# Indian Medicinal Plants/Natural Order Loganiaceæ

N. 0. LOGANIACEÆ.
788. Strychnos colubrina, Linn., h.f.b.i., IV. 86 ; Roxb 194.
Vern :— Knchila-latâ (H. and B.) ; Goagarí-lakri (Bomb.) ; Kajar-wel (Mar.) ; Nágamushti, konsu kandira, tansu-paum (Tel.) ; Modira-caniram (Mal.); Kanal, taral (Bomb.).
N.B.— These vernacular names are applied to several species of strychnos, e.g. S. Rheedei, S. Beddomei, S. laurina S. cinnamanifolia, &c. All of these plants are put to the same uses as S. colubrina.
Habitat : — W. Deccan Peninsula, from tbe Concan to Cochin, frequent.
A scandent sbrub, with tendrils often in pair. Leaves 4 by 1¾in., elliptic acute, 3-nerved, glabrous, base cuneate or obtuse ; nerves not impressed above, margin pair obscure. Petiole ¼in. Cymes l-2in., axillary, small, compound, puberulous, pedicels 0- 1/12in. Calyx puberulous. Corolla 1/10in., tube hardly longer than the Calyx, lobes 5, villous within. Anther-cells oblong, glabrous, or nearly so. Ovary glabrous below, fulvous, hairy upwards. Style as long as the ovary. Berry ⅔in. diam., crustaceous, 1-2-seeded. Seeds ½in. diam., discoid (C. B. Clarke).
Parts used : — The root, wood, leaves and fruit.
Uses : — The wood of the root is esteemed by the Telinga physicians an infallible remedy for the bite of the Nâga, as well as for that of every other venomous snake. It is applied externally, and at the same time given internally. It is also given in substance for the cure of intermittent fevers (Roxb.).
In the Concan, the fresh leaves, rubbed into a paste with the kernel of the cashew nut, are applied to suppurating tumors (Dymock).
The bruised fruit is applied to the head in mania, the root rubbed down with pepper is given to check diarrhœa, and boiled with oil it is used as a liniment for pains in the joints (Rheede).
Rumphius states that it is used in Java as a febrifuge and anthelmintic and also externally in certain skin diseases. ​ Horsfield notices its use in cutaneous affections, and to alleviate the pain and swelling from confluent small-pox (Dymock).
Its claims as an antiperiodic have been examined by Dr. Berdenis Van Berkelow (Schmidt's Fahrbucher, May 24th, 1866, and Brit, and For. Med. Chir. Rev., April 1867, p. 527) ; and after a trial with it in twenty-two cases, quartan and tertian, he reports favorably of its action, and considers that from its cheapness it may advantageously be used as a febrifuge in pauper practice. The fact of its containing strychnia in considerable quantities indicates the necessity for great caution in its use. Whatever efficacy it possesses in this character is doubtless due to this alkaloid ; and as the proportion in which it exists in this wood is undetermined, and is likely to vary according to the season of collection, it is far safer to employ in its stead the alkaloid itself, a preparation of uniform strength, and which can be regulated with comparative ease. In the present state of our information, Lignum Colubrinum must be looked upon as a dangerous remedy (Ph. Ind.).
789. S. Nux-vomica, Linn, h.f.b.l, iv. 90; Roxb. 193.
Sans. : — Kupilu ; Kulaka.
Vern. :— Kuchlá (H.); Kuchila (B.) ; Kuchlah (Dec); Ettik-kottai (Tam.); Mushti-vittulu (Tel.); Kanni-rak-kuru (Mal.); Kájrá (Bomb.) ; Mushti-bijá (Kan.).
Habitat : — Throughout tropical India ; rare in Bengal, common in Madras.
