4th Sem Pharmacognosy Lab Manual

LAB MANUAL

INDEX

S.NO. Contents Page No.

I. Syllabus

II. Instructional plan

III. List of experiments

1. To study the macroscopic characters of Senna.

2. To study the macroscopic characters of Aloe.

3. To study the macroscopic characters of Liquorice.

4. To study the transverse section of Liquorice.

5. To study the powder microscopy of Liquorice.

6. To study the macroscopic characters of Rhubarb.

7. To study the transverse section of Rhubarb.

8. To study the powder microscopy of Rhubarb.

9. To study the powder microscopy of Senna.

10. To study the macroscopic characters of sarsaparilla root

11. To study the macroscopic characters of digitalis

12. To study the macroscopic characters of thevetia

13. To study the macroscopic characters of Indian Squill

14. To study the macroscopic characters of strophanthus

15. To Standardize the herbal formulation

Experiment No. 1

Aim: To study the macroscopic characters of Senna.

References- 1.Kokate C.K., Purohit A.P., Gokhle S. B., Pharmacognosy, Edition 41, Reprint 2008,

Nirali Parkashan, Page no. 174-181

2. Shah N. B., Nayak B. S., Experimental Pharmacognosy, First Edition April,2008, S. Vikas Page no.

169-170

Requirements: drug, watch glass etc

Procedure:

Observation: Synonym: Senna leaf, Cassia senna

Biological Source: It consists of dried leaflets of Cassia angustifolia belonging to family Leguminosae.

Macroscopic Characters:

Colour-Yellowish-green

Odour-Slight

Taste- Mucilagenous, bitter and Characteristic.

Size- 7-8mm in width and 25-60mm in length.

Shape-Leaves are lanceolate, entire, apex is acute with spine at the top.

Chemical Constituents: Senna contains mainly two anthraquinone glycosides i.e.Sennoside A and

Sennoside B. These two are stereo isomers of each other. It also contains phytosterol, mucilage, resin,

salicylic acid and calcium oxalate. It also contains two naphthalene glycosides.

Chemical Tests:

Borntrager’s test: Drug is taken and is diluted with dil. sulphuric acid and boiled for sometime. Filter the

solution and to the filtrate, add chloroform. Shake the solution and thus chloroform layer is separated. A

pink or red colour is obtained on addition of ammonia to the chloroform layer.

Pharmaceutical Uses:

1. It is useful as Purgative, in habitual constipation.

2. It also acts as a Carminative and causes therapeutic action.

3. It also shows gripping action due to presence of aloe-emodin.

Experiment No. 2

Aim: To study macroscopic character of aloe


Nirali Parkashan, Page no.181-186

Requirements: Drug

Synonyms: aloes, musabbar, kumari.

Biological source: Aloe is the dried juice of the leaves of Aloe barbadensis miller,known as curacao

aloes or of Aloe perryi baker, known as socotrine aloes; or of Aloe ferox miller and hybrids of this

species Aloe africana miller and Aloe spicata baker , known as cape aloes, belonging to family Liliaceae

VARIETIES OF ALOE:

BARBADAS (CURACAB) ALOES: It is the dried juice of the leaves of Aloe barbadensis belonging

to fanily Liliaceae

MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS:

Colour: brownish black

Odour: strong

Taste: bitter

Cape Aloes: It is obtained from Aloe ferox belonging to family Liliaceae

MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS

Colour:brown

Odour:distinct odour

Taste:sour and bitter

Scortine Aloe: It is obtained from Aloe perryi belonging to family Liliaceae


Colour: brownish yellow

Taste: bitter

Odour: unpleasant

Zanzibar aloe: the origin of variety is not correctly known


Colour: liver brown

Taste: bitter

Odour: characterstic

MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS OF THE LEAF:

Colour: greenish yellow

Odour: strong, characterstic

Taste: bitter

MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTER OF JUICE

Colour: brownish black

Odour: strong

Taste: bitter

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: principle active constituent of aloe is aloin which is a mixture of

glucosides which barbalion is the chief constituent. The drug also contain aloetic acid, cholin, cholin

salicylate, saponin, coniferyl alcohol etc

CHEMICAL TEST: 1gram of aloe powder is boiled with 10ml water and filtered with help of

kieselguhr. The filterate The test gives a pale yellow product of tetrabromalin.

1. Bromine test: - freshly prepared bromine solution is added to a small quantity of above filterate .

The test gives pale yellow product of tetrabromaline.

