PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS BUTTERCUP/133

How Supplied:

Capsules — 75 mg, 370 mg. 470 mg, 475 mg

Daily Dosage: Raw extract, equivalent to 7 to ll mg total

ruscogenin (determined as the sum of neoruscogenin and

ruscogenin obtained after fermentation or acid hydrolysis).

LITERATURE

Adamek B, Drozdzik M, Samochowiec L. Wojcicki J. Clinical

effect of buckwheat herb. Ruscus extract and troxerutin on

retinopathy and lipids in diabetic patients. In: Phytotherapy Res

l0(8):659-662. 1996.

Bombardelli E et al.. (1972) Fitoterapia 43:3.

Dunaouau CH et al.. Triterpenes and sterols from Ruscus

aculeatus. In: PM 62(2):189-190. !997.

Rauwald HW, JanpVn B. Desglucoruscin and Desglucoruscosid

als Leitstoffe des Ruscus-aculeatus-Wurzelstock. Analytische

Kennzeichnung mittel HPLC und DC. In: PZW l33(l):6l-68.

1988.

Schiebel-Schlosser G. Stechender Mausedorn. eine Venenhiife.

In: PTA 8(7):586. 1994.

Vanhoutte PM (1986) in: Advances in Medicinal

Phytochemistry, Ed. D Barton, WD OIlis, Pub. John Wiley

1986.

Further information in:

Kern W. List PH. Horhammer L (Hrsa.). Hasers Handbuch der

Buttercup
Ranunculus acris
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the herb.
Flower and Fruit: The golden-yellow, medium-sized flowers
are on long, round pedicles. The 5 sepals and 5 petals are
close. There are numerous stamens and ovaries. The broad
obovate petals are very glossy and have a broad scale on the
surface. The small fruit is in an almost globular capitulum.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The leafy plant grows from 30 to 80
cm. The erect stem has few branches. The petioles and

pedicles are appressed and downy. The basal leaves are long-

petioled and palmate with rhomboid tips, which are divided

into 2 or 3. The similar cauline leaves are shorter-petioled.

Characteristics: The fresh herb is spicy and poisonous; once

dried, it is no longer poisonous.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to northern Europe.

Production: Buttercup is the fresh herb Ranunculus acris.

Other Names: Acrid Crowfoot, Batchelor's Buttons, Blister-

weed, Burrwort, Globe Amaranth, Gold Cup, Meadow-

bloom, Yellows, Yellowweed

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Glycoside ranunculin: as protoanemonine-forming agent in

the freshly harvested plant (0.36-2.66% of the fresh weight)

that changes enzymatically when the plant is cut into small

pieces, and probably also while it is drying, into the pungent,

volatile protoanemonine that quickly dimerizes to non-mu-

cous-membrane-irritating anemonine. Once dried, the plant

may not be capable of protoanemonine formation.

Saponins

EFFECTS

The active agents are ranunculin, protoanemonin and anemo-

nin. On contact with the skin, the juice of the plant causes

redness, swelling and blisters. If taken internally, it can lead

to burning in the mouth, vomiting, stomachache and pains in

the liver.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Buttercup is used for blisters, bronchitis,

chronic skin complaints, neuralgia and rheumatism.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages of the dehydrated drug. Extended skin contact with

the freshly harvested, bruised plant can lead to blister

formation and cauterizations that are difficult to heal due to

the resulting protoanemonine, which is severely irritating to

skin and mucous membranes. If taken internally, severe

irritation to the gastrointestinal tract, combined with colic

and diarrhea, as well as irritation of the urinary drainage

passages, may occur.

Symptomatic treatment for external contact should consist of

mucilaginosa, after irrigation with diluted potassium perman-

ganate solution. In case of internal contact, administration of

activated charcoal should follow gastric lavage.

Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl.. Bde. I-8: Springer Verlag

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York. 1969.

Steinegger E, Hansel R. Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer

Verlag Heidelberg 1992.

Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel. 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

Stuttgart 1997.

Wagner H, Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und

pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New

York 1995.

Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

Stuttgart 1997.