PubMed-compiled information sheet
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Compiled from 5 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Puya chilensis is a Bromeliaceae family plant native to central Chile, traditionally used for digestive disorders and consumed as a food source [PMID:39519908, PMID:30361031].
Background
Puya chilensis, also known as chagual, is a native monocotyledonous food plant found in central Chile [PMID:30361031]. It is a member of the Bromeliaceae family [PMID:39519908].
Traditional uses
The plant has been traditionally used for medicinal applications in various digestive disorders [PMID:39519908]. Additionally, the tender basal part of the leaves starting from the meristem are consumed as a salad [PMID:30361031].
Active compounds
Phytoconstituents include phenols, flavonoids, and total anthraquinones [PMID:39519908]. Specifically, phenolic enriched extracts contain hydroxycinnamic acids (such as 5-p-Coumaroylquinic acid) and flavonoids, with diferuloyl hexaric acid isomers identified as main compounds [PMID:30361031].
Mechanism of action
Extracts of P. chilensis demonstrate antioxidant capacity (measured via DPPH and FRAP) [PMID:39519908, PMID:30361031].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DColon Cancer (HT-29 cell lines)
The ethyl acetate extract of P. chilensis flowers showed cytotoxicity in HT-29 colon cancer cell lines (IC50 = 41.70 µg/mL) without causing toxic effects on healthy colon cells (IC50 > 100 µg/mL) [PMID:39519908].
Safety & adverse effects
In vitro studies indicate that the ethyl acetate extract of flowers does not cause toxic effects on healthy colon cells at concentrations up to 100 µg/mL [PMID:39519908].
Evidence summary
The current evidence is limited to in vitro studies and phytochemical profiling (Level D), demonstrating antioxidant properties and selective cytotoxicity against colon cancer cell lines.
PubMed sources
- 1.PMID: 39519908 (2024) — Phytoconstituents, Antioxidant Activity and Cytotoxicity of Puya chilensis Mol. Extracts in Colon Cell Lines. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
- 2.PMID: 30361031 (2018) — Polyphenolic profile and antioxidant activity of meristem and leaves from "chagual" (Puya chilensis Mol.), a salad from central Chile. · Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)