Datura

Synonym                                              :           Datura Herb .

Biological Source                                  :           Datura consist of dried leaves and flowering

                                                                         -  tops of Datura Metal

Scientific Name                                    :           Datura metal  .

Family                                                  :           Solanaceae.

Geographical Distribution                      :           India ,

Organoleptic Characters :

                        i) Colour                       :           Pale green .

                        ii) Odour                      :           Charecteristics and disagreeable

                        iii) Taste                       :           Unpleasantly bitter .

                        iv)  Length                    :           8 to 25 cm

                        v)   Width                     :           7 to 15 cm

                        vi) Texture                    :           Thin and minutely hairy . Upper epidermis

                                                                         is darker from lower epidermis .

                       vii) Apex                       :           Acuminate

                      viii) Base                        :           Asymetrical

                        ix) Margin                     :           Sinuate dentate

                        x)  Petiole                     :           Long

                        xi) Venation                  :           Reticulate.

Chemical constituents – Mainly consist of alkaloids ( upto 0.5% )

Scopolamine – Hyoscyamine is the main alkaloids . Hyoscyamine and atropine present in

                         the minor quantitative test .

Uses : Parasympatholytic with anticholinerger and C.N.S depresent effect . It also used as

            mydriatic , antispasmodic and cerebral sedative and also used in motion sickness ,

            gastric of duodenal ulcer   

SENNA Leaf

Synonym   : Indian Senna , Tinnevelly Senna , Sonamukhi etc .

Scientific  Name: Cassia Angustifoila .

Family : Leguminosae                                      

Biological Source/Geographical Distribution :     

          It consist of dried leaflets of Cassia Angustifolia belonging to the family Leguminosae and contains not less than 2% of glycosides calculated as Sennoside B .

Macroscopy:

          a) Apex      :        Acute and Sharp spine.

          b) Margin     :         Extract.

          c) Veins       :         Reticulate. Anastomosing towards the margin.

          d) Lamila     :         Entire flat cracks .

          e) Base        :         Asimetrical .

          f) Shape       :         Lanceolate

Organoleptic/ Morphological Evaluation

a)    Colour  : Yellowish Green .

b)    Odour    : Slight.

c)    Taste      : Bitter and Nucilaginious  .

d)    Size       : 2-5 cm in Length and width is 7 – 8 mm .

Chemical Constituents : The chief chemical constituents are                                     

i) Sennoside A ii) Sennoside B

     

→ They are Crystaline in nature , Other chemical constituents are Napthaline , Glycoside , Anthraquinone Glycoside like Emodine , Anthranol , Aloe- Emodine etc .

 Phytosterol , Resin ,  Mucilage and Calcium Oxalates arte also present . 

                  

Structure

Chemical / Identification Test

          Born Trager Test -  It is  a test for Anthraquinone Glycoside .

          

       Boil the leafs with diluted Hydrozen Sulfuric Acid (       ) . Add immisable organic solvent ( Benzene Carbon Tetra Chloride ) . Shake the test tube and separate upper organic solvent in another test tube . Now add streong Ammonia solution . Shake slightly and keep the test tube Asite . Ammonical layers show pink or red colour . 

Theraputic Use          

i)                    Irritant Purgative in constipation

ii)                   It is belived that gripping effect caused by Senna is due to its Resin and Emodin content  .

Preparartion – Ingridiant of the compound Liquorice Powder .

Microscopic Character of Powder drug

a)      Epidermal Cell – Poygonal Straight wall with parasitic stomata .

b)     Covering Trichomesol – Unicellular acute apex narrow numenconical     

                                                                        shape.

c)      Xylame Vessels – Angular thickening  Lipified .

d)     Calcium Oxalate -  Crystal isolated or in peerenchymata cell .

Difference between Indian Senna and Egypthian Senna

Indian Senna	Egypthian Senna
Shape – Lanceolate	Shape – Pale
Size- 7 to 8 mm	Size – 7 to 12 mm .
Length – 25 to 60 cm	Length- 2 to 4 cm .

RHUBARB

Synonym                                  :           Rheum , Rhizome , Rhei .

Biological Source                      : It consist of dried rhizome of

i)                    Rheum-Emod-wall ( Indian Rhubab)

ii)                   Rheum-palmatum

Scientific name              : Rheum-Emod-wall ( Indian Rhubab) , Rheum-palmatum

Family                          : Polygonaceae .

Geographical distribution           :  It is obtained from South east china , Tibet , korea ,

                                                    Kashmir , Sikkim , West-Germany .

