Helicteres isora, Mriga Shringa, Maror Phali, Valampuri, Maror phali, Avartani

Helicteres isora L.
Family: Malvaceae

Synonyms: Helicteres baruensis var. ovata DC., Helicteres chrysocalyx Miq. ex Mast., Helicteres grewiaefolia DC., Helicteres isora var. glabrescens Mast., Helicteres isora var. microphylla Hassk., Helicteres isora var. tomentosa Mast., Helicteres macrophylla Wight, Helicteres ovata var. fructus-regis Lam., Helicteres ovata var. isora-murri Lam., Helicteres roxburghii G. Don, Isora corylifolia Schott & Endl., Isora grewiaefolia (DC.) Schott & Endl., Ixora versicolor Hassk.

• Common name: East-Indian screw tree, Nut-leaved screw tree
• Bengali: Antamora
• Chinese: 鞭龙
• Hindi: मरोड़ फली Maror phali
• Kannada: Yedmuri
• Malayalam: Kayyunanna, Edampiri-Valampiri
• Marathi: मुरुड शेंग Murud sheng
• Oriya: Murmuria
• Sanskrit: म्रिग श्रिंग Mriga Shringa, Avartani
• Sindhi: Vurkatee
• Tamil: வலம்புரி Valampuri
• Telugu: నులితడ Nulitada
• Urdu: مروڙ پهلي Maror Phali

Description: Shrubs or small trees, up to 2(-8) m tall. Branchlets stellate puberulent. Stipules linear, 7-10 mm, caducous; petiole 0.8-2.5 cm, puberulent; leaf blade broadly oblong-obovate, or almost circular, 10-12(-23) × 7-9(-17) cm, thinly leathery, abaxially densely puberulent to tomentose with mixture of stellate and simple hairs, adaxially stellate puberulent, base rounded or obliquely cordate, margin serrate, apex ± truncate with shortly acuminate tip and usually lateral lobes. Inflorescences axillary, usually 2 or 3 per axil, densely clustered, to 2 cm. Flowers 3.5-4 cm in diam. Epicalyx lobes subulate, to 7 mm. Sepals 17-20 mm, usually 4-5-lobed, lobes triangular, ± 2-lipped, densely stellate hairy. Petals red or purple, unequal in length, upper 2 larger, 1.2-1.5 cm, obliquely falcate. Androgynophore 3-4 cm, curved at tip. Stamens 10; staminodes 5, equal to filaments in length. Ovary slightly verrucose, spirally twisted after pollination. Capsule on ca. 2.5 cm stalk, cylindric, conspicuously spirally twisted, black when mature, 4-8 × (0.5-)0.7-0.9(-1) cm, apex acute, with beak to 1 cm, densely stellate puberulent at first, glabrescent. Seeds many, to 2 mm, angular, wrinkled, tomentose. Fl. Apr-Oct, fr. Oct-Jan.  

Used in Diabetes insipidus, diarrhoea and bleeding diathesis [Compendia of World’s Medicinal Flora]

Used in Ayurveda and Sidha. Stem bark in diarrhea and dysentery; bark and fruits antigalactagogue, soothing, demulcent, expectorant, useful in respiratory troubles, dysentery, diarrhea, diabetes, stomachache, scabies. Paste made of stem bark of Grewia tiliaefolia and Helicteres isora together with tuber of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius applied for bonesetting. Roots in cough and asthma; root paste warmed and applied on boils; a mixture of water extract of roots of Celastrus paniculatus, Helicteres isora, Imperata cylindrica and Rhynchosia minima given as an antidote for snake poison; root extract of Woodfordia fruticosa along with extract of Helicteres isora given as antidote in snakebite; fruits or roots of Helicteres isora, seeds of Pongamia glabra and stem bark of Tinospora cordifolia mixed and crushed into powder eaten to cure diabetes. Seed decoction or the aqueous extract of the seeds used in dysentery and stomach pains; for snakebite, drink seed infusion. Paste of dried leaves, pepper and coconut oil used in the treatment of skin ailments including eczema. Fruits aphrodisiac, astringent, stomachic, postpartum remedy, used to relieve stomach disorders and dysentery, dried fruits soaked in water and eaten; fruits soaked in boiling oil, this oil applied externally in stomach complaints of children; fruit powder in diarrhea and dysentery. Magicoreligious beliefs, twigs placed on the door of the hut of a pregnant woman to relieve the labor pains; tribal, hang a dry fruit in black thread on neck of children against pain, a fruit hung around the neck of a patient as a postpartum remedy. Ceremonial, ritual, dried fruit in marriage ceremony; contact therapy, magic, fresh fruits made into garland and tied as necklace for scabies; fruits tied to the waist of children to cure muscular pain, fever and swelling. Veterinary medicine, roots along with leaves of Phyllanthus reticulatus pounded and the extract given orally in insect bite; fruits of Gardenia latifolia along with leaves of Jasminum auriculatum, stem bark of Helicteres isora pounded and the extract given orally for tympany; roots along with those of Coccinia grandis and leaves of Jasminum auriculatum pounded and the extract given orally for tympany. [CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants]

