PDR for Herbal Medicines

622 /PYRETHRUM PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

dosages. The pyrethrines possess only limited toxicity in

humans, with dosages up to 2 g of the drug are considered

non-toxic.

OVERDOSAGE

Dosages exceeding 2 g of the drug have been observed to

produce poisoning symptoms including headache, ringing in

the ears, nausea, paresthesias, respiratory disturbances and

other neurotoxic complaints.

Following gastric lavage with burgundy-colored potassium

permanganate solution and installation of activated charcoal,

the therapy for poisonings consists of treating possible cases

of acidosis with sodium bicarbonate infusions. In case of

shock, plasma volflme expanders should be infused. Moni-

toring of kidney function is essential. Intubation and oxygen

respiration may also be necessary.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Externally as a liquid extract. (Area

must be rinsed after use.) Some homeopathic remedies

contain Pyrethrum mother tincture and dilutions.

How Supplied: Solutions, sprays and shampoos.

LITERATURE -

Anonym, Bio-Insektensprays: Wirken Pyrethroide als

Nervengifte? In: DAZ 132(31): 1632. 1992.

Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der

Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8, Springer Verlag

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

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

Verlag, Heidelberg 1992.

Pachaly P, Pflanzenschutzmittel in der Apotheke - Pyrethrum.

In: DAZ 132(19): 1032. 1992.

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

4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993 (unter
   Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium).
   Stuttgen G, Skabies und Lause heute. In: DAZ 132(34): 1745.
   1992.
   Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
   Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.
   Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
   Stuttgart 1997.

Pyrola rotundifolia

See Round-Leafed Wintergreen

Pyrus communis

See Pear

Quassia

Picrasma excelsa

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part of the plant is the dried

trunk wood.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are in leaf-axillary, richly

blossomed cymose panicles. The flower structures are in

fours or fives. There are 5, 0.6 to 0.9 mm long, pubescent

sepals, 5 yellow-green (in male flowers approximately 2 mm

long, in androgynous flowers 3 mm long) petals, 10 stamens

and 5 carpels surrounded by a disc. The fruit is a 1-seeded,

orbicular to oval, blue-black drupe.

Leaves, Stem and Root: An evergreen, this tree is usually

dioecious and grows to a height of up to 25 m. The leaves

are alternate, 15 to 35 cm long, odd pinnate, with 9 to 13

leaflets. The leaflets are 5 to 13 cm long, 20 to 45 cm wide,

blunt-acuminate and glossy. The trunk has gray grooved

bark.

Habitat: The tree is indigenous to the Caribbean and

northern Venezuela.

Production: Bittervvood is the dried trunk wood of Picrasma

excelsa, collected in the wild.

Not to be Confused With: Mistaken identity can occur with

Rhus metopium.

Other Names: Ash. Bitter Ash, Bitterwood

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS '

Triterpenes: decanor-triterpenes (picrasan derivatives, quas-

sinoids, simaroubolides, 0.15 to 0.3%), chief components

quassin (nigaki lactone D) and neoquassin (both extremely

bitter), and also including isoquassin (picrasmine) and 18-

hydroxyquassin

Indole alkaloids: beta-carboline types, including N-methoxy-

2-vinyl-beta-carboline and canthinone types, including can-

thine-6-one, 4-rnethoxy-5-hydroxycanthine-6-one

EFFECTS

The bitter substances contained in the drug (quassinoids and

canthinones) exhibit antimicrobial, antiviral, anthelminthic

and insecticidal effects. Quassia extract is positively inotrop-

ic and negatively chronotropic in animal experiment models.

An antitumorous activity was able to be demonstrated for

various quassionoids. The drug's use to stimulate appetite

and promote digestion is traceable to the bitter substances it

contains.