AYURVEDIC MEDICINAL PLANT LAWSONIA INERMIS LINN.: A COMPLETE REVIEW

Abstract

Medicinal plants are being widely used, either as single drug or in combination in health care
delivery system. Lawsonia inermis Linn. is commonly known as henna, which is recognized in
traditional system of medicine. It. is a much branched glabrous shrub or small tree (2-6 m in
height), cultivated for its leaves although stem bark, roots, flowers and seeds have also been used
in traditional medicine. It has been traditionally reported in use of headache, hemicranias,
lumbago, bronchitis, boils, ophthalmia, syphilitis, sores, amenorrhea, scabies, diseases of the
spleen, dysuria, bleeding disorder, skin diseases, diuretic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiamoebiasis,
astringent, anti-hemorrhagic, hypotensive and sedative effect. Several studies are
being carried towards it activates like cytotoxic , hypoglycaemic , nootropics, antimicrobial,
antibacterial , trypsin inhibitory , wound Healing , antioxidant , anti-corrosin , anti-inflammatory,
analgesic and antipyretic, anti-parasitic, tuberculostatic , protein glycation inhibitory,
hepatoprotective , anti-tumoral activity. With all these potential benefits, this plant is not widely
utilized. This review gives a view mainly on the traditional uses, phytochemistry and
pharmacological actions of the plant.

