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Ammi majus L. (Apiaceae)
Synonyms
Apium ammi Crantz, Selinum ammoides E.H.L. Krause. Apiaceae are also known as
Umbelliferae
Local names
Aatrilal, ammi commun, bishop’s weed, bullwort, crow’s foot, cumin
royal, devil’s carrot, gazar el-shitan, greater ammi, habab, herb william,
hirz al-shayateen, khella shaitani, khellah shitany, mayweed, nounkha, qciba,
rejl el-ghorab, rijl al-tair, zfenderi el maiz
Description
An annual, 0.9–1.5 m high with striated subglaucous stems. Leaves acutely
serrulate, alternate, bipinnate, lobes oblong. Inflorescence a compound umbel
with slender primary rays up to 5 cm long, scattered secondary rays 2–5
cm long, minute reticulate points; involucre of bracts 1.5–2.5 cm long;
flowers bisexual, polygamous, bracteate; calyx teeth obsolete or small; petals
obovate with an inflexed point, exterior petals frequently longer; stamens epigynous;
ovary inferior, two-locular, stigma capitate. Fruit laterally compressed, oblong,
mericarps of the cremocarp separated by a carpophore. Seed small, pendulous,
albuminous
Plant material used
dried ripe fruits
Chemical assays
Contains not less than 0.5% xanthotoxin, 0.3% imperatorin and 0.01% bergapten,
determined by spectrophotometry. A high-performance liquid chromatography method
is also available for quantitative analysis
Major chemical constituents
The major constituents are furanocoumarins, the principal compounds being xanthotoxin
(methoxsalen, 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) ammoidin; up to 1.15%), imperatorin
(ammidin; up to 0.75%) and bergapten (heraclin, majudin, 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP),
up to 1.88%). Other coumarins of significance are marmesin (up to 0.25%), isoimperatorin
(0.01%), heraclenin (0.07%) and isopimpinellin (0.01%). Other constituents of
interest are acetylated flavonoids
Medicinal uses
Uses supported by clinical data
Treatment of skin disorders such as psoriasis and vitiligo (acquired leukoderma).
Uses described in pharmacopoeias and well established
documents
Treatment of vitiligo
Uses described in traditional medicine
As an emmenagogue to regulate menstruation, as a diuretic, and for treatment
of leprosy, kidney stones and urinary tract infections
Proven pharmacological activity
Animal studies
Antimicrobial and antischistosomal, Photosensitizing
Human studies
Vitiligo, psoriasis and hypopigmentation tinea versicolor
Toxicology
Intoxication due to the simultaneous ingestion of ergot alkaloids from Claviceps
purpurea sclerotia and furanocoumarins from Ammi majus
seeds was reported in pigs after ingestion of contaminated feed. Nervous system
intoxication was fi rst observed 5–7 days after the initiation of feeding
of the suspect rations. This was followed by cutaneous irritation, including
snout ulcers, eyelid oedema and conjunctivitis. Ten days after the feeding,
eight abortions were observed and, in nursing sows, udder oedema and teat cracking
were observed. Examination of the adulterated feed indicated that it contained
2.2% A. majus seeds and 0.14% C. purpurea sclerotia. Quantitative analysis showed
the presence of 3.2 g of xanthotoxin and 0.65 g of imperatorin per 100 g of
A. majus seeds, and 0.73 g of ergot alkaloids per 100 g of C. purpurea sclerotia
Adverse reactions
One case of phototoxic dermatitis was reported in a patient with vitiligo after
ingestion of Fructus Ammi Majoris. One case of allergic rhinitis and contact
urticaria due to exposure to the fruits was reported. Phototoxic reactions were
reported in subjects who handled the fruits and were subsequently exposed to
sunlight. Erythema developed within 48– 72 hours and persisted for several
days. Skin that had been protected from sunlight for 30 days after exposure
still had many erythematous areas and became irritated again when re-exposed
to the sun. Small areas of darker pigmentation developed in the skin of some
subjects. Prolonged use or overdose may cause nausea, vertigo, constipation,
lack of appetite, headache, allergic symptoms and sleeplessness. Photochemotherapy
combining administration or application of xanthotoxin with UV-light treatment
can be repeated many times (four times a week), and after about 14 days of therapy,
a clear dilution of the epidermis results, cornifi cation norm alizes and the
infl ammation fades away. However, overdosage may result in severe erythema
and blistering. This can partly be prevented through the application of ß-carotene.