2. Schoenteten’s reaction [ borax test ]: - little quantity of above filtrate is treated with borax and

shaken well till the borax dissolves. When few drops of this solution are added to a test tube

nearly filled with water ,a green flouroscence appears

USES: Aloe is used as a purgative. Its effect is mainly on colon. It has a strong purgative action in the

series of all crude drugs with anthracene glycosidal content to counter effect the griping action, it is

given with carminatives. It is believed that only fresh gel probably has a role in treatment of burns and

wounds. It is also used in pain and itching and also to slow down ulceration.it is also used in skin

cosmetics. Aloe is used externally for painful inflamation

Experiment No. 3

Aim: To study the morphological characteristics of Liquorice.




145-146

Requirements: drug, watch glass

Synonyms: Glycyhrriza, liquorice root, mulehi.

Biological source: Liquorice consists of dried, peeled or unpeeled roots and stolon of Glycyrrhiza

glabra belong to family Leguminosae.

Varieties of Glycyrrhiza glabra-

1. Glycyrrhiza glabra var. typica – (Spanish liquorice) -This plant has purplish blue colour

papilionaceous flower. It gives out large number of stolons.

2. Glycyrrhiza glabra var. glandulifera – (Russian liquorice) – It has a big root stock along with a

number of elongated roots but does not bear stolons .

3. Glycyrrhiza glabra var. violacea – (Persian liquorice) – This plant shows violet colour flower.

Macroscopic characters-

Colour – Unpeeled yellowish brown or dark brown externally & yellowish internally while peeled

liquorice is pale yellow in colour.

Odour - Faint & characterstics.

Taste – Sweet

Size – Length 20cm to 50cm & 2cm in diameter.

Shape – Cylindrical pieces which are straight may peeled or unpeeled. Peeled liquorice is

angular.

Chemical constituents -

The chief constituent of liquorice is a triterpenoid saponin known as glycyrrhizin , which is a potassium

& calcium salt of glycyrrhizic acid . Glycyrrhizinic acid is a glycoside & on hydrolysis yields

glycyrrhetinic acid, which has triterpenoid structure.

Another important chemical aspect of liquorice is presence of flavanoids, liquiritin &

isoliquiritin. The Indian liquorice roots have shown the presence of 2- methyl isoflavoins & coumarin

via liquor- coumarin. The other main constituents are carbenoxolone.

Chemical test –

On addition of 80% sulfuric acid, the thick section of drug or powder shows deep yellow colour.

Uses – Liquorice has been as an expectorant & demulcent. It is used in cough mixtures, & as a

flavouring agent in formulations with nauseous drug. Due to flavonoids content with anti gastric effect,

it is used in peptic ulcer in the form of deglycyrrhized liquorice. It is used in treatment of peptic ulcer,

for healing purposes. This drug is also an antispasmodic. It is used in the treatment of rheumatoid

arthritis, inflammation & Addison’s disease. Heavy dose may cause hypertension, water retention &

electrolyte balance. It is used as flavouring agent in tobacco. It is used as fire extinguisher.

Experiment No. 4

Aim: To study the Transverse section of Liquorice.

Reference- Shah N. B., Nayak B. S., Experimental Pharmacognosy, First Edition April,2008, S. Vikas

Page no. 145-146

Requirements: drug, microscope, glass slide etc



glabra belong to family Leguminosae

Transverse section of liquorice under microscope:

Periderm –

Cork – 10-20 or more layers of tabular cells. Outer layer contain reddish brown amorphous matter & the

inner layers shows thick walled colourless cells.

Phellogen - Indistinct

Phellederm – 1-3layers of radially arranged parenchymatous cells containing prism of calcium oxalate &

few starch grains.

Secondary Phleom –

Phloem fibres – Thickened walls, cellulosic in the inner part, lignified in the outer part, concentrically

arranged bundles of 10-50 fibres. Each bundles is surrounded by parenchymatous sheath containing

calcium oxalate crystals.

Phloem parenchyma- Thin walled cells with starch grains & calcium oxalate.

Medullary rays- Distinct, bi & multiseriate, parenchymatous cells, narrow in the xylem region & wider

in the phloem region calcium oxalate crystals & starch grains are present in few cells.

Cambium – Thin walled cells, three or more layered.

Secondary Xylem –

Vessels – 80 to 200 micron diameter with thick, yellow pitted or reticulate, thickened wall lignified.

