Differentiating Dyes: A Spectroscopic Investigation into the Composition of Scarlet Bloodroot (Haemodorum coccineum R.Br.) Rhizome.

Haemodorum coccineum, commonly known as scarlet bloodroot, is a plant native to New Guinea and the northern most parts of Australia. The highly coloured H. coccineum is used by communities in Larrakia country for dyeing garments and occasionally to treat snake bites. Previous studies into H. coccineum have focused on its taxonomic classification, with this being the first evaluation of the chemical composition of the plant. Haemodoraceae plants are reported to contain phenylphenalenones (PhPs), which are highly conjugated polycyclic oxygenated aromatic hydrocarbons. We report the characterisation of 20 compounds extracted from the rhizome of H. coccineum: four sugars and 16 compounds belonging to the PhP family. The compounds include five aglycones and seven glycosylated compounds, of which four contain malonate esters in their structures. Characterisation of these compounds was achieved through 1D and 2D NMR, MS analysis and comparison to the known phytochemistry of other species from the Haemodorum genus. Preliminary anti-microbial activity of the crude extract shows significant inhibition of the growth of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, but no activity against Candida albicans.

Determination of Selected Isoquinoline Alkaloids from Chelidonium majus, Mahonia aquifolium and Sanguinaria canadensis Extracts by Liquid Chromatography and Their In Vitro and In Vivo Cytotoxic Activity against Human Cancer Cells.

The search for new substances with cytotoxic activity against various cancer cells, especially cells that are very resistant to currently used chemotherapeutic agents, such as melanoma cells, is a very important scientific aspect. We investigated the cytotoxic effect of Chelidonium majus, Mahonia aquifolium and Sanguinaria canadensis extracts obtained from different parts of these plants collected at various vegetation stages on FaDu, SCC-25, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells. Almost all the tested extracts showed higher cytotoxicity against these cancer cells than the anticancer drug etoposide. The highest cytotoxicity against the FaDu, SCC-25, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines was obtained for the Sanguinaria candensis extract collected before flowering. The cytotoxicity of extracts obtained from different parts of Chelidonium majus collected at various vegetation stages was also evaluated on melanoma cells (A375, G361 and SK-MEL-3). The highest cytotoxic activity against melanoma A375 cells was observed for the Chelidonium majus root extract, with an IC50 of 12.65 µg/mL. The same extract was the most cytotoxic against SK-MEL-3 cells (IC50 = 1.93 µg/mL), while the highest cytotoxic activity against G361 cells was observed after exposure to the extract obtained from the herb of the plant. The cytotoxic activity of Chelidonium majus extracts against melanoma cells was compared with the cytotoxicity of the following anticancer drugs: etoposide, cisplatin and hydroxyurea. In most cases, the IC50 values obtained for the anticancer drugs were higher than those obtained for the Chelidonium majus extracts. The most cytotoxic extract obtained from the root of Chelidonium majus was selected for in vivo cytotoxic activity investigations using a Danio rerio larvae xenograft model. The model was applied for the first time in the in vivo investigations of the extract's anticancer potential. The application of Danio rerio larvae xenografts in cancer research is advantageous because of the transparency and ease of compound administration, the small size and the short duration and low cost of the experiments. The results obtained in the xenograft model confirmed the great effect of the investigated extract on the number of cancer cells in a living organism. Our investigations show that the investigated plant extracts exhibit very high cytotoxic activity and can be recommended for further experiments in order to additionally confirm their potential use in the treatment of various human cancers.

Effect of redroot pigweed interference on antioxidant enzyme and light response of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) depends on cultivars and growth stages.

