Synonyms:
Podophyllum Rhizome, Podophylli -Rhizoma, Mayapple Root, American Mandrake
Botanical source:
Podophyllum consists of the dried rhizome of Podophyllum peltatum Linn., a low growing woodland plant of the family Berberidaceae.
Geographical source:
The drug is obtained from plants growing in Eastern U.S.A., and Eastern Canada.
Macroscopical characters:
The drug occurs in 5 to 20 cm long pieces. It is cylindrical or sub-cylindrical in shape with enlargements at intervals of 5 to 10 cm, the cylindrical part being about 5 mm in diameter and the enlargements up to 15 mm thick. The surface is smooth or with slight longitudinal wrinkles and occasional scale leaves, scars of roots and aerial shoots occur on the surface. It has a reddish brown colour. Its fracture is short with a horny and starchy fractured surface. The transversely cut surface shows a large cortex and a ring of numerous vascular bundles, each of which contains phloem in the shape of a cap on the xylem. It has as a slight characteristic odour and a bitter acrid taste.
Fig. 63: Podophyllum. A, whole drug; B, transverse surface of rhizome. (Reconstructed from Hebert & Ellery).
Microscopical characters:
The epidermal cells are somewhat elongated rectangular in shape with a reddish brown content. The ground tissue consists of thin-walled parenchyma with a small amount of collenchyma in the outer cortex. Most cells contain abundant starch grains and a few contain cluster crystals of calcium oxalate. Small groups of pericyclic fibres occur outside the vascular bundles. The vascular bundles are small and collateral. They are separated by a number of medullary rays. Some narrow stone cells occur in the pith.
Chemical constituents:
The chief chemical constituent of Podophyllum is a crystalline substance, called podophyllotoxin, and a resin, podo-phylloresin (podophyllin). It also contains quercetin and a large amount of starch.
Uses:
Podophyllum acts as a gastrointestinal irritant. In moderate doses it is used as a drastic purgative in the treatment of constipation, caused due to hepatic troubles. A paint of podophyllin is used in the treatment of warts.
Substitutes & adulterants:
The Indian Podophyllum, the rhizome of Podophyllum emodi Wall, is a good substitute of the official drug Podophyllum. Rhizomes of other species of Podophyllum are used as adulterants of the drug.