Xylem fibres- Lignified, enshesthed by a layer of parenchyma containing calcium oxalate crystals.

Xylem parenchyma- Contain starch & calcium oxalate crystals.

Medullary ray- parenchymatous & multiseriate cells contain starch grains & calcium oxalate crystals.

Pith – Parenchymatous cells with intracellular spaces. Pith is absent in root, cells contain starch grains &

calcium oxalate crystals.

Experiment No. 5

Aim: To study the powder microscopy of Liquorice.

Reference- Shah N. B., Nayak B. S., Experimental Pharmacognosy, First Edition April,2008, S. Vikas

Page no. 145-147

Requirements: drug, microscope, glass slide, phloroglucinol, glycerine etc



glabra belong to family Leguminosae

Powder microscopy of Liquorice

Fibres – Lignified, thickened, yellow walls in bundles of about 10-50, with crystal sheath of

parenchymatous cells each containing single prism of calcium oxalate.

Xylem Vessels – Large with numerous bordered pits. Surface is lignified.

Calcium oxalate crystals – Individually prism shapped, 10-15 to 25-35micron long. Present in

parenchymatous cell & many scattered in the powder.

Strach grains – Most are simple, oval or rounded, about 2-4 to10-24micron long showing no

striations.

Cork – Abundant fragments of orange- brown cork composed of thin walled polygonal cells.

Experiment No. 6

Aim: To study the macroscopic characters of Rhubarb.




163-165

Requirments: Given sample drug.

Synonym: Radix rhei, Rheum, Revandchini

Biological source: Rhubarb consists of the dried rhizome of Rheum emodi Wall, Rheum palmatum Linn,

belongs to family Polygonaceae.

Macroscopic characters: The coming to market is called as either “Flat” or “Round”. Round pieces

are prepared from small rhizomes which are cut only transversely and hence they are barrel shaped,

cylindrical or conical 8-10cm length & 4cm thick. Flat pieces are prepared from large rhizomes which

are cut longitudinally & hence they are Plano convex & tapering at both ends. Flats are 7-10cm in length

& 3-6cm in thickness towards middle portion. Both types of pieces have a sharp odor & bitter, astringent

taste.

The surface is covered with a yellow powder smooth and pale brown to red in colour. The pieces also

show holes through which they are threaded. The drug breaks with an irregular granular fracture but the

drugs with a pink fracture is regarded as a high quality product.

Chemical constituents: Rhubarb contains anthraquinone glycoside and antrigent principles. The

anthraquinone glycoside range from 2 to 4.6% and are categorised into four groups:

1. Anthraquinones with a carboxyl group like rhein and glucorhein.

2. Anthraquinones without a carboxyl group like aleo-emodin, emodin and also their glycosidal

forms.

3. Anthrones and dianthrones of aloe-emodin, emodin, chrysophanol and physcion.

4. Heterodianthrone like palmidin A, palmidin B & palmidin C.

The astrigent past mainly consists part of gallic acid as glucogallin, along with tannin, catechin and

epicatechin. The drug also contains rheinolic acid, pectin, starch, fat and calcium oxalate.

Use: Rhubarb is used as bitter stomachic in the treatment of diarroeha and as a purgative.

Experiment No. 7

Aim: To study the Transverse section of Rhubarb.




163-165

3. Kokate C.K., Practical Pharmacognosy, Edition 11th, Vallabh Parkashan, Page no. 78-79

Requirements: Sample drug, Blade, Cover slip, Glass slide and microscope.

Biological Source: Rhubarb consists of the dried rhizome of Rheum emodi, Rheum palmatum Linn.

belong to family Polygonaceae.

Microscopic characters:

1. Cambium – a fairly continuous line between xylem and phloem.

2. Phloem – outside of the Cambium.

3. Radiates secondary xylem inside the cambium.

4. Vessels, reticulate cellulose thickening give no reaction for lignin.

5. Reddish orange modularly rays.

6. Large pith in the centre.

7. Star spots at the periphery of the pith and scattered all throughout the pith.

8. The star spots formed because of formation of concentric bundle in pith, consisting of phloem

towards the centre and xylem on external side.

9. Abundant starch in the parenchyma.

10. Sclerenchymatous fibres and cork are absent.

11. Cluster, crystals of calcium oxalate in parenchyma 20- 500 micrometer in diameter.

Experiment no. 8

Aim: To study the Powder microscopy of Rhubarb.




163-165


Requirements: Sample drug, Cover slip, Glass slide, phloroglucinol and microscope.

