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Eschscholzia californica - ingredients and uses.

rätschs encyclopedia:

preparation and dosage
Leaves, blossoms and fruits are dried, smoked pure or mixed with other herbs (cf. smoking mixtures). Of the
Effect is very mild. The dose seems to have an open upper limit (GOTTLIEB 1973: 9*).
As a soothing tea, add 1 to 2 heaped teaspoons of the dried herb to a cup of boiling water
(leave for 13 minutes).
The fresh fruit (including the fresh herb) can be chewed as desired. Tinctures and extracts should be first
be dosed according to the package leaflet,
then experiment with increasing dosages as you please.
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Medical application
The Californian Indians use flowers, stems and leaves primarily as an anesthetic for aching teeth
(BREMNESS 1995: 250* ). The fresh leaves are usually chewed for this purpose. A decoction of the flowers becomes a treatment
used by head lice.
Two flowers are placed under the pillow of children to improve sleep. Indian women
avoid the golden poppy during pregnancy (KREIS 1993: 113).
In northern Mexico, the golden poppy is used in folk medicine like opium (cf. Papaver somniferum) (MARTiNEZ 1994: 36*).
It is also often used in paediatrics instead of opium as a light sedative and painkiller (STURM et
al. 1993). For this purpose, tinctures from the herb harvested during the flowering period are preferred (COLOMBO and ToME 1993). In
Homeopathy uses preparations from the fresh, flowering plant (Eschscholtzia californica hom. PFX,
Eschscholtzia
californica hom. HPUS88) according to the drug picture, e.g. for sleep disorders (KREIS 1993: 114).
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ingredients
The whole plant contains alkaloids. The content is highest during the flowering period; he is at that at that time
collected material up to 1.1% of the dry matter. The root contains up to 2.7% alkaloids, including 0.014% magnoflorin
(= Escholine; an aporphine alkaloid), 0.013% (-)-aCanadine methohydroxide, 0,
05% norargemonine and 0.08% bisnorargemonine;
these substances are otherwise only found in traces in the herb. The main alkaloid of the root is allocryptopine with approx. 1.8%.
The seeds contain protopine (= macleyine = fumarin = biflorine), allocryptopine, chelerythrine and others (KREIS 1993: 111). in the herb
are in addition to magnoforin californidin, protogin,
allocryptopine, sanguinarine (= pseudochelerythrine), coptisine 11%,
chelerythrine (= toddalin), escholzine (= eschscholtzine = californine), N-methyllaurotetanine (= lauroscholtzine), corydin,
isocorydin, chelirubin, macarpine, chelilutin and O-methylcariachin (KREIS 1993: 112). When the plants under
be drawn to strong light,
the alkaloids accumulate strongly in the above-ground files (COLOMBO and Tollt 1991).
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Effect
The golden poppy only has a very mild psychoactive effect: »Eschscholzia increases the body's oxygen supply and
promotes the absorption of vitamin A. ( . . . ) Smoked leaves and flowers induce slight states of euphoria -
Side effects unknown!” (BREMNESS 1995: 250)
In animal experiments (on mice), the extract has clearly shown sedative and anxiolytic effects, i.e. it behaves
pharmacologically like a tranquilizer (ROLLAND et al. 1991). The extract prolongs the effect of barbiturates (KREIS
1993:113).
The two alkaloids chelerythrine and sanguinarine bind to the vasopressin [ViJ receptors;
from this
neurochemical behavior may explain the psychoactivity of the golden poppy (GRANGER et al. 1992).
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2001 - Neurophysiological Effects of an Extract of Eschscholzia californica Cham. (Papaveraceae)

