| History |
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| Susruta
described the fruit as anthelmintic, alterative and tonic
and recommended its use along with liqorice root for the
purpose of strengthening the body and preventing the effects
of aging. Notes on the drug under the names of
Birang-I-kabuli and Biranj-I-kabuli were found in Arabian
writing. Dr. Harris (Lancet, July 23, 1887) had directed
attention to the value of this drug as a remedy for
tapeworm. He stated that he had administered it for several
years with good results to natives of India and Europe. |
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| Habitat |
It is found
throughout India up to an altitude of 5,000 ft.
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| Morphology
Description (Habit) |
E.ribes is a
large scandent shrub with slender branches and elliptic-lanceolate
and gland-dotted leaves. The fruit is globular and wrinkled, varying
in colour from dull red to nearly black; a short pedicel is often
present; the pericarp is brittle enclosing a single seed covered
with a membrane.
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| Principal
Constituents |
The plant contains
embelin, quercitol, and fatty ingredients; an alkaloid, christembine,
a resinoid, tannins and minute quantities of a volatile oil. Embelin
occurs in golden yellow needles insoluble in water and soluble in
alcohol, chloroform and benzene. It is reported to be effective
against tapeworm but not against roundworm or hookworm. Embelin dyes
silk and wool from an alcoholic solution. The dark colored fatty oil
is reported to be similar to linseed and rapeseed oil in its
properties1.
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| Pharmacology |
The
compound embelin isolated from the berries has been reported to
provoke significant anti-implantation and post-coital antifertility
activity. The compound has been reported to induce sterility in
mice, rats and dogs. It is a potential male antifertility agent.
Spermatogenesis is impaired and sperm count reduced to the level of
infertility. The antispermatogenic changes are found to be
reversible without any toxic side effects. Significant normalization
of all these processes are achieved after cessation of drug
treatment2.
Embelin and its 2,5-isobutylmine salts have been reported to possess
anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced paw edema and
cotton pellet granuloma formation3.
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| Clinical
Studies |
Clinical studies
were conducted with the alcoholic and aqueous extracts of the
berries of E.ribes, obtained by percolation method, on 40
childern infected by ascarides. The alcoholic extract was found very
effective in the treatment of 80 per cent of the cases while the
aqueous extract cured 55 per cent cases, rendering the stools free
from ova. The worms were expelled from the stools. No purging was
required. No evidence of toxicity was observed during and after the
treatment. There was a slight improvement in the hemoglobin
percentage of the blood 4.
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| Toxicity |
Aflatoxin
B1(0.11 µg/g) is reported in the market samples of
seeds. The samples should be properly checked for the presence of
aflatoxin before being used for the preparation of drugs. Otherwise
naturally occurring contamination may cause toxic effects5.
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| Indications |
The dried fruit is
considered anthelmintic, astringent, carminative, alterative and
stimulant. It has been used in India since ancient times as an
anthelmintic. It is effective in the treatment of ascariasis. The
dried fruits are used in decoctions for fevers and for diseases of
the chest and skin. The fruit also shows anti-bacterial activity.
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