Trichopus zeylanicus

Other Names

Arogya pachaArogyapachaArogyappachaChathan kalanjiGinseng of Kani TribesIndian GinsengJeevaniKerala GinsengPodianthus arifolius Schnizl.SattithanpatchilaiSteireya angustifolia (Lindl.) Raf.Steireya cordata (Lindl.) Raf.Steireya media Raf.Trichopodium angustifolium Lindl.Trichopodium cordatum Lindl.Trichopodium intermedium Lindl.Trichopodium travancoricum Bedd.Trichopodium zeylanicum (Gaertn.) ThwaitesTrichopus malayanus Ridl.Trichopus zeylanicus Gaertn.Trichopus zeylanicus subsp. angustifolius (Lindl.) Sivar., Pushp. & P.K.R.KumarTrichopus zeylanicus subsp. travancoricus (Bedd.) BurkillTrichopus zeylanicus var. angustifolius (Lindl.) R.KnuthTrichopus zeylanicus var. cordatus (Lindl.) R.KnuthTrichopus zeylanicus var. intermedius (Lindl.) R.KnuthVarahi

Synopsis

Trichopus zeylanicus (Arogyapacha)

1. Identity and Botanical Description

Trichopus zeylanicus is a small herbaceous plant, which is one of only two species of its genus, Trichopus. Formerly it was placed in its own family, Trichopodaceae, but is now included in the family Dioscoreaceae. Commonly known as "Kerala Ginseng," it is a tiny perennial herb with a rhizomatous stem.

The subspecies endemic to South India has been taxonomically identified as Trichopus zeylanicus ssp. travancoricus Burkill ex K. Narayanan, family Trichopodaceae, which has been traditionally used by the Kani tribe as an antifatigue and stamina-boosting herbal drug. The plant is also known by the vernacular names Arogyapacha (Malayalam) and Arogyapachai (Tamil), both meaning roughly "the green that gives health" or "the greener of health." A critical survey of the Ayurveda classics suggests that Arogyapacha may be the divine "Varahi" described by Sushruta.

The leaves are about 20 centimetres long and grow from a rhizome. The shape of the leaves can be highly variable even within one location, but the most common shape is cordate. The herb grows on sandy soil near rivers and streams in shady places in lowland and intermediate altitude forests. It flowers year-long and the fruits are thought to be dispersed by water. The unusual flowers are purplish black. T. zeylanicus grows in Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the Southwestern Ghats mountains of Southern India.

The subspecies travancoricus (2n = 28) is classified as an endangered medicinal plant, endemic to the Western Ghats of India. Restricted distributions have been observed in the southern Western Ghats, India, with populations growing as small, isolated patches.

Common Names and Synonyms

Arogyapacha / Arogyappacha (Malayalam/regional)
Jeevani (the name of the principal commercial herbal formulation derived from it)
Kerala Ginseng (colloquial scientific descriptor)
Trichopus zeylanicus ssp. travancoricus Burkill ex K. Narayanan is locally known as Arogyapachai.

2. Traditional and Historical Use

The Kani Tribe of Kerala and Tamil Nadu

T. zeylanicus grows in Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the Southwestern Ghats mountains of Southern India. It has been used for centuries by the Kaani tribal community of the Agastya Koodam ranges in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, India, for its medicinal uses.

Arogyapacha (Trichopus zeylanicus), found endemic to the Agastyar hills of Kerala, is used by the local Kani tribe as a health food for getting instant stamina, ever-green health, and vitality. The tonic effect of this plant is comparable to that of the famous health food/drug Ginseng.

Kani tribes use the unripe fruits as a highly restorative tonic, similar to ginseng. The Kanis assert that eating the plant's fresh fruits will keep one youthful, vigorous, strong, and immune to many illnesses.

Traditionally, the Kani tribes are a nomadic people indigenous to the tropical forests of the Agasthyamalai hills of the Western Ghats, a mountain range in Kerala. The Kani have a rich tradition of using wild plants found in the region for health reasons. Their tribal physicians, known as Plathi, are the exclusive holders of the traditional medicinal knowledge of the tribe. According to Kani tribal customs, only the Plathi have the right to transfer and disseminate their traditional medicinal knowledge.

