Re: Plant id
- Subject: Re: Plant id
- From: &* A* O* <s*@gimcw.org>
- Date: Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:27:32 -0800
Hi Karrie -
Apparently many species of Kalanchoe/Bryophyllum are being
investigated for cancer treatment. I believe your leaf sample is
probably Bryophyllum crenatum, which has occasionally been hybridized
with B. daigremontiana (this hybrid was apparently recently available
at Trader Joe's! - it has more closely spaced scallops and is far more
prolific in making plantlets).
These 'air plants' captivate novice gardeners, until they acquire them
and start finding the little plantlets getting into everything!! They
are fun for school children. I've never seen these plants truly
'escape' into native habitats around here, but they might be more of a
problem in warmer winter climates.
SeÃn O.
An article abstract I found:
Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2001 Apr;65(4):947-9.
Anti-tumor promoting activity of bufadienolides from Kalanchoe pinnata
and K. daigremontiana x tubiflora.
Supratman U, Fujita T, Akiyama K, Hayashi H, Murakami A, Sakai H,
Koshimizu K, Ohigashi H.
Division of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of
Agriculture and Life Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai,
Japan.
Abstract
Five bufadienolides (1-5) isolated from the leaves of Kalanchoe
pinnata and K. daigremontiana x tubiflora (Crassulaceae) were examined
for their inhibitory effects on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen
(EBV-EA) activation in Raji cells induced by the tumor promoter,
12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. All bufadienolides showed
inhibitory activity, and bryophyllin A (1) exhibited the most marked
inhibition (IC50 = 0.4 microM) among the tested compounds. Bryophyllin
C (2), a reduction analogue of 1, and bersaldegenin-3-acetate (3)
lacking the orthoacetate moiety were less active. These results
strongly suggest that bufadienolides are potential cancer
chemopreventive agents.
On Tue, Nov 9, 2010 at 3:17 PM, Karrie Reid <skreid@ucdavis.edu> wrote:
> Hello Folks:
> Today I had a woman walk into the office and ask for an idea on succulent
> leaf which someone from Mexico had given to a member of her family on her
> behalf. ÂShe is undergoing chemo, and they told her to whiz it in a blender
> and drink it. ÂShe was naturally reluctant and wanted to know what I could
> tell her about it. ÂSo, I thought of you folks first for ID. ÂThe leaf is 12
> inches long with scalloped edges and aerial roots beginning in some of these
> scalloped axils. ÂIt is also sprouting juvenile leaves and roots form its
> tip and roots from the base where she has had it submerged in water. ÂI have
> put one photo on the ANR file vault with the following address:
> http://ucanr.org/filevault/fi.cfm?fn=20192&pw=
> <http://ucanr.org/filevault/fi.cfm?fn=20192&pw=>
> ÂI thought someone might immediately have a name for me!
> Thanks-
>
> --
> Karrie Reid
> Environmental Horticulture Advisor
> UC Cooperative Extension, San Joaquin County
> 2101 Earhart Ave., Ste 200
> Stockton, CA 95206-3924
>
> 209-953-6109
> FAX: 209-953-6128
