GAMBHARI (Stem)
Gambhari consists of dried stem of Gmelina arborea Roxb. (Fam. Verbenaceae), an unarmed, moderate sized, deciduous tree, found scattered in deciduous forest throughout the greater part of India upto an altitude of 1500 m., and the Andamans
SYNONYMS
Sansk. : Kasmari
Assam. : Gomari
Beng. : Gamar, Gambar,
Eng. : Candahar Tree, Cashmere Tree
Guj. : Sawan, Shewan
Hindi. : Gambhari
Kan. : Seevani, Kasmiri-mara
Kash. : —
Mal. : Sevana, Kumizhu
Mar. : Sivan
Ori. : Gambhari
Punj. : Khambhari
Tam. : Perunkurmizh
Tel. : Gummaditeku
Urdu. : —
DESCRIPTION
a) Macroscopic
Stem occurs as longitudinally and transversely cut pieces having varying length and thickness; hard, woody, smooth except for a few scars of branches; yellowish-grey externally and cream coloured internally.
b) Microscopic
Thin stem shows 10-15 or more layers of lignified cork, consisting of tangentially elongated, rectangular cells; secondary cortex 5-10 layers, oval to elliptical, thin-walled cells with tangential groups of fibres; pericycle present in the form of continuous ring consisting of patches of fibres alternating with stone cells: secondary phloem composed of usual elements, phloem fibres absent; in thick stem secondary cortex almost absent; secondary phloem well developed, consisting of usual elements; groups of stone cells and fibres scattered throughout this region; secondary xylem consists of usual elements; vessels solitary or 2-4 in groups having spiral thickening and bordered pits; fibres mostly aseptate but some septate with wide lumen; parenchyma paratracheal, a few in number; medullary rays 3-22 cells high and 1-4 cells wide; starch grains, simple as well as compound having 2-4 components measuring 3-11μ in dia., present in secondary cortex, phloem and xylem parenchyma and ray cells.
Powder – Crearnish-grey; shows fragments of lignified cork cells, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells, aseptate and a few septate fibre with wide lumen; vessels with spiral thickening and bordered pits, stone cells, simple, round to oval starch grains, measuring 3-1 μ in dia.
IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH
Foreign matter Not more than 2 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.2
Total ash Not more than 3 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.3
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 0.3 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.4
Alcohol-soluble extractive Not less than 1 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.6
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 4 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 U.V. (366 nm) two fluorescent zones at Rf 0.39 and 048 (both blue) On exposure to Iodine vapour three spots appear at Rf 0.39, 0.48 and 0.85 (all yellow). On spraying with 5% Methanolic-Sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate for about ten minutes at 105°C three spots appear at Rf 0.39, 0.48 and 0.85 (all violet)
CONSTITUENTS – – Lignans
PROPERTIES AND ACTION
Rasa : Madhura, Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Guru
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Sramahara, Kaphahara, Medhya, Pacana, Pittahara, Vatahara, Visahara, Dipana, Bhedani, Virecanopaga
IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Karpuradi Kuzambu (Laghu), Candanasava, Dantadyarista, Usirasava
THERAPEUTIC USES – Sopha, Jvara, Daha, Trsna, Raktadosa, Visavikara, Arsa, Sula, Raktapitta, Bhrama, Sosa, Ama Sula
DOSE – 5-10 g. of the drug for decoction.
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