CARISSA CONGESTA

Common name: Karanda • Hindi: Karonda करौंदा • Malayalam: Karakka • Telugu: Peddakalavi •Marathi: karvand • Tamil: களா Kalakkai

Botanical name: Carissa carandas     

Family: Apocynaceae (Oleander family)

Synonyms: Carissa congesta

Geographical distribution

C. carandas believed to be originated near the Himalayas, though some botanists place the fruit’s origin to Java. The plant is found to be distributed in the Himalayas at elevations of 300-1800 m, in the Siwalik Hills, the Western Ghats, in Nepal, Afghanistan, India, Sri Lanka, Java, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Australia, and South Africa. In India it is cultivated in the states of Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and in the Western Ghats.

Introduction:The karanda is a sprawling semi-vine shrub native to India. Leaves are from one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half inches long, very dark green, shiny and opposite and they have large spines like many other Carissas. If the leaves or stems are injured, the white milky sap is seen, which is characteristic of this group of plants. Although carissa karanda can be kept clipped into a shrub, it really prefers to act much like a vine similar to bougainvillea and will climb to the tops of rather tall trees. Small fragrant three-quarter-inch white flowers, with rose stalk, are produced from early spring through late fall and the clusters of small purplish to black fruit ripen from May through October. Fruit size is variable, but most fruits are about three-quarters of an inch in diameter with a few seeds. Fruits usually occur in clusters somewhat resembling large purple grapes. Fruit quality is excellent in this author's opinion, somewhat resembling that of a blueberry in flavor. Fruits can be eaten fresh or used for jellies or jam.

Chemical composition

Phytochemical screening of the root extract showed presence of small quantities of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and large amounts of cardiac glycosides, triterpenoids, phenolic compounds and tannins in crude extract. Further, roots were also reported to contain volatile principles including 2-acetyl phenol, lignan, carinol, sesquiterpenes (carissone, carindone), lupeol, β-sitosterol, 16β-hydroxybetulinic acid, α-amyrin and β-sitosterol glycoside, and des-Nmethylnoracronycine, an acridone alkaloid .

Medicinal uses Anti-diabetic activity, Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-pyretic activities, Hepatoprotective activity, Neuropharmacological and diuretic activities, Anti-convulsant activity, Cardiovascular activity, Anti-nociceptive activity, Anti-ulcer activity, Constipation and diarrhea, Anthelmintic activity.

Folk medicinal uses

Whole plant and its parts were used in the treatment of various ailments. Its fruits are eaten to treat liver dysfunction, to break fever, to counteract the putrefaction of blood while roots are used to improve digestion. Fruits are very rich source of iron and vitamin C, therefore, ethnomedically the fruits are used for curing anemia, as an astringent, antiscorbutic, and as a remedy for biliousness. Its leaf decoction is used against fever, diarrhea, and ear ache, whereas roots serve as a stomachic, vermifuge, remedy for itches, and insect repellent.

Flowers and Fruits: Flowering starts in the month of JanuaryFebruary and fruits mature in May June. Fruits are generally harvested at the immature stage for vegetable purpose, fully ripen fruits are consumed fresh or processed