Copyright Phytomed Medicinal Herbs Ltd.
2007
BACK TO TOP
Horopito Monograph
|
Botanical Name: Pseudowintera
colorata
Common Names: Horopito, New Zealand
Peppertree, Winter’s bark,
Red Horopito
Botanical Family: Winteraceae
Part Used: Leaves
Active Constituents:
• Volatile oil - containing eugenol; and polygodial,
a bicyclic
sesquiterpenoid dialdehyde
• Tannins
Primary Actions:
• Anti-fungal
• Anti-inflammatory
• Circulatory stimulant
• Stimulating expectorant
• Counter-irritant/rubefacient
• Antiseptic
• Astringent
• Insecticidal
|
 Photo:
Tony Foster
|
Medicinal Uses:
The main biologically active constituent of Horopito has been
identified as the sesquiterpene dialdehyde, polygodialP(1).
Polygodial is a component of the “hot taste” in
peppery spices common in traditional Japanese cuisine(2) and
it has been shown to exhibit significant fungicidal and antibacterial
activity(3). Leaves of the Horopito tree were traditionally
used by Maori to treat fungal and other skin infections, venereal
disease, stomach pain and diarrhoea(4).
Early European settlers to New Zealand also used Horopito
medicinally,
including infusions of the leaf for internal problems, or
simply chewing the
fresh leaves. Skin complaints were treated using bruised leaves
which had
been steeped in water or chewed before application(1,5). A
decoction of leaves
was used as an analgesic, and the leaves were chewed for toothache.
The antifungal activity of polygodial has been well documented.
Researchers
in New Zealand demonstrated the ability of polygodial isolated
from Horopito
to inhibit the growth of Candida albicans(1). Other
researchers have shown it
to be effective against yeast-like fungi such as Candida
albicans, Candida
krusei, Candida utilis, Cryptococcus neoformans, Saccharomyces
cerevisiae,
and also filamentous fungi Trichophyton mentagraphytes,
Trichophyton
ruburum and Penicillium marneffei(6).
The
effectiveness of Horopito in
© Phytomed Medicinal Herbs Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand,
August 2007
inhibiting the growth of these fungi was shown to be comparable
to the
common antifungal pharmaceutical preparation amphotericin
B.
The Cawthorn Institute, Nelson, New Zealand showed dried Horopito
leaves
to be twice as powerful as sodium caprylate at killing Candida
albicans(7).
Preliminary clinical trials have confirmed Horopito’s
effectiveness in dealing
with fungal infections(8,9,12). A combination of polygodial
with the aniseed
constituent anethole, has been found to produce greater antifungal
activity
than seen with polygodial alone(13).
Polygodial has also been shown to have antibacterial(14),
anti-inflammatory,
and anti-allergic(15) effects. Antinociceptive or analgesic
properties, possibly
mediated via influences on glutamate neurotransmission(16,17,18),
or in a similar
manner to those of capsaicin(19), have also been implicated.
Potent gastroprotective effects of polygodial in rats (20,21)
and reduced colon
permeability in malnourished mice(22), have been reported.
As with its antiinflammatory
effects, modulation of endogenous prostaglandins and nitric
oxide, seem to be involved in these activities.
The marked circulatory stimulant action of Horopito, and vasorelaxant
effect of
polygodial(23), implicates possible benefits in conditions
of circulatory
insufficiency, such as chilblains, arterial insufficiency,
intermittent claudication,
and Raynaud’s syndrome.
Horopito may also be of use in the treatment of respiratory
conditions such as
colds, coughs and asthma, probably as a stimulating expectorant.
Adverse effects:
While modest doses may be useful, large doses are best avoided
in acute
gastritis or peptic ulcers.
Unlike many biologically active sesquiterpene dialdehydes,
polygodial is not
mutagenic(10,11).
Herb-Drug Interactions:
None identified.
Dosage: 10 – 30ml per week of a 1:2
fluid extract.
While not as hot as Capsicum spp when prepared as
a hydroethanolic liquid
extract, it is advisable to take daily amounts in 2-3 divided
doses to avoid
excessive circulatory stimulation.
©Phytomed Medicinal Herbs Ltd, November 2007.
For a list of references please contact caroline@phytomed.co.nz
© Phytomed Medicinal Herbs Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand,
August 2007
HOROPITO IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
By Phil Rasmussen
Horopito has become popular during recent years for its apparent
antifungal
activity, and this as well as skin wounds and cuts is one
of the most common
applications I use it for in my practice, but always combined
with other topical
antimicrobials such as Manuka oil and Manuka herb (Kiwiherb
Manuka Paint).