Scientific Discovery of the Traditional Use

During a botanical expedition in 1987, scientists from the Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (TBGRI) observed members of the Kani tribe eating fruits from a plant they called Arogyapacha (Trichopus zeylanicus), meaning "the green that gives strength." The Kani had traditionally used this plant to combat fatigue on long, grueling treks through the forest. Guided by Kani tribesmen, the researchers were struck by the remarkable stamina of their guides. After observing them chewing small black fruits during the journey, the scientists tasted the fruit themselves and instantly experienced renewed energy. Reluctantly, and only after much persuasion, the Kani guides revealed the source — Arogyapacha, a plant endemic to the Western Ghats.

Ayurvedic Context

The plant, though not mentioned in classical Ayurvedic texts, has been tentatively equated as Varahi, one of the divine drugs by Ayurvedic scholars. Currently, there is no information available confirming Ayurvedic use or Ayurvedic identity for this plant in classical texts. Researchers have proposed that its effects may parallel those of classical Ayurvedic rasayana (rejuvenating) preparations, but this remains an interpretive, not textual, connection.

The Jeevani Formulation and Benefit-Sharing Model

This ethnobotanical discovery made by the Kani tribe was turned into a commercialized herbal extract called Jeevani, including T. zeylanicus as well as other herbs including Withania somnifera, Piper longum, and Evolvulus alsinoides. This formulation was created by JNTBGRI in the early 1990s and commercially introduced under license to Arya Vaidya Pharmacy (AVP) in Coimbatore around 1995. Jeevani is marketed as an all-purpose tonic and invigorator in cases of exhaustion, fatigue, post-illness recovery, and stress.

In the formulation, only about 13–15% comes from Arogyapacha, while the rest combines other Ayurvedic ingredients including Ashwagandha for immunity and vitality, shankhpushpam for memory and calmness, and pippali for metabolic balance and reproductive health, along with approved natural binders and preservatives.

This program, organized by JNTBGRI, was one of the first benefit-sharing deals with a Kani tribal community and guaranteed equal sharing of profits and the indigenous intellectual property. The agreement granted AVP a seven-year licence, with a ₹10 lakh fee and a two percent royalty on sales. These revenues were to be shared equally between JNTBGRI and the Kani community.

The exclusive rights to Trichopus zeylanicus are denied under the Indian Patent Act, 1970, which forbids product patents for plants. Despite the legality of process patents, Jeevani's patent expired in 2008, and even with decades passing, there existed no effective IP protection internationally.

3. Key Phytochemical Constituents

Preliminary phytochemical screening of different extracts of T. zeylanicus subsp. travancoricus revealed the presence of various secondary metabolites such as phenolics, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, steroids, glycosides, and saponins.

Chemical investigations have resulted in the identification of glycolipids, flavonoids, and chromones from the aerial parts.

Using GC-MS analysis, a total of 22 chemical constituents were identified. Among these, 2-methyl-3-oxy-gamma-pyrone (1.87%), 2-methyl-3-hydroxypyrone (2.77%), Pyranone (4.88%), Coumaran (12.74%), Vanillin (1.24%), Isovanillic acid (1.96%), Quinic acid (9.15%), alpha-santonin (4.98%), digiprolactone (1.46%), Ascorbic acid 2,6-dihexadecanoate (0.43%), and phenolic derivatives were identified as therapeutically active components.

Other GC-MS/EI-MS analyses of leaf and stem identified Undecane (19.65%), n-Hexadecanoic acid (8.54%), phytol (8.48%), Hexadecanoic acid methyl ester (7.24%), Neophytadiene (7.01%), 3-Azabicyclo[3.2.2]nonane (6.28%), Methyl stearate (4.71%), and Decane 1,9-bis[(trimethylsilyl]oxy] (3.64%) among the major compounds.

A number of fatty acid methyl esters were found to have anti-inflammatory and membrane-stabilizing effects, including 9-octadecenoic acid methyl ester and 15-methyl heptadecanoic acid methyl ester.

Trichopus zeylanicus contains NADH, polyphenols, and sulfhydryl compounds, which have the ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species, suggesting that antioxidant activity may be an important mechanism of action in combating fatigue.

The presence of phenolic compounds such as vanillin, isovanillic acid, and coumaran can be attributed to the plant's ability to neutralize the effects of reactive oxygen species and inhibit lipid peroxidation. This polyphenolic composition is considered the basis of the adaptogenic effects and hepatoprotective effects of the plant.

Isolated saponins of rhizomes and leaves of T. zeylanicus have been reported to have notable antistress, antiulcer, and immunomodulatory properties.