This study aimed at investigating the psychotropic effects
of Eschscholzia californica (Ec) extract, in order to
complete the pharmacological profile of an aqueous
alcohol extract of Ec, along with the sedative and
anxiolytic properties previously demonstrated (Rolland
et al., 1991: Rolland, 1988, 1991). The present results
confirmed the sedative (reduction of behavioural parameters)
and anxiolytic (increase of behavioural parameters)
properties in two behavioural tests, the open
field test and the light/dark compartment test, respectively.
As the sedative and the anxiolytic effects of Ec
were antagonized by the benzodiazepine receptor
antagonist flumazenil, we suggest that benzodiazepine
receptors may be involved in the sedative and anxiolytic
properties of this extract.
However, unlike benzodiazepines, this plant extract
was devoid of anticonvulsant properties against pentetylenetetrazole.
It also lacked muscle relaxant activity in
the suspension test and the rota rod test.
Ec was devoid of antipsychotic properties, since it did
not protect mice against dexamphetamine-induced group
toxicity, it did not induce catalepsy in rats and it failed to
protect rats against dexamphetamine-induced stereotypy;
on the contrary, Ec increased stereotyped behaviour.
Such an action can be obtained with various compounds
such as benzodiazepines and antidepressants (Treit,
1985). Ec induced a weak and transient hypothermia
compared with the reference product chlorpromazine. Ec
did not possess antidepressant-like properties since it had
no effect against reserpine-induced ptosis, akinesia or
hypothermia and against oxotremorine-induced shivers,
lachrymation and hypothermia.
Since no antihistaminic effects were observed on the
guinea-pig isolated ileum test, the sedative effect of Ec
could not be correlated with the side effects of some
antihistaminic properties.
However, dose-dependent peripheral analgesic effects
of Ec were demonstrated from a dose of 200 mg/kg in the
writhing test; the lack of effects in the hot plate test
indicated that Ec did not possess a central analgesic
action.
In conclusion, the sedative and anxiolytic effects of E.
californica have been largely demonstrated; these effects
of the extract were most likely linked to benzodiazepine
receptor activation.
Peripheral analgesic effects were also shown. These
results validate the traditional therapeutic use of this
species and also justify the use of E. californica as a
sedative phytomedicine according to French regulations.
(Agence du Me´dicament, 1998).
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2006 - Alkaloids from Eschscholzia californica and Their Capacity to Inhibit Binding of[3H]8-Hydroxy-2-(di-N-propylamino)tetralin to 5-HT1A Receptors in Vitro



A 70% ethanol extract of California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) was able to bind to 5-HT1A and 5-HT7 receptors
at 100 íg/mL. The subsequent isolation procedure yielded the known alkaloids californidine (1), escholtzine (2),
N-methyllaurotetanine (3), caryachine (4), and O-methylcaryachine (5), along with a new pavine alkaloid, 6S,12Sneocaryachine-
7-O-methyl ether N-metho salt (7). The structure of 7 was determined by spectroscopic data interpretation,
while the absolute stereochemistry was determined by means of circular dichroism. From the results obtained from the
radioligand-binding assay of the pure compounds, including the commercially available protopine (6), it was evident
that the activity on the 5-HT1A receptor was at least partly due to the presence of the aporphine alkaloid 3, which
showed the highest inhibition of [3H]8-hydroxy-2-(di-N-propylamino)tetralin ([3H]8-OH-DPAT) binding with an EC50
value of 155 nM and a Ki of 85 nM.
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2009 - Antifungal Activity of the Alkaloids from Eschscholtzia californica



ABSTRACT. The isoquinoline alkaloids hunnemanine and norsanguinarine have been isolated from methanolic
extract of the whole plant of Eschscholtzia californica. These two alkaloids were checked for their
antifungal activity against phytopathogenic fungi Alternaria melongenae, A. brassicola, A. brassicae, Curvularia
lunata, C. maculans, Helminthosporium pennisetti, H. oryzae, H. turcicum, Fusarium undum and
F. lini. Hunnemanine exhibited 100 % inhibition of spore germination of A. brassicae, H. pennisetti and
F. lini at 1000 ppm whereas norsanguinarine exhibited 100 % inhibition of A. brassicicola and C. maculans
at this concentration.
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2016 - Chapter 2 - Berberine and Its Role in Chronic Disease

Abstract Berberine is a quaternary ammonium salt from the protoberberine group
of isoquinoline alkaloids. It is found in such plants as Berberis [e.g. Berberis
aquifolium (Oregon grape), Berberis vulgaris (barberry), Berberis aristata (tree
turmeric)], Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal), Xanthorhiza simplicissima (yellowroot),
Phellodendron amurense[2] (Amur corktree), Coptis chinensis (Chinese
goldthread), Tinospora cordifolia, Argemone mexicana (prickly poppy) and
Eschscholzia californica (Californian poppy). In vitro it exerts significant
anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. In animal models berberine has neuroprotective
and cardiovascular protective effects. In humans, its lipid-lowering and
insulin-resistance improving actions have clearly been demonstrated in numerous
randomized clinical trials. Moreover, preliminary clinical evidence suggest the
ability of berberine to reduce endothelial inflammation improving vascular health,
even in patients already affected by cardiovascular diseases. Altogether the available
evidences suggest a possible application of berberine use in the management of
chronic cardiometabolic disorders.
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2013 - Plant-Based Medicines for Anxiety Disorders, Part 1

