Ibervillea Sonorae Research Articles

Tumour growth inhibitory effect of Ibervillea sonorae phytopreparations in cervical cancer xenografts

Cucurbitacin IIb, a triterpene obtained from the Ibervillea sonorae plant, reduces tumour development in a preclinical model of cervical cancer. Acetison and Etanison, phytopreparations made from I. sonorae, present biological activity analogous to CIIb in HeLa. This research evaluated the tumour growth inhibitory effect of these phytopreparations in a HeLa xenograft tumour model in BALB/c nude mice. Tumours in mice were treated every 3 days for 12 days with cisplatin (2 mg/kg), CIIb (5 mg/kg), Acetison (20 mg/kg), Etanison (30 mg/kg), and DMSO at 2%. For histological observations, tumours were stained with H&E. Fingerprinting of both phytopreparations was performed using HPLC-UV and UHPLC-APCI-IT-MS. Both phytopreparations and CIIb inhibit tumour development as well as Cisplatin (75.5%); Etanison (77.7%), Acetison (73.6%), and CIIb (73.0%). Furthermore, only tumours treated with cisplatin showed invasion of bone tissue. The results show the potential use of I. sonorae phytopreparations in the treatment of cervical cancer.

PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILE AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF PLANT EXTRACTS AGAINST PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS OF IMPORTANCE TO THE LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY

Infections caused by pathogenic bacteria are a recurrent problem in the livestock sector, generating important economic losses in the livestock industry. One of the main strategies includes antibiotic therapy; however, its use is limited since pathogenic bacteria present resistance to these drugs, which makes treatment against microbial infections difficult. Therefore, the hypothesis proposed was that ethanolic extracts of native plants from the state of Sonora, Mexico, can inhibit the growth of Gram (+) and Gram (-) pathogenic bacteria related to common infections in the livestock industry. The objective was to evaluate the phytochemical and antimicrobial profile of native plants from the state of Sonora, Mexico. In this study, 17 ethanolic extracts were obtained from native plants of Sonora, and the antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the agar diffusion method and by the microdilution technique using reference bacteria from the ATCC collection. The phytochemical profile was evaluated by spectrophotometry and the experimental design used was completely randomized with three replicates per treatment at 95 % confidence. The results showed that extracts of Prosopis velutina, Ibervillea sonorae, Populus alba, Ambrosia ambrosioides, Krameria sonorae, and Leucaena leucocephala were effective in eliminating Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19115, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium ATCC 14028 (p≤ 0.05). In addition, these extracts presented the highest concentration of total polysaccharides, flavones and flavonols, flavanones and dihydroflavonols, tannins and total chlorogenic acid (p ≤ 0.05). Therefore, plant extracts from Sonora, Mexico, represent a natural alternative for the control of Gram (+) and Gram (-) pathogens of importance to the livestock industry.

Anti-hyperglycemic activity of aqueous extracts of cells produced in Ibervillea sonorae(S. Watson) Green cell culture on murine model

bervillea sonorae(S. Watson) Greene, is a plant native to Mexico, where its roots have been used traditionally for treating Diabetes Mellitus. The aim of this work was to establishment of cell cultures of stem explants of I. sonoraeand evaluation of the anti-hyperglycemic activity of cell aqueous extract on a murine model of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Cell extracts had 2.29 mg palmitic acid/g extracted, and other compounds with pharmacological activities like palmitoyl ethanolamide and palmitoyl tryptamine were also identified. Diabetic rats treated with aqueous cell extract decreased glucose levels from 350 mg/dL to 145 mg/dL, AST and ALT from 164 U/L to 49 U/L and 99 U/L to 53 U/L, respectively. Additionally, therewere no changes in the cellular morphology of the pancreas, liver, kidneys, and spleen. These results revealed that the cell aqueous extract from stem explants has anti-hyperglycemic activity.

