beta-sitosterol.
The latex from the stem contains the proteolytic enzyme, pedilanthain. It exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema and was more effective than the control
Family Scrophulariaceae.
470 Peganum harmala Linn.
drug phenylbutazone. The enzyme also showed anthelmintic property.
The leaves contain n-hentriacontanol and dehydrodammaronol-A. The root gave azafrin.
Peganum harmala Linn.
Family Zygophyllaceae.
Habitat Throughout Northern and Northwestern India, and in drier
regions of Deccan.
English Wild Rue; Foreign Henna, Syrian Rue.
Ayurvedic Haramal, Isband.
Siddha/Tamil Simaiyaravandi,
Simaiyalavinai.
Action Plant—emmenagogue,
abortifacient. Seeds—narcotic,
P)hypnotic, antispasmodic, anodyne
_______ and emetic; used in asthma, hic cough colic, neuralgia, hysteria,
dysmenorrhoea; used as abortifa cien (properties similar to ergot,
savine and rue). (Dried seeds con stitut the drug Harmal of Indian
medicine.)
The plant gave flavonoids—kaempferol, quercetin and acacetin. Aerial parts and seeds contain alkaloids— harmine, harmaline and harmalol (called harman alkaloids). Harman alkaloids from the seeds have been suggested for use in nervous diseases, and as coronary dilators and embolic. Harmol exhibits hypertensive activity. Harmine, vasicinone, deoxyvasicinone and 8-hydroxy glucosylharmine exhibit antitumour activity.
The alkaloids, harmine, harmaline and harmol exhibit antibacterial and antifungal activity.
The aqueous extract of seeds exhibited significant antiviral activity in vitro against herpes virus horn mis type 1, slight activity was also observed against influenza viruses A and B. The plant extract exhibits significant analgesic activity.