Redroot Pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) is an important weed that is highly competitive with common bean. Photosynthetic pigments, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, the relative expression of a number of antioxidant enzyme and light response genes, were studied in three of common bean cultivars and in V4 and R7 stages under Redroot Pigweed free and infested. The presence of weeds reduced the content of chlorophyll, relative chlorophyll and anthocyanin of common bean leaves. With the increase of weed competition, the expression of antioxidant genes and enzymes increased, which indicates the increase of their activity in order to reduce the amount of reactive oxygen species. Among the studied antioxidant enzymes, the activity of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase produced in the leaves was higher than that of superoxide dismutase. With the increase of weed interference, the expression of phytochrome interacting factor 3 (PIF3) gene as a positive regulator of light signals is increased and the expression of phytochrome rapidly regulated1 (PAR1) gene as a negative regulator is decreased. Chlorophyll a/b-binding protein (CAB1) and auxin-responsive protein IAA8 (IAA8) genes also down-regulated with increasing competition. Along with the decrease of CAB expression in the conditions of competition with weeds, the chlorophyll a, b content also decreased. Correlation between gene expression and physiological traits related to them highlights the prominent role of CWCP in maintaining yield potential.

Understanding of black salve toxicity by multi-compound cytotoxicity assays.

BACKGROUND: Black salve is a controversial complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) associated with skin toxicity and skin cancer treatment failures. Black salve formulations vary between manufacturers and contain a number of botanical and synthetic constituents. The skin cancer cytotoxicity of a number of these constituents has not been assessed to date. The alkaloids from the rhizomes of Sanguinaria canadensis, a key black salve ingredient, have had their single compound cytotoxicity assessed; however, whether they possess synergistic cytotoxicity with other compounds has not been studied and is of direct clinical relevance. This research aimed to improve our understanding of the skin cancer cytotoxicity of black salve constituents. METHODS: The cytotoxicity of individual and combination black salve constituents were assessed against the A375 melanoma and A431 squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. Cytotoxicity was determined using the Resazurin assay with fluorescence measured using a Tecan Infinite 200 Pro Microplate reader, compound cytotoxicity being compared to that of the topical cancer therapeutic agent, 5- fluouracil. Docetaxal was used as a positive control. Dunnetts p value was used to determine whether significant synergistic cytotoxicity was present. RESULTS: Sanguinarine was the most cytotoxic compound tested with a 24-hour IC50 of 2.1 µM against the A375 Melanoma cell line and 3.14 µM against the A431 SCC cell line. All black salve constituents showed greater cytotoxicity against the two skin cancer cell lines tested than the skin cancer therapeutic 5-Fluouracil with 24 hours of compound exposure. Chelerythrine and minor Quaternary Benzophenanthridine Alkaloids (QBAs) present in black salve, at concentrations not having a cytotoxic effect by themselves, boosted the cytotoxic effects of sanguinarine. This could be a synergistic rather than additive cytotoxic effect although the synergistic effect was cell line and concentration dependent. CONCLUSIONS: Black salve contains several cytotoxic compounds, a number of which have been found to possess synergistic cytotoxicity for the first time against skin cancer cell lines. In addition, these compounds together increase the overall cytotoxic effect. Assessing multi-compound cytotoxicity in herbal medicine can provide additional information about both their therapeutic and toxicity potential. As black salve is currently being used by patients, further cytotoxicity work should be undertaken to assess whether synergistic cytotoxicity exists when tested in normal skin cells.

Quemadura química por sanguinaria canadensis / Chemical burn by Sanguinaria canadensis

La Sanguinaria canadensis, o Bloodroot, es una planta originaria de Norteamérica que contiene sustancias alcaloides y es ampliamente empleada en el tratamiento de lesiones y tumores de la piel en animales. Sin embargo, en los últimos años ha aumentado su uso en humanos como terapia alternativa en el tratamiento de lesiones precancerosas y cáncer de piel. Su uso inadecuado en humanos puede causar lesiones graves y profundas en la piel.Presentamos el caso de un paciente joven que por voluntad propia se aplicó un preparado de Sanguinaria canadensis (Bloodroot paste®) para eliminar dos nevus cutáneos, produciéndole lesiones extensas que requirieron tratamiento y curas hasta su cierre por segunda intención, dejando cicatrices hipertróficas como secuela.(AU)

