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 Botany
· Half-woody,
erect, smooth plant growing to a height of 30 cm. Leaves are
thin, elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, 4-12 cm long, 2-6 cm wide,
pointed at both ends. Cymes are flat-topped, smooth or hairy,
2-7 cm in diameter, with subumbellate spreading branches. Clayx-teeth
are short. Corolla is white and smooth, with short obtuse lobes
that are keeled at the back. Pedicelled capsules are 2-5 mm in
diameter. Seeds are many, minute and angled.
Distribution
In thickets and
forests at low altitudes.
Parts utilized
Roots, bark and leaves.
Chemical
constituents and properties
Contains starch, chlorophyll,
and a light-brown resin soluble in chloroform.
No alkaloids.
Main chemical constituent is a monoterpenoid quinoline alkaloid called camptothecin.
Properties
Considered antibacterial, laxative, tonic, sedative.
Uses
· Decoction of
leaves, roots and bark (one part in 10) in half-ounce doses are stomachic.
· Bark of root is sedative and laxative.
· Decoction of leaves used for cleaning ulcers.
· In Malaysia, used for wound healing, enlarged spleens and to alleviate cough.
· In India, the bitter root of O mungos used as an antidote for snake bites. Also, the root extract, mixed with powder of white gulaganji to make a paste, applied locally or given orally. For wound healing, whole plant is ground into a paste with coconut oil, applied topically on affected areas to heal wounds.
Studies
• Camptothecin / Anti-Cancer: Camptothecin is an anticancer quinoline alkaloid effective against colon cancer, acting through inhibition of the enzyme DNA topoisomerase. Comparative study showed the highest yields in N foetida, with low levels of the
alkaloid with O mungos and O rugosa.
• Antivenom Activity: Study showed inhibition of the effects of Naja nigricollis venom by aqueous extract of O mungos root. The extract also showed dose-related inhibition of blood clotting induced by Echis carinatus venom.
Availability
Wild-crafted. |
