Siddha/Tamil Pandikutti, Pavrikutti, Pavrikutti, Kandal, Chira.
Action Plant—astringent. Stem bark—hypoglycaemic. Bark— haemostatic. A decoction is used to stop haemorrhage and is applied to malignant ulcers; also given after child birth.
Shoots—used as a substitute for quinine.
The leaves (dry basis) gave 15.45% tannin, 19.99% non-tannin; twig bark 25.89%, tannin, 9.8% non-tannin; bole bark 41.42% tannin, 10.58% non-tannin.
Presence of sitosterol, cholesterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, 28 -isofucosterol and a hydrocarbon, squalene, is reported in the leaves.
Ceropegia bulbosa Roxb.
Family Asclepiadacae.
Habitat Punjab and South India.
Folk Khappar-kaddu, Bhuu-tumbi, Paataal-tumbi. Giothi. Galot
(Punjab). Gilodya.
Action Tuberous root—used for diarrhoea and dysentery.
The fresh tubers are eaten after removing the bitterness by boiling. The bitter principle is an alkaloid, ceropegine. The tuber contains 42.52% starch and possesses refrigerant property.
140 Ceropegiajuncea Roxb.
The aqueous extract of edible Ceropegia sp. contains steriods, polyphenols, sugars and potassium. It potentiated pentobarbitone hypnosis and exhibited analgesic and diuretic activities. It also antagonized histamine-induced asphyxia in guinea pigs.
C. candelabrum L. var. bflora (L.)
M. Y. Ansari, synonym C. bflora L., C. tuberosa Roxb., C. intermedia auct. non-Wt., are also equated with Bhuutumbi, Paataal-tumbi.
Ceropegia juncea Roxb.
Family Asclepiadaceae.
Habitat Peninsular India.
Folk Kanvel (Maharashtra). Bellagada (Telugu, Andhra Pradesh).
(Soma is a disputed synonym)
Action The plant extract exhibits tranquilizing, hypotensive, hepatoprotective, antiulcer, antipyretic, topically anaesthetic activities in
experimental animals.
A pyridine alkaloid, cerpegin, together with a triterpene, lupeol has been isolated from the plant from
