Overview of Genus Prosopis Toxicity Reports and its Beneficial Biomedical Properties

Secondary plant metabolites are regarded as promising sources of plant-protecting substances and they are one of the most important lines of plant defense against pests. The range of cellular targets for these substances is very wide and covers metabolic pathways, macromolecules and organelles. In consequence, the plant derivatives study represents a critical situation in which toxic effects against other organisms need to be evaluated in relation to its biological benefits. The genus Prosopis (Fabaceae) include 44 species and is considered among the world’s most damaging invasive species. The genus had been found in 129 countries globally and many more countries are climatically suitable. Prosopis physiology evidences a wide range of adaptability, shows the capability to growth in several adverse conditions, accumulates heavy metals and synthetizes chemical defences. Curiously, since antiquity, some Prosopis species around the world were described as important source of ethnopharmacological treatments for several illnesses. Toxicity against prokaryote microorganisms, fungus, parasites, mosquitoes, vertebrate animals and humans is revised in the current work. In accordance to the reviewed literature, it is possible to conclude that more specific research could make Prosopis species an important source of nutraceuticals and phytopharmaceutical compounds. Moreover, by its selective toxic effects, plant derivatives can be used as important source of new and successful bioactive molecules.Fil: Persia, Andres. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Rinaldini, Estefanía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Hapon, María Belén. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Gamarra Luques, Carlos Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentin

Resistance to cisplatin and paclitaxel does not affect the sensitivity of human ovarian cancer cells to antiprogestin- induced cytotoxicity

BACKGROUND: Antiprogestin compounds have been shown to be effective in blocking the growth of ovarian cancer cells of different genetic backgrounds. Herein we studied the anti-ovarian cancer effect of a series of antiprogestins sharing the chemical backbone of the most characterized antiprogestin, mifepristone, but with unique modifications in position C-17 of the steroid ring. We assessed the effect of mifepristone-like antiprogestins on the growth of ovarian cancer cells sensitive to the standard combination therapy cisplatin-paclitaxel or made double-resistant upon six cycles of pulse-selection with the drugs used at clinically relevant concentrations and exposure times. METHODS: IGROV-1 and SKOV-3 cells were pulsed with 20 μM cisplatin for 1 h followed by 100 nM paclitaxel for 3 h once a week for six weeks. The cells that did not die and repopulate the culture after the chemotherapies were termed Platinum-Taxane-EScape cells (PTES). Parental cells were compared against their PTES derivatives in their responses to further platinum-taxane treatments. Moreover, both ovarian cancer cells and their PTES siblings were exposed to escalating doses of the various antiprogestin derivatives. We assessed cell growth, viability and sub-G1 DNA content using microcapillary cytometry. Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21(cip1) and p27(kip1) and cleavage of downstream caspase-3 substrate PARP were used to assess whether cell fate, as a consequence of treatment, was limited to cytostasis or progressed to lethality. RESULTS: Cells subjected to six pulse-selection cycles of cisplatin-paclitaxel gave rise to sibling derivatives that displayed ~2-7 fold reduction in their sensitivities to further chemotherapy. However, regardless of the sensitivity the cells developed to the combination cisplatin-paclitaxel, they displayed similar sensitivity to the antiprogestins, which blocked their growth in a dose-related manner, with lower concentrations causing cytostasis, and higher concentrations causing lethality. CONCLUSIONS: Antiprogestins carrying a backbone similar to mifepristone are cytotoxic to ovarian cancer cells in a manner that does not depend on the sensitivity the cells have to the standard ovarian cancer chemotherapeutics, cisplatin and paclitaxel. Thus, antiprogestin therapy could be used to treat ovarian cancer cells showing resistance to both platinum and taxanes.Fil: Gamarra Luques, Carlos Diego. University of South Dakota. Sanford School of Medicine. Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences; Estados Unidos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Hapon, María Belén. University of South Dakota. Sanford School of Medicine. Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences; Estados Unidos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Goyeneche, Alicia. University of South Dakota. Sanford School of Medicine. Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences; Estados UnidosFil: Telleria, Carlos Marcelo. University of South Dakota. Sanford School of Medicine. Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences; Estados Unidos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentin

Revisão sistemática sobre a contribuição do gênero Vernonia condensada Baker (Asteraceae) para o estudo e tratamento do câncer

