Mexican Plants in Treatment of Diabetesz PDF

Journal of Ethnopharmacology 99 (2005) 325–348
Review
Mexican plants with hypoglycaemic effect used in

the treatment of diabetes
Adolfo Andrade-Cetto a,∗ , Michael Heinrich b,1
a
Departamento de Biologı́a Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México,
Apartado Postal 70-359, 04511 México DF, México
b Centre for Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, The School of Pharmacy, University London, 29–39 Brunswick Sq., London WC1N 1AX, UK
Received 26 August 2004; received in revised form 20 February 2005; accepted 27 April 2005
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a syndrome which affects more and more people in all countries over the world. In México, it is commonly treated
with herbal extracts. Such treatment may be of considerable benefit especially during the early stages of the illness. In this review, we discuss
species commonly used in México in the treatment of diabetes. A total of 306 species have records of a popular use in the treatment of
this syndrome in México. Seven of these species – Cecropia obtusifolia Bertol. (Cecropiaceae), Equisetum myriochaetum Schlecht & Cham
(Equisetaceae), Acosmium panamense (Benth.) Yacolev (Fabaceae), Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché (Cucurbitaceae), Agarista mexicana (Hemsl.)
Judd. (Ericaeae), Brickellia veronicaefolia (Kunth) A. Gray (Asteraceae), Parmentiera aculeata (Kunth) Seem. (Bignoniaceae) – are discussed
in greater detail, highlighting our current knowledge about these botanicals, but also the enormous gaps in our knowledge, most notably as it
relates to the species’ toxicology, the pharmacokinetics of its active constituents and their metabolism.
© 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Type 2 diabetes; Hypoglycaemic plants; México; Neotropics; Traditional medicine
Contents
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
2. An overview of important sources of information on Mexican antidiabetic plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
3. Ethnopharmacology of commonly used antidiabetic plants in México . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
3.1. Cecropia obtusifolia Bertol. (Cecropiaceae) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
3.1.1. Botanical description. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
3.1.2. Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
3.1.3. Ethnobotany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
3.1.4. Main constituents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
3.1.5. Pharmacology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
3.1.6. Possible mechanism of action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
3.1.7. Toxicity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
3.1.8. Cecropia obtusifolia—conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
∗ Corresponding author.
E-mail address: aac@hp.fciencias.unam.mx (A. Andrade-Cetto).
1 Fax: +44 20 7753 5909.
0378-8741/$ – see front matter © 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.jep.2005.04.019
326 A. Andrade-Cetto, M. Heinrich / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 99 (2005) 325–348
3.2. Equisetum myriochaetum Schlecht & Cham (Equisetaceae) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340

