AMBASTHAKI (Root)
Ambasthaki consists of dried roots of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. (Fam. Malvaceae); an annual, erect, shrub, generally cultivated in the hotter parts of India.
SYNONYMS –
Sansk. : —
Assam. : —
Beng. : Masts Pal, Mesta
Eng. : Jamaican Sorrel
Guj. : Ambodi
Hindi. : Patsan, Patna
Kan. : Pudisoppu, Kempu Pundrike Pullichekir
Kash. : —
Mal. : Pariccakam, Pulicheera
Mar. : Lalambari
Ori. : Khataa, Kanria, Tak Bhend
Punj. : Kolada
Tam. : Pulichikire
Tel. : Pundikura, Gongura
Urdu. : Patsan
DESCRIPTION –
a) Macroscopic:
Tap root greyish-brown in colour, stout, cylindrical with many lateral branches gradually tapering towards lower end, moderately rough due to minute longitudinal wrinkles, 1-2 cm thick; fracture, fibrous in bark region and short in wood region; no characteristic odour and taste.
b) Microscopic:
Mature root shows 3-5 layers of cork consisting of tangentially elongated rectangular cells; secondary cortex almost absent, when present 2-3 layered, oval to polygonal, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells; secondary phloem composed of usual elements; secondary xylem consists of vessels, tracheids, fibres and parenchyma traversed by xylem rays; vessels solitary or 2-4 in groups with pitted thickening; fibres and tracheids short to moderately long with pitted walls; medullary rays 1-3 cells wide and multicelled in height; starch grains both simple and compound and the later having 2-3 components, measuring 5.5-14 μ in dia. present in phloem parenchyma, xylem parenchyma and ray cells.
Powder – Greyish-brown; shows pitted vessels, fragments of cork cells, fibres and tracheids, both simple and compound starch grains measuring 5.5-14 μ in dia. having 2-3 components.
IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH –
Foreign matter Not more than 2 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.2
Total ash Not more than 11 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.3
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 3 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 n-Butanol : Acetic acid : Water (4: 1: 5) shows under U. V. (366 nm) four fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.36, 0.61, 0.92 (all blue) and 0.95 (pink). On exposure to Iodine vapour twelve spots appear at Rf. 0.06, 0.12, 0.17, 0.22, 0.29, 0.36, 0.44, 0.59, 0.61, 0.72, 0.82 and 0.92 (all yellow). On spraying with 5% Ethanolic Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate at 105°C for ten minutes seven spots appear at Rf. 0.29 (grey), 0.36 (violet), 0.44, 0.61, 0.73, 0.82 and 0.92 (all grey).
CONSTITUENTS – Sterols and Polysaccharides.
PROPERTIES AND ACTION –
Rasa : Madhura, Amla, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu
Virya : —
Vipaka : Amla
Karma : Kaphahara, Pittahara, Rucikara, Asthisandhanaka, Vranaropana, Dipana, Kanthasodhana.
IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Pusyanuga Curna
THERAPEUTIC USES – Pakvatisara, Kapharoga, Galaroga, Vataroga, Asthibhagna, Vrana.
DOSE – 5 -10 g.
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