Sanguinaria canadensis, or Bloodroot, is a plant native to North America, which contains alkaloid substances. It is widely used in the treatment of skin lesions and tumours in animals. However, over the past few years its use in humans has increased as an alternative therapy treatment for precancerous lesions and skin cancer. Its inappropriate use in humans can cause severe and deep skin wounds.We report the case of a young patient who willingly applied an extract of Sanguinaria canadensis (‘Bloodroot paste’) to remove two cutaneous nevi. This led to extensive wounds that required treatment and cures until they closed by second intention healing. Hypertrophic scars were left as sequelae.(AU)

Botanical Briefs: Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis).

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is a plant that historically has been used in medicine for its antimicrobial, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic properties. In dermatology, bloodroot has been utilized for its cytotoxic effects; it has been marketed as black salve as an anticancer treatment, but it does not come without notable toxicities. Unwanted cosmetic outcomes and even irreversible scarring and premalignant conditions have been reported. This article aims to bring awareness to both the therapeutic potential of S canadensis as well as the potential toxicities and risks associated with this North American plant.

Developmental toxicity caused by sanguinarine in zebrafish embryos via regulating oxidative stress, apoptosis and wnt pathways.

Sanguinarine, derived from the root of Sanguinaria canadensis, have multiple biological activities, such as antimicrobial, insecticidal, antitumor, anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenesis effect, but little is known about its toxicity on normal embryonic development. Here, we study the developmental toxicity using zebrafish model. Notably, sanguinarine caused a significant increase of the malformation rate and decrease of hatching rates and body length of zebrafish embryos. Sanguinarine also impaired the normal development of heart, liver and nerve system of zebrafish embryos. Further, the ROS level and MDA concentrations were remarkably increased, while the activity of T-SOD was decreased. In addition, obvious increase of apoptosis were observed by AO staining or TUNEL assay. Further studies showed that the oxidative stress-, apoptosis-related genes were changed, while genes of nrf2 and wnt pathways were inhibited by sangunarine. To sum up, our study will be helpful to understand the adverse effect of sanguinarine on embryonic development and the underlying molecular mechanism.

Determination of Cytotoxic Activity of Sanguinaria canadensis Extracts against Human Melanoma Cells and Comparison of Their Cytotoxicity with Cytotoxicity of Some Anticancer Drugs.

Melanoma is an enormous global health burden, and should be effectively addressed with better therapeutic strategies. Therefore, new therapeutic agents are needed for the management of this disease. The aim of this study was the investigation of cytotoxic activity of some isoquinoline alkaloid standards and extracts obtained from Sanguinaria canadensis-collected before, during, and after flowering-against three different human melanoma cells (A375, G361, SK-MEL-3). The cytotoxicity of these extracts was not previously tested on these melanoma cell lines. Determination of alkaloid contents was performed by HPLC-DAD using Polar RP column and mobile phase containing acetonitrile, water, and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate. The cytotoxicity of alkaloid standards was investigated by determination of cell viability and calculation of IC50 values. Significant differences were observed in the alkaloids content and cytotoxic activity of the extracts, depending on the season of collection of the plant material. In the Sanguinaria canadensis extracts high contents of sanguinarine (from 4.8543 to 9.5899 mg/g of dry plant material) and chelerythrine (from 42.7224 to 6.8722 mg/g of dry plant material) were found. For both of these alkaloids, very high cytotoxic activity against the tested cell lines were observed. The IC50 values were in the range of 0.11-0.54 µg/mL for sanguinarine and 0.14 to 0.46 µg/mL for chelerythrine. IC50 values obtained for Sanguinaria canadensis extracts against all tested cell lines were also very low (from 0.88 to 10.96 µg/mL). Cytotoxic activity of alkaloid standards and Sanguinaria canadensis extracts were compared with the cytotoxicity of anticancer drugs-etoposide, cisplatin, and hydroxyurea. In all cases except the one obtained for cisplatin against A375, which was similar to that obtained for Sanguinaria canadensis after flowering against the same cell line, IC50 values obtained for anticancer drugs were higher than the IC50 values obtained for sanguinarine, chelerythrine, and Sanguinaria canadensis extracts. Our results showed that Sanguinaria canadensis extracts and isoquinoline alkaloids, especially sanguinarine and chelerythrine, could be recommended for further in vivo experiments in order to confirm the possibility of their application in the treatment of human melanomas.

