PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS

Leaves, Stem and Root: This herbaceous perennial grows up

to 45 cm high with leaves that are arranged in a basal rosette.

The leaves are 6.5 to 13 cm long, have a cuneiform

broadened petiole and an orbicular lamina with 2 sides

forming a trap. The leaf sides have 15 to 20 stiff bristles on

the edge and 3 sensitive bristles on the surface. The nectar

glands are on the periphery and the digestive glands toward

the center. When the sensitive bristles are stimulated, the

lamina halves snap shut and the bristles on the edge lock

together. Digestion of the trapped insect takes approximately

6 days after which the trap slowly opens again. There are

only adventitious roots on the fully grown plant.

Characteristics: The plant is carnivorous.

Habitat: Dionaea muscipula is native to North America.

Production: Venus flytrap herb is the whole fresh, aerial

plant of Dionaea muscipula, which is harvested shortly

before the flowering season and processed immediately.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Naphthalene derivatives: napthoquinones, including hydro-

pIumbagin-4-O-beta-glucoside, (0.6%), plumbagin (0.2%)

Flavonoids: including quercetin-3-O-galactoside, quercetin-

3-O-glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-galactoside, kaempferol-3-

O-glucoside

Phenol carboxylic acids: glucosides of gallic acid, ellagic

acid, 3-O-methyl-ellagic acid and 3,3-dimethyl ellagic acid

Enzymes (in the secretions of the digestive glands): prote-

ases, phosphatases, nucleases

EFFECTS

The pressed fresh plant (chief active ingredient plumbagin)

is immunostimulating, antineoplastic and spasmogenic due

to the lysophosphatidinic acid component.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: The drug extracted from the plant is used

chiefly in the treatment of malignant conditions such as

tumors in advanced stages (mammary carcinoma, bladder

carcinoma, prostate carcinoma and osteosarcoma) and also

for hematological systemic conditions (such as Hodgkin and

non-Hodgkin lymphoma) as well as solid tumors.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
Parenteral administration of medicinal preparations made
from the fresh plant led to elevated body temperature, chills
and circulatory damage. Circulatory collapse, possibly as a
result of contamination with endotoxins is possible. Skin
contact with the fresh plant may cause irritation.

VERONICA BECCABUNGA / 787

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Preparations of the pressed juice

have been administered orally, by inhalation and

parenterally.

How Supplied: Availability of the pressed juice of the fresh

plant in two commercial preparations was halted in 1986.

Daily Dosage: Juice from the fresh plant used orally and as

an inhalant: 50 to 60 drops 5 times daily p.o.: 25 drops with

1 ml physiological NaCl in a cold atomizer. Injection

solution: initial dose is 2 ml ampule daily for 14 days.

Maintenance dose: 1 ampule every second to third day I.M.

LITERATURE

Blaschek W, Hansel R, Keller K, Reichling J. Rimpler G.

Schneider G (Eds), Hagers Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen

Praxis. Folgebande 1 und 2. Drogen A-Z. Springer. Berlin.

Heidelberg 1998.

Veratrum album

See White Hellebore

Veratrum luteum

See False Unicorn Root

Veratrum viride

See American Hellebore

Verbascum densiflorum

See Mullein

Verbena officinalis

See Vervain

Beccabunga G-6,

See Brooklime