Larrea divaricata Cav.: Scientific evidence showing its beneficial effects and its wide potential application.

Producción CyT

Artículo

Autoría

DAVICINO, ROBERTO CARLOS

Fecha

2011

Editorial y Lugar de Edición

BLACPMA

Revista

Boletín Latinoamericano y del Caribe de Plantas Medicinales y Aromáticas, vol. 10 (pp. 92-103) - ISSN 0717 7917
BLACPMA

ISSN

0717 7917

Resumen Información suministrada por el agente en SIGEVA

Larrea divaricata Cav. (jarilla) (Zygophyllaceae) is used in Argentinean folk medicine. It contains nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a lignan with nefrotoxic and hepatotoxic effects. The presence of NDGA converts controversial the use of L. divaricata. The amount of NDGA is higher in alcoholic extracts than in aqueous extracts (AE). The last 20 years had a great advance on the use of AE to treat different conditions in a safe manner. In this review, we present the scientific results tending to... Larrea divaricata Cav. (jarilla) (Zygophyllaceae) is used in Argentinean folk medicine. It contains nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a lignan with nefrotoxic and hepatotoxic effects. The presence of NDGA converts controversial the use of L. divaricata. The amount of NDGA is higher in alcoholic extracts than in aqueous extracts (AE). The last 20 years had a great advance on the use of AE to treat different conditions in a safe manner. In this review, we present the scientific results tending to confirm the potential beneficial effects of the AE on human health. The anti-proliferative effects of AE of L. divaricata have been assayed on a tumor lymphoid line (BW 5147) and the pathways involved in such effects were described. The anti-microbial activity was determined by tests for bacteria and fungus. The anti-inflammatory activity was assayed by using carrageen and TPA induced-inflammation tests. The Immunomodulatory effects were investigated ―in vivo‖ and ―in vitro‖ on mice. Sub-fractions of aqueous extracts were obtained and analyzed. The immunogenicity of proteins from crude AE was characterized and antioxidant and nutritional activity were studied. The effect of an AE on hair loss was assayed. In summary, AE from L. divaricata has pharmacological activities including anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer effects.

Ver más Ver menos

Palabras Clave

Larrea divaricata Cav