AGNIMANTHA (Root)
Agnimantha consists of dried mature roots of Clerodendrum phlomidis Linn. (Fam. Verbenaceae); a large shrub or small tree reaching upto 9 m in height, with more or less pubescent branches, found in dry parts throughout the country.
SYNONYMS –
Sansk. : Ganikarika; Jaya, Jayanti
Assam. : —
Beng. : Ganiyari, Arani, Goniari
Eng. : —
Guj. : Arani, Aranimula, Arni
Hindi. : Urni
Kan. : Taggi, Taggi Beru
Kash. : —
Mal. : Munja
Mar. : Takalimula
Ori. : Ganiary
Punj. : —
Tam. : Tazhutazhai
Tel. : Taluki
Urdu. : —
DESCRIPTION –
a) Macroscopic:
Drug pieces 7-15 cm long, 0.2 -3.0 cm thick, occasionally branched, cylindrical, tough, yellowish-brown externally, bark thin, occasionally easily peeled, outer surface rough due to exfoliation, wood light yellow, fracture hard; taste, slightly astringent.
b) Microscopic:
Root shows exfoliating cork, consisting of 10-15, occasionally more, rows of tangentially elongated, thin-walled cells; secondary cortex consists of round to oval parenchymatous cells, a few containing rhomboidal crystals of calcium oxalate; secondary phloem consists of isodiametric, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells, a few of them containing rhomboidal crystals of calcium oxalate; phloem rays distinct, consisting of radially elongated cells; secondary xylem shows a wide zone, consisting of usual elements, all being lignified; vessels found in single as well as in groups of 2-3, scattered throughout xylem region; xylem parenchyma simple pitted, squarish wide lumen; xylem rays 1-5 seriate, consisting of radially elongated cells; rhomboidal crystal of calcium oxalate packed in xylem parenchyma and xylem rays; abundant simple, round starch grains measuring 6-17 μ in dia., found scattered throughout.
Powder – Dull yellow; shows fragments of cork cells, small, pointed, aseptate, lignified fibres, simple, pitted vessels, lignified cells packed with rhomboidal crystals of calcium oxalate and numerous simple, round to oval starch grains having narrow hilum, measuring 6-11 μ in diameter.
IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH –
Foreign matter Not more than 2 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.2
Total ash Not more than 6 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.3
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 1 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.4
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 2 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.6
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 5 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.7
T.L.C. –
T.L.C. of the alcoholic extract on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Chloroform :
Methanol (85 : 15) shows under U.V. (366 nm) four fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.10 (light yellow), 0.38, 0.59 and 0.90 (all blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour six spots appear at Rf. 0.10, 0.38, 0.59, 0.78, 0.87 and 0.98 (all yellow). On spraying with 5% Methanolic- Phosphomolybdic acid reagent and heating the plate for about ten minutes at 105°C six spots appear at Rf. 0.10, 0.38, 0.59, 0.78, 0.87 and 0.98 (all grey).
CONSTITUENTS – Sterols
PROPERTIES AND ACTION –
Rasa : Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Kaphahara, Vatahara, Svayathuhara.
IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS -Dasamularista, Dasamula Kvatha Curna, Indukanta Ghrta, Dhanvantara Ghrta, Gorocanadi Vati, Narayana Taila.
THERAPEUTIC USES – Sotha, Pandu, Arsa, Vatavikara, Vibandha, Agnimandya, Adhmana, Gulma, Mutrakrcchra, Mutraghata.
DOSE – 12-24 g. of the drug in powder form for decoction.
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