Ethnobotanical, pharmacognostical, pharmacological and phytochemical studies on Smilax domingensis in Guatemala

Abstract

Smilax domingensis Willd., Smilacaceae, known as zarzaparrilla, is a climbing shrub from Tropical America. The rhizome is popularly used in medicine as anti-infl ammatory, antiseptic, and tonic. Since 1983 studies are being conducted in Guatemala for validation of the ethnobotanical uses, particularly in vitro demonstration of antimicrobial activity, using wild material, with high variability and some taxonomic problems. This article reports the taxonomic determination, cultivation of drug material, evaluation of use by in vitro and in vivo pharmacological assays, and phytochemical characterization. Extracts from cultivated material was evaluated by antimicrobial, antiinfl ammatory, analgesic and immunomodulatory models, confi rming the antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities. Phytochemistry was done in the crude drug and extracts. Quality control parameters are described (micrographic drawings and phytochemical characteristics). Evidence is presented that cultivated rhizome has antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities, validating the popular use and helping the industrial development of phytopharmaceutical products.

Pharmacognostic and Phytochemical Studies of <i>Smilax domingensis</i> Willd. in Cuba

“…It is evident that the analyzed spice has a great coincidence by the description done by Ferrufino & Gómez-Laurito [11], and Cáceres [12]. We finally arrived to a clear description of S. domingensis in Cuba, represented by a big woody red rhizome.…”

“…From 10 samples from different locations in Guatemala, chromatographic profiles were similar, with the exception of a sample from Carchá, which showed fragmentation patterns similar to sarsapogenin/smilagenin, which correspond to Smilax kunthii [12].…”

Use of Anatomical, Chemical, and Molecular Genetic Characteristics in the Quality Control of Medicinal Species: A Case Study of Sarsaparilla (Smilax spp.)

“…The same authors confirmed the presence of saponins by the stirring test and the verification of persistent foam. In the present study, Rf of 0.8 was not detected because we didn't obtain satisfactory results using the same mobile phase of Cáceres et al (2012).…”

“…According to Cáceres et al (2012), steroidal saponins are the main component of medicinal properties attributed to Smilax extracts. The authors report the presence of saponins in the ethanol extract of Smilax domingensis Willd.…”

Phytochemical and Antinociceptive, Anti‐Inflammatory, and Antioxidant Studies of Smilax larvata (Smilacaceae)

“…After a 12-hour fasting period, four groups of six to eight rats each were orally treated with SLG (100, 200, or 400 mg/Kg) or vehicle (1% Teen 80, equivalent volume). These doses were chosen based on previous in vivo studies using extracts from other species of Smilax [5, 19]. One hour after the SLG or vehicle treatment, edema was induced by intraplantar injection of carrageenan (Cg; 200  μ g/paw; in 0.1 mL of saline).…”