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Family Menispermaceae
Lagtang
Anamirta cocculus (Linn.) W. and A.
FISH BERRY

Yin du mu fang ji

Scientific names Common names
Anamirta baueriana Endl. Arai (Bag.)
Anamirta cocculus (Linn.) W. and A. Bañasin (Tag., Bis.)
Anamirta jucunda Miers. Bayati (Tag.)
Anamirta populifolia (DC.) Miers. Bayating (Ilk.)
Anamirta racemosa Colebr. ex Steud. Labtang (Ilk., Ig.)
Anamirta toxifera Miers. Lagtal (Bis.)
Cocculus indicus Royle Lagtang (Bis., Tag., Mbo., Sul.)
Cocculus lacunosus DC. Lakdang (Bis.)
Cocculus subserosus DC. Laktang (Tag., Bis., Pamp.)
Menispermum cocculus Linn. Lanta (Tag., Bis.)
  Ligtang (Tag.)
  Liktang (Tag, Bis.)
  Suma (Tag.)
  Coca de Levante (Span.)
  Fish berry (Engl.)
  Levant berry (Engl.)
  Levant nut (Engl.)
  Indian cockle (Engl.)
Lagtang is a local common name shared by (1) Anamirta cocculus, indian cockle, levant nut, and (2) Arcangelisia flava, abutra
Anamirta cocculus (L.) Wight & Arn. is an accepted name The Plant List

Other vernacular names
CHINESE: Yin du mu fang ji.
HINDI: Kakamari.
MALAYALAM: Polla, Pollakkaya, Kollakkaya, Pettumarunnu.
SANSKRIT: Garalaphala, Kakamari.

Botany
Lagtang is a large woody vine with a corky, gray bark and white wood. Stems are sometimes 10 centimeters thick, longitudinally wadded, porous, with stout, smooth branches. Leaves are ovate or ovately-cordate, 10 to 20 centimeters long, with pointed or tapering apex and rounded or nearly heart-shaped base, smooth above, hairy on the nerve axils beneath, and 3-nerved from the base. Petioles are 5 to 15 centimeters long. Flowers are yellowish, sweet-scented, 6 to 7 millimeters across, crowded on 3- to 4.5 centimeters long, pendulous panicles. Fruit is a drupe, nearly spherical, about 1 centimeter in diameter when dry, smooth and hard.

Distribution
- Scattered in thickets at low and medium altitudes from northern Luzon to southern Mindanao.
- Also reported in India through Malaya
to New Guinea.

Constituents
- Phytochemical analysis of powdered fruit yielded alkaloids, steroids, fixed oils, proteins, and carbohydrates. (7)
- Stem and roots yielded quaternary alkaloids berberine, palmatine, magnoflorine, and columbamine. (8)
- Fruit contains bitter principles: picrotoxin (toxic), picrotoxinin, picrotin and cocculin.

- Seeds yield picrotoxin.
- Alkaloids are menispermine and paramenispermine.
- From the pericarp or shell, two tasteless, nonpoisonous alkaloids, menispermine and parameispermine.
- Seeds contain fat. Its acid constituent is stearophanic and anamirtic acid.
- Picrotoxin yields three substances: picrotoxin, picrotin (nonpoisonous) and anamirtin (slightly bitter and non-poisonous).
- Cocculin was isolated from picrotoxin.
- Seed extracts yielded aldehydes, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, saponins, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, glycosides, phytosterols, volatile oils, gums, mucilage and other minor phytochemicals. (see study below) (14)
- Crude alcoholic extract of stem bark yielded sugars and carbohydrates, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, steroids, tannins, and phenolic compounds. (15)

Properties
- Shell of the seed is bitter and acrid; the seed itself is bitter.
- Studies have shown antioxidant, antiulcer properties.

Pharmacology
- Picrotoxin from the seeds is the source of the poisonous property.
- Seeds when administered internally stimulate all the motor and inhibitory centers in the medulla, especially the respiratory and vagus centers. They also irritate the motor centers, either in the cerebrum or in the medulla and cord, producing in all vertebrates alternating epileptiform spasms, with periodic stoppage of the diaphragmatic motions and slowing of the pulse. The spasms take the form of "swimming," running backwards or around in a circle (manege movements) or rolling of the body on its axis.
- Picrotoxin is probably the best antidote for morphia poisoning, preventing paralysis of the respiratory center, which is morphia's fatal event.
- Toxicity report on picrotoxin is described as: an irritant poison, causing vomiting, purging, etc, with extreme giddiness, faintness, dimness of vision followed the delirium, epileptiform convulsions, stupor, and loss of voluntary power.

