The use of peyote in religious rites by many Indian tribes is
common knowledge. In addition, curative properties for such varied ailments as
toothache, pain in childbirth, fever, breast pain, skin diseases, rheumatism,
diabetes, colds, and blindness, among other things, have been claimed for this
plant by the same peoples...The U.S. DISPENSATORY lists peyote under the name
Anhalonium and indicates its use to some extent in various forms for
neurasthenia and hysteria and also in cases of asthma...
Extracts of whole peyote plants were prepared in various solvents and screened
for antimicrobial activity...and showed positive microbial inhibition...the
principle antibiotic substance was given the name Peyocactin.
Swiss-Webster white mice were used for preliminary animal toxicity tests
and protection studies to indicate the degree of inhibitory action of peocactin
against fatal staphylococcal infection. In every case the protected animals
survived while those in the control group succumbed within 60 hours after
infection with S. aureus... Summary: A water-soluble crystalline
substance separated from an ethanol extract of Lophophora williamsii...
exhibited antibiotic activity against a wide spectrum of bacteria and a species
of the imperfect fungi...Of particular interest was its inhibitory action
against 18 strains of penicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
David L. Walkington Department of Bacteriology University of
Arizona