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Agave
Synonyms / Common Names / Related Terms
Agave dealbata, Agave deamiana, Agave debilis,
Agave decaisneana, Agave decipiens, Agave
delamateri, Agave densiflora, Agave dentiens,
Agave deserti, Agave desmettiana, Agave
diacantha, Agave difformis, Agave disceptata,
Agave disjuncta, Agave dissimulans, Agave
donnell-smithii, Agave durangensis, Agave
dussiana, Agave eborispina, Agave eduardi,
Agave eggersiana, Agave ehrenbergii, Agave
eichlami, Agave ekmani, Agave elizae, Agave
ellemeetiana,
Agave
endlichiana,
Agave
engelmanni, Agave entea, Agave erosa, Agave
evadens, Agave excelsa, Agave expansa, Agave
expatriata, Agave falcata, Agave felgeri, Agave
felina, Agave fenzliana, Agave ferdinandi-regis,
Agave filifera, Agave flaccida, Agave flaccifolia,
Agave flavovirens, Agave flexispina, Agave
fortiflora,
Agave
fourcroydes
,
Agave
fragrantissima, Agave franceschiana, Agave
franzosini, Agave friderici, Agave funifera, Agave
funkiana, Agave galeottei, Agave garciaemendozae, Agave geminiflora, Agave gentryi,
Agave ghiesbrechtii, Agave glabra, Agave
glaucescens,
Agave
goeppertiana,
Agave
glomeruliflora, Agave gracilipes, Agave gracilis,
Agave grandibracteata, Agave granulosa, Agave
grenadina, Agave grijalvensis, Agave grisea,
Agave guadalajarana, Agave guatemalensis,
Agave guedeneyri, Agave guiengola, Agave
gutierreziana, Agave guttata, Agave gypsophila,
Agave hanburii, Agave harrisii, Agave hartmani,
Agave haseloffii, Agave hauniensis, Agave
havardiana, Agave haynaldi, Agave henriquesii,
Agave hexapetala, Agave hiemiflora, Agave
hookeri, Agave horizontalis, Agave horrida,
Agave houghii, Agave huachucaensis, Agave
huehueteca, Agave humboldtiana, Agave hurteri,
Agave impressa, Agave inaequidens, Agave
inaguensis, Agave indagatorum, Agave ingens,
Agave inopinabilis, Agave integrifolia, Agave
intermixta, Agave intrepida, Agave
Agavaceae, Agave abortiva, Agave abrupta,
Agave acicularis, Agave acklinicola, Agave
affinis, Agave ajoensis, Agave aktites, Agave
albescens,
Agave
albomarginata,
Agave
angustiarum,
Agave
angustifolia,
Agave
angustissima, Agave anomala, Agave antillarum
Agave antillarum var. grammontensis, Agave
applanata, Agave arizonica, Agave arubensis,
Agave
aspera,
Agave
asperrima,
Agave
attenuata, Agave aurea, Agave avellanidens,
Agave bahamana, Agave bakeri, Agave banlan,
Agave barbadensis, Agave baxteri, Agave
bergeri, Agave bernhardi, Agave boldinghiana,
Agave bollii, Agave botterii, Agave bouchei,
Agave bourgaei, Agave bovicornuta, Agave
braceana,
Agave
brachystachys,
Agave
bracteosa, Agave brandegeei, Agave brauniana,
Agave breedlovei, Agave brevipetala, Agave
breviscapa, Agave brevispina, Agave brittonia,
Agave bromeliaefolia, Agave brunnea, Agave
bulbifera, Agave cacozela, Agave cajalbanensis,
Agave calderoni, Agave calodonta, Agave
campanulata, Agave cantala, Agave capensis,
Agave carchariodonta, Agave caribaea, Agave
caribiicola, Agave carminis, Agave carolischmidtii, Agave celsii, Agave cernua, Agave
cerulata, Agave chiapensis, Agave chihuahuana,
Agave chinensis, Agave chisosensis, Agave
chloracantha,
Agave
chrysantha,
Agave
chrysoglossa, Agave coccinea, Agave cocui,
Agave coespitosa, Agave colimana, Agave
collina, Agave colorata, Agave compacta, Agave
complicata, Agave compluviata, Agave concinna,
Agave congesta, Agave conjuncta, Agave
connochaetodon, Agave consociata, Agave
convallis, Agave corderoyi, Agave costaricana,
Agave cucullata, Agave cundinamarcensis,
Agave cupreata, Agave dasyliriodes, Agave
datylio, Agave davilloni, Agave de-meesteriana,