Parts used
Seeds.

Uses

Folkloric
- Seeds used externally to kill hair lice.
- Seeds used as ointment ingredient used for the destruction of hair pediculi.
- Pericarp said to be emetic.
- Seeds used for the night sweats of phthisis.
- Seeds used as parasiticide; picrotoxin as antiepileptic.
- Juice of fresh fruit applied externally to foul ulcers and scabies.
- In India, fruits used for bronchitis, chronic skin disease, foul ulcers, dermatophytosis, vertigo, vitiated vat a and kapha. (7)
- In Thailand, creeping stem used for blood stasis, fever, and to stimulate the central nervous system. (
9)
Others
- Fiber: Known more as a bast fiber plant. Bark is made into rope for tying animals and hauling.
- Poison: (1) Well known as a fish poison. Fruit is first heated and roasted, then crushed and powdered.
The toxic properties are not altered by roasting. In India, dried berries are used to stupefy fish. (2) In South American, used as blowgun dart poison.
- 'Homeopathic' remedy: A constituent in a homeopathic remedy for vertigo, Vertigoheel: A grisea, A cocculus, C maculatum and P rectificatum. (Study failed to show a benefit for C. indicus for reducing flight simulator sickness. See below)
- Antidote: Once used as an effective antidote to barbiturate and morphine overdoses; rarely used today.
- Polyherbal formulation: A. cocculus is one of 15 ingredients in a polyherbal formulation against UVA-induced melanogenesis.


Studies
Piscidal Toxicity / Aquaculture Management Potential:
Studies indicate raw seeds are more poisonous than cooked one. Toxicity is reduced by frying, and may become more acceptable to fish. Heat-attenuated toxicity could be a desirable factor for fish caught for human consumption. Study showed seeds may be used as a potent aquaculture management tool to eradicate unwanted wild fish from culture ponds before stocking. (1)
Picrotoxin Derivatives: Study of plant berries yielded picrotin, picrotoxinin, methyl picrotoxate and two new sesquiterpene y-lactones, dihydroxypicrotoxininn and picrotoxic acid. (2)
Antioxidant: Study screening aqueous extracts from 20 medicinal plants in Thailand demonstrated inhibition of Heinz bodies induction by antioxidants. Anamirta cocculus showed the 4th highest percentage of HB inhibition and 4th highest antioxidant activity. Results suggest the plants could be a valuable source of antioxidants with a potential anti-carcinogenic activity. (3)
Simulator Sickness / Cinnarizine: In a study evaluating preventive tools at reducing simulator sickness, in contract to placebo and cocculus, cinnarizine showed significant side effects immediately following flight stimulation; no significant differences were observed between placebo and cocculus. None of the pharmacologic tools used in the study reduced simulator sickness. (6)
Antiulcer / Fruits: Study evaluated the anti-ulcer activity of an ethanol extract of fruits. Results showed the fruit extract to have potential anti-ulcer activity in three models tested in rats, with increased resistance to necrotizing agents and a direct protective effect on the gastric mucosa. (10)
Larvicidal / Culex pipiens / Fruit: Study evaluated the acetone extracts of Anamirta cocculus fruit and Pogostemon paniculatus leaf for larvicidal activity against different instars of Culex pipiens. Results showed both acetone extracts and essential oils showed potential as biolarvicides to control mosquito populations. (12)
Insecticidal / Culex pipiens / Fruit: Study showed significant reduction in fecundity and hatchabiity of C. pipiens. The insecticidal property provides a safe, easily degradable and suitable alternative to synthetic insecticides. (13)
Antibacterial / Seeds: Study evaluated various extracts of seeds of Anamirta cocculus for antibacterial activity against five species of pathogenic bacteria (S. aureus, P. vulgaris, E. coli, S. typhi, and K. pneumonia). All extracts showed significant antibacterial activity. A methanol extract was the most active one with remarkable activity on various species tested. (14)
Wound Healing / Fruits: Study evaluated the wound healing activity of an ethanolic extract of fruit in an excision wound model in albino Wistar rats. Results showed significant wound healing activity, statistically significant (p<0.05) in animals treated with 200 mg/kg of extract. (16)
Acute Toxicity / Behavioral Effects: Study evaluated acute toxicity effects in albino mice with various doses up to 1600 mg/kg. No toxic symptoms were produced. The oral LD50 of the alcoholic extract was established above 1600 mg/kg. Extract showed mild sedation and jumping response and produced autonomic effects like straub tail responses with the test doses. (17)
Cardiovascular Effect / Antiarrhythmic Activity / Stem Bark: Study evaluated the effect of stem bark extract on perfused blood vessels of frog and perfused frog heart. Results showed a vasodilator effect and decreased cardiac output. There was a depressant effect on perfused frog heart. Results suggest a possible antiarrhythmic effect. (18)
Stimulation of Vasorelaxation / Low-Dose Combination: / Behavioral Effects: Study of Vertigoheel showed Anamirta cocculus, one of its constituents, stimulated adenylate cyclase activity, while another constituents , Conium maculatum, inhibited phosphodiesterase 5, suggesting synergistic contributions of different pathyways to the stimulation of cyclic nucleotide signaling pathways. In rat carotid artery rings Vertigoheel counteracted phenylephrine-induced tonic vasoconxtriction. Results suggest a vasorelaxant effect from a synergistic stimulation of cyclic nucleotide pathways which may be a mechanistic basis for its anti-vertiginous effects. (20)
Insecticidal / Effect / Reproductive Toxicity / Cx pipiens / Fruits: Study evaluated the acute toxicity of Anamirta cocculus fruits and Sphagneticola trilobata leaves against different larval instars of Culex pipiens. Results showed dose-dependent effects with significantly reduced fecundity levels. the A. coccolus acetone fruit extract showed significant reduction in fecundity and hatchability of C. pipiens. Results suggest suitable alternatives to synthetic insecticides that are relatively safe and easily degradable. (21)
Acute Toxicity Testing / Behavioral Effects: Acute toxicity testing of an ethanolic extract in albino mice using doses of 200, 400, 800, and 1600 mg/kbw showed no mortality or toxicity symptoms. Oral LD50 was above 1600 mg/kg. The extract showed mild sedating and jumping response which were prominent one hour after the extract doses of 400, 800 and 1600. The extract also produced autonomic effects like straub tail response at the above doses. (22)

