Tecoma stans Health Dictionary

(Linn.) H. B. & K.

Synonym: Stenolobium stans (L.) D. Don.

Bignonia stans Linn.

Family: Bignoniaceae.

Habitat: Cultivated in gardens.

English: Yellow Elder, Yellow Bells.

Siddha/Tamil: Sonapaati, Thanga Arali, Naga Sambagam.

Action: Leaves—hypoglycaemic (tecomine and tecostanine are hypoglycaemic alkaloids).

Root—diuretic, vermifuge. The flowers contain beta-carotene and zeaxanthin. The plant gave phenolic acids, beta-sitosterol and triterpe- noids—ursolic acid, oleanolic acid and alpha-amarine. An indole-metaboli- zing enzyme, indole-oxygenase, has been isolated from the leaves. Antidiabetic activity of the plant was tested on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.