Revista Cubana de Plantas Medicinales

La toxicidad de **los compuestos químicos con acción anoréxica extraídos de Garcinia cambogia (garcinia) y el Panax ginseng (ginseng)**

Especies de interés de familia Euphorbiaceae en Brasil

**Actividad inhibitoria alfa-amilasa y fenoles totales en extractos etanólicos de hojas de Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacón)**

**Actividad antimicrobiana y caracterización fitoquímica de los extractos hidroalcohólicos de Passiflora cincinnata Mast. (maracujá-do-mato)**

Evaluación de efectos mutagénicos de tintura de Passiflora edulis Sims (maracuyá) en sistema-test Allium cepa

Tamizaje fitoquímico **y evaluación de la citotoxicidad y genotoxicidad del Helenium cf. amarum (Raf.) H. Rock**

Introduction: Helenium cf. amarum (Raf.) H. Rock is a plant of the family Asteraceae. Its common name is yellow camomile. It is used as tranquilizer, stimulant and digestive, and for the treatment of nausea, fever and skin disorders. Objectives: carry out a phytochemical screening and evaluate the cytotoxic and genotoxic effect of a crude hydroalcoholic extract of Helenium amarum using the Allium cepa test. Methods: seeds of Allium cepa were subjected to germination at four concentrations (0.6, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 mg/ml) of H. amarum crude leaf extract. After being dried in an oven for 5 days, they were pulverized and macerated in 70 % ethanol at room temperature for 72 hours. The extract was then filtered and the liquid phase subjected to a rotary evaporator. Two sorts of treatment were applied: 1) continuous treatment: the seeds were germinated directly in the extract at different concentrations. 2) intermittent treatment: the seeds were first germinated in Milli-Q water until they grew 2 cm long rootlets, and were then exposed to different extract concentrations. Results: the germination rate was affected by extract concentration, and was lower than that of the negative control in all treatments. The mitotic index for all concentrations was lower than that of controls for both treatments. In batch processing, the aneugenic effects index at the assayed concentrations was lower than that of controls, whereas the clastogenic index was 1 % for the control and treatments 1 and 3 mg/ml, lower than 1 % for treatments 0.6 and 2 mg/ml, and 20 % for the positive control. Phytochemical screening showed positive results for tannins and steroids. Conclusions: Helenium amarum has toxic and cytotoxic effects and allelopathic action, but not genotoxic effects at the assayed concentrations.

Evaluación de la actividad analgésica central de las hojas de Maytenus macrocarpa (Ruiz & Pav.) Briq. (chuchuhuasi)

Introducción: Maytenus macrocarpa Ruiz & Pav.) Briq (chuchuhuasi), es una planta medicinal peruana, a la cual se le atribuyen efectos: antidisentérico, antidiarreico, analgésico, antiinflamatorio, entre otros. Objetivo: explorar la actividad analgésica central de las hojas de M. macrocarpa, en ratones, mediante el modelo de retirada de la cola. Métodos: a 50 ratones albinos (25 g promedio), divididos en 5 grupos, se les administró por la vía oral lo siguiente: M. macrocarpa 1000 y 1500 mg/kg, Tramadol 10 mg/kg, agua destilada (placebo) 0,1ml /10 g, y un grupo control. Se evalúo el dolor en el roedor, midiendo el promedio del período de latencia, después de 6 mediciones de intervalos de 30 minutos. Asimismo, se determinó el porcentaje del efecto máximo posible (% MPE, por sus siglas en inglés). Resultados: chuchuhuasi 1000 mg/kg, presentó un basal de 2,781 segundos, frente a 4,135 segundos a los 120 minutos. Chuchuhuasi 1500 mg/kg, presentó un basal de 2,467 segundos, frente a 4,385 segundos a los 180 minutos; frente al control presentaron un valor p>0,05. Tramadol tuvo un basal de 2,030 segundos, frente a 5,173 segundos, a los 30 minutos; frente al control presento un valor p<0,05. El grupo placebo fue no significativo. El % MPE fue de 19 % para chuchuhuasi 1000 mg/kg, 14 % para chuchuhuasi 1500 mg/kg, y 37 % para Tramadol. Conclusión: el efecto analgésico central de las hojas de M. macrocarpa en el modelo de retirada de la cola fue no significativo, el máximo % MPE fue de 19 %, con chuchuhuasi a 1000 mg/kg.

