Page 68 - Pharmacognosy-II (06-PG 303)

Lobelia

Indian tobacco herb, emetic herb ‫التبغ الهندى‬

Lobelia E. P. 1984 consists of the dried aerial parts of Lobelia inflata family Campanulaceae
(Lobeliaceae)
Odour: slight and irritating.
Taste: at first, slight but subsequently pungent and acrid.

Constituents:

1. Lobelia E. P. 1984, contains about 0.25- 0.4 % alkaloids; the most important of which is lobeline,
in addition to iso-lobeline and other related alkaloids.
2. Flavonoids and other constituents.

History:

American Indians smoked the leaves as tobacco and used them medicinally for respiratory ailments.
Similar folk uses for asthma, chronic bronchitis, whooping cough and many other conditions were
recorded.
Lobelia 's emetic properties were well known in the nineteenth century.

Action and Uses: ( E. P. 1984 ):

Central stimulant, respiratory stimulant, and anti-asthmatic.

Other actions:

Lobeline: is powerful respiratory stimulant (Expectorant, which stimulate catarrhal secretion and
expectoration). It is also bronchodilator.
Isolobeline: is an emetic and respiratory relaxant.
Lobeline is similar in structure to Nicotine which could be employed as an agent to help people to stop
smoking.

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