Pilocarpus

Pilocarpus is a genus of about 13 species of plants belonging to the family Rutaceae, native to the neotropics of South America. Various species are important pharmacologically. Many of the species have the common name Jaborandi.

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'pilocarpine'. It stimulates specific receptors in lacrimal gland and cause increased secretion of tears. The medicinal properties of pilocarpine, including its ability to stimulate salivation, have been recognized for many centuries by the Tupi Indian tribe of northern Brazil, who named this indigenous shrub "jaborandi," or the "slobber-mouth plant." indicated for 1) the treatment of symptoms of dry mouth from salivary gland hypofunction caused by radiotherapy for cancer of the head and neck; and 2) the treatment of symptoms of dry mouth in patients with Sjogren's syndrome.

The taxonomic name Pilocarpus means cap-shaped fruit.

Selected species

• Pilocarpus jaborandi (Pernambuco Jaborandi)
• Pilocarpus microphyllus (Maranham Jaborandi)
• Pilocarpus racemosus (Guadeloupe Jaborandi)
• Pilocarpus pennatifolius (Paraguay Jaborandi)
• Pilocarpus spicatus (Aracati Jaborandi)