Standardized phytopreparations and cucurbitacin IIb from Ibervillea sonorae (S. Watson) greene induce apoptosis in cervical cancer cells by Nrf2 inhibition

Ethnopharmacology relevanceIbervillea sonorae (S. Watson) Greene is a plant from northwestern Mexico, known as “Wereke” or “Guareque”, used by the Mayo ethnic group to treat diabetes and cancer. Cucurbitacin IIb (CIIb), isolated from I. sonorae has apoptotic and antitumor activity in a model of cervical cancer with the HeLa cell line. One pathway affected by cucurbitacins is Nrf2, a glutathione transferase (GST) transcription factor, important in the regulation of mitochondrial oxidative stress (MOS). A signal of MOS is the change in the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), which has been detected in HeLa in the presence of CIIb. Fito-Ison-EtOH (Etanison) and Fito-Ison-EtOAc (Acetison) are phytopreparations from I. sonorae standardized according to their CIIb content (6.7 mg/g and 18.4 mg/g of CIIb, respectively). Etanison and Acetison have been reported to induce morphological changes in HeLa like those induced by CIIb. Aim of the studyTo evaluate the apoptotic and Nrf2 inhibition activity of the phytopreparations Acetison and Etanison from Ibervillea Sonorae in the HeLa cervical cancer cell line. Materials and methodsAntiproliferative activity was evaluated by the MTT method at 24, 48, and 72 h. For Acetison and Etanison, serial concentrations from 6.25 μg/mL to 100 μg/mL were tested, and for CIIb from 1.56 μg/mL to 50 μg/mL. The expression of Nrf2, caspase 3, and caspase 9 was evaluated by western blot, using concentrations of 30 μg/mL for Acetison, 50 μg/mL for Etanison, and 15 μg/mL for CIIb. Cisplatin was used as a positive control. Results and conclusionsApoptotic activity of Etanison and Acetison was demonstrated in HeLa, due to the presence of caspase-9 and caspase-3 in western blot assays. Likewise, both the phytopreparations and CIIb showed inhibition of Nrf2, associating apoptotic activity with the inhibition of the GST transcription factor. In this sense, the phytopreparations of I. sonorae, as well as their derivatives, have the potential to obtain and develop anticancer products.

Selected Species of the Cucurbitaceae Family Used in Mexico for the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus.

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.

Antioxidant capacity and toxicologic potential of Ibervillea sonorae plant

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant capacity and possible toxicological potential of the infusions prepared from Ibervillea sonorae. For this, infusions were prepared from the root of I. sonorae, using the skin or the pulp. The antioxidant capacity of the infusions was evaluated through the ABTS and DPPH tests. While, the Artemia salina model, the MTT test using Vero and MCF-7 cells, and the Ames test were used to evaluate the possible toxicological potential. The results showed that I. sonorae peels were more lethal (60-80%) than pulp (<50%). Interestingly, I. sonorae pulp showed greater toxicity on Vero cells (IC50 = 222 µg / mL) than infusions made using the skins (IC50 = 379 µg / mL). Infusions of I. sonorae, either in the form of peel or pulp, showed high mutagenicity at 1000 and 500 µg/mL. The ingestion of infusions prepared from the I. sonorae plant could cause serious damage to health. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54167/tecnociencia.v16i2.903

In Vitro Antitumor Activity of Endophytic and Rhizosphere Gram-Positive Bacteria from Ibervillea sonorae (S. Watson) Greene against L5178Y-R Lymphoma Cells.

