Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activities of Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less.: An Updated Review.

Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less. is a perennial herbaceous plant found mainly in tropical areas, particularly in Southeast Asia, South America, and India. Various parts of V. cinerea have traditionally been used in folk medicine to treat several diseases, such as malaria, fever, and liver diseases. V. cinerea has so far yielded about 92 secondary metabolites. The majority of these are sesquiterpene lactones, but triterpenes, flavonoids, steroids, phenolics, and other compounds are present as well. V. cinerea crude extracts reportedly exhibit anti-inflammatory, antiprotozoal, antidiabetic, anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and renoprotective activities. This study aims to provide the latest up-to-date information on the botanical characterization, distribution, traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activity of V. cinerea. Information on V. cinerea was thoroughly reviewed. The literature published between 1950 and 2024 was compiled through online bibliographic databases, including SciFinder, Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Springer Link, Wiley, and the MDPI online library. The keywords used for the literature search included Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less. and the synonyms Cyanthillium cinereum (L.) H.Rob., Conyza cinerea L., and various others.

Traditional medicinal uses and biological activities of species of the genus Desmodium: a literature review / Usos medicinales tradicionales y actividades biológicas de las especies del género Desmodium: una revisión de la literatura

The genus Desmodium includes about 350 species, distributed in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The objective of this review wa s to associate the traditional medicinal uses of the genus Desmodium with its biological activities reported in the scientific literature. Traditional medicinal uses and biological activities were described in 56 species. More than 100 traditional medicina l uses have been reported in 43 countries, highlighting the use in inflammatory, gastrointestinal and infectious processes, muscular pain, rheumatic, renal and hepatic affections. Among the 45 biological activities experimentally evaluated, antioxidant, an timicrobial, anti - inflammatory, hepatoprotective and antinociceptive were the most reported. The species with the highest number of studies were D. gangeticum, D. adscendens and D. styracifolium. In conclusion, several traditional medicinal uses have been experimentally supported, demonstrating the pharmacological potential of this genus.

El género Desmodium incluye alrededor de 350 especie s, distribuidas en regiones tropicales y subtropicales alrededor del mundo. El objetivo de esta revisión fue asociar los usos medicinales tradicionales del género Desmodium con sus actividades biológicas reportadas en la literatura científica. Los usos med icinales tradicionales y las actividades biológicas fueron descritos en 56 especies. Más de 100 usos medicinales tradicionales han sido reportados en 43 países, destacándose el uso en procesos inflamatorios, gastrointestinales e infecciosos, dolores muscul ares, reumáticos, afecciones renales y hepáticas. Dentro de las 45 actividades biológicas evaluadas experimentalmente, las más reportadas fueron la antioxidante, antimicrobiana, antiinflamatoria, hepatoprotectora y antinociceptiva. Las especies con mayor n úmero de estudios fueron D. gangeticum, D. adscendens y D. styracifolium. En conclusión, varios usos medicinales tradicionales han sido experimentalmente respaldados, demostrando el potencial farmacológico de este género.

Madia sativa (Asteraceae), an Araucanian plant / Madia sativa (Asteraceae), una planta araucana

Madia sativa remains important to the traditional culture of many first peoples of Chile and is being studied for its biological abilities by medical researchers. The used of this specie in Chile is researched through a series of retrospective analysis. This research indicated the use this plant populations mapuche a long time ago.

Madia sativa sigue siendo importante para la cultura tradicional de muchos pueblos originarios de Chile y está siendo estudiada por sus capacidades biológicas por investigadores médicas. El uso de esta especie en Chile se investiga a través de una serie de análisis retrospectivos. Esta investigación indica el uso de esta planta en poblaciones mapuche desde hace mucho tiempo.

The political economy of a failed drug reform: Insights from Peru's main legal coca valley.