3.2.2. Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
3.2.3. Ethnobotany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
3.2.5. Pharmacology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
3.2.6. Toxicity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
3.2.7. Equisetum species—conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
3.3. Acosmium panamense (Benth.) Yacolev (Fabaceae) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
3.3.2. Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
3.3.3. Ethnobotany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
3.3.5. Pharmacology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
3.3.6. Acosmium panamense—conclusion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
3.4. Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché (Cucurbitaceae) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
3.4.2. Ethnobotany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
3.4.4. Pharmacology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
3.4.5. Toxicity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
3.4.6. Cucurbita ficifolia—conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
3.5. Agarista mexicana (Hemsl.) Judd (Ericaeae). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
3.5.2. Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
3.5.3. Ethnobotany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
3.5.5. Pharmacology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
3.5.6. Agarista mexicana—conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
3.6. Brickellia veronicaefolia (Kunth) A. Gray (Asteraceae) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
3.6.2. Ethnobotany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
3.6.4. Pharmacology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
3.6.5. Brickellia veronicaefolia—conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
3.7. Parmentiera aculeata (Kunth) Seem. (Bignoniaceae) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
3.7.2. Ethnobotany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
3.7.4. Pharmacology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
3.7.5. Parmentiera aculeate—conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
3.8. Other species. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
4. General conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
1. Introduction diabetes was the first cause of mortality among the Mexican
population (SSA, 2004). Because of the complications linked
It is well known that diabetes mellitus is the commonest to diabetes like heart disease, retinopathy, kidney disease, and
endocrine disorder that, according to the World Health Orga- neuropathy, it also is a common cause of chronic morbidity
nization (WHO, 2004), affects more than 176 million people and disability among the working population.
world wide, in México the WHO estimates that the number The term diabetes mellitus describes a metabolic disor-
of diabetic patients will increase from more than 2 million in der of multiple aetiologies and is characterized by chronic
2002 to more than 6 million in 2030, which would imply that hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and
in a few decades México may have highest rate of diabetes in protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secre-
the world. According to the Mexican health services, in 2001 tion, insulin action, or both. The causes of type 2 diabetes
A. Andrade-Cetto, M. Heinrich / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 99 (2005) 325–348 327
are either insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency sp.), Fabaceae, (27), Cactaceae (16), Solanaceae and Euphor-
or predominantly an insulin secretory defect with or with out biaceae (10) and Laminaceae (9).
insulin resistance (WHO, 1999). But in our own experience from field work in Guerrero
From an ethnopharmacological perspective, it is impor- (Andrade-Cetto, 1995), when a directed ethnobotanical study
tant to understand that this disease is one at the interface of is performed looking only from hypoglycaemic plants instead
conventional biomedical and local (or traditional) treatment. of a broad study looking for all medicinal plants, this number
In México, limited data is available but based on our field is at least double. Therefore, we estimate that there are about
experience diabetic patients practically always use plants 500 species used by Mexican people to treat type 2 diabetes.
with or without biomedical medication. Normally, patients Starting at the early 1990s, important pharmacological
are diagnosed in one of the primary health care centres and studies were conducted by Alarcón Aguilar and Román-
the MDs in these centres normally also prescribe appro- Ramos (Alarcón-Aguilar et al., 1997, 1998, 2000a, 2000b,
priate medication. However, once a diagnosis is made the 2002a, 2002b; Román-Ramos et al., 1991, 2001). In the
patients often recur to either local healers or to vendors of beginning, this group tested several plants for their phar-
herbal and other health care products. Thus this is a disease macological activity in temporarily hyperglycaemic rabbits.
for which many of the ‘traditional’ treatments were in fact Hyperglycaemia was induced with a glucose charge; later on
developed in the last decades by local healers. In USA, some they use healthy and alloxan-diabetic mice. Normally, the
plant based compounds as well as herbal remedies are used plant was process in the traditional way and the water extract
along with other medications. In some cases, patients used tested. The authors have not looked for bioactive compounds
these treatments instead of conventional medications, and of these species, with the exception of a detailed report on
severe complications including increased hospitalizations, the pharmacology and phytochemistry of Psacalium sp.
ketoacidosis, and acute hyperglycaemia occurred (Shane-Mc The group of Pérez-Gutiérrez et al. (1996, 1998a, 1998c,
Whorter, 2001). In Germany, at least two products for the 2000a, 2000b, 2001), Pérez-Gutiérrez and Vargas (2001) and
treatment of diabetes, based on Mexican medicinal plants Pérez et al. (1984, 1992) normally look for the pharmaco-
are available: Hando, Nopal (opuntia sp.), manufactured by logical activity in normal and alloxan diabetic mice and rats.
Hando Austria and Sucontral (Coplachi: Hintonia sp.) man- The group isolated bioactive compounds from some of the
ufactured by Harras Pharma, Munich. species working with the chloroform extracts.
There have been many studies on hypoglycaemic plants The group of Andrade-Cetto (Andrade-Cetto et al., 2000;
and a great variety of compounds have been isolated (alka- Andrade-Cetto and Wiedenfeld, 2001, 2004, and Wiedenfeld
loids, glycosides, terpenes, flavonoids, etc.), but the main et al., 2000, 2003) generally starts with their own field stud-
bottleneck is the further development of such ’leads’ into ies. Then the traditionally used extract (normally water or
clinically useful medicines and especially phytomedicines or butanol) is tested on Streptozotocin diabetic rats, from the
adequate nutritional supplements, which would be of direct active extract the main compounds are isolated and tested in
benefits to patients. In this context, it is important to remem- the animal model.
ber that the modern drug metformin (a biguanide) is a derivate There are some clinical studies like the well known one by
of an active natural product, galegine a guanidine isolated Frati-Munari et al. (1983, 1987, 1989a, 1989b, 1989c, 1990,
from the plant Galega officinalis L., which was used in the 1991a, 1991b), Castaneda-Andrade et al. (1997), Acosta-
medieval times to relieve the intense urination in diabetic Patino (2001) (Revilla-Monsalve et al., 2002), and (Herrera-
people (Witters, 2001). Arellano et al., 2004). Acosta Patiño and Revilla associated
In this review we summarize information on plants with with the above described groups.
current information in the international literature and high- Finally we have recompilations in which the authors
light the current state of ethnopharmacological, phytochem- describe some aspects of species with hypoglycaemic effects
ical and clinical research on some of the more widely used from México (Pérez-Gutiérrez et al., 1998b) or some Mexican
and better known species. plants as part of world wide studies (Marles and Farnsworth,
1995; Ernst, 1997; Lamba et al., 2000). The detailed reviews
of Shane-Mc Whorter (2001) and Yeh et al. (2003) on clinical
2. An overview of important sources of information aspects of anti-diabetic plants include, for example, the com-
on Mexican antidiabetic plants monly used Momordica charantia L. (originally from Asia)
and Opuntia sp. (a native of México). These relatively well
Several valuable reviews on the ethnobotanical use of known studied species are excluded from this review. Also,
plants of México are available (Martı́nez, 1954; Dı́az, 1976; “Matarique” Psacalium decompositum (Gray) H.E. Robins
Aguilar et al., 1994; Argueta, 1994; Aguilar and Xolalapa, & Brett, is not reviewed here. Research and development
2002). Other data can be found in many of the ethnobotan- activities on this botanical lead to a patent on some com-
ical thesis or monographs on specific regions. For México, pounds present in the plant with hypoglycaemic proprieties
we have documented at least 306 species from 235 genera A detailed review was conducted as part of the efforts to
and 93 families used as hypoglycaemic agents (see Table 1). obtain a patent (Inman et al., 1998): “the novel hypoglycem-
The most commonly mentioned families are: Asteraceae (47 ically active eremophilanolide sesquiterpenes which can be
Table 1
Main plants reported in México as Hypoglycemic, the original table is from Andrade, 1995, the data were actualized and 40 species added from Aguilar and
Xolalpa 2002, the correct botanical names were corroborated at Missouri Botanical Garden (2004)—TROPICOS
Scientific name Common name Family Plant part used and Pharmacological Phytochemical informat**
preparation STudies*
Abutilon lignosum (Cav.) Sacxiu Malvaceae Root infusion
D. Don
Abutilon trisulcatum Tronadora Malvaceae Leaf boil
(Jacq.) Urban.
Acacia retinodes Schltdl. Mimosa Fabaceae Leaf boil
Acourtia thurberi. (A. Matarique Asteraceae Plant (aerial) infusion Normal rabbits (+)
Gray) Reveal & R. M.
King
Acrocomia mexicana Coyol Arecaceae Root roasted, fruit raw Alloxanic mice (+) Tetrahydropyrane,
Karw. ex Mart. Alloxanic mice (++) Coyolose
EtOH
Agastache mexicana Toronjil Lamiaceae Plant (aerial) infusion Essential oils
(Kunth) Lint et Epling
Agave atrovirens Karw. Ex Maguey Agavaceae Steam macerated Sapogeninns
Salm-Dyck
Agave lecheguilla Torr. Lechuguilla Agavaceae Steam macerated
Agave salmiana Otto ex Maguey Agavaceae Steam macerated
Salm-Dyck
Ageratina petiolaris Moc. Hierba del ángel o Asteraceae Plant (aerial) infusion Terpens
& Sessé ex DC. Yolochichotl
Ageratum conyzoides L. Hierba dulce Asteraceae Plant (aerial) infusion Flavonoids, essential oils,
terpens
Allionia choisyi Standl. Hierba de la hormiga Nyctaginaceae Plant (aerial) infusion
Allium cepa L. Cebolla Liliaceae Bulbs raw Sulfuric compounds
Alloispermum Prodijiosa Asteraceae Plant (aerial) infusion
integrifolium (DC.) H.
Rob.
Aloe barbadensis Mill. Sábila Liliaceae Steam roasted, juice of the Normal rabbits (−) Polysaccharides,
leaves flavonoids
Aloe vera (L.) Burm. F Sábila Liliaceae Mixed with Nopal taken Normal mice (+) Polysaccharides A B,
orally before meals flavonoids, terpens
Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. Artemisa Asteraceae Plant (aerial) infusion Sesquiterpen lactones
Anacardium occidentale L. Marañon Anacardiaceae Bark infusion
Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. Piña Bromeliaceae Juice of the fruit Monoterpenoids,
Carotenoids, Lactones
Annona cherimola Mill. Chirimoya Annonaceae Bark infusion Isoquinolin Alkaloids
Annona glabra L. Anona silvestre, palo Annonaceae Juice of the fruit root infusion Diterpens, Alkaloids
de corcho
Annona muricata L. Guanabana Annonaceae Fruit raw
Apodanthera buraeavi Pisto Cucurbitaceae Plant (aerial) infusion
Cogn.
Aporocactus flagelliformis Flor de junco Cactaceae Flowers infusion, steam
(L.) Lem. infusion
Arachis hypogaea L. Cacahuate Fabaceae Seeds and oil Sterols, flavonoids
Arceuthobium vaginatum Injerto Loranthaceae Plant infusion
(Humb. & Bonpl. ex
Willd.) J. Presl
Arctostaphylos pungens Pingüica Ericaceae Leaves infusion, roots Tannins
Kunth infusion
Argemone mexicana L. Chicalote, Cardo Papaveraceae Plant (aerial) infusion Alkaloids, flavonoids
lechero.
Argemone ochroleuca Chicalote Papaveraceae Plant (aerial) infusion Alkaloids
Sweet
Argemone platyceras Link Chicalote Papaveraceae Plant (aerial) infusion
& Otto
Aristolochia Guaco Aristolochiaceae Plant infusion EtOH
asclepiadifolia
Brandegee
Aristolochia malacophylla Guaco Aristolochiaceae Flowers infusion
Standl.
Aristolochia sericea Benth. Guaco Aristolochiaceae Steam infusion
Table 1 (Continued )
Artemisia absinthium L. Ajenjo Asteraceae Leaf boil Sesquiterpen lactones,
flavonoids
Artemisia ludoviciana Estafiate Asteraceae Plant (aerial) infusion
Nutt.
Artemisia vulgaris L. Ajenjo Asteraceae Leaf boil Sesquiterpens flavonoids
Asclepias linaria Cav. Romerillo Asclepiadaceae Plant (aerial) infusion Sterols, triterpenoids
Barosma betulina Bartl. & Buchü Rutaceae Leaves infusion
H.L. Wendl.
Bauhinia divaricata L. Pata de vaca Fabaceae Leaf boil, flowers boil Normal rabbits (+)
Begonia heracleifolia Mano de león Begoniaceae Steam infusion
Schltdl. & Cham.
Berberis moranensis Palo muerto Berberidaceae Bark infusion Cucurbitacines
Schult. & Schult. f.
Beta vulgaris L. Betabel Chenopodiceae Juice of the leaves Alkaloids, flavonoids
Bidens aurea (Aiton) Té de milpa Asteraceae Plant (aerial) infusion Essential oils
Sherff
Bidens leucantha (L.) Rosilla Asteraceae Plant (aerial) infusion Alloxanic mice (++)
Willd.
Bidens odorata Cav. Aceitilla, Mosote Asteraceae Plant (aerial) infusion Flavonoids, triterpens
blanco
Bidens pilosa L. Aceitilla Asteraceae Plant (aerial) infusion Alloxanic mice (+) Flavonoids, triterpens
Bocconia arborea S. Llora sangre Papaveraceae Leaves infusion Alkaloids
Watson
Puemus boldus Molina J. Boldo Monimiaceae Plant (aerial) infusion
A. Schultes & J. H.
Schultes in J. J. Roemer
& J. A. Schultes
Bouvardia ternifolia (Cav.) Trompetilla Rubiaceae Leaves, steam infusion Bouvardin
Schltdl.
Brickellia cavanillesii Prodigiosa Asteraceae Plant (aerial) infusion Normal rabbits (+) Essential oils, brikelin
(Cass.) A. Gray
Brickellia squarrosa B.L. Amula Asteraceae Plant (aerial) infusion Normal rabbits (+) Flavonoids
Rob. & Seaton
Brosimum alicastrum Sw. Ojite Moraceae Bark infusion Benzoquinones
Buchnera pusilla Kunth Chichibé Scrophulariaceae Bark infusion
Buddleia stachyoides Hierba del perro Loganiaceae Leaves infusion Flavonoids, alkaloids,
Cham. & Schltd/. essential oils
Buddleja Americana L. Tepozán Loganiaceae Leaves infusion Flavonoids, alkaloids
Buddleja cordata Kunth Tepozán Loganiaceae Leaves infusion Alkaloids
Bursera simaruba (L.) Cuajiote Burseraceae Bark infusion Tannins
Sarg.
Byrsonima crassifolia (L.) Nanche Malpighiaceae Fruit, bark infusion Triterpenoids
Kunth
Cacalia decomposita A. Matarique Asteraceae Root infusion Alloxan Mice (++) Alkaloids,
Gray polysaccharides
Cacalia peltata Kunth Matarique Asteraceae Root infusion Normal rabbits (++) Polysaccharides
Calamintha macrostema Tabaquillo Lamiaceae Root infusion Alloxanic mice (+)
Benth.
Calea hypoleuca B.L. Rob. Prodigiosa Asteraceae Plant (aerial) infusion
& Greenm.
Calea integrifolia (DC.) Prodigiosa Asteraceae Stem, infusion Sesquiterpen lactones
Hemsl.
Calea zacatechichi Schltdl. Prodigiosa Asteracae Leaves infusion Normal rabbits (+)
Calliandra anomala Cabello de ángel Fabaceae Leaves infusion Triterpenoid saponins
(Kunth) J.F. Macbr.
Callicarpa acuminata Xpuk’im Verbenaceae Root, infusion
Kunth
Capraria biflora L. Sabadilla Scrophulariaceae Leaves infusion Alloxanic mice (+) Alkaloids, loiflorin
Carica papaya L. Papaya Caricaceae Latex Monoterpenoids
Carya Nutt. Nogal Juglandaceae Leaves infusion
Casimiroa edulis La Llave Zapote blanco Rutaceae Leaves infusion, bark Alkaloids, casimiroin,
& Lex. infusion edulein, edulinin
Cassia fistula L Caña Fı́stula Fabaceae Fruit
Cassia skinneri Benth. Frijolillo Fabaceae Leaves infusion
Cassia tomentosa L. f. Retama cimarrona Fabaceae Leaves infusion
Castela texana (T. & G.) Chaparro amargoso Simaroubaceae Bark infusion Steroids
Rose
Castela tortuosa Liebm. Venenilo Simaroubaceae Bark infusion
Castilleja Mutis ex L. f. Hierba del gato Scrophulariaceae Plant (aerial) infusion
Catharanthus roseus (L.) Vicaria Apocinaceae Root infusion
G. Don
Cecropia peltata L. Guarambo Cecropiaceae Leaves infusion
Ceiba pentandra (L.) Ceiba, Pochote Bombacaceae Bark infusion Essential oils
Gaertn.
Centaurium brachycalyx Tlanchalahua Gentianaceae Leaves infusion
Standl. & L.O. Williams
Centaurium calycosum Tlanchalagua Gentianaceae Leaves infusion
(Buckley) Fernald
Chamaecrista hispidula Frijolillo Fabaceae Leaves infusion
(Vahl) H.S. Irwin &
Barneby
Chamaecrista hispidula Frijolillo Fabaceae Leaves infusion
(Vahl) H.S. Irwin &
Barneby
Chenopodium glaucum L. Hierba del puerco Chenopodiceae Plant (aerial) infusion
Chromolaena bigelovii (A. Ambula Asteraceae Plant (aerial) infusion
Gray) R.M. King & H.
Rob
Cirsium mexicanum DC. Cardo santo Asteraceae Root infusion
Cirsium rhaphilepis Cardo santo Asteraceae Flower infusion
(Hemsl.) Petr.
Cissampelos pareira L. Guaco Menispermaceae Root raw Alkaloids, isoquinolin
Citrus aurantifolia Limón Rutaceae Fruit Essential oils,
(Christm.) Swingle sesquiterpen lactones
Citrus limetta Risso Lima Rutaceae Fruit
Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Flor de azahar Rutaceae Ripe fruit infusion Essential oils, flavonoids
Cnidoscolus aconitifolius Chaya Euphorbiaceae Leaves infusion Polysaccharides
(Mill.) I.M. Johnst.
Cnidoscolus multilobus Mala mujer Euphorbiaceae Leaves infusion Triterpenoids, flavonoids,
(Pax) I.M. Johnst. tannins
Cnidosculus chayamansa Chayamansa Euphorbiaceae Leaves infusion Flavonoids glycosides
Mc Vaugh
Coix lacryma-jobi L. Lágrima de San Pedro Poaceae Plant (aerial) infusion Normal rabbits (+)
Combretum farinosum Bejuco de Carape Combretaceae Sap raw
Kunth
Conyza filaginoides (D C.) Simonillo Asteraceae Plant (aerial) infusion Alkaloids, lenecin
