PARTE UTILIZADA=Used part: Hoja.

ACCIÓN FARMACOLÓGICA=Pharmacological action: Estomacal.

COMPOSICIÓN QUÍMICA=Chemical composition: Aloysia gratissima (Gillies & Hook.) Tronc. (Verbenaceae) is an aromatic shrub native to South America which is widely used in traditional medicine to treat several diseases. In this study we report on the chemical composition and biological activity (anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity) of extracts obtained from the aerial parts of the Brazilian plant Aloysia gratissima using two extraction methods: hydrodistillation and extraction with supercritical carbon dioxide. Three major components were identified in the essential oil, namely trans-pinocamphone (13.5-16.3%), beta-pinene (10.5-12.0%) and alpha-guaiol (6.6-8.7%), whereas the major compounds were guaiol (16.7%), beta-caryophyllene (9.2%) and germacrene D (8.6%) in the supercritical fluid (SFE) extract. None of the two samples presented a significant inhibitory effect in vitro on soybean 5-lipoxygenase.The antioxidant activity using both the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ORAC assays showed poor activity. © Essential Oil Resource Consultants. All rights reserved.

ZONA GEOGRÁFICA=Geografical zone: Uruguay.

Summary
Whitebrush (Aloysia gratissima – Verbenaceae) is a widespread shrub that can be found throughout the Neotropics, from Central Argentina to Southern USA. As in the case of most species of the genus Aloysia, the leaves are used as a digestive agent. Recent investigations have shown antimicrobial activity against several human pathogens, together with antidepressant effects that could eventually be of interest from a pharmaceutical point of view. However, the presence of thujone and germacrane derivatives in the essential oil should be taken into account due to their potential toxicity.

1) TOURSARKISSIAN, Martín. Plantas medicinales de Argentina : sus nombres botánicos, vulgares, usos y distribución geográfica. Buenos Aires : Hemisferio Sur, 1980, p.132.

2) SILVA, D.C.M.N., et al Chemical composition and biological activity of natural extracts obtained from a Brazilian aromatic plant (Aloysia gratissima) by supercritical CO 2 and hydrodistillation. International Journal of Essential Oil Therapeutics. 2007, vol.1, nº4, p.172-178.

3) Plantas medicinales autóctonas de la Argentina. Bases científicas para su aplicación en atención primaria de la salud / Jorge Alonso y Cristian Jorge Desmarchelier. - 1a ed. - Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires: Corpus Libros Médicos y Científicos, 2015.