782 /UVA-URSI PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINESMadaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,
Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.
Ritch-Krc EM, Thomas S, Turner NJ, Towers GH, Carrier
herbal medicine: traditional and contemporary plant use. J
Ethnopharmacol, 117:85-94, 1996 Jun.
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Heidelberg 1996.
Stammwitz U, Pflanzliche Harnwegsdesinfizienzien - heute noch
aktuell? Z Phytother 19(1998), 90-95.
Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
Verlag Heidelberg 1992.
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pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New
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Stuttgart 1997.
Uzara
Xysmalobium undulatum
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: Different varieties are used for drug
extraction depending on the area. The drug is therefore easier
to categorize according to its definitive active substances
(bitters) than to its particular varieties.Flower and Fruit: The root has a weak and unusual odor.
The taste is bitter with a burning effect after it has been
chewed for a long time.Habitat: South Africa
Production: Uzara root consists of the dried, underground
parts of 2- to 3-year-old plants of Xysmalobium undulatum.
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Cardioactive steroid glycosides (cardenolides, mixture re-
ferred to as uzarone or xysmalobin): including among others
uzarin (5.5%), xysmalorin (1.5%), allo-uzarine, allo-xysma-
lobin, urezin, uzaroside, ascleposide, glucoascleposide
Pregnane derivatives: delta5-pregnene-3beta-ol-20-one glu-
coside, 5alpha-pregnane-3beta-ol-20-one glucoside
EFFECTS
Uzara inhibits intestinal motility. In high dosages, it has
digitalis-like effects on the heart.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Approved by Commission E:- Diarrhea
Unproven Uses: Uzara is used as a treatment for dysentery.CONTRAINDICATIONS
Uzara should not be administered concomitantly with other
cardioactive glycosides.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
General: No health hazards or side effects are known in
conjunction with the proper administration of designated
therapeutic dosages.Drug Interactions: Because Uzara contains cardioactive
glycosides, there is a potential for interaction with digoxin
and other cardiac glycosides. This interaction has not been
reported in the literature for orally administered Uzara. The
lack of reports may be due to the fact that the glycocides are
not well absorbed from the gut.OVERDOSAGE
Because the glycosides are absorbed only with difficulty and
because their cardiac effect is minimal, poisonings following
oral intake are unlikely, although conceivable. There have
been cases of fatalities following parenteral application of
Uzara drugs.DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: The drug is available as ethanol-
water extracts in liquid form or as dry extracts for internal
use. Pharmaceutical forms include coated tablets, drops and
compound preparations.Daily Dose: The daily dose should be equivalent to 45 to 90
mg of total glycosides, calculated as uzarin. Follow the
manufacturer's dosing instructions.LITERATURE
Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der
Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8: Springer Verlag
Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.
Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,
Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979 (unter
Gomphocarpus).
Pauli G, Schiller H, Asymmetric key position in Uzara steroids.
In: PM 62, Abstracts of the 44th Ann Congress of GA, 113.
1996.
Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,- Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
Schmidt M, Uzarawurzel. In: PTA 8(6):498. 1994.
Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
Verlag Heidelberg 1992.