Reserpine Research

Introduction : Reserpine is an alkaloid extracted from the root of Rauwolfia serpentina, a shrub indigenous to India. The discovery of reserpine, the first therapeutically useful tranquilizer and antihypertensive of natural origin eventually led to a revolution in the care and treatment of the mentally ill and hypertension. Description of the medicinal use of the root of Rauwolfia serpentina is illustrated in ancient Medical Ayurvedic text of India. In rapid succession between 1952 and 1958, reserpine was isolated from Rauwolfia, its structure determined and its total synthesis achieved. Reserpine was the first drug that was found to interfere with the function of the sympathetic nervous system in human beings, and its use led the modern era of effective pharmacotherapy of hypertension.

• Fujimiya et al. conducted research on the immunohistochemistry of rat brain in conjunction with a specific antibody against 5-hydroxytryptophan (5HTP) and found that 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) was depleted by reserpine treatment. Their findings suggest that the targeted neurons synthesized more 5HTP by a process apparently stimulated by reserpine.
  
  

• Reserpine depletes central and peripheral caecholamines and may additively synergize with the symaptholytic actions of beta blockers.
  
  Details of the research work and information can be obtained from :
  Ref: http://home.caregroup.org/clinical/altmed/interactions/Herbs/Rauwolfia_serpe.htm

• Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, The Aga Khan University Medical College, Karachi-74800, Pakistan
  NOVEL DEVELOPMENTS FROM NATURAL PRODUCTS IN CARDIOVACULAR RESEARCH
  Reserpine was the first drug that was found to interfere with the function of the sympathetic nervous system in human beings, and its use began the modern era of effective pharmacotherapy of hypertension.
  
  Details on the research work over the years can be obtained in brief from :
  Ref: www.aspet.org/public/interest_groups/herbal_medicinal_plant/review_cvs.pdf
  
  

• Indian medical systems, among them the ancient science of Ayurveda, have always been aware of the medicinal value of plants. To cite but one example, for at least 2500 years before the West recognized the medicinal properties of the Rauwolfia serpentina (sarpagandha) root, used by folk healers to calm violently disturbed patients. In the 1940's Indian scientists isolated the active substances from rauwolfia and discovered its added benefit as a remedy for high blood pressure.
  
  Ref: www.siu.edu/~ebl/leaflets/glory.htm
  
  

• Rauwolfia is cultivated for the medicinal use of its 30 alkaloids (particularly reserpine found in the root), many used in treating hypertension. (68) Besides reserpine, other alkaloids used in hypertension and other cardiac disorders are ajmaline, rescinnamine, serpentinine, sarpagine, deserpidine, and chandrine. Rauwolfia alkaloids work by controlling nerve impulses along certain pathways that affect heart and blood vessels, lowering blood pressure.
  
  For more information refer to :
  Ref: www.amazingherbs.com/nataptohyp.html
  
  

• Natural Cardiovascular Agents
  Stephen J. Cutler, Ph.D. and Horace G. Cutler, Ph.D.
  The root of Rauwolfia serpentina has been used for centuries in India for the treatment of a variety of disorders including snake bites, insect bites and stings, insomnia and insanity. In the early 1900s, one of the more than 20 alkaloids derived from Rauwolfia serpentina was reported to possess antihypertensive effects. Reserpine also gained use in the psychiatric treatment of schizophrenia during the 1950s and 1960s. The antihypertensive actions of reserpine are a result of its ability to deplete catecholamines from peripheral sympathetic nerve endings. These substances are normally involved in controlling heart rate, force of cardiac contraction and peripheral resistance.
  
  For more information and mode of action go to :
  Ref: www.uspharmacist.com