ERVA TOSTÃO

Clinical References on Erva tostão (Boerhaavia diffusa)




Int Immunopharmacol. 2005 Mar;5(3):541-53.
Immunosuppressive properties of flavonoids isolated from Boerhaavia diffusa Linn.
Pandey R, Maurya R, Singh G, Sathiamoorthy B, Naik S.
Department of Immunology, Sanjay Gandhi Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226 014, India.
Plant extracts have been widely evaluated for possible immunomodulatory properties. We have earlier reported that ethanolic extract of Boerhaavia diffusa root, a plant used in Indian traditional medicine, has significant immunomodulatory potential. B. diffusa hexane, chloroform and ethanol extracts, and two pure compounds Bd-I (eupalitin-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside) and Bd-II (eupalitin) were evaluated in vitro for their effect on T cell mitogen (phytohemagglutinin; PHA) stimulated proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC), mixed lymphocyte culture, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated nitric oxide production by RAW 264.7, PHA and LPS induced IL-2 and TNF-alpha production, in human PBMCs, superoxide production in neutrophils, human natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-(kappa)B and AP-1 in PHA stimulated PBMCs. The chloroform and ethanol extracts inhibited PHA stimulated proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, two-way MLR, NK cell cytotoxicity as well as LPS induced NO production by RAW 264.7; the hexane extract showed no activity. Bd-I purified from the ethanolic extract at equivalent dose, inhibited PHA-stimulated proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, two-way MLR and NK cell cytotoxicity as well as LPS induced NO production by RAW 264.7 equally or more effectively than the parent ethanolic extract. Bd-I inhibited production of PHA stimulated IL-2 at the protein and mRNA transcript levels and LPS stimulated TNF-alpha production in human PBMCs; it also blocked the activation of DNA binding of nuclear factor-(kappa)B and AP-1, two major transcription factors centrally involved in expression of the IL-2 and IL-2R gene, which are necessary for T cell activation and proliferation. Our results report selective immunosuppressive activity of B. diffusa leaf extracts and that this activity lies in eupalitin-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside (Bd-I) isolated and purified from the ethnaolic extract. Thus, Bd-I could be a candidate for development as an immunosuppressive agent.


J Med Food. 2004 Winter;7(4):472-6.
Antidiabetic effect of Boerhavia diffusa: effect on serum and tissue lipids in experimental diabetes.
Pari L, Amarnath Satheesh M.
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamil Nadu, India.
The present study was designed to investigate the antihyperlipidemic activity of an aqueous extract of Boerhavia diffusa leaves in alloxan diabetic rats. Hyperlipidemia is an associated complication of diabetes mellitus. Many herbs and spices are known to be antihyperglycemic. Oral administration of B. diffusa leaf extract (BLEt) at 200 mg/kg of body weight for 4 weeks resulted in significant reduction in serum and tissue cholesterol, free fatty acids, phospholipids, and triglycerides. Moreover, BLEt supplementation was found to be more effective than glibenclamide in the treatment of diabetic rats.


Life Sci. 2005 Feb 4;76(12):1339-49. Epub 2004 Dec 28.
Inhibitory effect of Boerhaavia diffusa on experimental metastasis by B16F10 melanoma in C57BL/6 mice.
Leyon PV, Lini CC, Kuttan G.
Department of Immunology, Amala Cancer Research Centre, Amalanagar P.O., Thrissur Dist., Kerala 680 555, India.
Administration of the aqueous methanol (3:7) extract of B.diffusa was found to be effective in reducing the metastases formation by B16F10 melanoma cells. Prophylactic administration of the extract (0.5 mg/dose) inhibited the metastases formation by about 95% as compared to untreated control animals. There was 87% of inhibition in the lung metastases formation in syngenic C57BL/6 mice, when the extract was administered simultaneously with tumour challenge. Biochemical parameters such as lung collagen hydroxyproline, hexosamines and uronic acid levels were also reduced significantly (P less than 0.001) in the treated animals. Levels of serum sialic acids and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase that are markers of neoplastic proliferation were also reduced in the tumour plus extract treated animals. More over treatment with the extract enhanced the survival of the animals more than double that of untreated control animals. When a non-toxic concentration of the extract was treated directly to the B16F10 cells in vitro, it inhibited the cell proliferation as estimated by the 3H - thymidine uptake assay. From the Zymogram analysis using culture supernatant from the extract treated cells it became evident that the components of the extract inhibited the expression or activity of gelatinases A and B (MMP-2 and MMP-9). Since the MMPs are intimately associated with cell invasion and angiogenesis, inhibition of these functions along with the anti-proliferative activity (cytostatic) may be contributing to the antimetastatic property shown by B. diffusa.


Pharmazie. 2004 Nov;59(11):876-8.
Hypoglycaemic effects of some plant extracts are possibly mediated through inhibition in corticosteroid concentration.
Gholap S, Kar A.
School of Life Sciences, Devi Ahilya University, Indore, India.
To unravel the possible mechanism of glucose lowering activity, effects of ten different plant extracts in the regulation of serum cortisol and glucose concentrations were evaluated in male mice. While the extracts of Inula racemosa, Boerhaavia diffusa and Ocimum sanctum decreased the serum concentration of both cortisol and glucose, Aegle marmelos, Azadirachta indica and Gymnema sylvestre extracts could exhibit hypoglycaemic activity without altering the serum cortisol concentration. It appears that the hypoglycaemic effects of former three plant extracts are mediated through their cortisol inhibiting potency, whereas the mechanism for other plant extracts could be different. Lipid-peroxidation was not enhanced by any of the plant extracts (some were in fact, antiperoxidative in nature). As I. racemosa, B. diffusa and O. sanctum exhibited antiperoxidative, hypoglycaemic and cortisol lowering activities, it is suggested that these three plant extracts may potentially regulate corticosteroid induced diabetes mellitus.


Indian J Exp Biol. 2004 Oct;42(10):989-92.
Antioxidant effect of Boerhavia diffusa L. in tissues of alloxan induced diabetic rats.
Satheesh MA, Pari L.
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar 608 002, India.
Administration of B. diffusa leaf extract (BLEt; 200 mg/kg) for 4 weeks resulted in a significant reduction in thiobarbutric acid reactive substances and hydroperoxides, with a significant increase in reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione--S-transferase in liver and kidney of alloxan induced diabetic rats. The results suggest that BLEt has remarkable antidiabetic activity and can improve antioxidant status in alloxan induced diabetic rats.