As the world's second largest coca producer, Peru has a flourishing market for coca for non-narcotic uses. With more than 20,000 hectares and approximately 35,000 officially registered farmers in the Peruvian legal scheme for coca cultivation and commercialization, this market is formally under the monopoly of the National Enterprise of Coca (ENACO). Nonetheless, ENACO only captures 2% of all coca produced nationally and has experienced a sustained reduction of farmers' participation and coca purchases within the legal trade. At different times, these problems have opened the way to demands from left-wing political parties, subnational governments, coca growers' organizations and even Peru's central drug control institutions to reform the legal coca market in Peru. However, none of these attempts have succeeded. Based on a policy analysis of the legal coca trade and analysis of official data, together with a case study of Peru's main legal coca valley (La Convención) this article seeks to understand the current crisis of the legal coca trade as well as the repeated failures of reform. Peru's political centralism and the historical marginalization of Andean culture help to explain the successful blocking of reform attempts to the legal coca trade.

Ethnobotany, Biological Activities and Phytochemical Compounds of Some Species of the Genus Eryngium (Apiaceae), from the Central-Western Region of Mexico.

There are approximately 250 species of Eryngium L. distributed throughout the world, with North America and South America being centers of diversity on this continent. In the central-western region of Mexico there may be around 28 species of this genus. Some Eryngium species are cultivated as leafy vegetables, ornamental, and medicinal plants. In traditional medicine they are used to treat respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, among others. This review addresses the phytochemistry and biological activities, as well as traditional uses, distribution, and characteristics of the eight species of Eryngium reported as medicinal in the central-western region of Mexico: E. cymosum, E. longifolium, E. fluitans (or mexicanum), E. beecheyanum, E. carlinae, E. comosum, E. heterophyllum, and E. nasturtiifolium. The extracts of the different Eryngium spp. have shown biological activities such as hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, renoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant, among others. E. carlinae is the most studied species, and phytochemical analyses, performed mainly by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), have shown its content of terpenoids, fatty acids, organic acids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, sterols, saccharides, polyalcohols, and aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes. According to the results of this review on Eryngium spp., they constitute a relevant alternative as a source of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical, food, and other industries. However, there is a lot of research to be conducted regarding phytochemistry, biological activities, cultivation, and propagation, in those species with few or no reports.

Antidiabetic potential of medicinal plants from the Peruvian Amazon: a review / Potencial antidiabético de plantas medicinales de la amazonía peruana: una revisión

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by the presence of chronic hyper-glycemia that is accompanied, to a greater or lesser extent, by alterations in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. It is the leading cause of death in developed countries. Current antidiabetic drug treatments present several adverse effects for which it has started searching for new oral hypoglycemic agents from vegetal species. This review presents the medicinal plants from the Peruvian Amazon used in the treatment of diabetes and a systematic review of their hypoglycemic properties reported in the literature in the last twenty years used in different bibliographic databases. Seventy seven medicinal plants are reported as being used for the treatment of diabetes by Amazonian indigenous people, which 46.75% of species report hypoglycemic activity, evidencing that traditional knowledge is a great source for to searching antidiabetic drugs and also an alternative for future research.

La diabetes mellitus es un trastorno metabólico caracterizado por la presencia de hiperglucemia crónica acompañada, en mayor o menor medida, de alteraciones en el metabolismo de carbohidratos, proteínas y lípidos, es la principal causa de muerte en los países desarrollados. Los tratamientos actuales con fármacos anti-diabéticos presentan varios efectos adversos, por lo que se ha iniciado una búsqueda de nuevos hipoglucemiantes orales a partir de especies vegetales. Esta revisión presenta las plantas medicinales de la amazonia peruana utilizadas en el tratamiento de la diabetes y una revisión sistemática de sus propiedades hipoglucémicas reportadas en la literatura en los últimos veinte años utilizando bases de datos bibliográficas. Se reportan 77 plantas medicinales utilizadas para el tratamiento de la diabetes por pobladores amazónicos, de las cuales el 46.75% reporta actividad hipoglucémica, evidenciando que el conocimiento tradicional es una fuente para la búsqueda de fármacos antidiabéticos y una alternativa para futuras investigaciones

Poorly Investigated Ecuadorian Medicinal Plants.