Organolepti/ Morphological/Macroscopical character

                        i)    Colour        - Ground /  Yellow

                        ii)   Odour        - Charecteristics .

                        iii)  Taste          - Bitter and Astringent .( Sour with bitter taste).

                        iv)  Size            -  Pieces of Rhubarb are 2-20cm in length and 1.5-2 cm in

                                                      diameter.

                        v)  Shape          -  Rhizomes are sub-cylindrical , barrel-shaped , conical .

Chemical Constituents : It contains anthraquinone – glycoside , Aloe-emodin , Emodin ,

                                        Rhein , Cinnamic acid , Gallic acid , anthrone , tannin etc.

Identification Test

a)      By addition  of Ammonia – it gives pink-colour .

b)      With 5% KOH ( Pottassium Hydroxide) blood red colouration is produced .

c)    Born Tagger Test - It is  a test for Anthraquinone Glycoside .

          

       Boil the leafs with diluted Hydrozen Sulfuric Acid (       ) . Add immisable organic solvent ( Benzene Carbon Tetra Chloride ) . Shake the test tube and separate upper organic solvent in another test tube . Now add streong Ammonia solution . Shake slightly and keep the test tube Asite . Ammonical layers show pink or red colour .   

Therapeutic Use :

i)                    It is used as purgative , better-stomachie( an agent that improves appetite & digestion ) in the treatment of Diarrhoea .

ii)                   It contains Tannins and hence it is associated  with theb Astringent ( Drug causes contraction of body tissues and canals ) effect after purgation ( cleaning or evacuation of bowel or stool by a purgative ) .  

ISAPGOL

Synonym                                  :           Isapghula , Flea-seed , Isabgul .

Biological source                      :           It consists of dried seeds of the plant known as

                                                             Plantago ovata .

Scientific Name                        :           Plantago ovata .

Family                                      :           Plantaginaceae .

Geographical distribution           :  It is cultivated in India ( Gujrat , Maharastha & Punjab ) ,

                                                   France , Spain etc .

Organoleptic/Morphological/ Macroscopical Evaluation :

                        i)   Colour         -           Pinkish Grey / Brown .

                        ii)  Odour         -           Nil .

                        iii) Taste           -           Mucilaginous and Bland .

                        iv) Size -           10-35 mm in length and 1-1.75 mm in width .

                        v)  Shape          -           It is Ovate ( 1000 seeds weight is about 1.5gm)

Chemical Constituents :

i)                    It contains mucilage which is present in the epidermis of the seed .

ii)                   Chemically it consist of Pentosan and Aldoblonic-Acid.

iii)                 The product (Pentosan and Aldoblonic-Acid.) on hydrolysis are L-arabinose , L-rhamnose , D-galactose , D- galactouronic-Acid .

iv)                 The seeds also contain fish-oil , glycoside , sugar and proteins .

Identification Test :

( I )    Swelling-factor → is supposed to be criterian of purity of the drug . Swelling-factor

          of the drug is a quantative swelling due to mucilage present in the drug . It is

          determined by putting 1gm of the drug in the measuring-cylinder ( 25ml capacity )

          in 20ml water with occational shaline . The volume occupied by the seeds after  

          24-Hrs of the swelling is measured . Swelling factor for seeds is 10-40ml .

( II )  Outer epidermis of the seeds is stained pink with a solution of Rhuthenium red due

          to presence of mucilage

Therapeutic Use :

i)                    It is used as Demulant ( soothes , inflamed or injured skin ) , laxative , emollient , and in the treatment of Chronic-Constipation , Amoebic-dysentry .

ii)                   The crust seeds are used in the form of poul-tice , rheumatic-pains .

iii)                 It is used in the preparation of tablets and also as a stabilizer in the ice-cream industry .  

CASTOR OIL

Synonym                                              :  Olium Ricini .

Occurance/ Biological Source               :  Castor oil is the fixed-oil obtained from the seeds

                                                                of Ricinus Communis .

Scientific Name                                    :  Ricinus Communis .

Family                                                  :  Euphorbiacea .

Geographical Distribution                      :  About 90% of the oil comes from India and Brazil

                                                               It is also cultivated in China , Thiland , Soviet

                                                                  -  Union .

