Page 232 - Pharmacognosy 2 PG303

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

contains small oil globules but no starch or calcium oxalate crystals. Root sock, with
polygonal cork cells, is irregularly disposed xylem elements, occasionally spiral
vessels and thin walled parenchymatous pith. Stem is formed of epidermis of
elongated sub-rectangular cells; cortex, parenchymatous; pericycle, with a band of
unlignified fibers; xylem, containing pitted tracheids and pitted reticulate and spiral
vessels; pith, parenchymatous. Scale leaves, with anomocytic stomata, epidermal
cells with sinuous anticlinal wall and unicellular warty simple hairs with refractive
solid tips, often curved, up 115 µ long.

Powder
Powdered senega is yellowish-grey to grey; characterized by:
1- Few fragments of cork.
2- Numerous fragments of wood showing pitted tracheids, fibrous tracheids
and few vessels up to 65 µ in diameter, usually crossed with medullary ray
cells.
3- Numerous small oily globules, free or in cells.
4- Occasional fragments of aerial stems with long unlignified fibers.
5- Frequent fragments of scale leaves, with ranunculaceous stomata and
unicellular warty simple hairs with solid refractive often-curved tips.

Constituents
6-12% saponins, a mixture of triterpene glycosides (senega-saponins A-D)
with pre-senegenin as the main sapogenin (the hemolytic index of the drug is ca.
3000-5000); ca. 5% lipids; various mono- and oligo-saccharides, including 1,5-
anhydro-D-glucitol and its derivatives; methyl salicylate and its glycoside; traces of
essential oil.

Tests for Identity
Shake the aqueous decoction of senega, a voluminous froth is produced.

Extract 10 gm of powdered senega firstly with ether, then with ether
acidulated with dil HCl (2 drops of dil HCl for each 25 cc of ether) so as to obtain
25 cc of the ethereal extract in each time. Mix the two extracts and divide into two
portions, each of 25 cc.

Add one portion to 20 cc warm water (40-50 ºC) placed in an evaporating
dish, drive off the ether. Filter if necessary, and then add one drop of ferric chloride
T. S.; a reddish violet color is produced.

Evaporate the other portion to dryness, and weigh. The residue is not less than
0.2 gm. Dissolve the residue in 2 cc of chloroform, transfer to a test tube, and run
carefully on the side of the tube 1 cc of sulfuric acid. A deep reddish-brown zone is
formed between the two liquids, and the sulfuric acid layer shows a faint greenish

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