Hieron.
Conyza gnaphalioides Cimonillo, Asteraceae Leaves infusion Terpens
Kunth zacachichitl
Cordia elaeagnoides A. Cueramo Boraginaceae Bark infusion Terpens
DC.
Cordia tinifolia Willd. Ex Palo mulato Boraginaceae Bark infusion
Roem. & Schult.
Coriandrum sativum L. Cilantro Apiaceae Plant (aerial) infusion Coumarins, flavonoids,
sesquiterpenoids, steroids
Costus mexicanus Liebm. Caña de Jabalı́ Zingiberaceae Plant (aerial) infusion
ex Petersen
Costus rubber C. Wright Caña agria Zingiberaceae Plant (aerial) infusion
ex Griseb.
Costus spicatus (Jacq.) Sw. Caña de Jabalı́ Zingiberaceae Plant (aerial) infusion
Crataegus mexicana Moc. Tejocote Rosaceae Root infusion
& Sésse ex DC.
Crataegus pubescens (C. Tejocote Rosaceae Root infusion Normal rabbits (++) Tannins, flavonoids
Presl) C. Presl
Crotalaria acapulcensis Retama Fabaceae Leaves infusion
Hook. & Arn.
Croton draco Schltdl. Sangre de Grado Euphorbiaceae Cortex infusion, latex Diterpens
Croton torreyanus Müll Salvia Euphorbiaceae
Arg.
Cucurbita maxima Calabaza Cucurbitaceae Fruit juice Sterols, flavonoids
Duchesne
Cucurbita mexicana Calabaza, Melón Cucurbitaceae Leaves infusion fruit juice Normal rabbits (++)
Damm
Cuscuta jalapensis Schltdl. Sacapal Convolvulaceae Steam infusion
Cyathea fulva (M. Martens Árbol de la vida Cyatheaceae Root infusion
& Galeotti) Fée
Cyathea fulva (Martens & Árbol de la vida Filicaceae Leaves infusion
Galeotti) Fée.
Cynara scolymus L. Alcachofa Asteraceae Fruit infusion, flowers Flavonoids, sesquiterpen
infusion lactones, fenolic acids
Cynodon dactylon (L.) Grama Poaceae Plant (aerial) infusion Normal rabbits (+) Flavonoids, terpens
Pers.
Daucus carota L. Zanahoria Apiaceae Root juice Cumarines, flavonoids,
essential oils, fenolic
acids
Diospyros digyna Jacq. Zapote negro Ebenaceae Fruit
Dorstenia contrajerva L. Contrayerba Moraceae Leaves bolied Alkaloids, cardenolids
Dyssodia micropoides Hierba pelotazo Asteraceae Plant (aerial) infusion
(DC.) Loes.
Elaphoglossum sp. Schott Hierba del pastor Lomariopsidaceae Plant (aerial) infusion
ex J. Sm.
Equisetum giganteum L. Limpia plata Equisetaceae Plant (aerial) infusion Flavonoids
Equisetum hyemale L. Cola de caballo Equisetaceae Plant (aerial) infusion Flavonoids, alkaloids
Eriobotrya japonica Nı́spero Rosaceae Leaves infusion, flowers Normal rabbits (−) Sesquiterpens, flavonoids
(Thunb.) Lindll. infusion
Eucalyptus globules Labill Eucalipto Myrtaceae Leaves infusion Alloxanic mice (+) Flavonoids, terpens
Euphorbia maculata L. Hierba de la Euphorbiaceae Leaves infusion
Golondrina
Euphorbia prostrata Aiton Hierba de la Euphorbiaceae Leaves infusion Flavonoids
Golondrina
Eysenhardtia polystachya Palo dulce Fabaceae Plant (aerial) infusion, bark Alloxanic mice (+) Flavonoids, triterpens
(Ortega) Sarg. infusion
Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Hinojo Apiaceae Plant (aerial) infusion Essential oils, flavonoids
Fouquieria splendens Albarda Fouquieriaceae Leaves infusion
Engelm.
Fraxinus alba Marshall Fresno Oleaceae Leaves infusion bark infusion
Gnaphalium oxyphyllum Gordolobo Asteraceae Diterpens, flavonoids
DC.
Guaiacum coulteri A. Gray Guayacan Zygophyllaceae Bark infusion Alkaloids
Guaiacum sanctum L Guayacan Zygophyilaceae Bark infusion
Guardiola angustifolia (A. Chintuza Asteraceae
Gray ex S. Watson) B.L.
Rob.
Guardiola tulocarpus A. Chintuza Asteraceae Leaves infusion
Gray
Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. Guázima Sterculiaceae Bark infusion Alkaloids, tannins
Haemahtoxylon brasiletto Palo Brazil Fabaceae Bark infusion
H. Karst.
Hamelia patens Jacq. Balletilla Rubiaceae Leaves infusion Tannins
Haplopappus venetus Xapulli Asteraceae Plant (aerial) infusion
(Kunth) S.F. Blake
Hechtia melanocarpa L. B. Maguey agrio Bromeliaceae Steam raw Flavonoids, alkaloids
Sm.
Heterotheca inuloides Arnica Asteraceae Leaves infusion Flavonoids, essential oils
Cass.
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. Tulipán Malvaceae Plant (aerial) infusion Sterols, flavonoids
Hidalgoa ternata La Llave Mozote de monte Asteraceae Plant (aerial) infusion
Hintonia latiflora (Sesse & Copalquin, Cáscara Rubiaceae Bark infusion Alloxanic mice (++) Neoflavonoid,
Moc. ex DC.) Bullock sagrada. coutareagenin.
Hippocratea excelsa Kunth Cancerina Hippocrateaceae Root infusion Sesquiterpens
Ipomoea starts Cav. Tumba vaquero Convolvulaceae Plant (aerial) infusion Essential oils
Jatropha dioica Cerv. Sangre de grado Euphorbiaceae Root infusion
Jatropha elbae J. Jiménez Sangre de grado Euphorbiaceae Bark infusion Terpens, flavonoids
Ram.
Juliania adstringens Cuachalalate Julianiaceae Bark infusion Triterpens
(Schltdl.) Schltdl.
Justicia spicigera Scheltdl Muicle Acanthaceae Leaves infusion Flavonoids
Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Tronador Crassulaceae Plant (aerial) infusion Flavonoids
Pers.
Karwinskia humboldtiana Tullidora Rhamnaceae Leaves infusion
(Willd. ex Roem. &
Schult.) Zucc.
Kohleria sp. Regel Tlanchichinoli Gesneriaceae Leaves infusion Triterpens
Larrea tridentata (Sessé & Gobernadora Zygophylaceae Plant (aerial) infusion Terpens, lignans
Moc. ex DC.) Coville
Lepechinia caulescens Bretónica Lamiaceae Leaves infusion Alloxanic mice (++) Terpens
(Ortega) Epling
Lepidium virginicum L. Lentejilla Brassicaeae Leaves infusion
Leucaena leucocephala Guaje Fabaceae Seed raw Tannins
(Lam.) de Wit
Leucophyllum texanum Cenicillo Scrophulariaceae Plant (aerial) infusion
Benth.
Ligusticum porteri J.M. Raı́z de cochino Apiaceae Root infusion Essential oils
Coult. & Rose
Ligustrum japonicum Fresno Oleaceae Leaves infusion
Thunb.
Loeselia coccinea (Cav.) Hoja de la virgen Polemoniaceae Leaves infusion Alkaloids, saponins
G. Don
Loeselia mexicana (Lam.) Hierba de la virgen. Polemoniaceae Leaves infusion Alloxanic mice (+) Alkaloids, essential oils
Brand
Lonchocarpus cruentus Guayacán Fabaceae Bark infusion
Lundell
Lopezia racemosa Cav. Perilla Onagraceae Plant (aerial) infusion
Lophocereus schottii Muso Cactaceae Steam infusion Alkaloids
(Engelm.) Britton &
Rose
Lysiloma acapulcense Tepehuaje Fabaceae Leaves infusion, bark Tannins
(Kunth.) Benth infusion
Malmea depresa (Baillon) Elemuy Anonaceae Root infusion Flavonoids
Fries
Malvastrum Marvavisco Malvaceae Leaves infusion Tannins
coromandelianum (L.)
Garcke
Mangifera indica L. Mango Anacardiaceae Bark infusion leaves infusion Flavonoids, essential oils,
terpens
Marrubium vulgare L. Marrubio Lamiaceae Leaves infusion, root infusion Normal rabbits (++) Terpens, flavonoids
Melothria pendula L. Sandiita Cucurbitaceae Plant (aerial) infusion
Mentha piperita L. Hierbabuena Lamiaceae Leaves infusion Essential oils, terpens,
flavonoids
Mentha rotundifolia (L.) Mostranza Lamniaceae Leaves infusion Essential oils, terpens
Huds.
Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. Mastranzo Lamiaceae Leaves infusion
Mimosa zygophylla Benth. Gatuño Fabaceae Leaves infusion
Mirabilis jalapa L. Maravilla Nyctaginaceae Plant (aerial) infusion Triterpens, flavonoids
Momordica charantia L. Cundeamor, Cucurbitaceae Leaves infusion Terpens, steroids,
flavonoids
Morus nigra L. Moral negro Moraceae Leaves infusion
Musa sapientum L. Flor de plátano Musaceae Root infusion
Nasturtium officinale R. Br. Berro Brassicaeae Plant (aerial) infusion Flavonoids, alkaloids,
terpens
Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Nopal Cactaceae Steam raw
Salm-Dyck
Nopalea inaperta Schott Nopal Cactaceae Steam raw
ex Griffiths.
Olea europaea L. Hierba de oliva Oleaceae Leaves infusion Alkaloids, flavonoids,
terpens
Opuntia atropes Rose Nopal bianco Cactaceae Steam raw
Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Nopal Cactaceae Steam raw Alkaloids, flavonoids
Mill.
Opuntia fulgida Engelm. Choya Cactaceae Steam raw
Opuntia guilanchi Griffiths Nopal blanco Cactaceae Steam raw
Opuntia imbricata (Haw) Xoconostle Cactaceae Steam raw, fruit
DC.
Opuntia leucotricha DC. Duraznillo Cactaceae Steam
Opuntia megacantha Nopal blanco Cactaceae Steam raw
Salm-Dyck
Opuntia streptacantha Nopal Cactaceae Steam raw Normal rabbits (+)
Lem
Pachira aquatica Aubl. Zapote de agua Bombacaceae Bark infusion
Pachycereus marginatus Organo, Sahuaro Cactaceae Steam raw
(DC.) Britton & Rose
Pachycereus pringlei (S. Cardón Cactaceae Steam raw
Watson) Britton & Rose
Packera candidissima Lechugilla Asteraceae Plant (aerial) infusion
(Greene) W.A. Weber &
Á. Löve
Parathesis lenticellata Chagalapoli Myrsinaceae Leaves infusion
Lundell
Parkinsonia aculeata L. Bagote Fabaceae Leaves infusion Flavonoids, triterpens
Parthenium hysterophorus Escobilla Asteraceae Plant (aerial) infusion Alkaloids, partenin
L
Pavonia schiedeana Steud Cadillo Malvaceae Leaves infusion Normal rabbits (−) Tannins
Persea americana Mill Aguacate Lauraceae Leaves infusion Sterols, flavonoids
Petroselinum crispum Perejil Apiaceae Plant (aerial) infusion Essential oils, flavonoids
(Mill.) Nyman ex A.W.
Hill
Phaseolus vulgaris L. Frı́jol Fabaceae Fruit infusion Normal rabbits (+) Essential oils, flavonoids,
alkaloids
Phlebodium aureum (L.) J. Calahuala Polypodiaceae Root infusion Steroids
Sm.
Phoradendron bolleanum Injerto Viscaceae Plant (aerial) infusion
(Seem.) Eichler
Phoradendron tomentosum Muicle Viscaceae Plant (aerial) infusion Phoratoxins
(DC.) Engelm. ex A.
Gray
Phragmites australis Carrizo Poaceae Plant (aerial) infusion
(Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.
Physalis coztomatl Dunal Costomate Solanaceae Leaves infusion
Physalis philadelphica Tomate Solanaceae Fruit roasted Normal rabbits (−)
Lam.
Piper auritum Kunth Acoyo Piperaceae Leaves infusion Terpens, flavonoids,
essential oils
Piper hispidum Sw. Cordoncillo Piperaceae Leaves infusion
Piper sanctum (Miq.) Hierba Santa Piperaceae Leaves infusion Essential oils, alkaloids
Schltdl. ex C. DC.
Piper schiedeanum Steud. Tlaxalisnuat Piperaceae Leaves infusion
Pithecellobium dulce Guamúchil Fabaceae Bark infusion
(Roxb.) Benth.
Plantago australis Lam. Gusanillo Plantaginaceae Plant (aerial) infusion Lignans
Plantago major L. Llante Plantaginaceae Plant infusion Flavonoids, terpens
Plumbago scandens L. Plumbago Plumbaginaceae w/i Flavonoids
Plumeria rubra L. Flor de mayo Apocynaceae Flowers infusion
Polygonum acre Lam. Sanguinaria Polygonaceae Leaves infusion
Populus alba L. Abedúl Salicaceae Leaves infusion
Porophyllum punctatum Piojillo Asteraceae Flowers infusion
(Mill.) S.F. Blake
Portulaca denudata Poelln. Verdolaga Portulacaceae Plant (aerial) infusion
Portulaca oleracea L. Verdolaga Portulacaceae Plant (aerial) infusion Alkaloids, terpens
Pouteria hypoglauca Baehni Sapotaceae Leaves infusion
(Standl.) Baehni
Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) Mezquite Fabaceae Fruit raw
DC.
Prunus serotina subsp. Capulı́n Rosaceae Fruit infusion Terpens
capuli (Cav.) McVaugh
Psacalium sinuatum Matarique Asteraceae Root infusion
(Cerv.) H. Rob. &
Brettell
Pseudosmodingium Cuajilote Anacardiaceae Root infusion bark infusion
pemiciosum (Kunth)
Engl.
Psidium guajava L. Guayaba Myrtaceae Fruit Terpens, flavonoids
Psidium yucatanense Pach Myrtaceae Bark infusion
Lundell
Psittacanthus calyculatus Muérdago Loranthaceae Plant infusion, flowers Alloxanic mice (++)
(DC.) G. Don infusion
Quassia amara L. Cuasia Simaroubaceae Leaves infusion Alkaloids, terpens
Quercus acutifolia Neé Encino Fagaceae Bark infusion Terpens, flavonoids
Quercus rugosa Neé Encino Fagaceae Bark infusion
Randia echinocarpa Moc. Grangel Grangel Leaves infusion
& Sessé ex DC.
Randia echinocarpa Moc. Granjil Rubiaceae Fruit
& Sessé ex DC.
Raphanus sativus L. Rábano Brassicaceae Root infusion
Rhipsalis baccifera (J.S. Niguilla Cactaceae Stem infusion, fruit raw
Muell.) Steam
Rhizophora mangle L. Mangle Rhizophoraceae Bark infusion Tannins
Ricinus communis L. Huiguerilla Euphorbiaceae Leaves infusion Flavonoids, terpens
Rosa centifolia L. Rosa de castilla Rosaceae Leaves infusion
Rubus adenotrichus Zarzamora Rosaceae Leaves infusion
Schltdl.
Russelia equisetiformis Cola de caballo Scrophulariaceae Plant (aerial) infusion
Schltdl. & Cham.
Salix taxifolia Kunth Taray Salicaceae Steam infusion
Salpianthus arenarius Catarinita Nyctaginaceae. Leaves infusion Normal rabbits (++)
Humb. & Bonpl.
Salvia leucantha Cav. Salvia morada Lamiaceae Plant (aerial) infusion Terpens
Samvitalia procumbens Ojo de gallo Asteraceae Plant (aerial) infusion Terpens
Lam.
Saurauia pringlei Rose Picon Actnidaceae Leaves infusion
Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw. Chayote Cucurbitaceae Fruit raw Flavonoids
Sedum dendroideum Moc. Siempreviva Crassulaceae Plant (aerial) infusion Sedoheoptulose
& Sessé ex DC.
Sedum moranense HBK. Siempreviva Crassulaceae Plant (aerial) infusion
Sedum praealtum A. DC. Siempreviva Crassulaceae Leaves infusion
Selaginella lepidophylla Doradilla Selaginellaceae Plant (aerial) infusion Essential oils
(Hook. & Grev.) Spring
Selaginella pallescens (C. Flor de piedra Sellaginacae Plant (aerial) infusion
Presl) Spring
Selloa plantaginea Kunth Diente de elef.ante Asteraceae Plant (aerial) infusion
Senecio albo-lutescens Matarique Asteraceae Root infusion
Sch. Bip.
Senecio palmeri A. Gray Matarique Asteraceae Root infusion
Senecio peltiferus Hemsl. Matarique Asteraceae Root infusion
Senna multiglandulosa Retama china Fabaceae Leaves infusion
(Jacq.) H.S. Irwin &
Barneby
Senna obtusifolia L. (L.) Pa xojk Fabaceae Leaves infusion Antraquinones, emodin
H.S. Irwin & Barneby
Senna occidentalis (L.) Frijolillo Fabaceae Root infusion Flavonoids, sterols
Link
Serjania racemosa Bejuco tres en uno. Sapindaceae Plant (aerial) infusion
Schumach.
Serjania triquetra Radlk. Bejuco de tres C. Salicaceae Bark infusion
Simira sp. Aubl Quina roja, cáscara Rubiaceae Bark infusion
sagrada
Smilax aristolochiifolia Zarzaparrilla Similicaceae Root infusion Sapogenins
Mill.
Solandra nitida Zuccagni Flor de guayacán Solanaceae Flower infusion
Solanum americanum Mill. Hierba mora Solanaceae Plant (aerial) infusion Alkaloids, solanin
Solanum brevistylum Malabar Solanaceae Plant (aerial) infusion
Wittm
Solanum diversifolium Malabar Solanaceae Leaves infusion Normal rabbit (++)
Dunal
Solanum nigrescens M. Hierba mora Solanaceae Plant (aerial) infusion
Martens & Galeotti
Solanum rostratum Dunal Duraznillo Solanaceae Plant (aerial) infusion
Solanum torvum Sw. Berenjena Solanaceae Root infusion
Solanum verbascifolium Berenjena Solaneceae Plant (aerial) infusion Steroidal, alkaloids
C.B. Wright
Sonchus oleraceus L. Lechuguilla Asteraceae Leaves infusion Flavonoids
Spartium junceum L. Retama Fabaceae Leaves infusion
Sphaeralcea angustifolia Hierba del negro Malvaceae Plant (aerial) infusion
(Cav.) G. Don
Stachytarpheta Verbena Verbenaceae Plant (aerial) infusion Terpens
jamaicensis (L.) Vahl
Stenocereus marginatus Organo de Zopilote Cactaceae Steam roasted
(DC.) Berger & Buxb
Struthanthus densiflorus Injerto Loranthaceae Leaves infusion
(Benth.) Standl.
Swietenia humilis Zucc. Zopilote Meliaceae. Seed raw
Tagetes erecta L. Cempasuchil o Flor Asteraceae Plant (aerial) infusion Terpens, essential oils
de muerto,
Tamarindus indica L. Tamarindo Fabaceae Pulp of fruit raw Flavonoids
Taraxacum qfficinale Diente de león Asteraceae Leaves infusion Terpens
Weber ex F.H. Wigg.
Taxodium mucronatum Ahuehuete Taxodiaceae Leaves infusion Flavonoids
Ten.
Tecoma starts (L.) Juss. ex Tronadora Bignoniaceae Leaves infusion, plant Alloxanic mice (++) Alkaloids, terpens
Kunth infusion plant infusion Normal Dogs (++)
Terminalia catappa L. Castaño Combretaceae Fuit
Teucrium cubense Jacq. Agrimonia Lamiaceae Leaves infusion Normal rabbits (+)
Thriallis glauca (Cav.) Amargoso Malphigiaceae Root infusion Flavonoids, terpens
Kuntze
Tillandsia usneoides (L.) Heno Bromeliaceae Plant (aerial) infusion Alloxanic mice (++) Flavonoids
L.
Tournefortia hirsutissima Lagrima de San Boraginaceae Steam infusion
L. Pedro.
Tournefortia petiolaris DC. Lagrima de San Boraginaceae Steam infusion
Pedro.
Tradescantia pendula ( Comellina Commelinaceae Leaves infusion Flavonoids
Schnizl.) D.R. Hunt
Trigonella Fenogreco Fabaceae w/i
foenum-graecum L.
Tropaeolum majus L. Mastuerzo Tropaeoleaceae Leaves infusion
Turnera diffusa Willd ex Damiana. Turneraceae Leaves infusion Flavonoids, terpens
Schult.
Urtica dioica L. Ortiga Urticaceae Plant (aerial) infusion Normal rabbits (−) Flavonoids, coumarins
Urtica mexicana Liebm. Ortiga Urticaceae Leaves infusion
Valeriana edulis Nutt. ex Valeriana Valerianaceae Root infusion
Torr. & A. Gray
Valeriana procera Kunth Valeriana Valerianaceae Root infusion Alloxanic mice (−)
Verbesina crocata (Cav.) Capitaneja Asteraceae Leaves infusion Alloxanic mice (+)
Less.
Verbesina persicifolia DC. Huichin Asteraceae Plant (aerial) infusion Alloxanic mice (+) Sesquiterpens
Zaluzania angusta (Lag.) Limpia tuna Asteraceae Root infusion
Sch. Bip.
Zantoxylum fagara L. Tankasché Rutaceae Leaves infusion Alkaloids
Zea mays h. Pelos de elote Poaceae Fruit infusion
Zexmenia gnaphalioides Peonia Asteraceae Root infusion
A. Gray
Zizyphus acuminate Benth Corongoro, amol Rhamnaceae Plant (aerial) infusion
∗ In the Animal studies +, indicates activity and the level of it, while—mean no observed activity for the tested extract.
∗∗ The phytochemical information, refers about the reports for the plant no the active compounds.
isolated from Psacalium spp., processes for obtaining the upper face and grey at the lower surface. It is a fast-growing
novel eremophilanolide sesquiterpenes and methods for their pioneer tree from tropical America, the hollow septate twigs
use as hypoglycemic agents, for example, in the treatment of are inhabited by ants (Pennington and Sarukhán, 1998).
diabetes.” Sadly, Mexicans have had no say in developing
this patent on a Mexican plant. 3.1.2. Distribution
Instead we review the current information of some lesser It is widespread in México, along both coasts, from
known plants commonly used in México to treat type 2 dia- Tamaulipas and San Luis Potosi to Tabasco on the Gulf of
betes and summarise and discuss ethnobotanical, pharmacog- México, and from Sinaloa to Chiapas on the Pacific side.
nostical, phytochemical, pharmacological and clinical data It is, in fact, a weedy species, which would presumably be
for the main species reported as hypoglycaemic in México relatively easy to grow on a larger scale or to harvest it sus-
(Table 1). tainably by collecting material in the first few years after a
milpa (corn field) has been given up.
3. Ethnopharmacology of commonly used 3.1.3. Ethnobotany

