Nutrient and antinutritional/toxic factors present in some edible flowers consumed in Mexico were determined. The edible flowers were: Agave salmiana, Aloe vera, Arbutus xalapensis, Cucurbita pepo (cultivated), Erythrina americana, Erythrina caribaea, Euphorbia radians benth and Yucca filifera. The nutrient content in the flowers studied is similar to that of the edible leaves and flowers studied mainly in Africa. The moisture content of the flowers varied from 860 to 932 g kg(-1). Crude protein (CP) was between 113 to 275 g kg(-1) DM, crude fiber, 104 to 177 g kg(-1) DM and the nitrogen free extract, between 425 to 667 g kg(-1) DM. The highest chemical score (CS) was found in E. americana and A. salmiana; in five samples the limiting amino acid was lysine, and in three of them it was tryptophan. Trypsin inhibitors and hemaglutinnins had a very low concentration. Alkaloids were present in both the Erythrina species and the saponins in A. salmiana and Y. filifera. Cyanogenic glucosides were not found in the studied flowers. The traditional process of preparing these specific flowers before consumption is by cooking them and discarding the broth; in this way the toxic substances are diminished or eliminated. These edible flowers from wild plants consumed in local areas of the country play an important role in the diet of the people at least during the short time of the season where they are blooming.

<p align="left"><strong>Background</strong>: <em>Salvia circinata</em> is an endemic species of Mexico used in the folk medicine of Santiago Huauclilla, Oaxaca, mainly as remedy for gastrointestinal diseases.</p><p align="left"><strong>Hypothesis</strong>: If the extracts of <em>Salvia circinata</em> have secondary metabolites with antinociceptive activity, then the behavior of nociception in the model of “whriting” in mice will decrease.</p><p align="left"><strong>Specie studied</strong>:<strong> </strong><em>Salvia circinata </em>Cav. (Lamiaceae).</p><p align="left"><strong>Study site and years of study</strong>: <em>Salvia circinata </em>was collected in Santiago Huauclilla, Oaxaca, in July 2014.</p><p align="left"><strong>Methods</strong>: Firstly, the acute toxicity of <em>S. circinata</em> extracts was evaluated to calculate the LD₅₀with OECD method. Then, dose-response curves of the antinociceptive effect of <em>S. circinata</em> organic and aqueous extracts (1, 10, 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg) were obtained in the writhing test in mice. Furthermore, chromatographic techniques were applied to isolate the compounds and were identified by comparison of the values of ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and ESIMS reported in the literature.</p><p align="left"><strong>Results</strong>: Our data showed significant antinociceptive activity in all the tested extracts. Amarisolide A and pedalitin were isolated in the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts, respectively and assayed at doses of 1, 5 and 10 mg/kg, i.p. All the compounds decreased nociception in mice in at least 50 % from a minimal dosage of 1 mg/kg, i.p. and in a similar manner than the reference drug ketorolac (1 mg/kg, i.p.).</p><p align="left"><strong>Conclusions</strong>: Our findings give evidence that <em>Salvia circinata </em>possesses antinociceptive activity depending on the presence of several known bioactive constituents, reinforcing its use in the Mexican traditional medicine to alleviate abdominal pain.</p>

Resumen. La Sierra Norte de Puebla es una región ambiental y culturalmente diversa, donde se practica agricultura tradicional y un uso diversificado de la flora, con más de 600 especies de plantas útiles. Los quelites representan entre el 18% y el 38% de las plantas comestibles en algunas poblaciones de la Sierra Norte de Puebla y en conjunto suman cerca de 80 especies, 15 de ellas introducidas. Los quelites se pueden comer crudos, pero generalmente se ingieren cocidos de diversas formas. Las partes utilizadas incluyen hojas, tallos tiernos, retoños, pecíolos, plántulas o la planta completa excluyendo la raíz. Las familias botánicas con mayor número de especies son Fabaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Solanaceae, Piperaceae, Amaranthaceae y Begoniaceae. Los quelites se producen en varios agroecosistemas, bajo un amplio espectro de manejo por parte del hombre, desde la recolección hasta el cultivo. Varias especies son comercializadas localmente y otras se destinan sólo al autoabasto. Palabras clave. México, quelites, Puebla, Etnobotánica. Abstract. The Sierra Norte de Puebla, is a region with cultural and environmental diversity where traditional agriculture is practiced. The use of plants is vast, with more that 600 species of useful plants. The 'quelites ' (edible greens), constitute between 18%-38% of edible plants and there are in total 80 species, 15 of which are exotic. The quelites can be consumed row, although they are commonly consumed after being cooked in different manners; plants parts used as quelites are young leaves and stems, sprouts, petioles, seedlings or complete plants without roots. The 'quelites' are produced in different agroecosystems under a wide spectrum of ways of management, from gathering to cultivation. The botanical families with more species used as 'quelites' are Fabaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Solanaceae, Piperaceae, Amaranthaceae and Begoniaceae. Sorne species are sold in local markets and another are for autosupply.

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esde su origen el hombre ha mantenido íntimo contacto con las plantas y los animales, pues de ello ha dependido su subsistencia; esto le ha permitido acumular un rico acervo de conocimientos de las especies que utiliza. En México existe una gran diversidad vegetal y cultural, lo que ha resultado en un amplio uso de las plantas, con cerca de 7,000 especies útiles de un total de casi 22, 000 especies de plantas con flores (Rzedowski, 1992;Caballero y Cortés, 2001).En los mercados semanales que se establecen en diver- 79BOTÁNICA ECONÓMICA Y ETNOBOTÁNICA Resumen: Se presenta el inventario de las plantas medicinales obtenido en cuatro mercados del estado de Puebla: Atlixco, Tepeaca, Tecamachalco y mercado Hidalgo de la ciudad de Puebla. Los mercados se visitaron una vez al mes durante medio año (enero a junio 2000). La información fue recabada mediante entrevistas abiertas con los comerciantes de cada mercado, preguntando por el nombre, el uso de las plantas, las partes utilizadas, las formas de preparación y la procedencia. Se hicieron colectas de los materiales para su determinación botánica; los ejemplares obtenidos se depositaron en el Herbario Nacional (MEXU). Se registraron 62 especies de plantas medicinales, pertenecientes a 31 familias; 50% de estas especies no habían sido reportadas en otros estudios sobre plantas medicinales realizadas en mercados en el estado de Puebla. Se discute el uso de las especies para diferentes enfermedades y por aparatos y sistemas orgánicos. La mayoría de las plantas estuvieron presentes durante todo el periodo de muestreo, pero algunas de ellas, como el alampepe, el berro y la gobernadora fueron encontradas en una sola ocasión. Palabras clave: mercados, México, plantas medicinales, Puebla.Abstract: An inventory of medicinal plants sold in four markets of Puebla State is reported. The markets were visited monthly during a period of six months (January -June 2000). The information was obtained by conducting open interviews with the merchants in each market, asking for the plant's name, use, useful parts, way of preparation and procedence. Botanical collections were made and vouchers were deposited at the National Herbarium of Mexico (MEXU). Sixty-two species and 31 families of medicinal plants were recorded. From these species, 50% had not been previously reported in studies of medicinal plants from markets of Puebla State. The uses of these plants for the treatment of different diseases are discussed by organ and organic system. Almost all species were present throughout the study period, but a few ones, such as alampepe, berro and gobernadora, were found only once.