Chemical Properties
light yellow to brown powder
Uses
Podophyllin is a resin extracted from the root of the plant Podophyllum sp. Berberidaceae (mandrake), which contains numerous compounds, among which podophyllotoxin.
Uses
Common and plantar warts. Skin carcinomas, in various cancer treatments
Definition
Extractives and their physically modified derivatives. It is a product which may contain resin acids and their esters, terpenes, and oxidation or polymerization products of these terpenes. (Podophyllum pelalatum, Berberidaceae).
Indications
Podophyllin in a 10% to 25% suspension in a tincture of benzoin or alcohol can be used with success. Since this compound contains two mutagens, quercetin and kaempherol, it should used with caution in the physician’s office. It should stay on for 1 to 4 hours and be applied every week for 4 to 6 weeks. Podofilox (0.05 mL of 5%) is safer than podophyllin and should be self-applied twice a day for 3 days followed by 4 rest days to complete a treatment cycle. Topical 0.5% podophyllotoxin cream has been used b.i.d. for 3 consecutive days for a maximum of 4 weeks with clearance in 54% of patients.
Podophyllum resin (podophyllin), or podofilox, a cytotoxic agent that arrests mitosis in metaphase, is used primarily for treatment of condyloma acuminata but may also be used on all other types of warts. Although now rarely available, a 25% preparation of podophyllum in compound tincture of benzoin should be applied overnight when treating common nongenital warts. A more commonly available preparation, podofilox 0.5% gel (Condylox), should be applied twice a day for 3 days, then discontinued for 4 consecutive days. The same cycle is continued until eradication of the lesions. The effectiveness as well as the irritant potential of this medication may be increased by covering with adhesive tape or plastic tape (Blenderm).
brand name
Biliboldo;Bon korets;Condilomin;Condyline;Dermacytostat;Podofilm;Salicylin-p;Vericap;Wartec;Warticon;Wartkil;Wart-off.
World Health Organization (WHO)
Podophyllum resin, which is extracted from Indian podophyllum,
is highly irritant to the skin and mucous membranes and its use in purgatives is
now obsolescent. However, topical preparations remain available for the treatment
of venereal and other warts and the drug is included in the WHO Model List of
Essential Drugs for this purpose. Podophyllin extracts have been demonstrated to
have a teratogenic potential which has led to their withdrawal in some countries
and restriction of use in others. They are best avoided during pregnancy.
(Reference: (WHTAC1) The Use of Essential Drugs, 2nd Report of the WHO Expert
Committee, 722, , 1985)
General Description
Podophyllin is an alcoholic plant extract, obtained from the dried rhizome and roots of
Podoplryllui emodi. It is a powder with colors varying from light brown to greenish-yellow and exposure to heat or light turns it darker.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Podophyllin is used to treat condylomata acuminate, a type of venereal warts. It exhibit several biological functions and is mainly used in the treatment of constipation, hepatic disorder and rheumatic arthritis.
Mechanism of action
Podophyllum resin (podophyllin) is a chemically complex extract obtained from the
roots of either of the two plants: Podophyllum peltatum (American) or Podophyllum
emodi (Indian) (also called Mandrake or May-apple). Podofilox is the most cytotoxic
ingredient in podophyllum resin (present in concentrations of 15% to 20% in P.
peltatum and 30% to 40% in P. emodi resins) and exerts its effect by binding to
intracellular microtubular proteins and thereby preventing the development of the
mitotic spindle. In vitro, podophyllum also inhibits RNA synthesis. Podophyllum
is used in the treatment of condyloma acuminata and other warts.
Side effects
Podophyllin can cause severe irritation and, if absorbed in large quantities,
may produce systemic toxic effects. It is inadvisable to apply it in large amounts
to mucous membranes, and it is unwise to use it in pregnant women because of
its possible cytotoxic action on the fetus.
Safety Profile
Poison by ingestion,
subcutaneous, and intraperitoneal routes. An
irritant to skin, eyes, and mucous
membranes. Questionable carcinogen with
experimental neoplastigenic data. An
experimental teratogen. Other experimental
reproductive effects. Combustible when
exposed to heat or flames. When heated to
decomposition it emits acrid smoke and
irritating fumes.
