The aerial parts of R. tomentosus were collected during the flowering period (March, 1991) in Velez Benaudalla (Granada, Spain), as populations observed in this area were pure and did not overlap with other species of Rosmarinus. The plant's identity was confirmed by the Department of Botany (Dr. Oswaldo Socorro), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada. The specimens are currently deposited in the GDA (Faculty of Pharmacy, Herbarium, University of Granada) under catalogue number 19471. Total ext ractfor testing The ethanolic extract used for testing was obtained by continuous extraction of 1200 g dried aerial parts from R. tomentosus in a Soxhlet device. This ethanolic extract of R. tomentosus was characterized by thin-layer chromatography: polyphenols (solvent system toluene-ethyl acetate-acetic acid 42 : 30: 9, with FeC1, and UV 320 nm); sterols and triterpenes (solvent system tolueneacetone-acetic acid 100: 3 : 0.7; with Liebermann-Burchard reagent and 110°C). Fractionation of extract Among the different genera of the Lamiaceae family known to have antioxidant and antihepatotoxic properties is the genus Rosmarinus. Unlike the species Rosmarinus officinalis (1-3), which has been the subject of many recent studies, the species Rosmarinus tomentosus is still relatively unknown. This species is found in a completely defined area in the south of the province of Granada (Spain). Both the absence of knowledge about this species, together with its local endemic nature, have led us to begin this study. here, the alcoholic extract and its frac-1.5 x 105M).

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Methanol and aqueous extracts from fi ve plant species, used in traditional medicine in Guatemala for the treatment of microbial infections, were tested in vitro for their ability to scavenge DPPH, OH(.) and O(2) (-) radicals and to inhibit lipoperoxidation (LPO) in order to establish a relationship between their antioxidant activities and their effects against infectious agents. Acalypha guatemalensis, Ocimum micranthum and Smilax spinosa possessed a significant activity against both the three free radicals assayed and LPO; Guazuma ulmifolia showed effects against DPPH and OH(.). Piper auritum showed no activity. These extracts were also evaluated for antibacterial and antiprotozoal activities. A. guatemalensis showed activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa; S. spinosa was active against Salmonella typhi, and A. guatemalensis, and S. spinosa against Trypanosoma cruzi or Leishmania spp.

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