Rachel Mata

• PhD
• Professor Emeritus at National Autonomous University of Mexico

The United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) is a nonprofit, scientific, standard-setting organization, and world leader in establishing quality, purity, and testing standards for medicines, foods, and dietary supplements. USP quality standards are used in more than 140 countries and are legally recognized by more than 40 countries. Currently,...

The essential oils prepared by hydrodistillation of twenty‐one brands of German chamomile (S1‐S21) commercialized in Mexico were analyzed by GS‐MS. Altogether, twenty‐four different compounds were identified in the analyzed samples, varying from 77 to 100 % of the total composition. Multivariate analyses were applied to explore similarity/dissimila...

Compound 3, a trimeric anthranilic acid peptide, and another three metabolites were isolated from an organic extract from the culture medium of Malbranchea flocciformis ATCC 34530. The chemical structure proposed previously for 3 was unequivocally assigned via synthesis and X‐ray diffraction analysis. Tripeptide 3 showed insulinotropic properties b...

This work aimed to discover protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitors from a small molecule library of natural products (NPs) derived from selected Mexican medicinal plants and fungi to find new hits for developing antidiabetic drugs. The products showing similar IC50 values to ursolic acid (UA) (positive control, IC50 = 26.5) were conside...

Covering: 2000 to January 2023Diabetes is a metabolic disease of serious concern nowadays, with a negative economic impact. In 2021, the International Diabetes Federation estimated that more than 537 million adults live with diabetes, causing over 6.7 million deaths in that year. Intensive scientific research on medicinal plants in the last 100 yea...

In the present work, the compound 3´-(2,6-dimethoxybenzoyl)-benzyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzoate (RM4) was evaluated for its ability as a corrosion inhibitor in a 3% chloride medium and using an API 5L X70 steel working electrode. The electrochemical system was evaluated by electrochemical techniques such as polarization curves (CP) and electrochemical imp...

Zinnia grandiflora (Asteraceae) is used to alleviate several painful disorders. The effects of an essential oil prepared by hydrodistillation from Z. grandiflora (EOZ) and its major compound on neuropathic pain, allodynia, and inflammation in mice were assessed. Headspace-solid phase microextraction analysis of an aqueous extract was also carried o...

Background Ageratina is an American genus of the tribe Eupatorieae (Asteraceae) comprising about 320 species. In Mexico, some species of this genus are highly valued for their medicinal properties, particularly A. pichinchensis, A. petiolaris and A. grandifolia. Furthermore, herbal preparations of A. pichinchensis are available for treating several...

An infusion from the aerial parts of Justicia spicigera Schltdl., an herb commonly used to treat diabetes, inhibited the activity of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B). Two undescribed compounds, 2-N-(p-coumaroyl)-3H-phenoxazin-3-one, and 3″-O-acetyl-kaempferitrin, along with kaempferitrin, kaempferol 7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside, perisbivalvine B...

The roots of the cactus Peniocereus greggii, which grows in Northern Mexico and in the south of Arizona, are highly valued by the Pima to treat diabetes and other illnesses, such as breast pain and common cold. As part of our chemical and pharmacological investigation on medicinal plants used for treating diabetes, herein we report the hypoglycemic...

The corrosion inhibition of 5-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-7-methoxy-3′,4′-dihydroxy-4-phenylcoumarin (4-PC) in AISI 1018 steel immersed in 3% NaCl + CO2 was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results showed that, at just 10 ppm, 4-PC exerted protection against corrosion with ղ = 90% and 97% at 100 rpm. At static conditions, the p...

Background Anxiety is a global public health problem affecting the lives of large numbers of patients (pts) and their families. Some studies suggest that pts with MINOCA (myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries) have more anxiety levels than the rest of pts with myocardial infarction (MI). The aim of this study is to compare an...

Background Insomnia can either be a primary problem or it may be associated with other psychological conditions, ranging from anxiety to depression. Some studies have reported that pts with MINOCA (myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries) have more emotional disorders than the rest of pts with myocardial infarction (MI). Howeve...

Here, we show the utility of the fluorescent biosensor hCaM-M124C-mBBr in detecting and determining the affinity of serotonin (5-HT). We obtained a Kd of 5-HT (0.71 μm) for the first time, the same order of magnitude as most anti-CaM drugs. This data can contribute to understanding the direct and indirect modulation of CaM on its binding proteins w...