2.2.7 Californian Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
The Californian poppy is a member of the same family as
the opium poppy (Papaveraceae) and is native to Western
North America. However, unlike the opium poppy, it is
non-narcotic and only acts as a mild sedative, due to a
chemical composition that consists of a different set of
alkaloids [25, 26]. Animal research has revealed that the
Californian poppy produces anxiolytic and sedative effects.
An aqueous extract of the plant showed anxiolytic effects
in a familiar environment test in mice at oral doses above
100 mg/kg, in the staircase test at doses above 200 mg/kg
and the time spent by animals in the lit box of the light/dark
choice test [27]. These effects have been found to be
caused by an affinity for GABA receptors, as evidenced by
suppression of anxiolytic and sedative effects following
pre-treatment with flumazenil [28].
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2015 - Modulatory Effects of Eschscholzia californica Alkaloids on Recombinant GABAA Receptors

The California poppy (Eschscholzia californica Cham.) contains a variety of natural compounds including several alkaloids found
exclusively in this plant. Because of the sedative, anxiolytic, and analgesic effects, this herb is currently sold in pharmacies in many
countries. However, our understanding of these biological effects at the molecular level is still lacking. Alkaloids detected in E.
californica could be hypothesized to act at GABAA receptors, which are widely expressed in the brain mainly at the inhibitory
interneurons. Electrophysiological studies on a recombinant 𝛼1𝛽2𝛾2 GABAA receptor showed no effect of N-methyllaurotetanine
at concentrations lower than 30 𝜇M. However, (𝑆)-reticuline behaved as positive allosteric modulator at the 𝛼3, 𝛼5, and 𝛼6 isoforms
of GABAA receptors.The depressant properties of aerial parts of E. californica are assigned to chloride-current modulation by (𝑆)-
reticuline at the 𝛼3𝛽2𝛾2 and 𝛼5𝛽2𝛾2 GABAA receptors. Interestingly, 𝛼1, 𝛼3, and 𝛼5 were not significantly affected by (𝑅)-reticuline,
1,2-tetrahydroreticuline, codeine, and morphine—suspected (𝑆)-reticuline metabolites in the rodent brain.
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papers used:

1980- Behavioural Effects of the American Traditional Plant Eschscholzia californica Sedative and Anxiolytic Properties.pdf
1998 - The quantitative EEG as a screening instrument to identify sedative effects of single doses of plant extracts in comparison with diazepam.pdf
2000 - Structure-Activity Relationships of Synthetic Analogs of Jasmonic Acid and Coronatine on Induction of Benzo[c]phenanthridine Alkaloid Accumulation in Eschscholzia californica Cell Cultures.pdf
2001 - Metabolic engineering of plant alkaloid biosynthesis.pdf
2001 - Neurophysiological Effects of an Extract of Eschscholzia californica Cham. (Papaveraceae).pdf
2006 - Alkaloids from Eschscholzia californica and Their Capacity to Inhibit Binding of [3H]8-Hydroxy-2-(di-N-propylamino)tetralin to 5-HT1A Receptors in Vitro.pdf
2007 - Expression of Human Nuclear Receptors in Plants for the Discovery of Plant-Derived Ligands.pdf
2009 - Antifungal Activity of the Alkaloids from Eschscholtzia californica.pdf
2013 - Plant-Based Medicines for Anxiety Disorders, Part 1.pdf
2014 - Two new desert Eschscholzia (Papaveraceae) from southwestern North America.pdf
2015 - Modulatory Effects of Eschscholzia californica Alkaloids on Recombinant GABAA Receptors.pdf
2016 - Chapter 2 - Berberine and Its Role in Chronic Disease.pdf
2019 - Title A combination of melatonin, vitamin B6 and medicinal plants in the treatment of mild-to-moderate insomnia.pdf
2020 - Enhancement of Macarpine Production in Eschscholzia Californica Suspension Cultures under Salicylic Acid Elicitation and Precursor Supplementation.pdf
2021 - Effect-Directed Profiling of 17 Different Fortified Plant Extracts by High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography Combined with Six Planar Assays and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry.pdf
 
short nasal bioessay of a 100:1x extract revealed an instand but rather light effect. not that upleasant.
 
I once had capsules which were slightly anxiolytic but norhing more. Don't remember whether it was an extract or not but came from a legitimate ethnobotanic supplier. Might indeed be GABAergic. I would like to try it again but don't know where to buy from (no sourcing!).
 
plumbus-nine said:
I once had capsules which were slightly anxiolytic but norhing more. Don't remember whether it was an extract or not but came from a legitimate ethnobotanic supplier. Might indeed be GABAergic. I would like to try it again but don't know where to buy from (no sourcing!).
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maybe try ebay. its nothing thats illegal anywhere. i have 100x extract of all plants i review now from ebay and they rarely show activity orally. i snort them and all show a distinct but somehow similar activity. one has been helpful with a physical side effect of 4f-pb and 2 others that i tested last years were very nice with bdo (passion flower and Vaocanga africana)
 
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