Standardised dose of dehydrated leaves of Kalanchoe Daigremontiana

Many drugs used in clinical trials with anticancer activity are derived from natural sources and Kalanchoe is a genus of the Crassulaceae family that contains a variety of compounds called bufadienolides, which have been isolated from several species of Kalanchoe, with strong antitumour activity. Inhabitants of the municipality of Jamundí Valle del Cauca (Colombia) have been using different quantities of leaves of the Kalanchoe Daigremontiana plant to treat cancer, without being aware of the presence of toxic cardioactive substances when consumed in excess. The recommended dose for an individual should not be above 30 g of green leaves or 1.5 g/day as a dry powder; also if the concentration is much lower, no therapeutic effect can be expected. The development of a gelatine capsule form, taking into account the weight equivalence of the green leaves and the dried powder, guarantees a safe, standardised and easily administered dose.