The use of crystalline visammin in the treatment of angina pectoris.

The high incidence of unpleasant side effects following the use of crude preparations of khellin in the treatment of angina pectoris has limited its clinical use. It was felt that if this vasodilator drug were prepared free of resins, chromones and other plant impurities, it might then be used more extensively in the treatment of coronary insufficiency. Currently, a crystalline preparation of high purity has become available. A series of patients with angina pectoris were studied using this preparation. A Starr ballistocardiograph was interjected into our study in an attempt to obtain objective evidence of any effect this drug might have on the mechanical action of the heart. F ROM ANCIENT times the people of Arabia and the Eastern Mediterranean countries have used extracts, tinctures and other preparations made from the seeds of Ammi visnaga (Arabic khella) for the treatment of renal colic and ureteral spasms due to renal calculi. Several crystalline substances were isolated early from the seeds of this plant.