A Mexican Medicinal Plant with Pharmacological Potential

molecules Review Multidisciplinary Investigations on Galphimia glauca:A Mexican Medicinal Plant with Pharmacological Potential Ashutosh Sharma 1,*, Paola Isabel Angulo-Bejarano 1, Alfredo Madariaga-Navarrete 2 , Goldie Oza 3, Hafiz M. N. Iqbal 4 , Alexandre Cardoso-Taketa 5 and Maria Luisa Villarreal 5 1 Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Campus Queretaro, Av. Epigmenio González No. 500, Fracc. San Pablo, Queretaro CP 76130, Mexico; [email protected] 2 Área Académica de Ciencias Agrícolas y Forestales, Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Tulancingo CP 42000, Mexico; [email protected] 3 Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico en Electroquímica (CIDETEQ), Parque Tecnológico, Querétaro S/N, Sanfandila. Pedro Escobedo, Querétaro CP 76703, Mexico; [email protected] 4 Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Campus Monterrey, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey CP 64849, Mexico; hafi[email protected] 5 Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología (CEIB), Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos (UAEM), Cuernavaca CP 62209, Mexico; [email protected] (A.C.-T.); [email protected] (M.L.V.) * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +52-(442)-238-3322 Received: 19 October 2018; Accepted: 14 November 2018; Published: 15 November 2018 Abstract: Galphimia glauca (Cav.) Kuntze is an important endemic plant species, which possesses many medicinal properties and has been used in the Mexican traditional medicine for its sedative, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, antiasthmatic and antiallergic properties. The therapeutic properties of this plant are mainly due to the presence of diverse bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, triterpenoids, and phenolics. Several triterpenoids and flavonoids compounds have been isolated and identified. Modern studies have demonstrated many biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal, gastroenteritis, antimalarial and cytotoxic activities. Nevertheless, many studies are restricted to the crude extract, and many bioactive compounds are yet to be identified and validated according to its traditional use. However, its commercial exploitation and use are highly limited due to the non-availability of enough plant material and lack of knowledge about its agronomical practices. Moreover, the misinterpretation and mislabeling of closely related species of the genus Galphimia Cav. as G. glauca or G. gracilis is a common problem for its rigorous scientific study and commercial exploitation. The present review provides comprehensive knowledge based on the available scientific literature. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review on G. glauca. This comprehensive information will certainly provide a guide for the better understanding and utilization of G. glauca for its scientific and industrial exploitation. Keywords: Galphimia glauca; phytochemicals; anxiety; biotechnology 1. Introduction Galphimia glauca Cav. also known as “calderona amarilla”, “flor estrella”, “hierba del desprecio”“hierba del cuervo”, “ojo de gallina”, among other names, is an important Mexican plant species for the treatment of anxiety and depression among other ailments since pre-Hispanic times [1,2]. Its distribution is limited to only a few states in Mexico [3], and only two main zones generate cultivars that are associated with the highest concentrations of its main anxiolytic compound: galphimine B [4]. Besides its use for its effects on the central nervous system (CNS) [5], it has also been employed for the treatment of asthma, allergies, diarrhea, gastroenteritis, and malaria, among others [6]. These uses are tightly Molecules 2018, 23, 2985; doi:10.3390/molecules23112985 www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules Molecules 2018, 23, 2985 2 of 22 linked with the presence of phytochemical compounds, mainly a triterpenoid family of nine known compounds named galphimines, isolated for the first time in this plant [4,7]. Also, they contain high levels ofMolecules antioxidant 2018, 23, x compounds such as flavonoids, namely quercetin [8]. 