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| Latin Name |
English Names |
Sanskrit Names |
Hindi Names |
Cynodon dactylon
Poaceae
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Dhub Grass,
Bermuda or
Bahama Grass |
Durva, Haritali |
Dhub, Hariali |
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| Habitat |
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The grass grows throughout
India ascending up to a height above sea level of 8,000 ft.
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| Morphology
Description (Habit) |
A hardy perennial
grass with creeping culms, rooting at nodes and forming spreading
mats on the surface of the soil. It is abundant on road sides
and paths, and readily takes possession of any uncultivated
area1. It flowers nearly throughout the year.
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| Principal
Constituents |
Analysis of the green
grass gave the following average composition (on dry matter basis):
crude protein, 10.47; fibre, 28.17; N-free extr., 47.81; ether extr.,
1.80; and total ash, 11.75%. The mineral constituents of the ash are:
ash sol. in HCl, 5,60; CaO, 0.77; P2O5, 0.59;mgO, 0.34; NaO 0.23;
and K2O, 2.08%. The digestible nutrients per 100 lb. of dry material
are: crude proteins, 6.04; carbohydrates, 36.16; ether extr., 0.38;
total, 43.05 lb; nutritive ratio, 6.1; and starch equivalent, 28.72.
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| Pharmacology |
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An alkaloid isolated from the plant caused slowing of blood flow
in the mesenteric capillaries of rats and mice; increased toxicity
of isolated guinea pig ileum; hypoglycemic effect in rabbits; reduced
bleeding and clotting time in rabbits in 2.5mg/kg i.v. A glycoside
isolated from the plant produced hypotension in cats which was antagonised
by atropine and produced an insignificant hypoglycemic effect in
rabbits. The alcoholic extract of the entire plant produced antiviral
activity against the vaccinia virus3
The aqueous extract dried and ground, mixed with paraffin and the
applied ointment (1% ointment) externally produced wound healing
effects in experimentally produced wounds on the backs of rabbits
(Subramanian, S. et.al. Wound healing properties of C.
dactylon and Pongamia glabra 4.
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| Clinical
Studies |
The paste made of
the plant helped in the immediate stoppage of blood if applied on
any wound and injuries and healed the wound if kept bandaged for three
consecutive days. The same mixed with honey if snoffed becomes very
effective in cases of epitaxis of any kind. Oral administration of
the juice mixed with honey 2-3 times a day for a few days was found
effective in menorrhagia; local application in the form of paste upon
the lower abdomen reduced severe bleeding per vagina; a decoction
mixed with sugar used orally 2-3 times a day was found effective in
retention of urine5.
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| Toxicology |
The lypholized pollen
extract in 0.3, 1.3mg/kg i.p. in mice produced slight tremor lasting
for 15 mins., 1 hr and 2 hrs respectively. In 1000mg dose it produced
tremors, convulsion, general weakness leading to death6.
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| Indications |
One decoction of the plant is
diuretic, and considered useful in dropsy and anasarca. The expressed
juice is astringent, and is applied to bleeding cuts and wounds7
rhizomes used in genito-urinary disorders (B.P.C., 77; U.S.D., 1242).
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| Product
Range |
Styplon, Styplon
Vet.
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| References |
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- Bor, Indian For. Rec., N. S., Bot.,1941, 2, 110.
- Sen, Misc. Bull., I.C.A.R.,No. 25, 1946, Appx.I, III.
- Annual report, P.R.U., H.I., Bombay.
- Astr. Of papers, Ind. J. Pharmacol. 18 (1): 47, 1986.
- Devsarmah, G.C. et. al., Some doubtful medicinal plants
of Assam with their identification and medicinal value, Nagarjun
29 (10 to 12): 1-4, 1986.
- Kintanar, R.L. and Mercadasison, Fe: Pharmacological screening
of Phillippine plants using a multi-dimension observation technique
in mice, Phillip. J. Sci. 107 (1-2): 71-94, 1978.
- Kirt. & Basu, IV, 2689). The rhizomes and roots are used
as adulterants and substitutes for couch grass (Agropyron repens
Beauv.
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