PDR for Herbal Medicines

218/CONGOROSA PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Congorosa

Maytenus ilicifolia

DESCRIPTION

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

leaf.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are in clusters in the leaf

axils; the bracts have a reddish border. The flowers are

radial; their structures are in fives. The calyx is reddish and

5-tipped. The petals are free, oval to elliptical and yellow.

The male flowers have 5 stamens approximately 2 mm long

with their ovary covered by a disc. The female flowers have

1 mm long stamens and a 2-carpeled, fused ovary on a thick

fleshy disc. The fruit is a reddish, 2-chambered capsule. The

seeds are reddish with a thin aril.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Congorosa grows as a dioecious

evergreen shrub or tree, reaching up to 5 m high. The leaves

are alternate, 2 to 15 cm long and 1 to 7 cm wide. They are

elliptical to lanceolate, coriaceous and covered on both sides

with 4 to 7 prickly teeth. Sometimes the leaves are

completely entire, with very narrow, dropping stipules.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to South America.

Production: Congorosa leaves (Argentinean name) are the

dried leaves of Maytenus ilicifolia.

Not to be Confused With: Congorosa is sometimes confused

with (and adulterated with) Verba Mate.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Macrocyclic alkaloids (0.00005%): maytansinoides, includ-

ing maytansine, maytanprine, maytanbutine

EFFECTS

The quinoid triterpene maytenin contained in the drug

exhibits antimicrobial and tumor-inhibiting properties, par-

ticularly in topical administration for the treatment of basal

cell carcinomas. Maytansine exhibits significant cytotoxic

and antitumoral efficacy (similar to that of vinca alkaloids).

Additionally, an ulcer-preventing effect has been demon-

strated in both animal and human studies.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Congorosa is used mainly in South Ameri-

can folk medicine. In Brazil, external uses focus primarily on

skin conditions such as eczema and skin ulcers. Internal uses

include skin cancer, gastrointestinal complaints, gastrointes-

tinal ulcers, hyperacidity, flatulence, gastralgia, dyspepsia,

pain, states of exhaustion and anemia.

In Argentina, Congorosa is used for asthma, alcoholism and
as a vulnerary. Other varieties are also used for inflammatory
swelling and eye conditions.

PRECAUTIONS

No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper

administration of designated therapeutic dosages. Animal

experiments revealed embryotoxic and teratogenic effects of

maytansines (no detailed description of dosage or experi-

mental procedure available). Should not be used during

pregnancy.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Congorosa preparations are contraindicated during

pregnancy.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Preparations are available for

internal and external use.

How Supplied: Capsules

Daily Dosage:

Infusion/decoction (2 to 5%)

Externally as required.

Powder — 5 to 20 g

Liquid extract — 5 to 20 ml

Extract — 1 to 4 g

Tincture — 25 to 100 ml

— 100 to 400 ml internally.

Elixir/wine/syrup — 50 to 100 ml

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.

Lima OG de, Coelho JS, Weigert E, Albuquerque IL d', Lima

D de A, Moraes e Souza MA, Antimicrobial substances from

higher plants. XXXVI. On the presence of maytenin and

pristimerine in the cortical part of the roots of Maytenus

ilicifolia from the South of Brazil. Rev Inst Antibiot (Recife),

11:35-8, 1971 Jun.

Conium maculatum

See Hemlock

Contrayerva

Dorstenia contrayerva

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the roots of a

number of species.