III. RESULTADOS
3.3. Desarrollo de la Investigación
3.3.2. Desarrollo del Objetivo 2
The Silver Morning Glory vine, Argyreia nervosa (also known as Hawaiian Baby Wood Rose) is relatively common in some high-rainfall areas along the Queensland coast. It produces seed with visionary potential – although it would take a lot to get any effect.
They contain ergoline alkaloids (up to about 0.5% total alkaloids) and, while their use can induce hallucinations, the side-effects involve nausea, constipation, vertigo, blurred vision and lassitude (Jackes 1992).
An anonymous writer quoted in James Dukes’ CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs (1985)provided the following description of the use of ‘Wood Rose’ seeds: ‘At first you will feel weak and lethargic. If you have a sensitive stomach, you may get nauseated for about 15 minutes. If so sip a little warm water or mint tea and allow yourself to vomit if necessary. Dramamine … may also help. After this has passed you will feel very relaxed and peaceful
effect equivalent to about 300 mcg LSD. Studies have established that the lysergic acid amide/
chanoclavine ratio increased as the seeds mature.
Ergometrine and chanoclavine were among the compounds present with no hallucinogenic properties (Spoerke & Smolinske 1990).
Turbina corymbosa (under Ipomoea cymosa), from Edwards’s Botanical Register, 1843.
Argyreia nervosa (syn. A.
speciosa) has been known by a number of common names: Monkey Rose, Mile-a-Minute, Silver Morning Glory and Baby Wood-Rose. It has pale violet or pink flowers very similar in appearance to those of the common Morning Glory. The decorative dried fruit clusters have been used in floral displays. This vine, which originates from India, can now be found throughout much of the tropics. It was formerly thought to be native to Australia, although it is now considered to have been naturalised, possibly long ago. More recently it has emerged as an ornamental import with weedy potential along the tropical and sub-tropical coast of Queensland.
Another native Australian species, Argyreia soutteri, is unfortunately considered to be extinct. Two closely related native species also found in Queensland were formerly placed in Argyreia: Stictocardia tiliifolia (syn. S. tiliaefolia) and S. queenslandica.
(Image on left courtesy:
Kim and Forest Starr, Hawaii)
126 MEDICINAL PLANTS IN AUSTRALIA Volume 3 Plants, Potions and Poisons
Argyreia nervosa seeds contain diverse other components and chemical analysis has isolated the following: triterpenoids, flavanoids, steroids and lipids (Srivatasav 1998) – as well as caffeic acid and ethyl caffeate (Agrawal & Rastogi 1974b). While there do not appear to be many studies of the pharmacological properties of the seeds, extracts have shown hypotensive spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory activity (Gokhale 2002; Agarwal & Rastogi 1974a). There is also a report of their use for treating vaginal prolapse in cattle and buffalo (Dhillon 2006). Considering the link with ergoline alkaloids, notably ergometrine, the remedy’s reputation would not be unexpected.
The Silver Morning Glory has had a long history of
traditional medicinal use and, in contrast to the hypnotic potential of the seeds, the root and leaves were the main parts employed therapeutically. The plant has been highly valued in Indian herbal traditions. Its primary use has been as an antibacterial, wound healing and anti-inflammatory agent – although it has also gained a good reputation as a sexual and nervous system tonic. It has traditionally been regarded as particularly useful for memory problems and mental fatigue. This is interesting because in the last few years many of these recommendations have been supported by research evidence – which suggest this lovely ornamental vine should be taken very seriously as a herbal medicine that could well have an excellent future.
Table 3.3 Medicinal use of the Silver Morning Glory or Elephant Creeper (Argyreia nervosa syns A. speciosa, Convolvulus nervosus, C. speciosus) and related species
Metabolic function A. nervosa (Kapoor 1990):
• Alterative (a medicament used to restore or normalise general body functions):
powdered root combined with ghee
• Root paste: rubbed over the body in an attempt to reduce obesity.
A. nervosa (Kumar & Alagawadi 2010):
Root extract: antidiabetic remedy.
A. cuneata (Chopra 1956):
Oral administration of a milk extracts of the leaves for 3–5 days brings about a significant remission of the characteristic symptoms of diabetes.
A. speciosa (Kumar 2011):
Root extract: anti-obesity effect in animal studies;
hepatoprotective and cholesterol-lowering activity.
A. speciosa (Habbu 2008):
Root extract: hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity.
A. speciosa (Kumar & Alagawadi 2010):
Root extract: hypoglycaemic activity in diabetic rats.
A. speciosa (Hemet 2008):
Stem extract: hypoglycaemic and antihyperglycaemic activity in animal studies.
Treatment category Recommendations for use Substantiating investigations Antiparasitic • A. nervosa (Kapoor 1990):
• Root powder combined with rice water to treat elephantiasis.
