JABORANDI 31 



Pilocarpidine occurs in the leaves of P. Jaborandi, Holmes (see 

 below) ; jaborine is non-existent. The therapeutical action of 

 pilocarpine is not modified by the addition of isopilocarpine, pilosine, 

 pilocarpidine or the resin ; hence pilocarpine can well replace the drug 

 for medicinal use (Jowett). 



Assay. The total quantity of alkaloid in jaborandi may be determined 

 by the following process : Moisten 10 gm. of the leaves in fine powder with 

 2 c.c. of solution of ammonia and 3 c.c. of chloroform, pack in a small percolator 

 and percolate to exhaustion with ammoniacal chloroform. Shake out with 

 diluted sulphuric acid, make alkaline, and shake out again with chloroform. 

 Evaporate the chloroformic solution to dryness, dissolve the residue in 7 c.c. 

 N/10 sulphuric acid and titrate back with N/50 solution of potassium hydroxide, 

 using cochineal as indicator. Each c.c. of the acid indicates O02 gm. of alkaloid. 



Uses. Jaborandi stimulates the nerve endings to the salivary, 

 sweat, gastric, and other secreting glands, and induces therefore 

 profuse salivation and perspiration. It is chiefly given as a powerful 

 and rapid diaphoretic, and appears to be of most service in renal 

 disease, eliminating both water and urea. Pilocarpine is used in 

 ophthalmic surgery to contract the pupil of the eye ; it is antagonistic 

 to a tr opine. 



Substitutes and Varieties. Swartzia sp. (N.O. Leguminosce) ; brownish green, 

 glossy, midrib minutely hairy ; very short, hairy petiolule, veinlets pellucid ; 

 about 3 cm. long but some only O5 long ; substituted for P. microphyllus. 



P. Jaborandi, Holmes ; dull brownish green, 6-10 cm. long, oblong-lanceolate, 

 margin revolute, apex emarginate, unequal at the base, upper surface glabrous 

 with prominent lateral veinlets, under surface sometimes slightly hairy. Formerly 

 official but now seldom imported ; contain pilocarpine (about 0-5 per cent.), 

 isopilocarpine and pilocarpidine. 



P. pennatifolius, Lemaire ; Paraguay Jaborandi ; greyish green, pale and 

 less coriaceous than P. Jaborandi ; veinlets not prominent on the upper surface ; 

 usually equal at the base. Contain about 0-25 per cent, of alkaloid. 



P. selloanus, Engler ; imported from Rio Janeiro, closely resemble the above, 

 but are more obovate. 



P. trachyloplius, Holmes ; smaller than those of either P. Jaborandi or 

 P. pennatifolius ; dark olive green on the upper, yellowish green on the under 

 surface, which is clothed with short curved hairs, similar ones being found 

 scattered on the upper surface ; contain about 0-4 per cent, of total alkaloid 

 (Paul and Cownley, 1896), of which only 0'02 per cent, is possibly pilocarpine. 



P. spicatus ( ?) ; Aracati Jaborandi ; resemble bay leaves in size and shape ; 

 upper surface polished, veins scarcely visible, outline lanceolate, and the petiole 

 short and twisted. 



P. racemosus, Vahl ; Guadeloupe Jaborandi ; ovate, attaining 17 cm. or 

 more in length ; contain from 0-6 to 1-0 per cent, of total alkaloid, about one 

 half of which appears to be pilocarpine. 



Piper Jaborandi, Velley ; large, thin, grey, papery leaves tapering towards 

 both base and apex ; usually mixed with the stems, which are swollen at the 

 nodes. 



