- Plants of the genus Arum are poisonous because they contain calcium oxalate. Currently, there is no standard, accepted medicinal use of the plant, although Arum may have been used to treat prostate disease and skin conditions. Extracts from Arum are being studied for their ability to fight against sperm and therefore, may be used to prevent pregnancy (contraceptive).
- Traditionally, Arum may have been used to treat colds, inflammation of the throat, and diarrhea. It may also have been used as a diaphoretic (fever-inducer) and diuretic (increase urine production). The leaves of the plant have also been applied to the skin for rheumatic-type pain.
- At this time, research supporting the use of Arum for any medical condition is lacking.
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Arum
Contents
- Alencar, V B, Alencar, N M, Assreuy, A M, et al. Pro-inflammatory effect of Arum maculatum lectin and role of resident cells. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2005;37(9):1805-1814.
View Abstract - Ali-Shtayeh, M S, Yaniv, Z, and Mahajna, J. Ethnobotanical survey in the Palestinian area: a classification of the healing potential of medicinal plants. J Ethnopharmacol 2000;73(1-2):221-232.
View Abstract - Al Rmalli, S W, Haris, P I, Harrington, C F, et al. A survey of arsenic in foodstuffs on sale in the United Kingdom and imported from Bangladesh. Sci Total Environ. 1-20-2005;337(1-3):23-30.
View Abstract - Majumder, P, Mondal, H A, and Das, S. Insecticidal activity of Arum maculatum tuber lectin and its binding to the glycosylated insect gut receptors. J Agric Food Chem. 8-24-2005;53(17):6725-6729.
View Abstract - Mladenov, I. V., Haralambieva, I. H., Iankov, I. D., and Mitov, I. G. Characterisation of 20-kDa lectin-spermagglutinin from Arum maculatum that prevents Chlamydia pneumoniae infection of L-929 fibroblast cells. FEMS Immunol.Med.Microbiol. 2-18-2002;32(3):249-254.
View Abstract - Roychowdhury, T, Uchino, T, Tokunaga, H, et al. Survey of arsenic in food composites from an arsenic-affected area of West Bengal, India. Food Chem Toxicol 2002;40(11):1611-1621.
View Abstract - Van Damme, E J, Goossens, K, Smeets, K,et al. The major tuber storage protein of araceae species is a lectin. Characterization and molecular cloning of the lectin from Arum maculatum L. Plant Physiol 1995;107(4):1147-1158.
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Disclaimer: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.
