PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS MEZEREON/515

EFFECTS

The drug has a strong laxative effect on the small and large

intestines caused by resin (Resina Scammoniae) combined

with ester glycoside mixtures (glycoretine).

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Preparations have been used as a very

drastic purgative for constipation.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

The drug is contraindicated in pregnancy.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

General: No health hazards are known in conjunction with

the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages.

Intestinal colic occurs frequently as a side effect.

Pregnancy: Mexican Scammony Root is contraindicated in

pregnancy.

OVERDOSAGE

Overdosages cause vomiting.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: The herb is obsolete as a drug in

many countries. Used on rare occasions in combination

preparations. The same applies to other Ipomoea varieties

e.g., I. turpethum, I. operculata.

Daily Dosage: The average single dose is l gm of drug.

LITERATURE

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

HandbucJ^det.Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6

(Drogen): SpringeriVerlag Berlin, Heidelberg, Ney^ 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.

Noda N et al„ Tetrahedron 43:3889. 1987.

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

4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.

Shellard EJ,^1 PM 9:146-152. 1961.

Singh S, Stacey BE, (1973) Phytochemistry 12:1701.

Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer

Verlag Heidelberg 1992.

Wagner H, (1973) In "Chemistry in Biochemical
Classification", Nobel Symposium (1973).

Mezereon

Daphne mezereum

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the bark, which is

collected before the flowering season.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are dark pink. They appear

before the leaves in irregular, sessile clusters usually in

threes. There is a 4-tipped calyx with an external silky-haired

tube. There are 8 stamens in 2 rows and 1 free ovary. The

fruit consists of a bright red, pea-sized, juicy, ovoid, l-

seeded berry.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a 50 to 150 cm high

perennial. It is a deciduous, sparsely branched shrub with

reed-like, grayish or yellow-brown branches that are very

tough. The leaves are short-petioled, lanceolate, narrowing

toward the petiole and entire-margined.

Characteristics: Mezereon has a strong, pleasant fragrance.

The plant is poisonous and can be fatal if ingested. It is a

protected species.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to Europe as far as Siberia.

It is cultivated in the U.S., Canada and elsewhere.

Production: Mezereon root, root bark and bark are from

Daphne mezereum. The bark of the trunk and the root are

gathered before flowering, dried and rolled up but with the

phloem facing outward. Care should be taken not to destroy

the plant during the harvest.

Other Names: Spurge Olive, Spurge Laurel, Daphne, Spurge

Flax, Wild Pepper, Dwarf Bay, Camolea

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Diterpenes: diterpene esters, daphnane derivatives, including

mezerein, daphnetoxin

Hydroxycoumarins: including umbelliferone, daphnetin,

daphnoretin (dimerous), triumbellin (trimerous) and hy-

droxycoumarin glycosides, for example daphnin, daphnorin

Flavonoids

EFFECTS

The drug acts as a powerful skin stimulant, hallucinogenic

and a rubifacient. A possible immunostimulating effect has

been observed in vitro. Antitumoral, anticoagulant and

abortifacient effects have been observed in animal tests.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Use of Mezeron is no longer recommended

due to its toxicity.