Genomic Characterization

A draft genome study predicted 34,452 protein-coding genes in the T. zeylanicus genome, and found that a significant portion of these predicted genes were associated with various secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathways. A more recent complete mitochondrial genome assembly showed the circular mitogenome spans 709,127 bp with a GC content of 46%, encoding 32 protein-coding genes, 17 tRNAs, and three rRNAs.

4. Mechanisms of Action

The following mechanisms have been proposed or investigated in preclinical (in vitro and animal) studies:

Antioxidant / Free-radical scavenging: The antioxidant properties of Trichopus zeylanicus were established on free radicals (DPPH and ABTS), its ability to reduce iron, lipoxygenase activity, and hydrogen peroxide-induced lipid peroxidation. Effects on reactive oxygen species-induced plasmid DNA (pBR322) cleavage were also investigated. T. zeylanicus significantly scavenged free radicals, reduced lipid peroxidation, inhibited lipoxygenase activity, exhibited iron-chelating activity, and inhibited ROS-induced DNA damage.
Adaptogenic / Anti-stress: A glyco-peptido-lipid fraction ("AF") from the alcoholic extract of T. zeylanicus was evaluated for antistress activity in a battery of tests and exhibited significant antistress activity in a dose-dependent manner in all parameters studied, against the different stresses used to induce non-specific stress.
Hepatoprotective: The plant leaf suspension (1,000 mg/kg; wet weight) as well as its methanol extract (100 mg/kg) showed remarkable hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity as judged from serum marker enzymes, liver histology, and levels of lipid peroxides in liver. The effect of the methanol extract was concentration-dependent. The water and hexane extracts were almost inactive. The methanol extract (100 mg/kg) also exhibited choleretic activity in anesthetized normal rats.
Immunomodulatory: The alkaloid fraction of T. zeylanicus (AFTZ) may play an important role in the stimulation of both humoral and cell-mediated immunity.
Cardioprotective: T. zeylanicus confers cardioprotection against isoproterenol-induced myocardial ischemia in rats by normalizing serum CK-MB and LDH levels, reducing oxidative stress, and restoring myocardial architecture.
Energy metabolism: Studies in mice showed that one hour after oral extract administration (25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg), plasma glucose levels and swimming performance were assessed. Effects of an optimum dose (100 mg/kg) on plasma glucose, free fatty acids (FFA), pyruvic acid (PA), and lactic acid (LA) levels were determined at rest and after swimming exercise for 45 and 90 min.

5. Scientific Evidence by Area of Use

Important note on evidence level: The vast majority of available pharmacological data on Trichopus zeylanicus derives from in vitro assays and animal (rodent) experiments. JNTBGRI conducted clinical trials in which Jeevani (the polyherbal formulation containing T. zeylanicus) was administered orally to one hundred human subjects in studies involving either healthy or unhealthy individuals. The research focused on determining the ability of these people to withstand adverse conditions such as increased workload, quality of work completed under stress, athletic performance, mental alertness, and overall work output. Results of the clinical trials were described as very successful, and Jeevani was found to exert favorable effects in a number of situations. However, these open-label clinical studies have not been published as controlled randomized trials in peer-reviewed journals and pertain to the multi-herb formulation Jeevani, not to isolated T. zeylanicus alone. No standalone randomized controlled trials in humans for T. zeylanicus as a single ingredient have been identified in the peer-reviewed literature.

5.1 Anti-Fatigue and Adaptogenic Activity

Evidence level: Preclinical (animal) — strong in rodent models; no standalone human RCTs.

The alcoholic extract of seeds of Trichopus zeylanicus showed potent adaptogenic or antistress properties against a variety of stresses in both rats and mice. The extract increased the swimming performance of normal and adrenalectomized mice, significantly prevented a variety of stress- and chemical-induced ulcerations in rats, prevented milk-induced leucocytosis in mice, and reduced the gastric secretory volume, pH, and acid output in pylorus-ligated rat stomach.

