Scientific name
Podophyllum peltatum
Family
Berberidaceae
Origin
North America
Parts Used
Drug consisting of rhizomes with roots
Chemical constituents
- Resin called podophyllin (podophyllotoxin, picropodofylline, peltatin, flavonoids).
Podofillo in Herbalist: Ownership of Podofillo
The powder obtained from the resin was used for purgative purposes, but also for the treatment of gout, arthritis and bronchitis, with an inflammatory and irritating action on the skin and mucous membranes.
Today, the plant is mainly appreciated for the properties of the individual active ingredients, in particular for the antimitotic activity, against acuminate warts (dermatological use): for this purpose it is available as a registered drug. From podophyllin, in particular from podophyllotoxin, they are obtained by hemisynthesis etoposide and teniposide, anticancer drugs used in chemotherapy.
Contraindications
Avoid taking podophyll in case of ascertained hypersensitivity to one or more components.
Pharmacological interactions
- kitchen salt: increases the laxative effect;
- plants such as lobelia, ipeca, belladonna: they reduce their laxative effects.