The Pilocarpine commercialized in the international market is an alkaloid extracted from the leaves of the Jaborandi, a vegetal species available only in Brazil.

The Jaborandi has been known for several centuries by the Tupi-Guarani Indians who called it yaborã-di (a plant that makes one slobberdr). This plant is a shrub of the genus “Pilocarpus”, of natural occurrence in some regions of the North/Northeast of Brazil, that has clear leaves and can reach up to two meters of height.

Nowadays, this is a species of plant considered in extinction and, therefore, has its preservation in a protected environment. Thus, the domesticated production of Jaborandi at the Fazenda Sourcetech in Barra do Corda aims, mainly, to maintain the environment and its sustainability.

Pilocarpine is considered a potent vasodilatador. The Pilocarpine salts are used in the formulation of eye drops to treat glaucoma, reducing intraocular pressure, and in suppressing (minimizing) the side effects caused by the treatment of “induced radiation”, xerostomia (dry mouth), or Sjogren’s syndrome.

Also due to its natural origin and characteristics, Pilocarpine is being studied for other pharmaceutical applications for human and animal use.

The products currently marketed by Sourcetech, obtained by the conversion of Pilocarpine into its salts, are: