Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
Dec,  1918. 
Current  Literature. 
889 
PlPTOSTEGIA  PlSONIS  MART.  SUBSTITUTED  FOR  JALAP  U.  S.  P.  
Examinations  of  importations  of  "jalap  root"  (Exogonium  purga 
(Wenderoth)  Benth.)  have  disclosed  that  in  some  instances  the 
root  of  Piptostegia  pisonis  Mart,  has  been  substituted  for  the  true 
material.  It  occurs  in  commerce  in  the  form  of  transverse  cir- 
cular or  oval  sections,  varying  from  about  3  to  8  centimeters  in 
diameter  and  from  about  0.3  to  0.8  centimeter  in  thickness,  whereas 
jalap  generally  occurs  in  fusiform  irregularly  ovoid  or  pyriform 
tuberous  roots,  the  upper  end  more  or  less  rounded,  the  lower  end 
slightly  tapering,  the  roots  varying  from  4  to  15  centimeters  in  length 
and  from  12  to  60  millimeters  in  diameter.  The  pieces  of  Pipto- 
stegia pisonis  are  marked  with  several  concentric  rings,  aside  from 
the  pale  grayish-brown  tint  and  the  presence  of  numerous  dots  of 
translucent  pale  resin  on  the  surface,  bear  considerable  resemblance 
to  white  bryony  root.  Preliminary  experiments  with  resin  isolated 
from  the  root  in  this  bureau  indicate  that  the  material  has  purgative 
properties.  The  department  will  raise  no  objection  to  the  importa- 
tion of  Piptostegia  pisonis,  provided  it  is  properly  invoiced,  labeled, 
and  sold.  In  releasing  such  goods,  however,  the  department  will 
take  such  precautions  or  impose  such  conditions  as  seem  necessary 
to  prevent  its  sale  as  jalap  U.  S.  P. — Service  and  Regulatory  An- 
nouncements U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture,  No.  23. 
Strophanthus  Sarmentosus  Substituted  for  Strophanthus 
Seed  (Strophanthus  hispidus). — Examination  of  importations  of 
"Strophanthus  seed"  (Strophanthus  hispidus  P.DC.)  has  disclosed 
that  in  some  instances  the  seeds  of  Strophanthus  sarmentosus  P.DC. 
have  been  substituted  partially  or  wholly  for  the  true  material.  The 
embryo  of  Strophanthus  hispidus  contains  no  crystals  of  calcium 
oxalate  and  gives  a  green  color  when  treated  with  80  per  cent, 
sulphuric  acid,  whereas  the  embryo  of  Strophanthus  sarmentosus  has 
abundant  crystals  of  calcium  oxalate,  and  gives  a  red  color  when 
treated  with  80  per  cent,  sulphuric  acid.  The  department  will  recom- 
mend the  detention  of  any  shipment  of  Strophanthus  hispidus  found 
to  consist  in  whole  or  in  part  of  the  seeds  of  Strophanthus  sarmen- 
tosus. There  is  little  reliable  data  available  regarding  the  physio- 
logical activity  of  this  species. — Service  and  Regulatory  Announce- 
ment U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture,  No.  23. 