A study investigated the effectiveness of T. zeylanicus whole plant powder on fatigue in young Sprague-Dawley rats and aged normal and long-living mutant Ames dwarf mice. Fatigue was evaluated by subjecting the animals to a forced swim test. T. zeylanicus (250 and 500 mg/kg) treated young Sprague-Dawley rats resisted fatigue at a significant level (p < 0.005) compared with controls by an extended swim time in the forced swim test. Oral T. zeylanicus (500 mg/kg) treatment for two weeks significantly increased mobility time in the aged mutant (p < 0.05) and normal mice (p < 0.01), and significantly increased swim time in the forced swim test in the aged normal mice (p < 0.05). Amphetamine-mimetic activity was excluded by suitable tests. These results show that T. zeylanicus whole plant powder has anti-fatigue effects in young Sprague-Dawley rats and aged normal and mutant Ames dwarf mice, providing scientific evidence for the Kani tribal practice.

5.2 Antioxidant and DNA Protection

Evidence level: In vitro — strong free-radical scavenging data; no human trials.

Chronic fatigue is considered a complex symptom for which currently there is no curative treatment available. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the etiology of fatigue, and antioxidant treatment might be a valuable therapeutic approach. The Kani, a tribal high-altitude-living population in southern India, traditionally use the seeds of T. zeylanicus to combat fatigue. In vitro, T. zeylanicus significantly scavenged free radicals, reduced lipid peroxidation, inhibited lipoxygenase activity, exhibited iron-chelating activity, and inhibited reactive oxygen species-induced DNA damage. The plant contains NADH, polyphenols, and sulfhydryl compounds which have the ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species, suggesting that antioxidant activity may be an important mechanism of action to combat fatigue.

5.3 Hepatoprotective Activity

Evidence level: Animal studies (rats) — consistent results across paracetamol and other hepatotoxicity models; no human trials.

T. zeylanicus extract has been evaluated for its antihepatotoxic and choleretic activities in rats. The plant leaf suspension (1,000 mg/kg; wet weight) as well as its methanol extract (100 mg/kg) showed remarkable hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity as judged from serum marker enzymes, liver histology, and levels of lipid peroxides in liver. The effect of the methanol extract was concentration-dependent. The water and hexane extracts were almost inactive. The methanol extract (100 mg/kg) also exhibited choleretic activity in anesthetized normal rats. This was the first report of the antihepatotoxic as well as choleretic properties of T. zeylanicus.

A subsequent study evaluated the aqueous leaf extract against ibuprofen-induced hepatic toxicity. The objective was to evaluate the ameliorative effect of aqueous leaves' extract of T. zeylanicus against ibuprofen-induced hepatic toxicity and enteropathy in rats. Thirty male albino rats were used, divided into five groups of six. Group II received ibuprofen (400 mg/kg/day), Group III received silymarin (25 mg/kg/day) plus ibuprofen, Group IV received aqueous leaf extract of T. zeylanicus (1,000 mg/kg/day) plus ibuprofen, and Group V received extract alone. The duration of administration was five days, followed by assessment of liver and intestine enzyme markers, antioxidant parameters, and histopathological changes.

5.4 Immunomodulatory Activity

Evidence level: Animal studies (in vivo) — preliminary supportive data; no human trials.

The immunomodulatory activity of the alkaloid fraction of T. zeylanicus was evaluated using various in vivo models including the neutrophil adhesion test, delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction, effects on hematological parameters (total WBCs, RBCs, and hemoglobin), and cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression. Sheep red blood cells were used to immunize the animals. The investigation suggested that AFTZ may play an important role in stimulation of both humoral and cell-mediated immunity. AFTZ was also reported to help reduce the side effects of drug-induced myelosuppression.

5.5 Antidiabetic Activity

Evidence level: Animal studies (streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats) — promising; no human trials.

The ethanolic extract of T. zeylanicus was studied for antidiabetic activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by oral administration of extract at 400 mg/kg body weight for 15 days. The effect was compared with the standard drug glibenclamide at an oral dose of 0.5 mg/kg. Blood glucose level was determined by GOD-POD kit method. The results showed that the ethanolic extract of T. zeylanicus leaves significantly lowered the blood glucose of hyperglycemic rats. From the toxicity study it was observed that the ethanolic extract was nontoxic up to 5 g/kg body weight.

5.6 Cardioprotective Activity

Evidence level: Animal studies — preliminary data from isoproterenol-induced myocardial ischemia models; no human trials.

The cardioprotective effects of T. zeylanicus leaves against isoproterenol-induced myocardial ischemia were studied in Wistar strain rats. The plant conferred cardioprotection by normalizing serum CK-MB and LDH levels, reducing oxidative stress, and restoring myocardial architecture.

5.7 Aphrodisiac Activity

Evidence level: Animal studies (male mice) only; no human data.

