Page 66 - Pharmacognosy 02-06203

Chemical, sulfated ash, water-soluble extractive and alcohol-soluble ex-tractive tests to
be established in accordance with national requirements.

Major chemical constituents:
1- The major constituents are γ-pyrones (furanochromone derivatives); up to 4%),
the principal compounds being khellin (0.3—1.2%) and visnagin (0.05-0.30%), and
khellol and its glucoside khellinin (0.3—1.0%).
2- A second group of major constituents are the coumarins (0.2- 0.5%), the main one
being the pyrano-coumarin visnadin (0.3%).
3- Essential oil contains camphor, α-terpineol and linalool, among others.
4- Fixed oil (up to 18%), in addition to flavones, proteins, etc… Medicinal uses:

Uses described in pharmacopoeias and well established documents As
an antispasmodic, muscle relaxant and vasodilator.

Uses described in traditional medicine:
* Treatment of mild angina symptoms.

* Supportive treatment of mild obstruction of the respiratory tract in asthma, bronchial
asthma or spastic bronchitis.

* Postoperative treatment of conditions associated with the presence of urinary calculi
and kidney stones.

* Treatment of gastrointestinal cramps and painful menstruation.

Adverse reactions:
- Pseudoallergic reactions and reversible cholestatic jaundice have been reported.

- High oral doses of khellin (100.0 mg/day) reversibly elevated the activities of liver
transaminases and -glutamyl-transferase.

Contraindications:
Its safety during pregnancy has not been established. Therefore, in accordance with
standard medical practice, the fruits should not be used during pregnancy.

Precautions:

Exposure to sun or other sources of ultraviolet light should be avoided during treatment
because khellin causes photosensitivity.

Drug interactions:

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