Family: Asteraceae Genus: Achyrocline Species: satureoides Synonyms: Achyrocline candicans, Egletes viscosa, Gnaphalium candicans, G. satureioides Common Names: Macela, marcela, birabira, marcela-da-mata, hembra marcela, Juan blanco, macela-do-campo, marcela hembra, camomila-nacional, marcelita, mirabira, perpétua do mato suso, viravira, wira-wira, yatey-caa, yerba de chivo Parts Used: Aerial parts, leaves, flowers

From The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs:

MACELA HERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS

Main Actions Other Actions Standard Dosage

enhances immunity protects liver Whole herb

kills viruses prevents tumors Infusion: 1 cup 2-3 times daily

kills bacteria expels worms Capsules: 1-2 g 2-3 times daily

relieves pain supports heart Tincture: 2-3 ml twice daily

reduces inflammation kills insects   fights free radicals promotes perspiration   reduces spasms regulates menstruation   stimulates bile     relaxes muscles     lowers blood sugar     stimulates digestion     mildly sedative    

Macela is a medium-sized aromatic annual herb that grows up to 1-1/2 m high. It produces small white flowers with yellow centers and serrated green leaves. It is indigenous to much of tropical South America including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. It often springs up on disturbed soils and some consider it a weed.

TRIBAL AND HERBAL MEDICINE USES

In Brazil, the plant is called macela or marcela and it has been used in herbal medicine for many years. Using the entire plant or just its flowers, a tea is prepared with 5 g of dried herb to 1 liter of boiling water. This infusion is used as a natural remedy for nervous colic, epilepsy, nausea, and gastric problems. It is also employed as an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, menstrual promoter, sedative, and analgesic for gastric disturbances, liver problems, diarrhea, and dysentery. This same infusion (or a slightly stronger one) is used externally for rheumatism, neuralgia, sore muscles, and even

menstrual pain. The flowers are crushed and added to pillows as a natural sleeping aid (much in the same manner as the American hops flower). In Argentina, 20 g of fresh flowers are infused in 1 liter of hot water and taken to help regulate menstruation and for asthma; the aerial parts or entire plant is decocted as an aid for digestion and diabetes. In Uruguay it is used much the same way - for stomach, digestion, and gastrointestinal disorders, as a menstrual regulator, and as a sedative and antispasmodic. In Venezuela, the entire plant is infused or decocted and taken internally to treat diabetes, as a menstrual promoter, and to help overcome impotency. In Peru, the leaves are made into a tea for a cough suppressant to treat bronchitis; an infusion of the entire plant is used to treat diabetes (Type II).

PLANT CHEMICALS

Phytochemical analysis of macela, which began in the mid-1980s, shows that it is a rich source of flavonoids - including novel ones never seen before. Many of its active properties are attributed to these flavonoids as well as to other chemicals (called terpenes) isolated in the plant.

The main plant chemicals found in macela include: achyrocline polysaccharides, achyrofuran, auricepyrone, cadinene, caffeic acid, callerianin, calleryanin, caryatin, caryophyllene, chlorogenic acid, cineol, flavones, galangin, germacrene D, gnaphaliin, italidipyrone, lauricepyrone, luteolin, ocimene, pinene, pyrone, quercetagetin, quercetin, scoparol, scoparone, and tamarixetin.

BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES AND CLINICAL RESEARCH

Macela has been the subject of western research and many of its long-time uses in herbal medicine have been validated by scientists. In animal studies with mice and rats, macela demonstrated pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and smooth-muscle (gastrointestinal) relaxant properties internally without toxicity, in addition to anti-inflammatory and pain-relief actions externally. This may explain why macela has long been used effectively for many types of pain, gastrointestinal difficulties, menstrual cramps, and asthma. In vitro studies have demonstrated that macela is molluscicidal (in a test used to ascertain its effectiveness against the tropical disease schistosomiasis), and active against Salmonella, E. coli, and Staphylococcus. This could explain its long history of use for dysentery, diarrhea, and infections. It also has shown to be a strong antioxidant, to increases the flow of bile from the gallbladder, to help protect against liver damage and to lower liver enzymes levels. Again, this certainly supports its traditional uses for liver and gallbladder problems of various kinds.