A large, deciduous tree, attaining 40ft., with a straight thick trunk. Root thick, with a yellowish spidermis. Bark thin, dark-grey or yellowish-grey, smooth. Wood white when fresh cut, turning yellowish-grey on exposure, hard, close-grained, durable. No heartwood (Gamble). Leaves broadly elliptic or ovate, opposite, entire, shining, coriaceous, 3-6in. long, 3-5-nerved, glabrous ; base obtuse, arising from stout nodes. Petiole 1/5-½in. long, deeply-grooved. Flowers greenish white, many, small, appearing with young leaves, on short slender pedicels ; collected on a small terminal pubescent corymbose cymes, l-2in. diam., at ​ the end of branchlets or on axillary shoots, pentamerous, bisexual. " The Strychnine tree is handsome, and when in flower is at once recognized by the strong odour of turmeric which the flower gives off (Gamble). Peduncle ½-2in. Calyx 5-parted, persistent, ¼-1/5 the size of Corolla ; lobes acute. Corolla valvate, hypogynous, regular, tubular, or funnel-shaped, with a 5-lobed, reflexed, short limb. Tube ¼-⅓in. long ; glabrous at the throat, lobes valvate, about |in. long, glabrous, a few conical hairs down the tube, Stamens 5, epipetalous in the throat of the Corolla- tube, alternating with the Corolla-segments. Ovary free, 2-celled, style filiform, glabrous, as long as the Corolla-tube. Stigma 2-lobed. Fruit a berry, globose, smooth, indehiscent, orange-sized, orange-coloured when mature, rind shell-like ; full of a soft, white, intensely bitter, jelly-like pulp, with 2-5 seeds immersed in it. Seeds ½in. diam., circular, discoid, shining, light-silvery grey, silky, having one surface convex, the other concave, with a small foveola in the centre of each side.
Mr. James Small communicated to the Pharmaceutical Society of great Britain at an evening meeting in London, on Tuesday, April 8th, 1913, the following important note on False Nux- Vomica seed.
"A new kind of nux-vomica seed was recently sent over from Burma and offered to manufacturers, bub on examination it was found to contain no strychnine. The seed is of a light grey colour externally and yellow internally. The yellow endosperm is much lighter in colour than that of Strychnos Nux-vomica, which is usually dark grey and more translucent. The outer surface is densely covered with closely appressed hairs. The seed is flattened, round, or elliptical, and has a ridge around the edge where the two disc-shaped masses of endospern meet. There is no trace of bitterness in the taste, which in itself is good proof of the total absence of strychnine.
Transverse radial sections of the seed were cut and examined. The three tissues present are the endosperm, the layer of collapsed parenchyma, and the hairs. The internal mass of endosperm is almost identical with that of Strychnos Nux-vomica. The outermost layer, shows a slight difference. In the genuine nux-vomica seed the cells of this layer have frequently more or less triangular ends, while in the false seed these cells are more usually square-ended. These cells vary somewhat and square ends occur rather too frequently in the genuine seed to permit of any diagnostic value being attached to this character. The layer of parenchyma, is the same in both seeds. The bases of the hairs, are practically identical, but the angle which the rest of the hair makes with the hair base is slightly ​ larger in the false than in the genuine seed. The longitudinal, rod-like thickenings, which form the wall of the hair in each case, show a slight difference. In the genuine seed these thickened parts usually remain coherent at the tip of the hair, but in the false they frequently separate and show a slight curvature at the extreme end. These insignificant differences, of course, are of no value in the examination of the powdered drag, and if the seed is entire it is easily distinguished by its lighter colour and the ridge round the edge, as well as the complete lack of any bitter taste. Since there is no significant difference in microscopic characters, a short series of experiments was made to try to find a chemical test whereby the false seed could be detected. Since it was required to distinguish the false seed, the positive tests for strychnine were, of course, valueless, since a mixed powder would give these reactions. Transverse sections were cut and examined under a simple lens and also under the microscope while being treated with various reagents. The reagents used included strong nitric acid, a mixture of strong nitric and sulphuric acids, 50 per cent, sulphuric acids, 50 per cent, sulphuric acids with potassium dichromate, potassium hydroxide solution, B, P. strong solution of iron perchloride, and solution of iodine and potassium iodide. No difference was observed in Aie reactions of the two seeds with these reagents.
As the published accounts of the genus Strychnos give very meagre details with regard to the seeds, it has not yet been possible to assign the false seed to its species, although its structural identity with that of Strychnos Nux-vomica leaves no doubt that it is a species of Strychnos."
