A drug used to treat glaucoma. It may initially cause blurred vision, headache, and eye irritation.pilonidal sinus A pit in the skin, often containing hairs, in the upper part of the buttock cleft. The cause is probably hair fragments growing inwards. Although usually harmless, infection may occur, causing recurrent, painful abscesses. If a sinus is infected, a wide area around it is surgically removed. Recurrence of infection is common, and plastic surgery is sometimes required. pimozide An antipsychotic drug also used to treat Gilles de la Tourette’s syndrome. Pimozide may cause sedation, dry mouth, constipation, and blurred vision. pimple A small pustule or papule. pindolol A beta-blocker drug used to treat angina pectoris and hypertension. Possible side effects are typical of other beta-blocker drugs, except that pindolol is less likely to cause bradycardia. pineal gland A tiny, cone-shaped structure deep within the brain, whose sole function appears to be the secretion of melatonin in response to changes in light.
An alkaloid (see ALKALOIDS) derived from the leaves of Pilocarpus microphyllus (jaborandi). It produces the same effects as stimulation of the PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM: i.e. it has exactly the opposite e?ect to ATROPINE, but cannot be used in the treatment of atropine poisoning as it does not antagonise the action of poisonous doses of atropine on the brain. Its main use today is in the form of eye drops to decrease the pressure inside the eyeball in GLAUCOMA.
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.
n. a *parasympathomimetic drug administered to reduce the pressure inside the eye in angle-closure *glaucoma (see miotic). It is also used to treat *dry mouth and dry eyes; side-effects may include headache, frequent urination, and sweating.
Substances found commonly in various plants. They are natural nitrogenous organic bases and combine with acids to form crystalline salts. Among alkaloids, morphine was discovered in 1805, strychnine in 1818, quinine and ca?eine in 1820, nicotine in 1829, and atropine in 1833. Only a few alkaloids occur in the animal kingdom, the outstanding example being ADRENALINE, which is formed in the medulla of the suprarenal, or adrenal, gland. Alkaloids are often used for medicinal purposes. The name of an alkaloid ends in ‘ine’ (in Latin, ‘ina’).
Neutral principals are crystalline substances with actions similar to those of alkaloids but having a neutral reaction. The name of a neutral principal ends in ‘in’, e.g. digitalin, aloin.
The following are the more important alkaloids, with their source plants:
Aconite, from Monkshood.
Atropine, from Belladonna (juice of Deadly
Nightshade).
Cocaine, from Coca leaves.
Hyoscine, from Henbane.
Morphine, Codeine, from Opium (juice of
Poppy). Thebaine, Nicotine, from Tobacco. Physostigmine, from Calabar beans. Pilocarpine, from Jaborandi leaves. Quinidine, from Cinchona or Peruvian bark. Strychnine, from Nux Vomica seeds.... alkaloids
Drugs used in the treatment of glaucoma to reduce pressure in the eye. Used topically, miotic drugs cause the pupil to contract, which opens up the drainage channels and drains fluid from the front of the eye. Side effects include headache, particularly over the eye, and blurred vision. Common miotics include carbachol and pilocarpine. (See also mydriatic drugs.)... miotic drugs
1. n. a drug that causes the pupil of the eye to contract by constricting the ciliary muscle (see ciliary body). Miotics, such as *pilocarpine, are used to reduce the pressure in the eye in the treatment of glaucoma: contraction of the ciliary muscle increases the angle between the iris and cornea through which aqueous humour drains from the eye. 2. adj. showing *miosis.... miotic
(Adie’s pupil) a pupil that is dilated as a result of damage to the nerves supplying the ciliary muscle and iris. It reacts poorly to light but may constrict better for near vision, with slow redilation on refixation at a distance. The tonic pupil is sensitive to dilute 0.1% pilocarpine drops, which cause marked constriction but have little effect on a normal pupil. The tonic pupil may become miotic (see miosis) over time.... tonic pupil
Pilocarpus jaborandi
FAMILY: Rutaceae
SYNONYMS: Pernambuco jaborandi, P. pennatifolius, iaborandi, jamborandi, arrudo do mato, arruda brava, jamguaraddi, juarandi.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A woody shrub up to 2 metres high with a smooth, greyish bark, large brownish-green leathery leaves containing big oil glands and reddish-purple flowers.
DISTRIBUTION: Native to Brazil; other species are found in Paraguay, Cuba, the West Indies and Central America.
OTHER SPECIES: There are many members of the Rutaceae and Piperaceae family known simply as jaborandi, such as Piper jaborandi. Others include maranham jaborandi (P. microphyllus), ceara jaborandi (P. trachylophus) and aracti jaborandi (P. spicatus).There is consequently some confusion about the exact botanical source of the oil.
HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: Jaborandi induces salivation and most gland secretions; it was also used at one time to promote hair growth. ‘Useful in psoriasis, prurigo, deafness ... chronic catarrh, tonsillitis and particularly dropsy.’ .
ACTIONS: Antiseptic, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, galactagogue, stimulant (nerve).
EXTRACTION: Essential oil by steam distillation from the dried leaflets.
CHARACTERISTICS: An orange or yellow liquid with a sweet-herbaceous fruity odour.
PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Pilocarpine is the main active constituent; also isopilocarpine, pilocarpidine, methyl nonyl ketone, dipentene and other hydrocarbons.
SAFETY DATA: Oral toxin, skin irritant, abortifacient.
AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE None.
OTHER USES: Various hypodermic solutions are prepared from pilocarpine: the crude oil is rarely used. Little used in perfumery or flavour work due to toxicity.... jaborandi
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