for second year botany hons SKBU

1. Rauwolfia serpentina
Dr. Sujit Ghosh
J K College

2. Introduction
Rauwolfia alkaloids therapeutically hostile to hypertensives. They are
utilized to treat high blood Pressure (hypertension).
Hypertension adds to the workload of the heart and veins. This can harm
the veins of the cerebrum, heart, and kidneys, bringing about a stroke,
resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure
may also increase the risk of heart attacks. These problems may be less
likely to occur if blood pressure is controlled.
Rauwolfia alkaloids work by controlling nerve impulses along certain
nerve pathways. As a result, they act on the heart and blood vessels to
bring down blood pressure.

3. Stem
•An erect under-
shrub, 75 cm in
height
Leaf
•Leaves are
arranged in whorls
of 3-4 upto 10 cm
long and 5 cm
broad, gradually
tapering into a
petiole. Leaves are
bright green above
and pale beneath.
Flower
•Flowers are white
or pinkish, peduncle
deep red, about 1.5
cm long, appear in
small clusters.
•The blooming time
is in the month of
August and
September
Fruit
•Fruits are round
shaped, to 5 cm in
diameter, dark,
purple or blackish
when ripe.
Rauwolfia serpentina
(Indian Snakeroot or
Sarpagandha)
attain a maximum
height of 75 cm,occurring
naturally in India and
Bangladesh and is found
to grow wild in the
Asian continent
Family
•Apocynaceae
Root
•The root is branched
and tuberous. It is
used as a useful
herb in the
Ayurveda, Unani
and Homoeopathy
treatments.
Most alkaloid

4. Indole Alkaloid

6. Reserpine irreversibly blocks
the vesicular monoamine
transporter (VMAT). This normally
transports free
intracellular norepinephrine, seroto
nin, and dopamine in the
presynaptic nerve terminal into
presynaptic vesicles for subsequent
release into the synaptic
cleft ("exocytosis"). Unprotectedcleft ("exocytosis"). Unprotected
neurotransmitters are metabolized
by MAO in the cytoplasm and
consequently never excite the post-
synaptic cell. Thus, reserpine
increases metabolic rate of
monoamine neurotransmitters; but
also decreases magnitude of
monoamine release.

7. Neuro system
•Sarpagandha is used for the
treatment of Schizophrenia.
•It is used in different countries
as a sedative and tranquilizer.
Gynecological system
•Used in treatment of frigidity
and Menstrual molimina (mild
symptoms such as breast
tenderness or mastalgia, food
cravings, fatigue, sleep
problems, headaches, or fluid
retention) that occur during
the luteal phase of the
menstrual cycle.
Opthalmic system
•in the treatment of cataract
Rauwolfia
serpentina
Used
medically
Cardiac system
•It is used for the treatment of
high blood pressure. Hence
called as universal medicine
for lowering blood pressure.
Skin disorder
•skin disorder such as
psoriasis, excessive sweating
and itching