et

jaborandi pilokarpus

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Terminological databases

EKI terminibaas Esterm

ID 721174 Last modified 30.12.2004
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Domain pharmacology - toxicology
  • Family: Rutaceae Genus: Pilocarpus Species: jaborandi Common name: Jaborandi, Indian Hemp, Pernambuco Jaborandi Part Used: Leaf DESCRIPTION Properties/Actions: Diaphoretic, Anti-inflammatory Phytochemicals: 2-undecanone, Alpha-pinene, Isopilocarpidine, Isopilocarpine, Limonene, Myrcene, Pilocarpidine, Pilocarpine, Sandaracopimaradiene, Vinyl-dodecanoate
Good to know
  • LA: Pilocarpus jaborandi [9954] [9397]
jaborandi
Usage examples
  • Jaborandi is a three to four foot shrub with smooth grey bark and large leathery leaves which is native to the Brazilian Amazon. In 1570, Gabriel Soares de Souza, an European observer noted the Guarani Indians using the plant to treat mouth ulcers. In the 1630's two Dutch West Indian Company scientists documented Brazilian Indians using it as a tonic or panacea for colds and flu, a remedy against gonorrhea and kidney stones and found that it was often used as an antidote to various poisons or toxins due to it's ability to promote sweating, urination and salivation. The Indigenous Tribes prized the diaphoretic properties of the plant particularly since they viewed sweating as a treatment in many diseases. Jaborandi is a perfect example of a plant which made the transition from Amazonian indigenous tribal use and folklore to modern science and medicine. In 1875, two researchers independently discovered the alkaloid, pilocarpine and its use to lower the intraocular pressure in glaucoma and act as a miotic. By 1876, Jaborandi leaves were being employed in the treatment of many diseases including "fever, stomatitis, enterocolitis, laryngitis and bronchitis, bronchiectasis, influenza, pneumonia, hydropericarditis, hydropsy, psoriasis, intoxications, neurosis and renal disease - to mention only a few of the conditions for which they were valued." Mrs. M. Grieve in "A Modern Herbal" recorded almost one hundred years later that Jaborandi was still used for psoriasis, prurigo, baldness, tonsillitis and dropsy.
  • In 1876, A. Weber introduced chemically from Jaborandi the isolated Pilocarpine alkaloids into the ophthalmological therapy. One year later it was used as a local drug to lower the intraocular pressure in glaucoma. The mixture of pilocarpine and another natural product, physostigmine, remains to this day one of the mainstays in ophthalmology. Clinical research is still ongoing today on the isolated alkaloid of Jaborandi leaves, pilocarpine. Some of the latest research is now focused on the topical applications of it as a transdermal penetration agent for other pharmacologic agents since it has the ability to open skin pores and promote capillary blood circulation. These effects are also attributed to its use as a topical agent for baldness.

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