First Part: Depilatory Effect of 'Coco de Mono' (Lecythis Ollaria)

The study investigated the effects of ingesting seeds from the Lecythis ollaria tree, known as "coco de mono," which were believed to cause temporary hair loss in Venezuela. Observations and experiments confirmed that the seeds inhibited hair growth in animals, with nine cases of human intoxication reported. The active compound was identified as selenocystathionine, a selenium-containing amino acid. This compound demonstrated significant cytotoxicity and inhibited keratinization, suggesting potential therapeutic applications for conditions like psoriasis, pending further toxicological studies. The study highlighted the unique effects of selenocystathionine compared to other selenium compounds.