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isthmensis, Agave jaiboli, Agave jarucoensis,
Agave karatto, Agave kellermaniana, Agave
kerchovei, Agave kewensis, Agave kirchneriana,
Agave lagunae, Agave langlassei, Agave
laticincta, Agave latifolia, Agave laurentiana,
Agave laxa, Agave laxifolia, Agave lecheguilla,
Agave
lemairei,
Agave
lempana,
Agave
lespinassei, Agave lindleyi, Agave littaeaoides,
Agave longipes, Agave longisepala, Agave
lophantha, Agave lurida, Agave macrantha,
Agave macroacantha, Agave macroculmis, Agave
maculata, Agave madagascariensis, Agave
mapisaga, Agave margaritae, Agave marginata,
Agave marmorata, Agave martiana, Agave
maximiliana, Agave maximowicziana, Agave
mayoensis, Agave mckelveyana, Agave mediopicta, Agave medioxima, Agave megalacantha,
Agave melanacantha, Agave melliflua, Agave
mexicana,
Agave
micracantha,
Agave
millspaughii, Agave minarum, Agave mirabilis,
Agave
missionum,
Agave
mitis,
Agave
monostachya,
Agave
montana,
Agave
montserratensis, Agave moranii, Agave morrisii,
Agave muilmanni, Agave mulfordiana, Agave
multifilifera, Agave multiflora, Agave multilineata,
Agave murpheyi, Agave oaxacensis, Agave
nashii, Agave nayaritensis, Agave neglecta,
Agave nelsoni, Agave nevadensis, Agave
nevidis, Agave newberyi, Agave nickelsi, Agave
nissoni, Agave nizandensis, Agave noli-tangere,
Agave obducta, Agave oblongata, Agave
obscura, Agave ocahui, Agave offoyana, Agave
oligophylla, Agave oliverana, Agave opacidens,
Agave orcuttiana, Agave ornithobroma, Agave
oroensis, Agave ovatifolia, Agave oweni, Agave
pachyacantha,
Agave
pachycentra,
Agave
pacifica, Agave pallida, Agave palmaris, Agave
palmeri, Agave pampaniniana, Agave panamana,
Agave papyriocarpa, Agave parryi, Agave
parvidentata, Agave parviflora, Agave patonii,
Agave paucifolia, Agave paupera, Agave
pavoliniana, Agave peacockii, Agave pedrosana,
Agave pedunculifera, Agave pelona, Agave
perplexans, Agave pes-mulae, Agave petiolata,
Agave petrophila, Agave phillipsiana, Agave
picta, Agave planera, Agave polianthiflora, Agave
polianthoides,
Agave
portoricensis,
Agave
potatorum, Agave potosina, Agave potrerana,
Agave prainiana, Agave promontorii, Agave
prostrata,
Agave
protamericana,
Agave
protuberans,
Agave
pruinosa,
Agave
pseudotequilana, Agave pugioniformis, Agave
pulcherrima, Agave pulchra, Agave pumila,
Agave punctata, Agave purpurea, Agave
purpusorum, Agave pygmae, Agave quadrata,
Agave quiotifera, Agave ragusae, Agave
rasconensis, Agave regia, Agave revoluta, Agave
rhodacantha, Agave rigida, Agave roezliana,
Agave rudis, Agave rupicola, Agave rutteniae,
Agave rzedowskiana, Agave salmdyckii, Agave
salmiana, Agave samalana, Agave sartorii,
Agave scaphoidea, Agave scaposa, Agave
scheuermaniana, Agave schildigera, Agave
schneideriana, Agave schottii, Agave scolymus,
Agave sebastiana, Agave seemanniana, Agave
serrulata, Agave sessiliflora, Agave shafer,
Agave shawii, Agave shrevei, Agave sicaefolia,
Agave simony, Agave sisalana, Agave sleviniana,
Agave smithiana, Agave sobolifera, Agave
sobria, Agave sordida, Agave striata, Agave
stricta, Agave stringens, Agave subinermis,
Agave subsimplex, Agave subtilis, Agave
subzonata, Agave sullivani, Agave tecta, Agave
tenuifolia, Agave tenuispina, Agave teopiscana,
Agave tequilana, Agave terraccianoi, Agave
theometel,
Agave
thomasae,
Agave
thomsoniana, Agave tigrina, Agave titanota,
Agave todaroi, Agave toneliana, Agave tortispina,
Agave toumeyana, Agave troubetskoyana, Agave
tubulata, Agave underwoodii, Agave unguiculata,
Agave utahensis, Agave van-grolae, Agave
vandervinneni, Agave ventum-versa, Agave
vernae, Agave verschaffeltii, Agave vestita,
Agave vicina, Agave victoriae-reginae, Agave