Some of the in vitro antioxidant testing performed suggested that macela interfered in the degenerative processes of arteriosclerosis (it reduced blood stickiness, blood fats, and blood oxidation). Macela has been used traditionally for diabetes throughout the tropics where it grows. Not until 2002 did researchers validate this use: a water extract of the entire plant exhibited blood sugar-lowering activity in a mouse model of Type 2

diabetes. This hypoglycemic action was attributed to a novel plant chemical found in macela called achyrofuran.

Other research on macela has concentrated on its antitumorous, antiviral, and immunostimulant properties. It passed the initial screening test used to predict antitumor activity in the mid-1990s by two separate research groups. In subsequent research, macela was reported to inhibit cancer cell growth in vitro, and another research group showed that an extract of macela flowers inhibited the growth of cancer cells by 67% in vitro. Most recently (in 2002), researchers in Argentina studying macela reported a toxic effect against a human liver cancer cell line. In the mid-1980s, German researchers extracted the whole dried plant and demonstrated that, in both humans and mice, it showed strong immunostimulant activity (by increasing phagocytosis and immune cell activity). In 1996, researchers in Texas demonstrated its in vitro antiviral properties against HIV, and Argentinean researchers found it to be active against Pseudorabies (a type of animal herpes virus).

Toxicity studies indicate no toxicity in animals given macela orally or even when water or ethanol extracts of the plant were injected into mice. They did report, however, that a hot water extract potentiated the effects of barbiturates when injected (at a dose of 200 mg/kg).

CURRENT PRACTICAL USES

With so many active biological properties documented thus far, macela should continue to be the subject of further research. Regardless, a simple macela tea (standard infusion) is still a highly effective natural remedy for many types of gastrointestinal complaints - especially where inflammation and spasms occur. Many practitioners in South and North America use macela for spastic colon, Crohn's disease, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and as a general digestive aid. In South America it is still widely used to help regulate menstrual cycles. Although this has been done for many years with reported good results, this effect has not been studied by scientists.

MACELA PLANT SUMMARY

Main Preparation Method: infusion or tincture

Main Actions (in order): antiviral, antibacterial, analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-inflammatory, bile stimulant

Main Uses:

1. applied externally for pain and inflammation 2. for respiratory problems (asthma, bronchitis, flu, and upper respiratory bacterial

and viral infections) 3. for arteriosclerosis

4. for viral infections (hepatitis, HIV, herpes, etc.) 5. for gallbladder and liver disorders

Properties/Actions Documented by Research: analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticoagulant (blood thinner), antioxidant, antispasmodic, antitumorous, antiviral, bile stimulant, gastrototonic (tones, balances, strengthens the gastric tract), hepatoprotective (liver protector), hepatotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the liver), hypoglycemic, immunostimulant, molluscicidal (kills snails)

Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:anticonvulsant, antiseptic, cough suppressant, astringent, bitter digestive aid, cardiotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the heart), carminative (expels gas), diaphoretic (promotes sweating), digestive stimulant, menstrual stimulant, muscle relaxant, neurasthenic (reduces nerve pain), sedative, vermifuge (expels worms)

Cautions: It has a sedative effect and might increase the effects of other sedatives. People with diabetes should use with caution as it has a mild hypoglycemic effect.

Traditional Preparation: The therapeutic dosage is reported to be 1-2 g two or three times daily of dried whole herb and/or flowers. One cup of a whole herb infusion 2-3 times daily or 2-3 ml of a 4:1 tincture twice daily can be used. See Traditional Herbal Remedies Preparation Methods page if necessary for definitions.

Contraindications:

This plant has been documented with hypoglycemic effects; people with hypoglycemia and/or diabetes should only use this plant under the care and direction of a qualified health care practitioner who can monitor blood glucose levels.

This plant has a long history of use as a menstrual promoter and regulator and its biological effects during pregnancy have not been studied or reported. While these traditional uses have not been clinically validated, pregnant women should still refrain from using this plant.

One study demonstrated barbiturate potentiation activity when a hot water extract of macela was injected in mice; it remains unclear if this effect is evident when taken orally. In herbal medicine systems, the plant is used as a sedative. Natural herb capsules, teas or tinctures might potentiate the effects of other sedatives and barbiturates. Use with caution when taking other prescription sedatives and pain-killers.

Drug Interactions: May potentiate insulin and diabetic medications. May potentiate barbiturate drugs.

