In cardiological practice, often used drugs made from alkaloids of the plant Strofant Comb. These drugs are indispensable in the treatment of heart failure. They help restore blood circulation and normalize the myocardium. What are the beneficial properties of this plant? How do its alkaloids act on the body? We will answer these questions in the article.
Plant description
Strophanthus Combe is a high vine. The length of the stem can reach 4 m. The plant belongs to the Kutrov family. Leaves of creepers are elliptical. The flowers consist of five long, narrow, cream-colored petals.
This plant brings large fruits, which can reach a size of up to 1 m. They consist of two lobules. In pharmacology, creeper seeds are used. At one end they have a rounded shape, and at the other end they are pointed, turning into a spine with a volatility. One creeper contains a huge amount of greenish-gray seeds. Their length is from 1 to 2 cm.
In its purest form, creeper seeds are poisonous. In the manufacture of drugs from them emit useful substances that are used in very small doses. These alkaloids are powerful stimulants of the heart.
Spread
Liana Strofant Combe grows only in East Africa. Its habitat is the edge of the rainforest. This plant loves a humid and warm climate.
This vine cannot be cultivated in the climatic conditions of Russia. The plant does not take root even in the southern regions of our country and can live only in the tropics. In this regard, pharmacologists have repeatedly tried to find an analogue among domestic herbs.
The alkaloids of May lily of the valley and adonis also stimulate the work of the heart. However, the chemical composition of Strofant Combe and medicinal herbs of central Russia is significantly different. Medicines based on lily of the valley and adonis have a very different effect on the myocardium. Therefore, at present, a full-fledged analogue among the domestic flora has not been found, and liana seeds have to be imported from Africa.
Alkaloids
Consider the healing properties of liana alkaloids. Plant seeds contain a large amount of glycosides. What it is? These are natural steroid substances that consist of two components: non-sugar and carbohydrate.
The non-sugar part of glycosides includes aglycones. These substances have the main therapeutic effect on the heart muscle. The carbohydrate component includes:
- alpha glucose;
- beta glucose;
- cymarosis.
These components enhance the effect of aglycones on the myocardium.
The main alkaloid of the plant seeds is the glycoside K-strophanthus. This substance is also used in pharmacology. It is hydrolyzed and K-strophanthin, which is an active component of drugs used in cardiological practice, is obtained.
Also, the composition of the plant seeds includes other beneficial substances:
- saponin;
- choline;
- fatty oil;
- resins;
- trigonellin.
Strofant Combe creeper seeds are stored in pharmacy warehouses in tightly sealed containers. Their healing properties are regularly tested. On the basis of strophanthin K, preparations are made - cardiac glycosides. They belong to list A. This pharmacological list includes narcotic and toxic substances. Preparations based on strophanthin K do not have psychotropic properties, but they are quite toxic. Therefore, doctors prescribe such drugs only in extreme cases.
Action on the body
Strofantin K has the following effects on the body:
- increases the concentration of sodium in the heart muscle;
- improves calcium absorption by myocardial cells;
- enhances blood filling of the heart chambers;
- slows heart contractions;
- promotes the outflow of blood from the ventricles;
- increases myocardial tone.
The effect of the use of strophanthin is quick, but short-lived. This substance begins to act approximately 5 to 10 minutes after ingestion. Its effect on the functioning of the heart reaches its maximum after 30-60 minutes. Strofantin does not accumulate in the body and is excreted in about a day.
This substance has very little effect when taken orally. It is poorly absorbed by the digestive tract. Therefore, preparations based on strophanthin K are used only for injection.
Use in medicine
Pharmacological preparations "Strofantin K" and "Strofantidin acetate" are obtained from the seeds of Strofant Combe creeper. The use of these drugs is indicated for the following diseases:
- heart failure;
- atrial fibrillation and flutter;
- arrhythmias;
- supraventricular tachycardia.
Drugs are administered intravenously, while the introduction of the solution should be very slow. Otherwise, the patient may experience a shock condition. Intramuscular administration of the drug is also allowed. In this case, it is necessary to use an anesthetic - procaine, since the injection into the muscle is quite painful.
Medicines based on strophanthin K can not be used for inflammatory heart diseases (pericarditis, myocarditis), as well as for cardiosclerosis. These drugs are prescribed with caution to older people, patients with thyrotoxicosis, obesity and cardiological complications of lung diseases.
Precautionary measures
We have already mentioned that the seeds of Strofant Combe creeper are toxic. Therefore, cardiac glycosides should be used with great care. They are released from pharmacies strictly according to the prescription. During the course of treatment, the patient should be under close medical supervision.
It is necessary to strictly adhere to the dosage prescribed by the doctor. Introducing excess glycosides is deadly. This can lead to cardiac arrest and instant death.
Even a small overdose of drugs based on strophanthin K causes severe and unpleasant symptoms:
- severe arrhythmia;
- nausea and vomiting
- throbbing headaches;
- confusion of consciousness;
- dizziness;
- visual impairment;
- sharp weakness.
In case of intoxication with strophanthin, the patient requires immediate medical attention. As an antidote use the drug "Unithiol" and drugs with potassium.
In no case should cardiac glycosides be administered alone. Injections can only be done in the treatment room of a clinic or hospital. In this case, the medical professional will be able to provide the necessary assistance to the patient in case of side effects.