Lactucarium

Last updated
Lactucarium
Source plant(s)Lactuca spp.
Part(s) of plantLatex (see also seeds)
Geographic origin Southern Europe
UsesAnalgesic, sleep aid, euphoriant
Legal status
  • In general: unscheduled

Lactucarium is the milky fluid secreted by several species of lettuce, especially Lactuca virosa , usually from the base of the stems. It is known as lettuce opium because of its sedative and analgesic properties. It has also been reported to promote a mild sensation of euphoria. [1] [2] Because it is a latex, lactucarium physically resembles opium, in that it is excreted as a white fluid and can be reduced to a thick smokable solid.

Contents

History

"Lettuce opium" was used by the ancient Egyptians, and was introduced as a drug in the United States as early as 1799. [3] The drug was prescribed and studied extensively in Poland during the nineteenth century,[ citation needed ] and was viewed as an alternative to opium, weaker but lacking side-effects, such as not being highly addictive, [3] and in some cases preferable. However, early efforts to isolate an active alkaloid were unsuccessful. [4] It is described and standardized in the 1898 United States Pharmacopoeia [5] and 1911 British Pharmaceutical Codex [6] for use in lozenges, tinctures, and syrups as a sedative for irritable cough or as a mild hypnotic (sleeping aid) for insomnia. The standard definition of lactucarium in these codices required its production from Lactuca virosa , but it was recognized that smaller quantities of lactucarium could be produced in a similar way from Lactuca sativa and Lactuca canadensis var. elongata, and even that lettuce-opium obtained from Lactuca serriola or Lactuca quercina was of superior quality. [7]

In the twentieth century, two major studies found commercial lactucarium to be without effect. In 1944, Fulton concluded, "Modern medicine considers its sleep producing qualities a superstition, its therapeutic action doubtful or nil." Another study of the time identified active bitter principles lactucin and lactucopicrin, but noted that these compounds from the fresh latex were unstable and did not remain in commercial preparations of lactucarium. Accordingly, lettuce opium fell from favor, until publications of the hippie movement began to promote it in the mid-1970s as a legal drug producing euphoria, sometimes compounded with catnip or damiana. [8] [ unreliable source? ] More recent work has confirmed that lactucin and lactucopicrin do have analgesic and sedative properties. [9]

The seeds of lettuce have also been used to relieve pain.[ medical citation needed ] Lettuce seed was listed as an anaesthetic in Avicenna's The Canon of Medicine , which served as an authoritative medical textbook from soon after AD 1000 until the seventeenth century. [10]

Contemporary use

Although lactucarium has faded from general use as a pain reliever, it remains available, sometimes promoted as a legal psychotropic.

The seed of ordinary lettuce, Lactuca sativa , is still used in Avicenna's native Iran as a folk medicine.[ citation needed ]

Chemical constituents

Chemical compounds which occur in lettuce: (1) a-lactucerol (taraxasterol); (2) b-lactucerol (lactucon, lactucerin); (3) lactucin; (4) lactucopicrin Lactuca compounds.svg
Chemical compounds which occur in lettuce: (1) α-lactucerol (taraxasterol); (2) β-lactucerol (lactucon, lactucerin); (3) lactucin; (4) lactucopicrin

The chemical constituents of lactucarium that have been investigated for biological activity include lactucin and its derivatives lactucopicrin and 11β,13-dihydrolactucin. Lactucin and lactucopicrin were found to have analgesic effects comparable to those of ibuprofen, and sedative activity in measurements of spontaneous movements of the mice. [9] Some effects have also been credited to a trace of hyoscyamine in Lactuca virosa , but the alkaloid was undetectable in standard lactucarium. [6] A crude extract of the seeds was shown to have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in standard formalin and carrageenan tests of laboratory rats. It was not toxic to the rats at a dose of 6  grams per kilogram. [11]

Lactuca virosa contains flavonoids, coumarins, and N-methyl-β-phenethylamine. [12] [ unreliable source? ] A variety of other chemical compounds have been isolated from L. virosa. One of the compounds, lactucin, is an adenosine receptor agonist in vitro , [9] [ failed verification ] while another, lactucopicrin, has been shown to act as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor in vitro. [13]

Lactuca virosa Lactuca virosa bleeding.JPG
Lactuca virosa

Lactuca floridana was found to contain 11β,13-Dihydro-lactucin-8-O-acetate hemihydrate. [14]

Formulations

Lactucarium was used unmodified in lozenges, 30–60  milligrams (0.5 to 1  grain), sometimes mixed with borax. However, it was found to be more efficient to formulate the drug in a cough syrup (Syrupus Lactucarii, U.S.P.) containing net 5% lactucarium, 22% glycerin, 5% alcohol, and 5% orange-flower water in syrup. [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opium</span> Dried latex of the opium poppy containing narcotic compounds

