Liferoot

Summary and Pharmaceutical Comment

Little information is documented for liferoot. No pharmacological studies were found to substantiate the traditional uses. The Senecio genus is characterised by unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloid constituents and the hepatotoxicity of this class of compounds is well recognised (see Comfrey). In view of this, liferoot is not suitable for use as a herbal medicine.

Species (Family)

Senecio aureus L. (Asteraceae/Compositae)

Synonym(s)

Golden Ragwort, Golden Senecio, Heart-leaved Groundsel,

Squaw Weed

Part(s) Used

Herb

Pharmacopoeial and Other Monographs

BHP 1983(G7)

Martindale 35th edition(G85)

Legal Category (Licensed Products)

Liferoot is not included in the GSL.(G37)

Constituents

The following is compiled from several sources, including General Reference G19.

Limited information is documented regarding the constituents of liferoot, although it is well recognised that Senecio species contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids Floridanine, florosenine, otosenine, senecionine.(1, 2)

The volatile oil composition of various Senecio species (but not Senecio aureus) has been investigated.(3)

Food Use

Liferoot is not used as a food.

Herbal Use

Liferoot is stated to possess uterine tonic, diuretic and mild expectorant properties. Traditionally, it has been used in the treatment of functional amenorrhoea, menopausal neurosis and leucorrhoea (as a douche).(G7, G64)

Dosage

Dosages for oral administration (adults) for traditional uses recommended in standard herbal reference texts are given below. However, current advice is that liferoot is not suitable for use as a herbal medicine and should not be ingested.

Herb 1–4 g as an infusion three times daily.(G7)

Liquid extract 14 mL (1 : 1 in 25% alcohol) three times daily.(G7)

L

Figure 2 Liferoot (Senecio aureus).

408 Liferoot

Pharmacological Actions

No documented studies were located.

Side-effects, Toxicity

Liferoot contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The toxicity, primarily hepatic, of this class of compounds is well recognised in both animals and humans(G19) (see Comfrey).

Contra-indications, Warnings

In view of the hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid constituents, liferoot should not be ingested.(G19)

Pregnancy and lactation In view of the toxic constituents, liferoot is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation.(G49)

Furthermore, liferoot is traditionally reputed to be an abortifacient, emmenagogue, and uterine tonic.(G7, G22) In animals, placental transfer and secretion into breast milk(4) has been documented for unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

References

1 Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids. Environmental Health Criteria 80. Geneva: WHO, 1988.

2 Roder E et al. Pyrrolizidinalkaloide aus Senecio aureus. Planta Med 1983; 49: 57–59.

3Dooren B et al. Composition of essential oils of some Senecio species. Planta Med 1981; 42: 385–389.

4Mattocks AR. Chemistry and Toxicology of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids. London: Academic Press, 1986: 1–393.

Summary and Pharmaceutical Comment

The chemistry of lime flower is well documented. Little scientific information was located to justify the reputed herbal uses of lime flower, although some correlation can be made with the known pharmacological activities of the reported constituents. In view of the lack of toxicological data excessive use of lime flower and use during pregnancy and lactation should be avoided.

Species (Family)

*Tilia cordata Mill. (Tiliaceae)

†Tilia platyphyllos Scop.

‡Tilia vulgaris Hayne, a hybrid of the above (Tiliaceae)

Synonym(s)

Lime Tree, Linden Tree

*T. officinarum Crantz, T. officinarum Crantz subsp. officinarum pro parte, T. ulmifolia Scop., T. parvifolia Ehrh. ex Hoffm., Smallleaved Lime

†T. officinarum Crantz, T. officinarum Crantz subsp. officinarum pro parte, Large-leaved Lime

‡T. europaea auct. non L., Lime

Part(s) Used

Flowerheads

Pharmacopoeial and Other Monographs

BHC 1992(G6)

BHP 1996(G9)

BP 2007(G84)

Complete German Commission E (Linden)(G3)

Martindale 35th edition(G85)

Ph Eur 2007(G81)

Legal Category (Licensed Products)

GSL(G37)

Figure 1 Selected constituents of lime flower.

Constituents

The following is compiled from several sources, including General References G2, G6 and G62.