J Med Food. 2004 Fall;7(3):343-8.
The evaluation of nitric oxide scavenging activity of certain Indian medicinal plants in vitro: a preliminary study.
Jagetia GC, Baliga MS.
Department of Radiobiology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka, India. gc.jagetia@kmc.manipal.edu
The plant extracts of 17 commonly used Indian medicinal plants were examined for their possible regulatory effect on nitric oxide (NO) levels using sodium nitroprusside as an NO donor in vitro. Most of the plant extracts tested demonstrated direct scavenging of NO and exhibited significant activity. The potency of scavenging activity was in the following order: Alstonia scholaris > Cynodon dactylon > Morinda citrifolia > Tylophora indica > Tectona grandis > Aegle marmelos (leaf) > Momordica charantia > Phyllanthus niruri > Ocimum sanctum > Tinospora cordifolia (hexane extract) = Coleus ambonicus > Vitex negundo (alcoholic) > T. cordifolia (dichloromethane extract) > T. cordifolia (methanol extract) > Ipomoea digitata > V. negundo (aqueous) > Boerhaavia diffusa > Eugenia jambolana (seed) > T. cordifolia (aqueous extract) > V. negundo (dichloromethane/methanol extract) > Gingko biloba > Picrorrhiza kurroa > A. marmelos (fruit) > Santalum album > E. jambolana (leaf). All the extracts evaluated exhibited a dose-dependent NO scavenging activity. The A. scholaris bark showed its greatest NO scavenging effect of 81.86% at 250 microg/mL, as compared with G. biloba, where 54.9% scavenging was observed at a similar concentration. The present results suggest that these medicinal plants might be potent and novel therapeutic agents for scavenging of NO and the regulation of pathological conditions caused by excessive generation of NO and its oxidation product, peroxynitrite.


Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2003 Oct;47(4):459-64.
Chemopreventive action of Boerhaavia diffusa on DMBA-induced skin carcinogenesis in mice.
Bharali R, Azad MR, Tabassum J.
Department of Biotechnology, Gauhati University, Guwahati 781 014.
Boerhaavia diffusa, Linn (Fam: Nyctagenaceae), is widely used for the treatment of Jaundice in various parts of India. In the present study, cancer chemopreventive property of B. diffusa was evaluated on 7,12-dimethyl benz(a)anthracene (DMBA) induced skin papillomagenesis in male Swiss albino mice (6-7 weeks old). A single topical application of 7,12-dimethyl benz(a)anthracene (50 microg/50 microl of acetone), followed 2 weeks later by repeated application of croton oil (1% in acetone three times a week) and continued till the end of the experiment exhibited 100% tumor incidence. In contrast, mice treated topically on the shaven backs with the Boerhaavia diffusa extract at either the peri-initiational phase (i.e. 7 days before and 7 days after the application of DMBA; Group II), post initiational phase (i.e. from the day of start of croton oil treatment and continued till the end of the experiment; Group III) or continuously at the peri- and post-initiational stages (i.e. 7 days prior to DMBA application and continued till the end of the experiment; Group IV), a significant reduction in the values of tumor incidence (Group II - 65%; Group III - 30%; Group IV - 25%), average number of tumors per tumor bearing mouse (Group II - 2.8; Group III - 0.75; Group IV - 0.35) and papillomas per papilloma bearing mouse (Group II - 3.1; Group III - 2.5; Group IV - 1.2) were observed.


J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Mar;91(1):109-13.
Antidiabetic activity of Boerhaavia diffusa L.: effect on hepatic key enzymes in experimental diabetes.
Pari L, Amarnath Satheesh M.
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamil Nadu 608 002, India. paribala@sancharnet.in
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of daily oral administration of aqueous solution of Boerhaavia diffusa L. leaf extract (BLEt) (200 mg/kg) for 4 weeks on blood glucose concentration and hepatic enzymes in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats. A significant decrease in blood glucose and significant increase in plasma insulin levels were observed in normal and diabetic rats treated with BLEt. Treatment with BLEt resulted in a significant reduction of glycosylated haemoglobin and an increase in total haemoglobin level. The activities of the hepatic enzymes such as hexokinase was significantly increased and glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase were significantly decreased by the administration of BLEt in normal and diabetic rats. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was also performed in the same groups, in which there was a significant improvement in glucose tolerance in rats treated with BLEt. A comparison was made between the action of BLEt and antidiabetic drug-glibenclamide (600 microg/kg). The effect of BLEt was more prominent when compared to glibenclamide.


Int Immunopharmacol. 2002 Jun;2(7):987-96.
Immunomodulation by ethanolic extract of Boerhaavia diffusa roots.
Mehrotra S, Mishra KP, Maurya R, Srimal RC, Singh VK.
Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India.
We have earlier reported that ethanolic extract of Boerhaavia diffusa, a plant used in Indian traditional system of medicine, significantly inhibits the cell proliferation. This led us to evaluate the immunomodulatory properties of this plant extract on various in vitro tests such as human natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity, production of nitric oxide (NO) in mouse macrophage cells, RAW 264.7, interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), intracytoplasmic interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and expression of various cell surface markers on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Ethanolic extracts of B. diffusa roots inhibited human NK cell cytotoxicity in vitro, production of NO in mouse macrophage cells, IL-2 and TNF-alpha in human PBMCs. Intracytoplasmic IFN-gamma and cell surface markers such as CD16, CD25, and HLA-DR did not get affected on treatment with B. diffusa extract. Our study demonstrates immunosuppressive potential of ethanolic extract of B. diffusa.


Exp Mol Pathol. 2002 Jun;72(3):236-42.
Antilymphoproliferative activity of ethanolic extract of Boerhaavia diffusa roots.
Mehrotra S, Singh VK, Agarwal SS, Maurya R, Srimal RC.
Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226 014, India.
Extracts of plants have been widely evaluated for possible antiproliferative and anticarcinogenic properties. The antiproliferative activity of ethanolic extract of Boerhaavia diffusa, a plant used in traditional medicine, was evaluated in several cells. It inhibited T cell mitogen phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A-stimulated proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). It also inhibited purified protein derivative antigen-stimulated PBMC proliferation and human mixed lymphocyte culture. In addition, B. diffusa extract inhibited the growth of several cell lines of mouse and human origin, such as mouse macrophage cells (RAW 264.7), human macrophage cells (U937), human monocytic cells (THP-1), mouse fibroblast cells (L929), human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293), mouse liver cells (BNLCL.2), African green monkey kidney cells (COS-1), mouse lymphoma cells (EL-4), human erythroleukemic cells (K562), and human T cells (Jurkat). The present study has demonstrated the antiproliferative potential of ethanolic extract of B. diffusa in vitro.