Ecuador has, in proportion of its size, one of the richest floras of Latin America and the world; the country also has an immense cultural heritage due to the presence of different ethnic groups that have implemented the use of many wild and cultivated plants, mainly as medicinal remedies. In a recent publication, we have summarized the results of research activities recently carried out on about 120 plants native to Ecuador, which includes the structures of non-volatile isolated compounds, as well as the chemical composition of essential oils (EOs) and the in vitro tested biological activity data. For the sake of completeness, we have collected in this paper the main information obtained from recent ethnobotanical investigations on other important Ecuadorian medicinal plants for which phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological studies are, however, still largely lacking. Thus, one of the objectives of this paper is to preserve the traditional knowledge of Ecuadorian Indigenous communities which, being transmitted orally, is in danger of becoming lost. Moreover, it is our intention to stimulate more extensive studies on the rich medicinal flora of the country, which can provide economic and social benefits, especially to the people who traditionally cultivate or collect the plants.

Pharmacology and Phytochemistry of Ecuadorian Medicinal Plants: An Update and Perspectives.

The use of plants as therapeutic agents is part of the traditional medicine that is practiced by many indigenous communities in Ecuador. The aim of this study was to update a review published in 2016 by including the studies that were carried out in the period 2016-July 2021 on about 120 Ecuadorian medicinal plants. Relevant data on raw extracts and isolated secondary metabolites were retrieved from different databases, resulting in 104 references. They included phytochemical and pharmacological studies on several non-volatile compounds, as well as the chemical composition of essential oils (EOs). The tested biological activities are also reported. The potential of Ecuadorian plants as sources of products for practical applications in different fields, as well the perspectives of future investigations, are discussed in the last part of the review.

Native and exotic plants with edible fleshy fruits utilized in Patagonia and their role as sources of local functional foods.

BACKGROUND: Traditionally part of the human diet, plants with edible fleshy fruits (PEFF) contain bioactive components that may exert physiological effects beyond nutrition, promoting human health and well-being. Focusing on their food-medicine functionality, different ways of using PEFF were studied in a cross-sectional way using two approaches: a bibliographical survey and an ethnobotanical case study in a rural community of Patagonia, Argentina. METHODS: A total of 42 studies were selected for the bibliographical review. The case study was carried out with 80% of the families inhabiting the rural community of Cuyín Manzano, using free listing, interviews, and participant observation. In both cases we analyzed species richness and use patterns through the edible consensus and functional consensus indices. Local foods, ailments, medicines and drug plants were also registered. RESULTS: The review identified 73 PEFF, the majority of which (78%) were native species, some with the highest use consensus. PEFF were used in 162 different local foods, but mainly as fresh fruit. Of the total, 42% were used in a functional way, in 54 different medicines. The principal functional native species identified in the review were Aristotelia chilensis and Berberis microphylla. In the case study 20 PEFF were in current use (50% were native), and consensus values were similar for native and exotic species. These were used in 44 different local foods, mainly as fresh fruit. Only 30% were recognized for their functional value by inhabitants (mainly as gastrointestinal and respiratory treatments). The species with the highest functional consensus were the exotic Sambucus nigra and Rosa rubiginosa, followed by the native A. chilensis, Ribes magellanicum and B. microphylla. Infusions also constituted important local functional foods. CONCLUSIONS: This survey highlights the importance of studying the different local functional foods to depict the biocultural diversity of a human society. The preparation of different beverages and herbal medicines was relevant, and would be a promising subject to investigate in the future. The living heritage of PEFF appears to have undergone hybridization processes, such that exotic species play an increasingly significant role.

Clinopodium mexicanum: potential and difficulties for the sustainable use of a Mexican medicinal plant / Clinopodium mexicanum: potencial y dificultades para el uso de una planta medicinal mexicana

Clinopodium mexicanum (Benth.) Govaerts (Lamiaceae) is a native plant of Mexico. This plant is used in traditional Mexican medicine for the treatment of cultural specific syndromes such as "susto", "nervios" or "espanto", conditions related to anxiety and depression. In addition, it has a high biocultural value for its medicinal and culinary use and for its exchange value in various indigenous areas of México. This review aims to compile updated information about the ethnobotanical, phytochemistry and commercialization aspects of Clinopodium mexicanum, and it focuses on the potential use of this species as a raw material in the phytopharmaceutical industry for the treatment of anxiety and pain. Moreover, it would be a viable productive alternative for many rural communities, which could not only produce the raw material but who could also add value to the sale of the plant.

