Abstract

RODRIGUEZ CHANFRAU, Jorge E. et al. Preliminary studies of fluid extracts 30 % from Justicia pectoralis Jacq. var. stenophylla Leonard.. Rev Cubana Plant Med [online]. 2008, vol.13, n.4, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1028-4796.

INTRODUCTION: Justicia pectoralis Jacq (Acanthaceae) is a herbaceous plant of wide traditional and medicinal use as sedative by the Cuban population. This species may be found as J. pectoralis Jacq. var. pectoralis and J. pectoralis Jacq. var. stenophylla Leonard. The most studied and known in the country is J. pectolaris var. pectolaris, so it becomes part, as sedative, of the herbal drugs that are used in the national healthcare system. OBJECTIVES:to verify if J. pectoralis var. stenophylla has the same properties as J. pectoralis var.pectoralis. METHODS: the chemical, pharmacological and toxicological characterization of 30% hydroalcohol extract from dry air parts of J. pectolaris var. stenophylla was made. RESULTS: the phytochemical study showed the presence of saponins, reducing sugars, phenols, aminoacids and amines, carbohydrates, flavonoids and coumarins. These results were similar to those reported for the variety pectoralis. On the other hand, according to the international classification set by toxicological studies, the studied extract was classified as non-toxic whereas the pharmacological assays proved its sedative effect on the central nervous system, when extract dose-dependent abatement in aggressive behaviour of animals was observed. CONCLUSIONS: the extracts from both varieties of J. pectoralis turned to be very similar according to the results of the chemical, toxicological and pharmacological studies performed on equal footing.

Keywords : Justicia pectoralis; chemical characterization; toxicological studies; pharmacological studies.