Kaladana, I.C.A. Kaladana.
Related entries: Kaladana resin - Jalap - Scammony - Turpeth
Synonym.—Pharbitis Nil.
Kaladana consists of the dried seeds of Ipomoea hederacea, Jacq. (N.O. Convolvulaceae), a twining plant indigenous to India. The seeds are about 5 millimetres in length; and are nearly black in colour, except at the micropyle, where they are brown. In shape they resemble the quarter of an orange, and usually bear a shallow groove on the dorsal surface. When soaked in water the seed-coats split, disclosing a thin endosperm surrounding the folded cotyledons A transverse section also exhibits the folded cotyledons in which minute resin cells are visible.
Constituents.—The most important constituent of kaladana is a resin which has been termed pharbitisin. It appears to be identical with the ether-insoluble resin of jalap. The seeds also contain about 14 per cent. of fixed oils, together with mucilage, proteins, and tannin.
Action and Uses.—Kaladana is official in India and the Eastern Colonies, where it is used as an equivalent of jalap. A compound powder and a tincture are prepared, and are used in a similar manner to the corresponding preparations of jalap.
Dose.—2 to 3 grammes (30 to 50 grains).
PREPARATIONS.
- Pulvis Kaladanae Compositus, I.C.A.—COMPOUND POWDER OF KALADANA Syn.—Compound Kaladana Powder.
- Kaladana, in powder, 5; acid potassium tartrate, in powder, 9; ginger in powder, 1. Mix the powders intimately. This preparation is official in India and the Eastern Colonies for use in place of compound powder of jalap Dose.—1 to 4 grammes (20 to 60 grains).
- Tinctura Kaladanae, I.C.A.—TINCTURE OF KALADANA.
- Kaladana, in No. 40 powder, 20; alcohol (70 per cent.), sufficient to produce 100. Add 10 of the alcohol to the drug to moisten it, and complete the percolation process. Tincture of kaladana is official in India and the Eastern Colonies for use in place of tincture of jalap. Dose.—2 to 4 mils (½ to 1 fluid drachm).