Clinopodium mexicanum (Benth.) Govaerts, es una planta nativa de México. Es usada en la medicina tradicional mexicana para tratar síndromes de filiación cultural como "susto", "nervios" o "espanto", los cuales están asociados a la ansiedad y depresión. Además, la planta presenta un alto valor biocultural por sus usos: medicinal, culinario y por el valor de cambio que tiene en áreas indígenas de México. La revisión presentada tiene como objetivo compilar información actualizada sobre aspectos etnobotánicos, fitoquímicos y comercialización de Clinopodium mexicanum. Igualmente señalar el potencial uso de esta especie como materia prima para la elaboración de productos para la ansiedad y el dolor por parte de la industria fitofarmacéutica. Además de ser una alternativa productiva para muchas comunidades rurales, las cuales pueden venderla como materia prima o como producto derivado.

Ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Hedyosmum (Chlorantaceae): A review.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The genus Hedyosmum (family: Chloranthaceae) represents an interesting source of natural active compounds, and the 45 species of this genus are widespread in Central and South America and to a lesser extent Southeast Asia (southern China and western Malaysia). Several species are traditionally used in folk medicine. However, the data made available in recent years have not been organized and compared. AIM OF THIS REVIEW: The present study is a critical assessment of the state-of-the-art concerning the traditional uses, the phytochemistry and the pharmacology of species belonging to the genus Hedyosmum to suggest further research strategies and to facilitate the exploitation of the therapeutic potential of Hedyosmum species for the treatment of human disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present review consists of a systematic overview of scientific literature concerning the genus Hedyosmum published between 1965 and 2018. Moreover, an older text, dated from 1843, concerning the traditional uses of H. bonplandianum Kunth has also been considered. Several databases (Francis & Taylor, Google Scholar, PubMed, SciELO, SciFinder, Springer, Wiley, and The Plant List Database) have been used to perform this work. RESULTS: Sixteen species of the genus Hedyosmum have been mentioned as traditional remedies, and a large number of ethnomedicinal uses, including for the treatment of pain, depression, migraine, stomach-ache and ovary diseases, have been reported. Five species have been used as flavouring agents, tea substitutes or foods. Sesterterpenes, sesquiterpene lactones, monoterpenes, hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, flavonoids, and neolignans have been reported as the most important compounds in these species. Studies concerning their biological activities have shown that members of the Hedyosmum genus possesses promising biological properties, such as analgesic, antinociceptive, antidepressant, anxiolytic, sedative, and hypnotic effects. Preliminary studies concerning the antibacterial, antioxidant, antiplasmodial, and antifungal activities of these plants as well as their cytotoxic activities against different tumour cell lines have been reported. Some active compounds from the Hedyosmum genus have been used as starting points for the innovative and bioinspired development of synthetic molecules. A critical assessment of these papers has been performed, and some conceptual and methodological problems have been identified regarding the materials and methods and the experimental design used in these studies, including a lack of ethnopharmacological research. CONCLUSIONS: The present review partially confirms the basis for some of the traditional uses of Hedyosmum species (mainly H. brasiliense) through preclinical studies that demonstrated their antinociceptive and neuroprotective effects. Due to promising preliminary results, further studies should be conducted on 13-hydroxy-8,9-dehydroshizukanolide and podoandin. Moreover, several essential oils (EOs) from this genus have been preliminarily investigated, and the cytotoxic and antibacterial activities of H. brasiliense and H. sprucei EOs certainly deserve further investigation. From the promising findings of the present analysis, we can affirm that this genus deserves further research from ethnopharmacological and toxicological perspectives.

Uso en medicina tradicional de Verbesina sphaerocephala A. Gray (Asteraceae) en la comunidad de San Martin de las Flores, Jalisco, México / Use in traditional medicine of Verbesina sphaerocephala A. Gray (Asteraceae) in the community of San Martin de las Flores, Jalisco, Mexico

The community of San Martin de las Flores, Jalisco, México has a varied flora, part of which is used by its residents to treat their diseases. One of these wild species that grows in this community is Verbesina sphaerocephala A.Gray (Asteraceae). The objective of this research was to provide an overview of local knowledge about the traditional uses of this plant. A quantitative ethnobotanical method to analyse the value of traditional use of this species among the community, as well as, bibliographic information on the existing phytochemical and pharmacological properties of species of the genus Verbesina has been used. When examining the general knowledge of V. sphaerocephala among the community, it was concluded that the plant is used mainly in traditional medicine to treat eight different types of diseases, highlighting its use as a wound healing and anti-inflammatory.

