Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical, and Pharmacological Properties of the Subfamily Nepetoideae (Lamiaceae) in Inflammatory Diseases.

Nepetoideae is the most diverse subfamily of Lamiaceae, and some species are well known for their culinary and medicinal uses. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the therapeutic properties of the species of this group regarding inflammatory illnesses. This study aims to collect information on traditional uses through ethnobotanical, pharmacological, and phytochemical information of the subfamily Nepetoideae related to inflammatory diseases. UNAM electronic resources were used to obtain the information. The analysis of the most relevant literature was compiled and organised in tables. From this, about 106 species of the subfamily are traditionally recognised to alleviate chronic pain associated with inflammation. Pharmacological studies have been carried out in vitro and in vivo on approximately 308 species belonging to the genera Salvia, Ocimum, Thymus, Mentha, Origanum, Lavandula, and Melissa. Phytochemical and pharmacological evaluations have been performed and mostly prepared as essential oil or high polarity extracts, whose secondary metabolites are mainly of a phenolic nature. Other interesting and explored metabolites are diterpenes from the abietane, clerodane, and kaurane type; however, they have only been described in some species of the genera Salvia and Isodon. This review reveals that the Nepetoideae subfamily is an important source for therapeutics of the inflammatory process.

Variation in Terpenoid and Flavonoid Content in Different Samples of Salvia semiatrata Collected from Oaxaca, Mexico, and Its Effects on Antinociceptive Activity.

Salvia semiatrata Zucc. (Lamiaceae) is endemic to Oaxaca, Mexico, and is known for its analgesic properties. Terpenoids and phenolic compounds with antinociceptive potential have been characterised from this species. The aim of this research was to determine the variation in terpenoids and flavonoids in ethyl acetate extracts of S. semiatrata collected from ten different localities, as well as to evaluate the antinociceptive effect between plants with higher and lower contents of these secondary metabolites. Quantification of S. semiatrata compounds was performed via HPLC-DAD, whereas in vivo evaluation of the antinociceptive effect was performed via formalin test. The results showed that the most abundant groups of metabolites are oleanolic acid (89.60-59.20 µg/mg), quercetin (34.81-16.28 µg/mg), catechin (11.30-9.30 µg/mg), and 7-keto-neoclerodan-3,13-dien-18,19:15,16-diolide (7-keto) (8.01-4.76 µg/mg). Principal component and canonical correspondence analysis showed that the most contrasting localities in terms of compound content and climatic variables are Miahuatlán and Santiago Huauclilla. The differences in metabolite content between the two locations did not affect the antinociceptive effects evaluated at a dose of 300 mg/kg, p.o. In conclusion, the results indicate that S. semiatrata is effective in relieving pain, regardless of the site of collection, reinforcing its traditional use as analgesic.

A Review on the Ethnopharmacology and Phytochemistry of the Neotropical Sages (Salvia Subgenus Calosphace; Lamiaceae) Emphasizing Mexican Species.

Salvia is the most diverse genus within the mint family (Lamiaceae), many of its species are well-known due to their medicinal and culinary uses. Most of the ethnopharmacological and phytochemical studies on Salvia are centred on species from the European and Asian clades. However, studies about the most diverse clade, the Neotropical sages (Salvia subgenus Calosphace; 587 spp.), are relatively scarce. This review aims to compile the information on the traditional medicinal uses, pharmacological and phytochemistry properties of the Neotropical sages. To do so, we carried out a comprehensive review of the articles available in different online databases published from the past to 2022 (i.e., PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, among others) and summarized the information in tables. To uncover phylogenetic patterns in the distribution of four different groups of metabolites (mono-, sesqui-, di-, and triterpenes), we generated presence-absence matrices and plotted the tip states over a dated phylogeny of Salvia. We found several studies involving Mexican species of Salvia, but only a few about taxa from other diversity centres. The main traditional uses of the Mexican species of Calosphace are medicinal and ceremonial. In traditional medicine 56 species are used to treat diseases from 17 categories according to the WHO, plus cultural-bound syndromes. Pharmacological studies reveal a wide range of biological properties (e.g., antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, cytotoxic, and antidiabetic, etc.) found in extracts and isolated compounds of 38 Neotropical sages. From extracts of these species, at least 109 compounds have been isolated, identified and evaluated pharmacologically; 73 of these compounds are clerodanes, 21 abietanes, six flavonoids, five sesquiterpenoids, and four triterpenoids. The most characteristic metabolites found in the Neotropical sages are the diterpenes, particularly clerodanes (e.g., Amarisolide A, Tilifodiolide), that are found almost exclusively in this group. The Neotropical sages are a promising resource in the production of herbal medication, but studies that corroborate the properties that have been attributed to them in traditional medicine are scarce. Research of these metabolites guided by the phylogenies is recommended, since closely related species tend to share the presence of similar compounds and thus similar medicinal properties.

