- Lobelia, also known as Indian tobacco, is a genus in the plant family Campanulaceae. Lobeline, a chemical in lobelia, has been used to induce emesis (vomiting) and improve lung conditions like asthma and bronchitis. Lobelia has been nicknamed "pukeweed" for its vomit-inducing effects.
- According to some research, lobeline has similar effects to nicotine, and it has been added to smoking cessation aids. It is unclear whether lobeline is effective for this use.
- All parts of the lobelia plant are potentially toxic. Eating lobelia has caused death in cattle and horses. It is not listed on the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) list, due to possible adverse effects, including respiratory stimulation (increased breathing), low blood pressure, and even death.
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- Brown NM, Trizna Z, Pathak S. Clastogenic interactions between lobeline sulfate and ethyl alcohol: a cytogenetic study. Anticancer Res 1992;12(5):1467-1469. View Abstract
- Davison GC, Rosen RC. Lobeline and reduction of cigarette smoking. Psychol Rep 1972;31(2):443-456. View Abstract
- Dwoskin LP, Crooks PA. A novel mechanism of action and potential use for lobeline as a treatment for psychostimulant abuse. Biochem Pharmacol 2002;63(2):89-98. View Abstract
- Grewal RS, Lufc, Allmark MG. The release of posterior pituitary hormone in the rat by nicotine and lobeline. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1962;135:84-88. View Abstract
- Ikeda K, Takahashi M, Nishida M, et al. Homonojirimycin analogues and their glucosides from Lobelia sessilifolia and Adenophora spp. (Campanulaceae). Carbohydr Res 2000;323(1-4):73-80. View Abstract
- Mazur LJ, De Ybarrondo L, Miller J, et al. Use of alternative and complementary therapies for pediatric asthma. Tex Med 2001;97(6):64-68. View Abstract
- McChargue DE, Collins FL, Jr., Cohen LM. Effect of non-nicotinic moist snuff replacement and lobeline on withdrawal symptoms during 48-h smokeless tobacco deprivation. Nicotine Tob Res 2002;4(2):195-200. View Abstract
- Miller DK, Crooks PA, Dwoskin LP. Lobeline inhibits nicotine-evoked [(3)H]dopamine overflow from rat striatal slices and nicotine-evoked (86)Rb(+) efflux from thalamic synaptosomes. Neuropharmacology 2000;39(13):2654-2662. View Abstract
- Plakun AL, Ambrus J, Bross I, et al. Clinical factors in smoking withdrawal: preliminary report. Am J Public Health Nations Health 1966;56(3):434-441. View Abstract
- Stead LF, Hughes JR. Lobeline for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000;(2):CD000124. View Abstract
- Subarnas A, Oshima Y, Sidik, et al. An antidepressant principle of Lobelia inflata L. (Campanulaceae). J Pharm.Sci. 1992;81(7):620-621. View Abstract
- Subarnas A, Tadano T, Nakahata N, et al. A possible mechanism of antidepressant activity of beta-amyrin palmitate isolated from Lobelia inflata leaves in the forced swimming test. Life Sci 1993;52(3):289-296. View Abstract
- Subarnas A, Tadano T, Oshima Y, et al. Pharmacological properties of beta-amyrin palmitate, a novel centrally acting compound, isolated from Lobelia inflata leaves. J Pharm Pharmacol 1993;45(6):545-550. View Abstract
- Teng L, Crooks PA, Dwoskin LP. Lobeline displaces [3H]dihydrotetrabenazine binding and releases [3H]dopamine from rat striatal synaptic vesicles: comparison with d-amphetamine. J Neurochem 1998;71(1):258-265. View Abstract
- Tian Q, Zhao D, Zhang J, et al. Investigation on inhibition of biological effects of endothelin. Sci China C Life Sci 1996;39(2):207-216. View Abstract
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