Urogenital and GI Systems

Question 1

Which plants are associated with Impotence?

Answer 1

Pausinystalia johimbe

Papaver somniferum

Question 2

What plant is associated with UTIs?

Answer 2

Vaccinium macrocarpon

Question 3

What plant is associated with Vaginitis?

Answer 3

Allium sativum

Question 4

What plant is associated with Childbirth?

Answer 4

Rubus idaeus

Question 5

What plant is associated with Contraception?

Answer 5

Dioscorea spp.

Question 6

Which plants are associated with dysmenorrhea?

Answer 6

Ananas comosus

Carica papaya

Question 7

Rubus ideas

Answer 7

Raspberry leaf
Rosaceae
Long history of use to facilitate childbirth
Constituents: flavonoids, polypeptides, glycosides (not well characterized)
Clinical studies: mixed results – some show shorter labour – others showed no benefit
Toxicity: GRAS

Question 8

Dioscorea spp.

Answer 8

Yam genus
Dioscoreaceae
Steroids discovered by Russell Marker
Constituents: steroids which could be converted to progesterone; diosgenin which can be converted to cortisone, pregnenolone, progesterone, and other steroid products
This discovery also led to research on steroid-based therapeutics for skin rashes, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, osteoporosis, and contact dermatitis.

Question 9

Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. & Carica papaya L.

Answer 9

A. comosa = pineapple, Bromeliaceae = source of bromelain
C. papaya = papaya, Caricaceae = source of papain
Both proteolytic enzymes
◦ When taken together, they ease dysmenorrhea symptoms by smooth muscle relaxant effects – yielding decrease in spasms of contracted cervixes

Question 10

Pausinystalia johimbe (K. Schum.) Pierre ex Beille

Answer 10

Yohimbe
Rubiaceae
Psychoactive properties
Yohimbe bark is sold as flat pieces covered in lichen
Constituents: indole alkaloids (yohimbine psuedoyohimbine, and coryantheine)
MOA: alpha-adrenergic blocker Effects: sexual stimulant
Toxicity: use under care of physician

Question 11

Papaver somniferum

Answer 11

Opium poppy
Papaveraceae
Used as a “last resort” treatment – most often for treatment of impotence with neurological or pyschogenic origin
Constituents: the alkaloid papaverine is used for this purpose
Effects: sexual stimulant
◦ Must be administered via intracavernosal injection

Question 12

Anti-bacterial drugs: Cranberry

Answer 12

Source: Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton, Ericaceae TM: urinary tract health
Active components: polyphenolic compounds: proanthocyanidins (polymer chains of flavonoids such as catechins)
MOA: inhibit adhesion of P-fimbriated E. coli to uroepithelial cells (but not type 1 E. coli)
Clinical relevance: >1 million women in US get UTI’s each year

Question 13

Garlic

Answer 13

Source: Allium sativum L. (Amaryllidaceae)
TM: anti-wart, heart problems, helminths, cholesterol lowering
Active components: sulphur compounds (several sulphides & allicin), glycosides (sativoside B1), monoterpenoids, & flavanoids (based on kaempferol & quercetin structures)
Effects: antibacterial (including QS- inhibition in Pseudomonas), antimycotic, and lipid-lowering effects
Indications: common cold, cough/bronchitis, fevers & colds, inflammation of mouth & larynx, frequent infection
Problems: no toxicity, but inhibits platelet aggregation and should not be used in conjunction with antiplatelet drugs.

Question 14

Which plants are associated with dyspepsia?

Answer 14

Cynara scolymus L., Asteraceae

Gentiana lutea L., Gentianaceae

Question 15

Which plants are associated with Nausea/ Vomiting?

Answer 15

Datura spp., Solanaceae
Hyoscyamus niger L., Solanaceae
Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Zingiberaceae

Question 16

Which plants are associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, bloating & flatulence?

Answer 16

Mentha spp., Lamiaceae
Carum carvi L., Apiaceae
Foeniculum vulgare Mill., Apiaceae

Question 17

Which plants are associated with diarrhea?

Answer 17

Starch (Oryza, Zea, and Solanum spp.)

Astringents (many spp.)

Question 18

Which plants are associated with constipation?

Answer 18

Plantago spp.
Linum usitatissimum L., Linaceae
Triticum aestivum L., Poaceae
Cassia senna L.& C. angustifolia Vahl, Fabaceae
Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f., Asphodelaceae 
Rhamnus spp., Rhamnaceae

Question 19

Which plants are associated with gastritis and ulcers?

Answer 19

Matricaria recutita L., Asteraceae

Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Fabacaeae

Question 20

Diarrhea

Answer 20

Major public health concern, esp. in developing world.
WHO estimates approx. 5 million deaths/year; 2.5 million in children <5 years old
Starch sources (useful in oral rehydration therapies) Rice Oryza sativa L., Poaceae
Polysaccharides hydrolyzed in GI tract and actively shift sodium balance towards mucosal side, enhancing water absorption
Maize Zea mays L., Poaceae
Potato Solanum tuberosum L., Solanaceae

Question 21

Opiates

Answer 21

Papaver somniferum L., Papaveraceae opiate alkaloids slow down peristalsis
◦ Still used in some forms of traditional medicine
◦ Highly effective

Question 22

Tannin creating drugs

Answer 22

Tannins are astringent, polymeric polyphenols and can useful in treating diarrhea. These are found in many plants. Examples:
◦ Greater burnet, Sanguisorba officinalis L., Rosaceae ◦ Black catchu, Acacia catechu L., Fabaceae
◦ Oak bark, (Quercus spp.), Quercus robur L., Fagaceae ◦ Tormentil, Potentilla erecta (L.) Raeusch., Rosaceae
◦ Tea, Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, Theaceae

