Conium maculatum (Poison Hemlock)

Conium maculatum
Pharmacognosy
Pharmacology

1. Conium maculatum

2. INTRODUCTION FAMILY Apiaceae ( umbelliferae ) BOTANICAL NAME Conium maculatum ENGLISH NAME Poison hemlock URDU NAME Shekran or Shekran Zahar PART USED Leaves, Fruits, Seeds CHEMICAL CLASS Alkaloids

3. USES Anxiety Asthma Muscle spasms Cramps. Mania Bronchitis Teething In Children . Whooping Cough

4. CONSTITUENTS Coniine Conhydrin Pseudo-conhydrin Methyl Coniine Ethyl-piperdine

5. SIDE EFFECTS Sinking Thirst Dryness of throat Rendering talking Benumbing feelings Difficulty in breathing

6. MECHANISM OF ACTION • Coniin is used as anti-spasmodic. Spasm is generally a sudden involuntary muscle contraction while coniine stops muscle contraction as coniine blocks the nicotine receptors on the post-synaptic membrane of neuromuscular junction thus blocking the muscle movement. • Conium is used as anti-cancer because it causes the apoptosis of cancerous cells thus stops the production of new cells. Its pact mechanism is not known till now. • Conium is used as anti-depressant because its active constituent piper dine is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and this activity of the drug on brain neurons is thought to be responsible for its antidepressant effects. • Conium depresses the cranial nerve iii thus depressing the motor function and causing a lazy movement of the eyes and sometimes strabismus. • Conium is used as anti-nociceptive because its active constituent pentylpiperidine reduces the painful stimuli thus it stops the painful stimuli to the brain that is why it is used to reduce or stop pain in case of Cancer and surgery.

7. TOXICITY The entire plant contains poisonous alkaloids specially the roots and seeds. Fresh plant collected is more toxic then dried plant. Toxicity occurs only when taken internally except when diluted into homeopathic preparations.

8. DOSAGE Powdered leaves 1-3 grains Tincture Seeds 0.5-1 drachm (BP ) Fluid Extract of Leaves 5-10 drops

9. DRUG INTERACTION When taken with gastrointestinal agents it causes hemlock poisoning including vomiting and nausea. With neurologic agent sit causes hemlock poisoning which effects CNS, causing CNS stimulation followed by depression, including paralysis of motor nerve endings. Interactions with other drugs acting on the serotonin system may increase the risk of Serotonin syndrome