|
Reserpine is
a naturally occurring drug that has been used for centuries
in ancient India. It is extracted from the root of Rauwolfia
vomitoria, plants found extensively in Africa. In traditional
herbal medicine, the root was brewed as a tea and used in
humans to treat hypertension, insanity, snakebite, and cholera.
The purified alkaloid, reserpine, was isolated in 1952 and
is considered the first modern drug for the treatment of
hypertension. Reserpine irreversibly binds to the storage
vesicles of neurotransmitters, particularly norepinephrine,
serotonin and dopamine. Eventually, catecholamine depletion
occurs because of the body's inability to store these neurotransmitters.
In India Rauwolfia has been
used since centuries for relief of central nervous system
disorder including anxiety , excitement etc.
The chief use of the drug
is as a sedative and hypnotic and for reducing blood pressure.
The drug is now largely used in insanity and high blood
pressure. The alkaloids stimulate the central nervous system.
It is more suitable for cases of mild anxiety or patients
of chronic mental illness.
|
|
