Eleocharis interstincta

scientific name: 
Eleocharis interstincta (Vahl) Roemer & Schultes
synonym: 
Scirpus interstinctus Vahl
Botanical family: 

Botanical description

Perennial, stoloniferous plant, with fibrous roots.  Culms tufted 40-100 cm tall 3.6 mm thick, cylindrical, hollow, transversely septate; spikelets cylindrical, up to 6 cm long x 5-7 mm wide; glumes straw-coloured, oblong to obovate 4-5 mm x 3 mm; stamens 3, style 3-fid.  Achenes oval to obovate 1.5-2 mm long, biconvex, slightly shiny, brownish-yellow.

Voucher(s)

Rouzier,58,FMPH

edema:

  entire plant, natural, applied locally1

inflammation:

  entire plant, natural, applied locally1

For edema and inflammation:

There is no available information establishing a means of preparation and dosage other than that referred to by traditional use.

According to published and other information:

External use for edema and inflammation is classified as REC, based on the significant traditional use (OMS/WHO)2 documented in the TRAMIL surveys.

For topical application, strict hygiene measures should be observed in order to avoid contamination or additional infection.

Should there be a notable worsening of the patient’s condition, or should edema or inflammation persist, seek medical attention.

TRAMIL Research4

The aqueous extract (1:1) from the entire plant, applied locally to New Zealand albino rabbits, UniValle strain, in groups of 9 animals each, using the Draize method modified by Finkelstein, did not induce any local alterations indicative of toxicity.

TRAMIL Research6(will be translated in 3rd Edition)

La planta entera fresca, se aplicó vía tópica (0.5 mL de una preparación de 333.33 mg/mL de material vegetal sobre 5 cm2)en el modelo de irritación dérmica en piel sana de 3 conejos por 5 días consecutivos. No provocó ninguna alteración ni irritación durante el periodo de 11 días de observación.

There is no available information documenting the safety of medicinal use in children or in women during pregnancy or while breast feeding.

TRAMIL Research3

Preliminary phytochemical screening del extracto etanólico (70%) de planta entera.

alkaloids

-

anthracenes

+

tannins

-

cardioactive glycosides

-

flavonoids

+

cyanogenic glycosides

-

saponins

-

steroids, terpenoids

-

cumarins

-

 

 

TRAMIL Research4

The aqueous extract (decoction 1:1) from the entire plant, in local application to the paw of albino rats (3 experimental groups and one control group, with five animals each), using the carrageenan-induced paw edema method, showed significant anti-inflammatory activity, comparable to the effects of dexametasone.

The ethanolic extract (1:5) from the fresh aerial parts did not show antibacterial activity in vitro5.

Pharmacopoeia: 

Ed.2

References:  

1 WENIGER B, ROUZIER M, 1986 Enquête TRAMIL. Service Oecuménique d'Entraide SOE, Port au Prince, Haïti.

2 WHO, 1991 Pautas para la evaluación de medicamentos herbarios WHO/TRM/91.4 (original inglés). Programa de Medicina Tradicional, OMS, Ginebra, Suiza.

3 SOLIS PN, RODRIGUEZ N, ESPINOSA A, GUPTA MP, 2004 Estudio fitoquímico de algunas plantas TRAMIL con usos en Martinica. Informe TRAMIL. Centro de Investigaciones Farmacognósticas de la Flora Panameña CIFLORPAN, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Panamá, Panamá, Panamá.

4 HERRERA J, 1992 Determinación de parámetros farmacológicos usados en medicina tradicional popular en la Cuenca del Caribe. Informe TRAMIL. Dep. de Farmacología, Facultad de Salud, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia. TRAMIL VI, Basse Terre, Guadeloupe, UAG/enda-caribe.

5 MAGALHAES AF, RUIZ AL, FARIA AD, MAGALHAES EG, AMARAL MC, 2001 Avaliação fitoquímica e biológica de Eleocharis interstincta (Vahl) Roem. & Schult. Poços de Caldas, Brasil: Científico Nacional, Reunião Anual da Sociedade Brasileira de Química - SBQ (1):7.

6 PAZOS L, COTO T, CAIZA F, 2009

Irritación dérmica, piel sana en conejos, porción de la planta entera fresca de Eleocharis interstinca. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio de Ensayos Biológicos, LEBi, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided is for educational purposes only for the benefit of the general public and health professionals. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law or regulations. Since some parts of plants could be toxic, might induce side effects, or might have interactions with certain drugs, anyone intending to use them or their products must first consult with a physician or another qualified health care professional. TRAMIL has no responsibility whatsoever towards the user for any decision, action or omission made in relation to the information contained in this Pharmacopoeia.