Tradescantia spathacea y epigalocatequina; ciencia en la medicina ancestral

Abstract

Tradescantia spathacea, also known as Rhoeo discolor and Rhoeo spathacea is a wild native plant of southern Mexico and Central America; currently, widespread in Asia and introduced to humid regions of North America. It is known within traditional Mexican medicine, particularly in Mayan culture, for its healing properties against infections, viral conditions, respiratory diseases and skin wound care. This plant contains bioactive principles responsible for these properties, such as “epigallocatechin,” a phenolic compound with anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. This compound can also function as a regulator in glucose homeostasis.

Although the study of this plant is a current (and growing) field of research, there are still secrets of its traditional use that deserve the scientific community's attention.