• Guinea worm: infestations were said to respond to the use of the leaf, which helped extraction of the worm.
A. speciosa (Parveen 1990):
Antifilarial (nematicidal) activity against Setaria cervi filaria, which infect cattle.
Anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic
A. nervosa (Kapoor 1990):
• Anti-arthritic to ease joint inflammation:
combined with castor oil and milk.
• Root paste: applied over rheumatic swellings.
A. argentea (Uddin 2010):
• Leaf extract: anti-inflammatory.
• Root extract: antipyretic activity.
A. nervosa (Modi 2010b):
Leaf extract: anti-inflammatory.
A. speciosa (Ahlawat 2010; Galani & Patel 2010):
Root extracts: hydroalcoholic extracts (not chloroform, acetone or methanol) showed antipyretic activity.
A. speciosa (Bachhav 2009):
Root powder extract: significant anti-inflammatory activity.
A. nervosa (Gokhale 2003):
Root extracts: immune stimulatory activity;
immunomodulatory against the myelosuppressive effects (bone marrow toxicity) induced by cyclophosphamide (a chemotherapy agent used for treating some forms of cancer including lymphoma and leukaemia).
respond to the use of the leaf, which helped extraction of the worm.
Analgesic A. maingayi (Perry & Metzger 1981; Burkill 1935):
Malay Peninsula: root decoction applied externally for the relief of bone pain.
A. rubicunda (Perry & Metzger 1981):
Malay Peninsula: leaves applied on forehead for headaches, with the juice taken internally.
A. argentea (Uddin 2010):
Bangladesh and India: treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and colds.
A. argentea (Uddin 2010):
Leaf extract: antinociceptive (pain killing activity involving action on pain receptors in the nervous system).
A. speciosa (Bachhav 2009):
Root powder extract: significant analgesic activity.
Gastrointestinal A. mollis (Burkill 1935):
Java: root decoction, in combination with some other herbs (Callicarpa, Anethum and Alyxia), used as a remedy for stomach problems.
A. speciosa (Ahlawat 2010a):
Root extracts: anorexia, appetite loss, dyspepsia, colic, flatulence, ascites
• Syphilis treatment (Habbu 2009b).
• Strangury, diuretic (Vyawahare &
Bodhankar2009).
• Gonorrhoea, strangury and gleet (Subramoniam 2007).
A. acuta (Duke & Ayensu 1985; Perry &
Metzger 1981):
• Diuretic activity: Chinese medicine employed plant decoction for dropsy and tympanites (abdominal fluid or gas retention).
• Elsewhere it was used as a bechic and emmenagogue.
A. argentea (Uddin 2010):
Spermatorrhoea.
A. wallichii (Anderson 1993):
Thailand: lactagogue, infusion used to stimulate breast milk production.
A. nervosa (Gour & Gupta 1959):
The herb is utilised in numerous combinations as a sexual tonic.
A. speciosa (Riaz 2010):
Combined with other tonic herbs, i.e. Withania somnifera, Mucuna pruriens and Tribulus terrestris. Animal studies have shown positive effects on fertility and reproduction rates.
A. nervosa (Subramoniam 2007):
Root, flower and leaf extracts: aphrodisiac activity in animal studies (mice); greater proportion of male offspring produced with use of root extracts.
Tonic and
• Used in nervous system disorders for helping ‘mental dullness’.
A. speciosa (Habbu 2009b):
Rejuvenating, intellect promoting, brain tonic.
A. speciosa (Ahlawat 2010):
Root extracts: hemiplegia, nervous weakness, neuralgic pain, cerebral disorders.
A. argentea (Uddin 2010):
Paralysis, marasmus (severe malnutrition with associated protein deficiency).
A. speciosa (Habbu 2010):
Root extracts: adaptogenic, anti-stress properties; studies showed adrenal supportive and antioxidant activity.
Flavonoids isolated (kaempferol, quercetin) with adrenal supportive activity.
A. speciosa (Habbu 2009b):
Root extracts: antiamnesic activity.
A. speciosa (Vyawahare & Bodhankar2009a):
Root extracts: anticonvulsant activity.
A. speciosa (Vyawahare & Bodhankar 2009b;
Hanumanthachar 2007a & 2007b):
Root extracts: memory improving (nootropic) effect in mice; anticholinesterase activity.
A. speciosa (Galani & Patel 2009):
Root extracts: CNS depressant activity; sedative action.
Antimicrobial and wound healing
A. nervosa (Kapoor 1990; Quisumbing 1951):
• Antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and emollient; used in a wide range of skin diseases.
• Leaf: maturative and absorptive attributes;
applied to promote the suppuration of boils and carbuncles; used to heal sores, and for the treatment of tumorous growths.
• A. speciosa (Vyawahare & Bodhankar 2009):
• Leaves applied locally: chronic ulcers, ringworm, and itching skin disorders including ringworm (a fungal infection).
