Artabotrys hexapetalus Health Dictionary

(Linn. f.) Bhandari.

Synonym: A. odoratissimus R. Br.

Family: Annonaceae.

Habitat: Southern India, largely grown in gardens.

Ayurvedic: Panasagandhi, (Harit) Champaka.

Siddha/Tamil: Manoranjidam.

Folk: Haraa champaa (north), Kathari champaa; Hirvaa champaa (Maharashtra).

Action: Cardiac stimulant, uterine stimulant, muscle relaxant.

The extract of the pericarp showed a positive ionotropic and chronotropic effect on all types of experimental animals. The cardiac stimulant and uterine stimulant activity is attributed to the glycosides, whereas the relaxant action on plain muscles and hypotensive effect, which could be partly choliner- gic and partly resulting from vasodila- tory action, are probably due to the presence of the volatile oil.

The leaves are found to contain an antifertility principle. The root contains an antimalarial agent.