antidiabetic plants in México Traditionally the dry leaves (15 g) are boiled in water
(500 ml), the resulting infusion is cooled in the pot, then
Seven species used throughout México, reported in the filtrated and drunk as “agua de uso”. The cold infusion is
international literature with pharmacological and phyto- consumed over the day or when the people have thirst. The
chemical studies are discussed in greater detail and their use is reported from the following Mexican states, Hidalgo,
potential for developing phytomedicines with a validated pro- Guerrero, Veracruz, Yucatan, Campeche, Tabasco, Edo. de
file of activity and demonstrated safety profile is analysed México, Oaxaca and Chiapas. The traditional names include
(Table 2). “Guarumbo”, “Chancarro”, “Hormiguillo”, “Chiflon” and
“Koochlé” among others.
3.1. Cecropia obtusifolia Bertol. (Cecropiaceae)
3.1.4. Main constituents
The hypoglycaemic effect of this plant sold on several The following constituents have been reported: ␤-
markets as a treatment for type 2 diabetes is well known in sitosterol, stigmasterol, 4-ethyl-5-(n-3valeroil)-6-hexahy-
México, DF (Andrade-Cetto, 1999) and it is also known from drocoumarin and 1-(2-methyl-1-nonen-8-il)-aziridine
many ethnobotanical collections in rural lowland areas (e.g. (Argueta, 1994). The type of extract for the isolated com-
Heinrich, 1989). pounds has not been specified. From the butanolic extract
Andrade-Cetto and Wiedenfeld (2001) isolated chlorogenic
3.1.1. Botanical description acid and isoorientin (Fig. 1 compounds 1 and 2). The isolated
A monopodic tree 20 m tall, growing in secondary vege- compounds are also found in the medicinal tea.
tation in the tropical rain forest. This tree has a tall, straight,
hollow trunk and a stratified treetop with few large branches 3.1.5. Pharmacology
growing horizontally from the trunk. The leaves are in a spiral A hypoglycaemic effect of the water extract was demon-
disposition located at the top of the branches and are simple, strated in alloxan diabetic mice (Pérez et al., 1984), in
peltate or deeply palmate, with a deep green colour in the hyperglycaemic rabbits (Román-Ramos et al., 1991) and in
methylacrylate
Streptozotocin diabetic rats (Andrade-Cetto et al., 2000).

