Arrow-Poison (Strophanthus sarmentosus DC.)
Overview
Arrow-poison, primarily derived from species of the Strophanthus plant, is notable for its traditional use in arrow poisons and potential therapeutic properties. While it has medicinal applications, caution is imperative due to its potent effects and toxicity.
Medicinal Activity
Arrow-poison encompasses a range of pharmacological activities:
• Antiseptic: Helps prevent infection by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms.
• Anxiolytic: Provides anxiety relief, making it beneficial for managing anxiety disorders.
• Cardiotonic: Enhances heart muscle contraction, improving cardiac output.
• Digitalic: Related to the effects similar to digitalis, used for heart conditions.
• Diuretic: Promotes urine production, which can be useful in conditions like hypertension and edema.
• Emetic: Induces vomiting, useful in certain poisoning scenarios.
• Negative Chronotropic: Reduces heart rate, which can help manage certain cardiac conditions.
• Negative Dromotropic: Slows conduction of impulses through the heart, which is beneficial in specific arrhythmias.
• Pediculicide: Effective against lice infestations.
• Positive Inotropic: Increases the force of heart contractions, enhancing cardiac performance.
• Tonic: General health booster, improving vitality.
• Antiseptic: Helps prevent infection by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms.
• Anxiolytic: Provides anxiety relief, making it beneficial for managing anxiety disorders.
• Cardiotonic: Enhances heart muscle contraction, improving cardiac output.
• Digitalic: Related to the effects similar to digitalis, used for heart conditions.
• Diuretic: Promotes urine production, which can be useful in conditions like hypertension and edema.
• Emetic: Induces vomiting, useful in certain poisoning scenarios.
• Negative Chronotropic: Reduces heart rate, which can help manage certain cardiac conditions.
• Negative Dromotropic: Slows conduction of impulses through the heart, which is beneficial in specific arrhythmias.
• Pediculicide: Effective against lice infestations.
• Positive Inotropic: Increases the force of heart contractions, enhancing cardiac performance.
• Tonic: General health booster, improving vitality.
Therapeutic Indication
Arrow-poison is indicated for a variety of conditions, primarily related to cardiovascular health and infections:
• Anxiety: Helps manage symptoms of anxiety disorders.
• Atherosclerosis: May assist in managing conditions related to arterial plaque buildup.
• Arthrosis: Useful in treating joint pain and inflammation.
• Bite Wounds: Effective for the treatment of bites, including snakebites.
• Cardiopathy: Supports heart health in various cardiac diseases.
• Constipation and Diarrhea: Assists in regulating bowel movements.
• Fractures: May promote healing of broken bones.
• Gas and Gastrosis: Alleviates gastrointestinal disturbances.
• High Blood Pressure: Can help lower blood pressure.
• Rheumatism and Scabies: Addresses rheumatic conditions and skin infestations.
• Water Retention and Worm Infestations: Useful in treating fluid retention and intestinal worms.
• Anxiety: Helps manage symptoms of anxiety disorders.
• Atherosclerosis: May assist in managing conditions related to arterial plaque buildup.
• Arthrosis: Useful in treating joint pain and inflammation.
• Bite Wounds: Effective for the treatment of bites, including snakebites.
• Cardiopathy: Supports heart health in various cardiac diseases.
• Constipation and Diarrhea: Assists in regulating bowel movements.
• Fractures: May promote healing of broken bones.
• Gas and Gastrosis: Alleviates gastrointestinal disturbances.
• High Blood Pressure: Can help lower blood pressure.
• Rheumatism and Scabies: Addresses rheumatic conditions and skin infestations.
• Water Retention and Worm Infestations: Useful in treating fluid retention and intestinal worms.
Prepration & Usage
Given its potency, Arrow-poison should only be used under medical supervision:
• Cymarin: 0.6–0.9 mg intravenously per day; 2.3–2.5 mg orally.
• Ouabain: 0.25–0.65 mg intravenously; 12–48 mg orally.
• K-Strophanthoside: 0.2–1.2 mg intravenously; up to 7.5 mg orally.
• Toxic Dose: 143 mg can be lethal.
• Cymarin: 0.6–0.9 mg intravenously per day; 2.3–2.5 mg orally.
• Ouabain: 0.25–0.65 mg intravenously; 12–48 mg orally.
• K-Strophanthoside: 0.2–1.2 mg intravenously; up to 7.5 mg orally.
• Toxic Dose: 143 mg can be lethal.
Safety & Considerations
The use of Arrow-poison comes with significant caution due to potential side effects and interactions:
• Side Effects: Cardiac arrhythmias, headaches, disturbances in color vision (ophthalmia), queasiness, stupor, and vomiting can occur.
• Drug Interactions: May enhance effects and side effects when taken with calcium salts, glucocorticoids, laxatives, quinidine, and saluretics.
Due to the serious nature of its effects and potential toxicity, Arrow-poison is not recommended for self-medication.
• Side Effects: Cardiac arrhythmias, headaches, disturbances in color vision (ophthalmia), queasiness, stupor, and vomiting can occur.
• Drug Interactions: May enhance effects and side effects when taken with calcium salts, glucocorticoids, laxatives, quinidine, and saluretics.
Due to the serious nature of its effects and potential toxicity, Arrow-poison is not recommended for self-medication.
Conclusion
Healthcare providers should be consulted for appropriate usage and monitoring, especially in patients with existing heart conditions or those on medications affecting heart rhythm.