Organoleptic / Morphological / Macroscopical Evaluation :

           

            i)  Colour          :  Pale-yellow / Almost colourless lipid .

            ii) Odour          :  Slight or Characteristics .

            iii) Taste           :  First it is bland ( mild or having a  soothing effect ) but

                                       afterwards slightlt acrid ( bitter , burning , irritating ) and usually

                                        nauseating ( Increase vomiting tendency ) . It is a viscous

                                        transparent .

            iv) Solubility      : It is soluble in alcohol , miscible in chloroform , solvent ether ,

                                       glacial acetic acid and petroleum-ether .

                                             It is insoluble in mineral-oil .

Chemical Constituents :  Castor-oio chiefly contains triglyceride of Ricinoleic-acid

                                         ( About 80%) . Other glycosides are also present in the drug .

                                          The fatty acids are representated by Isoricinoleic , Linoleic ,

                                          Stearic , Isoistearic-acids . 

                                                The viscosity of Castor-oil is dude to Resinolic-Acid .

Identification Test : Add to the oil in an equal volume of Ethanol , clear liquid is obtained 

                                 On cooling at 0ֺc and on storage for 3 Hrs , the liquid remains clear

                                  ( Distinctiobn from other fixed-oil).

Therapeutic Use :

i)                    Castor-oil used as Purgative .

ii)                   It is used in abortificient( drug used to induce abortion ) paste and ricinoleic-acid is used in contraceptic creams and gellies .

iii)                 It is also used as an Emolliant ( having a softening and shoothing effect specially to skin ) in preparation of Lip-stick .

iv)                 The Castor-oil is used in the preparation of paints , enamel , ;polishes , varnishes , printing-ink etc.

ALOES

Regional Name / Vernical Name/Synonym – Ghritakumari , Musabbar

Biological Source – Aloe is the dried juice obtained from the leaves of the various   

                species of ALOE like –           i) Aloe-Peryi Baker ( Scotorine Aloe)

                                                             ii) Aloe-Vera ( Curacao-Aloe)

                                                            iii) Aloe-africana ( cape-Aloe) .

Family – Liliaceae

Geographical Distribution –Aloe is the indigenous to Eastern and Southern Africa and grown in Cape-colony . Zanzibar and Ilands of Socotra . It is also cultivated in Caribbean Ilands , Europe and many parts of India .

Organoleptic Evaluation

a)      Colour -  Depends upon the variety from which it is obtained . It is

                      dark-brown , brownish-black or black in colour .

b)      Odoud – Charecteristics .

c)      Taste – Intensly bitter .

d)      Size – It is found in the form of masses of Various size.

 * Morphology of Cape-Aloe :- Dark brown or greenish brown or glossy mass . Masses are  

                                                                transparent , when mounted in the Glycerin , the crystal            

                                                                particles are observed . Fracture is glossy .

* Morphology of Curacao-Aloe :- Colour is dark chocolate brown , usually opaque . Fracture is waxy .

                                                          

 * Morphology of Scotorine-Aloe :-Reddish black to brownish black opaque , smooth and  Conhoidal .  

Solubility( for 3-species) – It is entirely soluble in 60% alcohol and is  

                                            partly/partially soluble in water .

Main Chief chemical constituents  - Aloin .

                It is a mixture of Glycosides among which Barbaloin is the chief chemical constituents . Aloe also contain Isobarbaloin , β-Barbaloin , , Aloeemooidin and resin .

Identification Test :

Modified Born Tagger Test – To 0.1gm of the drug , 0.5% solution of Ferri chloride (     ) 2ml and dilute Hcl ( 2ml) , heat on boiling water-bath for 5-minutes . Cool and shake gently with Benzene . Separate Benzene (     ) layer and add equal volume of dilute ammonia . A pinkish red colour is produced with varieties of Aloes .

Therapeutic Use :

i)                    Aloe is used as a purgative because of its intensely irritating  effect on the delicate mucosal lining .

ii)                   Aloe gel is used in cosmetics to prevent wrinkles .

iii)                 It is also used in the treatment of skin-irritations , burn caused by sun , heat or radiations .

Ephedra

Synonym                                              :  Ma- Huang , Ephedra .

Biological source                                  :  It consist of dried young steam of Ephedra sinica

Scientific name                          :   Ephedra sinica  .

Family                                                  :  Ephedraceae .

Geographical distribution                       :  It is found in China , Pakistan , Australia ,

                                                                North east-part of India .