Plant-associated microorganisms represent a potential source of new antitumor compounds. The aim of the present study was to isolate endophytic and rhizosphere Gram-positive bacteria from Ibervillea sonorae and produce extracts with antitumor activity. Methanol and ethyl acetate extracts were obtained from 28 d bacterial fermentation, after which murine L5178Y-R lymphoma cells growth inhibition was evaluated at concentrations ranging from 15.62 µg/mL to 500 µg/mL by the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide reduction colorimetric assay. IC50 and the selectivity index (SI) were calculated and compared with healthy control human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Identification of the isolated strains was performed using the 16S ribosomal gene and by MALDI-TOF MS mass spectrometry. The endophytic and rhizosphere bacterial extracts from strains ISE-B22, ISE-B26, ISE-B27, ISS-A01, ISS-A06, and ISS-A16 showed significant (p < 0.05) L5178Y-R cell growth inhibition, compared with an untreated control. The rhizosphere Micromonospora echinospora isolate ISS-A16 showed the highest (90.48%) percentage of lymphoma cells growth inhibition and SI (19.1) for PBMC, whereas the Bacillus subtilis ISE-B26 isolate caused significant (p < 0.01) growth inhibition (84.32%) and a SI of 5.2. Taken together, results of the present study evidenced antitumor effects by I. sonorae endophytic and rhizosphere bacteria culture extracts. Further research will involve the elucidation of the compounds that exert the antitumor activity and their evaluation in pre-clinical studies.

In Silico Prediction Model of STAT3 Inhibition and in Vivo Antitumor Activity of Cucurbitacin IIb and Kinoin a from Ibervillea Sonorae

In Silico Prediction Model of STAT3 Inhibition and in Vivo Antitumor Activity of Cucurbitacin IIb and Kinoin a from Ibervillea Sonorae

Standardized Phytopreparations and Cucurbitacin IIb from Ibervillea Sonorae (S. Watson) Greene Induce Apoptosis in Cervical Cancer Cells by Nrf2 Inhibition

Standardized Phytopreparations and Cucurbitacin IIb from Ibervillea Sonorae (S. Watson) Greene Induce Apoptosis in Cervical Cancer Cells by Nrf2 Inhibition

Effect of herbal decoctions used in Mexican traditional medicine attenuate the adverse effects of a hypercaloric diet.

BackgroundIn Mexico, plants as Ibervillea sonorae, Justicia spicigera, Mentha spicata, or Hibiscus sabdariffa are used to prepare decoctions that are traditionally used by the population to prevent or treat several diseases such as obesity and diabetes; scientific evidence is still in process. PurposeThis study evaluated the therapeutic effects of traditional preparations (aqueous decoctions) of four herbs on obesity and its complications, such as insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia, and hepatic steatosis induced by a hypercaloric diet. Materials and methodsUPLC-PDA-ESI-QqQ analysis was performed to identify and quantify extractable phenolic constituents of each decoction. Metabolic alterations were induced by high fat and fructose diet in Wistar rats; decoctions were administered for 12 weeks. The effects of herbs on insulin resistant animals, glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia, and lipid storage in the liver and adipose tissue were assessed by biochemical assays and histological examination. ResultsRats treated with H. sabdariffa preventing body weight gain, improving glucose homeostasis, and decreasing adipocyte size. Meanwhile, the triglycerides and glucose levels in obese rats decreased after I. sonorae treatment. All decoctions showed no adverse effects. UPLC-PDA-ESI-QqQ analysis revealed caffeoylquinic acid derivatives as the most abundant phenolic compounds in aqueous decoctions. ConclusionsDecoctions of H. sabdariffa or I. sonorae attenuated the adverse effects of a hypercaloric diet via improving glucose homeostasis and triglycerides levels without any observed adverse effects. These decoctions could be helpful for the treatment of metabolic diseases such as obesity and its complications.

Antiproliferative activity of standardized phytopreparations from Ibervillea sonorae (S. Watson) Greene

