PARTE UTILIZADA= Used part: Raíz, hoja. 

ACCIÓN FARMACOLÓGICA= Pharmacological action: Balsámico, antiinflamatorio. 

COMPOSICIÓN QUÍMICA= Chemical composition: The hydrodistilled oil from the fresh and dried aerial parts of Tessaria absinthioides was analyzed by a combination of GC and GC/MS. Thirty-three compounds representing 85% of the oil were identified. The main components of the oil were caryophyllene oxide (12.2%), (E)-beta-damascenone (8.6%) and gamma-eudesmol (8.5%). The oil consisted of about 32% oxygenated monoterpenes, 36% oxygenated sesquiterpenes and 17% sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. The ratio of oxygenated monoterpenes to oxygenated sesquiterpenes changed from 4.8 to 0.9 in oil of air-dried versus oil of fresh material. 

ZONA GEOGRÁFICA= Geografical zone: Chile, en Argentina hasta Chubut, Uruguay. 

DIVERSIDAD GENÉTICA Y MEJORAMIENTO DE PLANTAS MEDICINALES= Medicinal plants and improvement of medicinal herbs

Some ecotoxic metals such as Cd, Pb, and Cu in Tessaria absinthioides were quantified to study its possible use as a bio-indicator and/or bio-monitor of these metals. This plant was chosen for its abundance in the area under study, along Chile and even in southern Latin America. For Cd, Pb, and Cu in all three parts of the plant (leaves, stems and roots) a different concentration pattern in each sampling areas was observed. In sampling areas Coya Sur and La Cascada copper and cadmium concentration decrease in order: leaves > roots > stems. In samples collected in Xalquincha the lowest concentrations of Cd and Pb were observed in stems. A maximum of cadmium concentration (9 μg/g d.w. in leaves) was found in samples from La Cascada, a inflow to river Loa in Calama. High concentrations of lead were found in roots and leaves. Collected data demonstrate that the main pathway for cadmium is from ground water via roots into the plant. Some data obtained for lead and copper indicate that the influence of dust particles adsorbed on leaves and stems can be higher than uptake from ground water. Some ecotoxic metals such as Cd, Pb, and Cu in Tessaria absinthioides were quantified to study its possible use as a bio-indicator and/or bio-monitor of these metals. This plant was chosen for its abundance in the area under study, along Chile and even in southern Latin America. For Cd, Pb, and Cu in all three parts of the plant (leaves, stems and roots) a different concentration pattern in each sampling areas was observed. In sampling areas Coya Sur and La Cascada copper and cadmium concentration decrease in order: leaves > roots > stems. In samples collected in Xalquincha the lowest concentrations of Cd and Pb were observed in stems. A maximum of cadmium concentration (9 μg/g d.w. in leaves) was found in samples from La Cascada, a inflow in rover Loa in Calama. High concentrations of lead were found in roots and leaves. Collected data demonstrate that the main pathway for cadmium is from ground water via roots into the plant. Some data obtained for lead and copper indicate that the influence of dust particles adsorbed on leaves and stems can be higher than uptake from ground water. 

ÚLTIMOS AVANCES EN LA QUÍMICA Y ACTIVIDADES BACTERIOLÓGICAS EN LAS PLANTAS MEDICINALES= Medicinal plants, last advances on chemistry and bacteria activities on the medicinal herbs

Essential oils obtained from eight aromatic plants of San Luis Province, Argentina, were screened for virucidal activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), Junin virus (JUNV) and dengue virus type 2 (DEN-2).  The most potent inhibition was observed with the essential oil of Lippia junelliana and Lippia turbinata against JUNV with virucidal concentration 50% (VC(50)) values in the range 14-20 ppm, whereas Aloysia gratissima, Heterotheca latifolia and Tessaria absinthioides inhibited JUNV in the range 52-90 ppm.  The virucidal activity was time- and temperature-dependent.  The essential oils of A. gratissima, Artemisia douglasiana, Eupatorium patens and T. absinthioides inactivated HSV-1 at 65-125 ppm.  However, only A. douglasiana and E. patens had any discernible effect on DEN-2 infectivity with VC(50) values of 60 and 150 ppm, respectively.  Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

1) TOURSARKISSIAN, Martín. Plantas medicinales de Argentina : sus nombres botánicos, vulgares, usos y distribución geográfica. Buenos Aires : Hemisferio Sur, 1980, 178p.

2) BAILAC, P., et al. Composition of the essential oils of Tessaria absinthioides (Hook et Arn.) D. candole. Journal of Essential Oil Research . 1998, vol.10, nº1, p.89-91.
 
3) STEGEN, S., et al. Tessaria absinthioides: A possible bio-monitor for Cd, Pb, and Cu, in the middle and lower basin of the Loa river, North Chile. Toxicological and Environmental Chemistry . 2000, vol.77, nº1-2, p.107-118.
 
4) GARCIA, C C., et al. Virucidal activity of essential oils from aromatic plants of San Luis, Argentina. Phytotherapy research : PTR . 2003, vol.17, nº9, p.1073-5.