1. Collection & preparation of Crude drugs
Rauwolfia

2. DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION ANDHRA PRADESH
Name of the Staff : M. Padmavathi
Designation : Assoc. Lecturer
Branch : D. Pharmacy
Institute : K.N.P.W.
Year : D. Pharmacy I year
Subject : Pharmacognosy
Subject Code : PH-103
Topic : Collection & preparation of
Crude drugs
Duration : 50 Minutes
Sub Topic : Rauwolfia
Teaching Aids : PPT, Animations, Photographs

3. OBJECTIVES On completion of this lesson, you would be able to know
Biological source
Active constituents
Uses and
Various methods of cultivation
Collection and preparation for the market of Rauwolfia.

4. Indian Snakeroot - Rauwolfia serpentina
Known to Unknown
Indian Snakeroot - Rauwolfia serpentina
Fig.78.1

5. Dried Roots
Fig.78.2

6. Rauwolfia Synonyms : Biological source
Rauwolfia root, Serpentina root, Chota Chand, Sarpagandha
Biological source
Rauwolfia consists of dried roots known as
Rauwolfia serpentina
belonging to the Family Apocynaceae.
It consists not less than o.14% of alkaloids calculated as Reserpine.

7. Cultivation of Rauwolfia
Rauwolfia can be propagated by various methods like by seeds, roots, cuttings, roots, stumps etc.,
The propagation from seeds is usually the method of choice.
The healthy seeds are sown into the nursery beds.
The rate of germination of seeds is very low. Hence sufficient quantity of the seeds are sown.

8. Cultivation of Rauwolfia
Rauwolfia grow well in tropical forests (temperate
range 10o C to 40o C) which are humid in summer.
The growth is good if there is enough rainfall.
Soil should be acidic (Ph 4 to 6) with more clay, but it cannot tolerate temperature below 5o C.
Propagation can be done by sowing seeds or root cuttings or stem cutting.

9. FARM VIEW
Fig.78.3

10. Sapling stage of Sarpagandha
Fig.78.4

11. Cultivation of Sarpagandha
Fig.78.5

12. Sarpagandha Plant
Fig.78.6

13. Flowering Stage
Fig.78.7

14. Fruiting stage
Fig.78.8

15. Fruits
Fig.78.9

16. Plant with flowers and fruits
Fig.78.10

17. Ripened Fruits
Fig.78.11

18. HARVESTING OF THE ROOTS
The drug is mainly collected from wild plants.
The roots and rhizomes are dug up in October – November from 3 to 4 year old plants.
The aerial parts are removed and roots are separated.
These roots are washed and dried in air till moisture content is 10 to 12%.
The roots should be kept away from light.

19. HARVESTING OF THE ROOTS
Fig.78.12

20. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS
Rauwolfia contains 30 Indole alkaloids.
The alkaloids are classified into the following types.
Indole alkaloids
Indoline alkaloids
Indolenine alkaloids
Oxyindole alkaloids and
Pseudo-indoxyl alkaloids

21. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS
The important alkaloid of Rauwolfia is Reserpine.
Apart from the alkaloids it calso contains Oleo-resin, Phytosterol, fatty acids, unsaturated alcohol and sugars.
The other alkaloids present in the drug are Ajamalicine, Ajamaline, Rauwolfinine, Rescinnamine,Reserpinine, Yohimbine, Serpentine and Serpentinine.

22. USES
The activities are Rauwolfia are mainly to Reserpine which has depressant action on Central Nervous System.
It produces Tranquilizing effect (emotional calmness without producing hypnosis) and lowers the Blood Pressure.
It can be administered orally and has cumulative effect.

23. USES
It is also given parenterally in the treatment of hypertension, when the oral route is found to be impracticable.
Reserpine should be used with caution in anxiety, depression and in the patients with Cardiac arrhythmia, Myocardial infarction, Bronchitis, Asthama or Gastric ulcers.
It has Tranquillizing effect rather than Hypnotic one.

24. SUMMARY
Rauwolfia consisting of dried roots of Rauwolfia Serpentina belonging to family Apocynanceae which contains not less than 0.14% of Alkaloids as Reserpine.
Its Cultivation with different Saplings constituents and was found to be useful as Anti Hypertensive, CNS depressant, major Tranquiliser etc.

25. QUIZ Ranwolfia consists of dried roots of a) Rauwolfia serpentina
b) Witnania somnifera
c) Ailanthus glandulosa
d) Phytolacca decandra

26. QUIZ Rauwolfia is used as a) Antihypertensive b) Major Tranquiliser
c) CNS Depressant
d) All the above

27. Frequently Asked Questions
What are the other names of Rauwolfia?
Write down the biological source of Rauwolfia.
What are the chemical constituents of Rauwolfia?
Which is the drug which is used as Antihypertensive?
How the harvesting of Rauwolfia done?
Write down the preparation for the market of the drug.

28. THANK YOU