Studies for the conservation and use of Chrysactinia mexicana A. Gray, an aromatic and medicinal plant native to Mexico

Abstract

One of the strategies to recognize the potential future use of aromatic and medicinal plants (AMPs) is to take into account the past uses and traditional knowledge of AMPs from indigenous and rural people.  The general objective of this research is to document and generate information on Chrysactinia mexicana, which serves as a basis for its subsequent cultivation, use, and conservation. For the documentation of common names, traditional uses, diagnostic characters, secondary metabolites and bioactivity, an exhaustive review of scientific bibliographic resources was carried out, obtained from specialized academic search on the Internet. Both, the distribution map and the identification of the biotic and abiotic factors associated with the distribution of the species were generated using Geographic Information Systems (GIS).  Information about the phenology, propagation strategies and habitat characteristics were collected in the field once a month, for of one year. Chrysactinia mexicana has a wide variety of common names which highlight the close link between the species and the inhabitants of the regions in which it originates. The use of its leaves, stems, and flowers has been noted to cure respiratory infections, skin infections, stomach pains, diarrhoea, fever, and rheumatism.  It is distributed in the biogeographical provinces of the Chihuahuan Desert, Sierra Madre Oriental, and Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, showing a clear affinity to the Nearctic region and to arid and semi-arid zones. Its wide distribution indicates that it is a species with low habitat specificity. It spreads sexually through wind-dispersed achenes, while asexual propagation is via subterranean stolons.  Although it presents a wide variety of secondary metabolites, the most notable compounds are the terpenes, specifically, piperitone, eucalyptol, linalyl acetate, α-terpineol, Sylvain and terpineol. The different bioproducts show positive results combatting bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, and amoebae. It was also observed that the essential oil has insecticidal and nematicidal actions.  More recent studies have shown positive results when used as an antidepressant and as a sexual behavior stimulant. Chrysactinia mexicana could have many potential uses in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, and pest control industries, however it is important to start with studies that aid to develop and establish its propagation and cultivation.