Conium maculatum, also known as poison hemlock, is a plant in the Apiaceae family. Its main active constituents are alkaloids like coniine. Coniine acts as an anti-spasmodic by blocking nicotine receptors in the neuromuscular junction, stopping muscle contractions. Conium is also used as an anti-cancer agent and anti-depressant. It works by causing apoptosis of cancer cells and inhibiting serotonin reuptake. Side effects are caused by its depression of cranial nerve III, affecting eye movement. Conium has anti-nociceptive properties from pentylpiperidine, reducing pain sensations in the brain.

2. Conium maculatum

3. INTRODUCTION
FAMILY Apiaceae (umbelliferae)
BOTANICAL NAME Conium maculatum
ENGLISH NAME Poison hemlock
URDU NAME Shekran or Shekran Zahar
PART USED Leaves, Fruits, Seeds
CHEMICAL CLASS Alkaloids

4. USES

5. CONSTITUENTS
Coniine
Conhydrin
Pseudo-conhydrin
Methyl Coniine
Ethyl-piperdine

6. SIDE EFFECTS

7. MECHANISM OF ACTION
• Coniin is used as anti-spasmodic. Spasm is generally a sudden involuntary muscle
contraction while coniine stops muscle contraction as coniine blocks the nicotine receptors
on the post-synaptic membrane of neuromuscular junction thus blocking the muscle
movement.
• Conium is used as anti-cancer because it causes the apoptosis of cancerous cells thus
stops the production of new cells. Its pact mechanism is not known till now.
• Conium is used as anti-depressant because its active constituent piper dine is selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitor and this activity of the drug on brain neurons is thought to be
responsible for its antidepressant effects.
• Conium depresses the cranial nerve iii thus depressing the motor function and causing a
lazy movement of the eyes and sometimes strabismus.
• Conium is used as anti-nociceptive because its active constituent pentylpiperidine reduces
the painful stimuli thus it stops the painful stimuli to the brain that is why it is used to reduce
or stop pain in case of Cancer and surgery.

8. TOXICITY

9. DOSAGE
• Powdered leaves
1-3 grains
• Tincture Seeds
0.5-1drachm (BP)
• Fluid Extract of
Leaves
5-10drops

10. DRUG INTERACTION