Application of HPLC-DAD for In Vitro Investigation of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition Activity of Selected Isoquinoline Alkaloids from Sanguinaria canadensis Extracts.

Isoquinoline alkaloids may have a wide range of pharmacological activities. Some of them have acetylcholinesterase activity inhibition. Nowadays, neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease have become a serious public health problem. Searching for new effective compounds with inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity is one of the most significant challenges of modern scientific research. The aim of this study was the in vitro investigation of acetylcholinesterase activity inhibition of extracts obtained from Sanguinaria canadensis collected before, during and after flowering. The acetylcholinesterase activity inhibition of these extracts has not been previously tested. The aim was also to quantify selected alkaloids in the investigated extracts by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The analyses of alkaloid content were performed using HPLC in reversed phase (RP) mode using Polar RP column and mobile phase containing acetonitrile, water and ionic liquid (IL). The acetylcholinesterase activity inhibition of the tested plant extracts and respective alkaloid standards were examined using high performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) for the quantification of 5-thio-2-nitro-benzoic acid, which is the product of the reaction between the thiocholine (product of the hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine reaction) with Ellman reagent. The application of the HPLC method allowed for elimination of absorption of interfering components, for example, alkaloids such as sanguinarine and berberine. It is revealed that the HPLC method can be successfully used for the evaluation of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity in samples such as plant extracts, especially those containing colored components adsorbing at wavelength in the range 405-412 nm. The acetylcholinesterase inhibition activity synergy of pairs of alkaloid standards and mixture of all investigated alkaloids was also determined. Most investigated alkaloids and all Sanguinaria canadensis extracts exhibited very high acetylcholinesterase activity inhibition. IC50 values obtained for alkaloid standards were from 0.36 for berberine to 23.13 µg/mL for protopine and from 61.24 to 89.14 µg/mL for Sanguinaria canadensis extracts. Our investigations demonstrated that these plant extracts can be recommended for further in vivo experiments to confirm their acetylcholinesterase activity inhibition.

Dermatologic uses of bloodroot: a review and reappraisal.

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is a plant, native to North America, containing bioactive compounds that interrupt biological processes. It has been around for centuries and is known for its medicinal properties. Today, naturopathic remedies are becoming more and more popular, especially for skin ailments. There are an alarming number of online vendors marketing their bloodroot-containing products as cures for skin cancer without any scientific evidence supporting such claims. Clinical data concerning the efficacy of bloodroot primarily come from case studies with unfavorable outcomes involving patients who self-treated with bloodroot-containing black salves. However, recent preclinical studies have concluded that sanguinarine, the active component of bloodroot, shows positive evidence of being an efficacious treatment for skin cancers at micromolar doses. This article reviews the mechanism of action of bloodroot as a skin cancer treatment, its misuse in clinical dermatology, and the FDA's stance on products containing bloodroot that are marketed and sold to laypersons. Members of the public should be made aware of the dangers of self-treating with bloodroot-containing products through effective communication and education by clinicians.

Persistent Basal Cell Carcinoma Following Self-Treatment With a "Natural Cure," Sanguinaria canadensis.