Organoleptic / Morphological Evaluation :

i)  Colour                                  -  Brownish .

ii) Odour                                  -  Aggreable and Aromatic .

iii) Taste                                   -  Astringent and Bitter .

iv) Size                         -  Up-to 30cm in length .

v)  Shape                                  -  Cylindrical  .

            vi) Extra Features                     -  An Ephedra is found with arrangement of branches

                                                                and branchlets . The fruit are Ovoid , sweet and red

                                                                in colour .

Chemical constituents :. Ephedra consist about 1 – 1.5% of total alkaloids of Ephedra ,

                                        calculated as Ephidrium . The different alkaloids of Ephedra are as

                                        follows :-

i)                    L- Ephedrine

ii)                   L- methylephedrine

iii)                 D-methyl iso ephedrine

iv)                 D-pseudoepidrine

v)                  Nor-epidrine

vi)                 Dimethyl-epidrine .

Therapeutic uses :

i)                    It is used as sympathomimetic in asthma .

ii)                   It is also used in Hay-fever .

iii)                 It used in Bronchities and whooping cough .

iv)                 It is used in Central Nervous System stimulant .

BELLADONA

Synonym                      :   Deadly night shade leaf of  Folia belladonna

Biological source          :    It consist of dried or fresh leaves , flowering , fruiting tubes of

                                          Atropa belladonna .

Scientific name  :    Atropa belladonna.

Family              :    Solonaceae

Geographical Distribution –It is found in South – Europe , Inland , India , USA

Organoleptic / Morphological Characters

a)      Colour -  Green to Brown green  .

b)      Odoud – Slight and Charecteristics .

c)      Taste – Bitter .

d)      Length – 5 to 25 cm

e)      Width  -  2.5 to 12 cm .

f)        Shape  - Ovate / Egg shaped and Lanceolate

g)      Apex – Accuminate .

h)      Margine – Entire

Extra feature – Most leaves are transversely broken .

Chemical constituents  -

     Tropane alkaloids → L-Hyoscyamine , Atropine , Belladonine , Sopletin , Hyoscine ,

                                        Volatile-oil etc .

Therapeutic Use :

i)                    Parasympatholytic drug with anti – cholinergic property ..

ii)                   Reduce secretion of sweat , saliva and Gastric-juice .

iii)                 It is also used as antidote in Opium and chloral-hydrate poisoning .

iv)                 .It is also used as Antispasmodic in case of Intestinal gripping .

v)                  Tinctures of Belledona are used as Sedetives .

vi)                 It is also used in the treatment of Peptic ulcers. 

ASWAGANDHA

Synonym                                  :  Withamia root , Aswagandha .

Biological source                      :  It consist of dried root and stream bases of

                                                    Withamia somnifera

Scientific name              :  Withamia somnifera

Family                                      :  Solanaceae .

Geographical distribution           :  It is found in India , Affrica , Srilanka ,Isreil etc

Organoleptic/ Morphological evaluation :

            i)   Colour                     -   Greyish-yellow .

            ii)   Odour                    -   Faintly pungent and characteristics .

            iii)  Taste                      -   Mucillagineous , Bitter .

            iv)  Size                        -   Length- 10 to 17 mm

                                                     Width – 6 to 12 mm

v)  Shape                      -   Conical , Straight , Unbranched .

vi) Extra feature            -   Center of the root is creamy and consist of soft ,

                                          solid mass with scattered pores .

                                                    

Chemical Constituents :

( I ) Steriodial Alkaloids

a)      Anaferin

b)      Withanine

c)      Tropine

d)      Anahygrine

e)      Cusohygrine .

f)        Isopelletirine .

g)      Choline .

( II ) Steroidial Lactones

a)      Withanalides

b)      Withthaferin .

c)      Withanone .

Chemical Test :

   

   ( I )  Dilute KMnO4 + drop of aqueous extract

                                      ↓                                        

            Decolourisation of KMnO4 solution

   ( II )  Aqueous extract + 5% Fecl3 ( ferric-chloride )

                                      ↓                                       

                               No darkening 

                 

Therapeutic Uses :

i)                    It has sedative and hypnotic effect .

ii)                   It is used as hypotensive and depressant

iii)                 It is used in the treatment of Rheumatism , Gout and Skin disease .

iv)                 It is also used as a tonic and anti-tumor drug .

v)                  It is used as Sex-stimulant .

ACONITE

Synonym                                  :  Moukhood , Aconite root .

Biological source                      :  It consist of dried root of Aconitum napelus

                                                    Withamia somnifera

Scientific name              :  Aconitum napelus

Family                                      :  Ranunculaceae .

