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Ligaria cuneifolia (R. et P.) Tiegh (Loranthaceae) is an hemiparasite species widely distributed in several provinces of Argentina. It has been commonly used in folk medicine as a substitute of the European mistetloe (Viscum album L.) based on its putative depressive effect on high blood pressure. In this paper the anatomical features as well as micromolecular and macromolecular analysis of this species are reported. Anatomical study has shown that the main characteristic is the presence of crystalliferous branched stone cells in leaves and stems. The analysis of flavonoids showed that only glycosylated quercetin and proanthocyanidins (whose monomer is cyanidin) are present, indicating a distinctive metabolic pathway. SDS-PAGE analysis evidenced a protein pattern with components ranging from 14 to 90 kD molecular weights. Antiserum against Ligaria cuneifolia was prepared in mice and its immunogenic ability was evidenced by Ouchterlony and Western-blot assays. The results presented are part of a comprehensive ongoing project on Argentine hemiparasite species, which may also be applied to quality control of commercial samples in order to detect the substitution of Viscum album by Ligaria cuneifolia.

Folkloric or galenic preparations of valerian roots and rhizomes have been used as sedatives/anxiolytics and sleep inducers since ancient times. “Valerianas” are plants that naturally grow in our region. Although some of them are used in folk medicine, they lack scientific information. We performed a comparative study of the phytochemical composition and the potential in vivo effects of ethanolic extracts of argentine valerian species: Valeriana carnosa Sm ., V. clarionifolia Phil. and V. macrorhiza Poepp. ex DC., from “Patagonia Argentina”; V. ferax (Griseb.) Höck and V. effusa Griseb., from the central part of our country, and V. officinalis (as the reference plant). All these plants were rich in phenolic compounds, evidenced the presence of ligands for the benzodiazepine binding site of the GABA A receptor and were able to induce sedation as assessed by loss-of-righting reflex assays (500 mg/kg, i.p.). Mice treated with V. macrorhiza , V. carnosa and V. ferax extracts showed reduced exploratory behaviors while V. clarionifolia produced anxiolytic-like activities (500 mg/kg, i.p.) in the Hole board test. Oral administrations (300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg, p.o.) evidenced sedative effects for V. ferax and anxiolytic-like properties for V. macrorhiza , V. carnosa and V. clarionifolia extracts. Our native valerian species are active on the CNS, validating its folkloric use as anxiolytic/sedative and sleep enhancers.

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Humans coming in contact with natural green spaces experience beneficial physical, mental, and social effects. For the primary purpose of describing plant species found in the gardens of Hospital de Pediatría "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan" (Autonomous City of Buenos Aires), a taxonomic survey was carried out between December 2013 and November 2016. A secondary objective was to review the extent of knowledge on how natural green spaces affect the health of hospitalized patients. There are 69 plant species from 47 botanical families; of these, only 8% are native. The recommendation is to increase the number of native species and coordinate those aspects related to their preservation. This survey, which is part of a plan that will include the dissemination of knowledge, understanding and awareness of green spaces and health, and the quantification of such specific effects in this hospital, will deepen and promote the interaction of patients, families, and health care providers with natural green spaces.

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