PODOPHYLLUM 



I8 7 



CONSTITUENTS. Resins associated with other common vegetable princi- 

 ples; podophyllin (Resina podophylli, U.S.P.) 4 to 6 per cent., to- 

 gether with amorphous and crystalline principles. Later inves- 

 tigations have given prominence to the following: Podophyllo toxin, 

 CisHuOe (white crystals), converted by hydration into podophyllic 

 acid, CisHieO?; picropodophyllin, isomeric with podophyllotoxin 

 (inert); quercetin, yellow needles; podophylloresin (purgative). 

 Some authorities state that the purgative principle is closely related 

 to emodin. (See Rhamnus purshiana.) 



ACTION AND USES. Classed usually with the drastic cathartics. Dose: 

 10 to 20 gr. (0.6 to 1.3 Gm.). Podophyllin is an irritant to the 

 mucous membrane; in small doses an active cathartic, having reputed 

 cholagogue properties, hence the name "vegetable calomel." Dose: 

 as a laxative ^{Q gr. (0.006 Gm.), as a purgative }/ gr. (0.016 Gm.). 



FIG. pi. Podophyllum in powder. Starch. Cryst, Crystals of calcium oxalate. Ck, Corky 

 tissue, side view. PD, Duct with bordered pores. RV, PV, Reticulated and pitted|ducts. Tr, 

 Tracheids. SV, Spiral vessels. W.F, Wood fibers or bast fibers. Par, Parenchyma in longitu- 

 dinal view. P, Parenchyma in cross-section. (After Jelliffe.) 



There is a remarkable difference shown in the medicinal activity of 

 podophyllin, whether precipitated by water alone, whether by acidu- 

 lated water, or by solution of alum. The one precipitated by water 

 is said to be fifteen to twenty times as active as the one precipitated 

 by acidulated water, and the one precipitated by alum much weaker 

 than either. 



OFFICIAL PREPARATIONS. 



Fluidextractum Podophylli, Dose: 5 to 15 tijj (0.3 to I mil). 



Resina Podophylli, ^ to > gr. (0.0081 to 0.0324 Gm.). 



162. JEFFERSO'NIA DIPHYL'LA Persoon. TWIN-LEAF. (Rhizome.) Has 

 properties somewhat similar to senega; it is also diuretic, alterative, and 

 antispasmodic. Dose: 15 to 60 gr. (i to 4 Gm.). 



163. BERBERIS RADIX. BARBERRY ROOT. The root of Ber'beris vulga'ris 

 LinnS. Habitat: Europe, Western Asia, and North America. Thick, much- 

 branched, from 25 to 50 mm. (i to 2 in.) in diameter in the thickest part; 

 wood light yellowish, hard, tough, with a very thin bark (see Barberry 



