Hercampuri
Gentianella alborosea, also known as hercampuri, is a species of Gentianella. It has been used in Peruvian folk medicine since before the time of the Inca. Some confusion exists between species names. Two varieties are attributed to the herb in Peru: Gentianella nitida and Gentianella alborosea. The small shrub is native to the high Andes of Peru. The Junin Province is a region of Peru that grows hercampuri.
Traditional use
The whole plant is used as an infusion. The roots are thin and yellow in color and the infusion of hercampuri also has a yellow color.
Traditional uses of hercampuri include:
Chemical constituents
The infusion of hercampuri is one of the most bitter flavors of all herbs. The beneficial compounds that give hercampuri its unique taste contribute to the bitterness of the infusion. Chemical constituents isolated from Gentianella alborosea include amaronitidin[1] and nitiol.[2]
References
- ^ Kawahara N, Masuda K, Sekita S, Satake M (June 2001). "A new secoiridoid glucoside, amaronitidin, from the Peruvian folk medicine "Hercampuri" (Gentianella nitida)". Chem. Pharm. Bull. 49 (6): 771–2. doi:10.1248/cpb.49.771. PMID 11411536.
- ^ Kawahara N, Nozawa M, Kurata A, Hakamatsuka T, Sekita S, Satake M (September 1999). "A novel sesterterpenoid, nitiol, as a potent enhancer of IL-2 gene expression in a human T cell line, from the Peruvian folk medicine "Hercumpuri" (Gentianella nitida)". Chem. Pharm. Bull. 47 (9): 1344–5. PMID 10517015.
External links
- Rojas R, Doroteo V, Bustamante B, Bauer J, Lock O (December 2004). "Antimicrobial and free radical scavenging activity of Gentianella nitida". Fitoterapia 75 (7–8): 754–7. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2004.09.011. PMID 15567257.
- Acero N, Llinares F, Galán de Mera A, Oltra B, Muñoz-Mingarro D (September 2006). "Apoptotic and free radical scavenging properties of the methanolic extract of Gentianella alborosea". Fitoterapia 77 (6): 475–7. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2006.05.020. PMID 16814959. "Gentianella alborosea ("Hercampure") is a Peruvian species used in folk medicine for the treatment of a variety of health disorders. We tested the free radical scavenging (DPPH) and induction of apoptosis on a human uterus tumor cell line (HeLa) by its methanolic extract. The results showed a noticeable radical scavenging activity and a dose-dependent apoptotic effect."