An extract from a PDB static culture of Malbranchea dendritica exhibited α-glucosidase and PTP-1B inhibitory activities. Fractionation of the active extract led to the isolation of gymnoascolide A (1), a γ-butenolide, and xanthones sydowinin A (2), sydowinin B (3), and AGI-B4 (4), as well as orcinol (5). Compound 1 exhibited important inhibitory ac...

Calea ternifolia Kunth (Asteraceae), the “dream herb”, is an important medicinal plant that grows from Mexico to Costa Rica. The plant is highly valued for rituals and for treating several illnesses including anorexia, upset stomach, diabetes, periodic fevers, diarrhea, bile problems, and skin diseases. This comprehensive literature survey on C. te...

A decoction prepared from the aerial parts of Melampodium divaricatum showed antinociceptive and antihyperalgesic responses when tested in the formalin model in mice. From the CH2Cl2 fraction of the decoction, two non‐previously reported secondary metabolites, 3‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐16α‐hydroxy‐ent‐kaurane (1) and melampodiamide (2) [(2′R*,4′Z)‐2′‐...

Ethnopharmacological relevance Eryngium cymosum F. Delaroche was detected as a traditional remedy against type 2 diabetes consumed by patients of Tlanchinol in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. Aim of the study. Assessing the hypoglycemic effect and safety of the traditional extract of E. cymosum and relating it to key glucose-lowering mechanisms both...

Fractionation of an aqueous extract from the aerial parts of Ageratina grandifolia yielded a new natural product, namely, 4-hydroxy-3-((S)-1'-angeloyloxy-(R)-2',3'-epoxy-3'-methyl)butylacetophenone (1), along with eight known compounds, including three flavonoids (2-4) and five chromenes (5-9). NMR data interpretation and DFT-calculated chemical sh...

From solid rice-based cultures of Malbranchea albolutea, three undescribed ardeemins and sartoryglabrins analogs were discovered and named alboluteins A-C. 1H-Indole-3-carbaldehyde, and anthranilic acid were also isolated. 1D and 2D-NMR techniques, as well as DFT-calculated chemical shifts, allowed characterizing alboluteins A-C. Testing these comp...

The 3a-hydroxymasticadienoic compound (3-HM) was evaluated as a corrosion inhibitor in presence of chlorides using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). The results obtained showed the best concentration is 50 ppm with an inhibition efficiency of 68.4% for sterling silver. This organic molecule exhibits anodic-like behavior as an inhibitor....

Infusions and poultices prepared from the aerial parts of Baccharis heterophylla Kunth (Asteraceae) are widely used in Oaxaca (Mexico) for relieving painful and inflammatory complaints. Therefore, the antinociceptive potential of an aqueous extract (31.6–316 mg/kg, p.o.) and essential oil (30–177 µg/paw, i.pl.) of the plant was assessed using the f...

Epicatechin gallate (EG), which is isolated from green tea, has been investigated as a corrosion inhibitor for metallic materials such as bronze in a corrosive solution of 3% NaCl using electrochemical techniques such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, polarization curves, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that 10 ppm of...

Like in many developing countries, in Mexico, the use of medicinal plants is a common practice. Based on our own field experience, there are at least 800 plants used for treating diabetes nowadays. Thus, their investigation is essential. In this context, this work aims to provide a comprehensive and critical review of the molecules isolated from Me...

Zinagrandinolide E (1, ZGE) is an elemanolide with antinociceptive action isolated from Zinnia grandiflora (Asteraceae), valued in North México and southwestern United States for pain relief. Herein, we report the anti-inflammatory and antiallodynic action of ZGE (1) in carrageenan-induced inflammation and tactile allodynia in mice and in a neuropa...

An infusion prepared from the aerial parts of Salvia amarissima Ortega inhibited the enzyme protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP-1B) (IC50~88 and 33 μg/mL, respectively). Phytochemical analysis of the infusion yielded amarisolide (1), 5,6,4′-trihydroxy-7,3′-dimethoxyflavone (2), 6-hydroxyluteolin (3), rutin (4), rosmarinic acid (5), isoquercitrin (...

