Wednesday, October 1, 2014

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 .

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