Lactucin-8-O-
alloxan mice
Parmentiera
Normal and
Pérez-Guerrero et al. (2001) performed several pharmaco-

aculeata
logical tests in male Swiss albino mice and concluded that

None
the water extract of the leaves has low toxicity, a substantial

effect as a central depressor, anti-inflammatory and analgesic
effects. The report of Pérez et al. (1984) shows activity after
Normal and alloxan
5,7,3 -trihydroxy-
3,6,4 -trimethoxy
5 h of intraperitonal and oral administration of the aqueous

veronicaefolia
extract (obtained from 50 g leaves boiled in 250 ml distilled

flavone (8)
Brickellia
water). This study does not give more details about the effects
between time 0 and 5 h. Also, a proper positive control like
None
mice
glibenclamide is missing. There is no statistical evaluation

of the data and the dose administered to each animal is not
1-24-ethyl-sigmast-25-ene
mentioned. The study by Román-Ramos et al. (1991) does

12-ursene 23,24 dimethyl
Normal and alloxan mice
not use a proper diabetic animal model (Versphol, 2002).

Agarista mexicana
Instead, it was conducted in healthy rabbits obtaining a glu-

cose tolerance curve. The effect of the aqueous extract of
132 g leaves boiled in 1 l water and administering the infusion
(6 and 7)
and rats
(4 ml/kg) using a gastric tube showed a significant hypogly-

None
caemic effect at 60 min after the administration of the extract,

and showed no activity after 4 and 5 h. Since the amount of
dry extract administered was not measured in either study,
Hyperglycaemic rabbits
Alloxan mice and rats
the actual doses are missing. Also, in the study performed

In humans, positive
Cucurbita ficifolia
by Pérez et al. the reported activity is after 300 min (5 h) and

Roman-Ramos et al. report no activity at this time.
Unknown
In the study by Andrade-Cetto and Wiedenfeld (2001) in

Overview on antidiabetic effects of the seven species reviewed and commonly used in México (for references see text)
Streptozotocin diabetic rats, a positive and an untreated con-

trol was used, the water and butanolic extracts as well as the
isolated compounds were tested, the hypoglycaemic effect
yangonine its O4 -mono and
Streptozotocin diabetic rats
di(1–6) glucoside (4 and 5)
is observed from 60 to 180 min for all the tested samples,

with statistical significance. However, according to Versphol
Caffeic acid desmethyl
Acosmium panamense
(2002) the animal model resembles more type I diabetes than

type 2, while Islas-Andrade et al. (2000) provided evidence
that using this model in a proper way diabetes type 2 can be
mimicked.
None
Herrera-Arellano et al. (2004) performed a study on dia-

betic type 2 people, they conclude that the plant has a signifi-
cant hypoglicemic effect after 21 days of oral administration,
kaempferol-3-O-sophoroside-4 -
Kaempferol-3-O-sophoroside,
of 3 g/day of the plant. The Cecropia group was also treated

Streptozotocin diabetic rats
with glibenclamide at different doses, and no proper controls

Equisetum myriochaetum
caffeoyl-methylate-4-␤-
kaempferol-3,7-di-O-␤-
were used, so there is no point of comparison, and the effect

In humans, positive
can not be only attributed to the extract. The authors argue

glucopuranoside
O-␤-glucoside
that the plant was given in a similar way as the traditional

preparation, but the traditional preparation takes between 12
glucoside,
and 15 g plant/day.
(3)
3.1.6. Possible mechanism of action

(1), isoorientin (2)
Chlorogenic acid
Chlorogenic acid was identified as a specific inhibitor

Streptozotocin
of the glucose-6-phosphate translocase component (Gl-6-

diabetic rats.
In progress
obtusifolia
P translocase) in microsomes of rat liver (Hemmerle et

Cecropia
al., 1997). Simultaneous targeting of gluconeogenesis and

glycogenolysis with an inhibitor of Gl-6-P translocase would
result in a reduction of hepatic glucose production. The action
Clinical studies
Animal model
of chlorogenic acid may well explain the hypoglycaemic

compounds
Botanical
Bioactive
effect observed by Pérez et al. (1984). The hypoglycaemic

