[Effect produced by the alkaloid fraction of Mimosa tenuiflora (tepescohuite) on the peristaltic reflex of the guinea pig ileum]. / Efecto producido por la fracción de alcaloides de Mimosa tenuiflora (tepescohuite) sobre el reflejo peristáltico del íleón del cobayo.

An alkaloidal fraction was obtained from Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poir (tepescohuite) trunk bark. The product contained mainly an indolealkylamine and three minor alkaloids. This fraction inhibited the peristaltic reflex in the guinea-pig isolated ileum in vitro.

[Pharmacological properties in vitro of various extracts of Mimosa tenuiflora (tepescohuite)]. / Propiedades farmacológicas in vitro de algunos extractos de Mimosa tenuiflora (tepescohuite).

The in vitro biological effects of polar extracts of Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poir. trunk bark (tepescohuite) were studied. Ethyl acetate extract, with a high tannin content, inhibited the growth of different microorganisms. Alkaloids were particularly abundant in the butanol extract and this product strongly inhibited the intestinal peristalsis and produced contraction of uterine and gastric strips of rat and guinea pig. Saponins were detected in butanol and methanol extracts producing hemolysis. The screenings performed showed the diversity of bioactive compounds present in this plant product.

Hypoglucaemic activity of Opuntia streptacantha throughout its annual cycle.

Opuntia sp. used in mexican traditional medicine diminishes blood sugar levels when orally administered. Possible seasonal variations in the hypoglycaemic property of Opuntia streptacantha Lemaire, were studied using the fresh sap of its stems collected throughout the year. The evaluation was performed in the already proven sensitive experimental model in normal rabbits. No seasonal variation in the hypoglycaemic activity of this plant product was detected suggesting it can be used year round for the treatment of Diabetes mellitus.

The hypoglucemic effect of Opuntia streptacantha studied in different animal experimental models.

Studies performed with Opuntia streptacantha sap in three different animal species using several experimental conditions are described. The Opuntia sap induced hypoglucemic effects when orally administered to intact animals under induced states of moderate increase of blood sugar. In normoglucemic and pancreatectomized animals the effect of the product was not detected. The results validate the popular use of this plant for treatment of Diabetes mellitus symptomatology.

Efecto de un producto semipurificado obtenido de Opuntia streptacantha L.(nopal) sobre la glucemia y la trigliceridemia del conejo. / Effect of a semipurified product obtained from Opuntia streptacantha L. (a cactus) on glycemia and triglyceridemia of rabbits

Las propriedades medicinales del nopal, Opuntia sp., han sido motivo de diversas investigaciones recientes con el proposito de valorar el uso que esta planta tiene en la medicina popular para el tratamiento de la sintomatologia de la diabetes mellitus.En este articulo se informa el efecto hipoglucemiante observado en conejos de una fraccion semipurificada que, en forma de polvo, ha sido obtenida de Opuntia streptacantha y que reproduce los efectos ya informados con el extracto integro, elaborado tradicionalmente a base de tallos de dicho vegetal. Este producto semipurificado abre la posibilidad de realizar estudios de indole clinica facilitando la dosificacion y el empleo de un recurso terapeutico que requiere evaluacion medica