PDR for Herbal Medicines

504/MARSH MARIGOLD PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

are grooved. The cauline leaves have shorter petioles and are

smaller, clasping, and often have a membranous leaf sheath.

Characteristics: The plant is highly poisonous.

Habitat: Caltha palustris is found in all temperate regions of

the Northern Hemisphere.

Other Names: Cowslip, Kingcups, Water Blobs, Horse

Blobs, Bull's Eyes, Leopard's Foot, Meadow Routs, Verru-

caria, Solsequia, Sponsa Solis, Palsy Root, Water Dragon

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Protoanemonine-forming agents: In the freshly harvested

plant, it is presumably the glycoside ranunculin that changes

enzymatically when the plant is cut into small pieces, and

probably also when it is dried. It then changes into the

pungent, volatile protoanemonine that is severely irritating to

skin and mucous membranes but quickly dimerizes to

anemonine; when dried, the plant is not capable of protoane-

monine formation

Triterpene saponins: including hederagenin glycosides

Triterpene lactones: caltholid, palustrolid

Isoquinoline alkaloids (aporphine type, very small quanti-

ties): including corytuberine, magnoflorine, protopine

EFFECTS

The drug lowers cholesterol levels and raises blood sugar

levels in rats subsequent to oral administration (according to

unavailable Russian research). There are also reports of anti-

inflammatory effects on formaldehyde-induced inflamma-

tion.

The drug contains alkaloids of the benzylisoquinoline type

(magnoflorine, triterpene saponins, triterpene lactones). In

animal tests magnoj3ori«e temporally lowejs blood pressure

and induces hypothermia in mice. An effect on the nicotine

receptor in the parasympathetic nervous system is under

discussion.

Insufficient information is available for an authoritative

assessment of these effects.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Marsh Marigold was formerly used for

jaundice, liver and bilious complaints. Some Native Ameri-

can tribes and those practicing Russian folk medicine used

the plant for dressing and cleansing skin lesions and sores.

When administered internally, it is meant to have a laxative

and diuretic effect. Since this has not been sufficiently

proven, and the side effects of Marsh Marigold are so

dangerous, its internal use is not recommended.

Homeopathic Uses: The drug is used externally for skin
rashes.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages of the dehydrated drug.

Extended skin contact with the freshly harvested, bruised

plant can lead to treatment-resistant blisters and cauteriza-

tions due to the release of protoanemonine, which is severely

irritating to skin and mucous membranes.

If taken internally, large quantities could lead to severe

irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, combined with colic

and diarrhea, as well as with irritation of the urinary drainage

passages.

OVERDOSAGE

Symptomatic treatment for external contact should consist of

irrigation with diluted potassium permanganate solution

followed by mucilage. Ingestion of the drug should be

treated with gastric lavage followed by activated charcoal.

The toxicity of this plant is less than that of many other

Ranunculaceae (Anemones nemorosae) due to the relatively

low levels of protoanemonine-forming agents.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration:-Because of the herb's toxicity, its

use is not recommended other than topically and as an

extract.

LITERATURE

Bhandari P et al., Triterpenoid saponins from Caltha palsutris.

In: PM 53(1):98-100. 1987.

Bhandari P et al., Two nortriterpene lactones from Caltha

palustris. In: PH 23(8): 1699-1702. 1984.

Bonora A et al., PH 26:2277. 1987.

Bruni A et al., Protoanemonin detection in Caltha palustris. In:

JNP 49(6): 1172-1173. 1986. "

Frohne D, Pfander HJ, Giftpflanzen - Ein Handbuch fur

Apotheker, Toxikologen und Biologen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlags-

Gcs Stuttgart 1997.

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

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

(Drpgen): Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-

1994.

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

Verlag, Heidelberg 1992.

Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

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

4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
   Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
   Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.