RENUKA (Seed)
Renuka consists of dried fruit of Vitex negundo Linn. (Fam. Verbenacem) a small tree with triplicate to pentafoliate leaves and bluish inflorescence, found throughout India. Note : ‘Renuka’ is the fruit of Vitex agnus-castus Linn., a plant of foreign origin according to the AFI. However, since they are not available in the market, the recognised substitute fruits of Vitex negundo have been taken here as Renuka. ‘Nirgundi’ is the dried leaf of Vitex negundo
SYNONYMS
Sanskrit : Rajaputri, Nandini, Kapila, Dvija, Bhasmagandha, Pandupatri,
Harenuka
Assamese : —
Bengali : Renuka, Kauntee, Renuka Beej
English : Chaste-Tree, Hemp-Tree
Gujrati : Harenu, Renuka
Hindi : Renukaa, Renuka, Sambhaalooka Beej
Kannada : Renuka
Kashmiri : —
Malayalam : —
Marathi : Renuka Beej
Oriya : —
Punjabi : —
Tamil : Yettee
Telugu : Jeevakamu
Urdu : —
DESCRIPTION
a) Macroscopic
The fruit is a rounded drupe, 1 to 3 mm in diameter, 1/3 rd to 3/4 th of its size surrounded by a dull grey cup like, persistent calyx alongwith pedicel; calyx cup may show one or two vertical splits; fruit colour light brown to black; locules two, each containing two seeds; texture smooth, taste and odour not characteristic.
b) Microscopic
Fruit shows a circular outline; the outermost layer consists of compact, rounded or barrel shaped epidermals cells; epidermis bears abundant, characteristic bicelled, bent or wavy trichomes; distal cell of the trichomes generally broken; the subepidermal ground tissue comprising the mesocarp, composed of thin walled, angular cells which overarch between the two loculi of the fruit at the distal end; mesocarp also contains a ring of vascular strands; thick walled lignified cells inner to mesocarp comprise the endocarp; each loculus contains l or 2 flattened seeds; calyx consists of an outer epidermal layer of small cells followed by a central tissue of thin walled angular cells.
Powder -The powder shows stone cells, bicellular trichomes and groups of vessels with scalariform thickenings beside tissue fragments comprising both thin and thick walled cells.
IDENTITY, PURITY AND STRENGTH
Foreign matter Not more than 1 per cent, Appendix 2.2.2.
Total Ash Not more than 5 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 3 per cent, Appendix 2.2.6.
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 2 per cent, Appendix 2.2.7.
T.L.C.
T.L.C. of the alcoholic extract on precoated silica gel ‘G’ plate (0.2 mm thick) using chloroform : methanol (8-2), shows under U.V. (366nm) spots at Rf. 0.36 (Blue), 0.52 (Yellowish green), 0.57 (Bluish green), 0.63 (Bluish green), 0.71 (Blue), 0.84 (Blue), 0.93 (Bluish green); on spraying with anisaldehyde- sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate for ten minutes at110oC under U.V. (366nm) spots appear at Rf. 0.04 (Greyish Black), 0.58 (Blue), 0.73 (Blue), 0.90 (Blue), 0.97 (Yellow). T.L.C. of the n-Hexane extract on precoated silica gel ‘G’ plate (0.2 mm thick) using chloroform : ethylacetate (95:5) shows under U.V. (366nm) spots at Rf 0.13 (Green), 0.27 (Green), 0.34 (Green), 0.44 (Green), 0.51 (Green), 0.66 (Green), 0.77 (Green), 0.84 (Green), 0.90 (Dark Green); on spraying with anisaldehyde: sulphuric acid reagent and heating the plate for ten minutes at 110o C under U.V. (366nm) spots appear at Rf 0.13 (Yellow), 0.27 (Yellow), 0.34 (orange yellow), 0.44 (Light yellow), 0.51 (Greenish Yellow), 0.65 (Pale yellow), 0.77 (pale yellow), 0.84 (Yellow), 0.90 (Yellow).
CONSTITUENTS – Seeds contain hydrocarbons such as n-tritriacontane, nhentriacontane, n-pentatriacontane and nonacosane. Other constituents of the seeds include β- sitosterol, phydroxybenzoic acid and 5 oxyisophthalic acid.
PROPERTIES AND ACTION
Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Laghu
Virya : Sita
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dipani, Kaphahara, Medhya, Pacani, Vatahara, Visaghna, Pittakara, Garbhapatini, Mukhavaimalyakara
IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Pramehamihira Taila, Vasacandanadi Taila, Candanadi Taila, Dasamularista, Sarsvatarista, Mahayogaraja Guggulu, Anutaila, Balasvagandha Laksadi Taila
THERAPEUTIC USES – Daha, Dadru, Daurbalya, Gulma, Kasa, Kandu, Netraroga, Trsna, Klaibya
DOSE – 1-3 g.
Latest Govt Job & Exam Updates: