Quercetagetin and patuletin were extracted by the same method from two different Tagetes species that have multiple uses in folk medicine in Mexico and around the globe, one of which is as an anticancer agent. Their biological activity (IC50 and necrotic, apoptotic and selective activities of these flavonols) was evaluated and compared to that of quercetin, examining specifically the effects of C6 substitution among quercetin, quercetagetin and patuletin. We find that the presence of a methoxyl group in C6 enhances their potency.

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In Mexico, Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious health problem, and although the current pharmacological treatments for DM such as insulin and oral hypoglycemics are available, the Mexican population continues to use medicinal plants in the treatment of DM. The antidiabetic properties of the plant species that belong to the Cucurbitaceae family has already been recognized worldwide. Since Mexico is one of the most important centers of diversity of Cucurbitaceae, the present work contributes to the review of the most used species of Cucurbitaceae in the treatment of DM in Mexico. The reviewed species (Cucurbita ficifolia, C. maxima, C. moschata, C. pepo, Ibervillea sonorae, Sechium edule, Citrullus lanatus, Cucumis melo, and C. sativus) revealed that the antidiabetic effects exerted are effective in a number of mechanisms involved in the complex pathogenesis of DM: hypoglycemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, protective effects on diverse organs and cells, as well as in the control of dyslipidemias; furthermore, the select species of the Cucurbitaceae family could also be essential components of diets for the control of DM in patients with the disease. Thus, the Cucurbitaceae species selected in the present work represent a source of antidiabetic agents that perhaps establish the bases for novel clinical treatments.

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Diabetes mellitus (DM) is cited as a serious worldwide health problem that occupies second place in causes of annual mortality in Mexico. Among Mexican flora, nearly 300 plant species have been employed as hypoglycemic in popular use. Thus, their study entertains great relevance In this context, this work contributes a clear and timely review of the plant species utilized in Traditional Mexican Medicine and experimental biological models in which not only have the hypoglycemic properties of the extracts and the isolated compounds been considered, but also the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, taking into account an integral focus based on the complex mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis and physiopathology of DM. Among the species reviewed, we highlight Psacalium decompositum (Asteraceae), due to the potent hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity of the sesquiterpenes identified as majority compounds isolated from the root, such as cacalol and cacalone that also possess the capacity of increasing insulin levels. In this manner, the present manuscript attempts to contribute necessary information for the future study of bioactive molecules that are useful in the treatment of DM, as well as also being a contribution to the knowledge and diffusion of Mexican Traditional Medicine.