Herbal Pharmacology Mucilages, Tannins, Anthraquinones

Class Abstract

Mucilages

Mills&Bone 1st ed. P.26

Eshun, Kojo, and Qian He. "Aloe vera: a valuable ingredient for the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries—a review." Critical reviews in food science and nutrition 44.2 (2004): 91- 96. Goycoolea, Francisco M., and Adriana Cárdenas. "Pectins from Opuntia spp.: a short review." Journal of the Professional Association for Cactus Development 5 (2003): 17-29. Hasanudin, Khairunnisa, Puziah Hashim, and Shuhaimi Mustafa. "Corn silk (Stigma Maydis) in healthcare: A phytochemical and pharmacological review." Molecules 17.8 (2012): 9697-9715.

KEY POINTS: demulcent, soothe tissue, trap/slow sugars and cholesterol entry, poorly absorbed but may have reflex action in other mucous membranes, prebiotic

Extraction: water. Heat and ethanol (above 50%) may damage

Areas of action: mostly topical

Pharmacokinetics: form gels with water in GI tract, excreted through GI tract

Representative species: Aloe, Acacia, Althaea, Zea, Ulmus, Symphytum, Linum Tannins:

Mills & Bone, 1st ed. p.34

Min, B. R., and S. P. Hart. "Tannins for suppression of internal parasites." Journal of Animal Science 81.14 suppl 2 (2003): E102-E109. Zucker, William V. "Tannins: does structure determine function? An ecological perspective." American Naturalist (1983): 335-365. Akiyama, Hisanori, et al. "Antibacterial action of several tannins against Staphylococcus aureus." Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 48.4 (2001): 487-491. Clausen, Thomas P., et al. "Condensed tannins in plant defense: a perspective on classical theories." Plant polyphenols. Springer US, 1992. 639-651.

KEY POINTS: astringent, styptic, bind protein, tone tissue, eventually denature tissue, can have antimicrobial action once modified in GI tract

Extraction: water. Heat will speed extraction. Long-term hot (simmering) water fastest way

Areas of action: mostly topical

Pharmacokinetics: Mills & Bone 1st ed. P.68. Complex with protein early, then hydrolyzed / modified by small intestine flora, ongoing decomposition / modification in colon, excreted out GI tract

Representative species: Quercus, Rubus, Camellia

Anthraquinones

Mills & Bone, 1st ed. p.48

Danish, Mohd, et al. "Cassia fistula Linn.(Amulthus)—an important medicinal plant: a review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties." J Nat Prod Plant Resour 1.1 (2011): 101-118. Singh, Ram, and S. M. S. Chauhan. "9, 10‐Anthraquinones and Other Biologically Active Compounds from the Genus Rubia." Chemistry & biodiversity 1.9 (2004): 1241-1264. Pawlus, Alison D., et al. "An Anthraquinone with Potent Quinone Reductase-Inducing Activity and Other Constituents of the Fruits of Morinda c itrifolia (Noni)." Journal of natural products 68.12 (2005): 1720-1722. Rokaya, Maan Bahadur, et al. "< i> Rheum australe D. Don: A review of its botany, ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology." Journal of Ethnopharmacology 141.3 (2012): 761-774. Izhaki, Ido. "Emodin–a secondary metabolite with multiple ecological functions in higher plants." New Phytologist 155.2 (2002): 205-217.

KEY POINTS: laxative, can cause spasmodic colonic contraction, 8h to reach colon, can be habit-forming, have antimicrobial and antitumor effects (GI)

Extraction: water. Heat is safe, speeds extraction.

Areas of action: mostly topical, colonic mucosa

Pharmacokinetics: Mills & Bone 1st ed. P.62. Often exist as glycosides in plants, de-glycosylated in colon by gut flora, act on local tissue to stimulate peristalsis

Representative species: Aloe, Rheum, Cascara, Cassia, Rubia