# Indian Medicinal Plants/Natural Order Bixineæ

N. 0. BIXINEÆ
103. Cochlospermum, Gossypium, D. C. h.f.b.i., i. 190.
Syn. : — Bombax gossypium, Linn. Roxb. 515.
Vern. :— Kumbi, gabdi, ganiar, galgal, gangal (H.); Hopo (Santal.); Gulgal (Kol.); Gangam (Gond.); Kantapalas (Uriya); Kumbi (Pb.); Gajra, Kumbi (U. P.); Gungu, kong, gondugogu (Tel); Tanku, Kongillam (Tam.); Bettatovare, arisina burga (Kan.); Chimapunji (Mal.); Ganeri (Bhil); Kadachogund (Guj.); Kalir-gond, kathalya gonda (Mar); Sisibaha, Udal (Chutia Nagpur). Katirê, (Hindi).
For the gum : — Nat-Ka-Katera, Nat-Ka-Katera-gond, (Deck.); Katera (EL); Tanaku-pishin (Tam.); Kondagogu-banka, Konda-gogu-pisunu (Tel.); Shima-pangi-pasha (Mal.)
For the cotton: — Pili-Kapas-Ki-rul, Katere-Ki-jhar, Kiriu (Deck.); Tanaku-paruthi (Tam.); Konda-gogu-pathi (Tel.); Shima-pangi-paruthi (Mal.).
Habitat : — Dry hills, Garwal, Bundelkhund, Behar, Orissa and the Deccan; also commonly planted near temples.
A small deciduous tree, with a few short thick spreading branches. "Bark 1 in. thick, fibrous, deeply furrowed; inner substance red. Wood extremely soft, greyish-brown; no heart- wood. Pores large, scanty, often subdivided into compartments. Medullary rays broad, visible on a radial section as ​ long rough plates" (Gamble). Branchlets tomentose. Leaves near the ends of the branchlets, palmately 5-lobed, 4-9 in. diam., lobes shortly acuminate entire, grey-tomentose beneath, old leaves glabrous. Petioles slender, 4-6 in. Flowers 4-5 in. diam.; golden yellow in few-flowered terminal panicles. Sepals silky. Petals obovate, notched. Capsules pear-shaped, 3-4 in. long, 5-lobed. Flowers— February- April. Seeds covered with a kind of silk-cotton, called the "Kapok" fibres of India.
Parts used : — The gum and cotton.
Uses : — The gum has been proposed as a substitute for tragacanth. It is used in coughs, also in gonorrhœa (Indian Medical Gazette, 1875, p. 39).
In Patna, the dried leaves and flowers are used as stimulants. (Irvine, p. 78).
104. Bixa Orellana, Linn, h.f.b.i., i. 190.
Vern. : — Latkan, Watkana (H. and B.); Kong, Kuombi (Santal.); Jarat, Jolandhar (Ass.); Gulbas (Uriya); Powasi (Chittagong); Reipom (Manipur) Shal-ke-pandi-ka-jhar (Deck.); Kisri, Kesari, Kesuri, Shendri (Mar. Bom.); Jupharachettu, Jafra vittulu-chettu, Kurungu-menjivittulu-chettu (Tel.); Japhramaram, Jafra-virai-maram (Tam.); Kuppamankala, Rangamali (Kan.) Korungoomunga (Mal.) Gowpurgee (H.).
Habitat : — Cultivated throughout India for the dye.
A large evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark brown, ⅛ in. thick. Wood pinkish-white, soft, even-grained. Annual rings marked by a line without pores. Pores moderate-sized, in radial strings of 3 to 6, prominent on a vertical section. Medullary rays fine, closely packed, bent round the pores, or groups of pores, so that the distance between the rays is less than the transverse diameter of the pores (Gamble). Leaves simple, 4-8 by 2½-5 in., cordate, acuminate, glabrous. Stipules minute. Petioles slender, 2-3 in. Flowers in terminal panicles, bisexual, large, 1-2 in. diam.; pink or white; purple say H. ƒ. and Th.; sepals 5, imbricate deciduous. Petals 5, contorted in bud. Anthers numerous, opening by two terminal pores. Ovary 1-celled; style slender, curved; stigma notched ovules many, ​ on 2-parietal placentas. Capsule reddish brown, clothed with soft prickles, 1½ in., ovoid or sub-globose, base intruded; dehiscence loculicidally 2-valved; placentas on the valve. Seeds many, covered with a red pulp (originally fleshy papillæ on the testa) which yields the well-known dye. Albumen farinaceous; Embryo large; cotyledons flat.
