Drimia maritima

White Squill ( Drimia maritima ), Illustration from Koehler 1887

The White Squill ( Drimia maritima ) is a native to the Mediterranean plant species that belongs to the family of the asparagus plants ( Asparagaceae ).

Botanical synonyms are Charybdis maritima (L.) Speta, Urginea maritima (L.) Baker, Urginea scilla Steinh, basionym: . Scilla maritima L.

Features

The White Sea onion is a perennial herbaceous plant, reaching heights of growth of non-blooming plants about 50 inches, including the inflorescence to 150 centimeters. Your only basal leaves are broad - lanceolate, up to 50 centimeters long, survive the winter half- year and wither in early summer, that is, the plant is " pulling a ". She survives the summer dry season than Geophyt at rest with the aid of a strikingly powerful onion that was the reason for naming the whole plant. The onion can reach more than 15 inches in diameter, weighs up to 3 kg and often protrudes from the ground. Depending on the breed it can be white or red.

In the fall ( August to October), before the leaves sprout, the rich flowering, racemose inflorescence with up to 40 centimeters in length appears. The six bracts are up to 8 mm long, whitish, with purple or green midrib.

Occurrence

The White Sea onion is spread throughout the Mediterranean and in Tenerife. They usually preferred inshore, pastures and Garigues, grows on sandy soils and rocky corridors. From the cattle they would be shunned. In USA, India and Pakistan cultures were taken.

Ingredients

The most important pharmacologically active substances are approximately 12 different cardiac glycosides from the group of bufadienolides with a total content of 0.2 to 0.4 %, particularly scillaren A ( 0.06 %), proscillaridin A ( 0.05 %) and Glucoscillaren A (0.05 %); the content varies depending on the origin. The red onion contains mainly scilliroside, while the white onion contains mainly scillaren A. Further attention is drawn to the content of flavonoids and anthocyanins.

Medical importance

The German Pharmacopoeia (DAB ), the squill ( scillae bulbus ) as a medicinal drug. When the drug is transversely and longitudinally cut, middle, fleshy bulb scales which are derived from collected after flowering plants. It uses the weißzwiebeligen race. The DAB calls for a content from 0.15 to 4.0 % of Bufadienoliden; medically important representatives are scillaren A and proscillaridin A. The drug itself is hardly in use today; Instead of pure proscillaridin is applied. The indication area are mild forms of heart failure ( heart strength-boosting effect).

Pharmacology

Pharmacokinetics

Although squill acts similarly to the glycosides from foxglove ( Digitalis ), but is faster and less long-acting than this. In addition, the effect of the accumulation occurs (enrichment after repeated application) to a lesser extent than with digitalis. The oral bioavailability is 25%.

Toxicology

The squill is to be regarded as highly poisonous, so the active ingredients have to be dosed accurately. Toxic is the whole plant, but especially the onion. Orally fed amounts between 0.1 and 1.5 g of squill have resulted in children already in fatalities. Possible symptoms of intoxication ( poisoning) include cardialgia (heart pain), dysuria, hematuria, and disorders of the digestive tract. Death can occur due to a paralysis of the heart and consequent circulatory arrest. Inhaled particles cause sneezing. Outwardly can chopped plant parts lead to blistering and dermatitis. Treatment is symptomatic.

History

The use of squill as a medicinal plant already dates back several centuries. Theophrastus and Pliny recommended because of its diuretic effect, Dioscorides they used in dropsy and asthma and Albertus Magnus saw in it a rule- promoting activity. In the 18th century, the direct effect was discovered on the heart. Furthermore, the use as rat poison ( rodenticide ) was common.

Pictures

Inflorescence on the island of Djerba, Tunisia

Flowering squill

Flower