La comunidad de San Martin de las Flores, Jalisco, posee una variedad de flora, la cual, gran parte de ella es utilizada por sus pobladores para el tratamiento de enfermedades. Una de estas especies silvestres que crece en esta comunidad es Verbesina sphaerocephala A. Gray (Asteraceae). El objetivo de esta investigación fue proporcionar una visión general del conocimiento local sobre los usos tradicionales de esta planta. Se ha utilizado un método etnobotánico cuantitativo para analizar el valor de uso tradicional de esta especie entre la comunidad, así como también se recopiló información bibliográfica sobre las propiedades fitoquímicas y farmacológicas existentes sobre especies del género Verbesina. Al examinar el conocimiento general de V. sphaerocephala entre la comunidad, se concluyó que la planta es utilizada fundamentalmente en medicina tradicional para tratar ocho diferentes tipos de enfermedades, destacándose su uso como cicatrizante y antiinflamatorio.

Traditional uses and seed chemical composition of Jatropha spp. (Euphorbiaceae) in Tehuacán-Cuicatlán, México / Usos tradicionales y composición química de la semilla de Jatropha spp. (Euphorbiaceae) en Tehuacán-Cuicatlán, México

Abstract The Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve in México holds genetic richness and endemism for the genus Jatropha, but the specific use of the plants and the seed chemical profiles are still unknown. We recorded the traditional forms of use of Jatropha species, and analyzed the chemical composition of Jatropha spp. seeds. For this, a semi-structured survey was conducted in 15 towns, and 20 interviews were applied in each one between May and August 2012 to estimate the Significant Use Level and Relative Use Value per species. Besides, seeds from J. neopauciflora, J. rufescens, and J. rzedowskii were collected between August and October 2013, and to seed flour samples we determined total lipids by the Soxhlet method, crude protein by the Kjendahl method, and ashes according to AOAC methods; fatty acid profile and phorbol esters were determined by gas chromatography and by HPLC, respectively. The species J. neopauciflora, J. oaxacana, J. rufescens, J. ciliata, and J. rzedowskii, are used as traditional medicine, food, and ornaments, except for J. ciliata, for which none use was recorded. The Significant Use Level as food was found not significant, but for medicinal purposes, J. neopauciflora obtained the highest Relative Use Value (9.0 %). The latex is used to treat 13 disorders, including dental problems and oral diseases with a Significant Use Level of 32.9 %; it is also used as a hemostatic. The protein content among species varied from 23.37 to 26.06 %, and total lipids from 34.79 to 36.60 %. The principal unsaturated fatty acids were oleic (25.08 to 30.09 %) and linoleic (44.55 to 48.46 %), and the saturated fatty acids were palmitic (10.11 to 16.50 %) and stearic (9.47 to 11.15 %). Phorbol esters, the main cause of seed's toxicity, were absent in J. neopauciflora, J. rufescens, and J. rzedowskii. In conclusion, the Significant Use Level of Jatropha species studied was low, with little cultural acceptance and sporadic utilization. The Relative Use Value was important for medicinal purposes, especially for J. neopauciflora. The dehulled seeds of J. neopauciflora, J. rufescens, and J. rzedowskii are potentially useful as food, having high protein contents, and unsaturated oleic and linoleic fatty acids. With this study we report three non-toxic Jatropha species and recommend to scientifically validate the antimycotic use of J. neopauciflora latex. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(1): 266-279. Epub 2018 March 01.