Parts used : —The seeds, seed-pulp and root-bark.
Uses :— Astringent and slightly purgative, also a good remedy for dysentery and kidney diseases. The pulp (a well- known colouring matter) surrounding the seeds is astringent (Roxburgh.). The seeds are cordial, astringent, and febrifuge (Lindl.)
The root-bark is antiperioclic and antipyretic, and the seeds slightly astringent and a very good remedy for gonorrhœa. The seeds also possess the antiperiodic and antipyretic properties, but to a less extent.
The root-bark is of great use in uncomplicated intermittent, remittent, and continued fevers. The seeds are very useful, particularly in the form of decoction. They are also useful in the above varieties of fever, but inferior to the root-bark in this respect.
The root-bark is one of those antiperiodic medicines, which can be used during the absence as well as the presence of pyrexia in the intermittent fever; and this remark is also applicable to the seeds as an antiperiodic (Moodeen Sheriff). The seed pulp is used by the American Indians to paint their body all over for full dress, and this use of it is said also to prevent mosquito bites
105. Flacourtia Cataphracta, Roxb. H.F.B.i., i. 193. Roxb. 739.
Sans. : — Prachin-âmalaka.
Vern. :— Paniyala (B.); Talispatri (H.; Tel; Tam.). Jaggam, Jan-Gama, Tâmbat (Bom.) Tâdmbat (Mar.).
Habitat :— Nepal eastward, Bengal, Assam, Chitagong. The Konkan. S. India. Burma. Occasionally in Saharanpur. ​ Brandis describes this as a middle-sized deciduous tree. Whereas Kanjilal, writing about the same tree as found in the Sal Forests of Dun, says it is a small evergreen tree. Bark smooth. Wood hard, close-grained, reddish or orange-red, brittle. Stem armed with compound spines " up to middle age," says Kanjilal. Young shoots slightly pubescent. Leaves 3-5 in. long, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, long-acuminate, crenate, thin but tough, quite rounded. Petiole 1/10-1/5 in. long. Flowers deciduous, very small, in irregular glabrous racemes. Sepals hairy within, edges ciliate. Stigmas 4-6, capitate. Ovary flask-shaped, narrowed into a short cylindric or conical style. Fruit globose, ½-¾ in. diam., purple when ripe, crowned by the persistent stigmas on peduncles, ⅓-½ in. long, very acid, dark purple when ripe. Stones 10-14, flat.
Parts used : — The leaves, shoots, bark and fruit.
Use : — The fruit is recommended as useful in bilious conditions and, like most acid fruits, it no doubt relieves the nausea and checks the purging (Dymock). The fruit is most delicious.
The leaves and young shoots taste like rhubarb, and are supposed to possess astringent and stomachic properties, and are prescribed in diarrhœa and weakness (Watt.)
The leaves are said to have diaphoretic properties.
106. F. Ramontchi, L'Herit. h.f.b.i., i.193. var. Sapida, Roxb.739.
Sans. : —Swâdu-kantaka.
Vern. : — Bilangra; bhanber ; Kanju, handi; kattar; katti; bowchi (H.); Bincha; Katai; Tambat (B.); Katail (Palamow); Serali; Mehlo Sarlarka (Kol.); Merlec (Santal.); Bonicha; Baili; Baincho (Uriya); Arma-Suri; Katien (Gond.) Kank; Kanki; Bilati (C.P.) Swadu-kantaka; Tambat; Kaikun; Pahr Bhekal Kakad (Bombay); Kanregu (Tel.). Gupra (Coorg).
Habitat : — In Southern India and Ceylon. Throughout the forests of the Sewalik Division, Mussoorie, and Malkot Hills, and the valleys of Jaunsar, from the Punjab Eastward, ​ Rajputana, Bihar, Central India, Dekkan and the Konkan and South Peninsula. In Manipur.
There are many varieties of this in India, north and south. The description given by Trimen of variety Sapid a is about the best suited for the plant known in the Konkan.
