Abstract

Haplopappus baylahuen J. Rémy (Asteraceae) is a medicinal plant growing in Chile and Argentina. This is one of seventeen native Haplopappus spp. species commercialized in Chile under the name “bailahuén”. In folk medicine, these plants are mainly used for the treatment of intestinal and liver diseases. Leaves, flowers, and stems contain flavonoids, coumarins, phenolic acids, and diterpenes. Although several chemical profiling studies have provided important background that allows deducing some biological effects of specific “bailahuén” species, it is clear that it is necessary to re-study some chemical-biological aspects using advanced bioanalytical techniques. Hitherto, only part of the isolated compounds explains the antioxidant, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. Additionally, just a few in vivo studies have been carried out, exclusively in murine models. To date, no clinical studies have been conducted in Chile with any of the species representing this genus.