species
Table 2
effect observed in mice after 5 h of experiment may be due to

a lack of hepatic glucose production resulting in a hypogly-
caemic state. This would have been caused by the liver not by Afifi et al. (1999). They showed that the compound caused
providing glucose due to the action of cholorogenic acid dur- concentration-dependent inhibition of the amplitude and fre-
ing the fasting of the animals. In the work by Román-Ramos quency of the phasic contractions of the rat and guinea-pig
et al. (1991), the animals were not fasted and they received uterus but did not affect the isolated aorta, ileum or trachea.
an oral glucose charge at times 0 and 60 min at a dose of Deliorman-Orhan et al. (2003) tested the hepatoprotective
2 g/kg. The authors did not observe any hypoglycaemic effect activity of Gentiana olivieri and conclude that the effect
after 5 h, they argued that with this animal model glycaemia “might possibly [be] due to the potent antioxidant activity
reaches basic values within 300 min. If the basic glycaemic of isoorientin”. The antioxidant effect of plants used in dia-
value is reached at 300 min then the hepatic production of glu- betes treatment was shown by Letitia et al., 2002. According
cose has not been trigger, and there was no hypoglycaemic to these authors, the benefits of antioxidants in the prevention
effect observed, and of course, no action of the cholorogenic of the complications of diabetes supports and validates the
acid. use of the traditional medicine. Antioxidants are important in
The other compound isolated by Andrade-Cetto and preventing diabetes, with low levels of plasma antioxidants
Wiedenfeld (2001), isoorientin, had previously been tested implicated as a risk factor for the development of the disease,
Fig. 1. Natural products with documented hypoglycaemic effects from the species discussed in detail in this review.
Fig. 1. (Continued ).
while throughout the progression of diabetes high levels of the circulating of radical scavengers, and reduces symptoms
circulating radical scavengers have been recorded (Letitia et of associated complications. However, the hypoglycaemic
al., 2002). effect of this compound has not yet been tested.
Many of the complications of diabetes, including retinopa-
thy and atherosclerotic vascular disease, the leading cause of 3.1.7. Toxicity
mortality in diabetics, have been linked to oxidative stress In the previously mentioned work by Pérez-Gutiérrez et
(Baynes, 1991). In diabetic patients, isoorientin decreases al. (2001) the acute toxicity was tested in Swiss mice. The
authors conclude: “the median lethal dose (LD50 ) of aqueous 3.2.4. Main constituents
extract from Cecropia obtusifolia after i.p. administration is From the butanolic and the water extracts with hypogly-
1450 mg/kg animal (11.21 g of plant/kg of weight)”. This is caemic activity the following constituents were isolated:
the equivalent to 673 g for a 60 kg person, far higher than the kaempferol-3-O-sophoroside, kaempferol-3,7-di-O-␤-glu-
commonly used dose of 15 g per person and day. The authors coside, caffeoyl-methylate-4-␤-glucopuranoside and kaemp-
conclude that the aqueous extract of the plant has low toxicity. ferol-3-O-sophoroside-4ı̌-O-␤-glucoside (Fig. 1, compound
3, Wiedenfeld et al., 2000). Pinocembrin, chrysin, ␤-
3.1.8. Cecropia obtusifolia—conclusion sitosterol, ␤-d-glycosyl-sitosterol, ␤-d-glucose and fatty
Some evidence mostly from in vivo animal studies is acids were also mentioned as constituents of Equisetum
available which validate the use of Cecropia obtusifolia in myriochaetum (Camacho et al., 1992).
diabetes. More studies are needed on type 2 diabetic ani-
mals and in patients to elucidate the complete hypoglycaemic
3.2.5. Pharmacology
mechanism of Cecropia extract. The extract has two main
The hypoglycaemic effect was demonstrated in Streptozo-
bioactive compounds, chlorogenic acid may well be respon-
tocin diabetic rats (Andrade-Cetto et al., 2000, and in diabetic
sible in part for the observed effect—the strongly reduced
type 2 patients (Revilla-Monsalve et al., 2002). Although
glucose production by the liver in a fasting state. However,
the plant is reported mainly for kidney diseases it showed
since Andrade-Cetto and Wiedenfeld (2001) and Román-
a remarkable hypoglycaemic effect in both tested models.
Ramos et al. (1991) reported an early hypoglycaemic effect,
There already exist reports about hypoglycaemic activities
this action cannot be due to chlorogenic acid. Furthermore
of various kaempferol derivatives containing plant extracts:
studies focusing on chronic application over longer time peri-
Kaempferol 3-O-galactoside and Kaempferol 3-rhamno-
ods (at least one or two months) may also help to elucidate
glucoside from Bauhinia variegata (Andrade-Cetto, 1999),
the mechanism of action. In such a study, data on the insulin
Kaempferol 3-O-rhamnoside from Zizhyphus rugosa (Khosa
production should be recorded, too. An extract from this
et al., 1983), Kaempferol 3-O-beta-glucopyranoside from
species has a great potential to be further developed into a
Morus insignis (Basnet et al., 1993), and Kaempferol-3-O-
phytomedicine to treat type 2 diabetes in humans.
(2gal-rhamnosilobonoside) from Sterculia rupestris (Desoky
and Youssef, 1997).
3.2. Equisetum myriochaetum Schlecht & Cham
A lower risk of type 2 diabetes has been associated with
(Equisetaceae)
flavonoid intake specially quercetin and myrcetin (Knekt et
The plant is sold in several markets in México to treat al., 2002). The authors suggest an inverse association between
kidney diseases (mal de orin) and diabetes. flavonoid intake and subsequent occurrence of ischemic heart
disease, cerebrovascular disease, lung and prostate cancer,
3.2.1. Botanical description type 2 diabetes, and asthma. The potential beneficial effect
Terrestrial plant with aerial stems 2–5 m (to 8 m) high, was associated with quercetin (the strongest antioxidant) but
branched with regular verticilies 2–23 mm in diameter with also with kaempferol.
16–48 channels, terminal strobile in the branches and in the The pharmacological testing in Streptozotocin diabetic
main stem 10 mm long and 4 mm in diameter (Palacios-Rios, rats showed a significant activity from 60 to 180 min,
1999). for the water and the butanolic extract. The most potent
effect was shown by kaempferol-3-O-sophoroside-4 -O-␤-
3.2.2. Distribution glucoside. The water extract was also tested in type 2 diabetic
It is known from the following Mexican states: Nayarit, patients. The results obtained in this study show a significant
Michoacán, Guerrero, Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosı́, effect on the reduction of the glucose levels in these patients
Tamaulipas, Hidalgo, Puebla, México, Veracruz, Oaxaca and after the oral administration of an Equisetum myriochaetum
Chiapas. Again, it is a weedy species and there seems to be water extract. The hypoglycaemic effect started 90 min after
ample opportunity for collecting material form this species the administration of the decoction and was maintained for
in a sustainable way. another 90 min. Insulin levels did not significantly change
during the study, implying that the mechanism of action is not
glibenclamide-like (not due to stimulation of insulin secre-
3.2.3. Ethnobotany
tion).
Species of equisetum, mainly Equisetum hymale, Equise-
tum laevigatum and Equisetum myriochaetum, are tradition-
ally used against kidney diseases. They are sold indistinctly 3.2.6. Toxicity
on the markets. Traditionally, a decoction of the aerial part In experiments performed with 200 male of Drosophila
of the plant is prepared and consumed as “Agua de uso” melanoganster (flr3/TM3,BdS), the traditionally used aque-
(Argueta, 1994) The use as treatment of type 2 diabetes was ous extract did not shown any toxicity, in up to 3700 ppm no
described by Andrade-Cetto et al. (2000), the form of prepa- LD50 was observed (Bárcenas-Rodrı́guez, 2004). The rele-
ration is the same as for Cecropia obtusifolia. vance of these data is, of course, limited.
3.2.7. Equisetum species—conclusion tocin diabetic rats. For all tested extracts the hypoglycaemic
The antioxidant effect of flavonoids cannot explain the effect was statistically significant with respect to the control
acute effect of the plant. For developing a more widely used at 120 and 180 min. The main constituents of the tradi-
phytomedicine for use in type 2 diabetes, more studies are tionally used water extracts are the isolated pyrones, simi-
urgently required. lar pyrones are found in Piper methysticum Forst. f. (Kava
Kava) used until recently as (often licensed) phytomedicines
3.3. Acosmium panamense (Benth.) Yacolev (Fabaceae) for the treatment of anxiety disorders: 11-methoxy-5,6-
dihydroyangonin, 11-methoxytetrahydroyangonin, tetrahy-
This species is widely used especially in the southern droyangonin, desmethoxyyangonin and yangonin, with the
lowland of México for treating fever, malaria and in recent last two being the most abundant, (Ranjith et al., 2002). These
decades, diabetes (Heinrich, 1989). compounds had previously not been evaluated for hypogly-
caemic activity.
3.3.1. Botanical description
Acosmium panamense (Benth.) Yacolev, (syn, Sweetia
3.3.6. Acosmium panamense—conclusion
panamensis Benth, with traditional names “Guayacán” and
Limited in vivo evidence exists for the traditionally used
“Bálsamo amarillo”) is a tree up to 40 m height, growing in
water extract. The isolated pyrones have hypoglycaemic
the tropical rain forest as a co-dominant species with Ter-
activity, but more studies are needed to clarify the mode of
minalia amazonia and Vochysia guatemalensis (Pennington
action.
and Sarukhán, 1998). The main characteristic of the tree is a
tall, straight trunk pyramidal treetop with ascendant branches.
3.4. Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché (Cucurbitaceae)
The external cortex is plain and dark grey, the inner cortex is
yellow and bitter. Leaves obtuse and pubescent surrounded
by stipules with a spiral disposition. Fruit green to dark green
At the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th
legumes, 5–10 cm long (Pennington and Sarukhán, 1998).
century, some authors were suggesting an Asiatic origin for
3.3.2. Distribution Cucurbita ficifolia. Since the middle of the last century, the
It grows along the Gulf coast from Veracruz to Yucatan and consensus has been that it is of American origin. However, its
along the Pacific from Oaxaca to Chiapas. It is a co-dominant centre of origin and domestication are still unknown. Some
species from the tropical rain forest. It is often managed by authors have suggested Central America or southern México
local people (Heinrich, unpublished data), seems to be quite as places of origin, while others suggest South America, and
abundant, but no information on the potential of sustainable more specifically the Andes (Purdue University, 2004).
harvesting, especially if the bark is to be used, is available. Cucurbita ficifolia is a creeping or climbing plant, monoe-
cious, annual, up to 10 m long. It is villose to softly pubescent
3.3.3. Ethnobotany with some short sharp spines dispersed over the vegetative
In Oaxaca the plant is used traditionally for the treatment parts. It has five vigorous, slightly angular stems and ovate-
of stomach pain, respiratory problems, diarrhoea, malaria and cordate to suborbicular-cordate leaves with 5–25 cm long
“marsh fever”. The plant medicine is prepared as an infusion petioles. The flowers are pentamerous, solitary, and axillary.
of the bark and it is taken orally 1–2 times per day. In addi- The fruit is globose to ovoid-elliptical. The flesh is sweet and
tion, Acosmium panamense is utilized to treat diabetes in the the seeds are ovate-elliptical, flattened, and of a dark brown
village of Soteapan, Veracruz (Leonti et al., 2001; Leonti, to black or creamy white colour (Purdue University, 2004).
2002), and in Oaxaca (Andrade-Cetto and Wiedenfeld, 2004;
Heinrich, 1989; Heinrich et al., 1992). 3.4.2. Ethnobotany
The popular name for the plant is “Chilacayote”. The fruit,
3.3.4. Main constituents is used externally to treat a worm that runs under the skin (like
Phytochemical studies of the plant yielded several quino- larva migrans) in Hidalgo (Argueta, 1994). In México, the
lizidine alkaloids like acosmine and acosminine, hydroxy- plants is consumed widely and several dishes and candies
sparteine as well as lupinane alkaloids (Balandrin and are prepared with the seeds or fruit. Aguilar et al. (1994)
Kinghorn, 1982; Argueta, 1994; Veitch et al., 1997; Nuzillard summarise the use of the fruit as a treatment of diabetes: the
et al., 1999). From the water extract of the traditionally used healers recommend the ingestion of the fruit macerated in
bark (Wiedenfeld and Andrade-Cetto, 2003) caffeic acid and water.
three pyrones were isolated: desmethylyangonine its O4 -
mono as well as the di(1–6)glucoside (Fig. 1, compounds 3.4.3. Main constituents
4–6). Lectins were isolated from stems and roots of 6-day old
seedlings by precipitation with ethanol, affinity chromatogra-
3.3.5. Pharmacology phy on Con A-Sepharose, gel filtration on Bio-gel P100 and
The water and butanol extract as well as a mixture of separated by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel. Three
the isolated substances (4 and 5) were tested in Streptozo- purified lectins (RLA(1), RLA(2), RLA(3)) were obtained
from roots and four from stems (SLA(1), SLA(2), SLA(3), tered daily for 14 days to alloxan-diabetic rats, the LD50 was
SLA(4)) (Lorenc-Kubis et al., 2001). Acosta-Patino (2001) 650 mg/kg with limits of 518.2 and 753. 8 mg/kg, while the
reports 90% of edible portion, 94% moisture, 0.3% fibre con- administration of 1250 mg/kg cause the death of 100% of the
tent, 1.2% protein, 17 mg calcium, 0.6 mg iron, 7 mg ascorbic animals.
acid, 0.03 mg thiamine, 100 g of Cucurbita ficifolia produces
3.34 Kjoule (14 Kcal). However, there is no report about the 3.4.6. Cucurbita ficifolia—conclusion
main constituents of the fruit extract. The fruit showed a hypoglycaemic activity in all the
reported studies, the lack of phytochemical information on
3.4.4. Pharmacology the juice (extract), prevents an assessment of the observed
The pharmacological activity of the plant was tested in effect on a phytochemical level. In the clinical study, the
hyperglycaemic rabbits (Román-Ramos et al., 1991). The authors conclude: “Due to the negligible content of fiber in
rabbits were submitted to glucose tolerance test and a prepa- Cucurbita ficifolia and the design of the study, the observed
ration of the plant or tolbutamide was administrated, the effects on glucose levels are not a consequence of glucose
animals receive 2 g/kg of glucose subcutaneously at the start- absorption changes in the intestine” (Acosta-Patino, 2001).
ing point and 60 min later. Water was used as control. The In all cases, the doses used were high and the therapeutic
authors report a statistically significant hypoglycaemic effect relevance of this effects has to be questioned.
of the plant from 60 min until 300 min. The amount of extract Extrapolating the toxicity levels reported in Alarcón-
and the way of preparation are not reported in the paper. Aguilar (2002) to reach the lethal dose of 1250 mg/kg
Several experiments were performed by Alarcón-Aguilar obtained from the freeze-dried juice, a person of 60 kg would
et al. (2002) in alloxan induced mice and rats. Mature fruits of need 75,000 mg (75 K) of fruit to have the lethal dose, and
Cucurbita ficifolia were cut in halves. The juice was obtained this is much higher than the traditionally recommended dose
with an electric extractor and freeze-dried. The acute effect of 32 g. More studies are needed in order to identify the
was tested in healthy mice using two routes of administration, constituents of the fruits, and then test these substances.
oral (po) and intraperitoneally (i.p.) at 500 mg/kg. In case of Quantitative phytochemical studies on the levels of lectins
the po administration, the authors report an hypoglycaemic and other potentially relevant constituents during the devel-
effect at 240 min with p < 0.05, while with the (i.p.) they opment of the various organs of Cucurbita ficifolia and their
observe statistically significant activity at 120 and 240 min. link to potential toxic effects should also be conducted.
The acute effect was tested with the (i.p.) administration of
the extract at 25, 250, 500, 594. 750, 1000, 1250 mg/kg, the 3.5. Agarista mexicana (Hemsl.) Judd (Ericaeae)
hypoglycaemic effect was observed at 120 min with p < 0.05
for doses down to 750 mg and p < 0.001 for 1000 and 1250 mg 3.5.1. Botanical description
at 240 min with p < 0.001 for all the doses, all compared Shrub or tree to 8 to 11 m tall, with thick, corky, deeply
with the control group. In alloxan diabetic mice, the acute furrowed bark; twigs very sparsely to densely pubescent, with
effect was also tested at 500 mg/kg (i.p.), the authors report nonchambered to clearly chambered pith; buds to ca. 1.5 mm
a hypoglycaemic effect with p < 0.001 at 120 and 240 min. long, leaves revolute. Inflorescences (fascicle-like) axillary
Tolbutamide was used as control drug. The daily adminis- racemes, flowers with triangular calyx lobes, with acuminate
tration of 1000 mg/kg to alloxan diabetic rats, resulted in a apices, capsules subglobose to short-ovoid (NYBG, 2004).
gradual reduction of the blood sugar levels, at days 7 and 14,
when the measures were taken. 3.5.2. Distribution
In 2001, Acosta-Patiño tested the effect of the fruit juice Mountainous areas of México and Central America, from
in patients with moderate hyperglycaemia at 4 ml/kg (100 g Veracruz and Jalisco south to Quintana Roo.
of fruit = 75 ml of juice), Blood glucose levels were ana-
lyzed hourly during 5 h using a commercial enzymatic kit. In 3.5.3. Ethnobotany
another session, at least separated by 8 days, the same group The water extract of the leaves of this plant known as “Palo
of patients received, the same amount of potable water as con- Santo” is used orally to treat diabetes (Pérez-Guerrero et al.,
trol. The authors report the hypoglycaemic effect at 180 min 2001).
with p < 0.05, at 240 min with p < 0.01, and at 300 min with
p < 0.001. 3.5.4. Main constituents
From the chloroform extract of the dried steam of the
3.4.5. Toxicity plant, 12-ursene and the triterpene-23,24-dimethyl 1-24-
Some toxicity has been detected in the majority of ethyl-sigmast-25-ene were isolated (Fig. 1, compounds 7 and
the hypoglycaemic Cucurbitaceae species (Marles and 8).
Farnsworth, 1995) often due to cucurbitacines. The results
from Alarcón-Aguilar (2002) showed that freeze-dried juice 3.5.5. Pharmacology
of Cucurbita ficifolia fruits had toxicity when administered Blood glucose levels of normal and alloxan-treated dia-
intraperitoneally to mice and when it was orally adminis- betic mice and rats were determined after oral administra-
tion of the chloroform extracts of Agarista mexicana at 100 From the chloroform extract Pérez et al. (2000) isolate the
and 150 mg/kg. The oral administration of the extracts pro- bioactive flavone 5,7,3 -trihydroxy-3,6,4 -trimethoxyflavone
duced a significant hypoglycaemic effect in normal as well (Fig. 1, compound 9).
as in diabetic mice and rats (Pérez-Gutiérrez et al., 1996).
The effect of the isolated compounds was tested in alloxan 3.6.4. Pharmacology
induced diabetic and in normoglycaemic mice at 50 mg/kg A chloroform extract of the leaves was tested in alloxan
(i.p.). Compound 6 showed an statistically significant activity diabetic mice and normoglycaemic mice (i.p.) at 100, 200
