Therapeutic usefulness of Delphinium denudatum (Jadwar): An update

Abstract

Delphinium denudatum (Jadwar) is a potent drug of Central Nervous System, an annual herb belongs to family Ranunculaceae occurring in the western Himalayas from Kashmir to Uttarakhand. The word Jadwar is Arabic form of Persian Zadwar means the great purifier or antidote. It is also called Nirbisi due to its antidotal properties. According to Dymock Jadwar is of five types. It is mainly adulterated with the root of Aconite (Beesh) due to some morphological resemblance which is poisonous in nature. In various classical texts, it has been recommended in the management of various nervous disorders like mania, epilepsy, tremors, hysteria, atony, numbness, paralysis as well as in the management of addiction of various drugs like morphine also serves as antidote to various toxic drugs like Aconite and venoms (snake, scorpion). Its antioxidant and antiasthmatic activity have been reported. Ethanolic and aqueous extract of Jadwar showed protective role in Parkinson’s disease and morphine de-addiction properties respectively.