English Buckthorn (related species).
Action Plant—anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer.
The plant contains kaempferol, kaempferol-7-0-methyl ether and kaempferol-4’ -0-methyl ether.
The ethyl acetate soluble portion of the alcoholic extract showed antinociceptive, anticonvulsant and anti- inflammatory activity. Kaempferol-4’ - 0-methyl ether was found to exhibit central nervous system depressant, cardiac stimulant, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory activity.
The plant also contain emodin, which exhibited cardiac and intestinal stimulant, central nervous system depressant and analgesic activity in experimental animals.
Rhamnus purshiana DC.
Synonym Frangulapurshiana (DC)
A. Grey.
Family Rhamnaceae.
Habitat Native to Europe;
introduced in Kashmir, Himachal
Pradesh, Bhutan and the Nilgiris.
542 Rhamnus virgatus Roxb.
English Buckthorn (related species), Cascara Sagrada, Sacred
Bark.
Action Bark—stool-softener, non-habit forming stimulant laxative, pancreatic stimulant. Used for dyspepsia and habitual constipation.
Key application In occasional constipation. (German Commission E, ESCOP WHO.) As a stimulant laxative. (The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.)
The bark contains up to 10% an thraquinon glycosides, consisting of
the cascarosides A, B, C and D, about
70% of the total; other glycosides in mi no concentrations include barbaloin,
frangulin, chrysanol, glycosides based
on emodin, aloe-emodin, emodin oxanthron and chrysophanol; dian thrones and free aglycones.
The cascarosides act on large in testine and stimulate peristalsis. The
_______ emodin exhibits antispasmodic activ R ity in isolated rat intestine. Its anti- inflammatory and antiseptic action was also demonstrated.
Rhamnus catharticus Linn., is equat ed with common Buckthorn, R. purpurea Edgew. with Purple