Belonging to the Asteraceae family, Tessaria (Ruiz & Pavon, 1753) is a genus of shrubs or small trees distributedin various habitats located from Argentina to the southwestern United States of America. The taxa arecomposed of five confirmed species, which have been previously reported for their ethnopharmacologicaluses as hypocholesterolemiant, hypoglycemic, antitussive, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and abortifacientagent; it also has been used in hepatic, renal, pulmonary, and rheumatic diseases. Up to the present, T.absinthioides, T. ambigua, T. dodoneifolia, T. fastigiata and T. integrifolia have been chemically analyzed.While decoctions, infusions, methanolic, and hydromethanolic extracts are the most studied botanicalcompounds, its most recognized phytochemical constituents are caffeoylquinic acid, eupatorin, naringenin,protocatechuic, and quercetin. Scientifically, several biomedical properties such as virucidal, antibacterial,leishmanicidal, insecticidal, gastroprotective, antiasthmatic, hypoglycemic, and antiatherogenic wereattributed to the genus. Concerning oncologic research, the chemicals produced by Tessaria have antitumoractivities interfering with carcinogenesis, cell proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis. In addition, thenatural extracts obtained from Tessaria species have biological activities closely related to cancer, actingas antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. In particular, it has been reported that T. absinthioides resultedcytotoxic against several cancer cell lines and acts as an antitumoral compound in murine models. Due tothe aforementioned antecedents, the Tessaria species are considered undervalued within the oncologicalfield; the goal of the current systematic review is to summarize the information available on the genus,relevant for cancer research and treatment.Perteneciente a la familia Asteraceae, Tessaria (Ruiz & Pavon, 1753) es un género de arbustos o árboles pequeños distribuidos en diversos hábitats ubicados desde Argentina hasta el suroeste de los Estados Unidos de América. El taxón está compuesto por cinco especies confirmadas, las cuales han sido previamente reportadas por sus usos etnofarmacológicos como hipocolesterolemiante, hipoglucemiante, antitusivo, antiinflamatorio, anticanceroso y abortivo; así como en enfermedades hepáticas, renales, pulmonares y reumáticas. Hasta el momento, se han analizado químicamente T. absinthioides, T. ambigua, T. dodoneifolia, T. fastigiata y T. integrifolia. Mientras que las decocciones, infusiones, extractos metanólicos e hidrometanólicos son los compuestos botánicos más estudiados; sus constituyentes fitoquímicos más reconocidos son el ácido cafeolquínico, eupatorina, naringenina, protocatechuic y quercetina. Científicamente, se atribuyeron al género varias propiedades biomédicas como virucida, antibacteriano, leishmanicida, insecticida, gastroprotector, antiasmático, hipoglucemiante y antiaterogénico. En relación con la investigación oncológica, las sustancias químicas producidas por Tessaria, tienen actividades antitumorales que interfieren con la carcinogénesis, la proliferación celular, la metástasis y la angiogénesis. Además, los extractos naturales obtenidos de estas especies tienen actividades biológicas estrechamente relacionadas con el cáncer y actúan como antioxidantes y antiinflamatorios. En particular, se ha informado que T. absinthioides resulta citotóxico contra varias líneas de células cancerosas y actúa como compuesto antitumoral en modelos murinos. Debido a los antecedentes mencionados, se considera la especie Tessaria como infravalorada dentro del campo oncológico. El objetivo de la presente revisión sistemática es resumir la información disponible del género, relevante para la investigación y el tratamiento del cáncer.Pertencente à família Asteraceae, a Vernonia (Ruiz & Pavon, 1753) é um gênero de arbustos ou pequenas árvores distribuídas em vários habitats localizados da Argentina ao sudoeste dos Estados Unidos da América. O táxon é composto por cinco espécies confirmadas, que foram previamente relatadas para seus usos etnofarmacológicos como hipocolesterolemiante, hipoglicêmico, antitussivo, anti-inflamatório, anticâncer e abortivo; assim como em doenças hepáticas, renais, pulmonares e reumáticas. Até agora, foram analisados quimicamente T. absinthioides, T. ambigua, T. dodoneifolia, T. fastigiata e T. integrifolia. Por outro lado, as decocções, infusões, extratos metanólicos e hidrometanólicos são os compostos botânicos mais estudados; seus constituintes fitoquímicos mais reconhecidos são: ácido cafeoilquínico, eupatorina, naringenina, protocatecuico e quercetina. Cientificamente, várias propriedades biomédicas foram atribuídas ao gênero como viricida, antibacteriana, leishmanicida, inseticida, gastroprotetor, antiasmática, hipoglicêmica e antiaterógena. Com relação à pesquisa sobre câncer, os produtos químicos produzidos pela Venonia têm atividades antitumorais que interferem na carcinogênese, proliferação celular, metástase e angiogênese. Além disso, extratos naturais obtidos dessas espécies têm atividades biológicas intimamente relacionadas com o câncer e atuam como antioxidantes e anti-inflamatórios. Em particular, t. absinthioides tem sido relatado como citotóxico contra várias linhas de células cancerosas e age como um composto antitumoral em modelos murinos. Devido ao passado supracitado, a espécie Vernonia é considerada desvalorizada dentro do campo oncológico. O objetivo desta revisão sistemática é resumir as informações do gênero disponíveis relevantes para a pesquisa e o tratamento do câncer.Fil: Sosa Lochedino, Arianna Lourdes. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Hapon, María Belén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Gamarra Luques, Carlos Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentin

