AN ALTERNATIVE HEPATOPROTECTIVE AND ANTIOXIDANT AGENT: THE GERANIUM

The Geranium genus is taxonomically classified within the family Geraniaceae Juss, which includes 5-11 genera and nearly 750 species in total. The best-known genera of this family are Geranium, consisting largely of wild plants, and Pelargonium, consisting largely of ornamental plants. Traditional uses include as an antiseptic in wounds and as an antipyretic by infusion of the plant. Currently, eight different species of geraniums belonging to the family Geraniaceae have been identified in Hidalgo State in Central Mexico, and no chemical or pharmacological studies have been carried out in any of these eight species. All phytochemical studies on these species indicate the presence of polyphenolic compounds, including tannins, which are characterized as water-soluble compounds with molecular weights between 500 and 30,000 g/mol. These and other compounds warrant the exploration of the Germanium genus for uses related to ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity

AGRONOMIC EVALUATION AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF AFRICAN STAR GRASS (Cynodon plectostachyus) IN THE SOUTH OF THE STATE OF MEXICO

African Star Grass is one of the forage resources most commonly used by farmers in regions with warm-humid climates. This study was carried out to determine the nutritional and agronomic characteristics of African Star Grass (Cynodon plectostachyus) through the following variables: crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), organic matter digestibility (OMD), net forage accumulation (NFA), stem:leaf ratio, and live:dead matter ratio in the three pastures evaluated. The work took place from April 2007 to March 2008, with evaluations carried out on a monthly basis. The data were analyzed in a randomized block design in which the blocks were the pastures, and the treatments were the months of evaluation. There were no differences between the pastures evaluated for the NDF, ADF or OMD (P>0.05). Differences were found, however, in CP, while in the monthly evaluation, differences were found between the periods evaluated (