vilmoriniana, Agave viridissima, Agave vivipara,
Agave vizcainoensis, Agave wallisii, Agave
warelliana, Agave washingtonensis, Agave
watsoni, Agave weberi, Agave weingartii, Agave
wendtii, Agave wercklei, Agave wiesenbergensis,
Agave wightii, Agave wildingii, Agave winteriana,
Agave wislizeni, Agave wocomahi, Agave
woodrowi, Agave wrightii, Agave xylonacantha,
Agave yaquiana, Agave yuccaefolia, Agave
zapupe, Agave zebra, Agave zonata, Agave
zuccarinii, American aloe, Arizona agave,
Arizona century plant, bald agave, blue agave,
Cantala, century plant, Chisos mountain century
plant, coastal agave, corita, cow's horn agave,
desert agave, desert century plant, dragon tree
agave, drunkard agave, dwarf century plant,
dwarf octopus agave, eggers' century plant,
chisos agave, false sisal, foxtail agave, golden
flowered agave, golden flower century plant,
hardy century plant, Havard's century plant,
henequen, hohokam agave, ixtle de jaumave,
leather agave, Lecheguilla, little princess agave,
maguey, Maguey bandeado, Maguey chato,
Maguey del Bravo, Maguey de Desierto, Maguey
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de Havard, Maguey de la India, Maguey de
montaña, Maguey de pastizal, Maguey de Sisal,
Maguey de tlalcoyote, Maguey diente de tiburn,
Maguey Henequen, Maguey lechuguilla, Maguey
liso, Maguey mezortillo, Maguey pajarito, Maguey
primavera, Maguey spero, Maguey sbari,
Mckelvey Agave, McKelvey's century plant,
Mescal ceniza, Mescalito, Mexican Sisal, Mezcal
azul tequilero, Mezcal yapavai, Murphey Agave,
Murphey's century plant, Octopus Agave, Palmer
Agave, Palmer century plant, Palmer's century
plant, Parry Agave, Parry's Agave, Puerto Rico
century plant, Pulque, Queen Victoria's Agave,
Rough Century Plant, Smallflower agave,
smallflower century Plant, Schott Agave, Schott's
Century Plant, Sisal, Sisal Hemp, Shindagger,
Smooth Agave, Squid Agave, St. Croix agave,
Slimfoot century plant, Swan's Neck Agave,
Tequila, Tequila Agave, Thorncrest century plant,
Thread-leaf agave, Toumey agave, Toumey's
century plant, Utah agave, Weber agave, Weber
blue agave, Weber's century plant, wild century
plant.
spirostane on the basis of chemical degradation and
spectrometry.4
 The structures of one new monodesmosidic
spirostanoside and one new
bisdesmosidic
furanostanol glycoside isolated from leaves of Agave
lophantha Schiede have been determined by means
of spectroscopic and chemical methods as (25R)-5
beta-spirostan-3 beta-ol-3-O-(beta-D-apiofuranosyl(1->4)beta-D
-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)[beta-Dglucopyranosyl(1-->2)]beta-D
-galactopyranoside)
and 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(25R)-5 beta-furost20(22)-ene-3
beta,
26-diol-3-O-(beta-Dxylopyranosyl(1-->3)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1--2)]
beta-D-galactopyranoside), respectively. The 1H and
13C NMR resonances of the two compounds were
assigned by NMR (1H, 13C, HOHAHA, 1H-1H
COSY, HMQC, HMBC, NOE difference) studies. The
pharmacological activities of the saponin containing
fraction are discussed.5
 Crude extracts of Agave americana contain two
utero-active compounds. One of these, tentatively
named "Fraction B", has been purified to
chromatographic homogeneity. Its pharmacological
actions are similar to those of acetylcholine. However
its chromatographic and electrophoretic mobilities are
different. Some chemical properties of fraction B are
compatible with the structure of an acyl derivative of
choline different from acetylcholine.6
 Steroid sapogenins are constituents of Agave
utahensis var. nevadensis, A. lophantha A.
