Apuntes sobre Cuatro Plantas Medicinales Endémicas de Ecuador

Despite several comprehensive evaluations of endemic plant species in Ecuador, the pressure of threats on them has not decreased. This is not surprising if one considers that the deterioration suffered by its natural habitats does not stop given that disorganized colonization, expansion of the agricultural and livestock frontier and deforestation in the country continues, being among the highest in South America. It is necessary to highlight the enormous usefulness of the endemic flora of Ecuador to treat practically all types of diseases or disorders, a therapeutic potential recognized from an ethnobotanical point of view and cataloged within ancestral knowledge. This work compiles information on four endemic species of Ecuador evaluated in different threat categories, according to the criteria used by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and their ethnobotanical uses as a contribution to traditional knowledge of Andean resources, their potential. and sustainable management. Aristeguietia glutinosa (Lam.) R. M.King & H. Rob, used as an astringent, antirheumatic, antimicrobial and to treat the stomach. ulcers, diarrhea, and headaches; Croton elegans Kunth for inflammation, molar pain, as a healing agent and for respiratory conditions; Lepechinia rufocampii Epling & Mathias against gastric and intestinal conditions, against inflammation of the respiratory tract, cough and tuberculosis and Oreopanax ecuadorensis Seem to clean wounds caused by dermatitis, rashes and pimples. The most used parts of the plants are leaves, stems and flowers consumed mainly in infusion, decoction, and baths. The main secondary metabolites identified include alkaloids, essential oils, terpenes, steroids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, resins, catechins and quinones, which are recognized as poorly investigated if it is considered that they are responsible for the pharmacological or toxicological properties in humans and animals. The last evaluation of these species dates back to 2003, which is very worrying due to the threats that their populations. A pesar de realizarse varias evaluaciones integrales de especies endémicas de plantas en el Ecuador, la presión de las amenazas sobre ellas no ha disminuido. esto no sorprende si se considera que el deterioro que sufren sus hábitats naturales no cesa dado que la colonización desorganizada, expansión de la frontera agrícola y ganadera y la deforestación en el país continúa, siendo de las más altas en Sudamérica. Hay