The plant has been used in the Indian system of medicine since time immemorial. It’s rhizomes are reported to have been used as a tonic, anti-periodic, anti- helminthic and also against snake bites and scorpion stings. It is used in local applications against parasitic skin diseases and as a cataplasm in urological pains. The drug is sometimes used for promoting labour pains and conversely also as an abortifacient. It is considered useful in colic, chronic ulcers, piles and
gonorrhoea. The leaves when applied in the form of a paste to the forehead and neck, are reported to cure asthma in children. The leaf juice is used against head lice.
The medicinal properties of the plant are due to presence of alkaloids chiefly colchicine and gloriosine. It is used in the treatment of gout, a common disorder in the temperate parts of the world. The colchicine content varies from 0.15 to 0.3% in the rhizomes and 0.7 % to 0.9% in the seeds. The discovery of high colchicine content in seeds led to surge in demand in domestic and international markets.
Chemical constituents:
Rhizomes and seeds contain colchicine, isoperlolyrine and related tropolane alkaloids. Air dried rhizomes contain β- sitosterol and its glucoside, 2-hydroxy 6-methoxy benzoic acid.
No comments:
Post a Comment