|
 Botany
Epiphytic bromeliad with silvery gray,
threadlike and hanging stems, growing 2m or longer. Leaves are scattered,
narrow-linear, up to 7 cm long. Flowers are small, solitary in the leaf
axils.
Distribution
Ornamental cultivation,
preferring warm climates with high humidity.
Parts used
Roots and stems.
Constituents
and properties
• Studies have yielded cyclopropane-containing
triterpenes and a flavone glycoside.
• Phytochemical testing yielded cycloarterenol, 4,5-dihydroxy-3',7-demthoxyflavanone and a mixture of steroids stigmasterol, ß-sitosterol and campesterol.
Uses
Folkloric
In south Louisiana,
has been used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
• In Bahia, Northern-eastern Brazil, decoction of the whole plant, "Sambambaia," is used for sexual weakness.
Studies
• Anti-Diabetic:
(1) Study on the aqueous extract of T. usneoides for hypoglycemic activity.
(2) Extracts of Tillandsia usneoides have been found to reduce blood
sugars in lab animals, an effect attributed to the compound HMG (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric
acid). (3) Study yielded four bioactive compounds, including HMG. HMG
elicited significant hypoglycemic responses in fasting normal mice.
Further evaluation of HMG and other potential HMGCoA lyase, for diabetes
treatment is suggested.
• Biomonitor
/ Air Pollution: Neutron activation analysis applied
to the determination of elements in the epiphytic bromeliad T. usneoides
exposed in different polluted sites showed an accumulation of elements
and indicated a promising potential of the species to serve as a biomonitor
of air pollution.
• Analgesic:
Aqueous ethanol extracts of 17 medicinal plants in Brazil were studied
for analgesic properties in mice by the writhin and tail flick method.
Significants effects were noted in five plants, including Tillandsia
usneoides.
• Antiedematogenic / Toxicity: Study showed an antiedematogenice effect and potent antioxidant activity.
No toxicity was reported.
• Pharmacologica Activities : Old studies have
showed a weak antibacterial effect and estrogenic activities.
Availability
Seasonal fruiting
and ubiquitoous market produce. |
