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MELANTHIACEAE(Bunchflower family)• Medicinal / Folk-medicinal aspects: • Referred to as the Melanthaceae in some older publications, this family of about 120 species in 21 genera comprises plants that were until recently considered to belong to the Liliaceae. They are perennial rhizomatous herbs found in the Northern Hemisphere and in South America (Mabberley 1997). Many are to be found in cultivation as ornamentals, for example species of Chamaelirium Willd., Chionographis Maxim., Helonias L. (including Heloniopsis A.Gray), Melanthium L., Stenanthium Kunth, Tofieldia Huds., Veratrum L., Xerophyllum Michx., and Zigadenus Michx. Medicinal and insecticidal activities have been documented for a number of species. However, the toxicity of many of these plants to humans severely limits their use. The more recently discovered teratogenicity of alkaloids present in these plants — see, for example, Keeler (1975) and Gaffield & Keeler (1994) — adds a further dimension to the toxicity profile. von Reis Altschul (1973) found an herbarium note stating that the roots of this Mexican plant are employed for killing maggots in wounds, either powdered and applied or decocted to make a wash.
The seeds of this Mexican species provide the crude drug known as Sabadilla, otherwise known as Semina Sabadillae Mexicanae. Felter & Lloyd (1898) noted that although at one time used in medicine as a vermifuge and to destroy vermin in the hair, its dangerous drastic and irritating properties have caused it to be dismissed from practice. Interestingly, Sabadilla remained official in the British Pharmaceutical Codex until 1934. Pereira (1842) described the toxicity thus:
Veratria is an alkaloidal mixture, otherwise known as veratrine, which may be isolated from cebadilla seeds (Todd 1967), to which the toxic properties described above have been ascribed. Morrow (1893), for example, noted that veratria causes, when applied to the skin in the strength of the ordinary ointment, sensations of tingling, smarting, and increased heat, not only on the point of contact but on remote parts of the body. When applied in a concentrated form it is highly irritant, producing erythema, and even pustular and petechial eruptions. Grant (1974) referred to the toxic effects of veratria on the eyes. The 24 species of Veratrum are natives of northern temperate regions. Few genera illustrate more impressively the futility of employing popular plant names in scientific writing. The popular name hellebore is applied to at least two Veratrum species and is also applied to botanically unrelated Helleborus L. species (fam. Ranunculaceae). In the American West the name skunk cabbage is applied to Veratrum californicum Durand [see below]; in the American East, skunk cabbage is applied to the botanically unrelated aroid Symplocarpus foetidus (L.) Salisb. ex W.P.C.Barton (fam. Araceae).
This Eurasian species is almost indistinguishable from the North American species Veratrum viride Aiton (Trease & Evans 1966). Its rhizome is the source of White Hellebore Powder, which has in the past been used as an insecticide (see, for example, Piper 1922). The crude drug Rhizoma Veratri, otherwise known as Radix Hellebori Albi, is derived from this species (Pereira 1842, Felter & Lloyd 1898). Standardised preparations of the alkaloids — protoveratrines — from the rhizome were at one time used to treat hypertension (Todd 1967, Claus et al. 1970). Felter & Lloyd (1898) wrote:
Pereira (1842) describes similar uses, noting also that when placed in contact with the skin it is an energetic irritant. He also notes that the common name itch-root refers to the activity of the plant against scabies and tinea capitis.
Pammel (1911) listed this plant as being irritant, but may have been referring to its burning and acrid properties on ingestion. This species is the source of cyclopamine, a teratogenic alkaloid that causes cyclopian and other deformities in foetuses of animals that have grazed on the plant during gestation (Keeler 1975, Gaffield & Keeler 1994). Taş & Avcı (2004) reported that topically applied cyclopamine cleared plaque and guttate forms of psoriasis in 3–4 days.
The dried root and rhizome from this and several other species of Veratrum L. is the source of the traditional Chinese medicine known as li lu (藜芦) or Rhizoma et Radix Veratri. Made into a fine powder and added to vegetable oil to make a paste, it is used externally for scabies, ringworm and lice. It is highly toxic if taken internally. Note that li lu (藜芦) may also refer to the root and rhizome of Hemerocallis thunbergii Barr or Hemerocallis citrina Baroni, fam. Asphodelaceae.a Perry & Metzger (1980) recorded that the rhizome is made into a dressing for boils and skin diseases, and that an aqueous extract is used to kill maggots or insects. [See also Veratrum nigrum L. below].
The dried root and rhizome from this and several other species of Veratrum L. is the source of the traditional Chinese medicine known as li lu (藜芦) or Rhizoma et Radix Veratri.a Referring to Veratrum puberulum, Perry & Metzger (1980) noted that in Chinese traditional medicine, the rhizome is made into a dressing for boils and skin diseases, and that an aqueous extract is used to kill maggots or insects. [See also Veratrum dahuricum (Turcz.) O.Loes. above and Veratrum nigrum L. below].
The dried root and rhizome from this and several other species of Veratrum L. is the source of the traditional Chinese medicine known as li lu (藜芦) or Rhizoma et Radix Veratri.a Perry & Metzger (1980) noted that in Chinese traditional medicine, the rhizome is made into a dressing for boils and skin diseases, and that an aqueous extract is used to kill maggots or insects. [See also Veratrum dahuricum (Turcz.) O.Loes. above and Veratrum nigrum L. below].
The dried root and rhizome from this and several other species of Veratrum L. is the source of the traditional Chinese medicine known as li lu (藜芦) or Rhizoma et Radix Veratri.a Prepared as an ointment, it has been used for itch and other parasitic skin diseases. It has also been used in skin diseases of the horse (Stuart 1911). According to Perry & Metzger (1980) who also referred to the use of this plant in Chinese traditional medicine, the rhizome is made into a dressing for boils and skin diseases; and an aqueous extract is used to kill maggots or insects (Perry & Metzger 1980, Huang 1993). [See also Veratrum dahuricum (Turcz.) O.Loes. above]. The traditional use of a decoction of the roots or leaves of this species in Central Italy as a ovine scabicide was noted by Guarrera (1999). The dried root and rhizome from this and several other species of Veratrum L. is the source of the traditional Chinese medicine known as li lu (藜芦) or Rhizoma et Radix Veratri.a Perry & Metzger (1980) noted that in Chinese traditional medicine, the rhizome is made into a dressing for boils and skin diseases, and that an aqueous extract is used to kill maggots or insects. [See also Veratrum dahuricum (Turcz.) O.Loes. above and Veratrum nigrum L. above].
The crude drug Rhizoma (or Radix) Veratri Viridis is derived from this species (Felter & Lloyd 1898). Standardised preparations of the alkaloids from the rhizome were at one time widely used to treat hypertension (Todd 1967, Claus et al. 1970). Felter & Lloyd (1898) wrote:
Morrow (1893) similarly noted that:
adding that:
Pammel (1911), Weber (1937), and Schwartz et al. (1957) citing Muenscher (1951), included this species in lists of irritant plants. Massey (1941) included Veratrum viride in a list of plants described as "less troublesome" causes of dermatitis, but did not cite the source of his information. Interestingly, Coulter (1904) in an experiment on himself using Indian poke, or otherwise Veratrum viride, experienced absolutely no redness or burning after applying the plant to his skin. It is pertinent to mention that the common name Indian poke is also used for Phytolacca acinosa Roxb., fam. Phytolaccaceae. References
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