at 90 min, 180 min, 270 min and 1440 min (24 h), in alloxan and 300 mg/kg. The extract showed significant activity with
diabetic mice, while the effect in normoglycaemic mice was at least p < 0.01 in both models for all the tested doses (at 90,
observed at 90 and 270 min. Compound 7 shows statistically 180, 270 and 1440 min = 24 h; Pérez-Gutiérrez et al., 1998).
significant activity at 180 and 270 min in alloxan diabetic In the same models, the isolated flavone was tested (i.p. 10, 25
mice, and at 90 and 18 min in normoglycaemic mice, all this and 50 mg/kg). In the alloxan diabetic mice, 10 mg/kg shows
against the control groups. Tolbutamide was used as positive statistically significant activity at 90, 270 and 1440 min with
control (Pérez-Gutiérrez and Vargas, 2001). p < 0.05, 25 mg/kg shows statistically significant activity at 90
and 180 (p < 0.01) min, and at 270 and 1440 min (p < 0.05).
3.5.6. Agarista mexicana—conclusion 50 mg/kg shows activity only at 270 and 1440 min. In the
The hypoglycaemic effect of the extract has been normo-glycaemic mice, 10 mg/kg showed activity only at
demonstrated and two terpenes were isolated as bioactive 270 min, 25 mg/kg was active at 90 and 180 min (p < 0.01)
compounds, similar ursine triterpenes were isolated from the and at 1440 min (p < 0.05). 50 mg/kg showed activity at 90
water-chloroform extract of the roots of Tripterygium wild- and 180 min (p < 0.01) and at 1440 min (p < 0.05). In alloxan
fordii a traditional Chinese plant used against rheumatoid diabetic mice, the maximum effect observed was at 270 min,
arthritis and other inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. compared to the control groups. In all tests, tolbutamide was
However, the reported effect is of the total multi-glycoside used as control.
extract, in which the ursenes are present together with other
compounds (Duan et al., 2001). The therapeutic effect of the 3.6.5. Brickellia veronicaefolia—conclusion
plant is attributed to the extract and not to a single compound. The hypoglycaemic effect was confirmed and a bioactive
The mechanism of action of the isolated 12-ursene and the compound has been isolated. The possible hypoglycaemic
23,24-dimethyl 1-24-ethyl-sigmast-25-ene is currently not effect of flavonoids has been discussed above, there are no
known. other reports of the isolated flavone. Toxicological test, as
A comparison between the water extract (traditionally well as a comparative phytochemical investigation of the tra-
used) and the chloroform extract tested (e.g. regarding the ditionally used and the tested chloroform extract would be
presence of the bioactive compounds) would be of consider- highly desirable. The active doses reported by the authors are
able interest. It is necessary to know the amount of bioactive too high for use in traditional medicine or as a phytomedicine.
compounds in the traditional tea, also toxicological testing is In case of the chloroform extract, a person of normal weight
required in order to ensure the safety of the plant. (60 kg) would need 85 g of plant to get the desired effect.
3.6. Brickellia veronicaefolia (Kunth) A. Gray 3.7. Parmentiera aculeata (Kunth) Seem.
(Asteraceae) (Bignoniaceae)
3.6.1. Botanical description The fruit of the tree is reported to be hypoglycaemic, how-
Bush 40 cm to 1 m tall, branched at the base with grey-red ever the reports (Pérez-Gutiérrez et al., 1998, 2000a) discuss
stems, white or pink flowers, present at the union of the stem the species under a synonym: Parmentiera edulis DC.
and leaves.
3.6.2. Ethnobotany Tree up to 15 m, branched since the base and channelled
The plant is know as “oregano de monte” the main use is trunk, external cortex dark yellow with fissures and scaly ribs.
against gall problems, especially bile, other uses are against The fruit is a berry up to 15 cm long by 6.5 cm wide, with
stomach pain. For the later, the branch is boiled in water several longitudinal furrows and a green-yellow colour.
and a bitter infusion results (Argueta, 1994). The use against The species is managed by humans to produce shade and
diabetes is reported in Pérez-Gutiérrez et al. (1998). is a widely distributed species known along the Gulf and
Pacific coast from Tamaulipas to Yucatán and from Sinaloa
3.6.3. Main constituents to Chiapas (Pennington and Sarukhán, 1998).
The following constituents have been isolated from the
leaves: flavones – artementin, brickellin, casticin and trime- 3.7.2. Ethnobotany
toxiquercetagenin, flavonols, eupatin, eupatolin, patuletin The fruit and the cortex bark of the tree are boiled in water
and vernicaefolin, and labdane diterpens (Argueta, 1994). to treat kidney diseases, and for the treatment of diabetes
(Argueta, 1994). The plant is used in Guatemala to treat gon- sugar lowering at 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 24 h against the untreated
orrhoea (Caceres et al., 1995). control.
Verbesina persicifolia DC. (Asteraceae; chloroform
3.7.3. Main constituents extracts at 100 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg) was tested in normal
The guaianolide of lactucin-8-O-methylacrylate was iso- and alloxan diabetic mice. The authors conclude that those
lated from the chloroform extract of the fruit. The hypogly- doses produced a significant hypoglycaemic effect in normal
caemic activity was reportedly associated with this compound as well as in diabetic mice and rats (Pérez-Gutiérrez et al.,
(Pérez et al., 2000). From the bark beta-sitosterol and tannins 1996).
are reported (Argueta, 1994). A hexane extract from Cirsium pazcuarense (Kunth)
Spreng, (reported in the original paper as Cirsium pas-
3.7.4. Pharmacology cuarense) at 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg i.p. showed a significant
The chloroform extract of the fruit was tested intraperi- hypoglycaemic effect in normal as well as in diabetic mice.
toneally in alloxan diabetic mice CD1 (strain) at 100, 200 In addition, the extract altered glucose tolerance in alloxan
and 300 mg/kg. For the dose of 100 mg/kg they report sig- induced diabetic rats. Chloroform and methanol extracts did
nificant effects compared to the control at all observed times not produce any significant change in blood glucose levels
[90,270, 180 and 1440 (24 h) min]. For 200 mg/kg they also (Pérez et al., 2001). This is an example highlighting the need
report effect at the same times, while the dose of 300 mg/kg for proper taxonomic validation of a botanical identification.
shown also the same effects. However the different doses did The acute effects of the freeze-dried decoction of the roots
not shown different effect. of Ibervillea sonorae (S. Watson) Greene (Cucurbitaceae) on
Similar effects were observed in normoglucemic mice blood glucose levels were investigated in fasting mice. The
(Pérez-Gutiérrez et al., 1998c). Lactucin-8-O-methylacrylate authors report that: “the plant orally administrated to healthy
isolated from the active fraction was tested (i.p.) on alloxan mice did not cause a significant decrease of the blood glu-
diabetic mice CD1. Again the data is reported as glucose cose level. However, Ibervillea sonorae reduced the blood
reduction percent. At a dose of 10 mg/kg the authors report an glucose of normal mice in a dose-dependent manner after
significant hypoglycaemic activity at 90, 180 and 1440 min. intraperitoneal injection (P < 0.05). Also, this extract signif-
Statistical significance was missed at 270 min. At a dose of icantly lowered the glycaemia of mild alloxan-diabetic mice
25 mg/kg significant activity is observed at 270 and 1440 min and rats, but did not in severe alloxan-diabetic rats, so it seems
only, while at a dose of 50 mg/kg the activity is observed at that this antidiabetic plant needs the presence of insulin to
90, 180 and 270 min against the control group. Tolbutamide show its hypoglycaemic activity. Chemical, pharmacological,
was used as reference (Pérez et al., 2000). and toxicological investigations of Ibervillea sonorae must
continue to establish its use as an alternative in the control of
3.7.5. Parmentiera aculeate—conclusion diabetes mellitus” (Alarcón-Aguilar et al., 2002).
The hypoglycaemic effect of the chloroform extract and Of note, at least three of the species discussed above
the isolated compound has demonstrated by the authors. are edible fruits. In Table 1, a large number of other food
However, the data (glucose values) of what happened plants (most notably vegetables) are included: Allium cepa
between 270 and 1440 min is not reportedfor all the experi- L. (Cebolla), Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. Piña), Annona che-
ments. According to the data reported, the dose of 300 mg/kg rimola Mill., (Chirimoya), Arachis hypogaea L. (Cacahuate),
of the fruit used in the first experiment, will be equivalent Asclepias linaria Cav. (Romerillo), Byrsonima crassifolia
that a 60 kg person would have to eat 18 g of dried fruit for (L.) Kunth (Nanche), Carica papaya L. (Papaya), Casimiroa
get the desired effect, which is to much for a single dose. edulis La Llave & Lex. (Zapote blanco), Citrus aurantifolia
More studies are needed to know how the extract is work- (Christm.) Swingle (Naranjo), Citrus limetta Risso (Lima),
ing, in witch amount the isolated compound is present in the Coriandrum sativum L. (Cilantro), Costus ruber C. Wright
fruit, and as in previous examples there is no information ex Griseb. (Caña agria), Crataegus pubescens (C. Presl)
on the bioavailability of the drug. Toxicity studies are also C. Presl (Tecojote), Cucurbita ficifolia (L.) Bouché (Chi-
needed in order to develop a Phytomedicine. lacayote), Cucurbita mexicana Damm. (Calabaza), Cynara
scolymus L. (Alcachofa), Daucus carota L. (Zanahoria), Eri-
3.8. Other species obotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindll. (Nı́spero), Leucaena leu-
cocephala (Lam.) de Wit (Guaje), Nopalea cochenillifera
As indicated in Table 1 many other species are commonly (L.) Salm-Dyck (Nopal), Nopalea indica L. (Nopal), Persea
used in México. Some have received some attention in phar- americana Mill. (Aguacate), Petroselinum crispum (Mill.),
macological and phytochemical studies. Nyman ex A.W. Hill (Perejil), Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Fri-
Arocomia mexicana (Arecaecea), From the methanol jol), Physalis philadelphica Lamm (Tomate), Piper auritum
extract of the root Pérez et al., 1997 isolated Coyolosa (Fig. 1, Kunth (Hierba santa), Portulaca oleraceae L. (Verdolaga),
compound 9) a tetrahydropyrane. The compound was tested Psidium guajava L. (Guayaba), Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw.
on alloxan induced hyperglycemic mice and rats, at doses (Chayote), Solanum verbascifolium Banks ex Dunal (Beren-
of 5.0–20 mg/kg i.p. the coyolosa exhibited significant blood jena), Tamarindus indica L. (Tamarindo). Phytochemically
these are very diverse taxa, but the importance of such fruit ment schedule, and on the best mode of preparation. Even
certainly highlights the health beneficial effects of a diet though pharmacoeconomic studies on the costs of such treat-
rich in plant fibre. While currently specific pharmacological ments are lacking, it is likely that, for example, cost of treat-
effects of this diverse group of species cannot be ascertained, ment with Cecropia leaves bought on the Mercado de Sonora
it is possible that modification of the passage time or changes in México, DF may easily reach MEX$ 250 (US$ 20) per
in the GI flora have an indirect influence. This opens a fasci- month of treatment. This highlights another important point
nating are of research at the interface of food and medicines – the economic impact of using such herbal remedies has not
(cf. Heinrich, 1998). been studied at all, but it is likely to be an important cost
factor for many poorer families. The production of medici-
nal teas or simple preparations with ascertained quality that
4. General conclusion could be sold on markets should be promoted as part of this
intervention. Such an approach would assure a health bene-
Clearly, a large number of species are used in today’s ficial effect of the final product. We see efforts like this, for
México to treat diabetes or its symptoms. An interesting and example on the market in Mérida, Yucatán (Andrade-Cetto.,
unresolved issue relates to the way such uses were developed pers. obs.), where a healer is selling an ethanolic preparation
over the last decades. It seems that many of the species were of Malmea depressa (drops). As a next step simple quality
originally used for a variety of kidney disorders and most control measures could be established. These initiatives must
notably for their diuretic effect. From an ethnopharmacolog- again be accompanied by the appropriate training and educa-
ical perspective, it would be extremely interesting to analyse tion programmes directed at diabetics, physicians and social
this process further. workers to ensure that the people drink those preparations in
For further testing proper animal model have to be used a medically and pharmaceutically appropriate way. In order
(Versphol, 2002). Today, the models used resemble type 1 dia- to achieve this we still have a long way to go and México with
betes or are no models for diabetic testing like glucose over- its rich tradition in medicinal plants use still lacks appropriate
load. The only model with supporting data for type 2 diabetes training for physicians and pharmacists in phytotherapy and
is the Streptozotocin diabetic rat (Islas-Andrade et al., 2000). phytopharmacy.
But according to Versphol (2002), the only way to get type 2 The third level on our opinion the most important one. It
diabetic animals by chemical induction is by the proper use focuses on the development of a phytomedicine with hypo-
of Streptozotocin in neonatal rats (n-STZ), or use genetically glycaemic effects at early stages of the disease or even prior
models like fa/fa Zucker diabetic fatty rat. None of these mod- to the start of the disease (during the period of increased
els has been used until now to test Mexican plants, and accord- insulin resistance). In this context, the isolation of the main
ing to the group of Pérez-Gutierrez et al. a method developed compounds from the active extract is a crucial step in all
in 1964 is the most commonly used by them, so also there R&D activities for developing a novel phytomedicine. The
needs to be an update of the pharmacological tools we use. use of a phytomedicine is suggested because it would be
We propose three levels of intervention led by the goal subject to quality control, and could be prescribed by physi-
to reduce the public health impact of this syndrome involve cians. Herbal drugs are mainly whole, fragmented or cut,
government actions at all levels. plants parts of plants, algae, fungi, lichen in an unprocessed
Nutritional education of the general population is a first state, usually in a dried form, but sometimes fresh. They
step which could reduce the epidemic proportion of the dis- are precisely defined by their botanical (scientific) binomial
ease. One core problem is the high consumption of sweet (Heinrich et al., 2004). The herbal drug preparation (phy-
drinks commonly called “refrescos” all over México. When tomedicine) is obtained subjecting herbal drugs to treatments
conducting field work in any region of México one cannot such as extraction, distillation, fractionation, purification,
fail to note large quantities of discarded plastic bottles in concentration and fermentation. These include cut or pow-
each back yard. Also the consumption of such “referescos” ered herbal drugs, tinctures, extracts, essential oils, fatty oils,
is visible everywhere and at anytime. Therefore, strict regu- expressed juices and processed exudates (Gaedcke and Stein-
lations about the content of sugar in those drinks would be hoff, 2003). Clearly, considerable research will be required
highly desirable (e.g. via a special sales tax), and of course it for developing such products which could be of enormous
would be ideal to largely avoid such beverages. The govern- benefit to the Mexican population suffering from a drastic
ment and health professionals should also promote exercise increase in this chronic and debilitating disease. In com-
among people living in the cities, to avoid sedentary way of paring México with the examples of Germany or France,
life. where the phytomedicine market moves billions of dollars
Additionally, there must be some efforts to monitor and each year, it becomes apparent that Mexican businessmen
control the plants sold on markets and widely collected by have an opportunity to develop such novel products. Alter-
the people for autoconsumption. Educational programmes natively, the Mexican Social Security System, which has for
together with pharmcodynamic studies should have first pri- my years conducted research on popularly used medicinal
ority. The latter research should include projects on the plants, could take a lead and develop phytomedicines which
species’ mechanism of action, on the optimal doses and treat- would be available at relatively low cost.
A difficult and unresolved issue relates to the traditional Argueta, V.A., (Comp). 1994. Atlas de las Plantas de la Medicina Tradi-
intellectual property on these species. Clearly, they have been cional Mexicana, vol. 3. Instituto Nacional Indigenista, Mexico.
Andrade-Cetto, A., 1995. Estudio Etnobotánico y Fitoquı́mico de plan-
used widely in México, knowledge about these these species,
tas útiles en la región de Xochipala Guerrero para el tratamiento de
their bioactive compounds and pharmacological effects is in la diabetes NID. Tesis de Maestrı́a. Facultad de Ciencias, UNAM,
the public domain, their use in the systematic treatment of México, 93.
diabetes is relatively recent and it will be nearly impossible Andrade-Cetto, A., 1999. Estudio Etnofarmacologico de Equisetum myri-
to identify one group of people which can claim traditional ochaetum Schlechtendal & Cham y Cecropia obtusifolia Bertol. Tesis
Doctoral. Facultad de Ciencias, UNAM, México 97.
ownership. However, since some of these phytomedicines
Andrade-Cetto, A., Wiedenfeld, H., Revilla-Monsalve, M.C., Islas, A.S.,
may also be commercialised outside of México, the Mexi- 2000. Hypoglycemic effect of Equisetum myriochaetum aerial parts
can government or other appropriate institutions will have on Streptozotocin diabetic rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 72,
develop ways to guarantee the sustainable use of this species 129–133.
and that any economic benefit from these phytomedicines Andrade-Cetto, A., Wiedenfeld, H., 2001. Hypoglycemic effect of
Cecropia obtusifolia on Streptozotocin diabetic rats. Journal of
will also be shared with the Mexican people.
Ethnopharmacology 78, 145–149.
Andrade-Cetto, A., Wiedenfeld, H., 2004. Hypoglycemic effect of Acos-
mium panamense bark on Streptozotocin diabetic rats. Journal of
Acknowledgments Ethnopharmacology 90, 217–220.
Balandrin, M.F., Kinghorn, A.D., 1982. (−)-␣-Hydroxysparteine, a
We are thankful to Eddy Cuauhtémoc Martı́nez Zurita for new natural product from Acosmium panamense. Heterocycles 19,
his collaboration in reviewing parts of Table 1. This work was 1931–1934.
Bárcenas-Rodrı́guez, H., 2004. Detreminación del efecto genotóxico de
partially supported by DGAPA, PAPIIT Project IN204703. Equisetum myriochaetum en células somáticas de alas de Drosophila
melanoganter Tesis de Licenciatura. Facultad de Ciencias, UNAM,
México, 75.
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Journal of Ethnopharmacology 99 (2005) 325–348

