Senega

sem-5 pharmacy

1. Senega

2. SYNONYM: Milkwort, Rattlesnake root, Senega root, Snake root B.S.: It consist of dried root and root stock of Polygala senega Linn. Family :  Polygalaceae ( Polygala , means 'much milk,‘)  Geographical Source: It is indigeneous to Minnesota in U.S.A. and Estern Canada. Presently the drug is mainly obtained from cultiveted species in Japan.

3. Cultivation & Collection: This perennial herb, about a foot high, grows throughout central and western North America, in woods, and on dry, rocky soil. Propagated through seed or rootstock. Plant is allowed to grow for 4 years during root become well establish end of required size. Flowring during May-July. After 4 years harvesting is done in summer season. Root and rhizomes are collected in September and October. Morphology: Color: grayish to brownish yellow Odour : methyl salisylate Taste: first sweet then acrid Shape: root exihibits a peculiar shape as an alongated tapering root & bearing tufted crown.

4. Size: 5 – 10 cm in length & 2-10 mm diameter The leaves are small alternate, and narrowly lanceolate , and the numerous, small pinky-white flowers are crowded on to a narrow. The root is twisted and has an irregular, knotty crown with a distinctive ridge. Root: thickness upper part: 3-6 mm crown: 1-1.5 cm height & 1-2 cm width Root is either simple or in 2-3 branches, divide just below the crown. Senega root shows a keel with a sharp spiral porton tapering downwords . Root has smooth and splintery fracture.

5. Chemical CONSTITUENTS: Contain senegin (4%) polygalic Acid (5.5%) , triterpenoid saponin up to 12 % . On hydolysis give senegenin , senegic Acid and Presenegin ( senegin II). Sweet test of drug due to poligalitol (1,6 anhydrosorbitol ). Odour is due to small amount of methyl salicylate which is result th breckdown of some unknown glycoside. Also contain fixed oil & sterol. Not contain starch USES: Stimulant & expectorant Treatment of chronic bronchitis, but prescribed with common expectorant Large dose cause vomiting As diuretic in renal dropsy Used in pleurisy and pneumonia

6. TYPICAL PREPARATIONS Senega syrup : senega 10 % alcohol, sucrose, water Senega liq. Extract : prepared with alcohol and alkaline with ammonia Infusion : first alcohol then slight alkaline with ammonia Chemical test: Sodium picret test: A strip of filter paper is dipped in 10% aq. Solution of picric Acid. Its drained and redipped in sodium carbonate solution and redrain . Powder drug in flask, water for moisten it sodium picret paper kept mouth of flask with cork. Hydrocyanic acid vapour turn paper brick red or marron color Allied Drug: Indian Senega Spurious Indian senega White senega Japanese senegas