Medicinal Plants: Urogenital and Gastrointestinal Systems Urogenital System

Question 1

Yams

BOTANICAL INFORMATION:

Answer 1

• Wild sarsaparilla native to eastern North America

- Yams native to Mexico

Question 2

Yams

MODERN UTILIZATION:

Answer 2

• Steroidal glyosides-sapogenins
  
  • Terpenoid and sugar side chain
• Russell Marker
  
  • Removing the side chains, converting sapogenins from rhizomes (roots) from wild sarsaparilla
  • Sapogenins concentration low in wild sarsaparilla
  • Lilies and yams appreciable amounts of sapogenins-rich in the tubers
  • Sapogenin in tuber-Diosgenin-progesterone
  • Worked with pharmaceutical companies for plant-derived steroidal hormones
  • 10 tons yam made 3 kg of progesterone, selling for $1000 in today’s dollars
  • Founded Syntex Corporation and Botanica-Mex
    
    • Syntex hired George Rosenkranz-developed an efficient method for the production of cortisone, active principal in world’s first birth control pill
    • Producing over half of the steroidal compounds sold in North America
• Stigmasterol from soybeans
• Steroidal hormones produced synthetically
• Progesterone prevent ovulation and used in birth control
• Cortisones treats skin rashes, contact dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and asthma

Question 3

Saw Palmetto

BOTANICAL INFORMATION:

Answer 3

• Small palm species

- Southeastern United States, Florida

Question 4

Saw Palmetto

HISTORY AS A MEDICINAL PLANT:

Answer 4

• Fruit used medicinally by Indigenous groups to treat bladder and urinary infections
• American folk medicine-used to treat prostate enlargement
  
  • Dismissed by the American medical establishment

Question 5

Saw Palmetto

MODERN UTILIZATION:

Answer 5

• Germany-effective treatment for enlarged prostate, fruit contained 90% fatty acids and sterols
• Prostate enlargement (BPH) causes obstruction of the bladder neck and urethra
• Used widely in Europe to treat BPH
• Recent clinical trials found it no more effective than a placebo