parasana7 and A. sisalana.8
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacology:
 Steroidal effects: Steroid hormone precursors
are obtained from the leaves of agave plants. A new
steroidal saponin was isolated from the leaves of
Agave attenuata. Its structure was established as
(3beta,beta,25S)-spirostan-3-ylO-beta-Dglucopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 ->2)-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1
-->
3)]-beta-Dglucopyranosyl-(1 -->4)-beta-D-galactopyranoside.3
 A new steroidal glycoside, agaveside D, isolated
from the fruits of Agave cantala was characterized as
3
beta-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1----2),beta-Dglycopyranosyl- (1----3)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl[betaD-xylopyransoyl-(1----4)-alpha -L-rhamnopyranosyl(1----2)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-25R-5
alpha-
3
 From the leaves of Agave lecheguilla Torrey, two
steroidal sapogenin diols have been isolated. Mass
spectra, infra-red and nuclear magnetic resonance
(NMR) data of these two compounds showed them to
be (25R)-spirost-5-ene-2 alpha, 3 beta-diol
(yuccagenin) and (25R)-5 beta-spirostane-3 beta, 6
alpha-diol. The latter is a new compound to which the
trivial name ruizgenin has been given.9
 Barbourgenin is a steroidal sapogenin from Agave
sisalana leaves.10
 A new steroidal saponin was isolated from the
leaves of Agave attenuata Salm-Dyck. Its structure
was established as (3beta, 5beta, 22alpha, 25S)-26(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-22-methoxyfurostan -3-yl
O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-Dglucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-[beta-D-gl ucopyranosyl-(1->3)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-Dgalactopyranosi de. The structural identification was
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performed using detailed analyses of 1H and 13C
NMR spectra including 2D NMR spectroscopic
techniques (COSY, HETCOR and COLOC) and
chemical conversions. The hemolytic potential of the
steroidal saponin was evaluated and the antiinflammatory activity was performed using the
capillary permeability assay.11
 A new steroidal saponin was isolated from the
leaves of Agave shrevei Gentry. Its structure was
established as 26-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-22methoxy-3-(O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2 )O-[Obeta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-O-[O-beta-Dglucopyranosyl-(1-->6)]-O- beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1->4)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl]oxy)-(3beta, 5alpha, 25
R)-furostane. The structural identification was
performed using detailed analyses of 1H and 13C
NMR spectra including 2D NMR spectroscopic
techniques (COSY, HETCOR, and COLOC) and
chemical conversions. The steroidal saponin showed
absence of haemolytic effects in the in vitro assay,
but demonstrated a significant inhibition of the
capillary permeability activity.12
 In a previous paper, the isolation and structure
determination of three new steroidal saponins,
dongnosides C (3), D (2) and E (1) from the dried
fermented residues of leaf-juices of Agave sisalana
forma Dong No. 1 was reported. In a continuing study
on this plant, two additional new major steroidal
saponins, named dongnosides B (4) and A (5), were
obtained. Their structures were characterized
respectively
as
tigogenin
3-O-alpha-Lrhamonpyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1->2)[beta-Dglucopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-beta-Dglucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-galactop
yranoside
and
3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-Dglucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[beta- D- xylopyranosyl-(1->3)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-beta-Dglucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-galactopyranoside on
the basis of chemical and physicochemical
evidence.13
 A new protease was isolated from an extract of
leaves of Agave americana variegata. The protease
(EC 3.4.-) was purified 565-fold with a yield of 39.5%.
The 43.8 mg enzyme had a specific activity of 0.44
units/mg.
