Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

A
6 Acacia chundra Willd.
Seed extract—hypoglycaemic to
normal albino rats, but not effective
in diabetic rats. The saline extract of
seeds shows leuco-agglutinating activity
against leukaemic cells. It agglutinates
white cells from patients with
different types of leukaemia. The activity
is inhibited by simple sugars. Root
extract shows antibacterial and fungicidal
activity.
The heartwood contains a hepatoprotective
principle—cyanidanol.
Astringent and antibacterial properties
of catechu result from its high
tannin content.
Gambrine in pale catechu shows hypotensive
effects.
Fisetininblackcatechuand(+)catechin
in black and pale catechu
may protect against liver damage; (+)catechin
is also thought to protect
against experimentally induced ulcers
in animals; (+)-catechin (cianidanol) is
associated with fatal anaemia. Methylcatechin,
one of the major metabolites
of (+)-catechin, inhibits the binding
of monocytes to vascular endothelial
cells; thus, the catechin found in catechu
may reduce atherosclerosis. (Natural
Medicines Comprehensive Database,
2007.)
Dosage ◮ Heartwood—20–30 g for
decoction. (API Vol. I.)
Acacia chundra Willd.
Synonym ◮ A. sundra DC.
Family ◮ Mimosaceae.
Habitat ◮ Rajasthan, Gujarat,
Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and
Andhra Pradesh on dry and rocky
soils.
English ◮ Red Cutch.
Ayurvedic ◮ Khadira (related sp.).
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Katthakkaambu
(heartwood extract).
Folk ◮ Laal Khair.
Action ◮ Uses similar to those of A.
catechu heartwood extract.
The bark and leaves are used for ulcerated
abscesses and toothache; wood
for leucoderma.
EtOH (50%) extract—spermicidal
and spasmolytic.
Acacia concinna (Willd.) DC.
Synonym ◮ Asinuata(Lour.) Merrill;
A. rugata (Lamk.) Ham.
Family ◮ Mimosaceae.
Habitat ◮ Tropical jungles throughout
India, especially in the Deccan.
Ayurvedic ◮ Saptalaa, Shitalaa,
Saatalaa, Shrivalli, Kantvalli.
Unani ◮ Shikaakaai, Kharunb Nabti.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Seekai, Sigakai.
Folk ◮ Ban-Reethaa.
Action ◮ Febrifuge, expectorant,
emetic, spasmolytic, diuretic,
antidiarrhoeal. Leaves—an infusion
is given in malarial fever. Pods and
seeds—decoction is used to remove
dandruff (known as Shikaakaai),
extensively used as a detergent. An
ointment is used for skin diseases.
Bark—extract is used in leprosy.