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(Paullinia cupana)
INTRODUCTION :
Guarana, a caffeine containing stimulant, is obtained from paullinia cupana. Both the seed and foliage of this Brasilian liana have high caffeine contents. The effects are thus similar to coffee, but last longer. Many amazonian indians value guarana for it's stimulant, analgic and aphrodisiastic properties, and therefore use it ritually. In phytotherapy guarana is used for it's antidepressive- and diuretic properties
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 for approximately 6 hours after ingestion.
Dosage and preparation :
Guarana is usually taken orally, but it may also be prepared as a snuff.
An effective stimulating dosage consists of 1-2 teaspoons of guarana powder.
 Figure: Guarana seeds
Botanical aspects :
P. cupana belongs toSapindaceae; Sapindoideae, Tribus Paullinieae. This plant is indigenous to cental Amazone (natural geographic distribution ranges from Rio Madeira to Rio Tapajos and in Rio Negro and Orinoco), but it is now often cultivated.
P. cupana is an extensive woody liana that has compounded leaves, white, odourless flowers and brown seeds of approximately 1 cm across. This liana can reach 12 meters in length and can easily be interchanged with other Paullinia species.
 Figure: P. cupana
Phytochemistry :
Guarana contains 3-6% caffeine; guarana's active constituent are methylxantines. Theobromine, theophyllin, saponines. Pigments and minerals (K, Na, Mg, Ca) are also present. 3 A part of the caffeine, present in guarana, is bound to the pigments. This caffeine/pigment-complex is called guaranine.
Xanthine
Table 1.20: Methylxanthine derivatives 
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, A2A) and (3) they cause the release of Ca2+ from the storage vesicles into the cytoplasma.
Inhibition of phosphodiesterase will result in an increased cAMP 2nd messenger activity. Blockage of the adenosine receptors causes stimulation and the interference with Ca2+-ionchannel activities causes contraction of the smooth- and skeleton muscles.
Approximately 95 % of the methylxantines are metabolised through hydroxylation at carbon 8 and demethylation by Cytochrome-P-450 (A1, A2), but oxidation by Xanthinoxidase is another common inactivation pathway.
Modifiers :
- Guarana has positive synergistic effects with ephedrine (Ephedra sp.)
- MAO-inhibitors in combination with caffeine 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) |
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