PDR for Herbal Medicines

736 /STRAWBERRY PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Extract — for diarrhea, a spoonful before bed and on rising.

Infusion — one dose onlv for children with diarrhea. The

Strophanthus

Strophanthus species

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the ripe seeds,

which have been freed from their appendages and dried.

Most of the species are poisonous.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are in terminal or lateral

panicles with few flowers or in richly blossomed, umbellifer-

ous panicles. Their parts are in fives. They are white or

yellowish, radially symmetrical and sometimes fragrant. The

calyx has 5 elliptical-lanceolate to obovate sepals and a short

tube with a campanulately splayed upper part, which has 10

scales on the margin. The anthers are acute with a partly

tailed middle section. The ovary is 2-valved, semi-inferior

and has numerous ovules. The fruit has 1 to 2 follicles,

which are oblong, 8 to 58 cm long, splayed or horizontal on

one level. The greenish-brown seeds are 8 to 25 mm long,

fusiform and often flattened. The seeds have an awn-like

appendage and a long tuft of hair at the base, which

eventually drops off.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plants are climbing lianes,

occasionally erect shrubs, subshrubs or trees. They contain

milky latex. The leaves are opposite, ovate to elliptical,

short-petioled, simple, entire-margined and usually cor-

iaceous.

Habitat: Strophanthus is indigenous to tropical Africa.

Production: Strophanthus seeds are the seeds of Strophan-
thus gratus. Kombe-Strophanthus seeds are the seeds of
Strophanthus kombe. The plant is harvested mostly by

African tribes in the wilderness or in protected areas in the

vicinity of African settlements.

Not to be Confused With: Strophanthi semen should not be

confused with African Strophantus species.

Other Names: Kombe

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS: STROPHANTHUS GRATUS SEEDS

Cardioactive steroid glycosides (cardenolides, 3-8%): chief

glycoside strophanthin-G (ouabain, over 80%), further in-

cluding acolongifloroside K, strogoside, among others

Saponins (0.2%)

Fatty oil (35%)

EFFECTS: STROPHANTHUS GRATUS SEEDS

The active agent, Strophanthin-G, is a cardioactive glycoside

that has actions similar to digitalis, but is milder. No clinical

test results are available. The drug is poorly absorbed by the

gastrointestinal tract.

COMPOUNDS: STROPHANTHUS KOMBE SEEDS

Cardioactive steroid glycosides: (cardenolides, 4.0-4.5%, the

mixture known as Strophanthin-K) chief glycoside K-stro-

phanthoside (60-80%), erysimoside (15-25%), strophoside,

(10-15%)

Saponins (0.2%)

Fatty oil (35%)

EFFECTS: STROPHANTHUS KOMBE SEEDS

The effects are similar to Strophanthus gratus, but milder.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

STROPHANTHUS GRATUS SEEDS

Unproven Uses: Strophanthus is used for arteriosclerosis,

cardiac insufficiency, gastrocardial symptoms, hypertension

and neurodystonia.

Homeopathic Uses: Strophanthus gratus is used for cardiac

insufficiency and anxiety.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

General: No health hazards are known in conjunction with

the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages.

Queasiness, vomiting, headache, stupor, disturbance of color

vision and cardiac arrhythmias could occur as side effects, in

particular through overdosages connected with parenteral

administration of strophanthin-G or glycoside mixtures.

Drug Interactions: Simultaneous administration of quini-

dine, calcium salts, saluretics, laxatives and glucocorticoids

enhance both effects and side effects.

decoction is used as a gargle.

LITERATURE

Haddock EA et al.. PH 21:1049. 1982.

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

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

(Drogen). Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-

1994.

Henning W (1981) Z Lebensm Unters Forsch 173:180.

Lund K, Dissertation Universitat Freiburg i. Br. 1986.

Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

mbH Stuttgart 1997.

Wichtl M (Hrsg.). Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

Stuttgart 1997.