Gynocardia

GYNOCARDIA (from Greek gyne- woman and cardia- heart), a name given to the plant Gynocardia odorata R. Br., family Pangiaceae (old plant names - Chaulmoogra odorata Roxburgh and Hydnocarpus odoratus Aiton) based on the shape of its seed cotyledon (heart-shaped). From this plant are obtained the seeds and seed oil used in medicine, as well as gynocardic acid and antileprol derived from this oil. In recent literature, the plants producing these official drugs are called Taraktogenos kurzii King and Hydnocarpus kurzii Warburg and are classified in the family Flacourtiaceae. These plants are tall trees with fragrant flowers and large, pear-shaped, round, spiny fruits. The native land of the plant is Southeast Asia and the East Indies, where it is called haulmugru or chaulmugru, and tuk-kung; in China it is known as ta-fung-tze. Gynocardia oil, or chaulmoogra oil, Oleum Gynocardiae or Oleum Chaulmoograe, is a fatty oil from the seeds of Taraktogenos kurzii King or Hydnocarpus kurzii Warburg, which contain 38-60% oil. It is a white or yellowish mass of ointment-like consistency with a characteristic weak odor; melts at 22-30°C. Specific gravity 0.935-0.945; refraction at 40°C 1.4715-1.4750; soluble in chloroform (1:9); rotates to the right from +4.6° to +5.9°. Soluble in two volumes of absolute alcohol; the alcohol solution reacts acid. Gynocardia oil is used along with gynocardic acid and antileprol in the treatment of leprosy; often the oil is preferred to the acid. Intramuscularly, 0.25 cubic cm of gynocardia oil is administered, increasing to 2 cubic cm; if these doses are ineffective, intravenous administration is recommended. Gynocardic acid, Acidum gynocardiacum, C₁₈H₃₄O₂, is contained (up to 18%) in gynocardia oil; it is a fatty mass, easily soluble in alcohol, ether, and fatty oils; melts at 68.5°C. Rotation from +60° to +68°. Gynocardic acid is administered internally for leprosy, syphilis, tuberculosis, and rheumatism in doses of 0.02-0.03; its maximum dose is 1.0; externally, a 5-10% solution in oil.