The  roots  and  bark  are  useful  in  colic,  scabies,  diabetes,  diarrhoea  and dysentery.  The fruits  are useful in colic  flatulence  diarrhoea,  dysentery,  wounds ulcers and  diabetes. [Herbal Cures: Traditional Approach]

Pods and bark—antidiarrhoeal, astringent, antibilious. Bark and root—antigalactic, demulcent, expectorant (used in cough and asthma). Leaf—paste used against skin diseases. Pods—anthelmintic. Used in fever due to cold. Seeds—
aqueous extract administered in colic and dysentery. [Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary]

81 Published articles of Helicteres isora
1.    Anthelmintic potential of Helicteres isora bark extract against Pheretima posthuma Manke, M.B., S.C. Dhawale, and P.G. Jamkhande, Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease, 2015. 5(4): p. 313-315.
2.    Helicteres isora L: regeneration through meristem culture Deshpande, H.A. and S.R. Bhalsing, Acta Biologica Szegediensis, 2015. 59(1): p. 55-58.
3.    Antimicrobial and radical scavenging activity of leaf and fruit of Helicteres isora L Akshatha, S., et al., World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (WJPPS), 2015. 4(7): p. 1793-1803.
4.    Insilico docking study of compounds elucidated from helicteres isora fruits with ampkinase- insulin receptor Vennila, S., et al., Bioinformation, 2014. 10(5): p. 263-6.
5.    Hairy Root Induction in Helicteres isora L. and Production of Diosgenin in Hairy Roots Kumar, V., D. Desai, and V. Shriram, Natural products and bioprospecting, 2014. 4(2): p. 107-12.
6.    Plant profile, p.a.p.o.A.H.i.L.A.r.K., Nirmal and A.K. Singh, Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 2014. 4(Suppl. 1): p. S22-S26.
7.    Protective role of Helicteres isora plant extract on plasma and tissue glycoprotein components in streptozotocin induced hyperglycemic rats Elanchezhiyan, C., et al., Pharmacognosy Journal, 2014. 6(4): p. 86-91.
8.    Isolation and characterization of diosgenin from in vitro cultured tissues of Helicteres isora L Deshpande, H.A. and S.R. Bhalsing, Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants, 2014. 20(1): p. 89-94.
9.    Isolation and characterization of cellulose nanofibrils from Helicteres isora plant Chirayil, C.J., et al., Industrial Crops and Products, 2014. 59: p. 27-34.
10.    Estimation of flavonoid, p.c.a.a.p.o.I.s.t.H.i.L.A., Jain, S. Prakriti, and N.S. Desai, International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research (IJPSR), 2014. 5(4): p. 1320-1330.
11.    Efficacy of Helicteres isora L. against free radicals, l.p., protein oxidation and DNA damage Vinay, Kumar, et al., Journal of Pharmacy Research, 2013. 6(6): p. 620-625.
12.    Antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging capacity of phenolic extracts from Helicteres isora L. and Ceiba pentandra L Loganayaki, N., P. Siddhuraju, and S. Manian, Journal of Food Science and Technology-Mysore, 2013. 50(4): p. 687-695.
13.    Evaluation of antioxidants and molecular docking studies of Helicteres isora fruit extracts Babu, P.B.R., et al., Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics, 2013. 3(1): p. 33-35.
14.    Morpho-anatomical studies on stem bark of Helicteres isora L Shashikanth, J. and P.R. Reddy, Phytomorphology, 2012. 62(1/2): p. 45-48.
15.    Isolation and evaluation of antimicrobial properties of isolated phytoconstituents of fruits of Helicteres isora Linn Elsa, V., K.L. Pappachen, and S.S. Narayanan, Research Journal of Pharmaceutical, Biological and Chemical Sciences, 2012. 3(3): p. 959-964.
16.    Development and Validation of an HPTLC Method for the Analysis of Oleanolic Acid from the Roots of Helicteres isora Linn Harde, P.A., et al., Jpc-Journal of Planar Chromatography-Modern Tlc, 2011. 24(6): p. 503-506.
17.    Screening and quantitation of phytochemicals and nutritional components of the fruit and bark of Helicteres isora Gayathri, P., et al., Hygeia - Journal for Drugs and Medicine, 2011. 2(1): p. 57-62.