Leaves taken internally: boils, swellings.
A. argentea (Uddin 2010):
Bangladesh and India: boils, gastric disorders, tumours.
A. nervosa (Siri 2008):
Thailand: leaves used as antibacterial agent for infections and skin disorders.
A. fulgens (Chopra 1956):
Leaves: antiphlogistic (anti-inflammatory);
used in treating skin diseases.
• A. malabarica (Chopra 1956):
• Leaves: used to promote maturation of boils.
• Roots: cathartic.
A. nervosa (Batra & Mehta 1985):
Studies of the seed oil showed the main component to be oleic acid. The seed oil had a moderate antiseptic activity against a number of fungi and bacteria.
A. nervosa (Modi 2010a):
• Leaf extracts: antibacterial (Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus) and antifungal (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Candida albicans).
• Good additive antibacterial activity shown with Clerodendron infortunatum and Vitex negundo.
A. speciosa (Kartnik 2003):
Wound healing and anti-inflammatory activity.
A. speciosa (Ahlawat 2010b):
Root extracts: hydroalcoholic extracts showed a good level of antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli.
A. speciosa (Shukla 1999):
Antifungal activity: isolation of scopoletin and p-hydroxycinnamate which demonstrated highly potent antifungal properties against Alternaria alternata.
A. argentea (Rahman 2010):
• Stem extract: good range of antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus, B. subtilis, B.
megaterium) and Gram-negative bacteria (Streptococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhae, S.
paratyphae, Pseudomonas sp (I), Pseudomonas sp (II), Shigella sonnei).
• Stem extract: excellent antifungal activity (Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium equiseti, Altenaria alternata, Colletotrichum corphori).
A. nervosa (Siri 2008):
Leaf extracts: potential for use as antibacterial agent against in catfish farms; active against Aeromonas caviae bacteria.
A. nervosa (Babber 1978):
Antiviral: activity against vaccinia virus, but not against Ranikhet disease virus.
Respiratory disorders and ENT (ear, nose and throat)
A. speciosa (Habbu 2010):
India: wound healing, respiratory disorders (bronchitis), tuberculosis.
A. aggregata (Chopra 1956):
Leaves made into a paste and utilised externally for treating cough and quinsy.
A. nervosa (Kapoor 1990):
Leaf juice used for treating ear infections (otitis).
A. kleiniana (Vijayakumar & Pullaiah 1998):
India: leaves, burned and added to castor oil to make a liniment applied on the throat for tonsillitis.
A. mollis (Perry & Metzger 1981):
Leaf: the juice was used as eye drops for eye-inflammation; poultice applied to boils.
A. speciosa (Habbu 2009a):
• Root extracts: antimicrobial (Klebsiella pneumoniae) and antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis; flavonoid sulphates isolated as active components.
• Synergistic activity of extract and flavonoid sulphates with antitubercular drugs demonstrated.
ease post-partum bleeding. In 1582 Adam Lonitzer provided a very accurate description of a ‘foul-smelling’
Ergot fungus: ‘There are long, black, hard, narrow pegs on the ears [of rye], internally white, often protruding like long nails from between the grains in the ear’. He noted its use to induce pains in the womb, giving the dose as three ‘pegs’ (the sclerotia, around 0.5 g) (Lee 2009a).
The story of the toxic effects of Ergot (Claviceps purpurea) is replete with unimaginable suffering. The fungus, which infests rye (and other grains), was responsible for outbreaks of the disease known in medieval times as St Anthony’s Fire – a disfiguring and agonising form of poisoning that was, in the majority of cases, fatal.
However, its history can be traced back much further. As long ago as 600 BC an Assyrian tablet referred to a ‘noxious pustule in the ear of a grain’.
Throughout history Ergot plagues devastated European populations, particularly in Germany, France and Russia, where rye crops flourished.
In 994 AD some 20,000 people (around half the population) died in the south of France, and a century or so later, in 1129, another 12,000 died in the Cambari region. Britain was not as badly affected as the Continent because the main crop there was wheat rather than rye.21
The disorder ergotismus gangraenosus was characterised by sensations of intense heat and dramatic constriction of the blood vessels, which Claviceps purpurea, from Kohler’s Medicinal Plants, 1887.
Claviceps purpurea is the source of the familiar Ergot of Rye infection, which appears as black ‘growths’ on Rye grass. However, there are other fungi (genera: Epichloe, Neotyphodium and Balansia) that belong to the same family, the Clavicipitaceae, some of which can produce ergoline alkaloids. The plant uses these toxins as a deterrent to insects and grazing animals. Some plants may even derive benefits from the relationship – such as enhancement of their competitiveness, improved root growth, increased drought and mineral stress tolerances (Haarmann 2009).