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Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana)

Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana)

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  • In folk medicine, pokeweed leaves have been used for rheumatism, arthritis, emesis (vomiting) and purging. Unsubstantiated reports describe the toxicity of pokeweed root and berries, which may be due to the saponin content of the plant.
  • One derivative of pokeweed, pokeweed antiviral protein (PAP) from the spring leaves of Phytolacca Americana, shows promising therapeutic effects. Interest in PAP is growing due to its use as a potential anti-HIV agent. However, the clinical use of native PAP is limited due to inherent difficulties in obtaining sufficient quantities of homogeneously pure active PAP without batch-to-batch variation from its natural resource.
  • The United Kingdom allows pokeweed in medicinal products where toxic constituents are absent and the product adheres to mandated limits. Ongoing research is investigating the use of pokeweed for the flu, HSV-1, and polio.
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  • Cho SY, Sim JS, Kang SS, et al. Enhancement of heparin and heparin disaccharide absorption by the Phytolacca americana saponins. Arch Pharm Res 2003;26(12):1102-1108.
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  • D'Cruz OJ, Uckun FM. Pokeweed antiviral protein: a potential nonspermicidal prophylactic antiviral agent. Fertil.Steril. 2001;75(1):106-114.
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  • D'Cruz OJ, Waurzyniak B, Uckun FM. Mucosal toxicity studies of a gel formulation of native pokeweed antiviral protein. Toxicol.Pathol. 2004;32(2):212-221.
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  • Rajamohan F, Doumbia SO, Engstrom CR, et al. Expression of biologically active recombinant pokeweed antiviral protein in methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. Protein Expr.Purif. 2000;18(2):193-201.
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  • Schlick J, Dulieu P, Desvoyes B, et al. Cytotoxic activity of a recombinant GnRH-PAP fusion toxin on human tumor cell lines. FEBS Lett. 4-28-2000;472(2-3):241-246.
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  • Sussner U, Abel G, Schulte R, Kreis W. Isolation and characterisation of a cysteine protease (phytolacain G), from Phytolacca americana roots. Planta Med 2004;70(10):942-947.
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  • Tadeg H, Mohammed E, Asres K, et al. Antimicrobial activities of some selected traditional Ethiopian medicinal plants used in the treatment of skin disorders. J Ethnopharmacol. 8-22-2005;100(1-2):168-175.
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  • Treyvaud V, Marston A, Dyatmiko W, et al. Molluscicidal saponins from Phytolacca icosandra. Phytochemistry 2000;55(6):603-609.
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  • Woldeamanuel Y, Abate G, Chryssanthou E. In vitro activity of Phytolacca dodecandra (Endod) against dermatophytes. Ethiop.Med J 2005;43(1):31-34.
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  • Yang WH, Wieczorck M, Allen MC, et al. Cytotoxic activity of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-pokeweed antiviral protein conjugates in cell lines expressing GnRH receptors. Endocrinology 2003;144(4):1456-1463.
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