Acids Caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid and p-coumaric acid.

Amino acids Alanine, cysteine, cystine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine and serine.

Tincture 1–2 mL (1 : 5 in 45% alcohol).

Pharmacological Actions

In vitro and animal studies

In vitro, lime flower has been reported to exhibit antispasmodic activity followed by a spasmogenic effect on rat duodenum.(2) The actions were inhibited by atropine and papaverine, and reinforced

410 Lime Flower

by acetylcholine. The diaphoretic and antispasmodic properties

claimed for lime flower have been attributed to p-coumaric acid and the flavonoids.(G39, G60) In addition, a number of actions have

been associated with volatile oils including diuretic, sedative and antispasmodic effects, which may also account for some of the reputed uses of lime flower.(3–5) Volatile oils are not thought to possess any true diuretic activity, but to act as a result of certain terpenoid components having an irritant action on the kidneys during renal excretion.

Lime flower has been documented to possess a restricted range of antifungal activity.(6)

Clinical studies

There is a lack of clinical research assessing the effects of lime flower and rigorous randomised controlled clinical trials are required.

Side-effects, Toxicity

There is a lack of clinical and preclinical safety and toxicity data for lime flower and further investigation of these aspects is required.

Contra-indications, Warnings

Lby individuals with an existing cardiac disorder;(G22, G39, G60) however, the scientific basis for this statement, if any, is not known.

Drug interactions None documented. However, the potential for preparations of lime flower to interact with other medicines administered concurrently, particularly those with similar or opposing effects, should be considered.

Pregnancy and lactation The safety of lime flower has not been

established. In view of the lack of toxicological data, use of lime flower during pregnancy and lactation should be avoided.Previously it has been advised that lime flower should be avoided

Preparations

Proprietary single-ingredient preparations

Belgium: Vibtil. Czech Republic: Kvet Lipy; Lipovy. Monaco:

Vibtil.

Proprietary multi-ingredient preparations

Argentina: Armonil; Nervocalm; Sedante Dia; Serenil. Austria: Grippetee St Severin; St Bonifatius-Tee. Belgium: Natudor. Canada: Herbal Sleep Well. Chile: Calmatol; Nature Complex Reduct-Te; Recalm; Reduc-Te. Czech Republic: Cajova Smes pri Nachlazeni; Nontusyl; Pruduskova. France: Apaisance; Calmophytum; Mediflor Tisane Antirhumatismale No 2; Mediflor Tisane Calmante Troubles du Sommeil No 14; Vigilia. Israel: Jungborn. Italy: Alkagin; Lenicalm; Sedofit; Tussol. Portugal: Alkagin; Alkagin; Alkagin. Spain: Agua del Carmen; Jaquesor; Mesatil; Natusor Gripotul; Natusor Jaquesan; Natusor Sinulan; Natusor Somnisedan. Switzerland: Tisane contre les refroidissements; Tisane pour nourissons et enfants. UK: Menopause Relief; Tranquil; Wellwoman.

References

1Kram G, Franz G. Structural investigations on the water soluble polysaccharides of lime tree flowers (Tilia cordata L.). Pharmazie

1985; 40: 501.

2Lanza JP, Steinmetz M. Actions comparees des exraits aqueux de graines de Tilia platyphylla et de Tilia vulgaris sur l'intestin isolé de rat. Fitoterapia 1986; 57: 185.

3Taddei I et al. Spasmolytic activity of peppermint, sage and rosemary essences and their major constituents. Fitoterapia 1988; 59: 463–468.

4Svendsen AB, Scheffer JJC. Essential Oils and Aromatic Plants. Proceedings of the 15th International Symposium on Essential Oils. Dordrecht: Martinus Nijhoff, 1984; 225–226.

5Sticher O. Plant mono-, diand sesquiterpenoids with pharmacological and therapeutical activity. In: Wagner H, Wolff P, eds. New Natural Products with Pharmacological, Biological or Therapeutical Activity. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1977: 137–176.

6Guerin J-C, Reveillere H-P. Antifungal activity of plant extracts used in therapy. I Study of 41 plant extracts against 9 fungi species. Ann Pharm Fr 1984; B: 553–559