Fitoterapia. 2001 Feb;72(2):179-81.
Effect of certain plant extracts on alpha-amylase activity.
Prashanth D, Padmaja R, Samiulla DS.
Bioassay unit, Research & Development Centre, Natural Remedies Pvt. Ltd., Plot No. 5B, Veerasandra Indl. Area, Hosur Road, -561 229, Bangalore, India. indherbs@vsnl.com
Ethanolic extracts of Punica granatum, Mangifera indica, Boerhaavia diffusa, Embelia ribes, Phyllanthus maderaspatensis, and Withania somnifera, were tested for their effect on alpha-amylase activity (in vitro). P. granatum and M. indica were found to exhibit interesting alpha-amylase inhibitory activity.


J Ethnopharmacol. 2000 Jul;71(1-2):267-74.
The juice of fresh leaves of Boerhaavia diffusa L. (Nyctaginaceae) markedly reduces pain in mice.
Hiruma-Lima CA, Gracioso JS, Bighetti EJ, Germonsen Robineou L, Souza Brito AR.
Inst. Biologia e Saude Publica, CUPN, UNITINS, P. Nacional Campinas, TO, Brazil.
The decoction or juice of leaves of Boerhaavia diffusa L. (Nyctaginaceae) is used in Martinican folk medicine for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. In the present investigation we studied the acute oral (p.o.) toxicity of a crude extract obtained from a lyophilized decoction (DE) and from the juice (JE) of fresh leaves. We observed no signs of toxicity up to the dose of 5000 mg/kg (p.o.) in mice. At the dose of 1000 mg/kg, neither extract altered sleeping time evoked by the administration of pentobarbital sodium (i.p.). The DE and JE of B. diffusa were assessed in standard rodent models of algesia and inflammation. We investigated the antinociceptive effect of DE and JE in chemical (acetic acid) and thermal (hot plate) models of hyperalgesia in mice. Dipyrone sodium (200 mg/kg), JE (1000 mg/kg) and DE at the same dose (p.o.), produced a significant inhibition of acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing in mice (100, 50 and 47% inhibition, respectively) when compared with the negative control (P<0.001). In the hot-plate test in mice, morphine and JE produced a significant increase in latency during the observation time. The DE, however, only raised the pain thresholds during the first period (30 min) of observation (P<0.05). The extracts of B. diffusa were also investigated for their anti-edematogenic effect on carrageenan-induced edema in mice. However, neither extract inhibited the paw edema induced in mice (P>0.05). In the acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing in mice, pre-treatment of the animals with naloxone (5 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reversed the analgesic effect of morphine and JE but not that of DE. These data show that the active antinociceptive principle of B. diffusa is present mainly in the juice of fresh leaves and has a significant antinociceptive effect when assessed in these pain models. The mechanism underlying this analgesic effect of fresh leaves of B. diffusa remains unknown, but seems to be related to interaction with the opioid system.


J Ethnopharmacol. 1999 May;65(2):125-31.
Studies on the immunomodulatory effects of Boerhaavia diffusa alkaloidal fraction.
Mungantiwar AA, Nair AM, Shinde UA, Dikshit VJ, Saraf MN, Thakur VS, Sainis KB.
Department of Pharmacology, The Bombay College of Pharmacy, Kalina, Mumbai, India.
The alkaloidal fraction of Boerhaavia diffusa was studied for its effect on cellular and humoral functions in mice. Oral administration of the fraction (25-100 mg/kg) significantly inhibited SRBC-induced delayed hypersensitivity reactions in mice. However, the inhibition was observed only during post-immunisation drug treatment, while no effect during pre-immunisation drug treatment was observed. A significant dose-related increase in antibody titre was observed during pre- and post-immunisation treatment. The alkaloidal fraction failed to show any blastogenic responsiveness of murine splenocytes to Concanvalin A (Con A) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Similarly, it did not display any mitogenic activity. Thus, the present study has shown the in vivo immunostimulatory activity of B. diffusa alkaloidal fraction without an in vitro effect.


J Ethnopharmacol. 1999 Aug;66(2):235-40.
Preliminary screening of ethnomedicinal plants from India.
Perumal Samy R, Ignacimuthu S, Raja DP.
Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Chennai, India.
Antibacterial activity of aqueous residues of 16 different ethnomedicinal plants have been studied. The effect of the aqueous extract at two different weights of plant residues, 30 and 40 mg, were tested against three gram positive bacteria and seven gram negative bacteria by the filter paper disc diffusion method. Among the tested plants, Cleome gynandropsis and Ageratum conyzoides showed a significant control of the growth of Alkaligens viscolactis, Klebsiella aerogenas, Bacillus cerues and Streptococcus pyogens. The maximum inhibitions were observed in Tridax procumbens, Cleome viscosa, Acalypha indica and Boerhaavia erecta against Aeromonas hydrophilla and Bacillus cerues.


Hindustan Antibiot Bull. 1997 Feb-Nov;39(1-4):56-60.
In vitro evaluation of inhibitory nature of extracts of 18-plant species of Chhindwara against 3-keratinophilic fungi.
Qureshi S, Rai MK, Agrawal SC.
Department of Botany, Danielson College, Chhindwara, India.
Effect of extract of 18 plant species, viz., Acorus calamus, Adhatoda vasica, Amomum subulatum, Andrographis paniculata, Boerhaavia diffusa, Cassia occidentalis, Centella asiatica, Cymbopogon citratus, Hemidesmus indicus, Hyptis suaveolens, Malvestrum sp., Passiflora edulis, Pergularia daemia, Peristrophe bicalyculata, Shuteria hirsuta, Solanum nigrum, Tecoma stans, and Verbascum chinense on the growth of Microsporum gypseum, Chrysosporium tropicum and Trichophyton terrestre was evaluated and discussed. The sensitivity of the keratinophilic fungi was evaluated by dry-weight method. The maximum inhibition of mycelial growth was shown by M. gypseum (86.62%) followed by T. terrestre (81.86%) and C. tropicum (74.06%) when treated with S. hirsuta whereas the minimum inhibition was exhibited by M. gypseum (0.29%), C. tropicum (0.16%) and T. terrestre (1.76%) when tested with the extract of P. edulis, A. vasica and B. diffusa respectively.