Ibervillea sonorae (Cucurbitaceae) is a medicinal plant utilized in Northwest Mexico against Diabetes and cancer. This natural product is taken orally, its presentation is capsules containing the plant’s dried and powdered caudices. There is no regulation or standardized dosage that allows reproducibility of its pharmacological effects. Cucurbitacins are the main group of compounds found in I. sonorae and are known for their antiproliferative activity in cancer cells. Cucurbitacin IIb (CIIb), one of the compounds present in I. sonorae, has demonstrated in experimental models with HeLa cervical cancer cells an apoptotic and anti-tumoral activity. The objective of this study is to obtain and standardize two phytopreparations of I. sonorae based on their CIIb content, evaluate their antiproliferative activity in cancer cell lines, and compare the results with those obtained with CIIb; expecting to find phytopreparations with anti-cancer potential. APCI-IT-MSn is utilized for the identification of cucurbitacins, FT-ICR-MS/MS for the quantification of CIIb, and the MTT assay for the evaluation of the antiproliferative activity. The CIIb content was 0.67% for Fito-Ison-EtOH and 1.84% for Fito-Ison-EtOAc. In both phytopreparations, six cucurbitacins have been identified, and a seventh one not previously identified. Phytopreparations were more effective against HeLa, with IC50 of 30.0 and 18.6 µg/mL for Fito-Ison-EtOH and Fito-Ison-EtOAc, respectively. This effect is lower than observed on CIIb in HeLa (5.8 µg/mL). There are no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the antiproliferative activity between Fito-Ison-EtOAc and CIIb in A549, LS180, and MDA-MB-231 cells. Phytopreparations of I. sonorae have potential for the development of anti-cancer products.

Metabolites in cultured cells of Ibervillea sonorae (S. Watson) Greene display increased hypoglycemic activity compared to that seen in plant roots

Ibervillea sonorae (S. Watson) Greene, (huereque) is an endemic shrub whose roots are used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes. Here, we establish cell cultures of I. sonorae to evaluate the presence of antidiabetic metabolites. Stem and roots sections were incubated on media with different concentrations of growth regulators to induce calli. Using B5 medium containing 25 g L−1 sucrose, 150 mg L−1ascorbic acid, 6 g L−1 agar–agar, supplemented with 0.5 mg L−1 α-naphthalene-acetic acid, 0.5 mg L−1 benzyladenine and 1 mg L−1 indole-3-acetic acid, 95% calli induction was attained. Flavonoids and phenols in I. sonorae cultured cell suspension were investigated. The methanol extracts exhibited antioxidant activity that was attributed to phenolic compounds. These extracts stimulated glucose uptake more efficaciously than I. sonorae plant roots. This study demonstrates that in vitro cultured cells stand as a good option for production of hypoglycemic metabolites.

The mechanisms of the myth: Ibervillea sonorae inhibits α-glucosidase and stimulates the secretion of insulin in vitro

Ibervillea sonorae (Cucurbitaceae) has risen to prominence as an empirical treatment for type 2 diabetes in Mexico, where the problem of diabetes is widespread. To further explore possible anti-hyperglycemic mechanisms of I. sonorae, the anti-diabetic reports for Cucurbitaceae tribes indexed in the Web of Knowledge and the empirical practices used by local healers and herbal shopkeepers for I. sonorae were reviewed. The colorimetric α-glucosidase activity assays, ELISA, and RT-qPCR were used to investigate potential medicinal mechanisms of I. sonorae aqueous extract (ISE). The overlay of anti-diabetic reports and Cucurbitaceae phylogeny revealed even distribution of reports throughout the family, yet uneven research emphasis with studies largely focusing on the tribe Momordiceae. Inhibition studies revealed the concentration-dependent and competitive inhibition of α-glucosidase by ISE. Further, ISE stimulated insulin secretion from RIN-m5F pancreatic β cells. The results display the potential of phylogeny in providing context for ethnopharmacological studies. In addition, understanding the inhibition type of this popular supplement (I. sonorae) in α-glucosidase inhibition and stimulation of insulin secretion from β cells supports patient care by aiding physicians in avoiding potential contraindications and shows the value of continued pharmacological studies of the Cucurbitaceae.

