Ethnomedicinal Study and Evaluation of the Anxiolytic-like and Diuretic Effects of the Orchid Bateman ex Lindl-(Orchidaceae).

Bateman ex Lindl. (Orchidaceae) is an orchid endemic to Mexico, known as "Calavera" or "calaverita", in the Huasteca Potosina (central region of Mexico). This plant species is used for the folk treatment of mental disorders and urological kidney disorders, according to the ethnomedicinal information obtained in this study.

Pharmacological activities of Asclepias curassavica L. (Apocynaceae) aerial parts.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Asclepias curassavica L. (Apocynaceae) is a perennial shrub used in the folk treatment of parasitism, pain, and inflammation.

Aim Of The Study: This work assessed the antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and sedative effects of an ethanol extract from the aerial parts of Asclepias curassavica (ACE).

In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of an ethanol extract from the aerial parts of Eryngium carlinae F. Delaroche (Apiaceae).

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Eryngium carlinae F. Delaroche (Apiaceae) is an herb used in folk medicine as a diuretic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory agent.

Aim Of The Study: This work assessed the diuretic, antinociceptive, and anti-inflammatory actions of an ethanol extract from the leaves and stems of Eryngium carlinae (ECE).

Synthesis, antiinflammatory activity, and molecular docking studies of bisphosphonic esters as potential MMP-8 and MMP-9 inhibitors.

Bisphosphonic acids (or bisphosphonates) have been successfully used in the clinic treatment of bone diseases for over decades. Additionally, the antiinflammatory activity of these compounds has been gaining attention. In our previous work, we synthesized and in vivo evaluated the bisphosphonic esters and , finding a moderate edema inhibition upon oral and topical administration on BALB/c mice.

Use of medicinal plants by health professionals in Mexico.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The use of medicinal plants in Mexico has been documented since pre-Hispanic times. Nevertheless, the level of use of medicinal plants by health professionals in Mexico remains to be explored.

Aim Of The Study: To evaluate the use, acceptance and prescription of medicinal plants by health professionals in 9 of the states of Mexico.

Medicinal Plants from Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean Used as Immunostimulants.

A literature review was undertaken by analyzing distinguished books, undergraduate and postgraduate theses, and peer-reviewed scientific articles and by consulting worldwide accepted scientific databases, such as SCOPUS, Web of Science, SCIELO, Medline, and Google Scholar. Medicinal plants used as immunostimulants were classified into two categories: (1) plants with pharmacological studies and (2) plants without pharmacological research. Medicinal plants with pharmacological studies of their immunostimulatory properties were subclassified into four groups as follows: (a) plant extracts evaluated for in vitro effects, (b) plant extracts with documented in vivo effects, (c) active compounds tested on in vitro studies, and (d) active compounds assayed in animal models.

Ethnobotany of medicinal plants used in Xalpatlahuac, Guerrero, México.

Ethnopharmacological Importance: Medicinal plants have been used for centuries for the empirical treatment of many diseases. This study documented the use of plant species in traditional medicine in the municipality of Xalpatlahuac, Guerrero, México.

Materials And Methods: Direct interviews were performed with inhabitants from Xalpatlahuac.

Kaempferitrin induces immunostimulatory effects in vitro.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Justicia spicigera is a plant used as immunostimulatory in Mexican traditional medicine. Recently, we showed that Justicia spicigera extracts exerted immunostimulatory effects and the major component of this extract was kaempferitrin (KM). This work shows a correlation between the medical traditional use of Justicia spicigera and kaempferitrin, its active compound.

Maturin acetate from Psacalium peltatum (Kunth) Cass. (Asteraceae) induces immunostimulatory effects in vitro and in vivo.

Maturin acetate (MA) is one of main constituents in Psacalium peltatum. The cytotoxic effects of MA on tumorigenic cells were evaluated using the MTT assay. The in vitro immunostimulatory effects of maturin acetate (MA) were evaluated on the viability of murine splenocytes and macrophages, and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).

Biological effects of aqueous extract from Turkey vulture Cathartes aura (Cathartidae) meat.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Cathartes aura is a bird used in the Mexican traditional medicine for the empirical treatment of cancer, injuries, infections and burns.

Materials And Methods: The in vitro immunomodulatory effects of Cathartes aura extract (CAE) were evaluated estimating its effects on proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and murine splenocytes. The effects of CAE (1-200 μg/ml) on NO production, pinocytosis and lysosomal enzyme activity were assayed in murine macrophages RAW 264.

The antitumoral effect of the American mistletoe Phoradendron serotinum (Raf.) M.C. Johnst. (Viscaceae) is associated with the release of immunity-related cytokines.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Phoradendron serotinum is commonly used in Mexican traditional medicine for the empirical treatment of cancer. However, there are no studies regarding the antitumoral or immunomodulatory activities of Phoradendron serotinum.

Materials And Methods: The in vivo toxicity of ethanolic extracts of Phoradendron serotinum (PSE) was evaluated in mice according to the Lorke procedure.

Antitumor and immunomodulatory effects of Justicia spicigera Schltdl (Acanthaceae).

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Medicinal plants are an important source of antitumor compounds. This study evaluated the acute toxicity in vitro and in vivo, as well as the cytotoxic, antitumor and immunomodulatory effects of ethanolic extracts of Justicia spicigera leaves (JSE).

Materials And Methods: The in vitro and in vivo toxicity of JSE was evaluated with comet assay in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and acute toxicity in mice, according to the Lorke procedure, respectively.