Resumen La Reserva de la Biosfera Tehuacán-Cuicatlán, México contiene riqueza genética y endemismo para el género Jatropha, pero se desconoce el uso específico de las plantas y la composición química de la semilla. Documentamos las formas tradicionales de uso de las especies de Jatropha y, analizamos la composición química de las semillas de las especies de Jatropha. En 15 comunidades se aplicaron 20 entrevistas semiestructuradas entre mayo y agosto de 2012 para estimar el Nivel de Uso Significativo y el Valor de Uso Relativo por especie. Se colectó semilla solo de J. neopauciflora, J. rufescens, y J. rzedowskii entre agosto y octubre de 2013 para determinar mediante los métodos de la AOAC, el contenido total de lípidos en una muestra de 3 g de harina mediante el método de Soxhlet, proteína cruda en una muestra de harina de 0.4 g por el método Kjendahl y ceniza en una muestra de 5 g de harina. El perfil de ácidos grasos se determinó por cromatografía de gases y el contenido de ésteres de forbol mediante HPLC. Las especies registradas fueron J. neopauciflora, J. oaxacana, J. rufescens, J. rzedowskii y J. ciliata, que se usan en medicina tradicional, alimento y como ornamental, excepto J. ciliata, para la cual no se reportó ningún uso. El Nivel de Uso Significativo como alimento no fue importante, pero para propósitos medicinales J. neopauciflora tuvo el mayor Valor de Uso Relativo (9.0 %). El látex es usado para tratar 13 trastornos, incluyendo problemas dentales y enfermedades bucales con un Nivel Significativo de Uso de 32.9 %; y también es usada como hemostático. El contenido de proteína entre especies varió de 23.37 a 26.06 % y los lípidos totales variaron de 34.79 a 36.60 %. Los principales ácidos grasos insaturados fueron oleico (25.08 a 30.09 %) y linoleico (44.55 a 48.46 %); los ácidos grasos saturados fueron palmítico (10.11 a 16.50 %) y esteárico (9.47 a 11.15 %). No se detectó la presencia de ésteres de forbol (la causa principal de la toxicidad de la semilla) en J. neopauciflora, J. rufescens, y J. rzedowskii. En conclusión, el Nivel de Uso Significativo de las especies de Jatropha fue bajo, con poca aceptación cultural y utilización esporádica. El Valor de Uso Relativo fue importante para propósitos medicinales, especialmente para J. neopauciflora. Las semillas sin testa de J. neopauciflora, J. rufescens, y J. rzedowskii son potencialmente útiles como alimento por su alto contenido de proteínas, ácidos grasos insaturados oleico y linoleico. Se identificaron tres especies no toxicas de Jatropha. Se recomienda validar científicamente el uso antimicótico del látex de J. neopauciflora.

Conocimiento popular y perspectivas de conservación sobre las tortugas continentales en la parte baja del río la miel(colombia) / Popular knowledge and conservation perspectives on the inland turtles at the lower part of la miel river(colombia)

La parte baja de la cuenca del río La Miel está ubicada al nororiente del departamento de Caldas y alberga cinco de las especies de tortugas continentales registradas para Colombia. Durante mayo a septiembre de 2014 se recopiló información mediante la aplicación de un cuestionario semiestructurado a 101 residentes de la cuenca hidrográfica, acerca del conocimiento y uso de las tortugas (alimento, comercio y mascota) en la zona. La encuesta incluyó información personal de acuerdo con el sexo, ocupación principal (ama de casa, pescador/lanchero, agricultor/jornalero, mayordomo), tipo de habitante (nativos, extranjeros) y conocimiento y uso de las tortugas. Los resultados sugieren que las tortugas de agua dulce en la zona de estudio, se han reducido debido a una aparente larga historia de utilización por el hombre; principalmente para alimento, uso como mascotas y ocasionalmente por el comercio. Sin embargo, estos datos también sugieren que a pesar del impacto humano el río La Miel podría concentrar un número alto de tortugas a lo largo de la cuenca, lo que resalta la importancia de este sistema acuático como uno de los hábitats más importantes para la conservación de las tortugas de agua dulce en el país. Asimismo, los resultados muestran algunas relaciones relevantes hombre-fauna silvestre, que pueden ser utilizadas para avanzar en nuevos esfuerzos hacia la gestión de la conservación de las tortugas de agua dulce bajo un contexto local y nacional.

The lower part of La Miel River, located at the north-east of the Department of Caldas, hosts five Colombian inland turtle species. Information about knowledge and turtles' use (for food, trade, or pets) was recorded using a semi-structured questionnaire applied to 101 watershed residents, from May to September 2014. The survey included personal, knowledge, and use information accordingly to sex, principal work (housewife, fisherman/boatman, farmer/laborer, steward) and inhabitant type (native, foreign). Our results suggest that freshwater turtles in the study area have declined due an apparent long history of human consumption; mainly for food, pet, and occasionally for trade. However, these data also suggest that despite human impact, La Miel River could support a large number of turtles along the basin, underscoring the importance of this aquatic system as one of the most important habitats for the conservation of freshwater turtles in the country. In addition, our results illustrate some relevant human-wildlife relationships, which can be used to advance new efforts toward freshwater turtle management under local and national context.