Availability
Wild-crafted.

Updated November 2020 / June 2016

                                                    PHOTOS / ILLUSTRATIONS
IMAGE SOURCE: Public Domain / File:Koeh-157.jpg / Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen / 1897 / Wikipedia
OTHER IMAGE SOURCE: Anamirta cocculus / A Manual of Materia Medica and Pharmacology / David M. R. Culbreth. / ChestOf
Books
OTHER IMAGE SOURCE: Photograph: Anamirta cocculus / Shagul Kannur / CC by SA 4.0 / click onn image to go to source page / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Evaluation of the acute toxicity of the seeds of Anamirta cocculus (Linn.) and its piscicidal effect on three species of freshwater fish / N Jothivel et al / The Internet Journal of Toxicology, Vol 5, Issue 1, July 2008
(2)
Two picrotoxin derivatives from Anamirta cocculus / Santosh K Agarwal et al /
Phytochemistry, Volume 50, Issue 8, 1 April 1999, Pages 1365-1368 / doi:10.1016/S0031-9422(98)00692-X
(3)
Inhibition of Heinz body induction in an in vitro model and total antioxidant activity of medicinal Thai plants / Palasuwan A et al / Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2005 Oct-Dec;6(4):458-63.
(4)
Medical botany: plants affecting human health / Walter Hepworth Lewis, Memory P. F. Elvin-Lewis
(5)
Homeopathy: Unnatural Natural Medicine / Kevin O'Neil, L.Ac.
(6)
The effect of cinnarizine and cocculus indicus on simulator sickness / Lucertini M, Mirante N, Casagrande M, Trivelloni P, Lugli V. / Physiol Behav. 2007 May 16;91(1):180-90. Epub 2007 Mar 2.
(7)
PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL STANDARDIZATION OF FRUITS OF Anamirta cocculus L. WIGHT & ARN. / Satya V* and Paridhvi M / Pharmacie Globale (IJCP) 2011, 10 (07)
(8)
Studies on Indonesian Medicinal Plants. V. The Alkaloids of Anamirta cocculus / R. Verpoorte , J. Siwon , M. E. M. Tieken , A. Baerheim Svendsen / J. Nat. Prod., 1981, 44 (2), pp 221–224 / DOI: 10.1021/np50014a013
(9)
Inhibition of Heinz Body Induction in an inVitro Model and Total Antioxidant Activity of Medicinal Thai Plants / Attakorn Palasuwan, Suphan Soogarun, Tamaporn Lertlum, Paweena Pradniwat, Viroj Wiwanitkit / Asian Pacific J Cancer Prev, 6, 458-463
(10)
Evaluation of anti ulcer activity of fruits of Anamirta cocculus / V. Satya* and M. Paridhavi / JPR: BioMedRx: An International Journal
(11)
Anamirta cocculus / Synonyms / The Plant List
(12)
EFFICACY OF ANAMIRTA COCCULUS (LINN.) WIGHT AND ARN AND POGOSTEMON PANICULATUS (WILD) BENTH EXTRACT ON CULEX PIPIENS / Pushpalatha*, E, Najeeba. M.B. and K.P. Santhini / International Journal of Applied Biology and Pharmaceutical Technology
(13)
