Tea toxicity and cholinesterase inhibition of Huilliche herbal medicine

J Complement Integr Med. 2013 May 7:10:/j/jcim.2013.10.issue-1/jcim-2012-0012/jcim-2012-0012.xml. doi: 10.1515/jcim-2012-0012.

Abstract

Eleven species of Huilliche medicinal plants used traditionally against infections and for wound healing were tested for their cholinesterase inhibition activity. Two different teas (a 5-7 min infusion and a 1 h decoction, both in water) were tested for their toxicity against Artemia salina. The results from the present study clearly show that teas boiled for 1 h is much more toxic than teas infused for 5-7 min. These results support the different traditional use of the two teas, where the 1h tea is for external use only. Additionally, significant inhibition of cholinesterase has been observed for MeOH extracts of Acaena argentea, Amomyrtas meli and Pseudopanax laetevirens, with that of A. argentea being the most potent. All findings call for further investigations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholinesterase / metabolism*
  • Administration, Oral
  • Administration, Topical
  • Animals
  • Artemia
  • Chile
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Electrophorus
  • Magnoliopsida
  • Medicine, Traditional*
  • Plant Extracts / adverse effects*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / toxicity
  • Plants, Medicinal* / adverse effects
  • Wound Healing

Substances

  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors
  • Plant Extracts
  • Acetylcholinesterase