During a search for new α-glucosidase and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitors from fungal sources, eight new secondary metabolites, including two anthranilic acid-derived peptides (1 and 2), four glycosylated anthraquinones (3-6), 4-isoprenylravenelin (7), and a dimer of 5,8-dihydroxy-4-methoxy-α-tetralone (8), along with four known compound...

The term copalchi has been used in the scientific literature to define a group of plants of the Rubiaceae and Euphorbiaceae families with extremely bitter stem-barks, useful for treating diabetes and malaria. In this review we summarized the most relevant chemical and pharmacological works carried out in the last century with the copalchis of the R...

Natural products are a valuable source of anticancer agents, with many naturally derived compounds currently used in clinical and preclinical treatments. This study aims to investigate the antiproliferative activity and potential mechanism of action of the xanthoquinodin JBIR-99, isolated from fungi Parengyodontium album MEXU 30,054 and identified...

Four cyclo-dipeptides [Cyclo (L-Pro-L-Leu), 1; Cyclo (L-Pro-L-Val), 2, and Cyclo (L-Pro-L-Phe), 3] were isolated from Pseudomonas fluorescens IB-MR-66e. The structures were established by spectral means and corroborated by synthesis. The antidiabetic potential of compounds 1-3 was explored in vivo, in vitro and in silico. The three peptides showed...

Herbal medicines are an integral element of alternative medical care in Mexico, and the best testimony to their efficacy and cultural value is their persistence in contemporary Mexican marketplaces where the highest percentages of medicinal and aromatic plants are sold. This chapter summarizes current trends in research on medicinal plants in Mexic...

Background: Swietenia humilis seeds are consumed in Mexico to treat type 2 diabetes; the antihyperglycemic effect of this species was previously demonstrated and related to the presence of tetranortriterpenoids of the mexicanolide class. Purpose and study design: The present investigation was conducted to determine the mechanism of action of sel...

As part of our effort to discover new α-glucosidase inhibitors from natural sources, it was found that an aqueous extract from Melampodium perfoliatum (Cavanilles) Kunth (Asteraceae) inhibited the activity of rat-intestinal α-glucosidases in a concentration dependent manner (IC50= 958 μg/mL). Fractionation of the active extract led to the isolation...

An aqueous extract prepared from the aerial parts of Zinnia grandiflora was found not to induce acute toxicity (LD 50 > 5g/kg, p.o.) in mice when tested by the Lorke method. This extract showed notable antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory actions when evaluated by the formalin- (ED 50 = 224.62 ± 38.17 mg/kg, p.o.) and the carrageenan-induced paw e...

Mycophenolic acid (IUPAC name: (E)-6-(4-hydroxy-6-methoxy-7-methyl-3-oxo-1H-2-benzofuran-5-yl)-4-methylhex-4-enoic acid) is extracted from the fungus Penicillium brevicompactum. In this work, corrosion inhibition under static conditions and turbulent flow was tested in a 3% wt. NaCl solution by means of two techniques: electrochemical impedance spe...

Epicatechine gallate (Figure 1), isolated from green tea, has been tested as corrosion inhibitor in a bronze in a corrosive solution of 3% of NaCl and using electrochemical techniques as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, polarization curves, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that 10 ppm is the best concentration to protect...

From the rice-based culture of Malbranchea flavorosea, three new compounds namely flavoroseoside B (5-desoxy-5-chloro-flavoroseoside) (2), 4-hydroxy-2-O-α-ribofuranosyl-5-methylacetophenone (3), and (S)-3,4-dihydro-3-(1H-indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-methyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepine-2,5-dione (4), along with three known compounds, rosigenin (5), massarilactone B...

Fungi have consistently been one of the richest sources of natural products, with unprecedented chemical scaffolds and potent biological activities. During the last 20 years, pharmacognosy researchers in Mexico, in collaboration with mycologists, have discovered many novel bioactive fungi natural products and new fungal species. To date, more than...

Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. (Asteraceae) is widely used in Mexican folk medicine for treating inflammation, diabetes and painful complaints. The in vivo antinociceptive, antiinflammatory and antihyperalgesic activities of an aqueous extract (AE) of the plant were investigated using well-known animal models. AE reduced the licking time in the formal...