18.    Anticancer activity of chloroform extract of Helicteres isora Elsa, V., et al., International Journal of Pharmacy and Technology, 2011. 3(2): p. 2560-2564.
19.    Antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Helicteres isora roots in alloxan-induced diabetic rats: a possible mechanism of action Venkatesh, S., et al., Journal of Natural Medicines, 2010. 64(3): p. 295-304.
20.    Antibacterial & antiplasmid activities of Helicteres isora L Shriram, V., et al., Indian Journal of Medical Research, 2010. 132(1): p. 94-99.
21.    Antihyperlipidemic activity of Helicteres isora fruit extract on streptozotocin induced diabetic male wistar rats Raja, A.B., C. Elanchezhiyan, and S. Sethupathy, European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, 2010. 14(3): p. 191-196.
22.    In vitro antioxidant properties of Helicteres isora Devi, S.G., S. Sivagami, and S. Saroja, Plant Archives, 2010. 10(2): p. 733-735.
23.    Antihyperlipidemic activity of Helicteres isora fruit extract on streptozotocin induced diabetic male Wistar rats Boopathy Raja, A., C. Elanchezhiyan, and S. Sethupathy, European review for medical and pharmacological sciences, 2010. 14(3): p. 191-6.
24.    Antibacterial activity of Helicteres isora leaves Anburaja, V., V. Nandagopalan, and A.L. Prabha, Journal of Ecobiology, 2010. 26(3/4): p. 211-214.
25.    Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Activity of Helicteres isora (L.) Fruits Suthar, M., G.S. Rathore, and A. Pareek, Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2009. 71(6): p. 695-U8.
26.    Influence of Helicteres isora administration for diabetes mellitus: The effect on changes in tissue fatty acid composition Kumar, G., S. Banu, and A.G. Murugesan, Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2009. 47(8): p. 1826-1830.
27.    Influence of Helicteres isora administration for diabetes mellitus: Its effect on erythrocyte membrane and antioxidant status Kumar, G., S. Banu, and A.G. Murugesan, Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2009. 47(8): p. 1803-1809.
28.    Attenuation of Helicteres isora L. bark extracts on streptozotocin-induced alterations in glycogen and carbohydrate metabolism in albino rats Kumar, G., G.S. Banu, and A.G. Murugesan, Human & Experimental Toxicology, 2009. 28(11): p. 689-696.
29.    Quantitative determination of beta-sitosterol from stem bark of Helicteres isora Linn Jain, P.S., et al., Journal of Pharmacy Research, 2009. 2(9): p. 1397-1398.
30.    Study of glucose uptake activity of Helicteres isora Linn. fruits in L-6 cell lines Gupta, R.N., et al., International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries, 2009. 29(4): p. 170-173.
31.    Hepatoprotective activity of Helicteres isora Linn. against CCl 4 induced hepatic damage in rats Chitra, M.S. and S. Prema, Hamdard Medicus, 2009. 52(1): p. 112-115.
32.    Effect of saponins from Helicteres isora on lipid and glucose metabolism regulating genes expression Bhavsar, S.K., et al., Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2009. 124(3): p. 426-433.
33.    Effect of saponins from Helicteres isora on lipid and glucose metabolism regulating genes expression Bhavsar, S.K., et al., Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2009. 124(3): p. 426-433.
34.    Involvement of the PI3K/AKT pathway in the hypoglycemic effects of saponins from Helicteres isora Bhavsar, S.K., et al., Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2009. 126(3): p. 386-396.
35.    In-vitro antioxidant activity of hot aqueous extract of Helicteres isora Linn. fruits Basniwal, P.K., et al., Natural Product Radiance, 2009. 8(5): p. 483-487.
36.    Phytochemical analysis of the medicinal plant: Helicteres isora Badgujar, V.B. and P.S. Jain, International Journal of PharmTech Research, 2009. 1(4): p. 1376-1377.
37.    Indirect organogenesis and plant regeneration in Helicteres isora L., a.i.m.p.V., Shriram, K. Vinay, and M.G. Shitole, In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Plant, 2008. 44(3): p. 186-193.