J Ethnopharmacol. 1997 Mar;56(1):61-6.
Hepatoprotective activity of Boerhaavia diffusa L. roots--a popular Indian ethnomedicine.
Rawat AK, Mehrotra S, Tripathi SC, Shome U.
Pharmacognosy Laboratory, National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India.
The roots of Boerhaavia diffusa L., commonly known as 'Punarnava', are used by a large number of tribes in India for the treatment of various hepatic disorders. In the present study the effect of seasons, thickness of roots and form of dose (either aqueous or powder) were studied for their hepatoprotective action to prove the claims made by the different tribes of India. The hepatoprotective activity of roots of different diameters collected in three seasons, rainy, summer and winter, was examined in thioacetamide intoxicated rats. The results showed that an aqueous extract (2 ml/kg) of roots of diameter 1-3 cm, collected in the month of May (Summer), exhibited marked protection of a majority of serum parameters, i.e. GOT, GPT, ACP and ALP, but not GLDH and bilirubin, thereby suggesting the proper size and time of collection of B. diffusa L. roots for the most desirable results. Further, the studies also proved that the aqueous form of drug (2 ml/kg) administration has more hepatoprotective activity than the powder form; this is probably due to the better absorbtion of the liquid form through the intestinal tract.


J Nat Prod. 1996 Nov;59(11):1015-8.
Effects on cultured neonatal mouse calvaria of the flavonoids isolated from Boerhaavia repens.
Li J, Li H, Kadota S, Namba T, Miyahara T, Khan UG.
Research Institute for Wakan-Yaku (Traditional Sino-Japanese Medicines), Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Japan.
A MeOH extract from the whole plant of Boerhaavia repens was found to inhibit bone resorption induced by parathyroid hormone (PTH) in tissue culture. Systematic separation of the MeOH extract afforded one new and two known flavonoid glycosides, namely, eupalitin 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), eupalitin 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside (2), and 6-methoxykaempferol 3-O-beta-D-(1-->6)-robinoside (3). The structure of the new compound 1 was determined using spectroscopic techniques. The inhibitory activity of these substances toward bone resorption induced by PTH was evaluated, and compounds 1 and 2 were found to exhibit significant activity.


Planta Med. 1991 Aug;57(4):315-6.
An experimental evaluation of possible teratogenic potential in Boerhaavia diffusa in Albino rats.
Singh A, Singh RG, Singh RH, Mishra N, Singh N.
Department of Nephrology and Kayachikitsa, Banaras University, Varanasi, India.
The present study was undertaken to evaluate any possibility of teratogenic effects in Boerhaavia diffusa (Punarnava), a widely used herbal medicine for renal and urinary tract diseases by Ayurvedic physicians in India. The ethanolic extract of Boerhaavia diffusa (BDE) was administered daily in a dose of 250 mg/kg, body weight p.o., to pregnant albino female rats during the entire period of gestation. BDE was found to be devoid of any teratogenic effect as litter size and survival rate of foetuses were the same as for the normal control group and no foetal anomaly could be detected.


Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 1991 Jun;39(6):1551-5.
Constituents of the roots of Boerhaavia diffusa L. III. Identification of Ca2+ channel antagonistic compound from the methanol extract.
Lami N, Kadota S, Kikuchi T, Momose Y.
Research Institute for Wakan-Yaku (Oriental Medicines), Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Japan.
Two known lignans, liriodendrin and syringaresinol mono-beta-D-glucoside, have been isolated from the methanol extract of the roots of Boerhaavia diffusa L. (Nyctaginaceae), and the former compound was found to exhibit a significant calcium (Ca2+) channel antagonistic effect in frog heart single cells using the whole-cell voltage clamp method. Reexamination of the carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13C-NMR) spectra of these compounds was also carried out by the use of two-dimensional NMR techniques including a 1H-detected heteronuclear multiple bond connectivity (HMBC) experiment, and it was found that the previous signal assignments for C-1' and C-4' have to be revised.


J Ethnopharmacol. 1991 Mar;31(3):299-307.
Boerhaavia diffusa: a study of its hepatoprotective activity.
Chandan BK, Sharma AK, Anand KK.
Department of Pharmacology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Jammu Tawi, India.
An alcoholic extract of whole plant Boerhaavia diffusa given orally exhibited hepatoprotective activity against experimentally induced carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity in rats and mice. The extract also produced an increase in normal bile flow in rats suggesting a strong choleretic activity. The extract does not show any signs of toxicity up to an oral dose of 2 g/kg in mice.


Adv Contracept. 1991 Mar;7(1):67-76.
Management of IUD-associated menorrhagia in female rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).
Barthwal M, Srivastava K.
Division of Endocrinology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India.
The study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of antifibrinolytic agents (epsilon-aminocaproic acid, EACA; tranexamic acid, AMCA), anti-inflammatory drugs (indomethacin, IND; ibuprofen, IBU; naproxen, NAP) and root extract of the plant Boerhaavia diffusa (BD) on menstrual cycle length (MCL), duration of menstrual flow (DMF), menstrual iron loss (MIL) and activity of uterine tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in IUD-fitted monkeys. Premature onset of menstruation was observed in IUD-fitted monkeys (26.0 +/- 0.7 days, mean +/- SE) as compared to controls (28.7 +/- 0.4 days). No noteworthy change was observed in the MCL of drug treated monkeys as compared to IUD-fitted monkeys. An increase of 155%, 123.2%, and 288% was observed in the DMF, MIL and tPA activity after IUD insertion as compared to controls. Antifibrinolytic agents reduced the DMF, MIL and activity of tPA in IUD-fitted monkeys up to 117.4%, 116.4%, and 254%, whereas anti-inflammatory drugs caused a decrease only up to 69%, 95.1%, and 138%, respectively. Conclusively, root extract of B. diffusa treated IUD-fitted monkeys showed noticeable reduction in their DMF (124%), MIL (120.8%) and tPA activity (272%).


Adv Contracept. 1990 Jun;6(2):113-24.
Histologic studies on endometrium of menstruating monkeys wearing IUDs: comparative evaluation of drugs.
Barthwal M, Srivastava K.
Division of Endocrinology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India.
A comparative study was performed to evaluate the effects of antifibrinolytic agents; epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) and tranexamic acid (AMCA); anti-inflammatory drugs (indomethacin, ibuprofen, naproxen); and plant extract (root extract of Boerhaavia diffusa) on the endometrial histology of IUD-fitted menstruating monkeys. A high degree of stromal edema, heavy infiltration of inflammatory cells, long, tortuous endometrial glands, and thin-walled empty blood vessels were observed in IUD endometrium. B. diffusa was found most effective in reducing stromal edema, inflammation, and tortuosity of glands, and in increasing the degree of deposition of fibrin and platelets in the vessel lumen. Antifibrinolytic agents caused partial to complete occlusion of the vessel lumen and anti-inflammatory drugs thickened the vessel wall. Indomethacin reduced inflammation effectively. Conclusively, B. diffusa appears to be a potent antifibrinolytic and anti-inflammatory agent and is, thus, recommended for the treatment of IUD menorrhagia.


