Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

stems and bark cause hypotension in
cats and inhibit intestinal movements
in rabbits. The acetone and chloroform
extracts and a resinous fraction
from the alcoholic extract of leaves depress
respiration. The petroleum ether
extract decreases the rate of heartbeat
and contraction in isolated heart of
frog.
An alcoholic (50%) extract of the
flowers lowered blood pressure in dogs
and albino rats.
Cyanidin-3-galactoside and cyanidin-3-arbinoside
are present in the
pigments of flowers. The leaves of
var. nilgiricum and var. cinnamonum
contain ursolic acid, friedelin, epifriedelanol,
quercetin. A triterpenoid,
campanulin, has been isolated from
the leaves of var. nilagaricum.
Rhododendron barbatum
Wall. ex G. Don.
Family ◮ Ericaceae.
Habitat ◮ The Himalayas from
Kumaon to Bhutan, extending to
Assam.
English ◮ Giantblood Rhododendron.
Folk ◮ Chimal (Nepal), Kurbak,
Guraans.
Action ◮ Respiratory depressant,
emetic, toxic.
The leaves and flowers gave andromedotoxin
which resembles tertiary
amine veratrum alkaloids, particularly
protoveratrine, in pharmacological
action. Intravenous administration
of andromedotoxin to dogs
Rhododendron campanulatum D. Don. 547
resulted in 20–40% reduction in blood
pressure. It also closely resembles
protoveratrine in its stimulating effect
on the barostatic-pressor-reflexmechanism,
respiratory effects and
emetic action. It produces reflex vasodepressor
responses in intact animals;
in debuffered dogs, it produced
vasopressor responses. It also produced,
both direct and indirect, positive
ionotropic effects, the latter being
more pronounced.
The leaves contain ursolic acid,
alpha-amyrin, epi-friedelinol, campanulin
and hyperoside. Chloroform
extract of the leaves and shoots showed
a depressant action. The honey from
flowers is poisonous; contains andromedotoxin.
Rhododendron campanulatum
D. Don.
Synonym ◮ R. aeruginosum Hk. f.
Family ◮ Ericaceae.
Habitat ◮ Throughout the Himalayas
at altitudes of 2,400–5,200 m.
Folk ◮ Chimal (Kumaon, Nepal),
Gagger vurmi, Nichnai (Kashmir).
Cherailu, Taalis-far.
Action ◮ Leaves—used in chronic
rheumatism and sciatica. As a snuff,
in colds and hemicrania.
The leaves gave a toxic substance
which resembles andromedotoxin; besides
ericolin, ursolic acid, alpha-amyrin,
friedelin, epi-friedelinol, campanulin,
quercitin. The pigments of flowers
contain myricetin and quercetin.
R