Aphanamixis polystachya Health Dictionary

(Wall.) Parker.

Synonym: Amoora rohituka W. and A.

Family: Meliaceae.

Habitat: The sub-Himalayas tracts, Sikkim, Assam, Bengal, western Ghats and the Andamans.

Ayurvedic: Rohitaka, Daadima- chhada, Daadima-pushpaka, Plihaghna. Tecoma undulata G. Don., Bignoniaceae, is also equated with Rohitaka.

Siddha/Tamil: Malampuluvan.

Action: Bark—strongly astringent, used in the diseases of the liver and spleen, and for tumours, enlarged glands. Seed oil—used in muscular pains and rheumatism. All parts of the plant exhibit pesticidal activity. Seed extract—antibacterial, antifungal.

An aqueous extract of the bark, when injected i.p. in normal guinea pigs, showed reduction in absolute lymphocyte count and an increase in spleen weight. The bark appears to be an effective immunosuppressive drug similar to prednisolone.

The stembark contains a limonoid, ammorinin and a saponin, poriferas- terol-3-rhamnoside.