Preliminary Notes on the Chemistry of the Latex of 



CaLOTROPIS riiOCERA 

 BY 



James Thompson, Pli.I). (Heidelberg), F.I.C. 

 Senior Assistant Cliemist, Wellcome Tropical Keseurcii Lal)urutories 



This investigation was nndertaken, primarily, with tlie object of discovering a 

 test which could be relied on in cases of suspected poisoning. Galotropis procera, 

 a shrub belonging to the Nat. Ord. Asclepiadacem, is a common weed throughout the 

 Sudan, and under the name of " ushar " is well known to the natives as a poisonous plant. 

 When wounded, all parts of the plant exude considerable quantities of an acrid milky 

 juice, possessing a nauseating odour, in some degree reminiscent of rhubarb. The leaves 

 are used in the preparation of " merissa," the native beer, and it is possible that the 

 presence of an excessive quantity, whether there by criminal intent or not, might account 

 for cases of apparent poisoning, wdiicli had been investigated in these laboratories with 

 negative results. In India, under the popular name of " madar," or "akh," Calotropis 

 procera has long been famous as a remedy in a variety of ailments, the milky juice, 

 root-bark, and flowers being in use. A detailed description of the plant and its medicinal Previous 

 uses is to be found in the Pharmacographia Iiulica, Vol. II., pages 428-437. The attached work on the 

 photographs (Figs. 9 and 10) give a good idea of the plant, the first showing leaf, flower ^" '^'^ 

 and seed-pod, and the second the entire plant. 



While considerable work has been done on the chemistry of the root bark,' the 

 literature at my disposal records no similar examination of the latex, nor has 

 communication with several sources revealed that any such examination has been made. 

 In this connection, one is greatly indebted to Dr. Power and Mr. C. J. S. Thompson of 

 the Wellcome Chemical Eesearch Laboratories, London, for their kindness in furnishing 

 valuable extracts of the literature on the subject. 



So long ago as 1867, in consequence of the numerous cases of infanticide by the milky 

 juice, Dr. McEeddie, Medical Officer of Hurdur, India, suggested that an investigation 

 should be made with a view to the detection of this poison by chemical analysis, but 

 no record that his suggestion was acted on is to hand. 



Dr. Duncan- (1829) made a chemical examination of the root-bark, and concluded that 

 its medicinal activity was due to an extractive matter which he termed " mudarine." The 

 authors f)f the rharniacognhphia Iiulica,^ repeating the work of Duncan, failed to obtain 

 anything corresponding to his mudarine, but, instead, an acrid resin, with which was 

 associated a bitter principle, probably the active constituent of the plant. Drs. Warden 

 and Waddel,^ after a lengthy research, concluded that a yellow, bitter i-esin, occurring 

 to the extent of 0093 per cent., was the active principle. 



The resins and bitter principle described by these various investigators being in all 

 probability derived from the dried latex present in the root-bark, a thorough exannnation of 



' Pharmaeoi/raphia Indiea, Vol. II., pp. 428-437 



- Duucau, Ediiihurijh Malicn/ and Sitryical Jmirnn!, 1829, XXXII., Go 



•■ Plidrmacoyraphm Intlka, Vol. II., pp. 428-437 



' Wnrdcn and Waddcl, Phnrmnceiilical Journal, 1885, pp. 1C,') I7(i 



