Bladder atonia

Direct parasympathomimetics. The choline ester of carbamic acid, carbachol, activates M-cholinoceptors, but is not hydrolyzed by AChE. Carbachol can thus be effectively employed for local application to the eye (glaucoma) and systemic administration (bowel atonia, bladder atonia). The alkaloids pilocarpine (from Pilocarpus jaborandi) and areco-line (from Areca catechu betel nut) also act as direct parasympathomimetics. As tertiary amines, they moreover exert central effects. The central effect of muscarine-like substances consists in an enlivening, mild stimulation that is probably the effect desired in betel chewing, a widespread habit in South Asia. Of this group, only pilocarpine enjoys therapeutic use, which is almost exclusively by local application to the eye in glaucoma (p.346). 

Traditional use In folk medicine a decoction of the seeds and roots is used to treat dysentery, scrofula, and bladder diseases. A tincture of the entire plant in vodka is drunk to treat goiters, rheumatism and common colds, and inflammatory diseases and is also used as a diaphoretic, antipyretic, and sedative. A tea made from the entire plant is used to treat cancer. An infusion is used to stimulate digestion, to treat intestinal atonia, stomach spasms, liver inflammation, jaundice, acnte and chronic bronchitis, pertussis, painful menstruation, kidney stones, goiters, cancer, and to reduce sexual excitabihty. It is used externally in dry and damp compresses and aromatic baths. Fruits and seeds are used to treat eczema, itchy dermatosis, insect stings, and paralysis. A decoction of the root is used externally to treat skin diseases and furunculosis. A decoction of the entire plant is applied to the face after shaving, especially on pimples and fungal skin diseases (Maznev 2004). 

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