Apart from that, I tend to use it internally in those patients
with a cold
constitution and weak digestion, where others may prescribe
warming herbs
such as Capsicum or Horseradish. Recent research on the effects
of
polygodial on the digestive system, are also of great interest,
as are its
antinociceptive effects shown by more than one team of researchers.
These
both point to the likelihood that Horopito’s traditional
reputation as a painkilling
and stomachic herb, useful for much more than fungal infections.
© Phytomed Medicinal Herbs Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand,
August 2007
BACK TO TOP
Hoheria Monograph
|
Botanical Name: Hoheria populnea
Common Names: Hoheria, Houhere, Lacebark,
Ribbonwood, Thousand
jacket
Botanical Family: Malvaceae
Part Used: Leaf
Introduction:
Hoheria is a rapidly growing small tree belonging to
a genus which is endemic
to New Zealand. Its name derives from its many lace-like
layers of inner bark,
which can be torn into ribbon-like strips. Specimens
are popular for their
attractive white flowers which appear in Autumn. The
fibre of the bark was
once used for clothing, especially in summer as it is
somewhat lighter than
flax. It was also plaited into ropes, nets, eel baskets,
baby slings and pois(1)
|
|
Active Constituents:
• Polysaccharide hydrocolloids (mucilage) – appear
to be made up largely
of D-xylose and D-glucuronic acid units(2).
No further information is available on other phytochemical
constituents.
Uses:
Most of the medicinal uses to which Hoheria was applied in
the early days, appear to relate largely to its content of mucilaginous polysaccharides,
and
there are many similarities between applications of this plant
and those of
other phytomedicines rich in polysaccharide hydrocolloids.
These include
Slippery Elm bark (Ulmus fulva) and Marshmallow root
(Althaea officinalis),
plants which have a strong tradition of use particularly for
inflammatory
conditions of the digestive and respiratory systems(3).
While
polysaccharide
mucilaginous components are poorly bioavailable following
oral
administration(4), they are thought to form a protective layer
on the mucosa of
the gastrointestinal tract, as well as produce a reflex expectorant
effect on the
lungs.
The indications below are based partly on knowledge of historical
uses, (some<
of which appear to have dated from colonial times, following
the introduction<
of Slippery Elm as a medicine in New Zealand), as well as
extrapolation from<
the known uses of comparable mucilaginous plants, and usage
of Hoheria by the author in a clinic setting. Supplies of Slippery Elm bark
are obtained
almost exclusively from harvests of wild populations, resulting
in concerns to
do with sustainability as well as steadily increasing price(5).
Hoheria, as a
rapidly growing tree which is endemic throughout New Zealand,
would appear
to have much to offer as an alternative mucilaginous agent
for use in
phytotherapy.
© Phytomed Medicinal Herbs Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand,
August 2007
Possible Internal Indications:
Main indications:
Respiratory conditions
– as an expectorant
and anti-inflammatory,
including:
• Non-productive coughs and colds
• Bronchitis and asthma
Inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract
– as a demulcent
and gastroprotective agent, including
• Dyspepsia, gastritis and reflux oesophagitis.
• Peptic ulcer, diverticular disease, ulcerative colitis,
Crohn’s disease.
• Enteritis and irritable bowel syndrome.
Other therapeutic uses:
• Constipation – as a bulk laxative, providing
large doses are taken
• Obesity – like other soluble fibres, Hoheria
may assist as a possible
weight loss agent if taken in sufficient doses, as part of
an overall
programme.
• Hypercholesterolemia - various mucilages and other
soluble fibres
have exhibited efficacy in the treatment of high blood cholesterol
levels,
largely by impairing cholesterol absorption from the gut(6,7).
It is
therefore conceivable that large doses of Hoheria may show
mild
hypocholesterolaemic activity.
• Diabetes mellitus - while uninvestigated to date, like
many fibres
Hoheria may help to retain glucose in the gut and produce
a mild
hypoglycaemic affect similar to that of Psyllium seed and
other
mucilaginous agents(8,9). Large doses are likely to be required
for such
an effect however.
• Painful conditions of the urinary tract - while no
evidence exists to
support such indications for Hoheria, mucilaginous plants
are reputed
to help in the treatment of kidney stones, cystitis and urethritis,
possibly
through a reflex-mediated demulcent action.
• Fevers - a drink made from the bark was also used to
treat fevers, and
to ‘cause perspiration when poisoned by the katipo,
karaka or tutu’(10).
