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Further information in:
Fernandez MA. Garcia MD. Saenz MT Antibacterial activity of
the phenolic acids fractions of Scrophularia frutescens and
Scrophularia sambucifolia. J Ethnopharmacol, 53:11-4, Jul 26
1996.
Fernandez MA. Garcia MD. Saenz MT Anti-inflammatory
effects of different extracts and harpagoside isolated from
Scrophularia frutescens L. Farmaco. 53:443-6, Jun 1996.
Fernandez MA, Garcia MD. Saenz MT Gas chromatographic
determination of chlorothalonil in leaves and roots of
Scrophularia and in soil. J AOAC Int. 53:587-8, Mar-Apr 1996.
Hegnauer R, Chemotaxonomie der Pflanzen, Bde 1-11:
Birkhauser Verlag Basel, Boston, Berlin 1962-1997.
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.
Wagner H, Wiesenauer M. Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und
pflanzliehe Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New
York 1995.Filipendula ulmaria
See Meadowsweet
Fish Berry
Anamirta cocculus
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part of the plant is the ripe,
dried fruit.
Flower and Fruit:' The plant's petiolate inflorescences are
panicle-like, 16 to 40 cm long and usually inserted in the
stem. Male flowers are occasionally axillary. The two outer
petals are smaller and about 1 mm long. The inner ones are
whitish or yellowish-green, broad-elliptoid, 2 to 3 mm long,
in 2 alternating, triple whorls and are imbricate. The
synandria are formed from a short-stemmed, globose cluster
of about 30 to 35 anthers. The pollen is round and
tricolporate. The female flowers have 3 tepals as well as
small staminoids. The 3 or 4 carpels are set sideways on a
central, erect fruit axis that becomes conically oblong when
the fruit ripens. The style is inserted in the side and the
stigma is turned back. The drupes are globose to reniform, 9
to 11 mm long, glabrous, and sit on the short, spreading
branches of the fruit axis. The fruit is about 1 cm long,
blackish, and contains a horseshoe-shaped seed.
Leaves, Stem and Root: Anamirta cocculus are hardy, woody
lianas with ash-gray to straw-yellow striped bark. The leaves
are ovate to cordate. The leaf blade is 16 to 28 cm long and
10 to 24 cm wide and coriaceous. The main veins are
arranged in palmate fashion at the base with parallel
secondary veins. The 6 to 18 cm petiole is thickened at both
ends.
Characteristics: The fruit shell is tasteless, the seed is bitter
and oily.
Habitat: The plant grows in India. Sri Lanka and Malaysia.
Production: Fish Berry seeds are the fruit of the false myrtle
Anamirta cocculus. They are collected in the wild and sun-
dried after harvesting.
Other Names: Levant Nut, Crow Killer, Fish Killer, Indian
Berry, Cocculus Indicus
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Sesquiterpens: picrotoxin, a mixture of picrotoxinine and its
by product picrotin, picrotoxin acid methyl ester
Isoquinoline alkaloids: menispermine, paramenispermine
Fatty oil
EFFECTS
The effect of the drug is due to the picrotoxin content.
Picrotoxin paralyzes presynaptic blocking mechanisms and,
like strychnine, has an analeptic effect in low doses. The
central ends of the parasympathetic nerves are stimulated, as
is the medulla oblongata. Breathing frequency is initially
increased and subsequently decreased. The pulse slows due
to the stimulation of the vagus and an increase in blood
pressure. Central nervous system-stimulated vomiting along
with an increase in perspiration and saliva are probably also
due to the action of picrotoxin.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: In the past, the drug was used as an
insecticide in powder form for scabies. Its use against skin
parasites and lice, while not substantiated, seems plausible. It
was also used in cases of barbituric acid poisoning. In more
recent times, it has been used in the treatment of peripheral
and vestibular nystagmus, and in both long and short-term