Broom

B

Summary and Pharmaceutical Comment

The chemistry of broom is reasonably well documented. The pharmacological actions are primarily due to the alkaloid constituents. Sparteine, the major alkaloid component, is a cardiac depressant with actions similar to those of quinidine. Although these actions support some of the documented traditional herbal uses, there is a lack of rigorous clinical research assessing the effects of broom. The intended uses of broom are not suitable for self-medication.

Species (Family)

Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link

Synonym(s)

Hogweed, Sarothamnus scoparius (L.) Koch, Scoparius, Spartium scoparium L.

Part(s) Used

Flowerhead

Pharmacopoeial and Other Monographs

BHC 1992(G6)

BHP 1996(G9)

Martindale 35th edition(G85)

Legal Category (Licensed Products)

Broom is not included in the GSL.(G37)

Constituents

The following is compiled from several sources, including General References G2, G40, G41, G48, G62 and G64.

Alkaloids Quinolizidine-type. 0.8–1.5%. Sparteine 0.3–0.8% (major component); minor alkaloids include cytisine (presence disputed), genisteine (d-a-isosparteine), lupanine, oxysparteine and sarothamine.

Figure 1 Selected constituents of broom.

Amines Epinine, hydroxytyramine and tyramine.

Flavonoids Scoparin and vitexin.

Other constituents Amino acids, bitter principles, carotenoids, fat, resin, sugars, tannin, wax and volatile oil.

Food Use

Broom is listed by the Council of Europe as a natural source of food flavouring (category N3). This category indicates that broom can be added to foodstuffs in the traditionally accepted manner, although there is insufficient information available for an adequate assessment of potential toxicity.(G16)

Herbal Use

Broom is stated to possess cardioactive, diuretic, peripheral vasoconstrictor and antihaemorrhagic properties. It has been used for cardiac dropsy, myocardial weakness, tachycardia, profuse menstruation and specifically for functional palpitation with lowered blood pressure.(G2, G7, G64) Broom is also reported to possess emetic and cathartic properties.(G41)

Figure 2 Broom (Cytisus scoparius).

Figure 3 Broom – dried drug substance (herb).

Dosage

Dosages for oral administration (adults) for traditional uses recommended in older and contemporary standard herbal reference texts are given below.

Dried tops 1–2 g as a decoction.(G7)

Liquid extract 1–2 mL (1 : 1 in 25% alcohol).(G7)

Tincture 0.5–2.0 mL (1 : 5 in 45% alcohol).(G7)

Pharmacological Actions

The pharmacological actions of broom are primarily due to the alkaloid constituents.

In vitro and animal studies

Sparteine is reported to exhibit pharmacological actions similar to those of quinidine. Low doses administered to animals result in tachycardia, whereas high doses cause bradycardia and may lead to ventricular arrest. Sparteine has little effect on the central nervous system (CNS), but peripherally, paralyses motor nerve

terminals and sympathetic ganglia as a result of a curare-like action.(G44)

Clinical studies

None documented for broom. The major alkaloid constituent sparteine is known to decrease the irritability and conductivity of cardiac muscle and has been used to treat cardiac arrhythmias,(G44) restoring normal rhythm in previously arrhythmic

patients.(G2) Sparteine is reported to have a quinidine-like action rather than a digitalis-like action.(G2) Sparteine is also stated to be

a powerful oxytocic drug, which was once used to stimulate uterine contractions.

Side-effects, Toxicity

Buchu

B

Summary and Pharmaceutical Comment

Limited chemical data are available for buchu. No scientific evidence was found to justify the herbal uses, although reputed diuretic and anti-inflammatory activities may be attributable to the irritant nature of the volatile oil and the flavonoid components, respectively. In view of the lack of documented toxicity data, together with the presence of pulegone in the volatile oil, excessive use of buchu should be avoided.

Species (Family)

Agathosma betulina (Berg.) Pillans (Rutaceae)

Synonym(s)

Barosma betulina, Folia Bucco, Hartogia betulina Berg., Round Buchu, Short Buchu

Part(s) Used

Leaf

Pharmacopoeial and Other Monographs

BHC 1992(G6)

BHP 1996(G9)

Martindale 35th edition(G85)

Figure 1 Selected constituents of buchu.

Legal Category (Licensed Products)

GSL(G37)

Constituents

The following is compiled from several sources, including General References G2, G22, G41 and G48.

Flavonoids Diosmetin, quercetin, diosmin, quercetin-3,7-diglu- coside, rutin.

Volatile oils 1.0–3.5%. Over 100 identified compounds, including diosphenol, limonene, menthone and pulegone as the major components.

Other constituents Mucilage, resin. Coumarins have been reported for many other Agathosma species.(1)

Food Use

Buchu is listed by the Council of Europe as a natural source of food flavouring (category N3). This category allows buchu to be added to foodstuffs in the traditionally accepted manner, although

there is insufficient information available for an adequate assessment of potential toxicity.(G16) In the USA, buchu volatile

oil is approved for food use with concentrations usually up to about 0.002% (15.4 ppm).(G16, G41)

Herbal Use

Buchu is stated to possess urinary antiseptic and diuretic properties. It has been used for cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis, and specifically for acute catarrhal cystitis.(G2, G7, G8, G64)

Figure 2 Buchu (Agathosma betulina).

Figure 3 Buchu – dried drug substance (leaf).

Dosage

Dosages for oral administration (adults) for traditional uses recommended in older standard reference texts are given below.

Dried leaf 1–2 g by infusion three times daily.(G6, G7)

Liquid extract 0.3–1.2 mL (1 : 1 in 90% alcohol).(G6, G7)

Tincture 2–4 mL (1 : 5 in 60% alcohol).(G6, G7)

Pharmacological Actions

In vitro and animal studies

None documented for buchu. Diosmin has documented antiinflammatory activity against carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema, at a dose of 600 mg/kg body weight.(2)

Clinical studies

None documented. Rigorous randomised controlled clinical trials assessing the effects of buchu are required.

Side-effects, Toxicity

None documented for buchu. The volatile oil contains pulegone, a known hepatotoxin (see Pennyroyal).(G20) The oil may cause

gastrointestinal and renal irritation.

Contra-indications, Warnings

Australia: Althaea Complex; Bioglan Cranbiotic Super; Cranberry Complex; Cranberry Complex; De Witts New Pills; Extralife Uri-Care; Fluid Loss; Medinat PMT-Eze; PMS Support; Serenoa Complex; Urinase; Uva-Ursi Complex.

Canada: Herbal Diuretic. Czech Republic: Epilobin. France:

Urophytum. New Zealand: De Witts Pills. South Africa: Borstol Cough Remedy; Doans Backache Pills; Docrub. Switzerland: Heparfelien; Urinex. UK: Antitis; Backache; Backache Relief; Buchu Backache Compound Tablets; De Witt's K & B Pills; Diuretabs; Fenneherb Cystaid; HRI Water Balance; Kas-Bah; Roberts Black Willow Compound Tablets; Skin Eruptions Mixture; Watershed. USA: Water Pill.

References

1 Campbell WE et al. Coumarins of the Rutoideae: tribe Diosmeae. Phytochemistry 1986; 25: 655–657.

2Farnsworth NR, Cordell GA. A review of some biologically active compounds isolated from plants as reported in the 1974–1975 literature. Lloydia 1976, 39: 420–455.