Family Apocynaceae.
Habitat Native to Mexico; grown throughout India.
English Red Jasmine.
Ayurvedic Kshira Champaka
(red-flowered var.).
Podophyllum sikkimensis R. Chatterji & Mukerjee.
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Action Root bark—used in
blennorrhagia. Flower—bechic
(used in pectoral syrups). Bark— a decoction is used in venereal diseases and leprosy.
The bark contains cytotoxic iridoids (including fulvoplumierin which also inhibits the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and the lignin, liriodendrin.
The plant contains the triterpene rubrinol which showed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa (a causative agent responsible for infecting burns, wounds, urinary tract and infection in cystic fibrosis) and Pseudomonas pseudomallei (which causes melioidosis or pseudoglandess).
The herb contains cardiac glycosides which have a narrow-margin of safety. (Sharon M. Herr.)
Podophyllum hexandrum Royle.
Synonym P emodi Wall. ex Hook. f. & Thoms.
Family Berberidaceae.
Habitat Inner ranges of the
Himalayas, from Kashmir to Sikkim
at 1,800—4,000 m.
English Indian Podophyllum.
Ayurvedic Giriparpata.
Folk Bana-kakari (Punjab), Venivel (Gujarat), Patvel (Maharashtra). Paapraa, Paapri.
Action Rhizomes and roots— antineoplastic. Strongly irritant
to skin and mucous membranes. Used topically as an ointment for venereal warts, verrucae and similar conditions.
Key application P peltatum— externally, for removal of pointed condyloma (skin adjacent to the treated area should be protected). (German Commission E.) P hexandrum: Podophyllin (10—40%) for external application, 2—6 h weekly, for anogenital warts. (Indian Herbal Pharmacopoeia.)
