Page 212 - Pharmacognosy 2 PG303 (1)

Pharmacognosy-2 (PG303) Level 2 Clinical Pharmacy-Pharm D

The following are the most important:
Honduras Sarsaparilla, the botanical origin of which is unknown. The drug
is imported from British Honduras in serons containing several bundles about 75 cm.
long and 5 or 6 cm. wide, much longer and narrower therefore than the bundles of the
Jamaica variety, they are sometimes closely whipped bound, or sometimes loosely
bound with a long root.

The roots are distinguished from those of the Jamaica variety by their pale
yellowish or brownish color, and by their more plump and starchy appearance, they
have generally fewer rootlets attached, and are always free from rhizome. The section
exhibits a pale, starchy cortex, usually thicker than that of Jamaica Sasrsaparilla, but a
similar stele. This variety is largely used on the Continent, where it is generally
preferred.

Lima Sarsaparilla is imported from Panama in bundles about 60 crn long and
about 7 cm. in diameter, loosely folded, with a root, and made into bales similar to
those of Jamaica Sarsaparilla. This drug shows a close resemblance to Jamaica
Sarsaparilla, and indeed can only be distinguished with certainty by the different
packing and by the anatomical characters of the cells of the endodermis and
exodermis, which in certain cases constitute a most valuable means of identifying
and distinguishing these drugs.

Guayaquil Sarsaparilla is imported in rectangular pressed bales containing a
number of flattish bundles about 50 cm. long and 15 crn. wide, the knotty rhizome
and portions of the stout round aerial stems are often present. Sometimes the root is
imported loose in bales. It has a mahogany brown color, is usually larger than
Jamaica, not so much furrowed and with less numerous rootlets.

Vera Cruz or Mexican Sarsaparilla is obtained from S. medica. Both rhizome
and roots are collected and dried, the drug not being made up into bales. Latterly the
roots deprived of the rhizomes have been exported. Like Lima sarsaparilla the variety
is well characterized by the form of the cells of the endodermis and exodermis.

Native Jamaica Sarsaparilla is obtained from plants, presumably of S.
officinalis Humboldt, Bonpland et kunth, cultivated on the island of Jamaica. This
truly Jamaican sarsaparilla, commercially known as "native" Jamaica must be
carefully distinguished from the ordinary Jamaica (or, better, Costa Rica) sarsaparilla.
It arrives packed loose in bales, and is of a pale reddish. or grayish-brown color. The
root bears scattered, rather stout rootlets, and exhibits in transverse section a pale
cortex separated by a distinct line from a rather darker stele. These characters
sufficiently distinguish "native" Jamaica Sarsaparilla from the Costa Rica drug. This
kind of sarsaparilla is that now most commonly found in British commerce.

169