Are ethnopharmacological surveys useful for the discovery and development of drugs from medicinal plants?

Ethnopharmacological and ethnobotanical approaches are described in the literature as efficient to identify plants of interest for phytochemical and pharmacological studies. In the present work, we reflect on the quality of the data collected in ethno-directed studies. In accordance to the problems identified in published studies, and their theoretical and methodological underpinnings, we believe that these studies are poorly suited to contribute to the advancement of research aimed at the development of novel drugs.

Del marco tradicional al escenario urbano: plantas ancestrales devenidas suplementos dietéticos en la conurbación Buenos Aires-La Plata, Argentina / From traditional frame to urban scenario: Ancient plants became dietary supplementsin conurbation Buenos Aires-La Plata, Argentina

This paper includes partial results of a research in urban Ethnobotany at the conurbation Buenos Aires-La Plata, Argentina. Five species with medicinal and food traditional uses, which are commercialized as dietary supplements were studied: Annona muricata L. (Annonaceae), Euterpe oleracea Mart. (Arecaceae), Lycium barbarum L. (Solanaceae), Plukenetia volubilis L. (Euphorbiaceae) y Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp. & Engl.) H.Rob. (Asteraceae). The analysis of the circulation of these products contributes to the understanding of local botanical knowledge, that includes nontraditional components and others linked to the traditions of two immigrant groups: Bolivian and Chinese. The products recently entered the commercial circuit where they are considered as nutraceuticals and adaptogens. Traditional uses of these plants, their properties claimed in pluricultural urban context as well as the scientifically studied ones were compared. Thus, modifications in the original uses as a result of the expansion of the products in the nontraditional commercial context were evaluated.

Este trabajo comprende resultados parciales de una investigación en Etnobotánica urbana en la conurbación Buenos Aires-La Plata, Argentina. Se estudiaron cinco especies con usos medicinales y alimentarios tradicionales, comercializadas como suplementos dietéticos: Annona muricata L. (Annonaceae), Euterpe oleracea Mart. (Arecaceae), Lycium barbarum L. (Solanaceae), Plukenetia volubilis L. (Euphorbiaceae) y Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp. & Engl.) H.Rob. (Asteraceae). Al analizar la circulación de los productos se aporta a la comprensión del conocimiento botánico local, con sus componentes no tradicionales y ligados a las tradiciones de dos grupos de inmigrantes: bolivianos y chinos. Los productos ingresaron recientemente en el circuito comercial, donde se consideran nutracéuticos y adaptógenos. Se comparan los usos tradicionales de las plantas, las propiedades difundidas en el contexto pluricultural urbano y las científicamente estudiadas. De este modo, se evaluaron las modificaciones de los usos originales, como resultado de la expansión de los productos en el contexto comercial no tradicional.

Argemone mexicana: chemical and pharmacological aspects

The Papaveraceae, informally known as the poppy family, are an ethnopharmacologically important family of 44 genera and approximately 760 species of flowering plants. The present work offers a review addressing the detailed chemistry and pharmacology of Argemone mexicana L. regarded as one of the most significant plant species in traditional system of medicine. The plant is used in different parts of the world for the treatment of several ailments including tumors, warts, skin diseases, inflammations, rheumatism, jaundice, leprosy, microbial infections, and malaria. Interestingly, the plant is the source of a diverse kind of chemical constituents although alkaloids are mostly abundant. Beyond pharmaceutical efficacies, certain plant parts also show toxic effects as well. Hence, an up-to-date information on the chemical and pharmacological knowledge on this plant may be helpful to guide researchers anticipating to undertake further investigations in these directions. The present review covers literature up to 2012 and enlists 111 references.