A 65-year-old woman presented with a 6-week history of redness, eyelid swelling, and discharge in the right eye. Slit lamp examination revealed right medial canthal erythema with cicatricial lower lid ectropion, retraction, and inferior punctal obliteration. The patient was previously diagnosed with a medial canthal basal cell carcinoma 1.5 years ago, but opted for self-treatment with black salve, a commonly used naturopathic "cure" for skin cancer. Each application resulted in increasingly severe periorbital inflammation with eventual eschar formation. Over time, this led to cicatricial band formation over the medial canthus. After biopsy confirmation of residual basal cell carcinoma within the cicatricial tissues, the patient underwent Mohs surgery followed by multistaged reconstruction. Herein, we report a case of patient whose use of an unproven naturopathic "cure" led to persistent periorbital inflammation, persistence of malignancy, and significant tissue destruction.

Topical treatment of equine sarcoids with imiquimod 5% cream or Sanguinaria canadensis and zinc chloride - an open prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Equine sarcoids are the most prevalent skin neoplasm in horses worldwide. Although several treatments are available, none are consistently effective and recurrence is common. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical imiquimod 5% cream and Sanguinaria canadensis + zinc chloride for treatment of equine sarcoids and investigate possible systemic effects on distant untreated sarcoids. ANIMALS/TUMOURS: Twenty-five client-owned horses with a total of 164 tumours were included in the study. Fifty-seven tumours were treated and 107 tumours were left untreated. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Skin biopsy samples were collected from a minimum of one tumour per horse and the rest were diagnosed based on clinical appearance as likely sarcoids. Imiquimod 5% (A) was applied three times weekly, while Sanguinaria canadensis + zinc chloride (X) was applied every fourth day after a six day daily initiation phase. Treatment continued until clinical remission or for a maximum of 45 weeks, with a long follow-up period (mean 34 months). Skin biopsy samples of sarcoid lesions were re-taken before treatment termination and at follow-up if the owner gave consent. RESULTS: Complete remission was recorded in 84.4% (A) and 75.0% (X) of the tumours. Relapse was recorded in 7.3% (A) and 21.4% (X). Spontaneous remission was observed in 1.9% of untreated tumours. No systemic effect on untreated tumours was detected. During treatment varying degrees of local inflammatory reaction were common. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Both treatments were considered effective and safe. Smaller tumours responded more favourably to treatment. Relapse rate was low and not observed in sarcoids with repeat biopsies before treatment termination.

Review of Common Alternative Herbal "Remedies" for Skin Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Alternative herbal remedies for skin cancer are commonly found on the Internet. Many websites contain inaccurate or false information regarding side effects and efficacy. OBJECTIVE: To review the evidence behind several commonly advertised herbal remedies that claim to cure skin cancer: black salve, eggplant, frankincense, cannabis, black raspberry, milk thistle, St. John's wort, and turmeric. METHODS: A PubMed search was performed using the common and scientific names of frequently advertised herbal remedies along with the terms "nonmelanoma skin cancer," or "basal cell carcinoma" or "squamous cell carcinoma," or "melanoma." RESULTS: Some preclinical studies have shown positive evidence that these substances can induce apoptosis in skin cancer, but clinical studies proving efficacy are either insufficient, nonexistent, or show negative evidence. Botanicals that were excluded are those that do not have published studies of their efficacy as skin cancer treatments. CONCLUSION: Online advertising may tempt patients to use botanical agents while citing efficacy found in preclinical studies. However, many agents lack strong clinical evidence of efficacy. Dermatologists must be aware of common herbal alternatives for skin cancer treatment to maintain effective patient communication and education.

Black salve treatment of skin cancer: a review.

The use of complementary and alternative medicines in Australia has grown significantly. Much of this growth is due to their ease of accessibility from online vendors, often marketed with claims that are not scientifically tested. Black salve is a topical escharotic compound containing the active component sanguinarine, derived from the bloodroot plant. It has been advertised as a natural treatment for skin cancer. This article reviews the current state of black salve as an alternative skin cancer treatment, discussing its distribution and regulation, and provides a summary of clinical and laboratory studies. Clinical trials in this area are lacking, with most clinical data in the form of case reports demonstrating suboptimal therapeutic and cosmetic outcomes associated with its use. However, in vitro studies of sanguinarine suggest it causes indiscriminate destruction of healthy and cancerous tissue at doses higher than 5 µM, limiting its practical utility. It is vital that members of the public are aware of the potential effects and toxicity of commercial salve products.