Native plants from Argentina reported as effective against Leishmania spp.

Leishmaniasis represents a spectrum of diseases caused by infection with protozoan pathogens of the genus Leishmania. It is a major neglected tropical disease associated with high rates of disability and death, with extended endemic areas in the Americas. Despite current therapeutic approaches, current treatments for leishmaniasis are unsatisfactory due to high associated toxicity, cost, complex administration and the emergence of resistant strains. Because of this, efforts have greatly increased over the last decade to identify novel compounds with anti-leishmanial properties. Thus, one strategy in the search for new compounds is the screening of molecules purified from plant sources. The current work reviewed the available information about the Argentinean natural sources reported as effective against Leishmania spp; including: its relevant chemical compounds, efficiency and applied methodology. Reported studies need to be considered as precursors works to extend the search between the profuse native plants from Argentina.Fil: Lozano, Esteban Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Fisiología; ArgentinaFil: Hapon, María Belén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo. ; ArgentinaFil: Cargnelutti, D. E.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo. ; ArgentinaFil: Gamarra Luques, Carlos Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentin

Therapeutic effect of Prosopis strombulifera (LAM) BENTH aqueous extract on a murine model of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Background and aim: Prosopis strombulifera (Lam.) Benth is a rhizomatous shrub native from different zones of Argentine Republic. P. strombulifera aqueous extract (PsAE) has different effects and several biological activities have been reported. The goal of this study was to analyze the activity of PsAE on a murine model of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania amazonensis. Experimental procedure: PsAE was orally administered at 150 mg/animal/day on BALB/c mice infected in the right footpad (RFP) with 1 × 105 promastigotes of L. amazonensis. As a chemotherapeutic control of treatment, animals receive a commercial form of meglumine antimoniate (MA) (Glucantime®, Aventis, Paris, France). Results and conclusion: We observe that the size of RFP lesions of infected mice without treatment showed a grade of inflammation, ulceration and necrosis at the site of infection much greater than that observed with PsAE or MA treatment. Moreover, PsAE was capable of decreasing parasite burden and splenic index. Furthermore, PsAE treated mice showed a significant decrease in O.D. of total anti-Leishmania IgG antibody responses against L. amazonensis. This decrease was similar to those observed when the reference drug, MA, was used. This would indicate that PsAE treatment inhibits or delays disease progression in mice. In conclusion, our findings suggest that PsAE could be a potential candidate to be used, as a new therapeutic strategy, to treat cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. amazonensis.Fil: Lozano, Esteban Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Germano, Maria Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Troncoso, Mariana Elizabeth. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad de Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Garcia Bustos, Maria Fernanda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Patología Experimental. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud. Instituto de Patología Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Gamarra Luques, Carlos Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Cargnelutti, Diego Esteban. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentin

Prosopis strombulifera aqueous extract reduces T cell response and ameliorates type I diabetes in NOD mice

Background: New products with tolerogenic properties on T cell response are necessary to improve current efficacy, cost and side effects of immunosuppressants. Prosopis strombulifera aqueous extract (PsAE) have reported cytotoxic, antitumoral, antiatherogenic and antileishmanial activities, containing phytochemicals with immune-related activities. Despite these, there are no previous studies with respect to PsAE suppressive properties over T cell proliferation and their function. Goal: Because of previous antecedents, this study aims to evaluate the effect of PsAE on T cell activation, proliferation, cytokine production, and to investigate its effect over an in vivo model of type 1 diabetes (T1D). Experimental procedure: Splenocytes and sorted CD4+/CD8+ from wild type C57BL/6 mice were cultured to determine activation, IFN-γ release and T-cell proliferation after polyclonal stimulation. NOD (non-obese diabetic) mice were used to study the effects of orally administered extract on glycemia, insulitis stages and perforin-1 (PRF-1)/granzyme-B (GRZ-B) expression. Results: In primary cultures, the plant extract impairs T cell activation, decreases IFN-γ release, and reduces proliferation after different polyclonal stimuli. In vivo, PsAE improves NOD mice glycemic levels and T1D progression by diminution of pancreas insulitis and reduction of PRF-1 and GRZ-B mRNA expression. To our knowledge, this is the first report characterizing the therapeutic properties of PsAE on T cell activation. Conclusion: The current work provides evidence about in vitro and in vivo immunosuppressive effects of PsAE and promotes this plant extract as a complementary and alternative treatment in autoimmune T-cell mediated diseases as T1D.Fil: Persia, Andres. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad de Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Abba, Romina Lourdes. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Pascual, Lourdes Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Hapon, María Belén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Mackern Oberti, Juan Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Gamarra Luques, Carlos Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentin

