Synonyms: Rhizoma Hydrastis, GoldenSeal, Yellow root, Gelbwurzel. Origin: Dried rhizomes and roots of Hydrastis Canadensis (Fam. Ranunculaceae). Ph. Eur. 6.2 Hydrastis Canadensis containing not less than 2.5% of hydrastine and not less than 3.0% of berberine, calculated on the dried basis. .

1. SUBTERRANEAN ORGANS
By
Dr. Mostafa Mahmoud Hegazy ( PH.D.)

2. HYDRASTIS ‫الذهب‬ ‫خاتم‬
• Synonyms:Rhizoma Hydrastis, GoldenSeal, Yellow root, Gelbwurzel.
• Origin: Dried rhizomes and roots of Hydrastis Canadensis (Fam.
Ranunculaceae).
• Ph. Eur. 6.2 Hydrastis Canadensis containing not less than 2.5% of hydrastine
and not less than 3.0% of berberine, calculated on the dried basis. .

3. Morphological Description
• Rhizomes are horizontal or oblique, tortuous and yellowish brown in color.
• The surface is longitudinally wrinkled and marked by scale-leaf scars and root
scars.
• The fracture is short and resinous and internally, the rhizome shows a narrow
cortex and a ring of separated vascular bundles, surrounding wide pith.
• Roots are usually broken into pieces, they are thin,
• wiry and with a short fracture.
• Hydrastis has distinct, disagreeable odor and bitter taste.

4. Active Constituents
• Three isoquinoline alkaloids (hydrastine (1.5-4%), berberine, and
canadine).
• Resin and traces of volatile oil.

5. Therapeutic Actions and Uses
1- Immune system
It is also considered a natural antibiotic and is often combined with Echinacea in preparations designed
to strengthen the immune system (Immulant plus® cap)
Many professional herbalists recommend goldenseal in herbal remedies for hay fever (also called
allergic rhinitis), colds, and flu. (Allerease ® cap., Euphrasia Complex tab, Austral.)
2- Skin, eye, and mucous membrane
• Goldenseal is considered a useful antiseptic and astringent, and is commonly used to treat of skin,
eye, and mucous membrane inflammatory and infectious conditions (such as sinusitis, conjunctivitis,
and urinary tract infections). ( as berberine Visazul ® eye drops Neo Quimica, Braz.)
3-GIT
• As tonic to aid digestion and sooth upset stomach. (Digestive ® tab Dorwest, UK.)
4- peripheral vascular disorders (Climaxol ® tab Lehning, Fr.)

7. Chemical Identification
• On microsublimation, powdered Hydrastis gives a yellow crystalline
sublimate of hydrastine.
• Shake 0.1 g of powdered Hydrastis with 2 mL CHCl3 for 5 minutes,
filter and evaporate the filtrate to dryness. To the residue, add 1-2 mL
sulfuric acid and a crystal of ammonium molybdate; a green color is
formed, which changes to blue.
• Boil a little of powdered Hydrastis (previously extracted with CHCl3)
with water, filter and evaporate to dryness. Moisten the residue with
sulfuric acid and a few drops of bromine T.S, a blood-red color is
produced

8. ECHINACEA purple coneflower ‫اكيناسيا‬ , ‫الردبكية‬
• Origin: Dried rhizomes and roots, aerial parts or whole plants of Echinacea
purpurea Fam. Asteraceae (Compositae).
• Morphological Description:
• The root is a fibrous taproot, conical and pale yellow to light brown in color.
• It is odorless and produces a tingling sensation in the mouth.

9. Active Constituents
• Caffeic acid and its ester derivatives, possessing powerful bacteriostatic
activity.
• Flavonoids e.g. quercetin, isoquercetin and kaempferol.
• Glucuronic acid, inulin, iron, pentadecadiene, polyacetylene compounds,
potassium, protein, and resin.
• Sugars (rhamnose, sucrose, xylose and arabinose).
• Sulfur, tannins, and fatty acids.
• Polysaccharides e.g. echinacin B, which is a wound healing factor.
• Alkylamides and polyacetylenes.
• Vitamins A, C, and E.

10. Therapeutic Uses
1-immune booster:
• A powerful immunostimulant, due to certain polysaccharides and alkylamides
• It stimulates certain white blood cells and enhances immune and lymphatic
system.(immumvita® drops, Biofos syp ® Meprofarm, Indon, Immulone ® tab)
• decreasing the incidence and duration of the common cold , flu and cough. (Fluran ®
cap, Gartech ® tab Eagle, Austral.)
• As an antiseptic in various infectious diseases, particularly those of Respiratory tract ,
gastrointestinal, urinary tract (Kellagon ® Sach, Esberitox ® tab, Ger.) and Prostatitis.
• antiviral.
2-Oral hygiene (Parodontax mouth wash, toothpaste)
3-Anti-inflammatory
4-Topically for healing of wounds, due to its content of echinacin B that forms a
complex with hyaluronidase, thus acting as a wound-healing factor in inflammatory
skin diseases, eczema, burns and ulcers.

