Page 23 - Pharmacognosy-II (06-PG 303)

3- Endocarp : composed of narrow, tangentially elongated cells in
parquetry arrangement.

Powdered Ammi majus :

Yellowish-brown and characterized by :
1- Fragments of epicarp with polygonal, sub-rectangular or elongated,
short, papillose cells, containing cluster or prismatic crystals of calcium
oxalate, and covered with thick, distinctly striated cuticle.
2- Fragments of mesocarp with brownish pieces of vittae with radiating
cells vessels and cells of the innermost layer of the mesocarp.
3- Fragments of endocarpal cells with a distinct parquet arrangement,
usually adhering to brown cells of the testa.
4- Numerous fragments of the endosperm containing oil globules and
micro-rosette crystals of calcium oxalate.

Constituents :

The major constituents are furano-coumarins.
a- Xanthotoxin (methoxasalen, 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) ammoidin.
b- Bergapten.
c- Imperatorin (ammidin).

Medicinal uses :

Treatment of skin disorders such as psoriasis and vitiligo (leukoderma)
:

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