A 5-year prospective study of ophthalmological fi ndings in 1299 patients treated
with oral xanthotoxin plus UV photochemotherapy for psoriasis failed to demonstrate
a signifi cant dose-dependent increase in the risk of developing cataracts.
Other adverse reactions reported after treatment with xanthotoxin include itching,
nausea, oedema, hypotension, nervousness, vertigo, depression, painful blistering,
burning and peeling of the skin, pruritus, freckling, hypopigmentation, rash,
cheilitis and erythema. Contraindications Fructus Ammi Majoris is contraindicated
in diseases associated with photosensitivity, cataract, invasive squamous-cell
cancer, known sensitivity to xanthotoxin (psoralens), and in children under
the age of 12 years. The fruits are also contraindicated in pregnancy, nursing,
tuberculosis, liver and kidney diseases, human immunodefi ciency virus (HIV)
infections and other autoimmune diseases.
Warnings
Care should be taken where there is a familial history of sunlight allergy or
chronic infections; lotions should be applied only under direct supervision
of a physician and should not be dispensed to the patient; for use only if response
to other forms of therapy is inadequate. Serious burns may result from exposure
to UV-A light or sunlight, even through glass, if the correct dose and exposure
schedule is not maintained. If burning, blistering or intractable pruritus occurs,
discontinue therapy until side-effects subside. Do not sunbathe for at least
24 hours prior to therapy and 48 hours after. Avoid direct and indirect sunlight
for up to 8 hours after oral and 12–48 hours after topical treatment.
If sunlight cannot be avoided, protective clothing and/or sunscreen must be
worn. Following oral therapy, sunglasses must be worn for 24 hours. Avoid the
ingestion of foods that contain furanocoumarins, such as limes, fi gs, parsley,
celery, cloves, lemons, mustard and carrots.
Precautions
Drug interactions
The toxicity of Fructus Ammi Majoris may be increased when the fruits are administered
with other photosensitizing agents such as coal tar, dithranol, griseofulvin,
nalidixic acid, phenothiazines, sulfanilamides, tetracyclines and thiazides.
Carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, impairment of fertility
A 95% ethanol extract of Fructus Ammi Majoris, 10.0 mg/plate, was not mutagenic
in the Salmonella/microsome assay using S. typhimurium strains TA98 and TA102.
Furthermore, an infusion of the fruits (concentration not specifi ed) had antimutagenic
effects against ethyl methanesulfonate- or 2-amino-anthracene-induced mutagenicity
in S. typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100. A study of 4799 Swedish patients who
received xanthotoxin/UV-A photochemotherapy in the period 1974–1985 showed
a dose-dependent increase in the risk of squamous-cell cancer of the skin. Male
patients who had received more than 200 treatments had over 30 times the incidence
of squamous-cell cancer compared with the general population. Increases in the
incidence of respiratory cancer, pancreatic cancer and colon cancer were also
found.
Pregnancy: non-teratogenic effects
See Contraindications.
Nursing mothers
See Contraindications.
Paediatric use
See Contraindications.
Other precautions
No information available on general precautions or precautions concerning drug
and laboratory test interactions; or teratogenic effects in pregnancy.
Dosage forms
Powdered dried fruits for oral use. Store in a tightly sealed container away
from heat and light.
Posology
(Unless otherwise indicated)
Average daily dose: Fructus Ammi Majoris 0.02–0.04 g orally in divided
doses (dosage schedule not specifi ed); xanthotoxin 0.25–0.7 mg/kg bw.
Clinical treatment requires management by a health-care provider.
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