Corkwood
Scientific Name(s): Duboisia hopwoodii, Duboisia leichhardtii, Duboisia myoporoides R. Br.
Common Name(s): Corkwood tree, Pituri
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 24, 2023.
Clinical Overview
Use
Corkwood is used as a source of purified alkaloids in the pharmaceutical industry. Older reports suggest corkwood leaves have been used as an antidote to the GI symptoms of ciguatera poisoning from consumption of toxin-contaminated reef fish; however, clinical trial data are lacking to recommend use for any indication.
Dosing
There are no recent clinical studies of corkwood to provide a basis for dosing recommendations. Corkwood should be used with caution because of its high anticholinergic alkaloid content.
Contraindications
Contraindications have not been identified.
Pregnancy/Lactation
Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.
Interactions
None well documented.
Adverse Reactions
Even small doses may cause CNS disturbances; corkwood leaves have demonstrated CNS stimulant and hallucinogenic properties.
Toxicology
Large doses may be fatal.
Scientific Family
- Solanaceae (nightshade)
Botany
The corkwood shrub or tree is native to and found throughout most of Australia. The tree grows up to 14 m in height and has very light wood with thick, cork-like bark. The narrow leaves contain alkaloids; the plant also bears small, white flowers and black berries.Pellowe 2013, USDA 2020
History
Europeans observed in 1770 that indigenous Australians cured corkwood leaves and rolled them into quids that were then chewed to ward off hunger, pain, and fatigue. Because corkwood leaves contain anticholinergic stimulants, Australian aborigines have reportedly tainted waterholes with the leaves in order to stun and capture animals. The plant has been used in homeopathy to treat eye disorders. The wood of corkwood is used for carving. Duboisia is farmed extensively in Australia, with Australian plantations providing a major source of scopolamine and atropine worldwide.Duke 2003, Pellowe 2013
Chemistry
As with other members of the Solanaceae family, the corkwood plant (especially the leaves) is rich in alkaloids, yielding more than 2%; these alkaloids consist primarily of hyoscyamine and hyoscine (scopolamine). Scopolamine content in the plant appears to be affected by daily exposure to light, but not to temperature.Ullrich 2017 The alkaloids atropine, butropine, and more than a dozen related compounds, including nicotine and nornicotine, have been isolated.Coulsen 1968, Coulson 1967, Ishimaru 1989
Uses and Pharmacology
There are no recent clinical studies of corkwood to provide a basis for therapeutic recommendations. Corkwood is used as a source of purified alkaloids, particularly scopolamine, in the pharmaceutical industry.Ullrich 2017 Older reports suggest corkwood leaves have been used as an antidote to the GI symptoms of ciguatera poisoning from consumption of toxin-contaminated reef fish.Dufva 1976
Dosing
There are no recent clinical studies of corkwood to provide a basis for dosing recommendations. Corkwood should be used with caution because of its high anticholinergic alkaloid content.
Pregnancy / Lactation
Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.
Interactions
None well documented.
Adverse Reactions
Corkwood has demonstrated stimulant and hallucinogenic properties due to the anticholinergic effects of its major alkaloid constituents (eg, hyoscine).Duke 2003, Pearn 1981 A case report describes a 22-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with agitated delirium and visual hallucinations following ingestion of 5 to 10 leaves from the D. myoporoides plant.Pellowe 2013
Toxicology
Ingestion of scopolamine and related alkaloids of D. myoporoides can be fatal in large doses due to competitive inhibition of central and peripheral acetylcholine muscarinic receptors.Pellowe 2013
References
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Further information
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