Egletes viscosa
Egletes viscosa · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (3 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Egletes viscosa is a botanical species notable for its diverse therapeutic potential, particularly through its gastroprotective and antiproliferative activities. Scientific investigations into its flower buds have identified key chemical constituents, including ternatin, centipedic acid, geranyl acetate, and sabinyl acetate. Researchers have explored the plant's efficacy against various biological challenges, such as HIV, lipid peroxidation, and damage induced by indomethacin. To harness these benefits, several preparations are utilized, ranging from ethanol and hexane extracts to traditional flower bud tea. These studies highlight the plant's complex biochemical profile and its promising role in medicinal research.
- Synonyms
- Cotula Viscosa · Egletes Viscosa Var. Sprucei · 4 more
- Common names
- Not available
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Distribution
- Not available
- Plant Parts
- Flower
Classification
Common Names
Egletes viscosa is a versatile plant that is recognized by many different names across various cultures. It is most frequently referred to by its common name, Macela. In certain regions, it is also known as the Tropical daisy due to its vibrant appearance. Specifically in Cuba, locals often call the species Manzanilla del pais. These diverse naming conventions reflect the plant's widespread presence and cultural importance.
Sources: Catalogue of Life (COL)
Synonyms
Egletes viscosa is a botanical species known to be associated with several different taxonomic designations. It is formally recognized under the synonym Cotula viscosa, reflecting historical shifts in its classification. The plant also encompasses specific variations, including Egletes viscosa f. bipinnatifida and Egletes viscosa var. dissecta. Furthermore, researchers have identified Egletes viscosa var. sprucei as another valid synonym within its lineage. Finally, its complex history is further illustrated by its connection to Grangea domingensis var. viscosa.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Taxonomy
Egletes viscosa is a distinctive member of the kingdom Plantae that exhibits unique biological characteristics. Within this vast kingdom, the species is classified under the class Equisetopsida. It belongs to the order Asterales, which places it among a diverse group of flowering plants. Furthermore, this plant is nested within the family Asteraceae, a group known for its complex inflorescences. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Egletes.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Asterales |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Genus | Egletes |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
Geographic Regions
Egletes viscosa is a resilient species widely distributed throughout much of Northern America. Its presence is particularly notable across the vast landscapes of Mexico, where it thrives in diverse ecological zones. The plant can be found spanning from the coastal reaches of the Mexico Gulf to the rugged terrain of the Mexico Northwest. Furthermore, its range extends through the Mexico Northeast and the Mexico Southeast, demonstrating significant adaptability. Finally, this species remains well-established within the Mexico Southwest, completing its broad geographic footprint.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Identification
Morphology
Egletes viscosa is a herbaceous plant characterized by its upright and sturdy structure. As a self-supporting species, it maintains its position without the need for external climbing aids.
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Biological Activities
Egletes viscosa is a medicinal herb recognized for its significant therapeutic potential in treating various ailments. Research has highlighted its gastroprotective activity, particularly through the flavonoid ternatin, which helps inhibit gastric lesions. Beyond digestive health, the plant also exhibits notable antiproliferative effects against specific human cancer cell lines. Studies involving ternatin have demonstrated its ability to inhibit cell growth, marking it as a compound of interest for further antitumour research. Together, these findings underscore the diverse pharmacological value of the chemical constituents found within this species.
Compounds
Egletes viscosa is a Brazilian medicinal herb known for its diverse range of bioactive secondary metabolites. Scientific investigations have identified that the plant contains the flavonoid ternatin, which provides significant gastroprotective and hepatoprotective benefits. Furthermore, the species contains centipedic acid and tanabalin, both of which are key components used to distinguish between different chemical chemotypes. The volatile profile of the plant is also rich in essential oils, including geranyl acetate and sabinyl acetate. These various chemical constituents contribute to the plant's therapeutic potential and serve as important markers for quality control.
Conditions
Egletes viscosa provides phytochemicals that demonstrate significant biological activity against several target conditions. Compounds derived from this plant show antiproliferative effects against the CEM leukaemia and SW1573 lung tumour cell lines. Research also indicates that its constituent ternatin exhibits moderate activity against HIV. Furthermore, the plant's flavonoids provide gastroprotection by inhibiting gastric lesions induced by absolute ethanol. Finally, components from the species have shown inhibitory effects on the growth of CCD922 normal skin fibroblasts.
Preparations
Egletes viscosa is prepared as an ethanol extract to isolate bioactive compounds such as ternatin, which exhibits anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective properties. This medicinal herb is also consumed as a flower bud tea due to its specific gastroprotective effects. Furthermore, the plant is prepared as a hexane extract of dried flower buds to identify various steam volatile components. These volatile components include trans-pinocarvyl acetate, which serves as a major component in the extract. Through these different preparation methods, researchers can isolate diverse secondary metabolites ranging from flavonoids to terpenoids.
Parts used
Egletes viscosa is a Brazilian medicinal herb frequently utilized in the form of flower bud tea due to its notable gastroprotective properties. Research indicates that the plant's bioactive compounds, such as ternatin and various diterpenes, are highly concentrated within these flower buds. Scientific analysis has identified specific essential oil-based chemotypes that can be distinguished through advanced spectroscopic methods. These studies highlight that the volatile components found in the flower buds play a critical role in the plant's therapeutic profile. Ultimately, understanding the chemical makeup of these specific parts is essential for ensuring the quality and authenticity of herbal products derived from the species.