Scientific name
Physostigma venenosum
Family
Leguminosae
Origin
West Africa
Synonyms
Calabar beanParts Used
The drug consists of the black seeds
Chemical constituents
- Indole alkaloids with specific action on the nerve endings of the parasympathetic: hexerine or physostigmine, which act as antagonists of atropine.
Calabar bean: Property of the Calabar bean
In medicine, only the single active ingredients are used in medicine, essentially in ophthalmology (as a miotic in the treatment of glaucoma) and in surgery to stimulate the recovery of intestinal motility.
Contraindications
Avoid use in case of ascertained hypersensitivity to one or more components of the calabar bean.
Pharmacological interactions
- receptor interactions with anticholinergics, atropine and atropine-like, antiparkinsonian, antispasmodic, neuroleptic and phenotiacin drugs.