Quantitative analysis of cucurbitane-type triterpenes in Ibervillea sonorae extracts: Relationship study with their antiproliferative activity

Ibervillea sonorae (Cucurbitaceae) is a Mexican plant commonly used by local population for its hypoglycaemic activity. Root extracts showed also other different biological activities, including antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Main components of this plant are cucurbitacins, steroid-like triterpenes that possess, among others, antiproliferative activity. In previous studies, kinoin A and cucurbitacin IIb extracted from I. sonorae showed antiproliferative and apoptotic effects against different cancer cell lines. Based on all the above, a RP-HPLC method was developed and validated for the quantitative analysis of these two compounds in I. sonorae root extracts obtained with different extraction conditions. In the present study, the quantitative analysis of kinoin B diglycoside in all the extracts was performed as well. As a result, no direct correlation was found between the antiproliferative activity (IC50) against human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) and the composition of the above three compounds. Only a slight statically significant negative correlation was observed between IC50s and the content of kinoin A (r = 0.29, p = 0.12), meaning that, at least in part, this is the main compound among the three, contributing to the antiproliferative activity on the real samples. Accordingly, a synergistic effect by the phytocomplex components can account for the observed antiproliferative activity of the methanolic extracts towards HeLa cells.

Cucurbitacin IIb, a steroidal triterpene from Ibervillea sonorae induces antiproliferative and apoptotic effects on cervical and lung cancer cells

Chemical studies on Ibervillea sonorae (S. Watson) Greene root led to isolation and chemical characterization of diverse cucurbitacin triterpenoid compounds such as kinoin A, B, C, and their glucosides. In previous studies, we demonstrated that kinoin A inhibits the cell proliferation on diverse cell line and induce apoptosis in HeLa cells. Therefore, the study of the isolated compounds from the extracts continued to be necessary. The objective of the present work was to isolate and chemically characterize the active compounds of the methanolic extract of the roots of I. sonorae and to evaluate their antiproliferative activity and induction of apoptosis. By chromatographic column separation and using NMR spectroscopy experiments, cucurbitacin IIb (CIIb), known as 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin F or hemslecin B, was isolated and identified for the first time as a chemical constituent of the crude methanolic extract of this plant. The antiproliferative activity of CIIb was evaluated by MTT assay, and the apoptosis induction capacity was monitored by annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide using flow cytometry. CIIb showed a pronounced effect on the proliferation of HeLa and A549 tumor cells, with IC50 of 7.3 and 7.8 µM, respectively, but was less effective against L929 non-cancerous murine cell line. Apoptosis induction capacity of CIIb on HeLa and A549 was monitored by annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide using flow cytometry. Exposure of HeLa and A549 with CIIb (8 µM) for 24 h increased 56.9 and 52.3% respectively of the total apoptosis compared to the negative control (p < 0.005). CIIb, isolated for the first time from I. sonorae, showed antiproliferative activity against HeLa and A549 cell lines by inducing cell death by apoptosis.

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative properties of Ibervillea sonorae

• Ibervillea sonorae extracts stabilize free radicals and reduce metals. • Ibervillea sonorae extracts exhibited the presence of phenolic compounds. • Ibervillea sonorae extracts reduce NO and TN-α production without affecting cell viability. • Antiproliferative activity of I. sonorae extracts from fruits was reported for the first time.

Efficient In Vitro Plant Regeneration from Internode Explants of Ibervillea sonorae: An Antidiabetic Medicinal Plant

Ibervillea sonorae is a medicinal plant mainly used to treat diabetes, ulcers, and other metabolic disorders. A regeneration protocol using internode segments containing axillary buds grown on Gamborg medium (B5) supplemented with 0.5 mg·L−1 α-naphthalene-acetic acid (NAA), 0.5 mg·L−1 N6-benzyladenine (BA), and 1.0 mg·L−1 indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) successfully regenerated shoots in I. sonorae explants. The induction of organogenic calli attained 100% efficiency. The highest percent shoot production was 87.5% with a mean of 9.17 shoots per explant on day 15, and the maximum length of 5.8 cm was observed on day 21. Regenerated shoots induced roots in B5 medium supplemented with 0.5–3.0 mg·L−1 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The maximum rooting frequency observed in the medium containing 2.0 mg·L−1 IBA was 83.3% which promoted long, thick roots on day 21. The plantlets with emerging roots grown at the culture facility attained 50% survival after acclimatization for 30 d. The account describes a simple and efficient protocol for in vitro plant regeneration, and this micropropagation procedure offers an alternative for preservation of this medicinal plant.

