| Abstract | dc.description.abstract | Boldo (Peumus boldus Mol.), a Chilean tree traditionally employed in folk
medicine and recognized as a herbal remedy in a number of pharmacopoeias,
mainly for the treatment of liver ailments, has recently been the subject of
increasing attention. Boldine, in particular, the major and most characteristic
alkaloidal constituent of this plant species, now emerges as its most interesting
active principle from the pharmacological viewpoint. The recent demonstration
that boldine is an effective antioxidant in both biological and non-biological
systems has opened up the perspective of a broad range of uses in medicine and
industry. Given the toxicological data on this alkaloid, its antioxidative properties
situate it as a potentially useful substance in many disease states featuring freeradical
related oxidative injury. This review attempts to cover and discuss the
studies conducted over the last four decades on the chemical and pharmacological
properties of boldo and its main constituent. | es_CL |
