Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

A
76 Azima tetracantha Lam.
as a contraceptive for intravaginal
use, for the treatment of vaginal
infections, and as a mosquito
repellent.
Plant tetranortriterpenoids have
been examined extensively for their antibiotic,
antitumour, insecticidal, antibacterial
and antifungal activities.
The methanolic extract of the bark
shows antimalarial activity against
Plasmodium falciparum.
The aqueous extract of leaves exhibited
antiulcer and anti-inflammatory
activity.
The water-soluble portion of alcoholic
extract of leaves reduces blood
sugar in glucose-fed and adrenalineinduced
hyperglycaemic rats (but not
in normal and streptozotocin-induced
diabetic rats).
A volatile fraction of the Neem oil
is reported to be responsible for spermicidal
activity at a dose of 25 mg/ml
for human sperm. The oil has been
found to retard the growth of human
immunodeficiency virus.
Neem oil has caused mitochondrial
injury in mice; poisonous in high
doses. (Sharon M. Herr.)
Dosage ◮ Dried leaf—1–3 g powder;
10–20 g for decoction; stembark—
2–4 g powder decoction for external
use. (API Vol. II.) Leaf juice—
10–20 ml; oil—5–10 drops; bark
decoction—50–100 ml. (CCRAS.)
Azima tetracantha Lam.
Family ◮ Salvadoraceae.
Habitat ◮ Peninsular India, Orissa,
West Bengal.
English ◮ Mistletoe Berrythorn.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Mulchangan.
Folk ◮ Kundali.
Action ◮ Root—diuretic (used in
Siddha medicine for dropsy and
rheumatism). Leaves—stimulant
(used in rheumatism); expectorant,
antispasmodic (used in cough and
asthma); given to women after
confinement. Bark—antiperiodic,
astringent, expectorant.
The leaves contain the alkaloids azimine,
azcarpine and carpine. EtOH
(50%) extract of aerial parts exhibited
spasmogenic activity.