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| Latin Name |
English Names |
Sanskrit Names |
Hindi Names |
Embelia
ribes
Burm. f. (Myrsinaceae)
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False Pepper,
False Black Pepper |
Vidanga, Tandula,
Krimighna |
Baberang,
Vayvidang |
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| History |
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| Susruta described
the fruit as anthelmintic, alterative and tonic and recommended
its use along with liqorice root for the purpose of strengthening
the body and preventing the effects of aging. Notes on the drug
under the names of Birang-I-kabuli and Biranj-I-kabuli were
found in Arabian writing. Dr. Harris (Lancet, July 23, 1887)
had directed attention to the value of this drug as a remedy
for tapeworm. He stated that he had administered it for several
years with good results to natives of India and Europe. |
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| Habitat |
It is found throughout
India up to an altitude of 5,000 ft.
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| Morphology
Description (Habit) |
E.ribes is
a large scandent shrub with slender branches and elliptic-lanceolate
and gland-dotted leaves. The fruit is globular and wrinkled, varying
in colour from dull red to nearly black; a short pedicel is often
present; the pericarp is brittle enclosing a single seed covered with
a membrane.
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| Principal
Constituents |
The plant contains
embelin, quercitol, and fatty ingredients; an alkaloid, christembine,
a resinoid, tannins and minute quantities of a volatile oil. Embelin
occurs in golden yellow needles insoluble in water and soluble in
alcohol, chloroform and benzene. It is reported to be effective against
tapeworm but not against roundworm or hookworm. Embelin dyes silk
and wool from an alcoholic solution. The dark colored fatty oil is
reported to be similar to linseed and rapeseed oil in its properties1.
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| Pharmacology |
The
compound embelin isolated from the berries has been reported to provoke
significant anti-implantation and post-coital antifertility activity.
The compound has been reported to induce sterility in mice, rats and
dogs. It is a potential male antifertility agent. Spermatogenesis
is impaired and sperm count reduced to the level of infertility. The
antispermatogenic changes are found to be reversible without any toxic
side effects. Significant normalization of all these processes are
achieved after cessation of drug treatment2.
Embelin and its 2,5-isobutylmine salts have been reported to possess
anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced paw edema and cotton
pellet granuloma formation3.
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| Clinical
Studies |
Clinical studies
were conducted with the alcoholic and aqueous extracts of the berries
of E.ribes, obtained by percolation method, on 40 childern
infected by ascarides. The alcoholic extract was found very effective
in the treatment of 80 per cent of the cases while the aqueous extract
cured 55 per cent cases, rendering the stools free from ova. The worms
were expelled from the stools. No purging was required. No evidence
of toxicity was observed during and after the treatment. There was
a slight improvement in the hemoglobin percentage of the blood 4.
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| Toxicity |
Aflatoxin
B1(0.11 µg/g) is reported in the market samples of
seeds. The samples should be properly checked for the presence of
aflatoxin before being used for the preparation of drugs. Otherwise
naturally occurring contamination may cause toxic effects5.
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| Indications |
The dried fruit is
considered anthelmintic, astringent, carminative, alterative and stimulant.
It has been used in India since ancient times as an anthelmintic.
It is effective in the treatment of ascariasis. The dried fruits are
used in decoctions for fevers and for diseases of the chest and skin.
The fruit also shows anti-bacterial activity.
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| Product
Range |
Abana (HeartCare),
Diakof (CoughCare Sfree), Gasex (GastriCare), Geriforte (GeriCare
/ StressCare), Herbolax (LaxaCare), Koflet (CoughCare), Mentat (MindCare),
Mentat syrup, Purim (HemoCare),
Dental Cream, Anxocare, Appetonic forte Vet, Appetonic Vet, Geriforte Aqua, Geriforte
Vet.
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| References |
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- U.S.D., 1441; Krishna & Varma, Indian For . Bull., N.S.,
No. 102, 1941; Fieser & Chamberlin, J. Amer. chem. Soc., 1948,
70, 71; Kaul et. al., J. Indian chem. Soc., 1929. 6, 577;
Mayer & Cook, 103.
- Prakash et. al., Phytother Res, 1992,6(1), 29; Gupta &
Kanwar, Fitoterapia, 1990, 61, 138, 297; Gupta et. al.,
ibid, 1991, 62, 419; East Pharm, 199, 36(424), 68.
- Handa et. al., Fitoterapia, 1992, 63, 3; Chem Abstr,
1989, 111, 132870.
- Guru, L. V. and Mishra, D. N., J. Res. Ind. Med., 1966, 1,
47.
- Kumari et. al., Curr Sci, 1989, 58, 512.
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