According
to
electrophoretic,
ultracentrifugal and other physical characterizations
the enzyme was homogeneous. The enzyme had a
MR of 57000, a S20,W-value of 4.37 S, a D20, Wvalue of 6.8-7.0 - 10(-7) cm2sec-1, a Stokes radius of
3.18 nm, a partial specific volume of 0.735 cm3g-1, a
frictional ration of 1.25, a molecular absorbancy index
at 280 nm of 5.773-10(4), an isoelectric point of 5.25
4
and contained 8-10% carbohydrate. Agave protease
could hydrolyze a variety of protein substrates
although it did have a restricted specificity. It is not a
sulphhydryl protease but seems to be an alkaline
"serine" protease with an optimum pH of 7.8-8.0
Agave protease had marked esterolytic activity and
with Cbz-Tyr-ONp had an apparent Michaelis
constant of 0.0345 -10(-3) M and a V of 1.24 mol
substrate/mol enzyme per sec. The enzyme did not
need metal ions for optimal activity, monovalent
cations did not influence its kinetic parameters, but it
was inhibited by cobalt, pC1HgBzO- and
TosPheCH2C1. With respect to its primary specificity,
as well as its pH-dependence there was a
resemblance with chymotrypsin, although the rate of
hydrolysis of Agave protease is much lower.14
 A new bisdesmosidic spirostanol saponin, along
with three known saponins, were isolated from Agave
americana (Agavaceae). The structure of the new
saponin was elucidated as (25R)-3 beta, 6 alphadihydroxy-5 alpha-spirostan-12-one 3,6-di-O-beta-Dglucopyranoside. Among the isolated saponins,
hecogenin tetraglycoside showed cytotoxic activity
against HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells
with an IC50 value of 4.3 micrograms/mL.15
 Sterols, steroidal sapogenins, steroidal alkaloids
and alkaloidal amines derived from plant sources
provide the starting materials for steroid production.
Hecogenin (IV), a saponin (Agave sislana), was
manufactured to cortisone by the process of
Spensley et al.16
 The bacterial diversity in pulque, a traditional
Mexican alcoholic fermented beverage, was studied
in 16S rDNA clone libraries from three pulque
samples. Identity of 16S rDNA sequenced clones
showed that bacterial diversity present among pulque
samples is dominated by Lactobacillus species
(80.97%). Seventy-eight clones exhibited less than
95% of relatedness to NCBI database sequences,
which may indicate the presence of new species in
pulque samples.17
 Antibacterial: Kassu et al. determined the
botanical identity, cytotoxicity, and antibacterial
properties of the commonly used toothbrush sticks in
Ethiopia.18 The study was performed by purchasing
the commonly used toothbrush sticks from street
markets in various towns of Ethiopia. Voucher
specimens were collected and their botanical identity
was determined following floral keys. The toothbrush
sticks were ground in a mill and soaked in absolute
methanol for 24 hours and filtered. The crude
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methanol extracts were used to test their antibacterial
activity by impregnating into filter paper discs and
placing on test plates of Staphylococcus aureus and
Bacillus cerues. Their lethality to brine shrimp
(Artemia salina) was performed following standard
procedures. Crude methanol extracts of only Agave
sisalana, Birbira and Hypericum revolutum test
concentrations up to 500 micrograms/ml showed
weak toxicity to brine shrimp. All the extracts showed
antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus
and Bacillus cereus by agar diffusion method.
Davidson et al. discussed the wound treatment
practices of the Aztecs are discussed.19 The use of
concentrated maguey sap (Agave ssp.) was
widespread and has persisted in folk medicine due to
its effectiveness. A possible reason may be that it is
effective. Laboratory analysis of maguey syrup
indicates that its utilization as a remedy by ancient
and modern Mesoamericans could contribute to the
healing process of aerobic wound infections. Both
pyogenic and enteric bacteria appear to be
susceptible to maguey syrup. The traditional addition
of salt to the remedy seems to enhance the
effectiveness of the material in inhibiting the growth
of one of the major causes of pyogenic infective
processes, Staphylococcus aureus. This finding is
additional proof of the effectiveness of pre-Hispanic
medicine, and of the skills of pre-Hispanic physicians.
