Clinical results with the use of Roxinil (an extract of Rauwolfia serpentina) in the treatment of hypertension

Preliminary observations have indicated that the whole root of Rauwolfia serpentina and some of its extracts are effective therapeutic agents 1–4 for the treatment of hypertension. However, these agents are only moderately potent in their ability to reduce the blood pressure. Therefore, it is only natural that continued effort should be made to isolate pure alkaloids or to prepare extracts containing multiple alkaloids which will be more consistently effective in the treatment of patients with hypertension, particularly in patients with severe forms of the disease. The current report is based on results obtained with an extract which contains multiple alkaloids, but in different proportions than in preparations currently available. This extract is an attempt to combine the potent and immediate depressor effects of the serpentine-type alkaloids with the hypnotic action of the reserpine-like materials. In contrast to reserpine, laboratory observations indicate that Roxinil retains some adrenergic blocking action of the ajmoline and serpentine group of alkaloids. 5