Class (95) = Carbohydrate Containing Drug (Part 01) | Tragacanth (Source, Preparation & Uses)

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TRAGACANTH
Synonyms: Goat’s thorn, gum dragon, gum tragacanth, hog gum.

Biological Source: It is the air-dried gummy exudates obtained by incision, from the stems and branches of Astragalus gummifer and certain other species of Astragalus, belonging to family Leguminosae.

Cultivation, Collection and Preparation
Incisions are made on the stems of a two-year-old plant; gum exudes and dried. Gum is produced by the transformation of medullary rays and cell wall of pith and process is called gummosis. The gum is collected every week and new incisions are made.After collection, the gum is graded as ribbons and flakes which are further categorized into various sub-grades on the basis of shape, size and colour. The best grades form the official drug, while the lower grades are used in the food, textile and other industries.

Macroscopical characters:
1. Shape-Form-flattened, lamellate, tough ribbon shaped pieces of horny structures, more or less curved or contorted
2. Colour-white or faint yellow
3. Size-about 2.5 cm length
4. Facture-Short
5. Odour-None
6. Taste-Insipid and mucilaginous

Chemical constituents:
It contains a complex polysaccharide carbohydrate.
a. Water-soluble Tragacanthin (30-40%)
b. Water insoluble Bassorin (60-70%)
Tragacanth in turn consists of (a) tragacanthic acid + (galacturonic acid + xylose + fructose + galactose) and (b) Arabinogalactan + (arabinose + galactose + galacturonic + Rhamnose in small quantities). It is also contains 3% starch and cellulose.

Uses:
1. It is used as a demulcent (soothing).
2. Suspending agent.
3. Binding agent.
4. Emulsifying agent.
5. Laxative.
6. It is used in adhesive
7. In the textile industry.

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