These historical uses implicate a possible diaphoretic or
febrifuge
action.
Topical Uses:
Like many mucilaginous phytomedicines including Slippery Elm,
a wide range
of possible topical applications exist. Hoheria bark was bruised
into a pulp and
applied as a poultice for boils, bruises, wounds, abscesses,
ulcers and burns,
sometimes in combination with Harakeke (Phormium tenax)
leaf gel or other
plants(10,11).
Strips of bark soaked in cold water for 2 days to form a thick
jelly were also a
popular preparation particularly among elderly people to bathe
weak and sore
eyes(12).
© Phytomed Medicinal Herbs Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand,
August 2007
A soothing and protective emollient action, and anti-inflammatory
as well as
antimicrobial effects, appear likely.
Likely Pharmacological actions:
• Demulcent
• Gastroprotective
• Expectorant
• Febrifuge
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-microbial
Adverse effects:
No adverse effects, contraindications or herb-drug interactions
have been
reported to date.
Preparations:
As a fresh plant preparation, Hoheria leaves can simply be
picked from a tree
and chewed and swallowed in order to benefit from their medicinal
properties.
It is difficult to prepare a liquid extract or stronger tincture
that ‘1 in 4’ strength,
due to the highly viscous nature of the mucilage contained
in the leaves.
While some claim that only small doses of mucilaginous plants
are often
required, it is the author’s experience that Hoheria
can and should in fact be
administered in quite large doses internally to produce therapeutic
benefits.
Dosage: 20 – 50ml per week of a 1:4
fluid extract.
Written by Phil Rasmussen. Published in Phytonews 9,
Phytomed Medicinal
Herbs Ltd, ISSN 1775-0251, May 2001.
For a list of references please contact caroline@phytomed.co.nz
© Phytomed Medicinal Herbs Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand,
August 2007
BACK TO TOP
Kahikatea Monograph
|
Botanical Name: Dacrycarpus dacrydioides
(Podocarpus dacrydiodes)
Common Names: New Zealand White Pine
Botanical Family: Coniferae
Part Used: leaves, fruit, bark
Introduction:
Kahikatea is one of the most well known large New Zealand
native trees,
usually growing to a height of 25 to 40 metres particularly
in swampy ground.
The wood was used extensively for butter boxes until the 1930’s,
but its
relative softness and thus inferior properties as a timber,
have probably
contributed to its survival as one of the most common large
native trees left in
New Zealand today.
Botanically related to Matai (Prumnopitys taxifolia),
Miro (Prumnopitys
ferruginea), Rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum)
and Totara (Podocarpus totara),
the edible fleshy inner part of the berries was eaten by early
Maori 5. While
very little information is available on early medicinal uses,
leaves and foliage
of Kahikatea were traditionally used for various ailments.
These included its
application in vapour baths and as a decoction, for urinary
and other internal
complaints 1. A topical application prepared from Kahikatea
bark was also
used for bruises, and an infusion prepared from the wood was
considered a
good general tonic 2, 3. Kahikatea leaves were also sometimes
used instead of
Rimu by Captain Cook’s men as a ‘spruce tree’
to make an anti-scorbutic beer
from, which indicates that they are a good source of vitamin
C 6.
Research into podocarpic acid, one of the main terpenoid constituents
of
Kahikatea, has revealed potential anti-cancer and mild oestrogenic
activities
for this agent and various derivatives.
|
Photo: Tony Foster
|
Active Constituents:
• Podocarpic acid, ferruginol and other diterpenoid resin
acids 4, 8
• Norditerpene lactones (podolactones, nagilactones)
9
• Anthocyanidins including glycosides of pelargonidin
and others 10
• Tannins
Pharmacology:
Possible oestrogenic activity
The heartwood of Kahikatea, like that of Rimu, consists almost
entirely of
podocarpic acid, a substance whose chemistry was studied by
early
© Phytomed Medicinal Herbs Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand,
May 2007
investigators 7, 8. Many simple derivatives of podocarpic
acid have
pharmacological activity, and considerable work on the preparation
of
pharmacologically active triterpenoid steroids from this substance
has been
undertaken by researchers at Searle Laboratories and Auckland
University 11,
12.