Carcinogenic potential of sanguinarine, a phytochemical used in 'therapeutic' black salve and mouthwash.

Black salves are escharotic skin cancer therapies in clinical use since the mid 19th century. Sanguinaria canadensis, a major ingredient of black salve formulations, contains a number of bioactive phytochemicals including the alkaloid sanguinarine. Despite its prolonged history of clinical use, conflicting experimental results have prevented the carcinogenic potential of sanguinarine from being definitively determined. Sanguinarine has a molecular structure similar to known polyaromatic hydrocarbon carcinogens and is a DNA intercalator. Sanguinarine also generates oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress resulting in the unfolded protein response and the formation of 8-hydroxyguanine genetic lesions. Sanguinarine has been the subject of contradictory in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity and murine carcinogenesis test results that have delayed its carcinogenic classification. Despite this, epidemiological studies have linked mouthwash that contains sanguinarine with the development of oral leukoplakia. Sanguinarine is also proposed as an aetiological agent in gallbladder carcinoma. This literature review investigates the carcinogenic potential of sanguinarine. Reasons for contradictory genotoxicity and carcinogenesis results are explored, knowledge gaps identified and a strategy for determining the carcinogenic potential of sanguinarine especialy relating to black salve are discussed. As patients continue to apply black salve, especially to skin regions suffering from field cancerization and skin malignancies, an understanding of the genotoxic and carcinogenic potential of sanguinarine is of urgent clinical relevance.

Evaluation of the Anticancer Activities of the Plant Alkaloids Sanguinarine and Chelerythrine in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma Cells.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is associated with a high mortality rate around the world due to its aggressiveness and high resistance to conventional therapies. Sanguinarine (SAN) and Chelerythrine (CHE) are plant alkaloids extracted from Sanguinaria canadensis and Macleaya cordata, which have been studied for their bioactivities. OBJECTIVE: To determine the anticancer activities of Sanguinarine (SAN) and Chelerythrine (CHE) plant alkaloids. METHOD: The MTT assay, the alkaline comet assay and cell cycle analyses by flow cytometry were performed. RESULTS: It was observed that SAN was cytotoxic to human breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7) at concentrations of 7.5 µM (24 and 48 hours), effectively reducing cell viability from the concentration of 10 µM for 24 hours and 7.5 µM for 48 hours, by the MTT test. CHE, in turn, was cytotoxic at concentrations of 10 and 20 µM (48 hours), but did not compromise the cellular viability. The comet assay indicated that SAN was genotoxic to the MCF-7 cells, with a significant increment of damage at 10 µM, while none of the tested concentrations of CHE showed a genotoxic effect. The flow cytometry analysis indicated that no cell cycle arrest was caused by both alkaloids, but SAN 10 µM induced a sub-G1 cell population. CONCLUSION: The results of cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and cell cycle monitoring that are presented in this paper have suggested that SAN has more of a chemotherapeutic activity, as well as having the potential for the development of new therapies for breast cancer, when compared to CHE.

Caracterización y estudio fitoquímico de Justicia secunda valh (Sanguinaria, Singamochilla, Insulina) / Characterization and phytochemical study of Justicia secunda valh (sanguinaria, singamochilla, insulina)

