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Betel nut (Areca catechu).
Betal nut is indigenous to the Malay
Peninsula. The Malayan state of Penang is named after
the plant
(Pinang in Malay). The betel nut contains a stimulant,
arecoline,
an alkaloid which affects the nervous system similar
to the action
of acetylcholine. The arecoline effect is highly complex
and
includes constriction of the pupil, decreased heart output,
stimulation of various glands, and vasodilation. The
effect is
described by some as similar to nicotine and to other
was like
"way too much coffee." Topical arecoline causes a considerable
smarting of the eye and induces a strong miosis like
pilocarpine.
The miosis occurs within 5 minutes reaching its maximum
at 30
minutes and the pupil returns to normal in 90 minutes.
The
intraocular pressure drops due to increased aqueous outflow
through the trabecular meshwork. |
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