Biological Source: Rhubarb consists of the dried rhizome of Rheum emodi, Rheum palmatum Linn.

belong to family Polygonaceae.


1. The powder is yellowish brown in colour with aromatic odour and bitter and astringent taste.

2. Microscopical examination shows abundant starch grains, compound or simple, spherical.

3. Abundant clusters of calcium oxalate crystals are found scattered and in some parenchymatous

cells.

4. Cork cells, nearly rectangular, thick walled, abundant parenchyma, thin walled cells, elongated

filled with starch grains and abundant vessels with reticulate thickening are found scattered.

Experiment No. 9

Aim: To study the powder microscopy of Senna.




169-170


Procedure:

Observation: Synonym: Senna leaf, Cassia senna

Biological Source: It consists of dried leaflets of Cassia angustifolia belonging to family Leguminoseae.

Powder Microscopy of Senna:

1. Epidermis with paracytic stomata.

2. Calcium oxalate prisms.

3. Trichomes.

4. Palisade and spongy cells.

5. Xylem vessels with annular thickening.

6. Crystal sheath.

Experiment No. 10

Aim : To study the macroscopic characters of sarsaparilla root.



Biological Source: It consists of dried root and sometimes rhizomes of Smilax aristalachiaefolia or

Smilax regelii belongs to the family Smilaceae.


Colour- Greyish red or yellowish brown.

Odour – Odourless.

Taste- Sweetish and acrid.

Size- 65 to 75 mm long and 2 to 5.5 mm diameter.

Chemical Constituents: Much chemical work has been done on sarsaparilla without proper botanical

identification of the material. Different species contains one or more steroidal saponins. Two isomeric

genins are known- Smilagenin and Sarsapogenin. These differ only in their configuration at c-25 and

correspond to the reduced form of diosgenin and yamogenin respectively. Sarsaparilloside contains in

some species bidesmosidic saponin.

USES: Sarsaparilla formly employed a high reputation in the treatment of syphilis,rheumatism and

certain skin diseases. It is included in BHP where it is indicated in the treatment of psoriasis and eczema

for rheumatoid arthritis. It action would appear to arise from the steroid content of the root . It is the

widely used as vehicle and large qty are employed in the manufacturing of non-alcoholic drinks. The

genins are used in practical synthesis of corticoids and steroids.

Experiment No. 11

Aim: To study the macroscopic characters of digitalis.




112-115


Requirements: Leaves of digitalis.

Synonyms of the drug: Digitalis leaves, Foxglove leaves.

Biological Source:

Digitalis consists of dried leaves of Digitalis purpurea, family Scrophulariaceae.

Macroscopic characters:

Colour: Dark greyish-green

Odour: Slight

Taste: Bitter

Size: 10 to 40 cm long and 4 to 20 cm wide

Shape: Ovate-lanceolate to broadly ovate; with irregularly crenate or serrate or occasionally dentate

margin.

Extra features: The leaves are slightly pubescent on both the surfaces with pinnate venation and

prominent veinlets on the under surface. Generally, the leaves are broken and crumpled.


Digitalis is a dorsiventral leaf. It has anomocytic stomata on both surfaces and water pores at the apex

of most of the marginal teeth. The trichomes are uniseriate, multicellular and blunty pointed. There are

also glandular trichomes with unicellular stalk and unicellular or bicellular head. Digitalis is free of

calcium oxalate and sclerenchyma. There is collenchyma at three different places i.e. at upper

epidermis, lower dermis, and pericyclic part, which is also characteristic to digitalis.

Chemical constituents:

Digitalis contains 0.2 to 0.45% mixture of both primary and secondary cardiac

glycosides(cardenolides). Purpurea glycosides A and B and glucogitaloxin are primary glycosides

possessing at C-3 of the aglycon, a linear chain of 3 digitoxose moieties terminated by glucose. Digitalis

also contains several other glycosides such as odoroside H, gitaloxin, verodoxin,and glucoverodoxin.

The primary glycosides are less absorbed and less stable than secondary glycosides such as digitoxin,

gitixin, and gitaloxin.

Additionally, it contains 2 saponin glycosides, viz digitonin and gitonin. The total number of glycosides

reported in the drug is about 30. Apart from the glycosides, leaves also contain hydrolytic enzymes.

Uses:

Digitalis glycosides have played significant role in medical science for more than 200 years. The most

frequent use of digitalis is in the treatment of congestive heart failure. Digitalis blocks the sodium-

potassium APT-ase pump of the cardiac muscle so that intrcellular concentration of sodium is increased.

