Astringents Catechu

Recap In the last class we learnt about The Monograph of Cinnamon Its Biological source Morphological characters Chemical constituents and Uses

On the completion of this period you would be able to know: Objectives On the completion of this period you would be able to know: ASTRINGENTS Monographs of BLACK CATECHU and PALE CATECHU

Astringents Astringents are the substances which precipitate the proteins by forming complexes Cause contraction of organic tissue and muscular living fibres. Capable of arresting Haemorrhages Reducing secretions of mucous membrane of stomach and intestine.

Astringents Acts as anti-coagulants Anti-perspirants Anti-microbial agents Styptic and Antidiarrhoeal agents

Astringents Astringents may be vegetable or mineral origins Vegetable : Tannic acid, Myrobalan, Bahera, Catechu. Mineral : Salts of Aluminium, Bismuth, Barium, Copper and Zinc.

Black Catechu Synonym : Cutch, Katha, Khadir, Khair Biological Source : Dried aqueous extract prepared from the heartwood of the plant Acacia catechu Family : Leguminosae

Black Catechu Geographical Source : INDIA BURMA

Black Catechu Organoleptic characters: Colour : Light Brown to Black Odour : None Taste : Very astringent Size : About 2.5 to 5 cm Shape : Cubes or irregular fragments of broken Cubes or Brick shaped pieces.

Black Catechu Chemical Constituents : 4 to 12% Acacatechin or Acacia catechin 25 to 30% Catechu tannic acid Catechu red Quercetin 20 to 30% Gum

Black Catechu Chemical tests : 1. With Ferric Chloride solution, it gives Bluish-black colour. 2. With Vanillin and Hydrochloric acid Black Catechu gives Pink or Red colour. 3. Aqueous solution of Black Catechu with Lime Water gives Brown colour.

Black Catechu Uses : Astringent Digestant Expectorant Used in Diarrhoea In lozenges and fishing nets as preservative In the manufacture of Stencils and Printer inks

Synonym : Gambier Catechu Pale Catechu Synonym : Gambier Catechu Biological Source : Dried aqueous extract of leaves and shoots of Uncaria gambier Family : Rubiaceae

Pale Catechu Geographical Source : Malaysia Indonesia Borneo

Pale Catechu Organoleptic characters: Odour : None Taste : Astringent Colour : Reddish – brown Odour : None Taste : Astringent Shape : cubes Size : Each side of cube is about 2.5cm

Pale Catechu Chemical Constituents : 7 - 33% Catechin 22 – 50% Catechu tannic acid Catechu red Quercetin Gambier-fluorescein

Pale Catechu Chemical tests : 1. Dip a match-stick in decoction of catechu then dry in air and again dip it in Con. Hydrochloric acid and warm it near a burner. Purple colour

Pale Catechu Chemical tests : Green fluorescence 2. Test for Gambier fluorescein : Extract powered drug with alcohol. To the filtrate add Sodium hydroxide, shake , add few drops of light petroleum, shake again and allow to stand petroleum layer emits Green fluorescence

Pale Catechu Chemical tests : 3. Chloroform extract of the drug in white porcelain dish shows Greenish-yellow colour due to Chlorophyll. 2nd and 3rd tests are negative for Black Catechu.

Pale Catechu Chemical tests : 4. With Vanillin and HCl, it shows Pink or Red colour.

Pale Catechu Uses Astringent Expectorant Used in Diarrhoea and in Lozenges In Dyeing and Tanning industries

The monograph Black Catechu Summary In this class we learnt about : The monograph Black Catechu Consists of dried aqueous extract of heartwood of the plant Acacia catechu Belongs to the family Leguminosae Contains Acacatechin as main chemical constituent Used as Astringent & Digestant.

In this class we learnt about Summary In this class we learnt about Pale Catechu Consists of dried aqueous extract of leaves and shoots of the plant Uncaria gambier Belongs to the Family Rubiaceae Contains Catechin and Catechu tannic acid Used as Astringent.

Quiz 1. Black Catechu belongs to the family a. Zingiberaceae b. Leguminosae c. Myrtaceae d. Umbelliferae

Quiz 2. Pale Catechu belongs to the family a. Zingiberaceae b. Leguminosae c. Myrtaceae d. Rubiaceae

Quiz 3.Pale Catechu is used as a. Anti-pyretic b. Astringent c. Anti-diabetic d. Anti-viral

Quiz 4. Black Catechu is used as a. Antipyretic b. Astringent c. Antidiabetic d. Antiviral

Frequently Asked Questions 1. Write the Biological source, Active chemical constituents and one chemical test of Catechu. 2. Write the differences between Black Catechu and Pale Catechu.