The crucifix (Randia aculeata) is a shrub belonging to the Rubiaceae family that can measure from 2 to 6 meters high. The plant is native to Florida, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and other Caribbean islands. It is also known from southern Mexico, through Central and South America, to Colombia.
Its name is due to the fact that its branches end in cross-shaped thorns. In Cuba it is known as pitajoní and gall. In other countries it is also known as palo de cotorra, palo de navidad, jack horse and tintillo. It is appreciated for its therapeutic properties.
The extract relieves the effects of animal poisons such as snakes, spiders, scorpions, toads, bees, and wasps. When the fruits have not yet ripened, they are astringent and are used in cases of dysentery..
It contains thirteen phenolic compounds that give it potential nutraceutical properties. Latex and leaves are febrifugal and hemostatic.
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The cruciform is an ovoid fruit with black pulp and the seeds constitute 53.60% of the total weight of the fruit. The dried pulp of the fruit has a high content of vitamin C of approximately 491.76 mg of ascorbic acid per gram of dry sample and 62.10% of reducing sugars.
The protein content expressed in 100 grams of dried fruit pulp is quite low, 0.01%. So is the amount of fat: 0.81% on a dry basis.
The pulp can be a good source of Na, K, Ca and Mg and trace elements such as Fe, Zn and Cu, as it contains 3.62% ash. Ash represents a measure of total minerals.
The crude fiber content is 1.26%. The pulp contains 1.34 ° Brix, an indicative value for soluble solids. This amount usually increases as the fruit matures due to the degradation of starch and its conversion into simple sugars (glucose, fructose), as well as sucrose..
In general, it has a high antioxidant activity and phenol content. Additionally, the bright yellow color of the oil extracted from the seeds is indicative of the presence of β-carotene, estimated at about 224.32 mg per 100 g. The oil contains 46.60% linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid of the omega 6 series (ω-6).
In the phytochemical analyzes, secondary metabolites of plants have been identified in pulp and seed, such as scopolin, scopoletin, rutin, chlorogenic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid and 4-coumaric acid..
The presence of some of these compounds would explain the healing properties observed in popular medicine.
The fruit has a bitter taste, most likely due to the presence of alkaloids. Alkaloids are a group of naturally occurring chemical compounds that mostly contain nitrogen atoms..
They are usually found in different parts of plants, such as seeds, leaves and bark, and have a wide pharmacological application.
It also has a high content of saponins. Saponins are amphipathic compounds; that is, they contain a water-soluble part (sugar) and a fat-soluble part (steroid or triterpenoid).
Its name comes from the formation of foam when shaken in water. They are toxic, but that characteristic can be removed. They have expectorant, diuretic, purifying, tonic-venous and cholesterol-lowering action.
The phenolic compounds present give the pulp of the cruciform antioxidant properties. These include flavonoids (e.g. rutin), which are found in the aqueous, methanolic and ethanolic extracts of the plant..
Quartines (scopoline, scopoletin) are an important class of natural phenolic compounds, with antimicrobial, antihypertensive and anti-inflammatory therapeutic properties.
- The leaves and their latex are febrifugal; that is, they relieve fever.
- Cruzatillo has hemostatic effects, which means that it can stop bleeding..
- Due to its astringent qualities, the unripe fruit is used in the treatment of diarrhea and dysentery..
- It is applied to both stings and bites in humans and animals. The extracts of the leaves, fruit and stem protect against the decrease of the platelet count in the bloodstream caused by the poison of Brothops asper and partially inhibited the death of cells and tissues in skeletal and myocardial muscles.
- It acts as an anti-inflammatory or analgesic agent, or at least as an adjunct in reducing inflammation and relieving pain from the bite. Its action limits the damage induced by the fangs.
- The fruit is used to relieve skin discomfort and wounds. It has been documented that it can alleviate leprosy.
- Less commonly it is used in the treatment of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer. However, to control diabetes, a glass of Cruciferous in Jerez on an empty stomach has been indicated in traditional medicine. An immunomodulatory effect has been reported.
- Oral tradition gives it aphrodisiac properties similar to sildenafil (commercially known as Viagra).
- The ingestion of the macerate of the fruits in Jerez controls hypertension.
- It contributes to the reduction of blood lipids, cholesterol and triglycerides. This prevents the formation of atheromas, which promote hardening of the arteries causing circulation problems.
- The ethanolic extract is used in the relief of dental and muscle pain.
The ripe fruit is harvested in the wild. Once harvested, it is mixed with or without skin, with sugar cane brandy.
Approximately it is used for one liter of sherry wine, beer or cane liquor, between three to seven cut pieces of fruit. The fruit is soaked in alcohol and left to rest and marinate for a few days..
This preparation is part of the first aid kit for farmers in the central area of the Mexican state of Veracruz.
In case of sting or bite, a daily drink should be taken and it can also be administered topically. The cruciform is not used to being mixed with other plant species.
The maceration taken on an empty stomach is recommended for the control of hypertension, diabetes, triglycerides and cholesterol. To relieve fever, the infusion is prepared with the leaves. The fruits are also sold in bags containing up to 20 units in the markets in Mexico..
The intake of the tonic in the usual doses is safe. No side effects have been reported due to its consumption. However, it should be administered with caution in people allergic to its compounds..
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