Pharmacognosy of swietenia mahagoni bark drug
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: Pharmacognosy of swietenia mahagoni bark drug
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
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(Sarkar) Manisha Sanyal, P. C. Datta
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: Pharmacognosy of swietenia mahagoni bark drug
Year: 1986
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Swietenia mahagoni Jacq., commonly known as true or Spanish mahogany, originates from tropical America and has become a widely recognized timber tree in India. This large tree yields a bark that possesses a range of medicinal properties, including antipyretic, bitter tonic, and astringent effects, and is occasionally used as a substitute for Cinchona. The bark is characterized by its blackish-brown color, irregular wrinkles, fibrous fractures, and the presence of compounds like tannin, saponin, and lignin, while being devoid of alkaloids. The pharmacognostic properties of S. mahagoni are essential for distinguishing it from other mahogany species.
Chemical Constituents and Therapeutic Properties
One significant aspect of S. mahagoni is its chemical composition and therapeutic applications. The bark contains about 15% tannin and is rich in various beneficial compounds, including sterols and fatty acids. The presence of rhomboidal crystals, starch grains, and thick-walled pheloderm cells contribute to its pharmacological profile. The therapeutic actions of the bark highlight its use in traditional medicine and underscore its relevance as a natural anti-pyretic and tonic, establishing its potential as an alternative to other medicinal barks, particularly Cinchona. The examination of these chemical constituents and their biological effects is crucial to understanding the plant’s medicinal value and therapeutic applications.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the pharmacognosy of Swietenia mahagoni reveals a plant that not only serves vital therapeutic roles but also showcases distinctive morphological and chemical characteristics that set it apart from related species. The identification of specific pharmacognostic attributes, as well as the analysis of its chemical composition, provides insight into the bark's medical applications. The continued exploration of S. mahagoni’s medicinal properties is essential, as it may offer innovative therapeutic alternatives and deepen the understanding of its uses in traditional and modern medicine.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What are the medicinal uses of Swietenia mahagoni bark?
Swietenia mahagoni bark is used as an antipyretic, bitter tonic, and astringent. It is occasionally employed as a substitute for Cinchona, showcasing its therapeutic values.
What are the key characteristics of Swietenia mahagoni bark?
The bark is characterized by its blackish brown color, various textures with cracks and fissures, a bitter taste, and the presence of tannins and saponins, distinguishing it from other species.
What are the distinguishing features of related mahogany species?
True mahogany (S. mahagoni) differs from Bara mahogany and Indian mahogany in color, internal structure, and extractive values. It has unique compound sieve plates and specific ash content.
What techniques were used to evaluate the pharmacognostic properties?
The evaluation included organoleptic evaluation, microscopic examination, histochemistry, fluorescence behavior, extractive values, and ash values to assess both physical and chemical properties of the bark.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Pharmacognosy of swietenia mahagoni bark drug”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Bitter:
Bitter refers to one of the taste characteristics of the Swietenia mahagoni bark, which is noted for its distinctly bitter taste. This attribute is significant both in pharmacognosy and traditional medicine, where bitter compounds often indicate the presence of bioactive substances utilized for therapeutic effects, such as antipyretic and tonic properties.
2) Water:
Water is an essential solvent mentioned in the context of extracting constituents from the bark. It aids in dissolving certain active compounds, such as tannins and saponins, which are important for the pharmacological properties of Swietenia mahagoni. The presence of water-soluble extracts reflects the efficacy of herbal drugs in therapeutic applications.
3) Drug:
Drug denotes the bark of Swietenia mahagoni, which is utilized for its medicinal properties such as antipyretic and tonic effects. In pharmacognosy, the term encompasses both the raw plant material and its derived extracts that are studied for their chemical composition, therapeutic actions, and clinical applications in herbal medicine.
4) Bara (Barā):
Bara refers to Swietenia macrophylla, a species closely related to Swietenia mahagoni. It serves as a potential substitute for the drug derived from mahogany bark. Understanding the differences between these species is crucial for accurate identification and ensuring the use of the correct plant species in herbal treatments.
5) Substance:
Substance pertains to the various chemical compounds found within Swietenia mahagoni, including tannins, saponins, and fatty acids. The analysis of these substances provides insight into the pharmacological activities of the bark drug, supporting its traditional uses and contributing to our understanding of its health-promoting effects.
6) Science (Scientific):
Science in this context refers to the systematic study of the pharmacognosy of Swietenia mahagoni bark. It encompasses the methodologies used to evaluate its properties, including organoleptic and microscopic evaluations, which are integral to understanding the pharmacological profile and validating the traditional medicinal claims associated with the plant.
7) Quality:
Quality signifies the standard of the Swietenia mahagoni bark as a medicinal product. It is determined through various evaluations, including extractive and ash values, ensuring that the drug maintains efficacy and safety for therapeutic use. The quality assessment also differentiates between acceptable substitutes and authentic drugs.
8) Blood:
Blood refers to the circulatory substance that may be related to the pharmacological effects of Swietenia mahagoni. Given its use as an antipyretic, the bark may influence blood parameters, such as temperature regulation or potentially affect blood quality. This connection emphasizes the significance of pharmacognostic studies in herbal medicine.
9) Fainting (Fainted):
Faint pertains to a subtle quality observed in the coloration of the extracts from Swietenia mahagoni as described in the fluorescence behavior under UV light. This term highlights the nuanced visual characteristics that might provide diagnostic features for identifying plant materials used in traditional medicine.
10) Borax:
Borax is a chemical reagent that is mentioned in relation to the histochemical tests conducted on Swietenia mahagoni. Its usage helps identify specific constituents within the plant, such as identifying crystals or other properties. The interactions with borax contribute to the understanding of the bark's complex chemical makeup.
11) Straw:
Straw is used to describe one of the colors exhibited by powdered extracts of Swietenia mahagoni under specific conditions. It reflects the physical characteristics of the bark that play a role in the identification and classification of the herbal drug, as well as indicating the presence of particular phytochemicals.