A paper published in the prestigious journal Nature in 1949,
reported the
preparation of podocarpatrienol, a compound which has strong
oestrogenic
properties and which is prepared by reduction of podocarpic
acid 13. More
recently, an investigation into the feeding habits of the
rare New Zealand bird,
the kakapo, studied the possible oestrogenic activity of Kahikatea
fruits. While
no evidence of oestrogenic activity was revealed in the recombinant
yeast
bioassay used, weak oestrogenic activity was shown for podocarpic
acid and
its reduced derivative podocarpinol 14.
The botanically related New Zealand Matai tree (Prumnopitys
taxifolia)
contains various other constituents with oestrogenic properties,
including the
isoflavone genistein, as well as the lignans matairesinol
and conidendrin
which are oestrogenic precursors 7, 15. It is conceivable
that Kahikatea fruits
contain oestrogenic precursors as opposed to oestrogenic constituents,
and
that like various other phyto-oestrogens or lignan precursors,
oestrogenic
activity is enhanced following metabolic modification in the
gastrointestinal
tract. Non-fruit parts of Kahikatea, have unfortunately yet
to be investigated
for potential oestrogenic activity.
Further evidence of possible oestrogenic activity has been
implicated by the
finding that a related Indian species, Podocarpus brevifolius,
has an
antifertility actiion in female rats 16.
Antimicrobial
While extracts prepared from Kahikatea have yet to be evaluated
for potential
antimicrobial activity, such activity seems likely based upon
phytochemical
constituents and traditional uses of closely related species.
Possible activities
include:
Antibacterial
Various resin acids have shown antibacterial against selected
aerobic Gram
positive and anaerobic Gram negative bacteria 17. These include
totarol, a
diterpenoid found in Podocarpus totara (Totara) and various
other
Podocarpus and related species, which exhibits strongly antibacterial
and
antioxidant properties 18, 19, 20. Ferruginol and derivatives
also exhibit
antibacterial activity 21.
Antiviral
Numerous naturally occurring and synthetic diterpenes exhibit
antiviral
activities against a range of viruses in vitro. While
those found in Kahikatea
have yet to be evaluated for possible antiviral activity,
it is of interest that a
derivative of podocarpic acid (180299) has been shown by pharmaceutical
© Phytomed Medicinal Herbs Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand,
May 2007
company researchers to inhibit viral protein synthesis (replication
of influenza
A /Kawasaki /86 virus), in cell cultures 22.
Antifungal
While no direct evidence of antifungal properties for Kahikatea
has been
published, various known and likely constituents show such
activity.
Pelargonidin glycosides inhibit growth of the pathogenic fungi,
Aspergillus
flavus 23, and podolactones isolated from Podocarpus
nagi show activity
against various fungal organisms including Candida albicans
24. Fungicidal
activity has also been confirmed for several natural and synthetic
podolactones by Spanish researchers 25.
Anticancer
Many natural diterpenes, such as taxol, also exhibit cytotoxic
activities against
several types of cancer cells, and various compounds with
potential antineoplastic
activity have been isolated from Pinaceae plants 26, 27. The
antioxidant activities of a number of phenolic diterpenes
have also been
attributed with having chemopreventative actions against several
cancers 28,
29.
Japanese, Spanish and New Zealand researchers have found that
podolactones isolated from Podocarpus species have
significant cytotoxicity
against cancer cell lines in vitro 30,31,25,63. Podocarpic
acid and podolactones
also have antileukemic activity, and several synthetic derivatives
of
podocarpic acid have shown significant cytotoxicity against
human epidermoid
carcinoma of the nasopharynx in vitro 32. Cytotoxic
activity has also been
found for podocarpic acid and derivatives on human epithelial
and fibroblast
cells 33.
An ethanolic extract of the Nepalese tree Podocarpus neriifolius,
showed
antiproliferative activity against two tumour cell lines 34.
A lactone compound,
nagilactone C, was found to be contributory to this activity.
Inhibitory effects have also been shown for pelargonidin against
the growth of
NK/Ly ascites tumour cells in vitro 35.
Most recently, podocarpic acid derivatives have been shown
to inhibit the
release of interleukin 1 beta, a cytokine associated with
expression of a
multidrug resistance protein in human colorectal cancer cells
36, 37. While
uninvestigated to date, adjunctive treatment with Kahikatea
could thus
perhaps offer potential benefits in certain patients being
treated with
chemotherapeutic agents.
Antioxidant
Several Podocarpus diterpenoids including totarol have been
shown to protect
biological systems against various oxidative stresses 20,
38, 39. Anthocyanins
© Phytomed Medicinal Herbs Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand,
May 2007
are also often antioxidant, and antioxidant activity for pelargonidin
anthocyanins found in Kahikatea has been shown to exhibit
antioxidant
activity 40, 41, 42.