12. VALERIANA ‫ناردين‬-‫وليريانا‬-‫الهر‬ ‫حشيشة‬
• Synonyms: Rhizoma Valerianae, Valerian, Hashieshatul Herr, Rhaizomatul
Waliryana.
• Part Used: The rhizome, stolons and roots of Valeriana officinalis (Fam.
Valerianaceae), collected in the autumn and dried at a temperature below 40 C.
• Valeriana contains not less than 15% of extractable matters.

13. Morphological Description
• The rhizome occurs in entire form or in longitudinally cut slices, dull yellowish brown
or dark brown in color and bearing short horizontal branches and circular root scars.
• The fracture is short and horny. Internally, It has an irregular outline and shows a
relatively narrow bark separated by a dark line, the cambium, from a ring of small
xylem bundles surrounding central pith.
• The roots are slender, cylindrical, greyish brown to brownish yellow in color, with a
longitudinally striated surface and fibrous lateral rootlets.
• Internally, it shows a wide bark and a narrow central stele.
• Valerian has a distinctive, disagreeable odor and a camphoraceous, somewhat
pungent and bitter taste.

14. Histological Description
I. Rhizome: It shows the following layers:
• 1. The Epidermis:It is formed of polygonal cells, and cork immediately below the epidermis,
formed of several layers of suberised, large polygonal cells.
• 2. The Cortex: It is parenchymatous, with thick-walled parenchyma, containing numerous starch
granules. The endodermis consists of a single layer of tangentially elongated cells, containing
globules of volatile oil.
• 3. The Pericycle: It is parenchymatous.
• 4. The Vascular Bundles: Collateral, arranged in a ring and surrounding a very large,
parenchymatous pith, containing starch granule and scattered groups of sclereids, with thick,
pitted walls and narrow lumen.
• II. Root: It shows the following layers:
• 1. Piliferous layer:It is formed of papillosed cells, some of them extending into root hairs.
• 2. The Exodermis:It consists of single layer polygonal cells, with suberised walls and containing
globules of volatile oil.
• 3. The Cortex: It is parenchymatous, with numerous starch granules; the outermost cells show
globules of volatile oil. The endodermis consists of a single layer of cells with thickened radial
walls.
• 4. The Xylem: It surrounds parenchymatous pith, containing starch granules but no sclereids.

15. Microscopical Identification
• Powdered Valerian is characterized by its greyish brown color,
distinctive, disagreeable odor and its camphoraceous pungent and
bitter taste.
•
• Microscopically, it is characterized by:
• Numerous fragments of parenchyma cells, containing starch granules and
globules of volatile oil.
• Fragment of strongly lignified, narrow fibers, vessels and tracheids.
• Fragments of piliferous layer with root hairs.
• Simple and compound starch granules.

16. Active Constituents:
• Volatile oil (0.5-1%), containing esters, alcohols, terpenes and
sesquiterpenes.
• valepotriates ( epoxyiridoids esters) A mixture stated to contain acevaltrate,
didrovaltrate, and valtrate.
• Alkaloids (0.05-1%) (e.g. valerine).
• Therapeutic Uses:
1-As a sedative:
• in hysteria and other nervous disorders. It can be applied alone or with other
sedatives as bromides.
• In Insomnia cases and used to induce sleep.
2- cytotoxic properties in vitro due to presence of valepotriates.
3-Carminative.
Adverse effects. Liver damage and Cardiac complications caused by the
withdrawal of prolonged therapy with a valerian root extract preparation.

18. RHUBARB ‫الراوند‬
• origin :Dried rhizomes and big roots of Rheum palmatum, Rheum officinale, or
of other species/hybrids of Rheum, except Rheum rhaponticum (Fam.
Polygonaceae).
• The drug grows in China and Tibet and deprived of most of its bark.
• Rhubarb contains not more than 2% of foreign organic matters.

19. Morphological Description
• Rhubarb occurs in subcylindrical, conical, barrel-shaped or rectangular pieces.
• Externally, it is dusted with a brownish-yellow powder and shows longitudinal
reddish-brown lines and dots embedded in a greyish-white ground tissue and
occasional star spots.
• The fracture is granular and uneven. Internally, it shows numerous star spots,
scattered or in a diffuse ring, each with a central phloem and dark red lines
radiating from a common center.
• Rhubarb has a characteristic aromatic odor and a bitter astringent taste. It is
very gritty when chewed.
•

20. Histological Description
1. The Cortex: If present, very narrow and consists of polygonal cells containing starch
granules and idioblasts with large cluster crystals of calcium oxalate.
2. The Phloem: If present, parenchymatous traversed by medullary rays, showing
idioblasts with large cluster crystals of calcium oxalate. Parenchyma cells contain starch
granules.
3. The Xylem: It forms a narrow ring within the cambium and is traversed by
parenchymatous medullary rays.
4. The Pith: Mostly parenchymatous and traversed by star-shaped, amphivasal, abnormal
vascular bundles, consisting of dark reddish-brown medullary rays radiating through a
central greyish-white phloem and of xylem consisting of non-lignified vessels.
Microscopical Identification
• Powdered Rhubarb is characterized by its reddish-brown color, aromatic odor, and
bitter astringent taste.
• Microscopically, it is characterized by:
• Abundant fragments of parenchyma containing starch granules.
• Brownish masses of amorphous cell contents of medullary rays.
• Fragments of medullary ray cells, with brownish contents and fragments of non-lignified vessels.
• Numerous large cluster crystals of calcium oxalate and numerous starch granules, simple or
compound, with a central cleft hilum.