Zentralbl Mikrobiol. 1986;141(5):415-9.
Effect of root extract from Boerhaavia diffusa L., containing an antiviral principle upon plaque formation of RNA bacteriophages.
Awasthi LP, Menzel G.
An extract obtained from the roots of Boerhaavia diffusa plants, which inhibits the infection of several plant viruses, was tested by the agar diffusion hole method for its action on RNA-containing bacterial viruses. Plaque formation of the phages was only partially and non-uniformly influenced by the extract so that a uniform principle of action was not realized for the RNA viruses of prokaryotic and eukaryotic host organisms.




ESPINHEIRA SANTA

Clinical References on Espinheira Santa (Maytenus ilicifolia)




J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2004 Nov 19;36(4):787-90.
Development and validation of a LC-method for determination of catechin and epicatechin in aqueous extractives from leaves of Maytenus ilicifolia.
Soares LA, Oliveira AL, Ortega GG, Petrovick PR.
Departamento de Farmacia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Cordeiro de Farias, s/n, 59010-180, Natal, RN, Brazil. phtech@uol.com.br
A reverse phase-LC method was developed and validated for separation and quantification of catechin and epicatechin in aqueous extractives from leaves of Maytenus ilicifolia. The analysis was performed using a C(18) column with acetic acid-acetonitrile gradient elution. The detection was carried out by UV at 280 nm and the peak identification was based on the retention times and by co-chromatography with reference substances. High coefficients of determination were achieved for both catechin and epicatechin peaks from the standard solutions (0.9996 and 0.9999), as well as from extractives (0.9981 and 0.9982, respectively). The method showed good repeatability (R.S.D. <1.5%), reproducibility (R.S.D. <5%) and good accuracy for both catechin and epicatechin peaks (101.4%, R.S.D. = 1.18% and 100.6%, R.S.D. = 2.07%, respectively).


J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Sep;94(1):93-100.
Evaluation of antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antiulcerogenic activities of Maytenus ilicifolia.
Jorge RM, Leite JP, Oliveira AB, Tagliati CA.
Laboratorio de Toxicologia Experimental, Faculdade de Farmacia, UFMG, Av. Olegario Maciel, 2360/613, 30180-112, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Maytenus ilicifolia (Celastraceae) is a native plant from Tropical Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlantica, Brazil) called 'espinheira-santa'. This plant is traditionally used as anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antiulcerogenic. Many studies focusing pharmacological and toxicological aspects of the plant have been performed. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy (anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities and protection against gastric lesions, including cytoprotection and healing) and phytochemical profile of hexane and ethylacetate extracts of Maytenus ilicifolia. Per os administration of these extracts inhibited nociception and formaldehyde-induced paw oedema in mice and carrageenin-induced paw oedema in rats. Severity of gastric lesions induced by cold-restraint stress (-18 degrees C for 45 min) method was also clearly reduced in rats considering both cytoprotection and healing aspects. Administration of the extracts led to volume gastric and pH increase. These results suggest that hexane and ethylacetate extracts of Maytenus ilicifolia may represent an important clinical alternative in anti-inflammatory and antiulcerogenic therapeutics, though, further experiments should be performed to confirm this assertion.


J Nat Prod. 2004 Apr;67(4):703-6.
An arabinogalactan isolated from the medicinal plant Maytenus ilicifolia.
Cipriani TR, Mellinger CG, Gorin PA, Iacomini M.
Departamento de Bioquimica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Parana, CP-19046, CEP-81531-990, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
An arabinogalactan was obtained from the leaves of Maytenus ilicifolia by hot aqueous 2% KOH extraction, followed by a freezing-thawing process and anion-exchange chromatography. It consisted of arabinose, galactose, galacturonic acid, and rhamnose in a 69:20:6:5 molar ratio. Methylation analysis, partial acid hydrolysis, and (13)C NMR spectroscopy indicated that it was an arabinogalactan containing a (1-->4)-linked beta-Galp main chain, substituted at O-6 with Ara units, which were in turn substituted at O-5 (Araf) and/or O-4 (Arap), O-3, O-3,5, and O-2,5. This arabinogalactan is probably linked to O-4 of some Rhap units of a type I rhamnogalacturonan, formed by repeating (1-->4)-alpha-D-GalpA-(1-->2)-alpha-L-Rhap groups.


J Nat Prod. 2004 Mar;67(3):469-71.
Four new triterpenoids from Maytenus ilicifolia.
Ohsaki A, Imai Y, Naruse M, Ayabe S, Komiyama K, Takashima J.
Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan. a-ohsaki.fm@tmd.ac.jp
Four new triterpenoids with various skeletons, maytefolins A-C (1-3) and uvaol-3-caffeate (4), were isolated from the leaves of a Brazilian medicinal plant, Maytenus ilicifolia, together with five known triterpenoids. Of these triterpenoids only erythrodiol exhibited significant cytotoxicity against KB/S, KB/VJ300, and KU 19-20 cells.


Fitoterapia. 2004 Mar;75(2):168-78.
Extraction and characterization of volatile compounds in Maytenus ilicifolia, using high-pressure CO2.
Mossi AJ, Cansian RL, Carvalho AZ, Dariva C, Oliveira JV, Mazutti M, Filho IN, Echeverrigaray S.
Department of Food Engineering, URI--Campus de Erechim, Avenida Sete de Setembro, 1621, CEP 99700-000, Erechim, RS, Brazil. amossi@uricer.edu.br
This work is focused on the chemical characterization of Maytenus ilicifolia extracts obtained from high-pressure CO2 extraction. The experiments were performed in a laboratory-scale unit, where the effect of particle size (35-200 mesh), CO2 mass flow rate (1-3 g/min), temperature (293-323 K), pressure (100-250 bar), and extraction time was investigated in terms of liquid yield and chemical composition of the extracts. Results show that the particle size and CO2 mass flow rate did not affect the liquid yield, whereas the extraction temperature and solvent density exerted a pronounced effect on both liquid yield and chemical distribution of volatile compounds. The extracts were chemically analyzed with regard to phytol, squalene, vitamin E, stigmasterol, friedelan-3-ol, friedelin, dodecanoic acid and geranyl acetate in a GC/MSD.


