antiulcer activity in mice. Isoferulic acid lowered body temperature in rats.
The rhizome is hypotensive in animals; a central nervous system depressant and antispasmodic in mice; causes peripheral vasodilation in human. Also exhibits anti-inflammatory (The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia) and hypoglycaemic activity.
Actein has been studied for use in treating peripheral arterial disease. (Expanded Commission EMonographs.)
Clinically, the rhizome and root constituents of Black Cohosh does not seem to affect hormonal levels, such as estradiol, LH, FSH and prolactin. (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)
Cimicifuga foetida L. root is used in bronchial and rheumatic diseases. Aqueous EtOH extract is used in cosmetic preparations for protecting skin; also used for preventing oral diseases and bad breath.
White Cohosh, used for urinogenital disorders, is equated with Actea pachypoda, synonym A. alba, A. rubra. Blue Cohosh has been identified as Caulophyllum thalictroides. It is toxic and abortifacient.
Cinchona off icinalis Linn.
Synonym C. robusta How.
148 Cinnamomum camphora (Linn.) Nees &Eberm.
Family Rubiaceae.
Habitat Cultivated in West Bengal
and Tamil Nadu.
English Crown or Loxa Bark.
Ayurvedic Quinine.
Unani Al-keenaa, Kanakanaa.
Action Antimalarial, febrifuge, astringent, orexigenic, sapasmolytic. Also prescribed in amoebic dysentery, jaundice, atonic dyspepsia, night cramps. Sometimes causes gastric and intestinal irritation.
Key application In peptic discomforts such as bloating and fullness, loss of appetite. (German Commission E.)
The bark contains alkaloids quinine (2.35—4.42%); quinidine (1.44—2.56%); cinchonine (0.10—0.66%); cinchonidine (0.49—0.89%) and other alkaloids, quinamine, javanine (0.14—0.63%).
The leaves contain quercetin, kaempferol and avicularin.
Quinine is antimalarial; quinidine is antiarrhythmic and cardiac tonic, also used in psychic treatments.
The bark shows potent inhibitory ac tivity against polymorphonuclear leucocytes; the activity is attributed to the alkaloids of the bark. Cinchona may potentiate coumarin derivatives. In large doses, it is sedative to CNS and cardiac plexus.