 Anti-inflammatory: Agave intermixta Trel. and
Cissus sicyoides L. are two tropical plants originating
from the Dominican Republic that have shown antiinflammatory effects from both oral (300 and
500mg/kg (p.o)) and topical (2 and 5mg/mouse ear)
application in in vivo models20 Agave extract was
able to reduce edema by 50% compared to the
control group. No lethal effects were produced after
oral administration of the extracts. In homogenated
tissue samples from the inflamed areas, a distinct
decrease in the level of myeloperoxidase enzyme
was noted.20
 In lyophilized extracts of Agave americana L
(Agavaceae) administered by the intraperitoneal
route at doses equivalent to 200 and 300mg/kg of
fresh plant starting material, showed good antiinflammatory activity. Doses of genins (total steroidal
sapogenins, hecogenin and tigogenin) equivalent to
the amount in the lyophilized extracts produced an
antiedentatous effect which was much stronger and
more efficacious than that obtained with an i.p.
administration of 5mg/kg of indomethacin or
dexamethasone 21-phosphate at a dose equivalent
to the molar content of hecogenin administered. At
the doses used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory
5
activity, the genins did not have any harmful effect on
the gastric mucous membranes. Lesions occurred
when significantly higher doses of hecogenin were
given, but gastric damage was still less than that
caused by the drugs used for comparative
purposes.21
 Antitumor: Antitumor agents have been extracted
from Agave schottii (Amaryllidaceae).22
 Cytotoxic: A new chlorogenin hexasaccharide (1)
was isolated from leaves of Agave fourcroydes
(Agavaceae). The structure of the new saponin was
elucidated
as
chlorogenin
3-O-[alpha-Lrhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1->3)-[beta-D
-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-Dglucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-beta-D-glucopyranos yl-(1->4)-beta-D-galactopyranoside] (1) by spectroscopic
analysis and the result of acidic hydrolysis. The new
saponin (1) as well as known hexasaccharides (3 and
5) isolated here showed cytotoxicity against HeLa
cells, and (1) exhibited a cell cycle inhibitory effect at
the G2/M stage at the concentration of 7.5 and 10
microg/mL.23
 The cytostatic activities of Agave intermixta L.
(Agavaceae) and Cissus sicyoides L. (Vitaceae) have
been determined. In the antimitotic assay, Agave
intermixta L. showed complete inhibition of cell
division at 24 h of treatment. Both species showed a
moderate cytostatic activity against HEp-2 cells,
Cissus sicyoides L. being the most active species.24
Cytotoxic saponins can be obtained from Agave.25
 Other: Agave americana is a cactus growing
abundantly in Mexico. Its cooked stem ("quiote")
yields by mastication a sweet juice, which is
swallowed while the fibers ("bagazo") are spit out.
This may account for the rarity of bezoars from this
origin.26
 Contraceptive: Anordin and dinordin, prepared
with steroids derived from the sisal plants Agave
sisilana and Agave Americana have been used for
their antifertility effects. These agents, whose antifertility properties have been confirmed by scientists
in Sweden and the United States, constitute a new
family of contraceptives with the great advantage of
having to be taken only once or twice a month
instead of the 20 times per month necessary with the
ordinary pill.1
Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics:

Clearance rate in blood and milk: One study
assessed the quantity of ethanol consumed in
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pulque, a mildly alcoholic beverage from the maguey
cactus, and its clearance rate in the blood and milk of
11 rural women in the state of Mexico. They divided
lactating mothers into two groups: one ingested a
single dose of pulque 0.21 +/- 0.08 g/kg of body
weight (group A) and one ingested 0.44 +/- 0.11 g/kg
(group B). Maximal concentration of ethanol was
reached in milk at 60 minutes and almost equaled
that in plasma. Both groups showed a similar
clearance pattern regardless of the volume of pulque
ingested. Clearance rates between groups were
different: ethanol concentration in milk at 60 minutes
were 8.4 +/- 3.0 mg/dL for group A and 26.2 +/- 7.0
mg/dL for group B. Two hours later ethanol levels
were 3.6 +/- 3.4 mg/dL and 23.3 +/- 9.4 mg/dL
respectively. Clearance rates were slower in mothers
showing the highest concentration of ethanol in milk.
The present data demonstrate that there is no
differential elimination of ethanol in maternal blood
and milk following ingestion of a moderate amount of
pulque during lactation. The amount of ethanol
received by infants through milk is relatively low and
therefore it is unlikely to have harmful effects on
them. Pulque consumption adds about 350 kcal/day
to the customary dietary intake of these lactating
women.2
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