Question 23

Bulk-forming laxatives

Answer 23

Plantago ovata seeds Plantago psyllium seeds Plantago arenaria seeds Linum usitatissimum seeds Triticum aestivum bran

Question 24

Stimulant laxatives

Answer 24

Rhamnus frangula cortex Rhamnus cathartica cortex Rhamnus purshiana cortex Cassia senna fruits & leaves Cassia angustifolia fruits & leaves Aloe vera leaf juice

Question 25

Plantago ovata & P. psyllium

Answer 25

Plantaginaceae Bulk-forming laxative ◦ swelling factor > 9 for entire seeds and >40 for seed husk ◦ Swelling factor = volume of drug before & after water exposure Also useful for irritable bowel syndrome

Question 26

Linum usitatissimum L., Linaceae

Answer 26

Linseed (dried seeds of flax) Linaceae family Bulk-forming laxative ◦ Swelling factor of 4 (entire seeds) and 4.5 (powdered drug)

Question 27

Triticum aestivum L., Poaceae

Answer 27

Wheat bran (grain husk) Poaceae family Bulk-forming laxative ◦ Less useful as laxative (unless taken as natural part of diet like in cereal) b/c contains phytic acid which in large conc. can reduce bioavailability of vitamins

Question 28

Cassia senna & C. angustifolia

Answer 28

Fabaceae family Important in ancient drug trade ◦ Senna -12th century Arabic origin Stimulant laxative ◦ Constituents: Sennosides A-D ◦ Like other anthraquinones, these act on intestinal mucosa to increase peristalsis of colon & increased water excretion to increase fecal volume & GI pressure ◦ Toxicity: long-term use can cause blackening of colon & higher risk of colon cancer – but overall, few toxic effects observed ◦ Side effects: colic and griping pains due to spastic contractions of smooth muscle in GI tract

Question 29

Aloe vera

Answer 29

Xanthorrhaceae family Early records of Aloe vera use appear in the Ebers Papyrus, Dioscorides' De Materia Medica and Pliny the Elder's Natural History Stimulant laxative ◦ Constituents: anthraquinones & anthraquinone glycosides ◦ MOA, toxicity, and side effects similar to Senna

Question 30

Rhamnus spp.

Answer 30

Rhamnaceae family Barks have strong purgative effects Stimulant laxative ◦ Constituents: anthrones & anthrone glycosides, Cascarosides ◦ MOA, toxicity, and side effects similar to Senna

Question 31

Stimulant laxative phytochemicals

Answer 31

``` Emodin Anthrone Anthraquinone Glucofrangulin A Cascaroside A Sennoside A ```

Question 32

Matricaria recutita L.

Answer 32

Asteraceae family Chamomile Effects: anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, antibacterial, and antifungal) Constituents: essential oils (bisabolol, levomenol) and terpenoids/ guaianolides (matricin), and azulenes (chamazulene) Toxicity/side effects: relatively safe excluding any allergies related to Asteraceae family

Question 33

Glycyrrhiza glabra L.

Answer 33

Fabacaeae family Licorice Effects: relieve gastric inflammation (esp. for peptic ulcer & duodenal ulcers); also useful as expectorant, mucolytic and antitussive Constituents: glycyrrhizic acid, flavonoids, coumarins, and polysaccharides Toxicity/side effects: not to be used in people with liver disorders, pregnancy, or hypertension

Question 34

Cynara scolymus L.

Answer 34

Asteraceae family Artichoke Effects: liver protection, cholagogue ◦ Clinical study found reduction in fat intolerance, bloating, flatulence, constipation, abdominal pain and vomiting with leaf extract treatment Constituents: sesquiterpene lactone cynaropicrin, flavonoids, and cynarin

Question 35

Gentiana lutea L.

Answer 35

Gentianaceae family Yellow Gentian Effects: bitter stimulant acts directly on mucosa of upper GI tract & stimulates secretion of saliva and gastric juices ◦ Indicated for poor appetite, bloating, and flatulence Constituents: bitter monoterpenoids (gentiopicroside and amarogentin)

Question 36

Hyoscine: A Tropane Alkaloid

Answer 36

Botanical sources: Scopolia, Datura, Hyoscamus species Effects: remedy for motion sickness ◦Oral dose or by patch

Question 37

Zingiber officinale Roscoe

Answer 37

Zingiberaceae family Ginger Long history of use Effects: carminative, anti-emetic, spasmolytic, anitflatulent, antitussive, hepatoprotective, antiplatelet, hypolipidaemic Constituents: essential oil (zingiberene and Beta- bisabolene) and phenolics (gingerols, shogaols, gingerdiols, ginerdiones) Toxicity: generally regarded as safe

Question 38

Mentha spp.

Answer 38

``` Lamiaceae family mints Long history of use Effects: antispasmotic on GI tract MOA: Calcium antagonist menthol Constituents: essential oil (menthol, menthone, methylacetate, menthofuran) Toxicity: generally regarded as saf ```

Question 39

Foeniculum vulgare Mill.

Answer 39

Apiaceae family Fennel Effects: carminative, for indigestion & colic in children, bacteriostatic Constituents: trans-anethole and fenchone Toxicity: generally regarded as safe

Question 40

Carum carvi L.

Answer 40

Apiaceae family Caraway Effects: antispasmotic and antimicrobial ◦ Used in dyspepsia, minor GI cramps, and flatulence Constituents: essential oil (carvone and limonene) Toxicity: generally regarded as safe