Antioxidant and Anti-atherogenic Properties of Prosopis strombulifera and Tessaria absinthioides Aqueous Extracts: Modulation of NADPH Oxidase-Derived Reactive Oxygen Species

Despite popular usage of medicinal plants, their effects as cardiovascular protective agents have not been totally elucidated. We hypothesized that treatment with aqueous extract from Prosopis strombulifera (AEPs) and Tessaria absinthioides (AETa), Argentinian native plants, produces antioxidant effects on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and attenuates atherogenesis on apolipoprotein E-knockout (ApoE-KO) mice. In VSMCs, both extracts (5–40 μg/ml) inhibited 10% fetal calf serum-induced cell proliferation, arrested cell in G2/M phase, reduced angiotensin II-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and decreased NADPH oxidase subunit expression. In ApoE-KO mice, extracts significantly reduced triglycerides and lipid peroxidation [plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)], increased plasma total antioxidant status (TAS), and improved glutathione peroxidase activity in the liver. Under high-fat diet (HFD), both extracts were able to inhibit O2– generation in the aortic tissue and caused a significant regression of atheroma plaques (21.4 ± 1.6% HFD group vs. 10.2 ± 1.2%∗ AEPs group and 14.3 ± 1.0%∗ AETa group; ∗p < 0.01). Consumption of AEPs and AETa produces antioxidant/antimitogenic/anti-atherosclerotic effects, and their use may be beneficial as a complementary strategy regarding cardiovascular disease therapies.Fil: Quesada, Isabel María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: de Paola, Maria Matilde. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Maria Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Hapon, María Belén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Gamarra Luques, Carlos Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Castro, Claudia Magdalena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentin

UHPLC–Q/Orbitrap/MS/MS fingerprinting, free radical scavenging and antimicrobial activity of tessaria absinthiodes (Hook. & Arn.) DC. (Asteraceae) lyophilized decoction from Argentina and Chile

The decoction of Tessaria absinthioides is used in traditional medicine of South America as hypocholesterolemic, balsamic, and expectorant; but it is also useful for the prevention of hepatitis, renal insufficiency, and diabetes, and is used as digestive. A lyophilized decoction from the aerial parts of this plant (TLD) collected in San Juan (TLDSJ) and Mendoza (TLDM) provinces (Argentina) and one collection from Antofagasta, Chile (TLDCH) were characterized regarding antioxidant and antibacterial activities, phenolics and flavonoids content, and ultrahigh resolution liquid chromatography Orbitrap MS analysis UHPLC–PDA–OT-MS/MS metabolite profiling. The antioxidant properties were carried out "in vitro" using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and trolox equivalent antioxidant activity (TEAC) methods, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and lipoperoxidation in erythrocytes (LP). The antibacterial activity was evaluated following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) rules. TLDSJ, TLDM, and TLDCH displayed a strong DPPH scavenging activity (EC50 = 42, 41.6, and 43 µg/mL, respectively) and inhibition of lipoperoxidation in erythrocytes (86–88% at 250 µg TLD/mL), while a less effect in the FRAP and TEACantioxidant assays was found. Additionally, the decoctions showed a content of phenolics compounds of 94 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g, 185 GAE/g, and 64 GAE/g, for TLDSJ, TLDM, and TLDCH samples, respectively. Regarding the flavonoid content, the Chilean sample was highlighted with 19 mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/g. In this work, several phenolic compounds, including sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, were rapidly identified in TLDSJ, TLDM, and TLDCH extracts by means UHPLC–PDA–OT-MS/MS for the first time, which gave a first scientific support to consider this medicinal decoction from both countries as a valuable source of metabolites with antioxidant effects, some with outstanding potential to improve human health.Fil: Gómez, Jessica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Simirgiotis, Mario Juan. Universidad Austral de Chile. , Facultad de Ciencias. Instituto de Farmacia; Chile. Universidad Austral de Chile. