Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2011
A biomaterial is a non-biological material used in a medical device in order to interact with biological systems. Many different types of materials such as metals, ceramic or natural and synthetic polymers can be included in this definition. Most of the time they are used as mixed materials where the combination of two or more substances with their own characteristics results in a new material whose features will be superior to the ones of its components for the achievement of the objectives preset [1]. According to the length and characteristics of the contact with an organism, biomaterials can be classified as temporal and permanent and of intra or extra corporal location. According to their functions they can be used as support, diagnostic or treatment [2]. Some biomaterials contain drugs and they are considered as medicines, others may include living cells and become the so called “hybrid biomaterials”.
Elaboration of a biomaterial from a medicinal plant called Tonacaxochitl (Distictis buccinatoria (D.C.)) is presented in this work. The Tonacaxochitl is an endemic plant from Morelos state in Mexico. By means of solvents, active principles were extracted from the plant in an integral way. Obtained product (plant extract) was mixed with materials like clay and toncil. The biomaterial obtained from clay and toncil has shown anti-inflammatory activity, what makes it a useful tool for topic treatment of inflammation. Tests are being carried out with different extract concentrations to specify suitable concentrations to get effects on specific parts of the human body.