Understanding homeopathy.

Interest in homeopathy is growing because of the costs and impersonality of modern medical care and the increase in infectious diseases that do not respond to allopathic medicine. Extreme dilutions are the main reason many scientists doubt the effectiveness of homeopathic products. Scientists have petitioned the Food and Drug Administration to hold homeopathic products to the same standards as other drugs. While some studies support the efficacy of homeopathy, controlled clinical studies determining effective levels of dilution for these substances are needed.

Gas chromatographic determination of yohimbine in commercial yohimbe products.

The bark of Pausinystalia yohimbe [K. Schumann] Pierre (Rubiaceae), long valued as an aphrodisiac in West Africa, recently has been promoted in the United States as a dietary supplement alternative to anabolic steroids for enhancement of athletic performance. As the number of yohimbe products on the retail market increases, concerns about their safety are raised because of the reported toxicity of yohimbine (the major alkaloid of the plant). Although plant materials are usually identified microscopically, we were unable to identify them in many of the products, because as their labels indicated, the products were mixtures of various botanicals or were bark extracts and contained little or no plant material. A method for extraction and capillary gas chromatographic (GC) separation of the alkaloids of P. yohimbe was, therefore, developed and used to analyze a number of commercial yohimbe products. The method involved solvent extraction and partitioning in chloroform-water followed by separation on a methyl silicone capillary GC column (N-P detection). Comparisons of chromatograms of extracts of authentic bark with those of commercial products indicated that, although many products contained measurable quantities of the alkaloid yohimbine, they were largely devoid of the other alkaloids previously reported in this species. Concentrations of yohimbine in the commercial products ranged from < 0.1 to 489 ppm, compared with 7089 ppm in the authentic material. Authentic bark has been reported to contain up to 6% total alkaloids, 10-15% of which are yohimbine. The possible presence of undeclared diluents in the products was indicated by peaks in product chromatograms but not in those of authentic bark.

Two-dimensional TLC analysis of ginsenosides from root of dwarf ginseng (Panax trifolius L.) Araliaceae.

A procedure is reported for the two-dimensional TLC separation of ginsenosides from the root of Panax trifolius L. The solvent systems and spray reagents described are useful for the identification of ginsenosides in various species of Panax. The results of the separation and identification with controls of at least four ginsenosides from the root of P. trifolius L. are reported. The total percentage of ginsenosides was 0.0061%.

Incidence of plant poisonings in Philadelphia noted as poison information calls.

During a one year period, plant calls were 5.3% of the total number of poison information calls. Of all confirmed plant exposures, 6.8% developed symptoms. Of all suspected plant exposures, 3.2% developed symptoms. Most (75%) of plant exposures occurred in children 3 years old and under. There was no difference between the sexes in exposures or symptoms.

Evaluation of commercial ginseng products.

The variation in panaxoside content of roots and commercial products of Panax ginseng and P. quinquefolium was evaluated by a new spectrodensitometric TLC method. The method is rapid and applicable to all commercial products, and it has a relative standard deviation of 6.4%. Panaxoside patterns of slurry-filled capsules and root extracts most closely resembled those of whole roots. Tablets did not contain detectable panaxosides while teas and granules for infusion yielded only low concentrations. The wide variation among these products indicates the need for more rigid control.

Phytochemical and toxicological screening of household ornamental plants potentially toxic to humans. I.

Thirty different genera of household ornamental plants have been investigated to determine the loci and natures of potential toxins and any injurious effects produced in experimental animals. Different plant parts were tested for alkaloids, glycosides, steroids, saponins, and cyanogenic glycosides. At least seven genera showed detectable concentrations of alkaloids. Glycoside tests were variable, and there was an indication that several species may contain steroid components. Sixteen genera showed positive saponin foam tests. None of the species were clearly cyanogenic. Preliminary biologic screening on rats and mice is given.