dogs and haemolytic activity in human beings. Spasmolytic activity in isolated ileum of guinea-pigs has also been recorded. Saponins from seeds also showed spermicidal activity
Dosage Seed, bark—10—20 g paste; 50—100 ml decoction. (CCRAS.)
Mirabilis jalapa Linn.
Family Nyctaginaceae.
Habitat North-West Himalayas, Bengal and Manipur.
English Four-O’Clock Plant, Marvel of Peru.
Ayurvedic Trisandhi.
Unani Gul-abbaas.
Siddha/Tamil Andhimalligai.
Action Leaf—used for treating uterine discharge; as poultice for abscesses and boils; fresh juice is
applied to body in urticaria, also for inflammations and bruises. Tuber— used as a poultice on carbuncles.
Root—mild purgative, spasmolytic.
The tuberous roots were erroneously thought to be the source of jalap.
The plant is used for its antitumour and virus-inhibitory activity.
The plant contains triterpenes, alpha-amyrin and its acetate. Mirabilis Antiviral Protein (MAP) was isolated from the tuberous roots. MAP also showed antiproliferative effect on tumour cells. (MAP is abortifacient.)
Two Mirabiisjalapa antimicrobial proteins, Mj-AMP-1 and Mj-AMP-2, isolated from seeds, showed broad spectrum antifungal actvity involving a number of pathogenic fungi.
Miraxanthins I, II, III and IV, mdicaxanthin and vulgaxanthin have been isolated from flowers.
Mitragyna parvifolia
(Roxb.) Korth.
Family Rubiaceae.
Habitat All over India, and up to 1,200 m in the outer Himalaya.
English Kaim.
Ayurvedic Giri-kadamba, Kadamba (var.).
Siddha Chinna-Kadambu.
Action Bark—used for muscular pain. Bark and root—febrifuge,
antispasmodic.
Both indole and oxindole alkaloids have been isolated from the plant. (The composition of alkaloids