WORLDWIDE ETHNOMEDICAL USES

Argentina for asthma, diabetes, digestive disorders, menstrual regulation

Bolivia for intestinal gas

Brazil for appetite, bacterial infections, colds, colic, diabetes, diarrhea, digestive disorders, dysentery, epilepsy, flu, gallstones, gastritis, gastrointestinal disorders, headaches, inflammation, intestinal disorders, liver disorders, menstrual disorders, menstrual pain, nausea, neuralgia, pain, rheumatism, spasms, as a sedative, and to increase perspiration

Colombia for gallbladder disorders, tumors

Paraguay for bacterial infections, worms

Peru for bronchitis, coughs, diabetes

Uruguay for bacterial infections, digestive disorders, impotence, inflammation, menstrual disorders, spasms, and as a sedative

Venezuela for diabetes, impotence, menstrual disorders

The above text has been printed from The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs by Leslie Taylor, copyrighted © 2005

All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or

retrieval system, including websites, without written permission

† The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information contained in this plant database file is intended for education, entertainment and information purposes only. This information is not intended to be used to diagnose, prescribe or replace proper medical care. The plant described herein is not intended to treat, cure, diagnose,

mitigate or prevent any disease. Please refer to our Conditions of Use for using this plant database file and web site.

Third Party Research on Macela

Available third-party documentation and clinical research on macela can be found at PubMed. A partial listing of published research on macela is shown below:

Pain-Relieving, Anti-inflammatory, & Muscle Relaxant Actions: Calou, I., et al. "Topically applied diterpenoids from Egletes viscosa (Asteraceae) attenuate the dermal inflammation in mouse ear induced by tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate- and oxazolone." Biol Pharm Bull. 2008 Aug;31(8):1511-6. De Souza, K., et al. "Influence of excipients and technological process on anti-inflammatory activity of quercetin and Achyrocline satureioides (Lam.) D.C. extracts by oral route." Phytomedicine. 2007 Feb;14(2-3):102-8. Melo, C. M., et al. "12-Acetoxyhawtriwaic acid lactone, a diterpene from Egletes viscosa, attenuates capsaicin-induced ear edema and hindpaw nociception in mice: possible mechanisms." Planta Med. 2006

Jun; 72(7): 584-9. Hnatyszyn, O., et al. “Flavonoids from Achyrocline satureioides with relaxant effects on the smooth muscle of guinea pig corpus cavernosum.” Phytomedicine. 2004; 11(4): 366-9. Rao. V. S., et al. “Ternatin, an anti-inflammatory flavonoid, inhibits thioglycolate-elicited rat peritoneal neutrophil accumulation and LPS-activated nitric oxide production in murine macrophages.” Planta Med. 2003; 69(9): 851-3.   Guedes, M. M., et al. “Antinociceptive and gastroprotective effects of diterpenes from the flower buds of Egletes viscosa.” Planta Med. 2002; 68(11): 1044-6. Lima, M. A., et al. ”Biologically active flavonoids and terpenoids from Egletes viscosa.” Phytochemistry. 1996; 41(1): 217-23. Souza, M. F., et al. “Anti-anaphylactic and anti-inflammatory effects of ternatin, a flavonoid isolated from Egletes viscosa Less.” Braz. J. Med. Biol. Res. 1992; 25(10): 1029-32. Simoes, C. M., “Anti-inflammatory action of Achyrocline satureoides extracts applied topically.” Fitoterapia. 1988; 59(5): 419–21. Simoes, C. M., et al. “Pharmacological investigations on Achyrocline satureoides (Lam). D.C., Compositae.” J. Ethnopharmacol. 1988 Apr; 22(3): 281–93.