The leaves of the Indian plant are deciduous. Gamble says they fall in January-February, and the new foliage appears in April and May. Flowers from March-November. In Ceylon, the flowering time is January and February. The trees growing in the forests of the Sewalik Division, Mussoorie, and Malkot Hills and in Jaunsar are deciduous ; the bark whitish- grey, says Kanjilal. Trimen says it is a small tree, with long simple spinous twigs on the young branches and often large, compound, branched spines on the trunk. Bark rather smooth, grey; young shoots pubescent. Leaves 2-3 in., broadly ovate, acuminate, obtuse, acute at base, more or less crenate-serrate, glabrous or pubescent on the veins beneath, thin. Petioles ¼ in., often pubescent. Flowers small, in little few-flowered axillary raceme clusters; male flower sepals reflexed, ciliate; female flower sepals very small, ciliate; disk annular. Ovary globular; stigmas 5-6, nearly sessile, recurved. Berry globular, ½ in., diam., pulpy, smooth, marked with scars of fallen stigmas. Fruit red or brown, dark inky, when ripe. Seeds 4-6, strongly lobulated.
Parts used : — The seeds, gum, bark and fruit.
Uses : — According to Sanskrit writers, the fruits are sweet, appetising and digestive. They are given in jaundice and enlarged spleen (U. C. Dutt)
After child-birth among natives in the Deccan, the seeds are ground to powder with turmeric, and rubbed all over the body to prevent rheumatic pains from exposure to damp winds. (Dymock.)
The gum is given along with other ingredients for cholera.
The bark is applied to the body along with that of Albizzia, at intervals of a day or so during intermittent fever, in Chutia Nagpur (Revd. A. Campbell). The Species of Albizzia is not mentioned (K. R. K.). ​
107. F. sepiaria, Roxb. h.f.b.i., i. 194. Roxb. 739.
Vern. : — Kondai (H.); Sherawane, hargal, dajkar, jidkar khatai, kingaro (Pb.); Atruna; tâmbat (Bombay); Conrew, kana regu (Tel.); Sottacla (Tamil); Couron moeli (Malay.); Jootay Karoonday (Dec.); Bainch (C. P.)
Habitat :— Throughout Bengal, the Western Peninsula, notably in the north of Thana district, Ceylon.
A small, thorny shrub or tree. Bark yellowish-red, thin. Wood light red, hard, close and even-grained. Stem much branched, with the branchlets ending in sharp pointed rigid spines. Leaves 1-2 in., in fascicles, cuncate-ovate, or oblong, tapering to a petiole, very obtuse, more or less crenate-serrate, glabrous, stiff. Flowers yellowish diœcious, solitary or few, very small, in axillary racemose clusters shorter than the leaves. Sepals acute; pilose. Disk lobular, stigmas 3-4, very short, recurved, usually separate, on very short styles. Berry like a pea, globular, ⅓ in., smooth, purple, acid-sweet when ripe, much appreciated, as it makes a refreshing drink with sugar and water. Thorns usually bearing flowers and fruit.
Use : — This tree yields an antidote to snake-bite from an infusion of the leaves and roots. The bark triturated in Sesamum oil, is used as a liniment in rheumatism (Wight; Ainslie; Rheede.) The ripe fruit, pea-shaped, is very savoury.
108. Gynocardia odorata, R. Br. h.f.b.i., i. 195.
Syn. : — Chaulmoogra odorata, Roxb. 740.
Vern. :— Chaulmoogra, Chhalmugra, Choulmungri (Hind.); Chaulmugri, petarkura (Beng.); Kadu (Nepal); Tuk-kung, (Lepcha); Chaulmugra (Bomb.); Tungpung (Magh.).; Taliennœ, (Sing.); Brinjmogra (Pers.); Ta fung-tsze (Chinese).
Habitat : — From Sikkim and the Khasia hills eastwards to Chittagong.