Reproductive Toxicity of Anamirta cocculus (L.) Wight and Arn and Sphagneticola trilobata (L.) Pruski Extracts on Culex pipiens Linn. (Diptera: Culicidae) / E. Pushpalatha , D. Aiswarya, E. K. Sharihan, B. K. P. Priya / Prospects in Bioscience: Addressing the Issues, pp 389-392
(14)
Preliminary phytochemical screening and in vitro antibacterial activity of Anamirta cocculus (Linn.) seeds
/ Umer Qadir, V.I. Paul, P. Ganesh / Journal of King Saud University - Science, April 2015; Volume 27, Issue 2: pp 97–104 / doi:10.1016/j.jksus.2014.04.004
(15)
Preliminary phytochemical screening of alcoholic extract of stem bark of Anamirta cocculus Willd / U. S. Jijith, C. R. Sudhakaran Nair and K. Pramod / Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, 2016, 8(1):71-74
(16)
WOUND HEALING ACTIVITY OF FRUITS OF ANAMIRTA COCCULUS LINN IN RATS / V. SATYA*, M. PARIDHAVI / Int J Pharm Pharm Sci, Vol 5, Issue 4, 280-282 (2013)
(17)
Acute toxicity and Gross Behavioural effects of Alcoholic Extract of Anamirta cocculus willd
/ U. S. Jijith, C. R. Sudhakaran Nair, K. Pramod / Research Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics
(18)
UNVEILING THE EFFECT OF A STEM BARK EXTRACT ON CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM / U. S. Jijith, C. R. Sudhakaran Nair, K. Pramod / IAJPS 2016, 3 (5), 406-409
(19)
Protective effect of AVS073, a polyherbal formula, against UVA-induced melanogenesis through a redox mechanism involving glutathione-related antioxidant defense / Uraiwan Panich, Thanyawan Pluemsamran, Vanida Tangsupa-a-nan, Jantanee Wattanarangsan, Rattana Phadungrakwittaya, Pravit Akarasereenont and Tawee Laohapand / BMC Complementary and Alternative MedicineBMC series ¿ open, inclusive and trusted201313:159 / DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-13-159
(20)
The low-dose combination preparation Vertigoheel activates cyclic-nucleotide pathways and stimulates vasorelaxation / H Heinle, C Tober, D Zhang, R Jaggi, W M Kuebler / Clin Hemorheol Microcirc, 2010; 6(1): pp 23-35 / DOI: 10.3233/CH-2010-1330 / PMID: 208552360
(21)
Reproductive Toxicity of Anamirta cocculus (L.) Wight and Arn and Sphagneticola trilobata (L.) Pruski Extracts on Culex pipiens Linn. (Diptera: Culicidae) / E Pushpalatha, D Aiswarya, E K Sharihan, B K P Priya / Prospects in Bioscience: Addressing the Issues / https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-0810-5_45
(22)
Acute Toxicity and Gross Behavioural Effects of Alcoholic Extract of Anamirta cocculus Willd / U S Jijith, C R Sudhakaran Nair, K Pramod /
DOI: 10.5958/2321-5836.2016.00001.X 

                                                                          DOI
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                                                            List of Understudied Philippine Medicinal Plants

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