A. Romo de Vivar

Ethnobotany and antibacterial activity of some plants used in traditional medicine of Zapotitlán de las Salinas, Puebla (México).

The village of Zapotitlán de las Salinas is situated in the Valley of Tehuacán-Cuicatlán, Puebla, Mexico. Plant species used by the local inhabitants to treat gastrointestinal diseases were identified using ethnobotanical, ethnographic and taxonomic methods. Out of 119 interviews, 44 plant species were registered, of which the following are the most frequently used (listed in descending order): Lippia graveolens H.B. et K. (Verbenaceae), Lantana achyranthifolia Desf. (Verbenaceae), Turnera diffusa (Willd.) ex Schult. (Turneraceae), Lippia oaxacana Rob. et Greenm. (Verbenaceae), Gymnolaena oaxacana (Greenm.) Rydb. (Asteraceae), Cordia curassavica (Jacq.) Roem. et Schult. (Boraginaceae), Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) and Acalypha hederacea Torrey (Euphorbiaceae). From these plants, hexane, chloroform and ethanol extracts were prepared in order to assess their antibacterial activity against 14 bacterial strains causing the most common gastrointestinal diseases in Mexican population. All hexane extracts showed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. There is a correlation between the frequency of mention (of plant use) and the antibacterial activity. In conclusion, the knowledge of plants most frequently used for gastrointestinal infections in Zapotitlán de las Salinas is supported by scientific rationale.

Constituents of zaluzania species—II : Structures of zaluzanin C and Zaluzanin D

Abstract Zaluzanin C a constituent of Zaluzania augusta (Lag.) Schultz, Bip. and Z. triloba Pers has been shown to be a guaianolide with structure Ia. Zaluzanin D another constituent of Z. triloba was identified as acetylzaluzanin C (Ib). The eudesmanolide ivalin (XI) was also isolated from Z. triloba .

Constituents of Artemisia and chrysanthemum species-the structures of chrysartemins A and B

Abstract The guaianolides matricarin (Ib) and desacetylmatricarin (Ia) have been found as constituents of Artemisia klotzchiana . The eudesmanolides arglanin (VIII) and douglanin (IXa) were isolated from A. mexicana . The new guaianolides chrysartemin A (II) and B (XIV) are constituents of Chrysanthemum parthenium . Chrysartemin A (II) was also found in A. mexicana and A. klotzchiana .

The guaianolides of ambrosia cumanensis HBK : The structures of cumambrins A and B☆

Abstract Cumambrins A and B isolated from Ambrosia cumanensis HBK were shown to be guaianolides with structures Ia and Ib.

11,13-Dehydroeriolin, schkuhrioidin and schkuhriolid, germacranolides from Schkuhria species

Abstract The isolation is reported of the new germacrolide, 11,13-dehydroeriolin, the new melampolide schkuhrioidin and schkuhriolide from Schkuhria schkuhrioides . 11,13-Dehydroeriolin is also a constituent of S. virgata . The structure and stereochemistry of the new compounds were established on chemical and spectroscopic grounds.

Stevin, a new pseudoguaianolide isolated from stevia rhombifolia H.B.K.☆

Abstract Stevin a constituent of Stevia rhombifolia H.B.K. has been shown to be a new pseudoguaianolide with structure Ia.

The structure of peruvinin—a pseudoguaianolide isolated from Ambrosia peruviana willd☆

Abstract The structure of peruvinin, a constituent of Ambrosia peruviana Willd , has been established as a pseudoguaianolide Ia.

Triterpenes in Parthenium argentatum, structures of argtntatins C and D

Abstract Chemical examination of the roots of Parthenium argentatum afforded the new triterpene argentatin D together with the known triterpenes incalinin, argentatin A, argentatin B and isoargentatin B, while the aerial parts of the plant afforded argentatin C. The structures of argentatin C and argentatin D were established by chemical, spectroscopic and crystallographic studies.

The sesquiterpene constituents of Mortonia hidalgensis

Abstract The structure of mortonol B, a sesquiterpene constituent of Mortonia hidalgensis , was established as 2β-acetoxy-mortonol A. Mortonol B is propose

The zoapatle XV. Activity of 16a-hydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid isolated from montanoa hibiscifolia, and its methyl ester on rat and guinea pig uterus

16 alpha-Hydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid was isolated from Montanoa hibiscifolia. The effects of this acid and its methyl ester on the contractile activity of rat and guinea pig uterine horns were studied. Both inhibited spontaneous, oxytocin-induced and potassium-induced contractile activities. The inhibitory effect produced by the methyl ester was greater than that observed with the acid. The methyl ester was 2-5 times more potent than the acid upon spontaneous and potassium-induced contractions and 11-15 times more potent than the acid upon the contractile activity of uterine smooth muscle induced by oxytocin. Such effects were observed using bath concentrations of 6, 15, 30 and 60 microM of each compound.