PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS SCOPOLIA /671

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Scolopendrium vulgare

See Hartstongue

Scopolia

Scopolia carniolica

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the dried rhizome.

Flower and Fruit: The nodding flowers are solitary and

axillary on long bending pedicles. The calyx is campanulate

with obtuse tips. The corolla is tubular-campanulate, glossy

brown outside, and matte olive-green inside. The anthers are

large and yellowish. The fruit is a 2-valved pixidium. The

seeds are 3 to 4 mm long, brownish-yellow and bumpy.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The erect perennial plant grows from

30 to 60 cm high. The rhizome is horizontal, slightly bent

and almost cylindrical. The rhizome grows up to 12 cm long

and 5 cm thick, and is covered in tough, loose-skinned fibers.

The color varies between yellowish-brown to dark brownish-

gray. The stems bear scale-like stipules at the base that are

bifurcated, fleshy and also glabrous or with scattered hairs.

The 12 cm by 4 to 9 cm foliage leaves are petiolate, obovate,

entire-margined or lightly sinuate and dull green.

Characteristics: Scopolia is considered to be a narcotic. The

taste is initially somewhat sweet, then bitter and biting. The

plant is odorless.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to southern Germany,

Austria, Hungary, and southwest Russia.

Production: Scopolia root consists of the dried rhizome of

Scopolia carniolica.

Other Names: Scopola, Japanese Belladonna, Belladonna
Scopola, Russian Belladonna

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Tropane alkaloids (0.2-0.5%): chief alkaloid (-)-hyoscya-

mine, which changes (to some extent) under drying condi-

tions into atropine; also including scopolamine

Hydroxycoumarins: including among others, scopoletins,

scopoline

Caffeic acid derivatives: chlorogenic acids

EFFECTS

The drug acts as a parasympatholytic/anticholinergic via

competitive antagonism of the neuromuscular transmitter

acetylcholine. Because of its parasympatholytic properties,

Scopolia root relaxes the smooth muscle organs and elimi-

nates spastic conditions, especially of the gastrointestinal

tract and the bile ducts.

Conditions of muscular tremors and muscular rigidity caused

by central nervous impulses, are alleviateH. The action on the

heart is positively chronotropic and positively dromotropic.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Liver and gallbladder complaints

The drug is used for spasms and colic-like pain of the

gastrointestinal tract, bile ducts, and urinary tract for adults

and for children over 6 years of age.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

The drug is contraindicated in angle-closure glaucoma,

prostatic adenoma with residual urine, tachycardia, mechani-

cal stenosis in the area of the gastrointestinal tract, and

megacolon.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

General: No health hazards are known in conjunction with

the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages.

However, accommodation disorders, heat build-up due to a

decline in sweat secretion, micturition disorders, and obstipa-

tion can occur as side effects, particularly with overdosages.

Scopolia should be used only under the supervision of an

expert qualified in its appropriate use.

Drug Interactions: Scopolia increases the effectiveness of

simultaneously administered tricyclic antidepressants, aman-

tadine, and quinidine.

OVERDOSAGE

The four early warning symptoms of atropine poisoning are

skin reddening, dryness of the mouth, and tachycardiac

arrhythmias and mydriasis. In addition, other side effects,

particularly with overdosages, can include accommodation

disorders, heat build-up through decline in sweat secretion,

micturition disorders, and obstipation.