Vasa
Adhatoda vasica Nees (syn. Justicia adhatoda L.)
Vasa (Adhatoda vasica Nees (syn. Justicia adhatoda L.)) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Acanthaceae family. Included in WHO manual on Traditional Medicine in Primary Health Care; WHO Special Programme of Research in Human Reproduction investigated vasicine for fertility regulation; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India listed.
| Botanical name | Adhatoda vasica Nees (syn. Justicia adhatoda L.) |
|---|---|
| Currently accepted name | Justicia adhatoda L. — the name above is treated as a synonym by GBIF; both are in use |
| Family | Acanthaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Pharmacopoeia status | Included in WHO manual on Traditional Medicine in Primary Health Care; WHO Special Programme of Research in Human Reproduction investigated vasicine for fertility regulation; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India listed |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 3173106 · Wikidata Q926757 · NCBI Taxonomy 141317 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Vasa |
| Latin/Botanical | Adhatoda vasica Nees (syn. Justicia adhatoda L.) |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Vasicine (quinazoline alkaloid)
- Vasicinone
- Vasicinol
- 7-Hydroxyvasicine
- Vasicolinone
- Deoxyvasicine
- Adhatodine
- Anisotine
How does it work?
- Bronchodilatory: Vasicine and vasicinone relax bronchial smooth muscle through dual mechanism - beta-2 adrenergic agonism and muscarinic M3 receptor antagonism
- Expectorant/Mucolytic: Vasicine stimulates ciliary motility and enhances serous gland secretion, reducing mucus viscosity and promoting clearance
- Uterotonic: Vasicine stimulates uterine smooth muscle contraction similar to oxytocin through prostaglandin synthesis pathway activation
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
- Bronchodilatory and antitussive use (Kasa-Shwasahara) extensively validated through clinical and pharmacological studies confirming vasicine’s expectorant mechanism
- Hemostatic use (Raktapitta treatment) confirmed by vasoconstriction and platelet aggregation enhancement by vasicinone in bleeding models
- Antimicrobial use for respiratory infections supported by antibacterial activity against common respiratory pathogens (S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae)
What do recent clinical trials show?
- Rudrapal M, Vallinayagam S, Aldosari S and others 2023. Valorization of Adhatoda vasica leaves: Extraction, in vitro analyses and in silico approaches. Frontiers in nutrition. PMID 37063312 · doi:10.3389/fnut.2023.1161471
In silico and in vitro studies validated vasicine as potent bronchodilator with favorable binding to beta-2 adrenergic receptor and muscarinic M3 receptor antagonism.
2 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.
Recent safety updates
- WHO includes it in manual ‘The Use of Traditional Medicine in Primary Health Care’ for cough, asthma; can be used safely for adults and children for extended periods at standard doses
- Contraindicated in pregnancy due to uterotonic and potential abortifacient activity of vasicine; large doses may cause nausea and vomiting; WHO studied vasicine for fertility regulation in 1980s
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Svarasa (fresh leaf juice), Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Capsule, Tablet, Syrup (Vasavaleha/Vasa Haritaki), Avaleha, Ghana Vati (solid extract tablet)
Standard Dosage: 10-20 mL fresh juice with honey twice daily; 3-5 g powder twice daily; 50-100 mL decoction twice daily; 1-2 teaspoons Vasavaleha twice daily
Bioavailability: Vasicine (peganine) has good oral bioavailability (~45-55%) with rapid absorption (Tmax 1-2 hours). Vasicinone (auto-oxidation product of vasicine) is also well absorbed. Both cross the blood-brain barrier. Vasicine is a potent bronchodilator and respiratory stimulant. Metabolism is primarily hepatic (CYP-mediated oxidation). Vasicinone has complementary pharmacological profile (bronchodilator at low doses, bronchoconstrictor at high doses). Fresh juice provides highest vasicine bioavailability.
Optimal Timing: Before meals with honey for respiratory conditions; morning and evening; avoid during pregnancy
Standardized Extract: Leaf extract standardized to >1.0% vasicine and >0.5% vasicinone by HPLC; total alkaloid content >2.0%
Shelf Life: Fresh juice: 24-48 hours refrigerated; Powder: 12-18 months; Syrup: 18-24 months; Capsules/Tablets: 24-36 months; Avaleha: 18-24 months
Storage: Dried leaves in airtight, light-resistant containers at 15-25 deg C. Fresh juice at 2-8 deg C. Syrup in amber glass. Monitor vasicine-to-vasicinone ratio during stability studies as indicator of oxidative degradation.
Marker Compounds: Vasicine (peganine), Vasicinone, Vasicol, Vasicinol, Adhatodine, Deoxyvasicine, Maiontone, beta-Sitosterol
Extraction Methods
- Fresh leaf juice expression
- Aqueous decoction
- Hydroethanolic extraction (50-70% ethanol)
- Acid-base extraction for alkaloid isolation
- Spray drying of aqueous extract
Synergistic Combinations
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Other clinical studies and reviews9
- 2026. The Multifaceted Potential of Adhatoda vasica Nees: Traditional Uses, Pharmacological Activities and Biotechnological ApplicationsMini reviews in medicinal chemistry. PMID 42015366 · doi:10.2174/0113895575430554260206060149
- 2024. Exploring the pharmacological and chemical aspects of pyrrolo-quinazoline derivatives in Adhatoda vasicaHeliyon. PMID 38379997 · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25727
- 2023. Potential Uses of Adhatoda Vasica in OrthodonticsJournal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences. PMID 37654366 · doi:10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_74_23
- 2023. Ayurgenomics in Anti-Viral Therapy: A Literature SynthesisCureus. PMID 36895544 · doi:10.7759/cureus.34649
- 2022. A systematic ethnobotanical review of Adhatoda vasica (L.), NeesCellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France). PMID 35809281 · doi:10.14715/cmb/2021.67.4.28
- 2021. Adhatoda vasica (Nees.): A Review on its Botany, Traditional uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Activities and ToxicityMini reviews in medicinal chemistry. PMID 33634759 · doi:10.2174/1389557521666210226152238
- 2018. In vitro biotechnological advancements in Malabar nut (Adhatoda vasica Nees): Achievements, status and prospectsJournal, genetic engineering & biotechnology. PMID 30733772 · doi:10.1016/j.jgeb.2018.03.007
- 2017. A reappraisal of the mucoactive activity and clinical efficacy of bromhexineMultidisciplinary respiratory medicine. PMID 28331610 · doi:10.1186/s40248-017-0088-1
- 2000. Adhatoda vasica: a critical review of ethnopharmacological and toxicological dataJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 10967448 · doi:10.1016/s0378-8741(00)00225-7
Laboratory and animal studies3
- 2023. Valorization of Adhatoda vasica leaves: Extraction, in vitro analyses and in silico approachesFrontiers in nutrition. PMID 37063312 · doi:10.3389/fnut.2023.1161471
- 2023. Multifunctional analysis and antimicrobial activity of Adhatoda vasica: a traditional medicinal plantDrug metabolism and personalized therapy. PMID 37381682 · doi:10.1515/dmpt-2023-0012
- 2021. Adhatoda vasica rescues the hypoxia-dependent severe asthma symptoms and mitochondrial dysfunctionAmerican journal of physiology. Lung cellular and molecular physiology. PMID 33565386 · doi:10.1152/ajplung.00511.2020
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