Simple hypotensive and hypertensive principles from some West Indian medicinal plants

Examination of those plant extracts which were previously found (Feng and others, 1962) to have transient depressor activity has led to the isolation of gamma-aminobutyric acid, from the leaves of Artocarpus incisa L. and Piper amalago L. and to the demonstration by paper chromatography of its presence of several extracts. Extracts showing pressor activity were also examined and tyramine has been isolated from Phoradendron wattii Kr. and Urb. and dopamine has been shown by paper chromatography to be present in Piper amalago L. and Stachytarpheta jamaicensis Vahl(AU)

Pharmacological screening of some West Indian medicinal plants

A systematic pharmacological examination has been made of 55 Jamaican plants, most of which have a local reputation as medicinals. A number of interesting, but no outstanding, activities were observed. The results are tabulated (AU)