This leads to increase in calcium ions, released from sarcolemma and thereby, brushing action of

proteins viz. actin and myosin is enhanced. This is exhibited as more forceful contractions of

myocardium, greater output per beat and complete emptying of heart. Due to this, the delayed

circulation in congestive heart failure is improved and the oedema is flushed out. Digitalis shortens the

length of systole, thereby giving more time to rest between contractions.

Another major use of digitalis is slowing down ventricular rate in atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter,

premature extra systole.

Allied drugs:

1. Digitalis lanata:

Synonyms: Woolly fox glove leaves, austrial digitalis.

Biological Source: These are the dried leaves of Digitalis lanata Ehrhart, belonging to family

Scrophulariaceae .


The leaves are oblong, lanceolate, sessile with entire margin. It is about 21 cm in width. The plant is a

biennial herb about 1 m in height.

Chemical constituents:

It contain 5 primary glycosides and in all about 70 cardiac glycosides. The primary glycosides are

identified as lanatosides A,B,C,D and E. It should be noted that glycone digitoxose and not aglycone, is

acetylated. It is used as the source for manufacture of digoxin, lanatoside C and other cardiac glycosides.

The aglycones viz. digoxigenin and diginatigenin are specific to Digitalis lanata.

Uses:

It is used as commercial source for digoxin, lanatoside C, lanatoside A and a mixture of lanatosides.

Lanatoside C and digoxin have the same actions as that ofdigitalis. Lanatoside C is poorly absorbed

from gastrointestinal tract and it is less cumulative. Digoxin, by oral route, shows effect in about 1 hour

and maximum effect is reached within 6 hours. Digoxin is used for rapid digitalization in the treatment

of auricular fibrillation and congestive heart failure. It is preferred because of less cumulative effects.

2. Digitalis lutea:

Synonym: Straw foxglove.

Biological source:These are the dried leaves of Digitalis lutea, family Scrophulariaceae.


Shape: Leaves are sessile, oblong or lanceolate with serrate or dentate margin.

Size: Leaves are 28*6 cm

Uses:

It is used for the same purpose but, is supposed to have less irritation. The chemical constituents of the

drug are not thoroughly known, but it is free of calcium oxalate. It is used as a common substitute for

official drug.

3. Digitalis thapsi:

Synonym: Spanish foxglove.

Biological Source: These are the dried leaves of Digitalis thapsi, family Scrophulariaceae.


Colour: Yellowish-green.

Size: leaves are 5 to 10*1.5 to 5 cm.

Experiment No. 12

Aim: To study the macroscopic character of Thevetia.




Procedure:

Observation: Synonyms: Trumplet-flower, lucky-nut tree

Biological source: These are the dried seeds of Thevetia peruviana Merrill syn. Thevetia neriifolia

belonging to family Apocynaceae.


Taste: Seeds are very bitter, when chewed produce numbness

Colour: Seeds are green to greenish black

Odour: None

Shape: Oblong, hard

Chemical Consitutents: Thevetia kernels are very rich in cardio-active glycosides, which are found to be

triosides i.e. the aglycone of these glycosides is a combination of three sugars units. Theventin is the

major and active constituent of Thevetia which is a mixture of two triosides i.e. Thevetin A and

cerederoside(Thevetin B). The monosides separated from thevetia seeds are cerberin, neriifolin,

peruvoside, theveneriin and peruvosidic acid. Peruvoside shows a quick action with well absorption and

tolerance. It has very less accumulative tendency and can be given orally. The details of glycosides,

aglyconens and sugars of Thevetia are as under:

Glycoside Aglycone Sugars

Cereberoside

(Thevetin B)

Digitoxingenin L-Thevetose + 2 mol. D-

glucose

Thevetin A Cannogenin L-Thevetose + 2 mol. D-

glucose

Peruvoside Cannogenol L-Thevetose

Nariifolin Digitoxigenin L-Thevetose

Thevenerin Cannogenol L-Thevetose

Uses:

Entire thevetia plant is very poisonous and the seeds are most poisonous. Tincture is cathartic

emetic and febriuge seeds are used as abortifacient and purgative in rheumatism and dropsy.

Peruvoside is used in the treatment of mild cardiac insufficiency and weak heart. This drug shows

relatively high degree of therapeutic index compared to digoxin.

