Erechtites hieraciifolius

Scientific name: Erechtites hieraciifolius (L.) Raf. ex DC.

Botanical family: ASTERACEAE

Vernacular names

Other vernacular names

Nicaragua:

Maka pihni

Geographical distribution

From Canada to South America and extensively introduced into Europe and the Pacific Islands.

Botanical description

Annual erect herb, 0.5-2 m in height, with simple or highly ramified stems in the upper part, more or less pilose. Alternate leaves, lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, 5-10 (-30) cm long and up to 8 cm wide, irregularly dentate or rarely pinnately lobed margins; lower leaves with winged petioliform base, the central and sessile apical ones, embracing the stem. Inflorescences, heads grouped into ramified inflorescences with a more or less rounded contour, terminal and axillary; each head with 20 or 25 or more yellow-green to white flowers; female ligulate flowers, fertile, located in 1 or 2 series on the periphery of the head; disc flowers: hermaphrodites, fertile, located in the central part. Dry fruit, indehiscent, with white pappus of up to 11 mm, containing a single seed.

The leaves and flowers have a pungent and bitter taste, leaving an astringent sensation.

Voucher(s)

Aker,644,HULE
FLORPAN,F-6713,PMA

prepare a decoction with 4 fresh leaves in 1 cup (250 millilitres) of water, boil for 5 minutes in a covered vessel. Leave to cool, strain (filter) and drink 1 cup 3 times a day¹ for a maximum of 2 days.

Preparations must never be stored for more than 24 hours, even if refrigerated.

According to the information available:

The use for stomach pain is classified as REC based on the significant traditional use documented in TRAMIL surveys and toxicity studies.

If deterioration is observed in the patient or if the stomach pain persists for more than 2 days, seek medical attention.

Due to the risk of documented hepatotoxicity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, oral use should be limited to a maximum of 2 days in adults^2-3.

Not for use during pregnancy, breastfeeding or in children under 12 years.

TRAMIL Work⁸
The freeze-dried aqueous extract (decoction) from fresh leaves (3 g/kg/5 days repeated dose), orally in Swiss mice (5 males - 5 females), with an observation period of an additional 7 days, did not cause mortality or obvious signs of toxicity. The macroscopic autopsy showed no alterations of the internal organs.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns of the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, described as hepatotoxic, and the genus Erechtites is classified as toxic^2-3.

In the TRAMIL survey, its use was reported to be contraindicated in pregnant women and children¹.

There is no information available documenting the safety of medicinal use in children, during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

The aerial parts have terpenoids: β-amyrin⁴, humulene⁴, 3(R)-hydroxy-5,6-epoxy-β-ionol⁵ , 3-oxo-α-D-glucopyranoside- (6R,9R)-β-ionol⁵ , 3(R)-hydroxy-5,6-epoxy-β-ionone⁵ , ocimene⁴ , (3,6-trans-3,7-dimethylocta-3,5-dien-1,2,7-triol)⁵; phenylpropanoids: 2-hydroxy-4-(2-propenyl)phenyl-β-D- glucopyranoside⁵, 2-methoxy-4-(2-propenyl)phenyl-β-D-glucopyranoside⁵; alkenes: (2,5-trans-6-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylheptadien-1-al)⁵.

The whole plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids: senecionine⁶,seneciphylline⁶, and the tannin: 4-O-(3,3 dimethylalyl) angelicate of syringyl alcohol⁴.

TRAMIL Work⁷
The aqueous extract (decoction) from fresh leaves, in vitro (500 μg/ml), was active against Staphylococcus aureus. It was inactive against Escherichia coli and Candida albicans.

Pharmacopoeia

Ed.3

References

1 AKER CH, GARMENDIA M, DEVES R, FERNANDEZ P, FRITHZ E, HERNANDEZ
M, SIMEON A, 2003
Encuesta TRAMIL (Bosawas). Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua UNAN-León, León, Nicaragua.
2 FDA (Agencia de Drogas y Alimentos), 2004
Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition; FDA, Rockville MD, USA, 21/3/2005. URL: http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~djw/pltx.cgi?QUERY=Erechtites+hieracifolia
3 RODER E, 1995
Medicinal plant in Europe containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Pharmazie 50:83-98.
4 BOHLMANN F, ABRAHAM WR, 1980
A new syringyl alcohol derivative from Erechtites hieracifolia. Phytochemistry 19:469- 470.
5 YI JH, KWON HC, CHOI SZ, LEE WB, BANG EJ, LEE KR , 2001
Constituents of aerial parts of Erechties hieracifolia. Yakhak Hoe Chi 45(4):339-346.
6 ADAMS R, GIANTURCO M, 1956
Senecio alkaloids. The composition of “hieracifoline” and “jacobine”. J Amer Chem Soc
78:398-400.
7 OLMEDO D, RODRIGUEZ N, ESPINOSA A, VASQUEZ Y, GUPTA MP, 2005

Ensayo antimicrobiano de algunas especies con usos significativos TRAMIL- Centroamérica. Informe TRAMIL. Centro de Investigaciones Farmacognósticas de la Flora Panameña CIFLORPAN, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Panamá, Panamá, Panamá.
8 GARCIA-GONZÁLEZ M, BARBOZA CJ, 2005
Toxicidad aguda (3000 mg/kg) dosis repetida, en ratones, del extracto acuoso de hojas frescas de Erechtites hieraciifolius. Informe TRAMIL. PRONAPLAMED. Depto de Fisiología, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.

Disclaimer

The information provided is for educational purposes only for the benefit of the general public and health professionals. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law or regulations. Since some parts of plants could be toxic, might induce side effects, or might have interactions with certain drugs, anyone intending to use them or their products must first consult with a physician or another qualified health care professional. TRAMIL has no responsibility whatsoever towards the user for any decision, action or omission made in relation to the information contained in this Pharmacopoeia.

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