A methanol extract of lyophilized Brickellia cavanillesii was quantitatively analyzed using gas chromatographic (GC) techniques. The chromatographic methods employed were (i) GC-flame ionization detector (GC-FID), (ii) GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and (iii) purge and trap GC-MS (P&T GC-MS). Thirteen compounds were identified with a quality match of 90% and above using GC-MS. The compounds were (1) Cyclohexene, 6-ethenyl-6-methyl-1-(1-methylethyl)-3-(1-methylethylidene)-, (S)-; (2) Bicylo (2.2.1) heptan-2-one, 1, 7, 7-trimethyl-(1S, 4S)-; (3) Phenol, 2-methoxy-4-(1-propenyl)-; (4) Benzene, 1-(1, 5-dimethyl-4-hexenyl)-4-methyl-; (5) Naphthalene, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8a-hexahydro4, 7-dimethyl-1-1-(1-methylethyl)-, (1S-cis)-; (6) Phenol, 2-methoxy-; (7) Benzaldehyde, 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-; (8) 11, 13-Eicosadienoic acid, methyl ester; (9) 2-Furancarboxaldehyde, 5-methyl-; (10) Maltol; (11) Phenol; (12) Hydroquinone; (13) 1H-Indene, 1-ethylideneoctahydro-7a-methyl-, (1E, 3a.alpha, 7a.beta.). Other compounds (14) 3-methyl butanal; (15) (D)-Limonene; (16) 1-methyl-4-(1-methyl ethyl) benzene; (17) Butanoic acid methyl ester; (18) 2-methyl propanal; (19) 2-butanone; (20) 2-pentanone; and (21) 2-methyl butane were also identified when P&T GC-MS was performed. Of the 21 compounds identified, 12 were validated using chemical standards. The identified compounds were found to be terpenes, derivatives of terpenes, esters, ketones, aldehydes, and phenol-derived aromatic compounds; these are the primary constituents of the essential oils of many plants and flowers.

Brickellia cavanillesii (Asteraceae) is a herbal plant widely used (Central America, Mexico and South-Western U.S.A.) in Type 2 diabetes mellitus therapy. Unfortunately, there is insufficient scientific data to validate its presumed pharmacological properties. This study examines the cytotoxic properties of whole, and certain identified chemical compounds in B. cavanillesii. It also investigates the potential hypoglycemic activity of lyophilized B. cavanillesii using glucose transport and metabolism proteins as biomarkers.

This chapter per the authors will introduce the reader to Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and shall discuss herbalism as a subset of CAM. Particular emphasis will be placed on herbal teas or rather infusions and decoctions used in disease therapy. This chapter will enumerate the different types of teas and shall use maps, graphs, and other tools to illustrate location, consumption, use and availability. Furthermore, the authors will highlight potential health benefits, recent studies (in vitro, in vivo) undertaken by research scientists to validate efficacy, and shall call for more research (clinical data management, clinical trials, etc.) and support for ongoing work in this area of expertise. The authors shall place a spotlight on the plant family, Asteraceae, and their herbal plants of interest, Artemisia annua and Brickellia cavanillesii. Extensive studies have been performed to determine the therapeutic potential of Brickellia cavanillesii plant at Ernest E. Smith laboratory, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH), Texas Tech University, Lubbock, USA.

the weight status of persons (men, women) with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m 2 (class I obesity [30.0-34.9 kg/m 2 ], class II/class III [≥ 35.0 kg/ m 2]; 25.0-29.9 kg/m 2 (overweight); 18.5-24.9 kg/m 2 (lean) [2]. Healthcare practitioners believe BMI to be the preeminent biomarker, "gold standard, " that indicates elevated propensity for adiposity-related adverse health outcomes. A plethora of major scientific studies indicate that a BMI of 25.0 kg/m 2 and above may be a precursor of several non-communicable physiological disorders such as cardiovascular disease (heart, stroke), diabetes, cancer (endometrial, breast, colon), osteoarthritis etc. [3]. These diseases are listed amongst the leading causes of mortality [4]. Trend data obtained from 188 countries suggest that 30% (2.1 billion) of the world's population may be obese or overweight; in the years 1980-2013, developed and developing countries have shown a significant increase in obesity rates [5,6]. About one-third of adults and one-fifth of children in the US are considered obese (Figures 2-4) [7][8][9]. More definitive statistical studies reveal that in thirty states of the US, one in three children, age 10-17 years are either overweight or obese. It is believed that the medical expenditure of an obese youngster rises proportionally with BMI and may range from $5,340 to $29,460 over a lifetime. In 2003, the US government expended Volume: 2.3

Prior investigations into the therapeutic potential of Lyophilized extracts of Brickellia cavanillesii (LBC) are indicative of its possible biologic benefit in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DB). This manuscript employs in vitro toxicological techniques to explore the effect of LBC on the gene expression of human carcinoma liver cells (HepG2); and attempts to predict a mechanism of action using apoptosis as a therapeutic index. The effect of LBC on the expression of genes associated with human apoptosis pathway and glucose transporter 2 (GLUT 2) were determined using quantitative gene array and real-time PCR (RT2qPCR) respectively. HepG2 cells were exposed to concentrations of LBC (0 mg/mL [control]), 0.2 mg/mL for the apoptosis study; 0 mg/mL (control), 0.02 mg/mL, 0.2 mg/mL for the GLUT 2 study), in the absence of FBS 2 h, 4 h, 6 h and 24 h respectively. Results obtained show that several antiapoptotic genes were significantly up-regulated while some apoptotic genes were significantly down-regulated. The most significant up-regulation was by BCL2L1 with a fold change of 46.57; Bcl2l is reputed to be an apoptosis inhibitor. Data acquired from the GLUT 2 gene expression study suggest that LBC may induce GLUT 2 gene expression.