Page 143 - Pharmacognosy-II (06-PG 303)

Uses:
1. Topically: for removal of topical wart, genital warts, some skin cancers and
other papillomas.

• It works by destroying the tissue growth.
3. Orally: It was used as a cathartic , for jaundice, liver ailments, fever,

syphilis, cancer, as an anthelmintic.
3. An industrial source for extraction of podophyllotoxin and its semi-synthetic
derivatives; the two cytostatic drugs, etoposide and teniposide (Vepesid®,
VP16® , Vumon ®).

• Etoposide is approved by the FDA for various types of cancers.
Precautions:

• It is severely irritating to skin and mucous membranes. Be sure to protect
skin adjacent to the treated area. External administration of the drug over
large skin areas can cause poisonings.

• With external use, skin area to be treated should not exceed 25 sq. cm.
• Using podophyllum on bleeding warts or that have recently had surgery may

increase absorption of drug through the skin
• It SHOULD NOT be taken orally.
Dose over 0.2 gm causes severe abdominal pain, bloody-watery diarrhea,
vomiting of liquid bile, dizziness, headache, coordination disorders, spasms,
nephritis, later collapse and death in coma through respiratory failure.

137