38.    Evaluation of phytochemical and antibacterial potential of Helicteres isora L. fruits against enteric bacterial pathogens Tambekar, D.H., et al., African Journal of Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 2008. 5(3): p. 290-293.
39.    Antidiabetic and in vitro free radical scavenging activity of Helicteres isora roots Soma, V., et al., Clinical Immunology, 2008. 127: p. S104-S104.
40.    Indirect organogenesis and plant regeneration in Helicteres isora L., a.i.m.p.S., Varsha, V. Kumar, and M.G. Shitole, In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology-Plant, 2008. 44(3): p. 186-193.
41.    Isolation and characterisation of bioactive terpene from the fruits of Helicteres isora Linn Sandhya, P. and N.D. Grampurohit, Pharmacognosy Magazine, 2008. 4(14): p. 107-111.
42.    Hypolipidaemic activity of Helicteres isora L. bark extracts in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats Kumar, G. and A.G. Murugesan, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2008. 116(1): p. 161-166.
43.    Effect of Helicteres isora bark extracts on heart antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in streptozotocin diabetic rats Kumar, G., G.S. Banu, and A.G. Murugesan, Journal of Applied Biomedicine, 2008. 6(2): p. 89-95.
44.    A preliminary biochemical screening of Helicteres isora L. stem bark in carbon tetrachloride induced toxicity in rats Dhevi, R., et al., Bulgarian Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 2008. 11(4): p. 235-242.
45.    Antimicrobial activity of Helicteres isora root Venkatesh, S., et al., Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2007. 69(5): p. 687-687.
46.    Antinociceptive activity of Helicteres isora Venkatesh, S., et al., Fitoterapia, 2007. 78(2): p. 146-148.
47.    In Vitro Propagation Through Nodal Explants in Helicteres isora L., a.M.I.P.S., M. G., V. Shriram, and V. Kumar, Journal of Plant Biotechnology, 2007. 34(3): p. 189-195.
48.    Effect of Helicteres isora bark extracts on brain antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in streptozotocin diabetic rats Kumar, G., et al., Pharmaceutical Biology, 2007. 45(10): p. 753-759.
49.    Effect of Helicteres isora stem bark extract on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats Kumar, G., et al., Journal of Tropical Medicinal Plants, 2007. 8(1): p. 27-33.
50.    Preliminary toxicity and phytochemical studies of aqueous bark extract of Helicteres isora L Kumar, G., et al., IJP - International Journal of Pharmacology, 2007. 3(1): p. 96-100.
51.    Effect of Helicteres isora bark extract on protein metabolism and marker enzymes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats Kumar, G., et al., Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 2007. 6(2): p. 123-129.
52.    Effect of Helicteres isora bark extract on blood glucose and hepatic enzymes in experimental diabetes Kumar, G., A.G. Murugesan, and M.R. Pandian, Pharmazie, 2006. 61(4): p. 353-355.
53.    Hypoglycaemic effect of Helicteres isora bark extract in rats Kumar, G., et al., Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2006. 107(2): p. 304-307.
54.    Antimicrobial activity of stem bark of Helicteres isora Badgujar, V.B., et al., Indian Journal of Natural Products, 2006. 22(2): p. 34-35.
55.    Effect of Helicteres isora root extracts on glucose tolerance in glucose-induced hyperglycemic rats Venkatesh, S., et al., Fitoterapia, 2004. 75(3-4): p. 364-367.
56.    Antihyperglycemic activity of Helicteres isora roots in alloxan-induced diabetic rats Venkatesh, S., G.D. Reddy, and B.M. Reddy, Pharmaceutical Biology, 2003. 41(5): p. 347-350.
57.    Antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activity of Helicteres isora in animal models Chakrabarti, R., et al., Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2002. 81(3): p. 343-349.
58.    Antispasmodic activity of the fruits of Helicteres isora Linn Pohocha, N. and N.D. Grampurohit, Phytotherapy Research, 2001. 15(1): p. 49-52.
