PARTE UTILIZADA= Used part: Hojas.

ACCIÓN FARMACOLÓGICA= Pharmacological action: Purgante.

COMPOSICIÓN QUÍMICA= Chemical composition: Ephedra tweediana contained peroxidases and a resin (?) but no alkaloids. Cestrum parqui gave a test for alkaloids and contained a glycoside; an oily residue supposedly represented the active toxic principle (respiratory depressant); a catechol tannin, oxidases, peroxidases, and a resin (?) were also reported. Salphicroa rhomboidea contained 0.003% alkaloid in fresh leaves and stems, 0.0038% in fresh fruits: this alkaloid may be responsible for the symptoms of drunkenness observed when excessive amts. of the fruit are consumed; the alkaloid is sol. in EtOH and still more so in CHCl3. A glycoside present showed an enzymic reduction index of 53-55. Oxidases, peroxidases, and a catechol tannin were also found. Rhynchosia senna contained anthraquinone principles (derived from chrysophanic acid, etc.) partly free, partly in the form of anthraglycosides (total anthraquinones 3% dried wt.) and a catechol tannin. 88 references.

ZONA GEOGRAFICA= Geografical zone: Centro y N de Argentina. 

1) TOURSARKISSIAN, Martín. Plantas medicinales de Argentina : sus nombres botánicos, vulgares, usos y distribución geográfica. Buenos Aires : Hemisferio Sur, 1980, p.75.

2) COSTA, Jose German. Chemical and pharmacodynamic investigations on medicinal plants of Uruguay. Anales fac. quim. y farm (Montevideo). 1955, vol.4, nº, p.317-326.