adjuvant for cancer; also used for gout and rheumatism, and chronic skin disorders.
The rhizome contains triticin, a carbohydrate allied to starch, a fructosan polysaccharide, inositol, mannitol; volatile oil up to about 0.05%, consisting mainly of agropyrene; vanillin glucoside; mucilage, gum, large quantities of silica; iron, minerals, vitamins, K salt. Agropyrene is reported to have broad antibiotic properties. Extracts show uric acid solvent properties. Agropyrene is antifungal.
Ailanthus excelsa Roxb.
Family Simaroubaceae.
Habitat Bihar, Madhya Pradesh,
Gujarat, Orissa and southern India.
English Tree of Heaven, Maharukh. Ayurvedic Aralu, Katvanga,
Dirghavranta, Puutivrksha, Bhalluka. (Mahaanimba is a synonym of Melia azedarach Linn.)
Siddha Perru, Perumaruttu,
Action Bark—bitter, astringent,
febrifuge, anthelminitic, antispasmodic, expectorant (used in asthma, bronchitis). Also used for dysentery as a substitute for Holarrhena
antidysenterica.
Bark and leaves—used as tonic in debility; especially after childbirth. Leaves—used as adulterant for Adhatoda zeylanica leaves.
Along with other therapeutic applications, The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India indicates the use of stembark in high fevers and giddiness.
The bark contains several quassinoids including ailanthone derivatives. They exhibit antitumour activity against P-388 lymphocytic leukaemia and are cytotoxic against KB test system.
Dosage Stembark—1—3 g (API Vol. III.) Decoction—50—l00 ml. (CCRAS.)
Ailanthus glandulosa Desf.
Synonym A. altissima (Mill.) Swingle
Family Simaroubaceae.
Habitat Native of China and Japan. Found in the hills of northern India up to an altitude of 2,400 m.
English Tree of Heaven, Ailanto. Ayurvedic Aralu (related sp.).
Action Bark—astringent, antispasmodic, parasiticidal, narcotic, cardiac depressant (exercises powerful depressing influence on nervous system similar to that of tobacco).
Peruppi.
