PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS COTTON TREE/ 229

EFFECTS: COTTON OIL
The oil contains large amounts of unsaturated fatty acids and
is chiefly used as a dietetic.
COMPOUNDS: COTTON SEED
^ Fatty oil (20 to 30%): chief fatty acids include linoleic acid
(55%), palmitic acid (22%), oleic acid (15%), myristic acid
(5%), as well as stearic acid, eicosanoic acid, the cyclopro-
pene-fatty acids malvalic acid and sterculic acid
Protein (20 to 25%)
Lignans: (+)-gossypol and (-)-gossypol (0.1 to 6.0%, yellow
to red in color); there are also cultivated forms that are low
in gossypol (gossypol content < 0.01%)
Flavonoids
Monosaccharides/oligosaccharides (7%): saccharose, raffi-
nose, stachyose, glucose, fructose
EFFECTS: COTTON SEED
The pigment substance gossypol contained in the seeds
inhibits enzymes of the energy metabolism, decouples the
respiratory chain from the oxidative phosphorylation, re-
duces the cellular ATP concentration, lessens membrane
fr potentials and inhibits the acrosomal sperm proteinase
acrosine (anti-fertility effect). A cytostatic effect has been
demonstrated.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
COTTON OIL
Unproven Uses: Folk medicine indications for Gossypii
oleum have included hypercholesteremia and vitamin E
deficiency. It is also used when a non-nitrogenous or
parenteral nourishment is required.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
COTTON SEED
Indian Medicine: Among indications in Indian medicine are
headache, coughs, dysentery, constipation, gonorrhea, chron-
ic cystitis, fever, poor lactation, epilepsy and snake bites.
Reference is also made to use as an abortifacient and
aphrodisiac. Efficacy for these indications has not yet been
proven.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
COTTON OIL
4p^No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper
administration of designated therapeutic dosages. Animal
experiments over a period of several weeks involving the
administration of cyclopropene-fatty acids led to elevated
cholesterol and triglyceride blood levels in rabbits and to a
delayed sexual development in young female rats.
COTTON SEED
The drug is toxic, due to its gossypol content. Chronic
ingestion of Cotton seed will lead to fertility disorders in

men. After feeding sheep and cattle a total of 2 to 3 kg of

Cotton seed press cakes over a period of 3 to 4 weeks,

gastroenteritis, kidney damage with hematuria and icterus

were observed. Death occurred 24 to 48 hours after first

appearance of symptoms. Eye damage (Cotton seed

blindness) was also noted.

DOSAGE

COTTON OIL

Preparation: Emulsion 10 to 15%: sterilization is carried out

at 150° C for 1 hour.

Daily Dosage: Emulsion 40%: 60 ml p.o. in a single dose.

LITERATURE

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

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

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

1994.

Cotton Tree

Cochlospermum gossypium

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts of the plant is the root,

which yields a laxative, and the hard exudate of the aromatic

bark.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are in apical, sparsely

flowered panicles. Flowers are 11 to 15 cm in diameter with

4 to 5 free silky-haired sepals, 4 to 5 gold-yellow petals and

numerous stamens. The superior ovary has 5 carpels with

many ovules attached to the walls. The fruit is an oval, dark-

brown, hanging capsule 5 to 10 cm long, 4 cm thick and

loculicidal. The seeds are reniform, approximately 7 mm

long, 5 mm wide and villous.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Cochlospermum gossypium grows

as a tree, rising up to 10 m high. The leaves are 10 to 20 cm

wide and palmate-lobed. The 3 to 5 lobes are acuminate, or

digitate; the petioles are 6 to 17 cm long. The young

branches are velvet-haired and tinged reddish, the older ones

are glabrous and ash gray.

Habitat: The tree is indigenous to India, Southeast Asia,

Kenya and Mauritius.

Production: Cotton Tree gum is made up of the irregularly

formed, leathery clumps of the exudate from the bark of

Cochlospermum gossypium.

I Other Names: Cotton Shell