Page 322 - Pharmacognosy 2 PG303

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

Kino

Syn.: East Indian, Malabar, Madras or Cochin Kino

Malabar Kino is the dried juice obtained from incisions in the trunk of
Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb., (Fam. Leguminosae). The tree grows in southern
India and Ceylon.

Preparation
The phloem of the tree contains numerous, comparatively wide and short

tubular cells arranged in axial rows. These cells are filled with a red astringent fluid,
which flows from them when they are wounded. The juice that flows is collected in
small cups made of leaves, or in other convenient receptacles, and soon dries in the
sun to a dark mass. It is sometimes boiled before it is evaporated.

Description
Kino occurs in small glistening angular grains appear quite black and are

remarkably free from dust. The grains are about 3-5 mm in diameter. When the
edges of the grains are examined, they are seen to be transparent and of a dark ruby-
red colour. They are hard and brittle, breaking with a vitreous fracture and yielding
a brownish-red powder. Kino is odourless, but has, when chewed, an astringent
taste, and adheres to the teeth colouring the saliva red.

Solubility
In cold water, Kino is only partially soluble (from 80-90 %). It dissolves to a

greater extent in hot water and is almost entirely soluble in alcohol 90 %.

Tests for Identity
The aqueous solution turns green on the addition of a ferrous salt, violet with

an alkali, and gives a precipitate of Kinotannic acid when acidified with a mineral
acid.

Constituents
Kino contains kinotannic acid (30-80%); kinoin (1.5 %); catechol; kino-red;

gallic acid; resin; gum; pectin; and an oxidase enzyme.

Uses
Kino is a powerful astringent. It is given internally for diarrhoea and

dysentery and is also used externally.

RESINS AND RESIN COMBINATIONS

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