Montanoa tomentosa

Montanoa tomentosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Genus:	Montanoa
Species:	M. tomentosa
Binomial name
Montanoa tomentosa Cerv.

Montanoa tomentosa is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family which is native to Mexico and much of Central America. Its local common name is zoapatle. This small yellow-flowered shrub is best known for its use in traditional herbal medicine. Traditionally, an extract of the leaves is used as an aphrodisiac^[1] and to start uterine contractions to induce menstruation, abortion, and labor, and to slow postpartum bleeding.^[2][3] The related species Montanoa frutescens has similar effects in the reproductive tract but is much more likely to have contraceptive effects by causing structural changes in the endometrium.^[4] The active chemical compound is called zoapatanol.^[5]

References

1. ^ Carro-Juárez, M. et al. (2004). "Aphrodisiac properties of Montanoa tomentosa aqueous crude extract in male rats". Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior 78 (1): 129–34. doi:10.1016/j.pbb.2004.03.001. 
2. ^ Landgren, B. M. et al.; Aedo, AR; Hagenfeldt, K; Diczfalusy, E (1979). "Clinical effects of orally administered extracts of Montanoa tomentosa in early human pregnancy". American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 135 (4): 480–4. PMID 114055. 
3. ^ Robles-Zepeda, R. E. et al.; Molina-Torres, Jorge; Lozoya-Gloria, Edmundo; López, Mercedes G. (2005). "Volatile organic compounds of leaves and flowers of Montanoa tomentosa". Flavour and Fragrance Journal 21 (2): 225–27. doi:10.1002/ffj.1560. 
4. ^ Pedrón, N. et al.; Estrada, AV; Ponce-Monter, H; Valencia, A; Guzmán, A; Gallegos, AJ (1985). "The zoapatle. VII. Antiimplantation effect in the rat of zoapatle aqueous crude extract (ZACE) from Montanoa tomentosa and Montanoa frutescens". Contraception 31 (5): 499–507. doi:10.1016/0010-7824(85)90085-X. PMID 4028725. 
5. ^ Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases. Phytochemistry Database retrieved April 5, 2008.

External links

• GRIN Species Profile