Alangium Iamarckii Thw.
Synonym A. salviifolium (Linn. f.) Wang.
Family Alangiaceae.
Habitat The drier parts of India, in plains and foothills of southern India.
Ayurvedic Ankola, Ankota,
Taamraphala, Guptasneha, Dirghakeelaka.
Siddha/Tamil Azinjil.
Action b Rootbark—astringent,
spasmolytic, hypotensive, also diaphoretic and antipyretic. Leaves—
hypoglycaemic. Fruits—acidic, astringent, laxative and refrigerant. Used in haemorrhages, strangury and consumption. The bark is used as a substitute for Cephaelis ipecacuanha. It is a rich source of alkaloids structurally related to ipecac alkaloids (emetin).
The bark contains the alkaloid alangine which shows a selective action of the parasympathetic mechanism, the action being more marked on gastrointestinal tract. The root extract shows hypotensive action. Flowers contain deoxytubulosine, a potent antiplatelet aggregation component, which has a strong binding with DNA.
The plant extract possesses antineoplastic properties.
Dosage Rootbark—1—2 g powder. (CCRAS.)
