Cymarin and Cimicifuga

CYMARIN (Cymarinum), C₃₀H₄₄O₉, a glycoside found in hemp dogbane [Apocynum cannabinum L. (see)]. Cymarin has much in common in physical-chemical and pharmacological respects with strophanthin (see Strophanthus). Cymarin is colorless prisms of a very bitter taste, slightly soluble in cold water, easily in hot water, in diluted alcohol, chloroform, ethyl acetate. Slightly soluble in absolute alcohol and acetone. Melts at t° 204-205°; containing 1.5 H₂O at 185°-187°; [α]_D = +23.5 (in 8% chloroform solution). Gives the Kiliani reaction (for digitoxin), reduces ammoniacal silver oxide solution upon heating. H₂SO₄ chars Cymarin. Upon heating with acids in alcoholic solution, Cymarin decomposes into cymarigenin and the saccharide cymarose. Cymarigenin, according to Windaus, is identical to strophanthidin. In its action on animals, Cymarin is analogous to strophanthin, differing from the latter by a somewhat more sharply expressed diuretic effect. Cymarin is used for circulatory insufficiency, especially in heart defects and myocardial lesions, with insufficient diuresis, edema, dropsy, etc. Cymarin reduces pulse rate, regulates heart rhythm, and enhances diuresis. Internally 0.3-0.5 mg 2-3 times a day after meals, intravenously 0.5-1 mg. Subcutaneous injection of Cymarin is painful. In toxicological and forensic-chemical respects, Cymarin is analogous to digitoxin and especially strophanthin (see Strophanthus). CIMICIFUGA, Cimicifuga, Canadian bugbane, C. racemosa L. (Actea racemosa L.), a wild plant of the Ranunculaceae family, common in Canada, in the USA, and also in Europe—in England. The rhizome with roots is used; it is dark brown in color, 1-1.5 cm thick, almost cylindrical, slightly flattened, knotty, branched. On a cross-section of the rhizome, a central whitish or yellowish-white horny core is noted. The taste of the rhizome is astringent, sharp, bitter. The odor is unpleasant, slightly intoxicating. It is stored in the form of a fine powder or in cut form. Main components: traces of alkaloid-like substances, isoferulic acid, traces of salicylic acid, sugary substance, etc. Cimicifugin, or macrotin, a resinous extract obtained from the root, is a potent agent used internally in the form of pills in a dose of 0.05-0.1-0.2 several times a day. Maximum single dose is 0.3, daily 1.4. It is used, like the root, against asthma and as an antipyretic. Dose of the root is 0.5-4.0 in the form of powder or decoction. In the form of fluid extract 20-40 drops several times a day. For tinnitus, 10 drops 3 times a day.