(Cola nitida)
INTRODUCTION :
Kola nuts, the seed of Cola nitida and Cola acuminata, are native to West africa. There it forms an intergrated part of the social life; the nuts are valued for it's stimulating-, aphrodisiastic- and healing qualities. Extracts of these nuts are often found in energydrinks.
EFFECTS :
Enhances alertness and physical capacities, improves mood, supresses the appitite and has sexual stimulating effects.
Autonomic changes: elevation of body temperature, increases bloodpressure and increases respiratory rate.
DURATION :
Effects last (depending on the amount taken) for approximately 6 hours after ingestion.
Dosage and preparation :
Usually the nuts are chewed, but a powder can also be taken. The taste is quite bitter. A stimulant dose consists of two to six grams.
Figure: Cola nuts
Botanical aspects :
C. nitida is a member of Sterculiaceae; Tribus Sterculiae, subtribus Sterculiinae. While this genus probably originated from tropical West Africa (C. nitida is indigenous to Liberia, Senegal, Nigeria), it now grows in various tropical regions and in South East Asia.3
It is an evergreen tree that has glossy green leaves, violet striped flowers and star-shaped fruits. This tree reaches 25 meters in height and is propagated through seeds. C. nitida and C. acuminata can easily be interchanged with other Cola species
Phytochemistry :
The active principles of cola nuts are methylxanthines; caffeine is the main active constituent, but theophylline, theobromine and catechine are also present. Concentrations are respectively 2- 3.5 %
caffeine and 1% theobromine
Xanthine
Table 1.10: Methylxanthine derivatives
Trivial names Formal names
Caffeine 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine
Theophylline 1,3-dimethylxanthine
Theobromine 3,7-dimethylxanthine
Pharmacology :
The pharmacological actions of caffeine, theophylline and theobromine (purine-base derived stimulants) are the result three different biochemical alterations: (1) They inhibit phosphodiesterase, (2) they block (P-1) adenosine receptors (A1 and A2A) and (3) they cause the release of Ca2+ from the storage vesicles into the cytoplasma. 1
Inhibition of phosphodiesterase will result in an increased cAMP 2nd messenger activity. Blockage of the adenosine receptors causes stimulation and the interference with Ca 2+ -ionchannel activities causes contraction of the smooth- and skeleton muscles.
It appears that 95 % of the methylxantines are metabolised by hydroxylation of carbon 8 and demethylation by Cytochrome-P-450 (A1, A2.) 1 Another common inactivation pathway is oxidation by Xanthinoxidase.
MODIFIERS :
- Kola nuts has positive synergistic effects with ephedrine (Ephedra sp.)
- MAO-inhibitors can cause hyperreactivity and suspiciousness.
- Combines well with alcohol
References :
1. [Forth/ Henschler/ Rummel/ Fostermann/ Starke, 2001]
2. [Gottlieb]
3. [Ratsch, 1998]
4. [Snyder, 1996]
(Text by Wout. Please mail here for your comments) |
