Tillandsia usneioides (Bab-bwa) : medicinal properties in alcoholic extraction

Tillandsia usneioides (Bab-bwa, latjé-chouval, wood beard, Ponytail, barbe-à-bois, Queue de cheval) — family Broméliacées.

Scientific synonyms : Dendropogon usneioides-(L)-R, Renealma usneioides-L, Tillandsia trichoides-Kunth.

This database documents alcoholic (ethanol) extractions of active substances. Our monograph currently lists 5 indications in alcoholic extraction for this species. The Lapo v2 catalogue records 27 scientific references for this species (full detail in the application).

Important — scientific references on this public page: only a short excerpt of each cited source is shown (selected abstract sentences), kept in the original language of the publication (most often English), without translation. These excerpts are not the full article text and are not a complete bibliography. The full reference records and complete monographic detail are available in the Lapo v2 application (free 30-day trial).

1. 1

   Type II diabetes mellitus

   Plant part used: leaf.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to Witherup KM (1995)

     Excerpt Bioactivity-directed fractionation, using brine shrimp lethality & murine hypoglycemia, of an ethanol extract prepared from Tillandsia usneoïdes, led to the isolation of four apparently bioactive compounds from the water-soluble fraction. Further evaluation of HMG & other potential inhibitors of HMG CoA lyase, in the treatment of symptoms of diabetes mellitus, is suggested.

   • According to Miranda-Nunez JE (2021)

     Excerpt Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is characterized by deregulation in carbohydrate & lipid metabolism, with a very high mortality rate. usneoïdes were evaluated in a hypoglycemic activity bioassay and in the glucose tolerance test in CD-1 mice.

   • According to Keller W.J (1981)

     Excerpt Spanish moss tea has long been used in south Louisiana in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (Mallet, 1975).

   • According to Espejel-Nava J.A (2020)

     Excerpt Objectives :The aim of this research was to determine the hypoglycemic effect of an aqueous extract from TU in normal & diabetic mice as well as to evaluate the participation of insulin in this effect using an in vitro model. Besides, TU aqueous extract stimulated insulin secretion (20%, P< 0.05) without cause changes in insulin gene expression & protects RINm5F cells from streptozotocin-induced apoptosis.

2. 2

   Cancer: adjuvant treatment for colorectal cancer, breast cancer and melanoma

   Plant part used: leaf.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to LOPEZ MP (2024)

     Excerpt Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent & deadly tumor worldwide. To shed light on the mechanism involved in the anti-tumor effects of TU we evaluated the cytotoxic effect of the ethanolic extract of this plant on the colon cancer cell line SW480 through the activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), a nuclear receptor that plays a role on lipid metabolism & inflammation in cancer cells.

   • According to LASSO P (2022)

     Excerpt usneoïdes in vitro & in vivo in models of 4T1 breast cancer & B16-F10 melanoma. B16-F10, impacting the tumor microenvironment & effective antitumor immune response, leading to a reduction in 4T1 tumor size but not on B16-F10.

3. 3

   Pain, hyperalgesia

   Plant part used: leaf.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to Costa M (1989)

     Excerpt Seventeen medicinal plants used popularly in Brazil for their reputed analgesic properties were tested in mice by the writhing & tail flick methods. Significant effects in both tests were produced by Lippia alba, Piper abutiloides, Piper cincinnatoris, Piper lindbergii & Tillandsia usneoïdes,.

Further indications (including other extraction modes where applicable), dosages, precautions for use, and the <strong>full scientific references</strong> (complete records, not only the short excerpts above) are available in the complete monographic record in the Lapo v2 application.