22. Active Constituents
• Anthraquinone glycosides and their derivatives (sennosides A and B,
dianthrones and heterodianthrones, aloe-emodin, emodin, and rhein).
• Astringent compounds (tannins) e.g. glucogallin, gallic acid and its derivatives.
• Flavonoids (rutin).
• Pectin, phytosterol, and starch.
• Therapeutic Uses:
• In small doses as a bitter stomachic, indigestion, gastritis,……..(GIT troubles).
• In large doses as a purgative but the laxative effect is followed by an
astringent effect due to the tannins.
• It is recommended for: gallbladder, spleen, liver, constipation, malabsorption,
worm elimination, duodenal ulcers, and colon disorders.
• It can’t be used during pregnancy.

23. Adverse Effects
• Senna may cause mild abdominal discomfort such as colic or cramps. Prolonged use or
overdosage can result
in diarrhoea with excessive loss of water and electrolytes, particularly potassium; there is also
the possibility
of developing an atonic non-functioning colon. Anthraquinone derivatives may colour the
urine yellowish-brown at acid pH, and red at alkaline pH. Reversible melanosis coli has been
reported following chronic use.
Abuse
Prolonged use or abuse of senna laxatives has been associated with finger clubbing,
hypokalaemia and tetany, hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, intermittent urinary excretion of
aspartylglucosamine, hypogammaglobulinaemia, reversible cachexia,3 and hepatitis6 or
hepatic failure.
In one case, nephrocalcinosis was attributed to hypercalcaemia caused by excessive ingestion
of calcium sennosides.

24. Chemical Identification
• On microsublimation, powdered Rhubarb gives a yellow needle-shaped
sublimate, which dissolves in KOH with a reddish coloration.
• Test for anthraquinones: Borntrager’s and modified Borntrager’s tests.
•Test for Purity
• On examination of powdered Rhubarb with a lens under UV light, no shining
violet spots are seen (c.f. Rhapontic Rhubarb).
• On a clean microscopic slide, place 2-3 drops of a freshly prepared solution of
furfural in alcohol (90%) and 3 drops of sulfuric acid, then sprinkle a little of
powdered Rhubarb and observe immediately under the microscope; no bluish-
violet color is produced (c.f. Rhapontic Rhubarb).

25. Adulterants
• Rhapontic Rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum):
• It is characterized by:
• Morphology:
• It is much shrunken and pinkish in color.
• It is distinguished by having a diffused circle of isolated star spots.
• Chinese Rhapontic Rhubarb is darker and often hollow in the center.
• Chemistry:
• It doesn’t contain emodin, aloe emodin, or rhein. It also contains anthraquinone
derivatives, but they differ from those in the official drug.
• Its main constituent is a crystalline stilbene glycoside called rhaponticin, which
shows blue fluorescence when examined under ultraviolet light. Both rhaponticin
and deoxyrhaponticin are responsible for the difference in fluorescence between
official and rhapontic Rhubarb.

26. ‫او‬ ‫االكناشيا‬ ‫نبات‬‫القنفذ‬ ‫حشيشة‬‫الردبكية‬ ‫او‬ ‫األرجوانية‬
•‫العلمي‬ ‫اسمه‬Echinacea purpurea
•‫من‬ ‫وتقليله‬ ‫عام‬ ‫بشكل‬ ‫للمناعه‬ ‫المقوي‬ ‫بتأثيره‬ ‫النبات‬ ‫هذا‬ ‫يمتاز‬‫حدوث‬‫ب‬ ‫االصابه‬‫أمراض‬
‫والرشح‬ ‫بالبرد‬ ‫االصابه‬ ‫حالة‬ ‫في‬ ‫المرض‬ ‫فترة‬ ‫وتقليل‬ ‫التنفسي‬ ‫الجهاز‬
•‫أسن‬ ‫ومعجون‬ ‫كمضمضه‬ ‫التسوس‬ ‫لمنع‬ ‫للفم‬ ‫العامه‬ ‫الصحه‬ ‫تحضيرات‬ ‫في‬ ‫يضاف‬‫ان‬
•‫العامه‬ ‫المقويات‬ ‫مع‬ ‫يضاف‬
•‫والحصاوي‬ ‫االلتهابات‬ ‫حالة‬ ‫في‬ ‫البولي‬ ‫للجهاز‬ ‫المطهره‬ ‫التحضيرات‬ ‫في‬ ‫يضاف‬