Phytoecdysteroids from Silene plants: distribution, diversity and biological (antitumour, antibacterial and antioxidant) activities / Fitoecdiesteroides de plantas Silene: distribución, diversidad y actividades biológicas (antitumorales, antibacterianas y antioxidantes

Silene is a genus of the Caryophyllaceae family, contains more than 700 species, which are widely distributed in Northern Hemisphere, but also in Africa, Asia and South American. Phytochemical investigations of Silene species have revealed that many components from this genus are highly bioactive. More than 400 compounds has been isolated, among them major are phytoecdysteroids. The paper reviews the biological (antitumour, antibacterial and antioxidant) activities and the phytoecdysteroids of genus Silene. We summarized the phytoecdysteroids content referring to 171 species from the genus Silene and list 93 phytoecdysteroids isolated over the past few decades. There are also reports on the mentioned folk and traditional effects of Silene plants.

Silene es un género de la familia Caryophyllaceae, conteniendo más de 70 especies, ampliamente distribuidas no solo en el hemisferio norte, sino que también en Africa, Asia y sud América. Investigaciones fotoquímicas de las especies de Silene han revelado que muchos componentes de este género son altamente bioactivos. Más de 400 compuestos han sido aislados, entre ellos los mayoritarios correspondientes a fitoecdiesteroides. El manuscrito revisa las actividades biológicas (antitumorales, antibacterianas y antioxidantes) y los fitoecdiesteroides del género Silene. Resumimos el contenido de fitoecdiesteroides en 171 especies del género Silene y listamos 93 fitoecdiesteroides aislados desde hace unas pocas décadas. Hay también reportes mencionados acerca de los efectos tradicionales y folclóricos de la plantas del género Silene.

Review of the genus Ipomoea: traditional uses, chemistry and biological activities

Approximately 600-700 species of Ipomoea, Convolvulaceae, are found throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Several of those species have been used as ornamental plants, food, medicines or in religious ritual. The present work reviews the traditional uses, chemistry and biological activities of Ipomoea species and illustrates the potential of the genus as a source of therapeutic agents. These species are used in different parts of the world for the treatment of several diseases, such as, diabetes, hypertension, dysentery, constipation, fatigue, arthritis, rheumatism, hydrocephaly, meningitis, kidney ailments and inflammations. Some of these species showed antimicrobial, analgesic, spasmolitic, spasmogenic, hypoglycemic, hypotensive, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, psychotomimetic and anticancer activities. Alkaloids, phenolics compounds and glycolipids are the most common biologically active constituents from these plant extracts.

Traditional uses of American plant species from the 1st edition of Brazilian Official Pharmacopoeia / Usos tradicionais das plantas americanas presentes na 1ª Edição da Farmacopéia Brasileira

The first edition of the Brazilian Official Pharmacopoeia (FBRAS), published in 1929, is a rich source of information about American medicinal plants, since it lists species used in both traditional and conventional medicine. In this study, we have performed a survey of the traditional uses of plants described in eighty-seven Monographs from the FBRAS in twenty bibliographies written from the 19th century to the 1970s. Eighty-six different traditional uses are described in three or more books; some of them were cited in ten or more books, illustrating their widespread use and importance in medicine. The species from the first edition of the FBRAS have a long tradition of medical utility, which is confirmed by historical records. In surveying these medically relevant species, we hope to encourage policy makers and the scientific public as a whole to engage in a strong debate in an attempt to improve and facilitate the pharmacological study of these species.

A 1ª Edição da Farmacopéia Brasileira, publicada em 1929, é uma rica fonte de informação sobre as plantas medicinais nativas das Américas, uma vez que ela lista as espécies usadas na medicina tradicional e oficial da época. Neste estudo, foi feita uma extensa revisão sobre os usos tradicionais de plantas descritas em oitenta e sete Monografias presentes na FBRAS 1ª Edição, em vinte livros publicados do século 19 até a década de 1970. Oitenta e seis diferentes usos medicinais foram citados e três ou mais livros; mesmos usos foram descritos em dez ou mais referências, mostrando seu amplo emprego e importância como medicamento. Os resultados mostram que as espécies nativas presentes na 1ª Edição da FBRAS têm longa tradição em uso, confirmado pelos dados históricos. É necessário, portanto, que estudos farmacológicos com essas plantas sejam estimulados, como forma de promover seu melhor aproveitamento.