Dalhana provided its morphological description mentioning that its leaves are like those of Salmali (Dalhana–S.S.Su.36). Sivadatta mentioned it as Bahu-guccha i.e., with multiple inflorasence. Caraka quoted its flowers under Sirovirecana dravyas, whereas Sushruta deliniated it under Adhobhagahara dravyas. Mentioning of this plant under Kushthaghna and Udardaprasamana groups indicates about its utility in skin disorders. It is generally used as antimalarial and is one of the ingredients of Ayush-64 (antimalarial drug) developed by CCRAS in 1978.
Different varieties– Another species, A. macrosperma is used as its susstitute.
Botanical Description– A large tree with whorled branches and bitter milky juice. Leaves- in whorls of 5-7 sometimes 11, Coriaceous, glabrous, oblong or obovate-oblong, obtuse. Flowers- greenish-white or greenish-yellow, fragrant, borne in umbellate eymes. Fruits- slender follicles, in pendulous clusters. Seeds possessing brown hair. (Flowers from December-March and fruits from May-July).
Distribution– Sub-Himalayan tract, West Bengal, Bihar, Peninsular India and Andamans.
Major chemical constituents– Akuammidine (rhazine); picrinine; strictamine, tetrahydroalstonine; angustilobine B, 6,7-seco-6-norangustilobine B (losbanine, alschomine, isolschomine, alstonamine; echitamine, tubotaiwine, alstonamine scholaricine etc.
Part Used– Stem bark, Latex, flower.
Dosage– Decoction 40-80 ml.
Research–
(1) Picrinine showed CNS depressant activity (Planta Med. 1976,30,86).
(2) Strictamine showed monoamine oxidase ighantuy activity both in vivo in mice and in vitro in rat bairn mitochondria. It also showed neuroprotective activity (Ind.J.Exp.Biol. 1979,17,598).
(3) Alcoholic ectract of bark showed antimicrobial activity against Salm. Paratyphi-B and Aspergillus niger (Comp. Physiol. Ecol. 1989, 14, 1).
(4) The alcoholic extract of stem bark showed anti-cancer activity in HS, human sarcoma in the embryonated egg (Dhar et al., 1968).
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.