A moderate-sized evergreen tree, perfectly glabrous, readily recognized by the hard round fruits which grow on the ​ stem and main branches. Branches slender and flexuous. Bark ¼ in., thick, grey, smooth. Wood hard, close-grained, yellow or light-brown. Pores very small, in radial lines. Medullary rays white, very numerous and prominent (Gamble). Leaves bifarious, coriaceous, oblong or linear-oblong, abruptly acuminate, quite entire, shining above; largest 6-10 by 3-4 in., strongly reticulate beneath; petiole ¼-1 in. long. Flowers sweet-scented, yellowish, in large fascicles on the trunk, solitary or a few together in the leaf-axils, diœous, very variable in size, ⅓-2 in. diam.; the females largest. Peduncles 1-3 in. Bracts basal, minute. Calyx coriaceous, cup-shaped, 5-toothed. Petals 5, with a ciliate scale at the base of each male flower. Stamens numerous, filaments woolly, anthers basifixed, linear. Female flowers: staminodes 10-15, villous. Ovary 1-celled, styles 5, stigma large, cordate; ovules numerous, on 5 parictal placentas. Fruit globose, 3-5 in. diam.; rind thick, hard, rough. Seeds 1 in. long, obovoid, immersed in pulp. Cotyledons flat, in oily albumen.
Uses : — It is officinal in the Indian Pharmacopœia. The oil has been very successfully used in leprosy.
" It has been very favorably reported on in many medical publications, especially as a remedy for leprosy, psoriasis, eczema, scrofula, phthisis, lupus, marasmus, chronic rheumatism, and gout. The preparations most in repute in Europe are the pure oil, gynocardic acid, and an ointment prepared from the oil.* * * Perhaps the most satisfactory and trustworthy results have been those obtained in the treatment of chronic and acut eczema, and other forms of skin disease" (Watt.)
Prior to 1900 it was believed that the " chaulmoogra oil " was obtained from its seeds. But now it is known that, that oil is obtained from the seeds of Taruktogenos Kurzii. Chaulmoogra oil, at the ordinary temperature, is a solid (m. p. 22-23°) the oil from the seeds of Gynocardia odorata is a liquid. Furthermore, Chaulmoogra oil is optically active and consists chiefly of the glycerylesters of members of the Chaulmoogric acid series, whereas the oil from gynocardia seeds is opticially inactive, and contains neither Chaulmoogric acid nor its homologues.
Gynocardia oil consists of the glycerylesters of the following acids:— (1) linolic acid, or isomerides of the same series, consisturing the largest proportion of the oil; (2) palmitic acid, in considerable amount; (3) linolenic ​ and isolinolenic acids, the lattter preponderating; and (4) oleic acid, in relatively small amount.
In addition to the fatty oil, gynocardia seeds contain 5 per cent, of a crystalline glucoside, gynocardia, C$_{12}$H$_{19}$O$_9$N, l½H$_2$O, and a hydrolytic enzyme, gynocardase.
(Power and Barroncliff, Trans., Ch. S. LXXXVII, p. 896, et seq.)
Gynocardin, a new cyanogenetie glucoside. Power and Gornall have (shown Chem. Soc. Proc, 1904) that when the seeds of Gynocardia odorata are crushed and brought into contact with water, hydrogen cyanide is formed, owing to the presence in the seeds of a cyanogenetic glucoside, which was isolated and designated gynocardin. They have determined its constitution. Four Kilos of the powdered gynocardin seeds were first extracted with cold petroleum, for the complete removal of the fatty oil, and then with 25 per cent, alcohol. On expelling the alcohol from the extract, a dark syrupy residue was obtained, which soon formed a paste consisting chiefly of a crystalline substance; this was separated from the mother-liquor, digested for several minutes with warm ethylacetate, and again separated. A further quantity of the crude glucoside was obtained from the syrupy alcoholic mother-liquor, by first mixing it with " prepared saw dust," drying the mass and extracting it with ethylacetate, which slowly removes the glucoside. The crude glucoside was purified by dissolving it in water, treating the solution with animal charcoal, and evaporating under diminished pressure to a syrup, which set to a hard cake of colourless crystals which were dried on porous earthenware. The yield was 200 grams. Gynocardia forms colourless, glistening, prismatic needles of the composition C$_{13}$H$_{19}$O$_9$N+1½H$_2$O ; the water is expelled at 115°0. The anhydrous compound melts at 162°-163°C, and has the optical rotation (a) D2l°=+72.5° in aqueous solution. It is readily hydrolysed at the ordinary temperature by gynocardase; an enzyme contained in the seeds, but only with difficulty by boiling with 5 per cent, hydrochloric or sulphuric acid. Dextrose and hydrogen cyanide were isolated from the products of the reaction, but the third substance, C$_6$H$_8$O$_4$ , which should be produced, according to the equation:-