Swietenia humilis Zucc. (Meliaceae) seeds are used in Mexico for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Mexicanolides are the main hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic compounds of the species. This study was conducted to investigate the antihyperalgesic effect of an aqueous extract of the seeds of Swietenia humilis (SHAE) and of mexicanolide 2-h...

An electrochemical study of natural compound perezone as a corrosion inhibitor of 1018 steel immersed in 3% NaCl solution saturated with CO2 was conducted through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy under static and turbulent flow conditions and inhibitor concentration in the 0–50-ppm range. It was determined that perezone provides good corrosio...

This work evaluates the potential antinociceptive activity of Dysphania graveolens, traditional medicinal plant used in Mexico to treat stomach pain. A CH2Cl2–MeOH extract, infusion and essential oil from aerial parts of Dysphania graveolens were evaluated in hot plate and writhing tests in mice. The metabolites pinostrobin, pinocembrin and chrysin...

A dried infusion prepared from the aerial parts of Salvia circinata did not provoke acute toxicity in mice (LD50 > 5 g/kg). This infusion showed poor hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effects (100–570 mg/kg) when tested in normal and hyperglycemic mice using acute and oral glucose tolerance tests, respectively. However, this infusion possessed ant...

Hofmeisteria schaffneri is used in Mexican folk medicine for treating painful gastric complaints. Therefore, in this paper the smooth muscle relaxant effect of the essential oil, and an infusion of the whole plant were evaluated using the gastrointestinal transit test in mice. The results revealed that both preparations at 316 mg/kg inhibited gastr...

Demethylisoencecalin (1) and caleins A (4) and C (5) (3.16-31.6 mg/kg, p.o.), the major components from an infusion of Calea ternifolia controlled postprandial glucose levels during an oral sucrose tolerance test (OSTT, 3 g/kg) in normal and nicotinamide/streptozotocin (NA/STZ, 40/100 mg/kg) hyperglicemic mice. The effects were comparable to those...

From an extract prepared from the grain-based culture of Malbranchea flavorosea two new polyketides, namely, 8-chloroxylarinol A (1) and flavoroseoside (2), along with the known compounds xylarinol A (3), xylarinol B (4), massarigenins B and C (5 and 6), and clavatol (7), were isolated. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated using spectroscopic...

The purpose of this research was to examine the preclinical efficacy of a decoction from the roots of Acourtia thurberi as a hypoglycemic, antihyperglycemic, and antihyperalgesic agent using well-known experimental models in mice. Acute oral administration of A. thurberi decoction did not produce toxic effects in mice, according to the Lorke proced...

Extensive fractionation of an extract from the grain-based culture of the endophytic fungus Preussia minimoides led to the isolation of two new polyketides with novel skeletons, minimoidiones A (1) and B (2), along with the known compounds preussochromone C (3), corymbifer-one (4), and 5-hydroxy-2,7-dimethoxy-8-methylnaphthoqui-none (5). The struct...

Benzomalvin A (1), quinolactacins A1 (2), A2 (3) and B (4), quinolonimide (5), asperphenamate (6), and a new halogenated polyhydroxyanthraquinone, namely 2-chloro-6-[2'(S)-hydroxypropyl]-1,3,8-trihydroxy-anthraquinone (7), were isolated from an organic extract obtained from the solid culture of Penicillium spathulatum B35. Compounds 2 and 3 were is...

In order to contribute to the structural basis for rational design of calmodulin (CaM) inhibitors, we analyzed the interaction of CaM with 14 classic antagonists and two compounds that do not affect CaM, using docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and the data were compared to available experimental data. The Ca(2+)-CaM-ligands complexes...

Objectives: This work was undertaken to assess the antinociceptive and hypoglycaemic properties of a quantified extract of Conyza filaginoides (CFOE), as well as the antinociceptive potential of rutin, the main active compound of the plant, in normoglycaemic and/or hyperglycaemic mice (nicotinamide-streptozotocin, NA-STZ). Methods: The antinocic...