Anti-microbial Actions: Casero, C., et al. "Achyrofuran is an antibacterial agent capable of killing methicillin-resistant vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus in the nanomolar range." Phytomedicine. 2012 Dec 4. doi:pii: S0944-7113(12)00406-0. Joray, M., et al. "Understanding the interactions between metabolites isolated from Achyrocline satureioides in relation to its antibacterial activity." Phytomedicine. 2012 Nov 30. doi:pii: S0944-7113(12)00381-9 Joray, M., et al. "Antibacterial activity of extracts from plants of central Argentina--isolation of an active principle from Achyrocline satureioides." Planta Med. 2011 Jan;77(1):95-100. Sabini, M., et al. "Evaluation of antiviral activity of aqueous extracts from Achyrocline satureioides against Western equine encephalitis virus." Nat Prod Res. 2012;26(5):405-15. Gonzales, M., et al. "Antibacterial activity of water extracts and essential oils of various aromatic plants against Paenibacillus larvae, the causative agent of American Foulbrood." J Invertebr Pathol. 2010 Jul;104(3):209-13. Vogt, V., et al. "Fungitoxic effects of Achyrocline satureioides (marcela) on plant pathogens." IDECEFYN vol 21 January-April 2010, 109-112 Bueno-Sánchez J., et al. "Anti-tubercular activity of eleven aromatic and medicinal plants occurring in Colombia." Biomedica. 2009 Mar;29(1):51-60. Brandelli, C., et al. "Indigenous traditional medicine: in vitro anti-giardial activity of plants used in the treatment of diarrhea." Parasitol Res. 2009 Jun;104(6):1345-9. Calvo, D., et al. "Achyrocline satureioides (LAM.) DC (Marcela): antimicrobial activity on Staphylococcus spp. and immunomodulating effects on human lymphocytes." Rev Latinoam Microbiol. 2006 Jul-Dec;48(3-4):247-55. Bettega, J. M., et al. “Evaluation of the antiherpetic activity of standardized extracts of Achyrocline satureioides.” Phytother. Res. 2004; 18(10): 819-23. Zanon, S. M., et al. “Search for antiviral activity of certain medicinal plants from Cordoba, Argentina.” Rev. Latinoamer. Microbiol. 1999; 41(2): 59–62. Abdel-Malek, S., et al. “Drug leads from the Kallawaya herbalists of Bolivia. 1. Background, rationale, protocol and anti-HIV activity.” J. Ethnopharmacol. 1996; 50: 157–22. Anesini, C., et al. “Screening of plants used in Argentine folk medicine for antimicrobial activity.” J. Ethnopharmacol. 1993; 39(2): 119–28. Vargas, V., et al. “Genotoxicity of plant extracts.” Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz 1991; 86(11): 67–70. Vargas, V., et al. “Mutagenic and genotoxic effects of aqueous extracts of Achyrocline satureoides in prokaryotic organisms.” Mutat. Res. 1990; 240(1): 13–18. de Souza, C. P., et al. “Chemoprophylaxis of schistosomiasis: molluscicidal activity of natural products.” An. Acad. Brasil. Cienc. 1984; 56(3): 333–38.

Anti-Ulcer & Gastroprotective Actions: Santini, J., et al. "Antiulcer effects of Achyrocline satureoides (Lam.) DC (Asteraceae) (Marcela), a folk

medicine plant, in different experimental models." J Ethnopharmacol. 2010 Jul 20;130(2):334-9. Guedes, M. et al. "Gastroprotective mechanisms of centipedic acid, a natural diterpene from Egletes viscosa LESS." Biol Pharm Bull. 2008 Jul;31(7):1351-5.

Cellular protective & Antioxidant Actions: Blasina, M., et al. "Differentiation induced by Achyrocline satureioides (Lam) infusion in PC12 cells." Phytother Res. 2009 Sep;23(9):1263-9. Morquio, A, et al. “Photoprotection by topical application of Achyrocline satureioides ('Marcela'). Phytother. Res. 2005; 19(6): 486-90. Rivera, F., et al. “Toxicological studies of the aqueous extract from Achyrocline satureioides (Lam.) DC (Marcela).” J. Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Dec; 95(2-3): 359-62. Polydoro, M., et al. “Antioxidant, a pro-oxidant and cytotoxic effects of Achyrocline satureioides extracts.” Life Sci. 2004 Apr; 74(23): 2815-26. Vieira, M. M., et al. “Ternatin, a flavonoid, prevents cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis in rats.” Phytother. Res. 2004; 18(2): 135-41. Gugliucci, A., et al. “Three different pathways for human LDL oxidation are inhibited in vitro by water extracts of the medicinal herb Achyrocline satureoides.” Life Sci. 2002; 71(6): 693–705. Kadarian, C., et al. “Hepatoprotective activity of Achyrocline satureioides (Lam.) D.C.” Pharmacol. Res. 2002; 45(1): 57–61. Souza, M.F., et al. “Inhibition by the bioflavonoid ternatin of aflatoxin B1-induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver.” J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 1999; 51(2):125-9. Desmarchelier, C., et al. “Antioxidant and free radical scavenging effects in extracts of the medicinal herb Achyrocline satureioides (Lam.) D.C. (marcela).” Braz. J. Med. Biol. Res. 1998; 31(9): 163–70. Desmarchelier, C., et al. “Antioxidant and prooxidant activities in aqueous extracts of Argentine Plants.” Int. J. Pharmacog. 1997; 35(2): 116–20. Rao, V. S., et al. “Investigations on the gastroprotective and antidiarrhoeal properties of ternatin, a tetramethoxyflavone from Egletes viscosa.” Planta Med. 1997 Apr; 63(2): 146-9. Lima, M. A., et al. ”Biologically active flavonoids and terpenoids from Egletes viscosa.” Phytochemistry. 1996; 41(1): 217-23. Rao, V. S., et al. “Protective effect of ternatin, a flavonoid isolated from Egletes viscosa Less., in experimental liver injury.” Pharmacology. 1994; 48(6): 392-7.

