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Rauwolfia Serpentina Extract |
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Latin Name : Rauwolfia Serpentina |
Local Name : Reserpine, Rauwolfia, Serpentwood, Sarpagandha |
Parts Used : Roots |
Distribution : In India, Rauwolfia serpentina is widely distributed in the sub-Himalayan tract from Punjab eastwards to Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and Assam; lower hills of Gangetic plains; Eastern and Western Ghats; parts of Central India and in the Andamans. Extensive collection of the species from the wild has led to its becoming endangered. |
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Introduction :
Reserpine is extracted from the root of Rauwolfia serpentina or Rauwolfia vomitoria, plants found in India and Africa. In traditional herbal medicine, the root was brewed as a tea and used in humans to treat hypertension, insanity, snakebite, and cholera. Reserpine was the first drug found to interfere with the human sympathetic nervous system, and it initiated the effective pharmacotherapeutic control of hypertension. Reserpine is a naturally occurring drug that has been used for centuries in ancient India. Reserpine is an anti-adrenergic drug. Reserpine is a Postganglionic sympathetic nerve terminal blocker. Reserpine impairs the storage of biogenic amines by interfering with an uptake mechanism. Results in depletion of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin in both central and peripheral neurons. Reserpine reduces the cardiac output by negative inotropic effect and negative chronotropic effect. Similarly by reducing sympathetic activity to blood vessels, Reserpine relaxes capacitance vessels and reduces total peripheral resistance. |
Uses of Reserpine :
The chief use reserpine is as a sedative and hypnotic and for reducing blood pressure. This alkaloid stimulates the central nervous system.
Reserpine is more suitable for cases of mild anxiety or patients of chronic mental illness.
Veterinary Use On Horses: Reserpine is used as a long acting tranquilizer to sedate excitable or difficult horses that are on enforced rest.
Reserpine reduces cardiac output and the total peripheral resistance. As such, it is extremely useful in lowering blood pressure.
Reserpine is principally advocated in case of mild to moderate hypertension, insomnia and in psychiatric disorder but with extreme precaution.
Reserpine has been used in India for centuries to treat insanity as well as physical illnesses such as fevers and snakebites.
Reserpine is also used for certain veterinary purposes. Reserpine is used as a long acting tranquilizer in horses. It is used to sedate excitable or difficult horses that are on enforced rest.
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