The study revealed for the first time the aphrodisiac activity of Trichopus zeylanicus, an endemic herb of India. This was demonstrated in male mice using extracts of the plant leaf. The pups fathered by the drug-treated mice were found to be normal with reference to foetal growth, litter size, and sex ratio. The water as well as n-hexane extracts of the plant leaf were inactive.

5.8 Anti-Ulcer Activity

Evidence level: Animal studies — data from both seed extract studies and isolated saponin fraction; no human trials.

The seeds of T. zeylanicus exhibit significant adaptogenic activity, enhancing resistance to various stressors. They improve swimming endurance in mice, reduce gastric ulcers, and prevent stress-induced biological changes, showcasing their potential as a therapeutic agent. Isolated saponins of rhizomes and leaves of T. zeylanicus have been attributed notable antistress, antiulcer, and immunomodulatory properties.

5.9 Antitumor / Anticancer Activity

Evidence level: Preclinical only — animal tumor model data; no human clinical data.

T. zeylanicus treatment protected mice from tumour cell growth in preclinical in vivo models. Natural products are considered useful sources of anticancer agents, and in this regard T. zeylanicus has been of promising antitumor interest. This area is highly preliminary, and no clinical studies have been conducted.

5.10 Anti-Hyperlipidemic Activity

Evidence level: Animal studies — preliminary; no human trials.

Studies examining the anti-hyperlipidemic activity of T. zeylanicus leaves were conducted in rats using high-fat diet and Triton X-100-induced hyperlipidemia models. An investigation of anti-hyperlipidemic activity of T. zeylanicus leaves against high-fat diet and Triton X-100-induced hyperlipidemia was published in World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (2014), 3: 1017–1025. Human evidence for this effect is absent.

5.11 Anti-Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Activity

Evidence level: Preclinical in vitro and in vivo; no human data.

The alkaloid fraction of T. zeylanicus has been tested for antinociceptive (pain-reducing) and anti-inflammatory activity. A number of fatty acid methyl esters found in the plant were identified as having anti-inflammatory and membrane-stabilizing effects. These findings are based on experimental animal studies.

6. Body Systems and Health Areas Associated

Recent pharmacological studies have revealed that besides its antifatigue property, this plant possesses many medicinal properties such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, aphrodisiac, antihyperlipidemic, antitumor, antiulcer, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective activity.

Based on the accumulated experimental evidence, the body systems and health areas most associated with T. zeylanicus include:

Musculoskeletal / Physical endurance: Anti-fatigue and adaptogenic effects; improvement in swim endurance.
Liver and biliary system: Hepatoprotective and choleretic effects in paracetamol and ibuprofen models.
Immune system: Stimulation of both humoral and cell-mediated immunity (alkaloid fraction).
Cardiovascular system: Cardioprotection against ischemic injury, normalization of cardiac biomarkers.
Endocrine / Metabolic: Antidiabetic and anti-hyperlipidemic activity in rodent models.
Gastrointestinal system: Anti-ulcer and cytoprotective effects in the stomach.
Reproductive system: Aphrodisiac effect in male mice (methanol extract).
Central nervous / stress response: Antistress activity via non-specific resistance enhancement.
Cellular / DNA protection: Inhibition of ROS-induced DNA damage in vitro.

7. Dosage Forms and Reported Dosages

No standardized therapeutic dosage has been established for humans through controlled clinical trials. The following dosages appear in the experimental literature:

In forced swim test experiments in young Sprague-Dawley rats, T. zeylanicus whole plant powder was administered at 250 and 500 mg/kg orally, with both doses showing significant antifatigue effects compared to controls.
Oral T. zeylanicus at 500 mg/kg treatment for two weeks significantly increased mobility and swim time in aged mice.
Leaf alcohol extract doses of 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg were tested in mice for effects on plasma glucose and swimming performance, with 100 mg/kg designated as the optimum dose for energy metabolism studies.
In rat hepatoprotection studies, plant leaf suspension at 1,000 mg/kg (wet weight) and methanol extract at 100 mg/kg were used.
In streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat studies, the ethanolic extract was administered orally at 400 mg/kg body weight for 15 days.
In ibuprofen-induced hepatotoxicity studies, the aqueous leaf extract (ALETZ) was administered at 1,000 mg/kg/day for five days in rats.