Experiment No. 13

Aim: To study macroscopic character of Indian squill




172-173


Requirements: Drug

Procedure:

Observation: Synonyms - Jangli pyaj, Sea onion, Scilla.

Biological Source: Urginea consists of dried slices of the bulbs of Urginea indica Kunth, family

Liliaceae. The European squill is obtained from the bulbs of Urginea maritime (Linn) Baker.

Macroscopic Characters: -

Colour - The slices of squill bulbs are slightly yellowish to white

Odour - Slight and characteristic.

Taste - Bitter, mucilaginous and acrid.

Size - 30 to 60 mm in length and 3 to 8 mm broad.

Shape - The slices of the Indian squill are united in groups of 4 to 8, which are curved.

Extra Features: The entire bulb of the Indian squill is about 15 cm in diameter. The slices of squill are

translucent and become tough and flexible after absorbing the moisture.

Chemical Constituents: Indian squill contains about 0.3% of cardiac glycosides. It yields to alcohol

about 20 to 40% of extractive. The other contents of the drug are mucilage (about 40%) and calcium

oxalate.

Scillaren A and Scillaren B are the major cardiac glycosides of the drug. Scillaren A on

hydrolysis (by an enzyme) scillarenase yield proscillaridin A and on acid hydrolysis scillaridin A,

whereas Scillaren B yields proscillaridin B and scillaridin B respectively. The drug also contains

glucoscillaren A and enzyme scillarenase.

Chemical Test: Mesophyll stains red with alkaline colarin solution and reddish purple with 0.1 M

iodine solution.

Uses: It is cardiotonic, stimulant and also an expectorant. It is diuretic in small doses. In large doses, it is

emetic and cathartic. It resembles digitalis in its cardiotonic activities, but is less cumulative and acts

rapidly. It is not a perfect substitute for digitalis, as it is associated with irritant effect and is poorly

absorbed. It is used as a powerful expectorant in chronic bronchitis and asthma. It is also found to

possess anti-cancer activity against human epidermoid carcinoma of the nasopharynx in tissue culture.

Experiment No. 14

Aim: To study macroscopic characters of strophanthus




Requirements: drug

Procedure:

Observation: Synonyms - Semino Strophanthi

Biological Source: These are the dried ripe seeds of Strophanthus kombe Olive or of Strophanthus

hispidus De Candolle, belonging to family Apocynaceae.

Macroscopic Characters: The seeds are obtained from fruits with 2 follicles. The awns of the seeds are

separated. The seeds are 10-20 mm in length, 3-5 mm in width and 2 mm in thickness. The shape is

lanceolate and awn is thread like extension of testa. The silky touch of the seeds is due to trichomes. The

endosperm and embryo are quite oily in nature. When treated with 80% of sulphuric acid, the

endosperms shows deep emerald green colour. The seeds have bitter taste and unpleasant odour.

STROPHANTHIDIN

Chemical Constituents: The drug contains a mixture of glycosides called K – Strophanthin. It contains

K–Strophanthoside (strophoside), K – Strophanthoside β cymarin and cymarol. Except cymarol, all thee

3 glycosides yield strophanthidin on hydrolysis. K–strophanthoside is considered as main primary

glycoside which on hydrolysis gives aglycone strophanthidin along with 3 sugars cymarose, α and β

glucose.

The drug also contains mucilage, resin, trigonelline, choline, and upto 30% of fixed oil.

Chemical Test: The glycosides show green colour on addition of sulphuric acid.

Use: It is a cardiotonic. The drug is mainly considered as a source of K–Strophanthin. These glycoside

have less cumulative effect otherwise similar in actions as that of digitalis. It is given parenterally,

because of poor absorption b oral route.

OUABAIN (G - Strophanthin)

It is a cardiac glycoside obtained from the seeds of Strophanthus gratus or from the wood of

Acokanthera schimperi or A. ouabain, belonging to family Apocynaceae.

It is poisonous substance and is present from 4-8% in seeds. It is two times more potent than K –

Strophanthin

OUABAGENIN

Uses: - It is a cardiac glycoside, given intravenously in acute cardic failure, because of its rapid onset of

action. The onset of action occurs within 5-10 minutes and reaches to peak effect in 3 minutes to 2 hours

and standard for bioassay of cardic glycosides

Other stropanthus species are S. courmontii (1/4th active as S. kombe seeds); S. nicholsoni, S. emini S.

sarmentosus containing sarmentogenin.

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4th Sem Pharmacognosy Lab Manual