Cytotoxic & Anticancerous Actions: Carini, J., et al. "Development, Optimisation and Validation of a Stability-Indicating HPLC Method of Achyrobichalcone Quantification using Experimental Designs." Phytochem Anal. 2012 Sep 15. doi: 10.1002/pca.2399. Polydoro, M., et al. “Antioxidant, a pro-oxidant and cytotoxic effects of Achyrocline satureioides extracts.” Life Sci. 2004 Apr; 74(23): 2815-26. Arredondo, M. F., et al. “Cytoprotection by Achyrocline satureioides (Lam) D.C. and some of its main flavonoids against oxidative stress.” J. Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Mar; 91(1): 13-20. Ruffa, M. J., et al. “Cytotoxic effect of Argentine medicinal plant extracts on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line.” J. Ethnopharmacol. 2002; 79(3): 335–39. Pessoa, C., et al. “Antiproliferative effects of compounds derived from plants of Northeast Brazil.” Phytother. Res. 2000 May; 14(3): 187-91. Rojas De Arias, A., et al. “Mutagenicity, insecticidal and trypanocidal activity of some Paraguayan Asteraceae.” J. Ethnopharmacol. 1995; 45(1): 35–41. Arisawa, M. “Cell growth inhibition of KB cells by plant extracts.” Nat. Med. 1994; 48(4): 338–47. Gonzalez, A., et al. “Biological screening of Uruguayan medicinal plants.” J. Ethnopharmacol. 1993; 39(3): 217–20.

Immunostimulant Actions: Cosentino, M., et al. "Immunomodulatory properties of Achyrocline satureioides (Lam.) D.C. infusion: a study on human leukocytes." J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Mar 28;116(3):501-7. Santos, A. L., et al. “Immunomodulatory effect of Achyrocline satureioides (Lam.) D.C. aqueous extracts.” Phytother. Res. 1999; 13(1):65–66. Puhlmann J, et al. “Immunologically active metallic ion-containing polysaccharides of Achyrocline

satureioides.” Phytochemistry. 1992; 31(8): 2617-21. Wagner, H., et al. “Immunostimulating polysaccharides (heteroglycanes) of higher plants.” Arzneimforsch. 1985; 35(7): 1069–75. Wagner, H., et al. “Immunostimulating polysaccharides (heteroglycanes) of higher plants/preliminary communication.” Arzneimforsch. 1984; 34(6): 659–61.

Antidiabetic & Hypoglycemic Actions: Espiña D., et al. "A more accurate profile of Achyrocline satureioides hypocholesterolemic activity." Cell Biochem Funct. 2012 Jun;30(4):347-53. Gugliucci, A., et al. “The botanical extracts of Achyrocline satureoides and Ilex paraguariensis prevent methylglyoxal-induced inhibition of plasminogen and antithrombin III.” Life Sci. 2002 Dec 6; 72(3): 279-92.

Carney, J. R., et al. “Achyrofuran, a new antihyperglycemic dibenzofuran from the South American medicinal plant Achyrocline satureioides.” J. Nat. Prod. 2002; 65(2): 203–5.

Non-Toxic Effect: Sabini, M., et al. "Evaluation of cytogenotoxic effects of cold aqueous extract from Achyrocline satureioides by Allium cepa L test." Nat Prod Commun. 2011 Jul;6(7):995-8.

* The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information contained in this plant database file is intended for education, entertainment and information purposes only. This information is not intended to be used to diagnose, prescribe or replace proper medical care. The plant described herein is not intended to treat, cure, diagnose, mitigate or prevent any disease. Please refer to our Conditions of Use for using this plant database file and web site.