The Rauwolfia alkaloids.

TLDR: Although rauwolfia may ultimately not survive to take its place alongside the solanaceous drugs, the cardiac glycosides and opium, a study of its properties seems likely to lead to a clearer understanding of the complex mechanism underlying hypertensive disease in man.

Abstract: OVER the past two or three decades much attention has been paid by clinicians to the treatment of hypertensive disease. This has resulted in the introduction and trial of a number of drugs, including, amongst others, thiocyanates, nitroprussides, azides, hydrazinophthalazine (hydrallazine), veratrum, the ganglion blocking agents, ion exchange resins, barbiturates and the various extracts and alkaloids of Rauwolfia serpentina Benth. The introduction and use of Rauwolfia serpentina is of particular interest ; not only has it intriguing pharmacological properties, but it represents something of a return to the use of vegetable drugs, in an age which is becoming increasingly devoted to the use of synthetic chemicals in medicine. Although rauwolfia may ultimately not survive to take its place alongside the solanaceous drugs, the cardiac glycosides and opium, a study of its properties seems likely to lead to a clearer understanding of the complex mechanism underlying hypertensive disease in man. In this way it may establish itself firmly in the history of medicine. This may seem to be a jaundiced view to take of a new drug which is being widely used and widely studied. Many natural products have proved to be the starting points for further investigation and have yielded place to newer drugs with structures based upon the originals. A study of the literature indicates that this may be the fate of rauwolfia.