Parasympathomimetic | Health Encyclopedia: Parasympathomimetic

Parasympathomimetic: From 3 Different Sources

Mimicking major aspects of parasympathetic function. EXAMPLES: Amanita muscaria mushrooms, Pilocarpine, Lobelia.

Health Source: Herbal Medical
Author: Health Dictionary

A drug that stimulates the PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM. The actions of such drugs resemble those of ACETYLCHOLINE. Those cholinergic actions include stimulation of musculoskeletal muscle, reduction in the heart rate, greater tension in involuntary (or smooth) muscle, increasing glandular secretions such as saliva, and constriction of the pupil of the EYE. MYASTHENIA GRAVIS, GLAUCOMA, certain disorders of the cardiovascular system, and intestinal or bladder malfunction are among the conditions for which cholinergic drugs are prescribed.

Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary

n. a drug that has the effect of stimulating the *parasympathetic nervous system. The actions of parasympathomimetic drugs are cholinergic (resembling those of *acetylcholine) and include stimulation of skeletal muscle, *vasodilatation, depression of heart rate, increasing the tension of smooth muscle, increasing secretions (such as saliva), and constricting the pupil of the eye. They are used in the treatment of *myasthenia gravis (see anticholinesterase) and glaucoma (see miotic).

Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Pilocarpine

A plant alkaloid and the primary bioactive substance reducible from Pilocarpus spp. (Jaborandi leaves). It is an almost pure parasympathomimetic (cholinergic), inducing lowered blood pressure and stimulating glandular secretions...EVERYWHERE. It stimulates sweating as well, a sympathetic cholinergic response. Anyway, it is used in eye drops these days to contract the pupil, lower ocular fluid pressure and take some of the stress off glaucoma. The refined alkaloid is better in the eyes, but the dried leaves are the usual complex agents of herb use and have some therapeutic values in low doses. Good Lobelia or Asclepias will work similarly and are both safer, fresher and more predictable as botanicals.... pilocarpine

Verbena Officinalis

Linn.

Family: Verbenaceae.

Habitat: The Himalayas, Khasi and Lushai Hills, Bihar, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

English: Vervain, Pigeon's Grass.

Unani: Saal-ul-hamaam, Faristari- un.

Action: Plant—nervine, antidepressant, anticonvulsant; prescribed in liver and gall bladder complaints (spasm of the bladder and strangury), nervous and menstrual disorders; also for bronchitis, asthma and febrile affections.

Included among unapproved herbs by German Commission E.

The plant contains an iridoid gly- coside, hastatoside; loganin; methyl- cyclopentane monoterpenoid, verbe- nalin; verbascoside and eukovoside. The stem and roots are quite rich in stachyose. Aerial parts gave lupeol, beta-sitosterol, ursolic acid, aucubin and artemetin.

The herb is credited with weak parasympathomimetic activity. Verbenalin exhibited mild purgative activity in animal studies. Emetic in high doses.

Vervain tea decreased absorption of non-heme iron by 59% in human subjects. (Sharon M. Herr.)... verbena officinalis

Anticholinesterase

n. any substance that inhibits the action of *cholinesterase, the enzyme that is responsible for the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, and therefore allows acetylcholine to continue transmitting nerve impulses. Drugs with anticholinesterase activity include *neostigmine, *pyridostigmine, and *edrophonium; their uses include the diagnosis and treatment of *myasthenia gravis. See also parasympathomimetic.... anticholinesterase

Cholinergic

adj. 1. describing nerve fibres that release *acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter. 2. describing *receptors at which acetylcholine acts to pass on messages from cholinergic nerve fibres. 3. describing drugs that mimic the actions of acetylcholine (see parasympathomimetic). Compare adrenergic.... cholinergic