Full text

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Pharma Science Monitor 7(2),Apr-Jun 2016
AYURVEDIC MEDICINAL PLANT LAWSONIA INERMIS LINN.: A COMPLETE
REVIEW
Buddhadev S. G.*1, Buddhadev S. S.2
1Associate Professor, Dravyaguna Vigyan, Govt. Ayurved College, Junagadh.
2Assistant Professor, Pharmaceutics, Noble Pharmacy College, Junagadh.
ABSTRACT
Medicinal plants are being widely used, either as single drug or in combination in health care
delivery system. Lawsonia inermis Linn. is commonly known as henna, which is recognized in
traditional system of medicine. It. is a much branched glabrous shrub or small tree (2-6 m in
height), cultivated for its leaves although stem bark, roots, flowers and seeds have also been used
in traditional medicine. It has been traditionally reported in use of headache, hemicranias,
lumbago, bronchitis, boils, ophthalmia, syphilitis, sores, amenorrhea, scabies, diseases of the
spleen, dysuria, bleeding disorder, skin diseases, diuretic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-
amoebiasis, astringent, anti-hemorrhagic, hypotensive and sedative effect. Several studies are
being carried towards it activates like cytotoxic , hypoglycaemic , nootropics, antimicrobial,
antibacterial , trypsin inhibitory , wound Healing , antioxidant , anti-corrosin , anti-inflammatory,
analgesic and antipyretic, anti-parasitic, tuberculostatic , protein glycation inhibitory,
hepatoprotective , anti-tumoral activity. With all these potential benefits, this plant is not widely
utilized. This review gives a view mainly on the traditional uses, phytochemistry and
pharmacological actions of the plant.
KEYWORDS: Henna; Pharmacological action; Phytochemistry, Traditional uses.
INTRODUCTION
Many of today’s modern drugs have their origin in traditional plant medicine. The therapeutic
efficacies of many indigenous plants for various diseases have been described by practitioners of
traditional herbal medicines. Natural products are a significant source of synthetic and traditional
herbal medicine and are still the primary health care system1. The traditional medicinal methods,
especially the use of medicinal plants, still play a vital role to cover the basic health needs in the
developing countries. In recent years there has been a phenomenal rise in the interest of scientific
community to explore the pharmacological actions of herbs or to confirm the claims made about
them in the official books of Ayurveda2. One such plant, Henna (Lawsonia inermis Linn) invites
attention of the researchers worldwide for its pharmacological activities ranging from anti-
inflammatory to anticancer activities. Lawsonia inermis Linn (Family: Lythraceae) is a much
branched glabrous shrub or small tree (2-6 m in height), cultivated for its leaves although stem
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bark, roots, flowers and seeds have also been used in traditional medicine. This plant is a
worldwide known cosmetic agent used to stain hair, skin and nails3. The plant is reported to
contain Lawsone, Esculetin, Fraxetin, Isoplumbagin, Scopoletin, Betulin, Betulinic acid,
Hennadiol, Lupeol, Lacoumarin, Laxanthone, Flavone glycosides, Two pentacytic triterpenes4.
The plant has been reported to have analgesic, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective,
immunostimulant, antiinflammatory, antibacterial, wound healing, antimicrobial, antifungal,
antiviral, antiparasitic, antitrypanosomal, antidermatophytic, antioxidant, antifertility,
tuberculostatic and anticancer properties.
Botanical description
It is much branched, deciduous, glabrous, sometime spinescent shrub or small tree with grayish
brown bark, attaining a height of 2.4-5 m. It is cultivated as a hedge plant throughout India, and
as a commercial crop in certain states of India for its dye5. Leaves are 1.3-3.2 by 0.6-1.6 cm,
elliptic or broadly lanceolate, acute or obtuse, often mucronulate, base tapering; petioles very
short. Flowers are numerous, less than 1.3 cm. across fragrant, white or rose-colored, in large
terminal pyramidal panicled cymes; pedicels short, slender. Calyx 3-5 mm, long broadly
campanulate; lobes 2.5-3 mm, long, suborbicular or subreniform, undulate. Stamens 6, inserted in
pairs on the calyx-tube. Capsules 6 mm, diameter; hlobose, slightly veined outside, supported by
the persistent calyx and tipped with the style7. Seed capsules are red, globose, about the size of a
pea, with numerous tiny pyramidal, brown pitted seeds5.
Ethnobotanical uses
Henna has been used cosmetically and medicinally for over 9,000 years. Traditionally in India,
mehndi is applied to hands and feet. Henna symbolizes fertility. Its use became popular in India
because of its cooling effect in the hot Indian summers. Henna leaves, flowers, seeds, stem bark
and roots are used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments as rheumatoid arthritis,
headache, ulcers, diarrheoa, leprosy, fever, leucorrhoea, diabetes, cardiac disease,
hepatoprotective and coloring agent8,9,10 . Henna leaf has an orange-red dye and leaf paste or
powder is widely used for decorating hands, nails and feet with patterns. It is also used as a hair
dye. It is used for alleviating jaundice, skin diseases, venereal diseases, smallpox and
spermatorrhoea. Flowers are very fragrant and used to extract a perfume, which is used as base
for local scents. An infusion of the flowers is a valuable application to bruises. Decoction of the
flowers is describes as an emmenagogue. Seeds are deodorant. Powered seeds with real ghee
(clarified butter) are effective against dysentery. Seeds in powered form are good medicine for
liver disorders and associated problems. The bark is applied in the form of a decoction to burns

