NIS - libdoc.who.int - World Health Organization

Herba Pegani harmalae
contain mucilage. Parenchyma layer beneath epidermis is usually formed
of 3–4 rows of small air-filled cells; a dark brown layer of disintegrated
cells, wavy in appearance; elongated thin-walled cells containing a yellowish
brown substance, which gives a positive test for fixed oil. Endosperm
made up of polygonal cells with uniformly thickened cellulose cell
membranes. The endosperm of seed-lobe area is formed of 7–8 layers of
cells and endosperm of rootlet area of 2–3 layers of cells. The germ is
slightly bent and consists of 2 equally mature cotyledons, budlet, short
hypocotyl and well-marked rootlets with forming root caps (14, 22, 29).
Powdered plant material
No information available.
General identity tests
Macroscopic and microscopic examinations (24, 28), and thin-layer
chromatography to be established in accordance with national requirements.
A high-performance liquid chromatography method for the determination
of specific alkaloids in the seeds has been developed and
validated (30).
Purity tests
Microbiological
Tests for specific microorganisms and microbial contamination limits are
as described in the WHO guidelines on quality control methods for medicinal
plant materials (31).
Chemical
No information available.
Foreign organic matter
Not more than 4% (28). Not more than 2% (24). Maximum 10% fragments
of stems longer than 80 mm. Not more than 5% of greyish stems
of previous year. Not more than 5% of fragments of drug having a diameter
less than 0.315 mm (28).
Total ash
Not more than 18% (28). Not more than 10% (24).
Acid-insoluble ash
No information available.
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