen and elastin structures and maintain skin elasticity. It reduces oxidative stress, promotes DNA repair, protects mitochondrial functions and improves skin hydration by regulating natural moisturizing factors. It also reduces pigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase enzyme activity. ⁽²³⁾ It improves skin barrier function by increasing hyaluronic acid synthesis and inhibiting its degradation under ultraviolet radiations. It exhibits anti-wrinkle effect by promoting keratinocyte proliferation. ⁽²⁴⁾

PHLOROGLUCINOL-

Phloroglucinol exhibits photoprotective action on the skin by its anti-oxidant and DNA repair enhancing properties. It decreases cyclobutene pyrimidine dimer formation by activating DNA repair mechanism and reduces UV induced damage. It also delays the onset of photo carcinogenesis and protects skin from UV induced carcinogenic changes. It acts as a cytoprotective, antioxidant, antiapoptotic agent and maintain the survival of skin cells under oxidative stress. ^(25,26)

KAEMPFEROL-

Kaempferol is a flavonoid with potent anti-oxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and skin protective properties. It reduces oxidative stress by scavenging reactive oxygen species, enhancing   the anti-oxidant enzymes and decreasing the lipid peroxidation. It also protects cells from apoptosis by regulating the pathways such as Bax/Bcl-2. It supresses cytokines like TNF, IL-6 And inhibits signalling   pathways such as NF-kB, MAPK, and Akt by its anti-inflammatory properties. Kaempferol exhibits anti-microbial and antifungal activity including inhibition of bacterial growth and biofilm formation. In skin health it prevents photoaging, reduces ROS-induced damage, enhances epidermal cell proliferation, controls melanogenesis and improves skin structure. ⁽²⁷⁾

TAXIFOLIN-

Taxifolin is a naturally occurring flavonoid with significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and protective effect on skin. It exhibits potent anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting key mediators and suppressing the major signalling pathways such as NF-kB, MAPK, and STAT3 and reduces inflammation and immune cell infiltration. Taxifolin plays a important role in preventing skin aging and maintaining skin elasticity. It exhibits photoprotective and anti-photo aging effects. It reduces wrinkle formation and improves skin elasticity by preventing the degradation of collagen and elastin. It reduces hyperpigmentation and promotes skin brightening by its anti-melanogenesis activity. It is beneficial in managing various skin disorders such as psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema through its anti-inflammatory activity. It also promotes wound healing by stimulating cell proliferation, angiogenesis and tissue regeneration and reduces the risk of inflammation and infection. ⁽²⁸⁾

ISORHAMNETIN-

Isorhamnetin is a flavonoid which exhibits multiple pharmacological action on various biological systems, particularly on skin health and disease management. It shows potent anti ultraviolet activity by reducing UVB-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species thereby preventing oxidative damage to DNA, lipids and proteins. Isorhamnetin enhances melanogenesis by upregulating melogenic genes such as MITF, TYR, MC1R and used in the treatment of vitiligo. Isorhamnetin possess significant anti-inflammatory effects helps to regulate cytokines, inflammatory mediators and reactive oxygen species. Additionally, isorhamnetin shows strong antibacterial and antiviral properties. Its antibacterial activity includes inhibition of virulence factors like alpha-hemolysin in staphylococcus aureus and disruption of bacterial cell membrane through oxidative stress mechanisms. ⁽²⁹⁾

AROMADENDRIN-

Aromadendrin exhibits a diverse pharmacological activity particularly anti-tyrosinase, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects. Its antioxidant activity is attributed to multiple hydroxyl groups enabling effective free radical scavenging activity. It also demonstrates significant anti-inflammatory activity by reducing pro-inflammatory mediators such as NO and PGE₂ through downregulation of iNOS and COX-2 expression. Additionally, aromadendrin exhibits antiviral activity by inhibiting main protease involved in viral replication. ⁽³⁰⁾

DISCUSSION

Khadira has been extensively described in classical ayurvedic literature for its efficacy in managing twak vikara. The therapeutic potential of Khadira can be attributed to its Tikta and Kashaya rasa which exhibit multifaceted pharmacological actions such as shoshana, kleda upashoshana, kandu prashamana, vishaghna and ropana. These properties collectively contribute to reducing exudation, alleviating itching, detoxifying tissues and promoting wound healing which are essential in the management of dermatological conditions.

From modern pharmacological perspective, Khadira demonstrates significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-allergic activities. These actions are crucial for interrupting the pathophysiology of skin disorders. The presence of bioactive phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, tannins and catechins enhances its ability to scavenge free radicals, stabilize cellular structures, and inhibit pro inflammatory mediators.

Additionally, the astringent nature of Khadira aids in tissue contraction, which helps in reducing secretions, tightening skin tissues and accelerating wound healing. The integration of classical ayurvedic principles with contemporary scientific findings supports the rationale for using Khadira as a single or adjunct therapeutic agent in skin diseases.

CONCLUSION

Khadira is a potent medicinal plant with significant therapeutic relevance in the management of twak vikara. Its classical properties of tikta-kashaya rasa combined with modern pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and wound healing effects make it valuable drug in dermatological practice. The herb not only alleviates symptoms like itching, discharge and inflammation but also promotes tissue repair and detoxification. The available evidence suggests that Khadira can be effectively utilized as an ekamoolika prayoga or as part of compound formulations for skin disorders.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my guide Dr R S Hiremath for his valuable guidance and support. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to my seniors and for their valuable inputs and encouragement throughout this work.      

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