Pent Health Dictionary

A drug that is used in the prevention and treatment of African trypanosomiasis (see SLEEPING SICKNESS), and in the treatment of LEISHMANIASIS.... pentamidine

(Linn.) Gaertn.

Synonym: Eriodendron anafractuo- sum DC.

Family: Bombacaceae.

Habitat: West and South India. Often found planted around villages and temples.

English: Kapok, White Silk Cotton.

Ayurvedic: Kuuta-Shaalmali, Shveta Shaalmali.

Siddha/Tamil: Ielavum (Tamil).

Action: Gum—laxative, astringent, demulcent (given in painful micturition). Unripe fruit—astringent. Root—diuretic, antidiabetic, an- tispasmodic (used in dysentery). Flowers—laxative; used in lochi- orrhoea. Unripe pods—used in vertigo and migraine. Seed oil— used in rheumatism.

The plant contains linarin (acacetin 7-rutinoside). Seeds contain fatty acids, diglycerides and phospholipids. Leaves are considered a good source of iron and calcium. Stem-bark extract—antimicrobial.... ceiba pentandra

(Roxb.) DC.

Family: Rutaceae.

Habitat: The sub-Himalayan tract from Garhwal to Sikkim; also in Chakrata range.

Folk: Ratanjot (var.), Rowana. Surasi is a doubtful synonym.

Action: Bark—anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic; used in veterinary medicine for wounds and sprains.

Aerial parts contain coumarins— clausmarins A and B. Coumarins exhibit spasmolytic activity. The root also contains coumarins. Root and stem bark of Clausena excavata Burm. f. Eastern sub-Himalayan tract, Orissa and Bihar) also contain coumarins— clausenin and clausenidin. The root bark exhibits antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gramnegative bacteria.

A related species, C. anisata (Willd.) Oliver, is reported from Uttar Pradesh. Ethanolic extract of the aerial parts exhibited spasmolytic activity. The fu- ranocoumarins, anisolactone, xantho- toxol, indicolactone, imperatorin and 2', 3'-epoxy-anisolactone have been isolated from the extract.

In West African traditional medicine, the decoction of the root is given to control convulsions in children. The anticonvulsant agent has been found to be heliettin, extracted from the stem bark and roots.... clausena pentaphylla

Roxb.

Family: Dilleniaceae.

Habitat: The Himalayan terai from Punjab to Assam, and South India and the Andamans.

Folk: Dillenia. Agai (Bihar), Agachi (Maharashtra).

Action: See D. indica.

The bark contains 6% tannin.... dillenia pentagyna

Linn.

Synonym: D. triphylla var. doemona Prain & Burkill.

Family: Dioscoreaceae.

Habitat: Native to tropical Asia; distributed throughout India.

Ayurvedic: Vaaraahikanda (var., dry pieces are sold as Vidaarikanda).

Folk: Kaantaalu.

Action: Tubers contain 71.0780.77% carbohydrates, 8.68-15.93% albuminoids. Tubers are used to disperse swellings.... dioscorea pentaphylla

(Retz.) DC.

Synonym: G. arborea (Roxb.) A. DC.

G. cochinchinensis Gamble. Limonia pentaphylla Retz.

Family: Rutaceae.

Habitat: Peninsular India and Andaman Islands. Cultivated in gardens.

Ayurvedic: Vana-nimbuukaa, Ashwa-shaakhota.

Siddha/Tamil: Konji, Amam, Kula-pannai.

Folk: Bana-Nimbu, Paanal (Kerala).

Action: Plant—bechic, anti- anaemic, antirheumatic. Root— anti-inflammatory. Leaf—used in Jaundice and liver disorders, eczema and other skin affections. Leaf and root—vermifuge, febrifuge. A paste of the wood is applied externally to pimples.

Leaf extract from a Sri Lankan plant yielded the alkaloids arborine, skim- mianine and arborinine. The steam distillate of leaves showed significant antifungal activity.... glycosmis pentaphylla

Linn.

Family: Sterculiaceae.

Habitat: A shrub cultivated as an ornamental throughout the hotter parts of India.

Ayurvedic: Bandhujiva, Bandhuuka, Arkavallabha.

Folk: Gul-dupahariaa.

Action: Capsule—mucilaginous, used for the diseases of the bowels; a decoction is used as emollient. Root—astringent, antibilious, antiphlegmonous, febrifuge.... pentapetes phoenicea

(Greek) The fifth-born child Penthia, Pentheah, Penthiah, Penthiya, Penthiyah... penthea

(Greek) In mythology, a queen of the Amazons... penthesilea

An opioid analgesic drug used to relieve moderate or severe pain caused by injury, surgery, cancer, or childbirth. It is rarely used because of its adverse affects, which include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and, rarely, hallucinations. Drug dependence may develop if high doses are taken for prolonged periods.... pentazocine

Linn.

Synonym: Dendrophthoe pentandra (Linn.) Miq.

Family: Loranthaceae.

Habitat: Sylhet. (A parasite found on trees.)

Ayurvedic: Bandaaka (var.).

Folk: Baandaa.

Action: Leaves—used as poultice for sores and ulcers. The twigs contain quercitrin and a wax, which gives melissyl alcohol. The twig ash (8.95%) contains manganese (0.26%).... loranthus pentandrus

W. & A.

Synonym: P. capensis (Linn. f.) Bullock.

Synonym: P. cynanchoides R. Br.

Family: Asclepiadaceae.

Habitat: A climber found in Punjab, Delhi, Upper Gangetic Plain, Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Ayurvedic: Kaakanaasaa (related species).

Folk: Ambarvel, Vanaveri (Punjab).

Action: Root—astringent, antigon- orrhoeic, alterative. Plant—emetic, purgative.

An acyclic diterpene ester, cis-phy- tyl-l-palmitate, together with the triter- penes, squalene, n-taraxasterol and taraxasterol, has been isolated from the plant.... pentatropis microphylla

n. a simple sugar with five carbon atoms: for example, ribose and xylose.... pentose

n. a *cytotoxic drug that is used in treating *hairy cell leukaemia; it works by interfering with the action of the enzyme adenosine deaminase. Side-effects, which may be severe, include *myelosuppression.... pentostatin

n. an inborn defect of sugar metabolism causing abnormal excretion of pentose in the urine. There are no serious ill-effects.... pentosuria