Sea Onion

SEA ONION, Scilla maritima, the bulb of the plant Urginea maritima L., family Liliaceae, growing along the shores and islands of the Mediterranean Sea. The egg-shaped or pear-shaped bulb of Sea Onion can reach a weight of 2.5 kg. The bulb is dug up after flowering but before the development of leaves. The outer scales of the bulb are dry, membranous, while the inner scales are fleshy, juicy, or mucilaginous. The middle fleshy scales are cut lengthwise and crosswise and thoroughly dried. The dry outer and core scales, rich in mucilage, are discarded as unfit for medical use. Sea Onion is sold in the form of dry, horn-shaped, brittle pieces or as a powder—yellowish-white, obtained from Scilla maritima alba, growing in Greece and on the island of Malta, and reddish, obtained from Scilla maritima rubra, growing in Algeria, southern France, and Calabria. The French Pharmacopoeia requires the preparation from Scilla maritima alba, while the Swiss and Austrian pharmacopoeias specify the preparation from Scilla maritima rubra. The preparation has no odor. The taste is sharply bitter and mucilaginous. During storage, it must be carefully protected from moisture due to its significant hygroscopicity. Sea Onion has been known since ancient times (Hippocrates, Pliny). In the early 19th century, it was used as a laxative and to some extent as a diuretic. Later, it began to attract attention as a cardiac remedy. In terms of its effect, Sea Onion is similar to substances of the digitalis group, especially to strophanthus.

Sea Onion-^- 1-flowering plant; 2 - stem; 3-stamen; 4 - flower in longitudinal section; 5-fruit in cross section; 6-fruit.

The question of the active principles of Sea Onion has not been finally resolved. According to Jarmensted, the main active principle is the glycoside scillarin, a yellowish, amorphous bitter powder, difficult to dissolve in water, ether, and chloroform, easily soluble in alcohol. Merck considers the main components to be 1) scillitoxin, an amorphous powder insoluble in water and ether, soluble in alcohol; 2) scillipicrin, a yellowish-white, hygroscopic powder of bitter taste; 3) scillin, a crystalline powder, poorly soluble in water, easily soluble in alcohol (Hager). The local irritant effect of Sea Onion preparations is less than that of digitalis. De Premankur indicates that a 1:1,000 solution of scillaren (see below) does not cause irritation and anesthesia in the rabbit's eye. In its action on the intestine, scillaren causes mild irritation, hyperemia, and increased secretion. The motor activity of the intestine is stimulated by Sea Onion: the peristaltic expulsive movements of the intestine are enhanced, and the tone of the intestine is increased. Kolda explains this effect of Sea Onion on the intestine by its direct influence on the muscular coat of the intestine. On the isolated rabbit heart, de Premankur obtained from 1:2,500,000 scillaren an acceleration of the rhythm, then slowing with a decrease in amplitude. Subsequently, a partial block developed (due to decreased conductivity of the His bundle). The heart stopped in systole. Scillaren is fixed in the heart much less than strophanthus, which reduces the possibility of cumulation. On blood vessels, scillaren acts in small concentrations in a slightly dilating manner, and in large concentrations in a constricting manner (de Premankur, Okushima). Sea Onion causes diuresis based on its direct action on the renal apparatus, independently of the reaction of the renal vessels (apparently absorption processes in the tubular apparatus are reduced). The excretion of water and chlorides increases. The amount of excreted nitrogen decreases. The therapeutic effect of Sea Onion on the heart is not as stable as that of digitalis. In duration, it approaches the effect of strophanthus. As complications, diarrhea and irritation of the kidneys sometimes occur. The danger of cumulation is insignificant. With intravenous administration, severe collapse and fatal outcome are possible. Sea Onion can be a valuable addition in digitalis therapy, especially in cases where digitalis does not provide sufficient diuresis (Trendelenburg). Preparations. 1) Scillaren of the firm "Santo". Standardized for the content of the glycoside scillarin. The most reliable preparation, but chemically impure; dose-^h/₂-1-2 tablets three times a day; intravenously-1 tablet or 1 cm³ (equal to 0.005 strophanthin). Subcutaneous and intramuscular injections are painful. 2) Bulbus Scillae, in powder or pills. 0.02-0.2 pro dosi, 1.0 pro die. 3) Infusum Scillae, 4.0 - 8.0:180.0. 4) Tinctura Scillae, 1:5 (alcoholic) 10-20 drops per dose up to 4-6 times daily.