COCA (Erythroxylum coca, Erythroxylum truxillense)
COCA LEAVES
Synonym: Coca
Biological source: It consists of dried leaves of Erythroxylum coca and Erythroxylum truxillense
Family: Erythroxylaceae
Geographical source: It is native to South American countries like Bolivia and Peru. Commercially it is cultivated in its native countries and Columbia, Sirlanka and India.
Macroscopic characteristics:
-Color: Greenish brown(Erythroxylum coca), Pale green(Erythroxylum truxillense)
-Odor: Aromatic
-Taste: Bitter
-Size: Oval and elliptical
-Extra features: The leaves bear prominent mid rib with two curve line one on the each side.
Microscopic characteristics:
-Midrib is encircled by high amount of collenchyma.
-Lower epidermis show numerous paracytic stomata.
-Absence of trichomes.
-Pericycle is found surrounding the vascular bundle.
Chemical constituents: Cocaine is the major constituent. Others are cinnamyl cocaine, tropocaine, benzyl tropane etc.
Uses:
-Cocaine is used as local anaesthetic.
-It shows CNS stimulant property.
-It is used as stimulant in respiratory depression.
-Due to its hallucinogenic and addictive property, it is not widely used expect in surgery of eye, ear, nose and throat.
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