Introducción: las hojas de Justicia secunda Vahl. son ampliamente utilizadas en las poblaciones rurales de la costa ecuatoriana. Los pobladores la utilizan con fines medicinales sin que se hayan comprobado las propiedades que se le atribuye. El presente estudio se realizó con los extractos hidroalcohólico, alcohólico y etéreo de las hojas. Objetivos: caracterizar la droga cruda y varios extractos de J. secunda para determinar la presencia de metabolitos o principios activos con potencial medicinal y de esta manera analizar la posible utilidad en la elaboración de productos farmacéuticos. Métodos: se analizaron parámetros físico-químicos de la droga cruda, las hojas se recolectaron en la noche, se secaron hasta peso constante en una estufa a 30 °C ± 1 °C por 5 días y posteriormente se trituraron con un mortero, se pesaron y se obtuvieron los extractos por maceración con diversos solventes orgánicos; como etanol al 90 por ciento, éter dietílico y una solución hidroalcohólica al 50 por ciento v/v como menstruos. En el análisis fitoquímico se utilizaron técnicas cualitativas para la determinación de los principales metabolitos presentes en los extractos así como técnicas gravimétricas para determinación de cenizas totales, sólidos totales y porciento de humedad. Resultados: se constató que el contenido de cenizas totales y la humedad residual halladas en la droga cruda se encuentra dentro de los límites establecidos en la USP 37 para artículos de origen botánico. Además, se comprobó la presencia de alcaloides, cumarinas y glucósidos fenólicos en el extracto hidroalcohólico; taninos, glucósidos fenólicos y triterpenos y/o esteroides en el extracto alcohólico y alcaloides y triterpenos y/o esteroides en el extracto etéreo. Conclusión: la gran variedad de componentes químicos presentes en las hojas de J. secunda, le confieren un alto potencial para su uso medicinal como antiséptico, antiinflamatorio, antioxidante, entre otros(AU)

Introduction: Justicia secunda Vahl. leaves are widely used by rural populations from the Ecuadorian coast for medicinal purposes, but the properties attributed to it have not been verified. A study was conducted of hydroalcoholic, alcoholic and etheric leaf extracts. Objectives: Characterize the crude drug and several extracts of J. secunda to determine the presence of metabolites or active principles with medicinal potential, and analyze their possible usefulness to produce pharmaceutical products. Methods: An analysis was conducted of the physicochemical parameters of the crude drug. The leaves were collected at night and dried to constant weight in a stove at 30 °C ± 1 °C for 5 days. They were then crushed in a mortar and weighed. The extracts were obtained by maceration in various organic solvents, such as 90 percent ethanol, diethyl ether and a 50 percent v/v hydroalcoholic solution. For phytochemical analysis, qualitative techniques were applied to determine the main metabolites present in the extracts. Gravimetric techniques were used for determination of total ashes, total solids and percentage of humidity. Results: It was found that content of total ashes and residual humidity in the crude drug are within the limits established by USP 37 for items of botanical origin. Additionally, alkaloids, coumarins and phenolic glucosides were found to be present in the hydroalcoholic extract; tannins, phenolic glucosides and triterpenes and/or steroids in the alcoholic extract; and alkaloids and triterpenes and/or steroids in the etheric extract. Conclusion: The great variety of chemical components present in the leaves of J. secunda grants them high potential for medicinal use as antiseptic, antiinflammatory and antioxidant, among others(AU)

Sanguinaria canadensis: Traditional Medicine, Phytochemical Composition, Biological Activities and Current Uses.

Sanguinaria canadensis, also known as bloodroot, is a traditional medicine used by Native Americans to treat a diverse range of clinical conditions. The plants rhizome contains several alkaloids that individually target multiple molecular processes. These bioactive compounds, mechanistically correlate with the plant's history of ethnobotanical use. Despite their identification over 50 years ago, the alkaloids of S. canadensis have not been developed into successful therapeutic agents. Instead, they have been associated with clinical toxicities ranging from mouthwash induced leukoplakia to cancer salve necrosis and treatment failure. This review explores the historical use of S. canadensis, the molecular actions of the benzophenanthridine and protopin alkaloids it contains, and explores natural alkaloid variation as a possible rationale for the inconsistent efficacy and toxicities encountered by S. canadensis therapies. Current veterinary and medicinal uses of the plant are studied with an assessment of obstacles to the pharmaceutical development of S. canadensis alkaloid based therapeutics.