PDR for Herbal Medicines

198 /COCA PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

EFFECTS

The leaves act as a local anesthetic and stimulate the central

nervous system. In high doses, the drug causes paralysis of

motor neuron fibers.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: The plant is used in the manufacture of the

local anesthetic cocaine hydrochloride. It is a model for

synthetic local anesthetics. Cocaine is still occasionally used

in ophthalmology.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

General: Chewing an excessively large quantity of the

leaves can cause psychic disturbances and hallucinations.

Chronic use can lead to poor nutritional states and disinterest

in work, due to the suppression of feelings of hunger and the

resulting reduction in food intake. The enhanced vulnerabili-

ty to illness and the reduced life expectancy are also

conditioned by the immunosuppressive effect of the drug.

Beyond that, the drug is probably carcinogenic in effect.

embryotoxic and sensitizing. The observed dependence on

the drug (cocoaism) is mainly psychically conditioned.

although withdrawal symptoms are also known (need for

sleep, bulimia, anxiety, irritability, tremor). For the toxicolo-

gy of cocaine, consult publications (Lewin, Teuscher).

Pregnancy: Cocaine passes into the embryo or fetus and is
embryotoxic.
Nursing Mothers: Cocaine passes into the mother's milk.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Use of Erythroxylum coca is
obsolete except for use in 2% eyedrops.
LITERATURE
Aynilian G et al., (1974) J Pharm Sci 63:1938.
Brustschmerzen und Atherosklerose durch Cocain. In: DAZ
130(49):2723. 1990.
Chen GJ, Pillai R, Erickson JR, Martinez F, Estrada ALO,
Watso RR, Cocaine immunotoxicity - abnormal cytokine
production in hispanic drug users. In: Toxicol Lett 59(1-3):81.
1991.
Evans WC, ETH 3:265. 1981.
Grieb G, Mipbildungen: Schadigt Cocain menschliche
Spermien? In: DAZ 132(12):578. 1992.
Homstedt B et al., (1977) Phytochemistry 16:1753.
Moore JM et al., 1-Hydroxytropacocaine: an abundant alkaloid
of Erythroxylum novogranatense var. novogranatense and var.
truxillense. In: PH 36(2):357. 1994.
Novak M, Salemink C, (1987) Planta Med 53(1): 113.
Novak M, Salemink CA, Khan I, ETH 10:261. 1984.
Sukrasno N, Yeoman MM, Phenylpropanoid metabolism during
growth and development of Capsicum frutescens fruits. In: PH
32:839. 1993.

Tuerner CE, Ma C, Elsohly MA, ETH 3:293. 1981.

Wiggins RC, Pharmacokinetics of Cocaine in pregnancy and

effects on fetal maturation. In: Clinical Pharmacokinetics

22(2):85. 1992.

Further information in:

Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Hrsg.), Hagers

Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6

(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-

1994.

Leung AY, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used

in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics, John Wiley & Sons Inc., New

York 1980.

Lewin L, Gifte und Vergiftungen, 6. Aufl., Nachdruck, Haug

Verlag, Heidelberg 1992.

Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,

4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
   Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
   Verlag Heidelberg 1992.
   Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
   Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.
   Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
   mbH Stuttgart 1997.

Cochlearia officinalis

See Scurvy Grass

Cochlospermum gossypium

See Cotton Tree

Cocillana Tree

Guraea rusbyi

DESCRIPTION

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

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are radial, and their structures

are in fives. They are white to yellowish and inconspicuous.

The ovary is superior.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant grows as a tree, rising up

to 5 m high. The leaves are large and pinnatifid.

Habitat: Guraea rusbyi is indigenous to Cuba, Brazil and

Bolivia.

Production: Cocillana bark is the bark of the trunk of Guarea

rusbyi, which is collected in the wild.