WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants - travolekar.ru

<strong>WHO</strong> <strong>monographs</strong> on selected medicinal plants
plicated in causing central nervous system effects in sheep that have grazed
on Tribulus over a period of months. Harman and norharman appear to
accumulate in tryptamine-associated neurons of the central nervous system
and gradually interact irreversibly with a specific sequence of neuronal
gene DNA. The extractable alkaloid content was 44.0 mg/kg dry
matter. Synthetic harman and norharman administered subcutaneously to
sheep at a dose of 54 mg/kg, caused nervous system effects similar to those
caused by the fresh plant (33).
Behavioural, haematological, biochemical, functional and morphological
studies on the acute, subchronic and chronic toxicities of protodioscin,
one of the chemical constituents of the crude drug, showed no
toxic manifestations under experimental conditions. No data were available
from which conclusions could be drawn concerning carcinogenic
and teratogenic effect (33).
Clinical pharmacology
Saponin-containing extracts of the fruit have been used to treat coronary
heart disease (22). In a clinical observation study involving 406 patients
and a cross-test (67 cases) the results showed that the extract was significantly
more effective than the control for the treatment of angina pectoris,
with a remission rate of 82.3% and 67.2% (p < 0.05), in the treatment
and control groups, respectively. Electrocardiogram improvement was
52.7% in the treated group and 35.8% in the control group. The extract
dilates the coronary artery and improves coronary circulation, and thus is
more effective than the control treatment in improving the electrocardiogram
of myocardial ischaemia. No adverse reactions were observed on
haematological parameters or hepatic and renal functions (22).
A clinical study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of a specific
dosage and period of administration of protodioscin on sperm quality and
quantity in men with moderate idiopathic oligozoospermia. This study
also evaluated the effect of protodioscin on libido, erection, ejaculation
and orgasm. The results demonstrated that oral treatment with the dose of
3 × 2 tablets per day for 60 days increased sperm quantity and quality in
men diagnosed with moderate idiopathic oligozoospermia and restored
libido, erection, ejaculation and orgasm of sexual intercourse. These results
were observed in more than 80% of the treated patients (18).
A double-blind study was done on 45 men with infertility due to oligoasthenoteratozoospermia.
Thirty-six men were treated with 500.0 mg
purified extract of the fruit containing protodioscin, orally 3 times daily
for 3 months. The nine men in the control group were given a placebo for
the same period of time. Spouses of eight of the men in the treated group
became pregnant after treatment of their husbands, whereas no pregnan-
330