ROOT:RAUWOLFIA - EXPERIMENT

Synonyms:

Indian snake root, Rauwolfia root, sarpagandha, Serpentina root; Chota chand,

Biological source:

Rauwolfia consists of the dried roots and rhizomes of the palnt known as Rauwolfia serpentina

Family:

Apocynaceae

Morphology:

ROOT:

Size: 10-18cm long and 1-3cm diameter

Shape: Roots are subcylindrical, slightly tapering, tortuous shape.

Colour: Root bark is greyish brown and wood is pale yellow.

Odour: Odourless

Taste: Bitter.

Fracture: Short and irregular

RHIZOME:

Size: 08-15cm long and 0.3-2.2cm diameter

Shape: Subcylindrical, slightly tapering, tortuous shape.

Colour: Light brown greyish yellow.

Odour: Odourless

Taste: Bitter.

External feature- Roots are rough with longitudinal markings and slightly wrinkled surface. Rootlets are usually present but few small circular root scars with tetrastichous arrangements are seen.

Externally roots and rhizomes are similar, the only difference is the presence of small pith of 1 to 2mm diameter in the rhizomes. Also few aerial stems are present on the rhizome.

Chemical Constituents:

ALKALOIDS –

Rauwolfia alkaloids are classified as

1-Indole alkaloid

2-Indoline alkaloid

3-Indolenine alkaloid

4-Oxyindole alkaloid

5-Pseudoindoxyl alkaloid

Indole alkaloids - Reserpine group - Reserpine - Rescinnamine - Deserpidine Tertiary Indoline Alkaloids (pH 8)

Ajmaline group - Ajmaline -Ajmalicine 

Serpentine group - Serpentine - Serpentinine   

Also contains resins, fatty acids and dextrose.

Uses:

·         Antihypertensive (decreases blood pressure by inhibiting the catecholamine stored in post ganglionic adrenergic neurons) 

·         Trianquilzing effect.

·         Sedative in insomnia

·         Stimulates the central or peripheral nervous system.(Ajmaline group)

Ajmaline used in the treatment of cardiac arrythmia and angina pectoris as it possess similar action like quinidine