|
|
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Gymnema sylvestre |
|
| CHEMICAL
COMPOSITION |
Leaves contain several
O-iso-propylidene derivatives of gymnemagenin, a hexahydro-terpene, crystalline
gymnemagenin, gymnestrogenin1,2
and gymnemic acid (the antisweet principle) which was a complex mixture of atleast nine
closely related acidic glycosides3. |
| PHARMACOLOGY |
Leaves are found to be antidiabetic3,
and insulinotropic5. The active principles which have been
identified as glycosides (several gymnemic acids) suggest that the topical and selective
anaesthetic effect of the plant might result from the competition of the receptor sites
between glycosides and the sweet substances6. Gymnemic acids
inhibited glucan formation by streptococcus mutans in vivo and also markedly inhibited the
activity of glucosyltransferase from bacterial coat of S.mutans. |
| THERAPEUTIC
USES |
It is used as an antidiabetic. It stimulates the heart and
circulatory system, activates the uterus and increases urine secretion8.
Gymnemic acids are useful for prevention of the formation of dental plaque and caries7. |
| REFERENCES |
- Helv. Chim. Acta, 1969,
52:365
- J. Pharma Sci., 1991, 60:190
- Ibid, 1970, 59:622, 629
- Ind. J. Physiol. Pharmacol.,
1983, 27:257
- Pharmacol. Res. Commun,
1981, 13(5) : 475
- Nature, 1969, 223, 94
- Yonga Igaku Zasshi 1987, 38,
127:chem. abst. 187, 107, 89854e.
- Indian Materia Medica Vol.1,
Dr. K.M. Nadkarni, Bombay Popular Prakashan (1996)
|
| SPECIFICATIONS: GYMNEMA
SYLVESTRE EXTRACT
General
Information:
| Type of extract |
: |
Dry powder |
| Plant parts used |
: |
Leaves |
| Source |
: |
Wild crafted |
| Shelf life |
: |
24 months unopened |
| Storage |
: |
Keep in a cool, dry
place protected from moisture and heat |
| Active ingredient |
: |
Gymnemic acids |
| Method of analysis |
: |
Gravimetry/HPTLC |
Analytical
Specifications :
| Description |
: |
Greenish brown powder, hygroscopic |
| Organoleptic characters |
: |
Extremely bitter in taste with characteristic odour |
| Loss on drying |
: |
Not more than 5% W/W |
| Lead |
: |
Not more than 10 PPM |
| Arsenic |
: |
Not more than 2 PPM |
| Heavy metals |
: |
Not more than 20 PPM |
| Assay |
|
|
Gymnemic acid content on dry basis by
Gravimetry /HPTLC |
: |
Not less than 25% W/W |
| Microbiological profile |
: |
|
| Total bacterial count |
: |
Not more than 3000 CFU/gm |
| Yeast and moulds |
: |
Not more than 100 CFU/gm |
| E.coli |
: |
Absent |
| S.aureus |
: |
Absent |
| Salmonella typhi |
: |
Absent |
| Pseudomonas aeruginose |
: |
Absent |
| * Gymnema sylvestre extract is also
available with >50% w/w and >75% w/w Gymnemic acids |
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