PHARMACOGNOSTICAL STUDY OF AILANTHUS ALTISSIMA SWINGLE (FAMILY STMAROUBACEAE) CULTIVATED IN EGYPT

Abstract

The uses of medicinal plants are increase day by day for treatment of different diseases. Family Simaroubaceae is a family of trees and shrubs. It comprise 32 genera and 200 species < l. 2 >.

The plants belonging to the family Simaroubaceae have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, amoebicida!, antiviral and insecticidal activities < 3 4 >. The genus Ailanthus is represented by 15 species < 2• 5 >, the most widely used is Ailanthus altissima Swingle.

Ailanthus altissima Swingle Syn. Ailanthus glandulosa Desf. "Tree of heaven" "•L.._...j\ o "is a large tree with monopodia! branching and

attaining up to 70 feet in height. It is native to China, naturalized in the

Eastern of U. S. A., Europe, Australia, and South Africa<6 7

&) It is

cultivated in Egypt in the Experimental Station of Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University, Assiut. Ailanthus altissima Swingle has many folkloric and medicinal uses. It IS used in treatment of dysentery, leukorrhea, gonorrhea and hemorrhoids. It is bechic, emmenagogue and a remedy for cough, gastric and intestinal upsets. The bark is prescribed for hemorrhage and spermatorrhea. It is also administered to treat anemia, diarrhea and as taenifuge. When the plant is steeped in water, it gives an insecticidal solution < 9 )

The extract of the plant has in vitro antibacterial activity. Some of the isolated quassinoid have antiprotozoan effect< 3 >, also the stem-bark and