Page 68 - Pharmacognosy 2 PG303 (1)

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

5- FRUCTUS AMMI MAJUS (Ammi majus Fruit)

Ammi majus is the dried ripe fruits of Ammi majus. family Umbelliferae.

Ammi majus fruit is closely resemble Ammi visnaga but it can be
differentiated by:
1. Ammi majus is larger in size about 3 mm long and 1.5 mm wide.
2. The mericarp is oval oblong almost cylindrical with yellowish brown outer
surface but with no violet tinge.
3. The outer surface is glabrous and marked with 5 distinct primary ridges
and 4 prominent secondary ridges.
4. The vascular bundles show neither schizogenous duct nor reticulate
parenchyma.
5. The epicarp is formed of papillosed cells with striated cuticle each cell
contains one or more calcium oxalate crystals in the form of small prisms.
6. The cells of the innermost layer of the mesocarp have thick nonporous
inner walls.

Constituents
It contains bitter principle formerly known as ammoidin, but it was found to
be a mixture of 8 bitter principles which are: Xanthotoxin. bergapten and
imperatorin. It also contains fixed oils and protein.

Uses
It is used externally in the treatment of Leucodermia.

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