Planta. 2004 Jun;219(2):319-24. Epub 2004 Mar 10.
A lyophilized aqueous extract of Maytenus ilicifolia leaves inhibits histamine-mediated acid secretion in isolated frog gastric mucosa.
Ferreira PM, de Oliveira CN, de Oliveira AB, Lopes MJ, Alzamora F, Vieira MA.
Department of Physiological Sciences, ICB2, Universidade Federal de Goias, 74001-970 Goiania, GO, Brazil.
Lyophilized aqueous extract of Maytenus ilicifolia leaves (LAEMIL) is commonly used in Brazilian folk medicine in the treatment of dyspepsia as well as gastric ulcers. We have investigated the effect and the possible mechanism of action of the LAEMIL on acid secretion in isolated frog gastric mucosa incubated in an Ussing chamber. It was observed that LAEMIL (7-28 mg%) as well as cimetidine (125-4,000 microM), a well-known histamine H2 receptor antagonist, decreased basal acid secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. Similarly to cimetidine (190 microM), LAEMIL (21 mg%) also inhibited gastric acid secretion induced by increasing concentrations of histamine (50-800 microM). The EC50 values for histamine alone and histamine in the presence of LAEMIL or cimetidine were 94.6 microM (71.1-125.9 microM), 244.9 microM (209.4-286.4 microM) and 142.2 microM (23.6-855.0 microM), respectively. LAEMIL, histamine and cimetidine were effective on acid secretion only when added to the serosal surface of the mucosa. Furthermore, simultaneous addition of LAEMIL and cimetidine at concentrations, per se, ineffective, caused a 16% reduction in the basal acid secretion [from 8.3 +/- 0.3 to 6.9 +/- 0.2 microEq g(-1) (15 min)(-1), n=4]. Although effects such as inhibition of histamine biosynthesis and/or histamine release can not be ruled out, our data suggest that LAEMIL, like cimetidine, reduces acid secretion in the isolated frog gastric mucosa by antagonising histamine H2 receptors. Copyright 2004 Springer-Verlag


Phytomedicine. 2003 Nov;10(8):669-74.
Argentinian plant extracts with relaxant effect on the smooth muscle of the corpus cavernosum of guinea pig.
Hnatyszyn O, Moscatelli V, Garcia J, Rondina R, Costa M, Arranz C, Balaszczuk A, Ferraro G, Coussio JD.
Catedra de Farmacognosia, IQUIMEFA (UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquimica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina. ohnatys@ffyb.uba.ar
Extracts of different polarity from Baccharis trimera, Haplopappus rigidus Huperzia saururus, Maytenus ilicifolia, Satureja parvifolia and Senecio eriophyton were tested for their relaxant activity on smooth muscle using L-phenylephrine precontracted strips of corpus cavernosum obtained from Guinea pigs. Highly significant and dose dependent results were obtained with the dichloromethane extracts of H. saururus (87% of relaxation at the dose of 10 mg/ml), S. parvifolia (95% of relaxation at 2.5 mg/ml) and S. eriophyton (94% of relaxation at 5 mg/ml). Similar effects were observed with the methanol extracts of H. saururus (88% of relaxation at 10 mg/ml) and S. parvifolia (84% of relaxation at 10 mg/ml). These results were comparable to those obtained with the dichloromethane and methanol extracts of the well known Mexican species Turnera diffusa. Moreover, the aqueous extract of H. rigidus and the aqueous and methanol extracts of S. eriophyton were highly effective in a dose dependent manner (more than 90% of relaxation at the dose of 10 mg/ml). Significant results, but with a lower overall relaxant activity (about 70% of relaxation at 10 mg/ml), could also be obtained with the aqueous extract of S. parvifolia and with the dichlormethane and methanol extracts of B. trimera and M. ilicifolia. The positive controls with Sildenafil citrate at doses ranging from 0.35 to 35 microg/ml yielded moderate effects (up to 46% of relaxation at 35 microg/ml). The effects observed in the present study seem to validate the folk medicinal use of the tested plants and open new ways in the search for natural products with vasodilatory effects.


Pharmazie. 2003 Aug;58(8):573-6.
Evaluation of the anti-ulcerogenic activity of a dry extract of Maytenus ilicifolia Martius ex. Reiss produced by a jet spouted bed dryer.
Tabach R, Oliveira WP.
Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.
We undertook the present study to evaluate the activity of the dried extract of Maytenus ilicifolia against stomach ulcers and in the increase of the volume and pH of the gastric juice of Wistar rats, as a model to evaluate the viability of the Jet Spouted Bed Dryer for the production of dry-extracts of medicinal Brazilian plants. The extract was obtained from the drying of a hydro-alcoholic extract with drying aid (40% of colloidal SiO2 related to solid content in the concentrated extract, at a concentration of 15.82% in water). The drying conditions employed were: Temperature of the spouting gas 150 degrees C, feed flow-rate of hydro-alcoholic extract 16.0 g/min, feed flow rate of the spouting gas 1.67 m3/min and static bed height 7.0 cm. Wistar rats received three different doses (140, 280 and 420 mg/kg) of the dried extract by intraperitoneal way and, after 60 minutes, were immobilized with wire screen and placed at temperature of 4 degrees C for two hours (cold-restraint stress). The animals were sacrificed and the stomach removed, examined and the volume and pH of the gastric secretion determined. A significant reduction in the ulceration index, was observed as well as a significant increase of the volume and of the pH of the gastric secretion for all doses administered. This is an indication that the preparation of dried extracts by the Jet spouted bed technique does not alter the biological activity of Maytenus ilicifolia.


Mutagenesis. 2003 Mar;18(2):113-8.
Antimutagenic activity of extracts of natural substances in the Salmonella/microsome assay.
Horn RC, Vargas VM.
Programa de Pesquisas Ambientais, Fundaciao Estadual de Proteciao Ambiental Henrique Luis Roessler, Av Dr Salvador Francia 1707, CEP 90690-000 Porto Alegre-RS, Brasil. rubemch@fepam.gov.br
Scientific information regarding plants used in folk medicine in the form of teas and their effect on human health or on genetic material has been the subject of many different types of investigation. The antimutagenic activity of two plants Maytenus ilicifolia and Peltastes peltatus, both rich in compounds of the flavonoid and tannin groups and frequently employed in folk medicine, was studied. Antimutagenicity was determined against known mutagenic substances (4-oxide-1-nitroquinoline, sodium azide, 2-nitrofluorene, aflatoxin B(1), 2-aminofluorene and 2-aminoanthracene), using the Salmonella/microsome assay. Infusions of P.peltatus showed high cytotoxicity and a co-mutagenic effect for induction of base pair substitution mutations with 4-oxide-1-nitroquinoline (-S9 mix). Infusions of M.ilicifolia produced similar effects for frameshift and base pair substitution mutations. With the mutagens 2-nitrofluorene (TA98) and sodium azide (TA100) no significant enhancement effects (co-mutagenic effects) were observed and inhibition of mutagenic activity and cytotoxicity were also diminished. In assays evaluating antimutagenic activity in the presence of metabolic activation utilizing S9 mix, high and significant inhibition of aflatoxin B(1)-, 2-aminofluorene- and 2-aminoanthracene-induced mutagenicity was observed in the presence of the infusions using both TA98 and TA100 and employing doses ranging from 25 to 500 mg/plate. Seventy-five percent of the doses tested exhibited a significant or suggestive decrease in induced mutagenicity with the infusion of M.ilicifolia. With the infusion of P.peltatus significant or suggestive antimutagenic responses were observed with 50% of the doses evaluated. Complexity was clearly noted in the responses observed in the interaction of aqueous extracts of M.ilicifolia and P.peltastes with the genetic material and metabolites generated by the S9 mix played an important role in the protection of DNA.