C$_{13}$H$_{19}$O$_9$N+H$_2$O=C$_6$H$_{12}$O$_6$+C$_6$H$_8$ O$_4$+HON, is decomposed by secondary reactions. Gynocardin differs from other known cyanogenetic glucosides in its relatively great stability towards acid hydrolysing agents. It is hydrolysed by treatment with barium hydroxide solution, ammonia and the barium salt of gynocardic acid C$_{12}$H$_{19}$O$_9$CO$_2$H, being formed, according to the equation: C$_{13}$H$_{19}$O$_9$N+2H$_2$0=C$_{12}$H$_{19}$O$_9$ .Co$_2$H4-HN$_3$. This acid forms dextrose and an acid, C$_7$H$_{10}$O$_6$, on hydrolysis with acids. The results obtained indicate that gvnocardia is the dextrose either of the cyanohydrin of a trihydroxy— aldehde or ketone, in accordance with one of the following formulae:
    C$_5$H$_4$(OH$_3$ 3 .CH(CN)O.C$_6$H$_{11}$O$_5$ , or
    C$_5$H$_5$(OH)$_3$ C(CN), O.C$_6$H$_{11}$O$_5$
The enzyme gynocardase was isolated by treating the finely-ground seeds with light petroleum to remove the fatty oil, and then digesting them with water, at the ordinary temperature, for 24 hours. The filtered liquid was treated with twice its volume of alcohol, and after standing for some hours, ​ the precipitate was filtered off, washed with alcohol and dried in vacuo over sulphuric acid. The yield was two per cent, of the weight of the seeds. (J. S. Ch. I 31-5-1905, pp. 55—8).
109. Hydnocarpus Wightiana, Blume. h.f.b.i, i.196.
Vern. :— Kowti (called) in Rajapur, Ratanagiri District, whence the purest oil of seed, can be procured, Kadu-Kavata (Bomb.); Kosto (Goa); Maravettie (Tam.); Morotti, (Mal.); Jangli badam (seeds); Jangli badam ka tel (oil) (Dec.): Niradivittalu (seeds); niradi-vittulu-nune (oil) (Tel.)
Habitat: — Western Peninsula, from the S. Concan along the Coast range.
A tall tree. Wood whitish. Twigs usually brown, pubescent (rarely glabrate), as are the recemes. Leaves 4-9 by 1½-4 in., coriaceous or membranous, sometimes deeply obtusely serrate or toothed, elliptic or oblong-lanceolate, long, acuminate, base round, acute or subcordate. Petiole ¼-½ in. Flowers 1 in. diam., solitary or racemed. white, pentandrous. Sepals green, pubescent, 3 inner ones longer. Petals ciliate, twice as long as the ovate, fimbriate scales. Stamens villous at base, equalling the petals. Female flowers with imperfect stamens. Ovary densely pubescent. Fruit a berry, 2-4 in., of the size of a small orange, with a hard rind, many-seeded, tomentose. Seeds obtusely angular, embedded in pulp, testa crustaceous, striate. Albumen oily; colyledons very broad, flat.
Parts used : — The seeds.
Use : — The seeds have long been used as a domestic remedy upon the Western Coast, in certain obstinate skin diseases, ophthalmia, and a dressing for wounds and ulcers. The oil expressed from them is used in scabby eruptions mixed with an equal portion of Jatropha curcas oil, sulphur, camphor and lime-juice. For scald head, equal parts of the oil and lime water are used as a liniment. The oil has been recommended as a substitute for Chaulmogra. and is being used in the Bombay Presidency, with satisfactory results. In the Konkan also, the oil has a reputation as a remedy for Barsati in horses. ​ The fatty oil from its seeds very closely resembles Chaulmoogra oil, both in physical characters and in chemical composition. The acids obtained from the oil consist chiefly of Chaulmoogric acid and a lower homologue of the same series. This new acid has the formula: C$_{16}$H$_2$O$_2$ and is designated hydnocarpic acid.
Hydnocarpic acid crystallises from alcohol in glistening leaflets, melts at 60° and has [a]$_D$+68° in chloroform solution. Like Chaulmoogric acid, it contains only one ethylenic linking, and, therefore, in consideration of its formula, C$_{16}$H$_{28}$O$_2$(C$_n$H$_{2n}$ 2— 40$_2$ ) must possess an alicyclic grouping.