Acourtia thurberi (Asteraceae) is a medicinal plant commonly used for treating diabetes in Mexico. Therefore the present study was undertaken to assess the antidiabetic potential of an infusion (Ati) and compounds from the plant using well known animal and in vitro models. In addition, the potential acute toxicity of the infusion and perezone (1),...

Sporormiella minimoides is an endophytic fungus obtained from Hintonia latiflora (Rubiaceae) leaves, a medicinal plant widely used in Mexico to treat diabetes. Bioassay- guided fractionation of the organic extract of the fungus yielded the isolation of a novel metabolite characterized as 5,7'-dihydroxy-2,4',7,9'-tetramethoxy-1'H, 4H, 6'H-spiro[naph...

Anoda cristata (Malvaceae) is used as food and to treat stomach complaints, fever, cough, wounds and diabetes. In a previous work, the antidiabetic action of a free mucilage aqueous extract (FM-AE) and major compounds [acacetin (1) and diosmetin (2)] from the plant was reported. This work was undertaken to establish the potential antihyperalgesic a...

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Aerial parts of Artemisia ludoviciana are widely used in Mexico for treating gastrointestinal disorders, painful complaints and diabetes. Aim of the study: To establish the preclinical efficacy as antinociceptive agent of the essential oil (EO) from the aerial parts of A. ludoviciana using well-known animal models...

The α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of an aqueous extract and compounds from the aerial parts of V. corymbosa was demonstrated with yeast and rat small intestinal α-glucosidases. The aqueous extract inhibited yeast α-glucosidase with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 28.6 μg/mL. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the extract led to...

Hydrangea seemannii L. Riley (Hydrangeaceae) is a medicinal Mexican plant highly valued for the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus (TII-DM). Recently, we reported the antidiabetic action of an infusion of this plant and isolated the main active components, which included isoquercitrin, hyperoside, trifolin, guaijaverin, astragalin, and juglalin...

Objectives This study was conducted to evaluate the vasorelaxant effect of the fungal alkaloids malbrancheamides on pre-contracted rat aorta rings. Also, we explored the probable mode of action using experimental and theoretical docking studies.Methods The vasorelaxant effect was assessed on rat aorta rings pre-contracted with noradrenaline (0.1 μm...

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Some studies refer that the entire plant of Anoda cristata is consumed as food and medicine; in particular for treating diabetes, inflammation, fever, cough, and wounds. The aim of this study was to establish the preclinical efficacy of Anoda cristata as hypoglycemic and/or antihyperglycemic agent using well-known a...

Two new compounds, pestalotin 4'-O-methyl-β-mannopyranoside (1) and 3S,4R-(+)-4-hydroxymellein (2), were isolated from an organic extract of a Xylaria feejeensis, which was isolated as an endophytic fungus from Hintonia latiflora. In addition, the known compounds 3S,4S-(+)-4-hydroxymellein (3), 3S-(+)-8-methoxymellein (4), and the quinone derivativ...

Bioassay-directed fractionation of an extract from the grain-based culture of the coprophilous fungus Penicillium sp. G1-a14 led to the isolation of a new eremophilane-type sesquiterpene, 3R,6R-dihydroxy-9,7(11)-dien-8-oxoeremophilane (1), along with three known analogues, namely, isopetasol (2), sporogen AO-1 (3), and dihydrosporogen AO-1 (4). The...

Seven cyclotetradepsipeptides, namely beauverolides C (1), F (2), I (3), Ja (4), L (5), M (6), and N (7), were isolated from the entomopathogenic fungus Isaria fumosorosea. The beauverolides were evaluated as potential calmodulin (CaM) inhibitors using the newly designed CaM biosensor hCaM M124C-AF350; these peptides displayed high affinity to the...

Calmodulin (CaM) plays a central role in regulating a myriad of cellular functions in physiological and pathophysiological processes, thus representing an important drug target. In previous reviews, our group has reported relevant information regarding natural anti-CaM compounds up to 2009. Natural sources continue to provide a diverse and unique r...

An aqueous extract from the seeds of Swietenia humilis (31.6–100 mg/kg bw) lowered (p < 0.05) blood glucose levels in normal and nicotinamide–streptozotocin (NA–STZ)-induced hyperglycemic mice. Furthermore, when administered to fructose-fed rats with metabolic syndrome, the decoction showed significant antihyperglycemic, hypoglycemic and hypolipide...