Phytochem Anal. 2002 Mar-Apr;13(2):75-8.
Quantitative determination for cytotoxic Friedo-nor-oleanane derivatives from five morphological types of Maytenus ilicifolia (Celastraceae) by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.
Buffa Filho W, Corsino J, Bolzani da SV, Furlan M, Pereira AM, Franca SC.
Nucleo de Bioensaio, Biossintese e Ecofisiologia de Produtos Naturais, Instituto de Quimica, Universidade Estadual Paulista, CP. 355, 14801-970, Araraquara-SP, Brazil.
Five different morphological types of Maytenus ilicifolia of the same age and harvested under the same conditions showed distinct accumulations of some friedo-nor-oleananes. A rapid, sensitive and reliable reverse-phase HPLC method (employing an external standard) was used for the determination of the cytotoxic triterpenoids, 20 alpha-hydroxymaytenin, 22 beta-hydroxymaytenin, maytenin, celastrol and pristimerin in each of the five types. Well resolved peaks with good detection response and linearity in the range 1.0-100 micrograms/mL were obtained.


Contraception. 2002 Feb;65(2):171-5.
Effect of Maytenus ilicifolia Mart. on pregnant mice.
Montanari T, Bevilacqua E.
Departament of Morphological Sciences, Institute of Health Basic Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. t.montanari@bol.com.br
Maytenus ilicifolia Mart. is used in Brazilian herbal medicine particularly for stomach disorders, but it is also used, as in other parts of South America, for fertility control. To verify its potential as an abortifacient, the lyophilized hydroalcoholic extract of its leaves was administered orally at a dose of 1000 mg/kg/day to mice between the first and third day of pregnancy (DOP), between the forth and sixth DOP, or between the seventh and ninth DOP. The extract caused a pre-implantation embryonic loss, but it did not have an effect on implantation or organogenesis. Morphological alterations of the reproductive system, not an embryotoxic effect, were not found. Estrogenic activity of the extract, exhibited by an uterotrophic effect, suggests that it may be interfering with the uterine receptivity to the embryo.


Pharmazie. 2001 Sep;56(9):730-3.
Influence of adjuvants on the dissolution profile of tablets containing high doses of spray-dried extract of Maytenus ilicifolia.
de Souza TP, Bassani VL, Gonzalez Ortega G, dalla Costa TC, Petrovick PR.
Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Ciencias Farmaceuticas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre-RS, Brazil.
A 2(3) factorial design was used in order to evaluate the influence of some adjuvants on the dissolution profile of tablets containing high doses of Maytenus ilicifolia spray-dried extract. Tablets were prepared on a single punch tablet press using 15 mm flat punches by individual direct compression of 650 mg from each formulation containing 375 mg of the spray-dried extract. The factors investigated were disintegrant (croscarmellose sodium or sodium starch glycolate), lubricant (colloidal silicon dioxide or magnesium stearate) and filler/binder (microcrystalline cellulose or lactose). The dissolution profiles were analyzed to determine the dissolution kinetics, the dissolution half-lives (t50%), the similarity factor (f2) and the dissolution efficiency (DE %), which was selected as the response criteria to evaluate the factorial design. The results revealed that in spite of the high content of spray-dried powder in the tablets, the dissolution profiles of the extract did depend on the adjuvant used. The filler/binder had the most important effect on the dissolution efficiency of the tablets.


Mutat Res. 2001 Sep 20;496(1-2):33-8.
Effect of the Cymbopogon citratus, Maytenus ilicifolia and Baccharis genistelloides extracts against the stannous chloride oxidative damage in Escherichia coli.
Melo SF, Soares SF, da Costa RF, da Silva CR, de Oliveira MB, Bezerra RJ, Caldeira-de-Araujo A, Bernardo-Filho M.
Departamento de Biofisica e Biometria, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Av 28 de setembro, 87 20551-030, RJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Stannous ion has been used in different sectors of human interest, such as in food industry and in health sciences. Much is known about stannous chloride (SnCl(2)) toxicity, although, there is no general agreement regarding its genotoxicity. Cymbopogon citratus, Maytenus ilicifolia and Baccharis genistelloides extracts have been used in popular medicine. We evaluated the influence of these crude extracts on the survival of the Escherichia coli wild type (AB 1157) strain submitted to SnCl(2) treatment. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can be generated by a Fenton like reaction induced by SnCl(2). E. coli culture was treated simultaneously with SnCl(2) and a specific extract. Our results showed a reduction of the SnCl(2) effect on the survival of the cultures in presence of the crude extracts. The extract of M. ilicifolia showed the highest level of protection action against the SnCl(2) effect in comparison with the other extracts. This protector effect could due to the redox properties of these crude extracts. The compounds in the crude extracts could (i) chelate stannous ions, protecting them against the oxidation and avoiding the generation of ROS, (ii) be a scavenger of the ROS generated by the SnCl(2) oxidation and/or (iii) have oxidant compounds that could oxidise the stannous ions, abolishing or reducing the SnCl(2) effect.


Genotoxicity of plant extracts.
Vargas VM; Guidobono RR; Henriques JA
Departamento do Meio Ambiente, Secretaria da Saude e Meio Ambiente, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.
Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 86 Suppl 2: 67-70 (1991)
Abstract
Aqueous extracts of seven species used in Brazilian popular medicine (Achyrocline satureoides, Iodina rhombifolia, Desmodium incanum, Baccharis anomala, Tibouchina asperior, Luehea divaricata, Maytenus ilicifolia) were screened to the presence of mutagenic activity in the Ames test (Salmonella/microsome). Positive results were obtained for A. satureoides, B. anomala and L. divaricata with microsomal activation. As shown elsewhere (Vargas et al., 1990) the metabolites of A. satureoides extract also show the capacity to induce prophage and/or SOS response in microscreen phage induction assay and SOS spot chromotest.