Pelargonidin and related anthocyanidins are strong inhibitors
of nitric oxide
(NO) production, an action which has been associated with
antioxidant
properties and beneficial effects on various cardiovascular
diseases, renal
failure, and a wide range of other chronic inflammatory conditions
43, 44, 45, 46,
47.
Nitration of tyrosine to reactive NO and other species has
recently been
shown to have a potential role in neurodegenerative diseases
such as
Parkinson’s 43, hepatotoxicity 61 and bacterial meningitis
44. Protection of
tyrosine nitration by pelargonidin 48 implicates a potential
protective effect of
Kahikatea and other pelargonidin-containing plants against
these illnesses.
A pronounced radioprotective effect against cytogenetic damage
to
fibroblasts, has also been documented for pelargonidin anthocyanidins
by
Russian workers 49.
Anti-inflammatory
Traditional uses of Kahikatea bark as a topical application
for bruises
suggests a possible anti-inflammatory effect 2. Pelargonidin
also shows antiinflammatory
activities in various models of inflammation 50, and is an
inhibitior
of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and II enzyme inhibitory activities
41. Inhibition of
the release of interleukin-1beta, a pro-inflammatory cytokine,
is also produced
by podocarpic acid derivatives 36.
Leaves of a related Podocarpus species, are used “as
an alterative and for
rheumatism and painful joints” 62.
These effects along with the inhibitory activity against NO
production by
pelargonidin and related anthocyanidins, point to a possible
anti-inflammatory
activity for Kahikatea extracts and potential benefit in various
chronic
inflammatory conditions.
Cardiovascular agent
The antioxidant and nitric oxide inhibitory activities of
Podocarpus terpenoid and
anthocyanidin constituents may contribute to beneficial or
protective effects in
various cardiovascular conditions such as hyperlipidaemia,
atherosclerosis or heart
failure. Antihypertensive activity in rats has also been shown
for ferruginol 51, 52.
A podocarpic acid derivative, acetyl-podocarpic dimer (APD),
has been found
to act as a potent and selective agonist for both LXRalpha
and LXRbeta
nuclear receptors 53. These are intracellular sensors of cholesterol
excess
whose activation by various oxysterols is implicated in the
prevention and
© Phytomed Medicinal Herbs Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand,
May 2007
treatment of atherosclerosis, especially when High Density
Lipoprotein (HDL)
levels are low.
Potential application for Kahikatea as a treatment
for
hypercholesterolaemia has yet to be investigated.
Other possible activities
Urinary agent
Berries of kahikatea were regarded as having stimulating and
diuretic
properties 54, and several early writers described use of
a decoction of the
leaves for urinary complaints 1, 55, 56.
Anti-diabetic
A derivative of pelargonidin has produced improvement in glucose
tolerance
and enhanced insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells
in animal studies,
implicating possible application for these substances in the
management of
diabetes mellitus 57.
Choleretic
Kahikatea has a strongly bitter taste, and choleretic activity
has been reported
for podocarpic acid derivatives 58. This indicates a possible
application of this
plant in the management of conditions associated with a weak
digestion as
well as liver impairment.
Insecticidal
Inumakilactone A and nagilactone C, norditerpene lactones
found in the
leaves of Podocarpus nivalis, P hallii, P nagi and
P macrophyllus, have been
shown to possess potent insecticidal activity 59, 60.
Possible Indications:
Topically:
• Bruises and other inflammatory conditions
• Mild bacterial infections
Internally:
• Chronic inflammatory conditions (eg. renal failure,
rheumatic
conditions)
• Reduction of cardiovascular disease risk parameters
• Alleviation of menopausal symptoms
• Adjunctive treatment / prevention of various cancers
• Management of conditions associated with a weak digestion/liver
impairment
Adverse effects:
None known, although the strong bitter effect of Kahikatea
requires care in
some situations, such as in those with active peptic ulceration
or dyspepsia.
Dosage: 20 – 50ml per week of a 1:2
fluid extract.
© Phytomed Medicinal Herbs Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand,
May 2007
Written by Phil Rasmussen. Published in Phytonews 12,
Phytomed Medicinal
Herbs Ltd, ISSN 1775-0251, June 2002.
For a list of references please contact caroline@phytomed.co.nz
© Phytomed Medicinal Herbs Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand,
May 2007
BACK TO TOP
herb 5
Content Content Content
BACK TO TOP
herb 6
Content Content Content