Introduction: Maytenus macrocarpa (Ruiz & Pav.) Briq (chuchuhuasi) is a Peruvian medicinal plant which has been attributed antidysenteric, antidiarrheal, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, among others. Objective: explore the central analgesic activity of M. macrocarpa leaves in mice using the tail-flick model. Methods: fifty albino mice (25 g average weight) were divided into 5 groups and administered the following substances by oral route: M. macrocarpa 1 000 and 1 500 mg/kg, Tramadol 10 mg/kg, distilled water (placebo) 0.1 ml/10 g, and a control group. Pain was evaluated by estimating the average latency period after taking 6 measurements at 30 minute intervals. Percent maximum possible effect (% MPE) was also determined. Results: baseline time for chuchuhuasi 1 000 mg/kg was 2.781 seconds vs. 4.135 seconds at 120 minutes. Baseline time for chuchuhuasi 1 500 mg/kg was 2.467 seconds vs. 4.385 seconds at 180 minutes; p value vs. control was p>0.05. Baseline time for Tramadol was 2.030 seconds vs. 5.173 seconds at 30 minutes; p value vs. control was p>0.05. The placebo group was not significant. % MPE was 19 % for chuchuhuasi 1 000 mg/kg, 14 % for chuchuhuasi 1 500 mg/kg and 37 % for Tramadol. Conclusion: the central analgesic effect of M. macrocarpa leaves on the tail-flick model was not significant. Percent maximum possible effect was 19 % with chuchuhuasi 1 000 mg/kg.

Actividad antinociceptiva y antibacteriana de los alcaloides totales de dos especies de la familia Solanaceae

Introducción: Solanum multifidum Lam., y Lycianthes lycioides (L.) Hassl. son dos especies características de las lomas costeras del Perú. Ambas pertenecen a la familia Solanaceae, conocida por su elevado contenido de alcaloides con diversas actividades terapéuticas, lo que motivó su estudio. Objetivo: evaluar la actividad antinociceptiva y antibacteriana de los alcaloides totales de las hojas de Solanum multifidum Lam., y Lycianthes lycioides (L.) Hassl. Métodos: los alcaloides totales se extrajeron de las hojas secas de las especies estudiadas, mediante el método descrito por Peña. La actividad antinociceptiva se evaluó in vivo utilizando el test de las contorciones abdominales, mientras que la actividad antibacteriana in vitro se evalúo utilizando la técnica de difusión en agar con discos impregnados y se determinó la concentración mínima inhibitoria mediante el método de dilución en agar. Resultados: los alcaloides totales de ambas especies presentaron actividad antinociceptiva a las dosis de 2,5 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg y 10 mg/kg., mostrando mayor porcentaje de inhibición, a dosis de 10 mg/kg., con diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p<0,05). Asimismo, estos alcaloides inhibieron el crecimiento de Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25992), y Pseudomona aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), a las concentraciones de 2 mg/mL y 4 mg/mL, mostrando mayor bioactividad frente a Staphlylococus aureus. En términos generales, los alcaloides totales Lycianthes lycioides (L.) Hassl., resultaron ser más activos como antinociceptivos y antibacterianos. Conclusiones: se demostró la actividad antinociceptiva y antibacteriana de los alcaloides totales de ambas especies. Este trabajo constituye el primer reporte de la bioactividad de estas especies vegetales, y resulta una opción atractiva para el desarrollo de nuevos fármacos.

Introduction: Solanum multifidum Lam. and Lycianthes lycioides (L.) Hassl. are two species typical of coastal hills of Peru. Both belong to the Solanaceae family, and are renowned for their high content of alkaloids with a variety of therapeutic activities. That was the reason why the present study was conducted. Objective: evaluate the antinociceptive and antibacterial activity of total alkaloids from leaves of Solanum multifidum Lam. and Lycianthes lycioides (L.) Hassl. Methods: total alkaloids were extracted from dry leaves of the study species following the method described by Peña. Antinociceptive activity was evaluated in vivo using the writhing test, whereas in vitro antibacterial activity was evaluated with the agar diffusion technique with impregnated discs. Minimum inhibitory concentration was determined by the agar dilution method. Results: in both species total alkaloids showed antinociceptive activity at doses of 2.5 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg y 10 mg/kg, with the greatest inhibition percentage at 10 mg/kg and statistically significant differences (p<0.05). The alkaloids also inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25992) and Pseudomona aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) at concentrations of 2 mg/mL and 4 mg/mL, exhibiting greater bioactivity against Staphlylococus aureus. In general terms, total alkaloids Lycianthes lycioides (L.) Hassl. showed the greatest antinociceptive and antibacterial activity. Conclusions: it was demonstrated that total alkaloids from both species have antinociceptive and antibacterial activity. The present paper is the first report about bioactivity of these plant species, an attractive option for the development of new drugs.

