Dominican Medicinal Plants: A Guide for Health Care Providers

Activity/Effect Preparation Design & Model Results Reference
Nitric oxide
synthesis
stimulation
Aqueous extract
of dried leaves
Kim et al. 1999
In vitro: mouse
peritoneal
macrophages; dosedependent
administration
combined with rIFN
gamma
Effect Not Demonstrated
Synergistic effect observed;
extract did increase nitric
oxide production in mouse
peritoneal macrophages after
treated with rIFN-gamma via
herb-induced TNF-alpha
secretion
Activity/Effect Preparation Design & Model Results Reference
Diuretic
Fractionated
extracts of ovendried
root
In vivo: mice; salineloaded;
results
checked at 5 hrs
No significant diuretic activity Hook et al.
1993
Diuretic
Ethanol root
extract
In vivo: rodents; oral
or intraperitoneal
administration
Hypoglycemic 1-2 g/kg herb In vivo: rabbits with
alloxan-induced
diabetes
Hypoglycemic Dried herb In vivo: mice;
administered orally
as part of diet
REFERENCES
No diuretic or natriuretic
activity, although potassium
excretion doubled
No hypoglycemic effect
No effect on glucose levels in
diabetic or streptozotocindiabetic
animals
Tita et al. 1993
Akhtar et al.
1995
Swanston-Flatt
et al. 1989
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