Uses : — Acording to the authors of the Pharmaeographia Indica Vol. II p. 459), " no mention of Nux- Vomica can be found in the older Sanskrit medical works. + + We can hardly suppose that a plant having such marked poisonous properties can have escaped the notice of the earliest settlers in India, and there can be no doubt that the wood has been in use from a very early date as one of the kinds of Mushadi in Southern and Western India. We also find that in the Indian Archipelago, which was colonised at a very early date by the Hindus, the wood is used as a popular remedy for dysentry, fevers, and Dyspepsia." " Nux Vomica seeds produce a sort of intoxication, for which they are habitually taken by some natives as an aphrodisiac. Those who do so gradually become so far accustomed to this poison that they often come to one seed daily, which is cut into small pieces and chewed with a packet of betel leaf. Medicinally, the seeds are used in dyspepsia and diseases of the nervous system" (Hindu Mat. Med.) The author of Makhzan-ul-Adwiya recommends great caution with regard to the medicinal use of Nux Vomica, and says that it is very useful ​ in palsy, relaxation of the muscles and tendons, debility and chronic rheumatism. It may be applied externally and given internally, in doses of from 1 to 2 dangs (Dymock). The Pharmacopœia Indica describes the seed as a valuable nervine tonic and stimulant, and, in overdoses, a virulent poison, and recommends its use in paralytic and neuralgic affections in atonic diarrhœa and chronic dysentery, also in habitual constipation, prolapsus of the rectum, spermatorrhœa, &c. It has also been employed in intermittent fevers, epilepsy, diabetes, anæmia, chlorosis and other affections. The bitter taste and highly poisonous action of this substance are chiefly clue to the presence of strychnine and brucine, the proportion of the former varying from ¼ to ½ per cent.
In the Concan, small doses of the seeds are given with aromatics in colic, and the juice of the fresh wood (obtained by applying heat to the middle of a straight stick, to both ends of which a small pot has been tied) is given in doses of a few drops in cholera and acute dysentery. In some districts small quantities of the seeds are taken, apparently as a stimulant, or in lieu of opium. (Dymock).
" The leaves when applied as poultice, promote healthy action in sloughing wounds or ulcers, more especially in those cases when maggots have formed. It arrests any further formation of them, and those in the deeper parts perish immediately when the poultice is applied. The root -bark is ground up into a fine paste with lime-juice, and made into pills which are said to be effectual in cholera" (Dr. Thompson, in Watt's Dictionary).
An oil from the seeds is employed medicinally.
" I have found strychnine, very useful in malarious fevers of a low type " (Dr. Hazlitt, in Watt's Dictionary).
" Strychnine is a valuable drug in the bronchitis of the debilitated. Its action as an expectorant appears to be considerable " (Surgeon S. H. Browne, in Watt's Dictionary).
In modern medicine nux-vomica is prescribed with advantage in the catarrhal dyspepsia, accompanied by flatulence and want of contractile power in the intestines which is so common in India. In such cases it appears ​ to be preferable to the alkaloid strychnine. As a general tonic in retaxed conditions of the muscular system, and in delirium tremens, strychnine is an invaluable remedy. It is also used with advantage as a stimulant of the nervous centres in some forms of paralysis after the symptoms of irritation have sub-sided, and in sexual debility. Applied externally nux vomica acts as an irritant, and if the skin is abraded its active principles may be absorbed and give rise to symptoms of poisoning.
Prof. C. Paœsi (Bollitina Farmaceutica, 1881,) has demonstrated the antiseptico properties of the different species of Strychnos and their alkaloids, and suggests that the effectiveness of the species of Strychnos which are used in tropical countries against fevers and poisonous bites may possibly be owing to the antiseptic and anti-fermentative power of alkaloids. Pharmacographica Indica, Vol. II. p. 1466).
Lauder Brunton (Practitioner, Jan. 1888,) recommends strychnine in sleeplessness due to mental fatigue, caused by strain or worry as preferable to opium, chloral and bromides. He has given 1/200 to 1/100 grain of the alkaloid, or 5 to 10 minims of tincture of nux vomica at bed-time, the dose being repeated if the patient wake within one or two hours.
G. A. Gibson (Practitioner, Dec. ,1889,) strongly recommends the hypodermic injection of strychnine in case of opium narcosis or in any case of narcotic poisoning where there occurs any irregularity or interruption of the breathing that appears to threaten a failure of the respiratory centre. (Pharmaeographida Indica, Vol. II. p. 466).
It contains the two well known alkaloids-strychnine and brucine.
A new alkaloid, struxine, has been found in Nux vomica, associated with strychnine and brucine. In neutralising the acid solution of the crude alkaloid sulphates of Nux vomica, the new alkaloid separates as a base when the liquor is just neutral or is still slightly acid, while strychnine and brucine remain in solution. When purified by reprecipitation and crystallisation from alcohol, struxine was obtained as colourless crystals, which begin to char when heated at about 250° C. Its mol. wt. is 371 and probable formula, C$_{21}$H$_{30}$N$_3$O$_4$ . It forms normal and acid salts. Only a few lots of Nux vomica, contained this substance, and then the quantities yielded differed greatly among the different lots. All the beans which contained this alkaloid were from shipments made from Cochin-China ; these lots, which consisted mostly of small beans, insect-eaten and partly decomposed by prolonged exposure in wet fields, contained the largest percentage of the alkaloid (average 0.1%). It is supposed that the new alkaloid is a product of decomposition, by fermentation or oxidation of either strychnine or brucine. J. Ch. I for 15th March, 1916 p. 246.
