Indian Medicinal Plants

634 Symphorema involucratum Roxb.
S
Tetranortriterpenoids have been isolated
from cotyledons and seeds. The
ether extract of the leaves inhibits
platelet activity factor (PAF)-induced
platelet aggregation.
Symphorema involucratum
Roxb.
Family ◮ Symphoremataceae.
Habitat ◮ Indo-Malayasian region.
Found in Deccan Peninsula,
ascending to 1,200 m, and in
Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and
Nagaland.
Folk ◮ Surudu, Konatekkali,
Gubbadaara (Telugu).
Action ◮ Quercetin, isolated from
fresh water flowers, exhibited
anti-inflammatory activity experimentally,
comparable to that of
phenylbutazone.
Symphytum officinale Linn.
Family ◮
Boraginaceae.
Habitat ◮ Europe and from the
Mediterranean to Caucasian region.
Russian Comfrey or Blue Comfrey
has been introduced in Simla;
Prickly Camfrey is cultivated in
Western India.
English ◮ Comfrey, Knitbone.
Folk ◮ Sankuutan (Maharashtra).
Action ◮ Vulnerary (The British
Herbal Pharmacopoeia), astringent,
demulcent, haemostatic, tissuerestorative
(repairs broken bones
and lacerated flesh, promotes
formation of a callus).
Key application ◮ Externally for
fractures and sprains, to promote
bone growth and formation of
callus. (German Commission E.)
Allantoin, a cell proliferant, helps
repair damaged tissues. Anti-inflammatory
action is due to rosmarinic acid
and other phenolic acids. Used for
stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome,
colitis, hiatus hernia; pleurisy,
bronchitis (contraindicated in oedematous
conditions of the lung); and
for the treatment of fractures, sickets,
varicose ulcers. Experiments, during
the 1960s, reveal that pyrrolizidine alkaloids
are toxic to liver (dispute still
unresolved); it is still not clear if these
are hepatotoxic in the context of the
whole plant. The aerial parts are considered
safe.
Russian Comfrey or Blue Comfrey
has been equated with Symphytum
peregrinum Ledeb. (introduced into
India in Simla).
The Plant is a good source of allantoin,
a drug used in the treatment
of gastric ulcers, disorders of liver and
cancer. Tincture of the fresh herb is
reported to be used for asthma, bronchitis
and congestive conditions of the
lungs.
Symplocos paniculata
(Thunb.) Miq.
Synonym ◮ S. crataegoides Buch.-
Ham. ex Don.
S. chinensis (Lour.) Druce.
Prunus paniculatus Thunb.
Family ◮
Symplocaceae.