Mexican plants with hypoglycaemic effect used in

Keywords: Type 2 diabetes; Hypoglycaemic plants; México; Neotropics; Traditional medicine

3.2. Equisetum myriochaetum Schlecht & Cham (Equisetaceae) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340

3. Ethnopharmacology of commonly used 3.1.3. Ethnobotany

Streptozotocin diabetic rats (Andrade-Cetto et al., 2000).

Pérez-Guerrero et al. (2001) performed several pharmaco-

logical tests in male Swiss albino mice and concluded that

the water extract of the leaves has low toxicity, a substantial

5 h of intraperitonal and oral administration of the aqueous

extract (obtained from 50 g leaves boiled in 250 ml distilled

glibenclamide is missing. There is no statistical evaluation

mentioned. The study by Román-Ramos et al. (1991) does

not use a proper diabetic animal model (Versphol, 2002).

Instead, it was conducted in healthy rabbits obtaining a glu-

(4 ml/kg) using a gastric tube showed a significant hypogly-

caemic effect at 60 min after the administration of the extract,

the actual doses are missing. Also, in the study performed

by Pérez et al. the reported activity is after 300 min (5 h) and

In the study by Andrade-Cetto and Wiedenfeld (2001) in

Streptozotocin diabetic rats, a positive and an untreated con-

di(1–6) glucoside (4 and 5)

is observed from 60 to 180 min for all the tested samples,

(2002) the animal model resembles more type I diabetes than

Herrera-Arellano et al. (2004) performed a study on dia-

of 3 g/day of the plant. The Cecropia group was also treated

with glibenclamide at different doses, and no proper controls

were used, so there is no point of comparison, and the effect

can not be only attributed to the extract. The authors argue

that the plant was given in a similar way as the traditional

3.1.6. Possible mechanism of action

Chlorogenic acid was identified as a specific inhibitor

of the glucose-6-phosphate translocase component (Gl-6-

P translocase) in microsomes of rat liver (Hemmerle et

al., 1997). Simultaneous targeting of gluconeogenesis and

of chlorogenic acid may well explain the hypoglycaemic

effect observed by Pérez et al. (1984). The hypoglycaemic

effect observed in mice after 5 h of experiment may be due to

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