PDR for Herbal Medicines

38 /ARCTIUM LAPPA PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Arctium lappa

See Burdock

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

See Uva-Ursi

Areca catechu

See Areca Nut

Areca Nut

Areca catechu

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part of the plant is the nut.

Flower and Fruit: The plant is an erect palm growing up to

30 m high. The trunk has a girth of about 50 cm. The

numerous feathery leaflets are 30 to 60 cm long, confluent

and glabrous. The flowers are on branching spadix. The male

flowers are numerous and above, the female solitary and

below. The ovoid drupe has a fibrous layer under the yellow

shell and one-seeded stone. The seeds are conical or nearly

spherical and about 2.5 cm in diameter. They are very hard,

and contain a deep brown testa showing fawn marbling.

Characteristics: The taste is slightly acrid and astringent,

and the odor faint.

Habitat: The plant is found in the East Indies, cultivated in

parts of Asia and eastern Africa.

Production: Areca or Betel Nuts are the fresh seeds of Areca

catechu.

Not to be Confused With: Piper Betel, also called Betel, the

leaf of which is chewed.

Other Names: Betel Nut, Pinang

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Pyridine alkaloids: arecoline, guvacoline (ester alkaloids), as

well as arecaidine, guvacine

Tannins: catechin type

EFFECTS
The drug acts on the parasympathetic nervous system with
an effect that is more muscarinic than nicotinic. It stimulates
secretion in the salivary, bronchial and intestinal glands and

causes tremors and bradycardia. Chewing mouthfuls of betel

leads to a saponification of the ester alkaloids and the

resulting arecaidine produces euphoria. The drug also causes

cramps in the muscles of intestinal parasites and stimulates

the vagus nerve. Central nervous system stimulation has

been observed in mice.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Betel Nut is no longer frequently prescribed

in human medicine. However, the nuts are chewed as a

recreational drug by an estimated 450 million people because

of their intoxicating qualities. Fresh slices of the seed are

part of the "betel titbit" used in eastern Asia. (Arecoline is

converted in the central nervous system to the stimulant

arecaidine through chewing.) That practice is being discour-

aged because of its link with some forms of oral cancer. In

veterinary medicine, the drug is used as a vermifuge for tape

worms in cattle and dogs, as well as for intestinal colic in

horses.

Chinese Medicine: Uses in Chinese medicine include chronic

hepatitis, edema, oliguria, diarrhea and digestive problems.

Indian Medicine: The juice of young seeds is used as a

laxative in Indian medicine. A decoction of the root is used

for cracked lips.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

Due to its arecoline content, the drug appears parasympa-

thomimetic. It leads to increased salivation, in high doses to

bradycardia, tremor, reflex excitability, spasms and eventual

paralysis. Long-term use of the drug as a stimulant can result

in malignant tumors of the oral cavity through formation of

nitrosamines. When the nuts are chewed, the mouth and lips

are stained red, as are the feces.

OVERDOSAGE

The toxic dose for humans is 8 to 10 g of the drug. Atropine

is given as the antidote. Chewing the "nut" leads to a

saponification of the ester alkaloids. The resulting arecaidine

produces euphoria.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: In the past, Areca Nut was used in

chewing balm for gum disease and as a vermifuge. Today, it

is only used as a vermifuge in veterinary medicine for house

pets. Therapeutic use is insignificant.

Storage: Must be stored separately, protected from light and

in well-sealed containers.

LITERATURE

Aue W, Pharm Zentralhalle 136:728. 1967.

Hirono I, J Environ Sci Health C3(2):145. 1985.

Huang JL, McLeish MJ, J Chromatogr 475:447. 1989.

Juptner H, (1968) Z Tropenmed Parasit 19:254.