Podophyllum peltatum (Berberidaceae)
Podophyllum peltatum has a number of common names, including the mayapple, Devil’s apple and American mandrake, and is a perennial plant found in the wood-lands of Canada and eastern USA.
The plants reach 10 – 45 cm in height and have long, thin rhizomes which are the underground stem from which the roots grow. The rhizomes are known to be poisonous and are the most important part of the plant, containing high concentrations of podophyllotoxin and α- and β-peltatin, all of which are cytotoxic.
The closely related Asian species, P. emodi (syn. P. hexandrum), which is known as Indian podpphyllum, contain these active lignin ingredients at a lower concentration. Podophyllotoxin and related lignans are also found in the rhizomes of another species P. pleianthum, which in Japan and China is used to make a preparation to treat snakebites and tumours of the genitals.
The rhizomes of P. peltatum have a long history as a medicine among native North American tribes (Penobscot Indians of Maine). They are gathered in autumn, dried and ground to a powder, the material being eaten or drunk as an infusion of the powder as a laxative or to get rid of intestinal worms. The powder was also used as a poultice to treat warts and skin growths. Currently, extracts of the plant are used in topical medication for genital warts and some skin cancers. However, the mayapple rhizome powder has a strong purgative action and the compounds in it are too toxic to attempt self-medication.
Podophyllum peltatum (Berberidaceae) Podophyllum peltatum has a number of common names, including the mayapple, Devil’s apple and American mandrake, and is a perennial plant found in the wood-lands of Canada and eastern USA. The plants reach 10 – 45 cm in height and have long, thin rhizomes which are the underground stem from which the roots grow. The rhizomes are known to be poisonous and are the most important part of the plant, containing high concentrations of podophyllotoxin and α- and β-peltatin, all of which are cytotoxic. The closely related Asian species, P. emodi (syn. P. hexandrum), which is known as Indian podpphyllum, contain these active lignin ingredients at a lower concentration. Podophyllotoxin and related lignans are also found in the rhizomes of another species P. pleianthum, which in Japan and China is used to make a preparation to treat snakebites and tumours of the genitals. The rhizomes of P. peltatum have a long history as a medicine among native North American tribes (Penobscot Indians of Maine). They are gathered in autumn, dried and ground to a powder, the material being eaten or drunk as an infusion of the powder as a laxative or to get rid of intestinal worms. The powder was also used as a poultice to treat warts and skin growths. Currently, extracts of the plant are used in topical medication for genital warts and some skin cancers. However, the mayapple rhizome powder has a strong purgative action and the compounds in it are too toxic to attempt self-medication.
การแปล กรุณารอสักครู่..