Cytotoxic Effect of Methanol Extracts and Partitions of Two Mexican Desert Plants against the Murine Lymphoma L5178Y-R

Pachycereus marginatus (DC.) Britton & Rose and Ibervillea sonorae (S. Watson) Greene have been used in the Mexican traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases, including cancer. The present study aims to investigate the cytotoxic activity of these plants against a murine lymphoma. Soxhlet extraction of dried and powdered plant material was performed with methanol. Also, a further partitioning of these methanolic extracts with hexane and ethyl acetate was achieved. The in vitro cytotoxic activity against the murine lymphoma L5178Y-R cell line was assessed via the colorimetric MTT assay. The methanol extract from P. marginatus exhibited high cytotoxic activity (up to 94%) at concentrations ranging from 3.9 to 500 μg/mL; however, hexane and ethyl acetate partitions from this methanolic extract showed lower but significant (p I. sonorae also showed significant (p cells at concentrations ranging from 7.81 to 500 μg/mL (methanolic extract up to 63% at 500 μg/mL; hexane partition up to 76% at 250 μg/mL; ethyl acetate partition up to 73% at 500 μg/mL). These results demonstrate that the methanol extracts and partitions from P. marginatus and I. sonorae possess significant cytotoxic activity against the murine lymphoma L5178Y-R and validate the ethnobotanical use of these plants for the treatment of diseases consistent with cancer symptomatology. Previous scientific reports describe the isolation of isoquinoline alkaloids of P. marginatus as well as cucurbitacins from I. sonorae, phytochemicals that could be responsible for their observed cytotoxic activity in this research. The direct extraction with methanol of medicinal plants allows extracting of both high and low-polarity compounds, contrary to the simple extraction with water that only allows obtaining compounds of high polarity. The subsequent partition of the methanol extract with a solvent of low polarity (hexane) and another of medium polarity (ethyl acetate) allows making a preliminary fractionation of the bioactive molecules present in the plant that will facilitate the bioguided chromatographic isolation of the pure compounds responsible for the biological activity of the plant.

Antiproliferative and apoptosis induction of cucurbitacin-type triterpenes from Ibervillea sonorae

Two cucurbitacin-type triterpenes kinoin A (1) and kinoin B diglucoside (2) were isolated and characterized by chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques from the root of Ibervillea sonorae. By MTT assay their antiproliferative activity was evaluated and only compound 1 was able to inhibit the growth of HeLa, M12AK.C3F6, A549 and RAW 264.7 cancer cell lines with a IC50 of 18.0, 31.4, 40.2, and 61.5μM, respectively. L-929 cell line used as a control was more resistant to compound 1 at IC50 values greater than 100μM. Apoptosis induction was quantified for a double staining by Annexin V/propidium iodide using flow cytometry, and it was observed that treatment of HeLa cells with compound 1 cause cell death by apoptosis.

Wereke root (Ibervillea sonorae Greene) descriptive characteristics and biochemical generalities of its aqueous extract

A general biochemical description of an aqueous extract obtained from Ibervillea sonorae root was reported; furthermore, a histological description for the root is included. A bromatological analysis was carried out, and it indicated that the study nutritional variables were similar to those reported in other edible tuberous roots including sweet potatoe, mandioca, bean yam and arracacha. For the first time, the presence of an active proteinase at alkaline pH and the inhibitory activity of trypsin were reported for this root. Several medical and bioactive properties have been attributed to the wereke root. Nevertheless, deeper studies are needed to determinate the importance of molecules and their action mechanisms. This work contributed to the knowledge of some biochemical aspects of the wereke root.