Plantas medicinales de los mercados de Izúcar de Matamoros y Acatlán de Osorio, Puebla / Medicinal plants of the markets of Izúcar de Matamoros and Acatlán de Osorio, Puebla

En México los mercados tradicionales son sitios que reflejan interacciones entre los hombres y las plantas, de tal forma que llegan a definir la identidad en la zona donde éstos se encuentran. El objetivo del presente estudio fue registrar la comercialización, uso, y procedencia de las plantas medicinales, así como la comparación entre los mercados de Izúcar de Matamoros y Acatlán de Osorio, en el estado de Puebla. Para cumplir con el objetivo planteado se realizaron seis visitas al mercado "Revolución" de Izúcar de Matamoros y 24 vistas al mercado "General Rafael Sánchez Taboada" de Acatlán de Osorio. Se realizaron entrevistas estructuradas donde se registraron: nombre común, uso de la planta, preparación, vía de administración, tipo de enfermedad que cura, costo por muestra, procedencia de las especies, tiempo en colectarlas; si se adquiere indirectamente, cuánto paga por cada una y como aprendió el uso de las plantas medicinales. La colecta del material botánico se llevó a cabo mediante la adquisición de muestras en estado fresco y seco, para su posterior identificación. Los resultados mostraron que en el mercado de Izúcar de Matamoros se registraron 1 133 puestos de los cuales el 0.71% lo representan los puestos de plantas medicinales; el número de especies registradas fue de 49, pertenecientes a 49 géneros y 35 familias, siendo la más sobresaliente la familia Asteraceae con 12 géneros; de las cuales 43 especies son recolectadas y 11 son cultivadas. En el mercado de Acatlán de Osorio se registraron 641 puestos, de donde el 1.71% lo conforman vendedores de plantas medicinales; el número de especies medicinales fue de 144, repartidas en 122 géneros y 71 familias. Las familias más sobresalientes fueron Asteraceae, Lamiaceae y Fabaceae, de las cuales todas las especies de plantas medicinales registradas se encontró que 61 especies son introducidas, 73 nativas y de 10 se desconoce su origen. También se registró, según las encuestas aplicadas a vendedores que 110 especies son silvestres y 33 cultivadas, todas ellas comercializadas tanto en fresco como en seco de ambos mercados. Las encuestas aplicadas demostraron que en total, en los mencionados mercados se venden plantas para curar 31 enfermedades, 25 fueron del mercado de Izúcar de Matamoros y 27 en el de Acatlán de Osorio. La parte más utilizada para curar los padecimientos son las hojas, los tallos y flores, y la forma de aplicación es oral y local. El empleo de las plantas medicinales es para curar enfermedades del aparato digestivo, circulatorio, excretor, nervioso respiratorio y de síndrome cultural. La forma de comercialización fue el manojo y el compuesto. Se concluye que ambos mercados son tradicionales y las familias de plantas comercializadas que tienen mayor importancia son Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Fabaceae y Rutaceae.

Crop and non-crop productivity in a traditional maize agroecosystem of the highland of Mexico.

BACKGROUND: In Mexico, the traditional maize cultivation system has resisted intensification attempts for many decades in some areas, even in some well-connected regions of the temperate highlands. We suggest that this is due to economics. METHODS: The total useful biomass of several fields in Nanacamilpa, Tlaxcala, are evaluated for productivity and costs. RESULTS: Maize grain production is low (1.5 t ha(-1)) and does not cover costs. However, maize stover demands a relatively high price. If it included, a profit is possible (about 110 US $ ha(-1)). We show that non-crop production (weeds for food and forage) potentially has a higher value than the crop. It is only partially used, as there are constraints on animal husbandry, but it diversifies production and plays a role as a back-up system in case of crop failure. CONCLUSION: The diversified system described is economically rational under current conditions and labor costs. It is also stable, low-input and ecologically benign, and should be recognized as an important example of integrated agriculture, though some improvements could be investigated.

Content of nutrient and antinutrient in edible flowers of wild plants in Mexico.

Nutrient and antinutritional/toxic factors present in some edible flowers consumed in Mexico were determined. The edible flowers were: Agave salmiana, Aloe vera, Arbutus xalapensis, Cucurbita pepo (cultivated), Erythrina americana, Erythrina caribaea, Euphorbia radians benth and Yucca filifera. The nutrient content in the flowers studied is similar to that of the edible leaves and flowers studied mainly in Africa. The moisture content of the flowers varied from 860 to 932 g kg(-1). Crude protein (CP) was between 113 to 275 g kg(-1) DM, crude fiber, 104 to 177 g kg(-1) DM and the nitrogen free extract, between 425 to 667 g kg(-1) DM. The highest chemical score (CS) was found in E. americana and A. salmiana; in five samples the limiting amino acid was lysine, and in three of them it was tryptophan. Trypsin inhibitors and hemaglutinnins had a very low concentration. Alkaloids were present in both the Erythrina species and the saponins in A. salmiana and Y. filifera. Cyanogenic glucosides were not found in the studied flowers. The traditional process of preparing these specific flowers before consumption is by cooking them and discarding the broth; in this way the toxic substances are diminished or eliminated. These edible flowers from wild plants consumed in local areas of the country play an important role in the diet of the people at least during the short time of the season where they are blooming.