In terms of preparations, the plant has been studied as alcoholic (ethanol/methanol) extracts, aqueous extracts, whole plant powder, seed powder, isolated alkaloid fractions, saponin fractions, and a glyco-peptido-lipid fraction. The drug Jeevani, formulated with T. zeylanicus as one of its ingredients, has been subjected to toxicological and open clinical studies and has been in use since 1996.

8. Safety Considerations

Acute Toxicity in Animal Studies

Acute toxicity of T. zeylanicus seed extract revealed no significant behavioral changes or mortality at doses up to 3 g/kg, indicating a favorable safety profile.

No significant behavioral changes or mortality were noted at doses up to 3 g/kg in mice. However, a 4 g/kg dose resulted in 10% mortality, indicating a potential risk at higher dosages.

The glyco-peptido-lipid fraction exhibited significant antistress activity. A preliminary acute toxicity study in mice showed a good margin of safety, as the ALD50 value was more than 3,000 mg/kg body weight p.o., with no signs of abnormalities.

Up to the dose of 2,000 mg/kg body weight per oral, the alkaloid fraction of T. zeylanicus did not show any mortality or toxicity in experimental animals.

From one toxicity study, the ethanolic extract of T. zeylanicus was observed to be nontoxic up to 5 g/kg body weight.

Overall Toxicological Assessment

Toxicological analyses indicate that it is safe and can be used and incorporated in the polyherbal formulation Jeevani. However, these assessments are based exclusively on animal studies. No formal Phase I, Phase II, or Phase III clinical safety and toxicology studies in human subjects have been published for T. zeylanicus as an isolated ingredient. The apparent low acute toxicity in rodent models is encouraging but cannot be directly extrapolated to human use without controlled human safety data.

Conservation and Supply Constraints

The Kerala Forest Department opposed permission for large-scale cultivation of T. zeylanicus on grounds of the ecological effects of over-exploitation. Raw material availability for the manufacture of Jeevani was thus curtailed. These challenges highlighted the need to evolve responsible harvesting practices and to find an equilibrium between conservation and commercial objectives. This has practical implications for product quality and consistency in commercial preparations.

Reproductive Safety

The pups fathered by drug-treated mice (in aphrodisiac studies) were found to be normal with reference to foetal growth, litter size, and sex ratio, indicating absence of detectable teratogenic effect at the doses tested in the specific rodent study. No human reproductive safety data exist.

Drug Interactions

No published data were identified on pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic drug interactions for T. zeylanicus in either human clinical studies or formal interaction testing. The plant's demonstrated effects on liver enzyme activity (hepatoprotective) and blood glucose regulation in animal studies suggest the theoretical possibility of interactions with hepatically metabolized drugs or antidiabetic medications, but these interactions have not been formally studied.

9. Intellectual Property, Ethics, and Conservation Status

The Kani tribe's use of the forest plant Arogyapacha (T. zeylanicus) as a key ingredient in a herbal remedy called Jeevani was noted by visiting scientists in the 1980s. The formula was eventually developed as a commercial enterprise by Arya Vaidya Pharmacy, with the tribe's Kerala Kani Welfare Trust receiving license fees and royalties.

In November 1997, a trust consisting of nine Kani tribal members was formed with the assistance of JNTBGRI, named the Kerala Kani Samudaya Kshema Trust. The two Kani who imparted the traditional knowledge to JNTBGRI were appointed as president and vice president of the Trust.

The benefit-sharing agreement for Jeevani, though internationally recognized by the UN for its novelty, had shortcomings. The patent application failed to include tribal informants as co-inventors, indicating the lack of integration of traditional knowledge holders into the formal IP frameworks.

The plant T. zeylanicus subsp. travancoricus (2n = 28) is classified as an endangered medicinal plant, endemic to Western Ghats of India. Ongoing genome research and tissue culture propagation efforts at JNTBGRI aim to support the conservation and sustainable production of this species.

References

Health Conditions

Health conditions that Trichopus zeylanicus may help support.

Physical Endurance & StaminaTraditional
Trichopus zeylanicus (Arogyapacha) is a traditional plant used by the Kani tribe of Kerala, India, as an instant energy booster and anti-fatigue agent. Scientific studies have validated anti-fatigue and adaptogenic effects in animal models, and limited human studies support its use for physical stamina. The plant is classified as an adaptogen in Ayurvedic ethnobotanical traditions.

Body Systems

Body systems that Trichopus zeylanicus may help support.

No body systems available.