Biological activity of <em>Nothoscordum bivalve </em>(L.) Britton and <em>Parthenium incanum </em>Kunth extracts

699-706Medicinal properties of Nothoscordum bivalve (false garlic) have not been reported, while Parthenium incanum (mariola) is used to treat stomach and liver diseases. The aim of this work was to evaluate in vitro different biological activities of these plants to assess their pharmacological potential. Extracts were obtained by maceration or Soxhlet sequential solvent extraction. The extracts were tested by inhibiting the growth of Acinetobacter baumannii, besides for the techniques of Artemiasalina toxicity, cytotoxicity in human erythrocytes, cytoprotective, antioxidant capacity, quantification of soluble phenols and coagulation tests. MBC´s obtained were between 7.50±0.54 and 8.50±0.54 mg/mL. Toxicity assays showed LD50 from 380 to 1882 µg/mL. Cytotoxicity was between 0 and 92.98 %. Cytoprotective effect indicated 0 to 94.58 %. Antioxidant capacity levels of extracts were between 275.55±21 and 598.99±4 µmol TE/g. Soluble phenolics concentrations between 1.35±0.07 and 4.13±0.04 g GAE/100 g were observed. Regarding coagulation assays, only one P. incanum extract showed significant difference (p < 0.05) in the PT assay. Extracts from the sequential extraction showed less toxicity and cytotoxicity, and greater antioxidant and cytoprotective capacity; they also showed no significant prolongation in the extrinsic pathway of coagulation, and a significant (although small) prolongation in the intrinsic coagulation pathway

Calidad nutricional del bagazo de manzana ensilado con fuentes nitrogenadas orgánicas e inorgánicas

The nutritional quality and potential use of apple bagasse (BM) in diets for ruminants when silage (microsilos) with two nitrogenous sources (FN) [urea (U), sow (C)], a commercial inoculant (I) was evaluated and Chloris gayanaas moisture adherent [80/20 w/w, dry matter (MS)]. The study was conducted in Aguascalientes, Mexico (2014-2016). The treatments: a) BM; b) BM+I; c) BM+U; d) BM+U+I; e) BM+C and f) BM+C+Iwere analyzed in a completely randomized design (DCA) with factorial arrangement [3 FN (U, C, without FN) × 2 I (with I, without I)]. At 45, the MS of silage was similar between treatments, and lactic and acetic acids increased in greater proportion to propionic and butyric acids. The addition of C (BM+C and BM+C+I) increased the final crude protein (PC) (increments of 8 and 7.44 g100 g-1MS) although the pH increased (4.33 and 3.91 vs. 3.41±0.03) of the ensilage. Considering the content of PC and fermentation standards, the BM silage with C has the stability and sufficient quality to be used in the feeding of ruminants. Keywords: apple bagasse, bacterial inocula,nitrogen sources, ruminants, silageSe evaluó la calidad nutricional y potencial uso del bagazo de manzana (BM) en dietas para rumiantes al ser ensilado (microsilos) con dos fuentes nitrogenadas (FN)[urea (U), cerdaza (C)],un inoculante comercial (I) y Chloris gayanacomo adherente de humedad [80/20 peso/peso, materia seca (MS)].El estudio se realizó en Aguascalientes, México (2014-2016).Los tratamientos: a) BM; b) BM+I; c) BM+U; d) BM+U+I; e) BM+C y f) BM+C+I se analizaron enun diseño completamente al azar (DCA)con arreglo factorial [3FN (U, C, sin FN) ×2 I (con I, sin I)].A los 45días, la MSdel ensilado fue similar entre tratamientos, y los ácidosláctico y acético se incrementaron en mayor proporción a los ácidos propiónico y butírico.La adición de C(BM+C y BM+C+I) incrementó la proteína cruda (PC) final (incrementos de 8 y 7.44g 100g-1MS) aunque aumentó el pH (4.33 y 3.91 vs 3.41±0.03) del ensilado.Considerando el contenido de PC y patrones de fermentación, el BM ensilado con C tiene la estabilidad y calidad suficiente para ser empleado en la alimentación de rumiantes. Palabras clave:bagazo de manzana, ensilado, fuentes de nitrógeno, inóculos bacterianos, rumiante