{{smaller|In the germination of Strychnos Nux Vomica, brucine is formed first in all parts. Both strychnine and brucine are formed independently of light in the germination leaves before the chlorophyll makes its appearance. The alkaloidal content of the different parts in percentages is:— Original seeds 2.98, seed husks after exfoliation 2.11, young germination rootlets 4.48, older germination rootlets 3.72, hypocotyledonous axis 2.43, young cotyledons whilst yellow 6-62, when older and green 4.65.-U. Ch. I., for 15th February, 1911, p. 151). ​ The fat is obtained from the seeds of nux-vomica by extraction with ether, and is a by-product in the manufacture of the alkaloids, strychnine and bracine. The yield of the fat is about 4 per cent. (Harvey and Wilkie), 4.2 per cent. (Schroeder). The fat melts at about 29°, it has a low saponification value below 166 and 170, iodine value, 69 to 79. A considerable amount of unsaponifiable matter is present, from 12 to 16 per cent. According to Schroeder (1905) the fat contains 8.6 per cent of solid glycerides (palmitin and arachin) and 74.5 per cent, of olein. (Hooper).
Nux vomica contains 1 — 2% of a concrete oil or fat which consists principally of the glycerides of capric, caprylic, eaproic, butyric and palmitic acids. The unsaponitiable matter consists of a satd. alc. C$_{35}$^H$_{59}$OH, and an unsatd. alc. C$_{32}$H$_{54}$0.5H$_2$O behaving like syroceryl alc. The oil is dark brown in color and possesses an unpleasant odor. An analysis gave :d$_{15.5°}$$^{100°}$ o 0.892, sol. point 60° , sapon. no. 152, 1 no. (Hubl) 54. Reichert-Wollny no. 1.0, acetyl no. 31.2, acid no. 33.7.— (Chemical Abstracts May 20, 1916 p. 1404.
The unsaponitiable portion of the oil may be separated into the fractions, (a) a resinous portion, (b) a phytosterol, m p. 158°, (c) an alc, C$_{35}$H$_{57}$OH (C$_n$H$_{2n}$—120) or C$_{35}$H$_{59}$OH (C$_n$H$_{2n}$-10 O), m.p. 90°, [a]$_D$+90° , mol. wt. 496. The alec. contains no double bond and is probably related to amyrin. Esters of Ac O H, propionic, benzoic and salicylic acids were prepared. Of the Ac OH ester the molecular wt. =512, [a]$_D$= +74.47. The alc, C$_{32}$H$_{53}$OH, possesses double bond in the side chain, its properties coincide in many respects with those of the sycoceryl alc. of De la Rue and Mueller. No sepn. of the unsaponitiable portions of the oil could be effected accoding to the method of Darmstaedter and Lifschuetz. (Ch. A., March 20, 1916, p. 800.)
790. S. potatorum, Linn. f. h.f.b.l, iv. 90; Roxb. 194.
Habitat: — Deccan Peninsula, extending north-west to the Sone river.
Sans. : — Kátaka, Ambu-prasáda.
Vern : — Nirmali (Hind, and Beng.) ; Chil-binj (Dec.) ; Tetran-kottai (Tam.) ; Chillaginjálu (Tel.) ; Títrán-parala (Mal.) ; Chiligidda ; Chell-bígá (Kan.); Nírmalí, nivali (Mar.); Kamon-yeki (Burm.). Gapra (Bomb.).
English : — Clearing Nut Tree.
A moderate-sized, deciduous tree, attaining 40ft. Bark ½-¾in. thick, black or brownish-black, corky, very deeply and narrowly cleft vertically, so as to form thin ridges which easily break off. Wood white when fresh cut, turning yellowish-grey on exposure, hard, close-grained, no heartwood (Gamble), wholly glabrous ; trunk often fluted. Leaves 2½ by lin., ovate or elliptic, coriaceous, sessile, glabrous or nearly so, acute at both ends, hardly ​ acuminate, 3-nerved from the base, or more often the lateral nerves springing much higher. Petiole very short, 1/10in. Cymes axillary, lin. diam., nearly glabrous, nearly sessile. Flowers white, fragrant. Corolla ⅛-¼in., campanulate, 2-4 times the length of lobes ; tufts of white hair at the mouth, between stamens. Anther-cells oblong, glabrous. Style long, cylindric from a conical base, glabrous. Stigma small, distinctly 2-lobed. Berry black when ripe, ⅔in. diam. Seeds 1 or 2, hemispheric, subpeltate, hardly discoid, ¼-½in. diam.
Uses: — " The use of the seeds, for the purpose of clearing muddy water, is as old as Susruta, who mentions it in his chapter on water. Medicinally, they are chiefly used as a local application in eye diseases. The seeds are rubbed with honey and a little camphor, and the mixture applied to the eyes in lachrymation or copious watering from them. Rubbed with water and rock salt, they are applied to chetnosis in the conjunctiva " (Hindu Mat Med.) " The seeds of this tree are devoid of poisonous properties, and are used in native practice as an emetic (Ainslie), as a remedy in diabetes (Kirkpatrick), gonorrhœa (Taleef Shereef), &c. Their chief use, however, is as a means of clearing muddy water, hence their Anglo-Indian name, Clearing Nut. Looked at in this point of view, they may be regarded as a valuable aid to medical officers and others during the marches of troops in India in the rainy season, when little but muddy water can be obtained. Dr. Pareira suggests that this property depends upon the albumen and casein which they contain. If the seeds be sliced and digested in water, they yield a thick mucilaginous liquid, which, when boiled, yields a coagulum ( albumen), and, by subsequent addition of acetic acid, it furnishes a further coagulum (casein)" (Pharm. Ind.). Mahomedan writers describe them as cold and dry, that when applied externally to the abdomen they relieve colic ; they also notice their use to strengthen the sight and as a remedy in snakebite (Dymock).
The seeds used by the natives of Madras in diabetes and gonorrhœa (Drury).
Dr. Bidie doubts emetic properties of S. potatorum. ​ In long-standing and chronic diarrhœa which resists all treatment, one-half or a full seed, rubbed up into a fine paste with some butter milk and given internally for one week, is effectual (Surgron-Major Thomson, C. I , E., in Watt's Dictionary).
Regarding its chemical composition, the authors of the Pharmacographia Indica, Vol. K. p. 507 write : —
We found the seeds as difficult to powder as those of Nux- vomica, and they had to be treated in a similar manner before they could be pulverised. The powdered seeds were boiled with strong alcohol acidulated with sulphuric acid, caustic potash in slight excess added, and then acetic acid to acid reaction. The solution was then evaporated to dryness on the water bath. Benzole extracted traces of an oily principle when agitated with the acid extract. After separation of the benzole the still acid solution was agitated with ether which extracted resinous matter which became of a deep yellow colour on the addition of alkalies. The aqueous solution was then rendered alkaline with carbonate of soda and agitated first with ether and subsequently with chloroform.
In both cases intensely bitter extracts were obtained, the ether extract exceeding that yielded by chloroform. These extracts were purified and afforded all the reactions for alkaloids, the special colour reactions in both instances indicating the presence of brucia and it is interesting to note that the larger amount was found in the ether extract. Portions of these extracts were injected into frogs, but beyond inducing muscular irritability no tetanizing effects were induced. Acetates of the alkaloids were employed for the hypodermic injections. We failed in obtaining any reactions for the presence of strychnia in ether of the extracts. We are not however prepared to state that other alkaloidal principles are not associated with brucia in the seeds. We noted that on the evaporation of the alcoholic tincture of the seeds acidulated with sulphuric acid, a beautiful violet coloration was developed on the sides of the capsule. We also obtained a similar reaction with Nux-vomica seeds. Phosphoric acid, however, failed to afford this coloration, and it was not afforded either by hydrochloric or acetic acids.
N. 0. GENTIANACEÆ.
791. Exacun tetragonum, Roxb. h.f.b.l, iv. 95; Roxb 133.
Vern. : — Titakhana (H.) ; Kûchuri (B.) Orka phûl (Santal.).
Habitat : — North India, common, from Kumaon to Central India, Bhotan and the Khasia Mts.
An annual herb. Stems quadrangular, erect, l-4ft , branching. Leaves opposite, sessile, stem clasping, broadly lanceolate,
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