PARTE UTILIZADA=Used part: Parte aérea.

ACCIÓN FARMACOLÓGICA=Pharmacological action: Contra la diabetes, antihipertensivo, antianémico, activador circulatorio, contra palpitaciones, anticonvulsivante, tratamiento de problemas cardíacos, taquicardia, presión alta, antiepiléptica, para tratar tumores e inflamaciones de la piel, antiinflamatorio, antirreumático, digestivo, antihemorroidal, en afecciones respiratorias, hepáticas, renales y ginecológicas, en casos de influenza, absesos y ganglios inflamados, como emplasto para consolidar fracturas, emenagogo, diurético.

ZONA GEOGRÁFICA=Geografical zone: Áreas tropicales y subtropicales de América.

Vine. Stem and leaves are cooked and a tea is drunk to treat certain mental disorders

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Uses: diabetic.                                                 

Origin: Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Caribbean, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela.         

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Stem: In French Guiana and Guyana, the mildly diuretic sap issuing from the cut stem is drunk as a refreshment or to reduce fever.

Leaf: Crushed leaves are applied externally to treat snakebite, thrush, ulcers, and to hasten the opening of boils. Used for sores and swelling in NW Guyana.

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Summary
Cissus sicyoides (Vitaceae) is a widely distributed vine throughout the American Continent. Also known by the common English name of toad vine, one important use for this species is in the treatment of diabetes. Although preliminary investigations were unable to confirm this activity, recent studies have shown interesting hypoglicaemic action in the extracts. For this reason, the species has also become known by the common name of vegetable insulin. However, further clinical studies will have to be done in the future in order to justify the use of C. sicyoides in the treatment of this ailment.

1) ALONSO, Jorge ; DESMARCHELIER, Cristian. Plantas medicinales autóctonas de la Argentina: bases científicas para su aplicación en atención primaria de la salud. Buenos Aires: L.O.L.A, 2005, p. 552. 

2) Hazlett, Donald L. Economic Botany, v. 40 no.3 1986. -- p. 339-352

3) Geraldini , Isanete, Journal of Ethnopharmacology v. 173, 2015 . -- p. 383-423

4) Robertt, A., et al.. Medicinal Plants of the Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, French Guyana)/Smithsonian NMNH. cited online: 17-08-2017.

5) 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.