(Power and Barrowcliff, Transactions, Ch. S. Vol. LXXXVII, p. 884 et seq.
110. Taraktogenos Kurzii, King.
Syn. : — Hydnocarpus heterophillus, Kurz.
Vernacular : — Kalanzo. (Barm.) (Gamble). Kalawaso (Burm.) (Brandis).
Habitat : — Estern and Southern slopes of the Pegu Yoma, very frequent in Martaban; forests of Sylhet; Chittagong; Minbu district, Upper Burma.
An evergreen tree 40-50 ft. Shoots, young leaves and inflorescence tawny, pubescent. Leaves thinly coriaceous, entire, 7-10 in., lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate. Secondary nerves very prominent beneath, tertiary, numerous, transverse and parallel. Sepals 4. Petals 8, broadly ovate, ciliate, each with a flat, fleshy pubescent gland at the base. Stamens 24, free, filaments hairy. Fruit size of an orange, tawny, velvety. Seeds numerous, embedded in a pulp.
Use : — This is the tree which yields the Chaulmoogra seeds and oils of commerce, and not gynocardia odorata, R. Br.
The seeds of Taraktogenos kurzii (King) and not of Gyhocardia odorata yield the oil. The seeds contain a hydrolytic enzyme and also an unstable cyanogen compound, which reacts with the enzyme, when the seeds are crushed, giving rise to hydrogen cyanide. On expression, the seeds yielded 30.9 p.c. of a fatty oil, which had the following constants : m. pt., 22°-23° C ; sp. gr., 0.951 at 25° and 0.940 at 45° C ; [a]$^{13°}$D=+52° ; acid value, 23.9 ; saponification value, 213 ; iodine value, 103.2. On hydrolysis, the fatty oil yielded glycerol, a very small amount of phytosterol, C$_{26}$H$_{43}$'OH (m. pt. 132°C .) and a mixture of fatty acids (m. pt. 44°-45°) [a]$_D$ =+52.6° in chloroform; acid value, 215 ; iodine value, 103.2), which consisted chiefly of several homologous acids belonging to a series C$^°$H$_{2°}$$_4$O$_2$ containing a closed ring and one ethylenic linking, no member of which has hitherto been insolated from a fatty oil. The highest of these homologues present, which was isolated in a pure con​ dition, separates from most of the usual organic solvents in glistening leaflets (m. pt. 68°C, b. pt. 247° -248°) 20 mm., [a] D = + 56° has the formula C$_{18}$H$_{32}$O$_2$, and is designated chaulmoogric acid. It combines with only two atomic proportions of bromine or iodine. Palmitic acid also was identified,, and there is reason for assuming the presence of a near homologue or homologues of chaulmoogric acid, but belonging to the series having the general formula C$_n$H$_{2n-4}$O$_2$ with two ethylemic linkings. Undecylic acid and hydroxy acids were proved to be absent, and an individual acid corresponding to hypogæie acid, could not be isolated. The " gynocardic acid " of all previous investigators is believed to be a mixture of several substances. The " presscake " yielded, besides formic and acetic acids and a very small amount of volatile esters having the characteristic odor of the seeds, an appreciable amount of a neutral oily substance, C$_{18}$H$_{32}$O$_2$(b. pt. 214°— 215° 18 mm. ; sp. gr., 0-9066 at 16°/16° C., [a]$_D$=+42-4°) which is isomeric with chaulmoogric acid.
Mr. P. C. Chattopâddhyâya has analysed the seed and published his results in the American Journal of Pharmacy for 1915 pp. 473-483 of which the following is the Summary.
A SAMPLE of cold drawn oil from genuine seeds of Taraktagenos Kurzii (true chaulmoogra seeds) and an oil derived from supposedly genuine, but probably mixed seeds, by hot expression, were examined. The former was
These results indicate that the genuine oil consists almost wholly of triglycerides of lauric, chaulmoogric, and linolic acids, whilst the doubtful oil is a mixture of tri- and diglycerides.