Opium is dried latex obtained from the seed capsules of the opium poppy Papaver somniferum. Approximately 12 percent of opium is made up of the analgesic alkaloid morphine, which is processed chemically to produce heroin and other synthetic opioids for medicinal use and for the illegal drug trade. The latex also contains the closely related opiates codeine and thebaine, and non-analgesic alkaloids such as papaverine and noscapine. The traditional, labor-intensive method of obtaining the latex is to scratch ("score") the immature seed pods (fruits) by hand; the latex leaks out and dries to a sticky yellowish residue that is later scraped off and dehydrated. The word meconium historically referred to related, weaker preparations made from other parts of the opium poppy or different species of poppies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laudanum</span> Tincture of opium

Laudanum is a tincture of opium containing approximately 10% powdered opium by weight. Laudanum is prepared by dissolving extracts from the opium poppy in alcohol (ethanol).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lettuce</span> Species of annual plant of the daisy family, most often grown as a leaf vegetable

Lettuce is an annual plant of the family Asteraceae. It is most often grown as a leaf vegetable, but sometimes for its stem and seeds. Lettuce is most often used for salads, although it is also seen in other kinds of food, such as soups, sandwiches and wraps; it can also be grilled. One variety, celtuce, is grown for its stems, which are eaten either raw or cooked. In addition to its main use as a leafy green, it has also gathered religious and medicinal significance over centuries of human consumption. Europe and North America originally dominated the market for lettuce, but by the late 20th century the consumption of lettuce had spread throughout the world. As of 2021, world production of lettuce and chicory was 27 million tonnes, 53 percent of which came from China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tincture</span> Herbal liquid

A tincture is typically an extract of plant or animal material dissolved in ethanol. Solvent concentrations of 25–60% are common, but may run as high as 90%. In chemistry, a tincture is a solution that has ethanol as its solvent. In herbal medicine, alcoholic tinctures are made with various ethanol concentrations, which should be at least 20% alcohol for preservation purposes.

<i>Nigella</i> Genus of annual plants

Nigella is a genus of 18 species of annual plants in the family Ranunculaceae, native to Southern Europe, North Africa, South Asia, Southwest Asia and Middle East. Common names applied to members of this genus are nigella, devil-in-a-bush or love-in-a-mist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harmala alkaloid</span> Group of chemical compounds

Harmala alkaloids are several alkaloids that increase effects of reward system neurotransmitter dopamine by acting as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). These alkaloids are found in the seeds of Peganum harmala, as well as leaves of tobacco and coffee beans. The alkaloids include harmine, harmaline, harmalol, and their derivatives, which have similar chemical structures, hence the name "harmala alkaloids". These alkaloids are of interest for their use in Amazonian shamanism, where they are derived from other plants. Harmine, once known as telepathine and banisterine, is a naturally occurring beta-carboline alkaloid that is structurally related to harmaline, and also found in the vine Banisteriopsis caapi. Tetrahydroharmine is also found in B. caapi and P. harmala. Dr. Alexander Shulgin has suggested that harmine may be a breakdown product of harmaline. Harmine and harmaline are reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase A (RIMAs). They can stimulate the central nervous system by inhibiting the metabolism of monoamine compounds such as serotonin and norepinephrine.

<i>Cannabis sativa</i> Plant species

Cannabis sativa is an annual herbaceous flowering plant. The species was first classified by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. The specific epithet sativa means 'cultivated'. Indigenous to Eastern Asia, the plant is now of cosmopolitan distribution due to widespread cultivation. It has been cultivated throughout recorded history and used as a source of industrial fiber, seed oil, food, and medicine. It is also used as a recreation drug and for religious and spiritual purposes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harmaline</span> Chemical compound

Harmaline is a fluorescent indole alkaloid from the group of harmala alkaloids and beta-carbolines. It is the partly hydrogenated form of harmine.

<i>Nigella sativa</i> Species of annual flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae

Nigella sativa is an annual flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to eastern Europe and western Asia, but naturalized over a much wider area, including parts of Europe, northern Africa and east to Myanmar. It is used as a spice in many cuisines.

<i>Lactuca virosa</i> Species of plant

Lactuca virosa is a plant in the Lactuca (lettuce) genus, often ingested for its mild analgesic and sedative effects. It is related to common lettuce, and is often called wild lettuce, bitter lettuce, laitue vireuse, opium lettuce, poisonous lettuce, tall lettuce, great lettuce or rakutu-karyumu-so.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lactucopicrin</span> Chemical compound

Lactucopicrin (Intybin) is a bitter substance that has a sedative and analgesic effect, acting on the central nervous system. It is a sesquiterpene lactone, and is a component of lactucarium, derived from the plant Lactuca virosa, as well as being found in some related plants such as Cichorium intybus. It is also found in dandelion coffee.

<i>Mesembryanthemum tortuosum</i> Species of succulent

Mesembryanthemum tortuosum is a succulent plant in the family Aizoaceae native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. It is known as kanna, channa, kougoed —which literally means, 'chew(able) things' or 'something to chew'.

<i>Lactuca serriola</i> Species of flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae

Lactuca serriola, also called prickly lettuce, milk thistle, compass plant, and scarole, is an annual or biennial plant in the tribe Cichorieae within the family Asteraceae. It has a slightly fetid odor and is commonly considered a weed of orchards, roadsides and field crops. It is the closest wild relative of cultivated lettuce.