Geographical distribution           :  It is found in North – Europe , Inland , Germany , and

                                                    Switzerland .

Organoleptic/ Morphological evaluation :

            i)   Colour                     -   Dark-brown .

            ii)   Odour                    -   Slight .

            iii)  Taste                      -   Slight .

            iv)  Size                        -   Usually4 to 10 cm in length and 1 to 3.5 cm in  width . It

                                                     is broad towards the crown and tapering towards the

                                                     distal end .

v)  Shape                      -   Conical and tapering

vi) Fracture                   -   Short .

vii) Extra feature           -   It is slightly twisted and deeply wrinkled . The border

                                          end of the root shows numerous rootlets and scars .

                                                    

Chemical Constituents :

( I ) Terpin Ester alkaloids – Aconite on hydrolysis it produces Benzoyl aiconine and

                                              acetic acid . The alkaloids are founding in combination with

                                              aconite acid . The alkaloid , picraconitine and aconine are

                                              less toxic than aconitine . The other alkaloids are neoline ,

                                              neopeline , hypaconitine etc .

 ( II ) Minor constituents – Aconitic acid , Vitamin  - C and Strach .

Therapeutic Uses :

i)                    It is used externally in the treatment of Rheumatism and Inflammation .

ii)                   It is used as Analgesic and Cardiac Depressant .

iii)                 It is highly potent and quick acting poison which is rarely used internally except in homeopathic dosage .

DIGISTALIS

Synonym                                  :  Digistalis-leaves , Foxglove-leaves .

Biological source                      :  Digistalis consists of dried leaves of Digistalis perpurea

                                                   and Digistalis Lanata  ( both are the species ) .

Scientific name              :  Digistalis perpurea .

Family                                      :  Scarphulariaceae .

Geographical distribution           :  Holland , England , North-America, India ( Kashmir) .

Organoleptic/Morphological Evaluation

No.	Parameters	Digistalis perpurea	Digistalis lanata
1	Shape	Ovate , Lanceolate	Oblong
2	Colour	Dark , Greyish-green	Green
3	Odour	Charecteristic	Faint
4	Taste	Bitter	Bitter
5	Margin	Dentated	Entire
6	Apex	Grounded	Acuminate

Chemical Constituents : Digitalis contains 0.2-0.45% mixture of both primary and

                                        secondary Cardiac glycosides ( one of the phytochemical

                                        constituents) are made-up of two moitis ( i)  Sugar-part

                                                                                                        ( ii)  Non-Sugar-part .

No.	Name	Example
1.	Digistalis Perpuria( Primary-glycoside)	Perpuria glycoside - A , Perpuria glycoside - B
2	Digitalis Perpuria ( Secondary-glycoside)	Digitoxin , Gitoxin.
3	Digitalis lanata( Primary-glycoside)	Lanotoside –A , Lanotoside – B, Lanotoside-C .
4	Digitalis Lanata( Secondary-glycoside)	Digitoxin , Gitoxin , Gigoxin .

Identification Test :

( I ) Killer Killoni Test –

                       

Powdered sample / dried ( dried leaf of digitalis perpuria & Digitalis lanata) 

                                                                    +

                                               Alcohol ( Ethyl or methyl )

                                                                    ↓ filter

                                               Filtrate + lead substrate + water

                                                                    ↓  shake gently & filter

                                                       Filtrate + Chloroform (        )

                                                                    ↓ shake again

                                    Aquous layer ( heat gently to remove chloroform if present)

                                                                    ↓ cool it

                                    Add glacial-acetic-acid + Conc . sulfuric acid (      ) {1-2 drops}

                                                                    ↓

Reddish brown colour at the junction and upper layer slowly become bluish-green which

                                         darkens on standing ( due to cardiac-glycosides )

( II ) Belgett’s Test –

            Powdered sample + Sodium picrate [ Picric-acid + Sodium hydroxide{     }]

                                          ↓

            Yellow to orange colour ( Cardiac glycosides/ Cardinoloides)

( III )    Legal’s Test –

            Powdered sample + Pyridine + sodium Nitroprusside

                                         ↓

                 Filtrate + Alkali ( NaOH or KOH )

                             ↓

                Pink to Red colour ( Cardiac glycoside ) .

Therapeutic Uses :

i)                    It is used in the treatment of Congestive Cardiac Failure .

ii)                   It is used in slowing ventricular-route , Atrial-fibrillation , Atrial-flutter , Trachycardia .

 It also have diuretic activity ( Having the power to promote the flow of urine ) .