652. Angostura Bark

Nomenclature

Cusparia bark; Carony bark; Cortex Angosturae; Cortex Cuspariae.

Description and references

The bark of the tree Galipea officinalis Hancock, habitat Venezuela, or the bark of the tree Cusparia febrifuga Humb., or C. trifoliata Engl., Rutaceae, habitat Brazil. Ref: Meyer, Pharm. Ztg. 80, 120 (1935).

Properties

Unpleasant, musty odor. Bitter, slightly aromatic taste with pungent after-taste. The bitterness is due mainly to the bitter principle angosturin, C9H12O5. The bark contains also the quinoline alkaloids cusparine, cuspareine; galipine, galipoidine, and galipoline.

Therapeutic Category

Antipyretic.