Coumarins Flashcards
What are the major actions of the coumarin class of phytochemical
Lymphatic Venous tonic Anti-inflammatory Spasmolytic Immune enhancing Antimicrobial (weak)
What parts of the medicinal plants are used that contain coumarins
Aerial parts Seeds Roots Fruits Leaves
What constituent is responsible for the haemorrhaging condition known as “sweet clover disease”? Is this constituent present in any of the coumarin herbs?
Dicoumarol - very potent anti-coagulant; inhibits vitamin K, prothrombin and other blood coagulation factors
What herbal constituents are known to cause photosensitisation and photo toxicity? How does this process occur?
Furanocoumarins - Causes skin cells to absorb more UV light
Naphthodianthrones (hypericins)
Some alkaloids
Plant families commonly found to have Coumarins
About 30 including Poaceae Fabaceae Apiaceae Rutaceae
Common coumarins
Umbelliferone
Dicoumarol (formed from microbial activity, potent anti-coagulant “sweet clover disease”. Warfarin form from derivative)
Scopoletin (found in Viburnum opulus and Pimpinella anisum; spasmolytic, cholagogue, anti-hepatotoxic)
Coumestrol (phytoestrogen)
Chalepensin (anti-fertility)
Common toxicity symptoms from high dose Coumarins
Insomnia, nausea, emesis, diarrhoea, dizziness in sensitive individuals
What parts are used of medicinal plants containing coumarins
Melilotus officinalis - aerial
Galium aparine - aerial
Apium graveolens - seeds/fruit
Petroselinum crispum- roots, leaves, seeds
What constituent is responsible for the haemorrhagic condition known as “sweet clover disease”? Is this present in any of the coumarin herbs?
Dicoumarol
Not present in any of the herbs naturally as it is formed after microbial activity within improperly dried plant materials
Has been commonly observed in fermenting Melilotus officinalis