2 of 22 This review intends to provide comprehensive information on Galphimia glauca, which includes for the treatment of asthma, allergies, diarrhea, gastroenteritis, and malaria, among others [6]. These its botanical,uses are phytochemical,tightly linked with biotechnologicalthe presence of phytochemical aspects and compounds, their beneficial mainly a effectstriterpenoid on humanfamily health. In addition,of nine weknown address compounds the fact named that galphimines, some Galphimia isolatedspp. for the are first incorrectly time in this identified plant [4,7]. with Also, different names.they The contain provided high data levels will of antioxidant certainly work compounds as a guide such foras flavonoids, the researchers namely which quercetin will [8]. support adequate scientific andThis commercial review intends exploitation to provide of comprehensive this important information plant species. on Galphimia This review glauca includes, which includes the information its botanical, phytochemical, biotechnological aspects and their beneficial effects on human health. In collected from various scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO, Science Direct, and ProQuest. addition, we address the fact that some Galphimia spp. are incorrectly identified with different names. EvenThe provided though Galphimiadata will certainly glauca workhas as been a guide intensively for the researchers studied which over will the support past 25 adequate years, only 43 articlesscientific were found and commercial to be strictly exploitation related of with thisGalphimia important plant glauca species.which This were review included includes in thisthe review. Articlesinformation other than collected English from language various were scientific not considereddatabases such and asseveral PubMed, articles Scopus, or EBSCO, reviews Science that mention GalphimiaDirect, glauca and inProQuest. studies related with homeopathy or molecular taxonomy of Malpighiaceae family were also excluded.Even though In Galphimia addition, glauca several has been research intensively articles studied book over th chapters,e past 25 years, and reviewsonly 43 articles related with were found to be strictly related with Galphimia glauca which were included in this review. Articles medicinal plants, nutraceuticals, ethnobotanical uses, and taxonomical features were also revised. other than English language were not considered and several articles or reviews that mention Finally,Galphimia one patent glauca related in studies with related the usewith of homeopathy galphimine or molecular B is also documentedtaxonomy of Malpighiaceae in the present family review. were also excluded. In addition, several research articles book chapters, and reviews related with 2. Botanicalmedicinal Description, plants, nutraceuticals, Taxonomy, ethnobotanical Distribution, uses and, and Ecosystems taxonomical features were also revised. TheFinally, Malpighiaceae one patent related family with includes the use of approximatelygalphimine B is also 71 documented genera, which in the present spans review. in 1250 species. The majority2. Botanical of these Description, species Taxonomy, are climbers; Distribution, however, and trees Ecosystems and shrubs are also found [9,10]. Plants within the Malpighiaceae family are considered economically important. The Barbados cherry The Malpighiaceae family includes approximately 71 genera, which spans in 1250 species. The (Malpighiamajority emarginata of these) species is high are in climbers; vitamin however, C content trees [11 and]. Also, shrubs hallucinogenic are also found [9,10]. compound Plants within production is found inthe some Malpighiaceae species offamily both are the consideredBanisteriopsis economicallyand Diplopterys important.genera The Barbados [12]. On cherry the other(Malpighia hand, some speciesemarginata of the Banisteriopsis) is high in vitamin, Malpighia C content, Peixotoa [11]. Also,, Stigmaphyllon hallucinogenic, and compoundGalphimia productiongenera is are found cultivated in as ornamentalsome species plants of [13 both]. the Banisteriopsis and Diplopterys genera [12]. On the other hand, some species Asof isthe the Banisteriopsis case with, manyMalpighia plants, Peixotoa belonging, Stigmaphyllon to the, and Malpighiaceae Galphimia genera family, are mostcultivated of theas species ornamental plants [13]. comprised in the Galphimia genus are shrubs which can reach up to 4 m, while others form treelets As is the case with many plants belonging to the Malpighiaceae family, most of the species up to 6comprised m in height. in the Also, Galphimia depending genus are on shrubs their morphologywhich can reach they up to can 4 m, grow while as others small form shrubs treelets up to 1.5 m high [3up] (Figure to 6 m in1). height. The Malpighiaceae Also, depending family on their present morphology high they chromosome can grow as number small shrubs variability, up to 1.5 andm in the case ofhigh the Galphimieae[3] (Figure 1). The tribe, Malpighiaceae it ranges fromfamily 12 present to 24 high chromosomes, chromosome where number the variability, last value and is in the most representedthe case one of the (62.5%) Galphimieae [14]. tribe, it ranges from 12 to 24 chromosomes, where the last value is the most represented one (62.5%) [14]. Figure 1. Galphimia glauca at different stages of development (photo courtesy of Ashutosh Sharma). Molecules 2018, 23, 2985 3 of 22 Molecules 2018, 23, x 3 of 22 MoleculesFigure

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