Page 211 - Pharmacognosy 2 PG303

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

Sarsaparilla: H,T.S. of Hounduras sarsaparil1a; M, T.S, of
Mexican sarsaparilla; e, epidermis; s, hypodermis; A,B, outer
and inner part of cortex; k, endodermis;.g, vessels; b, sieve cells;
m, pith. For M, a, epidermis; b, hypoder.mis; c
cortex;d,endodermis.

Constituents
The chief constituent in Jamaica, Honduras and probably other sarsa-parillas

is sarsaponin C44H75O20.7H2O, a crystalline glycoside yielding by hydrolysis
sarsasapogenin and dextrose. It is considered as the only definite saponin glycoside
in Jamaica sarsaparilla, which also contains sarsapic acid (a crystalline dicarboxylic
acid), dextrose, fatty acids, sitosterol-D-glycoside, resin, etc. Like other drugs
containing saponins it possesses hemolytic properties of red blood corpuscles just
hemolysed by 1 g. of the drug. Experiments in this direction have shown that Vera
Cruz sarsaparilla has the highest hemolytic index, Jamaica rather lower and Honduras
much lower. The drug yields about 4-10 % of ash.

Uses
Sarsaparilla has been administered as an alternative in syphilis, chronic skin

diseases and rheumatism, but great' diversity of opinion exists as its therapeutic
value.

Varieties
Several other varieties of sarsaparilla are imported into the English market.

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