Journal
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
Volume 89, Issue 1, Pages 91-95Publisher
ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD
DOI: 10.1016/S0378-8741(03)00267-8
Keywords
Gelsemium elegans; crude alkaloidal fraction; analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect; clonic convulsion; GABA
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Gelsemium elegans Benth. (Loganiaceae), a toxic plant indigenous to southeastern Asia, is well known among hilltribes as an effective means for committing suicide. A crude alkaloidal fraction from its leaves was isolated by conventional acid-base extraction. Tests in animals showed that the alkaloids exerted analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. At a lethal dose, the alkaloids produced violent clonic convulsions that led to respiratory failure. Since the convulsions could be prevented by pentobarbital or diazepam and potentiated by reserpine, it is postulated that the alkaloids act centrally against GABA action. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
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