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 .