Mandrakes

Alraun, m., Alraune, Alrune, /. mandrake. Alraunwurzel,/. (Pharm.) mandragora. 

Hexen-kraut, n. mandragora, mandrake en-I chanter s nightshade Circaea). -mehl, I... 

Epipodophyllotoxins (etoposide, teniposide) are derived from mandrake root (Podophyllum peltatum). They inhibit topoisomerase H thus causing double strand breaks. Cells in S- and G2-phases are most sensitive. Unwanted effects include nausea and vomiting, myelosuppression, and hair loss. 

Product labels may be incorrect, accidentally or intentionally. Herbs may be mislabeled accidentally because of misidentification or the wrong part of the plant was picked. Other products may be mislabeled intentionally—a ginseng label may not disclose that the product contains mandrake (scopolamine) or snakeroot (reserpine) because of the high cost of pure ginseng [34]. Some herbal products may not declare the addition of prescription medications such as corticosteroids. 

Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum). Reprinted with permission from Harner MJ. (1973). The role of hallucinogenic plants in European witchcraft, in Hallucinogens and Shamanism. Harner MJ, ed. London Oxford University Press. 

This family is characterized by producing substances that have dramatic effects on humans and animals the toxins in deadly nightshade, mandrake, and datura the nicotine in tobacco plants and the burning capsaicin in chili peppers. But it also contains cool, juicy sweet tomatoes and bell peppers eggplants, with their rich, creamy flesh and the ultimate in comfort food—the potato. 

Plant extracts Some plant extracts may have anti-cancer activity, such as epipodo phyllotoxins from the May apple plant (mandrake plant). They were used by the American Indians and the early colonists against infection by helminths. 

A. Alkaloids 1. Belladonna-type solanaceous tropane alkaloids [Atropine (1), (—)-Hyoscyamine (2), Scopolamine ((—)-Hysoscine)(3)] Atropa belladonna L. (belladonna), Datura metel L., D. stramonium L. (jimson weed), Hyoscyamus niger L. (henbane), Mandragora officinarum L. (European mandrake), and other solanaceous species Anticholinergics (parasympatholytics)... 

Jew to make a golem version of Bella to dupe the mandrake. The golem Bella has truth inscribed on her forehead, but once the first letter is removed, she turns back into clay. In this sense, she is eternally linked with the mandrake, who also has his origins in the clay of the earth. 

Plants containing indoleamines include Psilocybe mushrooms, morning glory and Virola. Plants containing tropane alkaloids such as the muscarinic antagonists scopolamine and atropine are found in some members of the Solanaceae plant family—including datura, mandrake, henbane and... 

Familiar imagery, particularly of people and animals, and also the sensation of flying, are commonly associated with muscarinic cholinergic receptor blockade induced by chemicals found in Solanaceae species such as mandrake and datura. 

Etoposide (VePesid) is a semisynthetic derivative of podophyllotoxin that is produced in the roots of the American mandrake, or May apple. Unlike podophyllotoxin and vinca alkaloids, etoposide does not bind to microtubules. It forms a complex with the enzyme topoiso-merase II, which results in a single-strand breakage of DNA. It is most lethal to cells in the S- and Gj-phases of the cell cycle. Drug resistance to etoposide is thought to be caused by decreased cellular drug accumulation. 

Podophyllum resin, an alcoholic extract of Podophyllum peltatum, commonly known as mandrake root or May apple, is used in the treatment of condyloma acuminatum and other verrucae. It is a mixture of podophyllotoxin, and peltatin, desoxypodophyllotoxin, dehydropodophyllotoxin, and other compounds. It is soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform, and compound tincture of benzoin. 

Atropine and scopolamine are alkaloids produced by members of the plant family Solanaceae which includes belladonna Atropa belladonna -source of atropine), henbane Hyoscyamius niger- the source of scopolamine), tomatoes, potatoes, green peppers, eggplant, and members of the Datura subfamily or genus, thornapple, Jimson or Jamestown weed, angel s trumpet, stinkweed, mandrake, and devil s apple. In the eatable plants it is the green portions which are poisonous vines, leaves, and sprouts. 

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