Origin. - The bark of the stem and root of Punica Granatum L., a shrub or small tree about 20 feet (6 M.) high, indigenous in Southwestern Asia from Northern India to Palestine.

Description and Properties. - In thin quills or fragments from 2 to 4 inches (5-10 Cm.) long and from 1/25 to 1/8 inch (1-3 Mm.) thick; outer surface yellowish gray, somewhat warty or longitudinally and reticulately ridged; the stem-bark often partly covered with blackish lichens; the thicker pieces of the root-bark more or less scaly externally; inner surface smooth, finely striate, grayish yellow; fracture short, granular, greenish yellow, indistinctly radiate; inodorous; taste astringent, very slightly bitter.

It contains as its active constituent a liquid alkaloid, pelletierine, with its three allied alkaloids, methylpelletierine, pseudopelletierine, and isopellelierine, besides mannite and punico-tannic acid.

Dose. - 1/2-1 1/2 drams (2.0-6.0 Gm.) [30 grains (2 Gm.), U. S. P.].

Preparations

Pelletierinae Tannas - Pelletierinae Tannatis - Pelletierine Tannate (U. S. P.). - Definition. - A mixture in varying proportions of the tannates of four alkaloids (punicine, isopunicine, methylpunicine, and pseudopunicine) obtained from Punica granatum (pomegranate).

Also known as punicinum tannicum. The alkaloids are also known as pelletierine, isopelletierine, etc.

Description. - A yellowish-white, odorless, amorphous powder, having an astringent taste, and a weak acid reaction. Soluble in water (1: 235), alcohol (1: 12.6), and in warm dilute acids.

Dose. - Average dose: 4 grains (0.250 Gm. = 250 Mg.), U. S. P..

The pelletierines of commerce seem to vary greatly; some are ten times as poisonous as others. While the U. S. Pharmacopoeia names, as the average dose of the tannate, 4 grains (0.25 Gm.), some writers recommend 10-20 grains (0.75-1.5 Gm.). Very unpleasant effects are said to have resulted from 2.5-7.5 grains (0.4-0.5 Gm.).

Fluidextractum Granati - Fluidextracti Granati - Fluidextract of Pomegranate (U. S. P.). - Definition. - Hitherto only the bark of the stem and root of Granatum (pomegranate) has been official; it was often administered in the form of a decoction (official in the Br. P.), but this was very unpleasant to take, owing to the large amount of tannic acid present. A mixture of the tannates of the most important active constituents (four alkaloids) of granatum has also been introduced under the name Pelletierinae Tannas (q. v.).

Dose. - Average dose: 30 minims (2 Cc.), U. S. P.

Physiological Action and Therapeutics. - Locally pomegranate is astringent. In large doses it excites vomiting, acts as a purgative, paralyzes the motor nerves, but does not affect sensation, and dilates the capillaries.

Poisonous symptoms usually begin with severe headache, giddiness, chilly sensations, and rise in temperature. There is mydriasis and collapse, with nausea and vomiting. Blindness has been known to occur and to persist for some time.

Pomegranate and its alkaloid, pelletierine, are efficient anthelmintics for tapeworm.

Like other anthelmintics, the drug should be given on an empty stomach, and if the bowels are not freely moved by the remedy, an active cathartic should follow its administration.

A decoction of the bark may be used, but, owing to the difficulty in obtaining the fresh drug, which alone possesses anthelmintic properties, the tannate of pelletierine, which is always reliable, is usually administered.