PARTE UTILIZADA= Used part: Hojas.

ACCIÓN FARMACOLÓGICA= Pharmacological action: Laxante.

COMPOSICIÓN QUÍMICA= Chemical composition: The volatile oil of leaves of X. americana was analyzed by GC-MS, which resulted in the identification of 33 components representing 98% of the total oil. The major constituents identified were benzaldehyde (63.5%), hydroxybenzyl cyanide (13%) and isophorone (3.5%). Hydroxybenzyl cyanide is known as a primary breakdown product of glucosinolates that occur mainly in members of Brassicaceae family. The HPLC anal. carried out failed to confirm the possible synthesis or accumulation of glucosinolates in X. americana. Hence, the occurrence of hydroxybenzyl cyanide as well as that of benzaldehyde is discussed in this paper.

ZONA GEOGRÁFICA= Chemical composition: América. 

1) TOURSARKISSIAN, Martín. Plantas medicinales de Argentina : sus nombres botánicos, vulgares, usos y distribución geográfica. Buenos Aires : Hemisferio Sur, 1980, p.94.

2) MEVY, Jean-Philippe, et al. Composition of the volatile oil from the leaves of Ximenia americana L. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology. 2006, vol.34, nº7, p.549-553.