ABSTRACT
Tillandsia L. genus comprises 649 species, with different uses at different times. T. usneoides L. uses are reported since the late- archaic and pre-Columbian cultures. In XIX-XX centuries, T. usneoides was used in some manufactured products, as polish and packing fruit. Tillandsia has a favorable reputation as medicine: for leucorrhea, rheumatism, ulcers, hemorrhoid treatment, as an anti-diabetic remedy, emetic, analgesic, purgative, contraceptive, antispasmodic and diuretic. Tillandsia chemical composition includes cycloartane triterpenes and hydroxy-flavonoids, which are present in at least 24 species. Several extracts and compounds from Tillandsia spp. have been reported with pharmacological actions, as anti-neoplasia, hypolipidemic, antifungal, anti-HSV-1, hypoglycemic and microbicide. This review communicates the economic importance, ethnobotany, chemistry composition and biological activities of the Tillandsia genus, and analyze its biological and economic perspective. Tillandsia genus has cultural, economic and pharmacological relevance, with a high potential in many essential aspects of the modern society.
El geÌnero Tillandsia L. comprende 649 especies, con diferentes usos en diferentes eÌpocas. T. usneoides L. se han reportado desde el arcaÌico tardiÌo hasta las culturas precolombinas. En los siglos XIX-XX, T. usneoides se usoÌ en productos manufacturados: como abrasivo y embalaje de fruta. Como medicina tradicional, el geÌnero Tillandsia se reporta para leucorrea, reumatismo, uÌlceras, hemorroides, remedio antidiabeÌtico, emeÌtico, analgeÌsico, purgante, anticonceptivo, antiespasmoÌdico y diureÌtico. Su composicioÌn quiÌmica incluye triterpenos de tipo ciclo-artano e hidroxi-flavonoides, presentes en al menos 24 especies. Los extractos y compuestos del geÌnero Tillandsia se han reportado con propiedades antineoplaÌsicas, hipolipideÌmicas, antifuÌngicas, anti-HSV-1, hipoglucemiantes y microbicidas. Esta revisioÌn comunica la importancia econoÌmica, etnobotaÌnica, composicioÌn quiÌmica y las actividades bioloÌgicas del geÌnero Tillandsia, y analiza su perspectiva bioloÌgica y potencial econoÌmica. Tillandsia tiene importancia cultural, econoÌmica y farmacoloÌgica, con gran potencial en muchos aspectos esenciales de la sociedad moderna.
Subject(s)
Plants, Medicinal/chemistry , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Ethnobotany , Tillandsia/chemistry , Triterpenes/analysis , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Bromeliaceae/chemistryABSTRACT
The hepatoprotective activity of the ethanol extract of Astragalus kahiricus (Fabaceae) roots against ethanol-induced liver apoptosis was evaluated and it showed very promising hepatoprotective actions through different mechanisms. The extract counteracted the ethanol-induced liver enzymes leakage and glutathione depletion. In addition, it demonstrated anti-apoptotic effects against caspase-3 activation and DNA fragmentation that were confirmed by liver histopathological examination. Moreover, the phytochemical study of this extract led to the isolation of four cycloartane-type triterpenes identified as astrasieversianin II (1), astramembrannin II (2), astrasieversianin XIV (3), and cycloastragenol (4). The structures of these isolates were established by HRESI-MS and 1D and 2D NMR experiments. The antimicrobial, antimalarial, and cytotoxic activities of the isolates were further evaluated, but none of them showed any activity.