An Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants Used in Papantla, Veracruz, Mexico.

An ethnobotanical study was performed to collect information on the use of medicinal plants in Papantla, Veracruz, Mexico. The area has a high number of endemic species, and the social importance of the medicinal plants in the community is essential for public health and the conservation of traditional knowledge. This study identified the medicinal plants currently used, registered traditional knowledge, and documented the patterns of ailments treated in the indigenous communities of Totonacas. A total of 101 medicinal plants belonging to 51 families were described by 85 local informants. Asteraceae was the family with the highest number of plant species identified by these informants. Plant parts are used to treat several ailments, including venomous bites, gastro-intestinal disorders, infectious diseases and other disorders. Informants reported that the most common plant part used was the leaf tissue (55%), and they also took the herbal remedies orally (72%), and decoctions (38%) as well as infusions (29%) were the forms used to prepare these natural remedies. This study provides documentation of medicinal plants used in the Veracruz area of Mexico. Mexican people are still dependent upon medicinal plants, and in order to avoid their loss, certain measures of conservation for medicinal plants are needed.

Chemical and Biological insights of Ouratea hexasperma (A. St.-Hil.) Baill.: a source of bioactive compounds with multifunctional properties.

The study aimed to evaluate in vitro antioxidant, anticholinesterase and antidiabetic properties of Ouratea hexasperma (A. St.-Hil.) Baill. The inflorescence methanol extract and the ethyl acetate fraction of leaves and stems reported the highest Relative Antioxidant Capacity Index (RACI), whereas the dichloromethane fraction of leaves was the best inhibitor of α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Trans-3-O-methyl-resveratrol-2-C-ß-glucoside, lithospermoside, 2,5-dimethoxy-p-benzoquinone, lup-20(30)-ene-3ß,28-diol, 7-O-methylgenistein, apigenin and luteolin and amentoflavone were isolated from O. hexasperma. Resveratrol derivative was isolated for the first time in Ochnaceae family. Luteolin, followed by apigenin, reported the highest Relative Antioxidant Capacity Index and they were also the best inhibitors of α-glucosidase enzyme.

α-Glucosidase and α-Amylase Inhibitors from Arcytophyllum thymifolium.

Three new coumarins (1-3), a prenylated flavanone (4), and two iridoids (5 and 6), together with 17 known secondary metabolites, were isolated from the aerial parts of Arcytophyllum thymifolium. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of their spectroscopic data. The potential hypoglycemic properties of the new and known compounds were evaluated by measuring their α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory effects. The iridoid asperulosidic acid (15) and the flavonoid rhamnetin (13) showed the highest activities versus α-amylase (IC50 = 69.4 ± 3.1 and 73.9 ± 5.9 µM, respectively). In turn, the new eriodictyol derivative 4 exhibited the most potent effect as an α-glucosidase inhibitor, with an IC50 value of 28.1 ± 2.6 µM, and was more active than acarbose, used as a positive control. Modeling studies were also performed to suggest the interaction mode of compound 4 in the α-glucosidase enzyme active site.

Spilanthol from Acmella Oleracea Lowers the Intracellular Levels of cAMP Impairing NKCC2 Phosphorylation and Water Channel AQP2 Membrane Expression in Mouse Kidney.

Acmella oleracea is well recognized in Brazilian traditional medicine as diuretic, although few scientific data have been published to support this effect. Aim of this study was to determine the molecular effect of Acmella oleracea extract and its main alkylamide spilanthol on two major processes involved in the urine concentrating mechanism: Na-K-2Cl symporter (NKCC2) activity in the thick ascending limb and water channel aquaporin 2 accumulation at the apical plasma membrane of collecting duct cells. Phosphorylation of NKCC2 was evaluated as index of its activation by Western blotting. Rate of aquaporin 2 apical expression was analyzed by confocal laser microscopy. Spilanthol-induced intracellular signalling events were dissected by video-imaging experiments. Exposure to spilanthol reduced the basal phosphorylation level of NKCC2 both in freshly isolated mouse kidney slices and in NKCC2-expresing HEK293 cells. In addition, exposure to spilanthol strongly reduced both desmopressin and low Cl--dependent increase in NKCC2 phosphorylation in mouse kidney slices and NKCC2-expressing HEK293 cells, respectively. Similarly, spilanthol reduced both desmopressin- and forskolin-stimulated aquaporin 2 accumulation at the apical plasma membrane of collecting duct in mouse kidney slice and MCD4 cells, respectively. Of note, when orally administered, spilanthol induced a significant increase in both urine output and salt urinary excretion associated with a markedly reduced urine osmolality compared with control mice. Finally, at cellular level, spilanthol rapidly reduced or reversed basal and agonist-increased cAMP levels through a mechanism involving increases in intracellular [Ca2+]. In conclusion, spilanthol-induced inhibition of cAMP production negatively modulates urine-concentrating mechanisms thus holding great promise for its use as diuretic.

Ethnobotany of medicinal plants of northern Ethiopia / Etnobotánica de plantas medicinales del norte de Etiopía

An ethnobotanical survey based on semistructured questionnaires among 35 farmers was carried out in two regions in Tigray, northern Ethiopia. Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in the world with low level of medical care; therefore indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants is highly priced information and can be a good source of income to family or community. In total, 58 plant species were detected, while 48 plants, and 44 genera, belonging to 27 families have been identified as medicinal. Vernacular, as well as scientific names, plant part used, way of use and modes of preparation and application are included. Majority of plants were used for various gastrointestinal disorders, sprains treatment or to heal bronchitis, however, interesting aspects are the uses of plants to cure bilirubinemia, prostate disorders, syphylis and milk ingest disorders.

En dos regiones del Tigray (Tigré), en el norte de Etiopía se realizó un estudio etnobotánico, basado en un cuestionario semiestructurado, entre 35 agricultores. Etiopía es uno de los países más pobres del mundo con un bajo nivel de atención médica, por lo tanto, el conocimiento autóctono de las plantas medicinales es una información muy valiosa y puede ser una buena fuente de ingresos para la familia o comunidad. En total, se detectaron 85 especies de plantas, de las cuales fueron identificadas como plantas medicinales 48 especies y 44 géneros pertenecientes a 27 familias botánicas. En el estudio están incluídos los nombres vernaculares y científicos, como también parte de la planta utilizada y su forma de uso, modos de preparación y aplicación. La mayoría de las plantas se usan para el tratamiento de diversos trastornos gastrointestinales y esguinces o para curar la bronquitis; sin embargo, son interesantes los usos reportados para tratar la bilirrubinemia, dolencias de la próstata, sífilis y la intolerancia a la lactosa.