Page 268 - Pharmacognosy 2 PG303

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

Powdered Veratrum Rhizome; 1, metaderm; 2, parenchyma with
starch; 3, endodermis in Section view, 4, endodermis in tangential position; 5,
xylem vessels; 6,1raphides; 7, sclerenchyma; 8, isolated starch; 9, starch
incells.

Constituents
White hellebore contains several alkaloids, the total amount varying 1-2% and

averaging about 1.3%. The most important and the most toxic of these is
protoveratrine, which closely resembles aconitine in its action, and is in addition a
powerful sternutatory. Jervine is also crystalline and toxic, but less active than
protoveratrine. Rubijervine and pseudojervine are also present, but are said to be
inactive. Whether protoveratrine occurs performed in the drug is doubtful. The roots
appear to be somewhat richer in alkaloids than the rhizome, and therefore should not
be discarded. White hellebore also contains resin and starch and calcium oxalate in
bundles of acicular crystals.

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