APAMARGA (Root)
Apamarga consists of dried root of Achyranthes aspera Linn. (Fam. Amaranthaceae); a stiff erect, 0.1-0.9 m high, herb found commonly as a weed throughout the country up to 900 m.
SYNONYMS –
Sansk : Adhahsalya, Sikhari, Mayuraka
Assam : Chirchita
Beng : Apang
Eng : Prickly Chaff Flower
Guj : Aghedo
Hindi : Chirchira, Latjira
Kan : Uttarane, Uttaren
Kash : —
Mal : Kadaledee
Mar : Anghada
Ori : —
Punj : Puthakanda, Lattajeera
Tam : Nayuruvi
Tel : Uttareni
Urdu : Chirchita
DESCRIPTION –
a) Macroscopic:
Tap root cylindrical slightly ribbed, upto 1.0 cm in thickness, gradually tapering, rough due to presence of some root scars; secondary and tertiary roots present; yellowish-brown; odour, not distinct; taste not characteristic.
b) Microscopic:
Mature root shows 6-10 layered, rectangular, tangentially elongated, thin-walled cork cells; secondary cortex consisting of 6-9 layers, oval to rectangular, thin-walled parenchymatous cells having scattered, thick-walled, irregular lignified stone cells, followed by 5-6 discontinuous rings of anomalous secondary thickening, composed of vascular tissues; small patches of sieve tubes are distinct in the phloem parenchyma demarcating the xylem rings; secondary xylem composed of tracheids, fibres and parenchyma; vessels with both simple and bordered pits and with scalariform thickening, measuring 135-348 μ in length and 32-64 μ in width; fibres pointed at both ends with walls moderately thickened, measuring 260-740 μ in length and 12-24 μ in width; tracheids have tapering ends, measuring 165-535 μ in length and 17-34 μ in width. In A. bidentata BL. vessels show bordered pits and reticulate thickening; medullary rays not distinct; stone cells and prismatic crystals absent in cortex.
Powder – Yellowish-brown; shows fragments of rectangular cork cells, stone cells, vessels showing bordered pits and scalariform thickening, fibres and a few prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate.
IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH –
Foreign matter Not more than 1 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.2
Total ash Not more than 9 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 10 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.7
T.L.C. –
T.L.C. of the alcoholic extract on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Chloroform: Methanol (95:5) shows under UV (366 nm) five fluorescent zones at Rf. 0.05, 0.19, 0.43, 0.50 and 0.97 (all light blue). On exposure to Iodine vapour six spots appear at Rf. 0.05, 0.12, 0.43, 0.50, 0.92 and 0.97 (all yellow). On spraying with Dragendorff reagent followed by 5% Methanolic-Sulphuric acid reagent two spots appear at Rf 0.12 and 0.97 (both light orange).
CONSTITUENTS – Saponins
PROPERTIES AND ACTION –
Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Laghu, Ruksa, Sara, Tiksna
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dipana, Vatahara, Pacana, Rucya, Kaphanasaka, Medohara, Mutrala, Vantihara.
IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Agastya Haritaki Rasayana, Maha Pancagavya Ghrta, Vastyamayantaka Ghrta, Maha Visagarbha Taila, Panaviraladi Ksara, Apamarga Ksara Taila, Ksara Taila
THERAPEUTIC USES – Chardi, Adhmana, Kandu, Sula, Apaci, Granthi, Bhagandara, Hrda Roga, Jvara, Svitra,Vadhirya, Udara Roga, Yakrt Roga, Danta Roga, Rakta Vikara.
DOSE – 5-10 g
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