The kidneyIpomoea pes-caprae) is a perennial vine that grows flush with the sands of tropical beaches in the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans. It is one of the more than 1500 species belonging to the Convolvulaceae family. In the Philippines it is known as bagasua and in Brazil as salsa da praia.
Ipomea comes from two Greek words: Ips, which means "worm"; Y homois, which means "like" or "similar". Its name is due to the worm-like shape of the flower bud. It is also known as goat's foot because of the shape of the leaf similar to the hooves of the goat (in Latin, pes-caprae).
The plant forms a dense blanket that covers the sand. It can be found on roadsides and is very tolerant of salt, high temperatures and wind. It also serves as a soil stabilizer and prevents coastal erosion.
The flowers open in the morning and close in the afternoon on sunny days, they are flared and a very attractive pink. As for its fruits, they are spongy and open when drying. The four seeds that are inside are dispersed floating and are not affected by the salinity of the sea.
The plant has proven to be a bioaccumulator for heavy metals such as lead, zinc, arsenic, selenium, chromium and nickel in tsunami-affected areas, as occurred in Thailand in 2004.
The stems are so strong that they are used to make ropes, and with the scorched leaves a putty is made to seal the joints of the canoes. The cooked leaves and roots are edible; however, they have a laxative effect.
Its popular name, kidneyina, originates from its use to treat kidney conditions, especially if there is inflammation or pain. In traditional medicine it is used in many countries as a diuretic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and healing, among other applications.
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Kidneyine grows preferentially in calcareous soils and those containing quartz, as well as on cliffs. The plant rarely lives in shady places indoors, where its growth is limited by that of other plants..
Flowering occurs in summer and early fall. On cloudy days, the flowers open only for a short time during the day, and the petals fall off one day after opening..
The main pollinators of Ipomoea they are the bees, which are captivated by both the color of the flower and the nectar. The plant also attracts butterflies, moths, ants, and beetles..
The pharmacological profile of the plant shows multiple therapeutic activities. Among these, its antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antinociceptive, antiarthritic, antihistamine, insulinogenic and hypoglycemic properties, antifungal against Candida albicans Y Microsporum audouinni and immunostimulatory.
Ipomoea pes-caprae has phytochemicals; that is to say, secondary metabolites that play an important role in the defense of the plant. Furthermore, these substances exhibit various pharmacological activities. Among the active components are alkaloids, steroids and triterpenes, flavonoids and phenolic tannins.
The extraction of the active principles is carried out with organic solvents that, when penetrating the plant, dissolve the substances found there.
The chemical compatibility between the solvents and the substances to be extracted defines in each case which extract has the greatest richness in terms of dissolved components. Subsequently, the solvent from the resulting mixture is evaporated and concentrated at a low temperature..
For this reason, the substances extracted are often referred to according to the solvent used; that is, methanolic, ethanolic, aqueous, etc. extracts are mentioned. In traditional medicine the customary use is the aqueous extract, when the infusion and decoction of the plant is prepared.
It contains betulinic acid, a triterpenoid that has a variety of therapeutic properties. The flavonoid composition is similar throughout the plant, but the concentration of isoquercitrin (a type of flavonoid) is higher in the leaves..
Studies have shown a high variability in the proportion of phenolic compounds according to the place of origin of the plant; This condition may be related to the plant's response to environmental conditions..
This compound is one of the types of metabolite that the plant produces for its protection, when it is subjected to stressful conditions.
The phenolic compounds in plants are powerful antioxidants. When ingested, they prevent the adverse effects of oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress occurs due to the imbalance between reactive oxygen species -which include free radicals and non-radical species- and the contribution of antioxidants to cells..
When the innate defense in the human body is not sufficient, maintaining an adequate level of antioxidants to combat reactive oxygen species requires the exogenous contribution of these substances..
Oxidative stress damages all components of the cell, including DNA. However, reactive oxygen species can be used by the immune system to attack and destroy pathogenic microorganisms..
Among the exogenous causes that promote oxidative imbalance there are multiple diseases, such as diabetes, arthritis, HIV infection, cancer, different types of hepatitis, chronic kidney failure, asthma and cardiovascular diseases, among others..
Factors linked to lifestyle also originate it, such as stress, excessive sun exposure, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, pollution, smoking, etc. The balance between the production of free radicals and antioxidants is necessary for proper physiological functioning.
It is important to emphasize that the antioxidant potential of the plant was more pronounced in the methanolic and aqueous extracts..
The seeds of Ipomoea pes-caprae they constitute a remedy against constipation: they relieve colic and abdominal pain. The preparation of the leaves is used for digestive disorders and is used to treat bleeding hemorrhoids, proctitis and prolapse of the rectum..
Calms vomiting, flatulence and dyspepsia; In addition, it has the property of inhibiting contractions due to the presence of acetylcholine, bradykinin and barium chloride..
Phenols have anti-inflammatory properties. The crude extract contains eugenol and 4-vinyl-guaiacol, compounds that have an inhibitory effect on the synthesis in vitro of prostaglandins, substances that regulate the allergic inflammatory response.
It is traditionally used to treat jellyfish stings; according to the results of studies in vitro, its action neutralizes the toxicity of the poison.
Ipomoea pes-caprae has been shown to have the same antagonistic effectiveness towards jellyfish poison as some commercial drug preparations.
The immunostimulatory activity of kidneyin has been observed in extracts of human mononuclear cells. in vitro, and has promising action in the field of immunotherapy.
The hexane-soluble extract of the aerial parts of the plant contains lipophilic glycosides with weak cytotoxic activity against a number of cancer cell lines.
The role of betulinic acid as a selective inhibitor of human melanoma has been reported. In addition, phenolic compounds also possess anticancer properties.
The whole plant is used in medicinal baths, to relieve arthritis and rheumatism. The roots have diuretic properties and are used to treat bladder problems, difficult, slow and painful urination, and incomplete expulsion of urine..
It is also used to relieve fluid retention in the various cavities of the body. The seeds are used in the treatment of gonorrhea, syphilis and parasitic infections.
The alcoholic extract has antinociceptive action; among the compounds that explain this effect are glochidone, betulinic acid and isoquercitin. Betulinic acid has antiretroviral and anti-inflammatory properties.
- The decoction of the roots is used against colic and fevers.
- The decoction of the leaves is used to relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, and also to clean and disinfect wounds and ulcers..
- A plaster is formed with the leaves, which is applied to facilitate the removal of hedgehog spines and accelerate the maturation of abscesses..
- Ingestion of young leaf buds accelerates labor.
- In Indonesia the sap of young leaves is boiled with coconut oil for ulcers and pain.
- The infusion of the plant with oxidized iron is used to treat menorrhagia.
- The juice of the leaves is administered orally as a diuretic to treat edema, and the same juice is applied to the affected parts. It is placed externally to heal hemorrhoids.
There are no known side effects in humans. The different extracts (ethanolic-aqueous, ethanolic, aqueous and in petroleum ether) that have been prepared with the aerial parts of the plant were evaluated in cats and dogs and did not show any toxicity..
Among the contraindications of this plant stands out the fact that it should not be used during pregnancy or when its existence is suspected, given that there is not enough scientific evidence to ensure the absence of undesirable effects..
When the extract was administered orally and subcutaneously in pregnant cats, no reaction was observed. However, there are no conclusive studies in humans..
Its consumption should also be avoided if anticoagulant therapy is followed; Furthermore, the plant should not be used for medicinal purposes if there is suspicion that it comes from soils contaminated by the presence of toxic metals..
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