Hypoglycemic properties of some preparations and compounds fromArtemisia ludovicianaNutt**. Gerardo Anaya-Eugenio, Isabel Rivero-Cruz, José Rivera-Chávez, Rachel Mata*

Bioassay guided fractionation of an extract from the entomopathogenic fungus Paecilomyces fumosoroseus allowed the isolation of seven calmodulin (CaM) inhibitors, namely cyclotetradepsipeptides C (1, Kd = 0.30µM), F (2, Kd= 0.40µM), I (3, Kd = 0.19µM), Ja (4, Kd = 0.078µM), L (5, Kd = 1.66µM), M (6, Kd = 3.44µM) and N (7, Kd = 1.74µM). The most act...

Artemisia ludoviciana (Asteraceae) is used in contemporary Mexico for the treatment of diabetes. Recently we have demonstrated the hypoglycemic effect of the infusion of the plant and determine its active principles. Thus, in order to develop a standardized preparation an UPLC-DAD-MS method was developed for identifying the chemical profiles of the...

Pestalotin 4-methyl-β-mannopyranoside (1), a new polyketide, was isolated from an organic extract of Xylaria sp., an endophytic fungus associated with Hintonia latiflora along with the known quinone derivatives 2 and 3. The structure of 1 was elucidated by conventional spectroscopic and spectrometric analyses. The absolute configuration at the chir...

Different ethnobotanical studies refer that the main use of Anoda cristata (Malvaceae) is as food, however it is also employed to treat stomach inflammation, fever, cough, wounds and diabetes. In this work we describe the antidiabetic action of an infusion of A. cristata and its major compounds [acacetin (1) and diosmetin (2)] using different pharm...

In modern Mexico, as in many regions of the world, an important segment of the population relies on traditional medicine for primary health care. Therefore, it is important to study these species from a multidisciplinary point of view to assure their rational use, conservation, and to assess their potential as a source of new drugs and understand....

Brickellia cavanillesii (Cass.) A. Gray (Asteraceae) is widely used for treating ulcers, dyspepsia, and diabetes. The essential oil of aerial parts of the plant was obtained by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC-MS. A total of 31 constituents (98.0%) were identified. Desmethylisoencecalin (1) and compounds 2 – 4 were the major components. SPME-HS...

The seeds of Swietenia humilis (Meliaceae) are used in Mexican traditional medicine for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia. The decoction of the seeds (SHD, 100 and 316 mg/kg, po) was evaluated in male Sprague Dawley rats with metabolic syndrome induced with a high fructose diet (MS-HFD). In this animal model, SHD displayed noted...

The polyether antibiotic maduramicin and its methyl ester derivative inhibited photophosphorylation and proton uptake in isolated spinach chloroplasts. Both compounds also enhanced basal and phosphorylating electron transport and stimulated Mg(2+)-dependent ATPase activity, therefore, they behave as uncouplers of photophosphorylation being the meth...

The effect of 1,2,3,4-tetramethoxy-5-(2-propenyl)benzene, the major phytogrowth-inhibitory agent isolated from the leaves, stem bark and wood of Malmea depressa (Annonaceae), on several photosynthetic activities has been investigated using freshly lysed spinach chloroplasts. The results indicate that this compound inhibits proton-uptake, ATP synthe...

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Artemisia ludoviciana, commonly known as "estafiate", plays an important role in contemporary Mexico for treating several diseases including diabetes. To establish the preclinical efficacy of Artemisia ludoviciana as hypoglycemic and/or antihyperglycemic agent using well-known animal models. Materials and methods:...

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Cyrtopodium macrobulbon ("cañaveral") has been long used in Mexican traditional medicine for the treatment of painful urinary ailments ("mal de orin") in men. This study was conducted (i) to establish the potential acute toxicity and the antinociceptive activity of some preparations of Cyrtopodium macrobulbon, in or...

Potential toxic effects in mice of an infusion prepared from the stem bark of Exostema caribaeum was assessed by means of the Lorke procedure. The preparation was not found to be toxic, with the LD50 value estimated to be more than 5 g/kg. This preparation at 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg also caused a significant hypoglycemic effect and a reduction in t...