title: Mexican Arnica (Heterotheca inuloides Cass. Asteraceae: Astereae): Ethnomedical uses, chemical constituents and biological properties.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Heterotheca inuloides Cass. (Asteraceae) has been traditionally used to treat a wide range of diseases in Mexico in the treatment of rheumatism, topical skin inflammation, muscular pain colic, and other painful conditions associated with inflammatory processes, additionally has been used to treat dental diseases, and gastrointestinal disorders. This species has also been used for the treatment of cancer and diabetes. This review provides up-to-date information on the botanical characterization, traditional uses, chemical constituents, as well as the biolological activities of H. inuloides.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search was conducted by analyzing the published scientific material. Information related to H. inuloides was collected from various primary information sources, including books, published articles in peer-reviewed journals, monographs, theses and government survey reports. The electronic search of bibliographic information was gathered from accepted scientific databases such as Scienfinder, ISI Web of Science, Scielo, LILACS, Redalyc, Pubmed, SCOPUS and Google Scholar.
  
  
  RESULTS
  To date, more than 140 compounds have been identified from H. inuloides, including cadinane sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, phytosterols, triterpenes, benzoic acid derivatives, and other types of compounds. Many biological properties associated with H. inuloides. Many studies have shown that the extracts and some compounds isolated from this plant exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities such as antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and chelating activities, as well as insecticidal and phytotoxic activity. To date, reports on the toxicity of H. inuloides are limited.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A comprehensive analysis of the literature obtained through the above-mentioned sources conﬁrmed that ethnomedical uses of H. inuloides have been recorded in Mexico to treat rheumatism, pain, and conditions associated with inflammatory processes. Pharmacological studies have demonstrated the activity of certain compounds associated with the traditional use of the plant such as the anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities of the species. The available literature showed that cadinene sesquiterpenes are the major bioactive components of H. inuloides with potential pharmacological activities. Further investigations are needed to fully understand the mode of action of the major active constituents.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán 04510, Ciudad de México, México.
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Chávez
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán 04510, Ciudad de México, México.
authors.forename: Verónica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Egas
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán 04510, Ciudad de México, México.
authors.forename: Edelmira
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Linares
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán 04510, Ciudad de México, México.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bye
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Fitoquímica, UBIPRO, FES-Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. de los Barrios No. 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla 54090, Estado de México, México.
authors.forename: Tzasna
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ex Hacienda de San José de la Huerta 58190, Morelia, Michoacán, México.
authors.forename: Francisco J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Espinosa-García
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán 04510, Ciudad de México, México. Electronic address: delgado@unam.mx.
authors.forename: Guillermo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Delgado
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018650:Arnica / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D064209:Phytochemicals; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Chemical constituents; Ethnobotanical uses; Heterotheca inuloides; Mexican arnica; Plant complexes