On neutralising the oil with alcoholic potash and adding a dilute solution of calcium, magnesium, or zinc chloride, the corresponding metallic salt of "gynocardic acid " is precipitated. Calcium and magnesium " gynocardates " are white crystalline substances slightly soluble in boiling water and most soluble in bailing alcohol, whilst zinc "gynocardate " is white and crystalline, insoluble in water and only very sparingly soluble in boiling alcohol, 10 drops of the genuine oil stirred with 1 drop of sulphuric acid gave a yellow coloration, changing rapidly to reddish-brown and finally to dirty brown, whilst the doubtful oil gave similar colour changes, but the final coloration was olive-green, this reaction being also given by the fatty acids from both oils and by chaulmoogra fat.— J. Oh. I. Nov. 15, 1915.
But in the American Journal of Pharmacy, for 1915 (pp. 493 — 500), Mr. Frederick B. Power severely criticises the above paper.
He emphasizes the statement that chaulmoogra (Taraktogenos) oil and gynocardia oil are totally unlike, both in their physical characters and chem. compn. Along with data establishing the authenticity of his oils, Mr. Power gives the following : Physical characters : (1) chaulmoogra oil : soft solid at ordinary temp., m. 22-3°, d$_{25}$ 0.951 and d$_{45}$ 0.940, [a]$_D$$^{15°}$+52.0°, acid value 23.9, sapon. value 213.0, I value 103.2. (2) Gynocardia oil : pale yellow liquid at ordinary temps., odor resembling that of linseed oil, d$_{25}$ 0.925, acid value 4.90, sapon. value 197.0. I value 152.8. Chemical composition : (1) chaulmoogra oil : (from the seeds of Taraktogenos Kurzii, King), optically active, consists, to a large extent, of the glyceryl esters of optically active acids of an entirety new type, represented by the general formula C$_n$H$_{2n}$—$_4$O$_2$ , having a cyclic structure. The acid present in the largest proportion possesses the formula C$_{18}$H$_{32}$O$_2$ , m. 68°, [a]$_D$+56° , and has been designated chaulmoogric acid, while a lower homolog, C$_{16}$H$_{28}$O$_2$ , m. 60°, [a]$_D$+68°, has been termed hydnocarpic acid, on account of having first been isolated from a hydnocarpus oil {J. Chem. Soc. 87, 888 (1905)). Both of these acids are beautifully cryst. substances, from which a number of derivs. have been prepd., and their constitution has also been definitely established (C. A. 1, 1561, 2114). Inasmuch as acids of the above described type had hitherto not been known to occur in a fatty oil, they have been classified by Lewkowitsch (" Chemical Technology and Analysis of Oils, Fats and Waxes") under the heading of "the chaulmoogric acid series." Chaulmoogra oil contains, furthermore, a relatively small proportion of palmitic acid and a phytosterol. (2) Gynocardia oil (from the seeds of Gynocardia odorata, R. Br.) is completely devoid of optical activity, contains none of the members of the chaulmoogric acid series, and has been shown to consist of the glyceryl esters of the following acids : (cf. J. Chem. Soc. 87, 896-900 (1905) ; (1) linolic acid, or isomerides of the same series, constituting the largest proportion ​[[smaller| of the oil, (2) palmitic acid, in considerable amt. (3) linolenic and isolinolenic acids, the latter preponderating, and (4) oleic acid, in relatively small amount. A phystosterol, m. 133°, was also isolated. Both the physical properties and chein. compn. of the above mentioned oil render it evident that the chaulmoogra oil of European commerce could never have been obtained from Gynocardia seeds. On the other hand, representative samples of commercial chaulmoogra oil have been found to agree closely in character with the oil expressed from genuine Taraktogenos seed, thus completely confirming, from the chem. side, the botanical observations of Prain (Pharm. J. 64, 522 (1900); 66, 596 (1901)) with respect to the source of chaulmoogra oil. Gynocardia seeds contain, besides the fatty oil, the cryst. cyanogenetic glucoside, gynocardin, C 13 H ld 9 N, which has, likewise, been made the subject of a complete chem. investigation (J, Chem. Soc., 87, 349-57 (1905); 97, 1285-9 (1910)). Mr. Power also notes that the total compn. of chaulmoogra oil, as given by Chattopadhyaya, is equal to 110%, which is obviously an error. Chemical Abstracts, Jan. 10, 1916 p, 89.}}
PLATE No. 82.
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COCHLOSPERIII'M GOSSYPIUM, DC.
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