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and scalds. It is given internally in a variety of affections, such as jaundice, enlargement of the
spleen, calculus, as an alternative in leprosy and obstinate skin affections. Root is considered as
a potent medicine for gonorrhea and herpes infection. Root is astringent may be pulped and used
for sore eyes. Pulped root may also be applied to the heads of children for boils. Cambodians
drink a decoction as a diuretic. Decoction of the root generally in combination with prepared
indigo as a powerful abortifacient. The root is supposed to be useful in treatment of hysteria and
nervous disorders8,9,10.
Chemical Constituents Leaves
2-Hydroxy-1, 4-napthoquinone (HNQ; Lawsone) is the principle natural dye contained at 1.0-1
.4 % in the leaves of Henna11. Other related compounds present in the leaves are: 1,
4dihydroxynaphthalene.1,4-naphthoquinone, 1,2-dihydroxy-glucoyloxynaphthalene and 2-
hydroxy-1,4-diglucosyloxynaphthalene. Flavonoids (luteolins, apigenin, and their glycosides).
Coumarins (esculetin, fraxetin, scopletin). Steroids (β-sitosterol)7. The leaves of Lawsonia
inermis also reported to contain soluble matter tannin, gallic acid, glucose, mannitol, fat, resin
and mucilage2. Bark Bark contains napthoquinone, isoplumbagin, triterpenoids-Hennadiol,
aliphatics (3-methylnonacosan-1-ol)5.Flower Flowers on steam distillation gave an essential oil
(0.02 %) rich in ionones (90 %) in which β-ionones predominated5.
Pharmacological activities
Immunomodulatory effect
Methanol extract of henna leaves at 1 mg/ml concentration had displayed immunostimulant
action as indicated by promotion of T-lymphocyte proliferative responses. Seven compounds
were isolated adopting the lymphocyte transformation assay (LTA)-guided fractionation of the
total methanolic extract of henna leaves12. Naphthoquinone fraction obtained from leaves L.
inermis showed significant immunomodulatory effect13.
Antioxidant effect
Modulator effect of 80 % ethanol extract of leaves of henna on drug metabolising phase I and
phase II enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation in the liver of Swiss Albino mice. The
hepatic glutathione S-transferase and DTdiaphorase specific activities were elevated above basal
level by L. inermis extract treatment. With reference to antioxidant enzyme the investigated
doses were effective in increasing the hepatic glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase
(SOD) and catalase activities significantly at both the dose levels. Reduced glutathione (GSH)
measured as non-protein sulphydryl was found to be significantly elevated in liver. Among the
extrahepatic organs examined (forestomach, kidney and lung) glutathione S-transferase and

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DTdiaphorase level were increased in a dose independent manner14. Chloroform extract of
leaves of Lawsonia inemris had shown the highest activity (87.6 %) followed by α-tocopherol
(62.5 %) by using FTC method and based on TBA method significant activity (55.7 %)
compared to α- tocopherol (44.4 %)15. Total phenolic compound was 2.56 and 1.45 mg tannic
per mg of Henna dry matter as extracted with methanol and water respectively. In effect of
different concentrations of methanolic extract of henna in comparison with synthetic
antioxidant16. 2-hydroxy-1, 4- naphthoquinone (HNQ; lawsone) is the main ingredient of L.
inermis. During the oxidation of 100μM phenanthridine by guinea pigs aldehyde oxidase
formation of superoxide anion (SO2) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at 6-10 % and 85-90 %
resp. HNQ inhibits the production of superoxide anion and substrate oxidation more potently
than hydrogen peroxide.the IC50 value of HNQ with phenanthridine oxidation by aldehyde
oxidase was 9.3 ±1.1μM, which in excess of 15 fold of maximal plasma concentrations of HNQ,
indicating a high degree of safety margin17.
Anti-inflammatory activity
Isoplumbagin and lawsaritol, isolated from stem bark and root of L. inermis L. showed anti-
inflammatory activity against Carrageenan induced paw oedema in rats. The compounds
phenylbutazone, isoplumbagin and lawsaritol at the oral dose of 100 mg/kg exhibited 61, 60 and
40 percent inhibition in comparison with controls. Isoplumbagin showed significant anti
inflammatory activity similar to that of phenylbutazone18. Butanol and chloroform fractions
showed more potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects than aqueous fraction of
crude ethanol extract of L. inermis in a dose dependent manner19. Leaves showed significant
anti-inflammatory effect with some active principles20-21.
Antifertility activity
Ethanol extract prepared from the powdered seeds of L. inermis L. failed to show any antifertility
activity. However in subsequent studies it was observed that the powdered leaves of when
administered as suspension or incorporated into the diet inhibited the fertility of rats. The fertility
induced appeared to be permanent22.
Cytotoxic activity
Isoplumbagin exhibited up to a 1000 fold range of differential sensitivity, which represents
distinct fingerprint of cellular responsiveness. At concentration of 10.5–10.8 M, the compound
typically produced LC50 –level responses against a majority of the melanoma and colon cancer
cell lines as well as against several of the non- small cell lungs, colon, CNS, and renal cell lines.
Isoplumbagin showed an interesting profile of cytotoxic activity23. Chloroform extract of leaves

