Lecture 23: Medicinal Plants (Nervous system) Flashcards
True or False: Egyptians thought brain was unimportant
True, discarded it at embalming
______ thought the role of the brain was to cool the heart, the latter being responsible for thought and sensation
Aristotle
What tribe did have some sort of studying on the brain?
Inca
True or False: Brain science is very recent
True
______ (also called soporific) drugs induce sleep and are to be used in the treatment of insomnia, and in surgical anesthesia.
Hypnotic
A ______ or tranquilizer (or tranquilliser, see American and British English spelling differences) is a substance that induces sedation by reducing irritability or excitement (relaxant).
Sedative
_____ is a sleep remedy known to ancient greeks
Valeriana officinalis (Valerian)
In valerian, the _____ contain Sesquiterpenes, several alkaloids ; iridoids; flavones
root
What is the mechanism of valerian?
action unknown precisely but some Valerian compounds bind to GABA-A.
What is valerian used for?
insomnia and as a sedative for nervous stress
____ is a sleep remedy known to many Native N American tribes
Humulus lupulus (Hops)
The _______ in the hops inflorescence have been associated with the _______ and ______.
volatile oils
promotion of sleep and with anti-microbial properties
What is the uses of Hops?
Used for insomnia and nervousness; often in combination with other plants.
_____ is a sleep remedy known to tribes in southern N America and Aztecs.
Passiflora incarnata (Passion flower)
Flavonoids and GABA (GABA-A-related mechanism of action) in the ______.
Aerial parts
_____ is a mao inhibitor used for insomnia and anxiety
Passion flower
____ is not recommended during pregnancy
Passion flower
True or False: P. edulis from S America cultivated for its fruits
True
____ was used by Pacific cultures; first mentioned by Capt. J. Cook in 1770s.
Piper methisticum (kava kava)
_____ was used to treat anxiety AND depression
Kava kava
_______ from the ______may selectively act on limbic structures promoting anxiolysis.
Kavain, roots
True or False: Kava was banned in UK and several European Countries because of several cases of toxic effects on the liver.
True
_____ is one of the most important ancient medicinal plants of Europe
Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s wort)
What are the 6 types of chemicals in st johns wort?
The herb contains:
phloroglucinols (hyperforin and adhyperforin),
naphthodianthrones (hypericin and pseudohypericin),
flavonoids,
xanthones,
oligomeric procyanidines,
amino acids.
What is the mechanism of St. Johns Wort?
may be mediated via multiple ways: serotonergic (5-HT), noradrenergic (NE), dopaminergic (DA) systems, and via GABA.
WHat is St John’s Wort used for?
Used against depression (aerial part at flowering).
____ is a ancient medicinal plant of Europe
Rhodiola rosea (Sedum rosea) Rhodiola
True or False: In rhodiola, there are hundred of compounds in there roots.
True, flavonoids, and phenolic glycosides.
_____ inhibit MAO and increase serotonin levels which has a calming effect and alleviates depression.
Rhodiola
True or False: Rhodiola is a general adaptogen against stress & fatigue.
True
____ is known as medieval aspirin used by the ancient greeks to treat migraine headaches and inflammation
Tanacetum parthenium (Feverfew)
What is the chemical in Feverfew and where is it found?
Parthenolide in the leaves
What are the two mechanisms for feverfew?
inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, decrease of vascular smooth muscle spasm, and blockage of platelet aggregation
_____ was Eastern Europe’s and the former USSR traditional medicine for disorders of the central nervous system to treat alzheimer’s and memory impairment
Narcissus spp.; Galanthus spp. (and other Amaryllidaceae)
What is the chemical in Narcissus spp.; and Galanthus spp. and what does it do?
Galantamine (alkaloid): reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
____ was traditionally used in China and India for alzheimer’s and memory and cognitive impairment
Huperzia sp. (firmoss)
What is the chemical in Firmoss and what is its action?
Huperzine A (alkaloid)
Reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.
Both _______ and _______ keep acetylcholinesterase from breaking down acetylcholine, temporarily leading to increased memory function, dream recall, and lucidity. Action is reversible.
Galantamine and Huperzine A
True or False: Galantamine & Huperzine A increase the duration of REM sleep and dreaming.
True
True or False: Dosage ½ lower than in dementia treatment and unknown side effects of long term usage
True
An _______ is a metabolic regulator which increases the ability of an organism to adapt to stress resulting either from external environmental factors (e.g., heat or cold, toxicity, sleep deprivation, overwork, infection, etc.) or from psychological ones (trauma, fatigue, anxiety, etc.).
adaptogen
______ is probably the most famous medicinal herb that came from Asia
Panax ginseng
______ is known as a magical plant in Ayurveda text while Koreans believed that the plant‘s leaves gave off a glow on moonlit nights.
Panax ginseng
True or False:
Overharvesting of ginseng brought the species to near extinction by the 1600s.
True
Where was the discovery of P. quinquefolius in 1700s that set off “ginseng rush”.
NA
Where are the active ingredients in ginseng?
roots
What are the 4 uses of ginseng?
General tonic & anti-inflammatory
Boosts immune system
Increases effect of insulin and regulate glucose in blood.
Anti-cancer (prevention)
What plant used to treat depression is also a adaptogen?
Rhodiola
What are the two chemicals in rhodiola?
Rosavins (phenylpropanoids) & salidroside (glucoside)
What are the adaptogen effects of rhodiola?
stimulate the nervous system, enhance physical and mental performance, treat chronic fatigue, psychological stress and depression
Question: Why are galantamine and huperzine used to treat mild alzheimer?
Answer: Because they are reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
Question: Ginseng and rhodiola are adaptogens but provide what other effect?
Answer: alleviate depression
