1. Anti-leprotics
Chaulmoogra oil

2. OBJECTIVES
On completion of this period you would be able to learn about
The monograph of the anti-leprotic Drug
CHAULMOOGRA OIL

3. Fig.44.1 Hydnocarpus Anthelmintica

4. CHAULMOOGRA OIL Syn : Hydnocarpus oil, Gynocardia oil (English) Nirodi vittula nune (Telugu)
Biological Source :
Fixed oil from seeds of
Hydnocarpus anthelmintica
Hydnocarpus heterophylla
Family : Flacourtriaceae
Geographical Sources :
Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka
Bangladesh, East India
(Assam and Tripura)
Fig.44.2
Hydnocarpus tree

5. PREPARATION Seeds (Sub-ovoid, obtuse and angular, 2cm length,
contain 40-45% fixed oil)
Graded, machine decorticated, hydraulic pressed
Oil
Filter
Yellow oil with characteristic odour and acrid taste

6. STANDARDS Acid Value : not less than 13 Saponification Value : 195-213
Iodine value :

7. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS
Esters of unsaturated fatty acids of
Chaulmoogric Acid (27%)
Hydnocarpic Acid (48%)
Glycerides of Palmitic Acid

8. USES The unsaturated fatty acids have strong
bactericidal effect against
Mycobacterium leprae
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Useful in the treatment of Tuberculosis
Leprosy, Psoriasis and Rheumatism
FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY
Fig.44.4 Chaulmoogra oil

9. STORAGE AND SUBSTITUTES
Stored in closed containers in cool place
and protect from light
Substitutes:
Widely substituted by
Hydnocarpus weightiana
Hydnocarpus alpine

10. SUMMARY In this class we learnt about Chaulmoogra oil
Contains unsaturated fatty acids
Effective against Leprosy Caused by
Mycobacterium leprae

11. QUIZ 1. The active constituents of Chaulmoogra oil are a) Alkaloids
b) Unsaturated fatty acids
c) Glycosides
d) Tannins

12. QUIZ 2. Leprosy is caused by the organism a) Mycobacterium leprae
b) Plasmodium vivax
c) Entamoeba hystolytica
d) None of the above

13. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Write the Botanical Source and Chemical
Constituents of Chaulmoogra
2. Give example for an Anti-leprotic drug.
Write the Botanical Source and the Chemical constituents