<i>Lactuca canadensis</i> Species of lettuce

Lactuca canadensis is a species of wild lettuce known by the common names Canada lettuce, Canada wild lettuce, and tall lettuce. Its true native range is not clear, but it is considered to be a native of the eastern and central parts of North America. It naturalized in the western part of the continent as well as in Eurasia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tetrahydropalmatine</span> Isoquinoline alkaloid, found mainly in Corydalis

Tetrahydropalmatine (THP) is an isoquinoline alkaloid found in several different plant species, mainly in the genus Corydalis, but also in other plants such as Stephania rotunda. These plants have traditional uses in Chinese herbal medicine. The pharmaceutical industry has synthetically produced the more potent enantiomer Levo-tetrahydropalmatine (Levo-THP), which has been marketed worldwide under different brand names as an alternative to anxiolytic and sedative drugs of the benzodiazepine group and analgesics such as opiates. It is also sold as a dietary supplement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coronaridine</span> Chemical compound

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psychoactive plant</span> Plants that induce psychotropic effects upon ingestion

Psychoactive plants are plants, or preparations thereof, that upon ingestion induce psychotropic effects. As stated in a reference work:

Psychoactive plants are plants that people ingest in the form of simple or complex preparations in order to affect the mind or alter the state of consciousness.

<i>Lactuca floridana</i> Species of lettuce

Lactuca floridana, commonly known as woodland lettuce, Florida lettuce, or false lettuce is a North American species of wild lettuce. It is native across much of central Canada and the eastern and central United States.

α-Hederin Chemical compound

α-Hederin (alpha-hederin) is a water-soluble pentacyclic triterpenoid saponin found in the seeds of Nigella sativa and leaves of Hedera helix.

<i>Lactuca quercina</i> Species of lettuce

Lactuca quercina is a species of wild lettuce native to Europe and Asia. It is an annual or biennial herb in the tribe Cichorieae within the family Asteraceae growing from a taproot to maximum heights of 50–200 cm (19.5–78.5 in) or more.

References

  1. ↑ Adams C (2005-01-06). "Is iceberg lettuce a drug?". The Straight Dope. Archived from the original on 2023-03-25. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
  2. ↑ Spadari M, Pommier P, Canioni D, Arditti J, David JM, Valli M (April 2003). "[Abuse of lactuca virosa]". Presse Médicale (in French). 32 (15): 702–3. PMID   12762295.
  3. 1 2 Harkins T (2021-05-31). "Wild Lettuce - Everything You Need to Know • New Life On A Homestead". New Life On A Homestead. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  4. ↑ Trojanowska A (2005). "[Lettuce, lactuca sp., as a medicinal plant in polish publications of the 19th century]". Kwartalnik Historii Nauki I Techniki (in Polish). 50 (3–4): 123–34. PMID   17153150.
  5. ↑ Felter HW, Lloyd JU (1898). "King's American Dispensary:Tinctura Lactucarii (U. S. P.)—Tincture of Lactucarium" . Retrieved 2007-05-28.
  6. 1 2 3 the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (1911). "Lactuca, Lactucarium" . Retrieved 2007-05-27.
  7. ↑ Harvey Wickes Felter, John Uri Lloyd (1898). King's American Dispensatory. Cincinnati: Ohio Valley Co. pp. 1114–1117. See Lactuca.—Lettuce and Tinctura Lactucarii (U. S. P.)—Tincture of Lactucarium at Henriette's Herbal Homepage.
  8. ↑ "Lettuce opium" . Retrieved 2007-05-28.
  9. 1 2 3 Wesołowska A, Nikiforuk A, Michalska K, Kisiel W, Chojnacka-Wójcik E (September 2006). "Analgesic and sedative activities of lactucin and some lactucin-like guaianolides in mice". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 107 (2): 254–8. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2006.03.003. PMID   16621374.
  10. ↑ Smith RD (October 1980). "Avicenna and the Canon of Medicine: a millennial tribute". The Western Journal of Medicine. 133 (4): 367–70. PMC   1272342 . PMID   7051568.
  11. ↑ Sayyah M, Hadidi N, Kamalinejad M (June 2004). "Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of Lactuca sativa seed extract in rats". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 92 (2–3): 325–9. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2004.03.016. PMID   15138019.
  12. ↑ "Wild Lettuce". Holistic Online herb information.
  13. ↑ Rollinger JM, Mocka P, Zidorn C, Ellmerer EP, Langer T, Stuppner H (September 2005). "Application of the in combo screening approach for the discovery of non-alkaloid acetylcholinesterase inhibitors from Cichorium intybus". Current Drug Discovery Technologies. 2 (3): 185–93. doi:10.2174/1570163054866855. PMID   16472227.
  14. ↑ Fronczek CF, Gomez-Barrios ML, Fischer NH, Fronczek FR (September 2009). "11β,13-Dihydro-lactucin-8-O-acetate hemihydrate". Acta Crystallographica Section E. 65 (Pt 10): o2564-5. Bibcode:2009AcCrE..65o2564F. doi:10.1107/S160053680903829X. PMC   2970292 . PMID   21578003.
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