59.    The chemical constituents from the fruit of Helicteres isora - Flavonoid glucuronides from Helicteres isora Kamiya, K., et al., Phytochemistry, 2001. 57(2): p. 297-301.
60.    Euglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of Helicteres isora extract Jagadheshan, H., et al., Indian Journal of Pharmacology, 2001. 33(4): p. 302-302.
61.    Helicterins A-F, s.n.d., 8.2 ')-neolignans from the Indonesian medicinal plant Helicteres isora Tezuka, Y., et al., Helvetica Chimica Acta, 2000. 83(11): p. 2908-2919.
62.    Pollination ecology of Helicteres isora Linn. (Sterculiaceae) Atluri, J.B., S.P. Rao, and C.S. Reddi, Current Science, 2000. 78(6): p. 713-718.
63.    Helisterculins A and B, t.n., 8.2 ')-neolignans, and helisorin, the first (6.4 ',7.5 ',8.2 ')-neolignan, from the Indonesian medicinal plant Helicteres isora Tezuka, Y., et al., Helvetica Chimica Acta, 1999. 82(3): p. 408-417.
64.    Studies on the constituents of fruits of Helicteres isora L Satake, T., et al., Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 1999. 47(10): p. 1444-1447.
65.    Florivory in Helicteres isora Linn Atluri, J.B., S.P. Rao, and C.S. Reddi, Insect Environment, 1999. 5(3): p. 107-107.
66.    Visitation patterns of birds and butterflies at a Helicteres isora Linn (Sterculiaceae) clump Santharam, V., Current Science, 1996. 70(4): p. 316-319.
67.    Helicteres isora: A keystone species Santharam, V., Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 1996. 93(2): p. 316-317.
68.    A NEW FLAVONE METHYL-ETHER FROM HELICTERES ISORA Ramesh, P. and C.R. Yuvarajan, Journal of Natural Products-Lloydia, 1995. 58(8): p. 1242-1243.
69.    Nutritional quality, f.v.a.r.p.o.H.I.L.B., A. B., N. Rawat, and A. Chandola, Indian Forester, 1992. 118(9): p. 647-649.
70.    ETHNOBOTANY OF HELICTERES-ISORA IN KHERI DISTRICT UTTAR PRADESH INDIA Singh, K.K., S. Saha, and J.K. Maheshwari, Journal of Economic and Taxonomic Botany, 1985. 7(2): p. 487-492.
71.    CUCURBITACIN B AND ISOCUCURBITACIN-B - CYTO-TOXIC COMPONENTS OF HELICTERES-ISORA Bean, M.F., et al., Journal of Natural Products, 1985. 48(3): p. 500-500.
72.    CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF THE LEAVES OF HELICTERES-ISORA Singh, S.B., A.K. Singh, and R.S. Thakur, Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1984. 46(4): p. 148-149.
73.    HELICTERES-ISORA LINN, A.N.S.O.D.B., B. R., A.K. Dey, and P.C. Das, Indian Journal of Chemistry Section B-Organic Chemistry Including Medicinal Chemistry, 1981. 20(10): p. 938-939.
74.    POLLEN ABNORMALITY IN HELICTERES-ISORA-D Sharma, B.D., Journal of the Indian Botanical Society, 1969. 48(1-2): p. 53-61.
75.    CytoloKical studies on two members of the family Sterculiaceae Pentapetes Phoenicia L, a.H.I.L.S., S. S., Sci Cult, 1966. 32((6)): p. 313-315.
76.    A case of reversed polarity in the embryo sac of Helicteres isora L Venkata Rao, C., Sci and Culture, 1952. 18((6)): p. 285-285.
77.    Indigenous cellulosic raw materials for the production of pulp, p.a.b.P.I.W.a.P.p.f.H.i.L.M.P.B., R. V. and M.M. Singh, Indian Forester, 1951. 77(11): p. 664-75.
78.    Traditional Chinese medicinal composition useful for treating gastric ulcer, c.e.g.G.s., Indian trumpet flower, rhizoma Nardostachys, fragrant chestnut, semen lepidii, Helicteres isora, chicory and fragrant leaf Li, L. and Z. Wang. Li L.
79.    Formulation for treating concave scar, c.s., non-surgical keloid scar, burn scar, scald scar, suture scar, external scar and acne, comprises rhizoma polygonati, flaxseed, golden cypress, Helicteres isora, Java Brucea and puffball Gao, J. Gao J.
80.    Traditional Chinese medicinal composition used for e.g. treating chronic gastroenteritis, p.b.s.e.g.H.i., root of anhwei barberry, Ligusticum, pepper, and Paederia scandens in water and filtering mixture Cong, B., X. Sun, and X. Zou. Zou X.
81.    Medicine useful for nausea and vomiting, p.u.e.g.s., rose flower, rose oil, Helicteres isora, pigeon pea, black bean, black sesame, tuckahoe, malachite, seed of Chinese dodder, water and pine bark Chen, M., Y. Wang, and P. Lv. Chen M.