The biochemistry and medical significance of the flavonoids.

Behavioral adaptations to pathogens and parasites: Five strategies

Synthetic potential of the tertiary-amine-catalysed reaction of activated vinyl carbanions with aldehydes

Biological activities of sesquiterpene lactones

Anti-inflammatory Compounds Parthenolide and Bay 11-7082 Are Direct Inhibitors of the Inflammasome

▪ Abstract Traditional herbal remedies have increased in popularity in Europe and the United States in recent years but have always been important to people living in rural Mexico and to their Mexican American/Chicano descendants in the United States. Mexican American patients will often be ingesting herbal teas at the same time that they are being treated for their ailments with antibiotics or antiinflammatory agents. The plant family Asteraceae (Compositae) has contributed the largest number of plants to this pharmacopoeia; the reasons for the importance of this family include its large number of species in Mexico and its wide array of natural products that are useful in the treatment of the maladies that have afflicted the inhabitants of rural Mexico. These natural products include sesquiterpene lactones, polyacetylenes, alkaloids, monoterpenes, and various phenolics such as flavonoids. In this review, we emphasize the sesquiterpene lactones, a large group of compounds with antiinflammatory properties ...

Ethnopharmacology of mexican asteraceae (compositae)

Chromenes and benzofurans of the asteraceae, their chemistry and biological significance

Aspects of recent research on the biological activities of sesquiterpene lactones (SQLs) are presented. Several SQLs have been identified as important constituents of plants consumed by animals for presumed medicinal value and is a focus of research in zoopharmacognosy. Recent in vivo antitumor studies with parthenin and eupatoriopicrin are discussed as well as the reports of the antiulcer activity of dehydroleucodin. Helenalin has recently been reported to have cardiotonic activity. Research on the neurotoxicity of repin, a compound reported to cause a Parkinson's-like disease in horses, is also highlighted.

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Recent studies on the zoopharmacognosy, pharmacology and neurotoxicology of sesquiterpene lactones.

Two African species of Aspilia (Asteraceae), which are used medicinally by man and which are eaten by wild chimpanzees in an unusual manner, were found to contain the potent antibiotic thiarubrine A as a major leaf phytochemical. Its presence in leaf material strengthens the view that the feeding behavior of wild chimpanzees is related to special physiological or pharmacological effects on the animals.

Thiarubrine A, a bioactive constituent of Aspilia (Asteraceae) consumed by wild chimpanzees.

The last years of the twentieth century offer both challenges and opportunities for phytochemists. The AIDS epidemic is still expanding and to date medical science has not been able to find effective treatments. Resistance to antibiotics, antimalarials, and other drugs occurs with increasing frequency. Crisis like these have created a new demand for phytochemical screening programs to detect antiviral plant products. Consequently the attention of phytochemists has turned to the tropical rain forests that contain most of the world’s species of plants and animals.

Eloy Rodriguez

Papers

Ethnopharmacology of mexican asteraceae (compositae)

Chromenes and benzofurans of the asteraceae, their chemistry and biological significance

Recent studies on the zoopharmacognosy, pharmacology and neurotoxicology of sesquiterpene lactones.

Thiarubrine A, a bioactive constituent of Aspilia (Asteraceae) consumed by wild chimpanzees.

Zoopharmacognosy: The Use of Medicinal Plants by Animals