KATPHALA (Stem Bark)
Katphala consists of dried stem bark of Myrica esculenta Buch.- Ham. ex D. Don, Syn. M. nagi Hook.f. (Fam. Myricacem); a dioecious evergreen, small or moderate sized tree, 3-15 m high, found in subtropical Himalayas from Ravi eastward to Assam, Khasi, Jaintia, Naga and Lushai hills upto an elevation of 900-2100 m.
SYNONYMS
Sansk. : Mahavalkala
Assam. : Ajooree Vdulbark
Beng. : Kaychhal, Katphal, Kayphal
Eng. : Box Myrtle, Bay Berry
Guj. : Kayphal
Hindi. : Kayphal
Kan. : Kadujai Kai, Katphala, Kirisivari, Kirishivane
Kash. : —
Mal. : Marut
Mar. : Kaayphal
Ori. : —
Punj. : Kanphal, Kayphal
Tam. : Marudam, Marudampatai
Tel. : Kaidaryamu
Urdu. : Kaiphal
DESCRIPTION
a) Macroscopic
Drug occurs in pieces of variable length, 1-2.5 cm thick, slightly quilled, fissured longitudinally and transversely, outer surface rough, grey to brownish-grey, inner surface dark brown and smooth; fracture, hard; taste, bitter.
b) Microscopic
Mature stem bark shows multilayered cork, composed of rectangular, tangentially elongated, thin-walled cells, some filled with red contents; secondary cortex a wide zone, composed of thin-walled, rectangular to polygonal, parenchymatous cells, a number of cells filled with red colouring matter and simple, round to oval starch grains measuring 6-11 μ in dia.; a number of stone cells, in singles or in groups, circular polygonal or oval, thick-walled, lignified with simple pits and radiating canals, found scattered throughout secondary cortex; secondary phloem consists of sieve elements, phloem fibres, crystal fibres, stone cells and phloem parenchyma traversed by phloem rays; numerous prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate present in secondary phloem; phloem fibres with blunt or pointed end and highly thick-walled, with very narrow lumen present in groups; stone cells similar to those found in secondary cortex, mostly in singles or in groups of 2-3, sometimes associated with fibre groups in phloem parenchyma; in isolated preparation and tangential sections crystal fibres show more than twenty chambers having single prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate in each chamber; a number of phloem parenchyma cells containing red colouring matter; phloem rays 1-4 seriate, containing red colouring matter.
Powder – Rusty red; shows a number of stone cells, phloem fibres, crystal fibres and prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate and simple, round to oval, starch grains measuring 6-11 μ in dia.
IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH
Foreign matter Not more than 2 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.2
Total ash Not more than 4 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 13 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.6
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 12 Per cent, Appendix 2.2.7
T.L.C. –
T.L.C. of the alcoholic extract on Silica gel ‘G’ plate using Toluene: Ethylacetate (7 : 3) in visible light shows four spots at Rf. 0.08 (grey), 0.32 (yellow), 0.51 (grey) and 0.58 (yellow). Under UV (366 nm) three fluorescent zones appear at Rf. 0.49, 0.67 (both light blue) and 0.86 (blue). On spraying with 5% Methanolic-sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate at 110°C for ten minutes six spots appear at Rf 0.08, 0.21 (both grey), 0.35 (Pink), 0.52, 0.67 and 0.80 (all grey).
CONSTITUENTS – Tannin and Glycosides.
PROPERTIES AND ACTION
Rasa : Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna : Laghu, Tiksna
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dahahara, Dhatuvikarajit, Kaphavatahara, Mukharogasamaka, Kahaphaladi Nasya
IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Brhatphala Ghrta, Pusyanuga Curna, Arimedadi Taila, Bala Taila, Mahavisagarbha Taila, Khadiradi Gutika (Mukha Roga), Khadiradi Gutika (Kasa), Maha Vatagajan Kusa Rasa.
THERAPEUTIC USES – Gulma, Meha, Jvara, Arsa, Grahani, Pandu Roga, Hrllasa, Mukha Roga, Kasa, Svasa, Agnimandhya, Aruchi, Kantharoga
DOSE – 3-5 g.
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