Synonym: blue or yellow ginsent, papoose or squaw root
Chemicals that may be present:
(1) triterpene saponins: caulosaponin, caulophyllogenin, hederagenin
(2) alkaloids:anagyrine, anagyrine, baptifoline, 5,6-dehydro-alpha-isolupanine, alpha-isolupinine, lupanine, magnoflorine, methylcytisine, sparteine, taspine, thalictroidine
Reported effects in women:
(1) labor induction, abortion and/or evacuation of the uterus (oxytocic)
(2) emmenagogue (induces menstruation)
(3) teratogenic (due to methylcytisine) and/or embryotoxic (due to anagyrine)
(4) relief of menstrual cramps
Anecdotal toxic effects on neonates (possibly due to a vasoconstrictive glycoside):
(1) perinatal stroke
(2) acute myocardial infarction
(3) severe multi-organ failure
Drug interactions: cardiovascular drugs, nicotine (with intoxication), hypoglycemic agents