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of L. inermis displayed the cytotoxic effects against liver (HepG2) and Human breast (MCF-7)
with IC50 values of 0.3 and 24.85μg/ml by microculture tetrazolium salt assay (MTT)24. CAT
assay, a zone of inhibition test of bacterial growth and colony-forming efficiency test of
transformant Escherichia coli strains that express mammalian catalase gene derived from normal
catalase mice (Csa) and catalase-deficient mutant mice (Csb), Ames mutagenicity assay and
H2O2 generation assay are carried out. Lawsone generated H2O2 slightly in phosphate buffer
system and was not mutagenic in Ames assay using TA98, TA100 and TA102, both in the
absence and presence of metabolic activation. Lawsone exposure inhibited the growth of both
Csa and Csb strains in a dose-dependent manner. Oxidative stress probably arises when
napthoquinone part in lawsone reduced to a semiquinone by enzymatic systems25.
Antiparasitic activity
During an ethnopharmacological survey of antiparasitic medicinal plants used in Ivory Coast, 17
plants were identified and collected. Polar, non-polar and alkaloidal extracts of various parts of
these species were evaluated in vitro in an antiparasitic drug screening. Antimalarial,
leishmanicidal, trypanocidal, antihelminthiasis and antiscabies activities were determined.
Among the selected plants, L. inermis L. showed interesting trypanocidal activities26.
Antimicrobial Activity
Leaf samples of Lawsonia inermis were collected from Dammar region, north of Sudan to
examine their antimicrobial potential. Water, methanol and chloroform crude extracts in different
concentrations were obtained and bioassayed in vitro for its bioactivity to inhibit the growth of 6
human pathogenic fungi and 4 types of bacteria. The differences in bioactivity of the 3 types
extracts were analyzed. Despite extreme fluctuations in activity, the extract of water was clearly
superior. Phytochemical analyses showed the presence of anthraquinones as major constituents
of the plant leaves and are commonly known to posses antimicrobial activity27.
Hepatoprotective activity
Alcoholic extract of the bark of L. inermis showed hepatoprotective effect against the carbon
tetrachlorideinduced elevation in serum marker enzymes (GOT and GPT), serum bilirubin, liver
lipid peroxidation and reduction in total serum protein, liver glutathione, glutathione peroxidase,
glutathione-s-transferase, glycogen, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity. The results
suggest hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of extract of L. alba bark. Pretreatment of rats
with the extract also inhibited the peroxidation of microsomal lipids in a dose-dependent
manner28.
Wound healing effects

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Chloroform and aqueous extracts of leaves of the plant were capable of inhibiting the growth of
microorganisms that are involved in causing burn wound infections29-30. Ethanol extract of the
plant (200 mg/kg/day) was used to evaluate the wound healing activity on rats using excision,
incision and dead space wound models. Extract of L. inermis when compared with the control
and reference standard animals: a high rate of wound contraction, a decrease in the period of
epithelialization, high skin breaking strength, a significant increase in the granulation tissue
weight and hydroxyproline content. Histological studies of the tissue showed increased well
organized bands of collagen, more fibroblasts and few inflammatory cells when compared with
the controls which showed inflammatory cells, scanty collagen fibres and fibroblasts31.
Analgesic activity
The ethanol extract of 25 plants commonly used in traditional Arab system of medicine for
treatment of pain, fever and rheumatism were investigated for their analgesic and antipyretic
activities. The extract of leaves of henna showed significant analgesic as well as antipyretic
activity32. The fixed oil obtained from seeds were screened for pharmacological activity both in-
vitro and in-vivo. It was concluded that seed oil is devoid of behavioural and CNS effects and
failed to produce any effect on isolated tissue though it possess significant analgesic activity33.
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For Correspondence
Buddhadev S. G.,
Email: near2nature@yahoo.com