Chuchuhuasha - a drug used in folk medicine in the Amazonian and Andean areas. Achemical study of Maytenus laevis.
Gonzalez JG; delle Monache G; delle Monache F; Marini-Bettolò GB
J Ethnopharmacol, 5: 1, 1982 Jan, 73-7
In the high Amazonian basin a plant named chuchuasha, (or chuchuaso) is used in traditional medicine for several purposes in the form of an alcoholic extract. This plant, a Maytenus species, most probably Maytenus laevis, grows in the subandean region of the Amazonian basin (Peru, Ecuador, Colombia). Antitumor and anti-inflammatory properties were recently attributed to the extracts of the root bark of the plant. The composition of the extract of M. laevis from the Putumayo area of Colombia was studied in order to establish the active principle responsible for these activities. The presence of phenoldienones (tingenone, 22-hydroxytingenone), a catechin (4'-methyl-(-)-epigallocatechin) and proanthocyanidins (Ouratea-proanthocyanidins A and B) was established. The biological activities of these compounds confirm the properties of the extracts of the plant claimed by traditional medicine.


[First observations on the topical use of Primin, Plumbagin and Maytenin in patients with skin cancer]
Melo AM; Jardim ML; De Santana CF; Lacet Y; Lobo Filho J; De Lima e Ivan Leoncio OG
Rev Inst Antibiot (Recife), 14: 1-2, 1974 Dec, 9-16
Eleven cases of patients bearing basic cellular carcinoma, and one case of patient bearing Kaposi's sarcomatosis, all treated with antibiotics isolated by Goncalves de Lima and Co-workers at the Instituto de Antibióticos, are presented by the authors. Primin, an antibiotic extracted from a vegetal named Miconia sp. (Herb. I.A.-1903) with a 2-metoxi-6-n-pentil-p benzoquinone structure, presented a strong antineoplastic action in the cases treated. Plumbagin isolated from Plumbago scandens in local use, was responsible for a complete healing of the injuries treated. Maytenin extracted from Maytenus sp. (Herb.I.A.-1750) showed less activity than the two previous mentioned, but with a low irritant action and late antineoplastic properties. The authors are going on these experiments. They believe that these antibodies, in local use, may advantageously substitute the surgery and the radiotherapy, meanly in those external ear tumidities and back of the nose, owing to a hurtful action in cartilage, provoked by radiotherapy.


Pharmacologic and toxicologic effects of two Maytenus species in laboratory animals.
Oliveira MG; Monteiro MG; Macaúbas C; Barbosa VP; Carlini EA
J Ethnopharmacol, 34: 1, 1991 Aug, 29-41
Leaves of Maytenus species are used in the popular medicine of Brazil for their reported antacid and antiulcerogenic activity. The present work examined the effects of a boiling water extract of equal parts of M. aquifolium and M. ilicifolia leaves on acute administration in rats and mice, in an attempt to detect any general depressant, hypnotic, anticonvulsant and analgesic effects. General depressant and hypnotic effects were seen only after intraperitoneal administration. After chronic administration, the overall behavior of animals did not change and they continued to gain weight at the same rate as controls. Several biochemical and hematological parameters as well as pathological examination of different organs did not show any significant alterations after 3 months of treatment. A search for the potential effects of the extract on the fertility of female and male rats and on the course of pregnancy as well as a search for potential teratogenic effects did not reveal any significant differences from controls. Taken together, the results indicate that these Maytenus species may be safe for human use and deserve further investigation.


Antitumor agents, 116. Cytotoxic triterpenes from Maytenus diversifolia.
Nozaki H; Matsuura Y; Hirono S; Kasai R; Chang JJ; Lee KH
J Nat Prod, 53: 4, 1990 Jul-Aug, 1039-41
The known triterpenes 3-oxofriedelan-29-oic acid [1], 3-oxofriedelan-28-oic acid [2], and 28,29-dihydroxyfriedelan-3-one [3] have been isolated from Maytenus diversifolia. Compounds 1-3 demonstrated cytotoxicity against the A-549 lung carcinoma cells with ED50 values of 0.21, 1.18, and 0.64 micrograms/ml, respectively.


Antiulcerogenic effects of two Maytenus species in laboratory animals.
Souza-Formigoni ML; Oliveira MG; Monteiro MG; da Silveira-Filho NG; Braz S; Carlini EA
J Ethnopharmacol, 34: 1, 1991 Aug, 21-7
Leaves of Maytenus species are commonly used in Brazil for the treatment of gastric ulcers, dyspepsias and other gastric problems. The present study evaluated the antiulcerogenic potential of a boiling water extract of equal parts of M. aquifolium and M. ilicifolia leaves against ulcer lesions induced by indomethacin and cold-restraint stress in rats. Ranitidine and cimetidine were used as reference drugs. The oral and intraperitoneal administration of the extract had a potent antiulcerogenic effect against both types of ulcers. The extract was shown to cause an increase in volume and pH of gastric juice of the animals with the pH effects comparable to those of cimetidine. The results tend to confirm the popular use of the plant.


Genotoxicity of plant extracts.
Vargas VM; Guidobono RR; Henriques JA
Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, 86 Suppl 2:1991, 67-70
Aqueous extracts of seven species used in Brazilian popular medicine (Achyrocline satureoides, Iodina rhombifolia, Desmodium incanum, Baccharis anomala, Tibouchina asperior, Luehea divaricata, Maytenus ilicifolia) were screened to the presence of mutagenic activity in the Ames test (Salmonella/microsome). Positive results were obtained for A. satureoides, B. anomala and L. divaricata with microsomal activation. As shown elsewhere (Vargas et al., 1990) the metabolites of A. satureoides extract also show the capacity to induce prophage and/or SOS response in microscreen phage induction assay and SOS spot chromotest.


Cytotoxic aromatic triterpenes from Maytenus ilicifolia and Maytenus chuchuhuasca.
Shirota O; Morita H; Takeya K; Itokawa H
J Nat Prod, 57: 12, 1994 Dec, 1675-81
The isolation and structure elucidation of four cytotoxic aromatic triterpenes [1-4] along with three known quinoid triterpenes [5-7] from the South American medicinal plants Maytenus ilicifolia and M. chuchuhuasca are described. The structures of these aromatic triterpenes contained aromatized A rings and C-6 oxygenated B rings, and were elucidated by 1H- and 13C-nmr spectroscopic studies and by X-ray crystallographic analysis of 3.


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