Planta Med 2008; 74 - PA94
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1084092

Biological activity of extracts of Cyrtocarpa procera Kunth

H Rosas-Acevedo 1, . 3, ME Garín-Aguilar 2, M Soto-Hernández 1, M Martínez-Vázquez . 3
  • 1Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo, Texcoco, Estado de México, 56230 Mexico.
  • 2Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Av. de los barrios n° 1, Los reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado. de México
  • . 3Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Circuito exterior, Ciudad Universitaria México

Cyrtocarpa procera (Anacardiaceae) is a tree used in traditional Mexican medicine, the bark of this species, known locally as chupandia, is used to treat ailments such diarrhea and dysentery [1]. In Mexico among the main causes of death are the intestinal infectious diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of bark extracts of this plant. Air-dried and powdered chupandia bark was extracted with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and acetone at room temperature. The antibacterial activity of the extracts was evaluated against: Shigella dysenteriae, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi. All the tested extracts, except hexane extract exhibited activity against Shigella dysenteriae, on the other hand this extract exhibited anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activity. From hexane extract were isolated β-sitosterol and β-amyrin both compounds with proven anti-inflammatory activity.

References: 1. Argueta, V. A., L. Cano, M. Rodarte (1994) Atlas de las plantas de la medicina tradicional mexicana. Instituto Nacional Indigenista. México. pp. 542–543.