Hepatoprotective Effect of Opuntia robusta Fruit Biocomponents in a Rat Model of Thioacetamide-Induced Liver Fibrosis

Liver fibrosis is a chronic disease associated with oxidative stress that has a great impact on the population mortality. Due to their antioxidant capacity, we evaluated the protective effect of Opuntia robusta fruit (Or) on liver fibrosis. A nutraceutical characterization of Or was performed and a model of fibrosis was induced with thioacetamide (TAA) in Wistar rats. Aminotransferases, reduced glutathione (GSH) and histopathology were evaluated. Or contained 436.5 ± 57 mg of Betacyanins equivalents/L., 793 mg of catechin equivalents (CAE)/100 g for flavonoids, 1118 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g for total phenols, 141.14 mg/100 g for vitamin C and 429.9 μg/100 g for vitamin E. The antioxidant capacity of Or was: 2.27 mmol of Trolox® equivalents (TE)/L (DPPH), 62.2 ± 5.0 μmol TE/g (ABTS•+), 80.2 ± 11.7 μmol TE/g (FRAP), 247.9 ± 15.6 µmol TE/g (AAPH) and 15.0% of H2O2 elimination. An increase (p &lt; 0.05) of aminotransferases and a decrease (p &lt; 0.05) of hepatic GSH was observed in the TAA group compared to the control and the concomitant groups. Histopathology showed changes in the normal architecture of the liver treated with TAA compared to the concomitant treatments. Or contains bioactive components with antioxidant capacity, which can reduce fibrotic liver damage

Effect of huitlacoche (Ustilago maydis DC Corda) paste addition on functional, chemical and textural properties of tortilla chips

AbstractThis study analyzed the addition of huitlacoche paste (HP) in baked tortilla chips (TC), evaluating its effects on functional, physicochemical and structural changes during processing. Two blue corn grains were nixtamalized, stone milled, air dried and milled to obtain flour; commercial blue corn flour (TM1) and commercial TC (TM2) were used as controls. Additions of 0, 3, 6 and 9% of HP were formulated; masas were prepared at 55% moisture content (MC), precooked and baked in an industrial machine. TC crispiness was influenced by grain characteristics and percentage of HP. Huitlacoche paste addition caused an increase in total dietary fiber (from 5.27 to 14.54%), total soluble phenolics content (from 17.52 to 37.60 mg GAE/100 g) and antioxidant capacity (from 6.74 to 7.98 &#956;mol TE/g) in TC. Results suggest that tortilla chips added with huitlacoche can be an alternative to prepare this traditional edible fungus and produce healthier snacks, not fried and enriched with bioactive compounds

Molecular and Antioxidant Characterization of <i>Opuntia robusta</i> Fruit Extract and Its Protective Effect against Diclofenac-Induced Acute Liver Injury in an In Vivo Rat Model

A molecular characterization of the main phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of Opuntia robusta (OR) fruit extract was carried out, as well as an evaluation of its hepatoprotective effect against diclofenac (DF)-induced acute liver injury was evaluated. Phenols, flavonoids and betalains were quantified, and antioxidant characterization was performed by means of the ABTS•+, DPPH and FRAP assays. UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS was used to identify the main biocompounds present in OR fruit extract was carried out via. In the in vivo model, groups of rats were treated prophylactically with the OR fruit extract, betanin and N-acteylcysteine followed by a single dose of DF. Biochemical markers of oxidative stress (MDA and GSH) and relative gene expression of the inducible antioxidant response (Nrf2, Sod2, Hmox1, Nqo1 and Gclc), cell death (Casp3) and DNA repair (Gadd45a) were analyzed. Western blot analysis was performed to measure protein levels of Nrf2 and immunohistochemical analysis was used to assess caspase-3 activity in the experimental groups. In our study, the OR fruit extract showed strong antioxidant and cytoprotective capacity due to the presence of bioactive compounds, such as betalain and phenols. We conclude that OR fruit extract or selected components can be used clinically to support patients with acute liver injury