**Evaluación de la actividad antimicrobiana de extractos de hojas y semillas de Morinda citrifolia L. (noni)**

Introduction: scientific studies have shown that Morinda citrifolia L. (noni) has antimicrobial activity against a large number of pathogenic bacteria and fungi. However, those studies report such activity in reference to the fruit, and there is little information about the leaves, roots and seeds of the plant. Objectives: evaluate the antimicrobial activity in vitro of various extracts from dry leaves and seeds of M. citrifolia L. (noni) and identify by thin layer chromatography the main secondary metabolites responsible for such antimicrobial activity. Methods: an evaluation was conducted of the antimicrobial activity in vitro of alcoholic, hexanic, chloroformic and ethyl acetate extracts from leaves and seeds of M. citrifolia L. (noni) against E. coli, S. aureus and Candida sp. strains using the Bauer-Kirby method. Thin layer chromatography was used to identify the metabolites responsible for antimicrobial activity on semi-preparative silica gel plates. Chromatographic profiles were observed under ultraviolet light (l=365 nm). Results: all the extracts evaluated of leaves and seeds of M. citrifolia L. (noni) had antimicrobial activity against the strains studied. The main secondary metabolites found were quinones, coumarins and flavonoids in the leaf extracts, and coumarins and flavonoids in the seed extracts. Conclusions: it was demonstrated that leaves and seeds of the M. citrifolia L. tree (noni) have antimicrobial activity, and that quinones and coumarins are the secondary metabolites responsible for such activity

**Efecto sedante, ansiolítico y toxicológico del extracto acuoso de flores de Erythrina berteroana (pito) en ratones**

Intoxicaciones agudas por plantas tóxicas reportadas por Centro de Toxicología de Villa Clara en período 2008-2011

Introduction: accidental or intentional exposure to toxic substances is a frequent cause of poisoning worldwide. Statistical reports show a predominance of poisoning by psycholeptics and pesticides, but poisoning by toxic plants is also frequently treated at emergency services. Objective: characterize the incidence and morbidity of acute poisoning by toxic plants as reported by Villa Clara Toxicology Center (CENTOX-VC) and identify the types of causal plants, place of residence of the poisoned patient and most frequent poisoning type. Methods: an observational retrospective descriptive study was conducted at Villa Clara Clinical Toxicology Center in Cuba during the four years following the founding of the Center (2008-2011). The variables considered were age, municipality and/or province, causal toxic plant, causes of the poisoning episode and manner of exposure. Results: seventy patients were cared for at the emergency service for poisoning by toxic plants (8.22 %). The highest incidence was found in the year 2009 with 47 patients (67.1 %). There was a predominance of the 5-14 age range and the male sex (57.1 %). The most frequent causal agents were walnut tree (Aleurites trilobus J. R. Forst. & G. Forst) (52.9 %), physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) (14.3 %), sandbox tree (Hura crepitans L.) (12.9%) and queen sago (Cycas circinalis L.) (10 %). A predominance was observed of unintentional poisoning (94.3 %) and oral intake (95.8 %). The highest incidence was found in the municipality of Cifuentes with 37 patients (52.8 %). Conclusions: a characterization is provided of poisoning by toxic plants which includes reference to its incidence and morbidity, the groups most frequently affected (children and adolescents and the male sex), and manner of exposure (unintentional by oral intake). These contents will be useful to health professionals managing poisoning episodes. Further studies should be conducted and dissemination activities performed with a view to reducing the morbidity of these events.

Flora silvestre medicinal utilizada por los Kofan colombianos en el tratamiento de la leishmaniasis cutánea

**Tamizaje fitoquímico de los extractos de Faramea occidentalis (L.) A. Rich. (nabaco)**

Efecto de un extracto de Plumbago scandens L. (malacara) sobre el desarrollo post embrionario de Chrysomya putoria

**Toxicidad aguda tópica e irritabilidad dérmica de la decocción de hojas de Piper auritum Kunth (caisimón de anís)**

Revista Cubana de Plantas Medicinales

La toxicidad de los compuestos químicos con acción anoréxica extraídos de Garcinia cambogia (garcinia) y el Panax ginseng (ginseng)

Especies de interés de familia Euphorbiaceae en Brasil

Actividad inhibitoria alfa-amilasa y fenoles totales en extractos etanólicos de hojas de Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacón)

Actividad antimicrobiana y caracterización fitoquímica de los extractos hidroalcohólicos de Passiflora cincinnata Mast. (maracujá-do-mato)