Decalepis hamiltonii
| Swallowroot | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| (unranked): | |
| (unranked): | |
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| Genus: | Decalepis
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| Species: | D. hamiltonii
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| Binomial name | |
| Decalepis hamiltonii | |
Decalepis hamiltonii Wight & Arn. is the sole species of plant in the genus Decalepis. It is endemic to Peninsular India and known by its names of Makali ber in Kannada and Magali kizhangu in Tamil is a plant whose root is used in ayurvedic medicines and for use in pickles. It belongs to the family Asclepiadaceae.
The English name of swallowroot is sometimes used for the plant and studies have shown that it has insecticidal activity and a potential use in control of stored grain pests. The active ingredient in the root was synthesized and encapsulated with beta-cyclodextrins. The roots were also subjected to supercritical carbon-dioxide based extraction at the Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, India.
The root contains antioxidants and extraction methods for it have been patented.[1]
References
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Srikanta BM, Siddaraju MN, Dharmesh SM. A novel phenol-bound pectic polysaccharide from Decalepis hamiltonii with multi-step ulcer preventive activity. World J Gastroenterol. 2007 Oct 21;13(39):5196-207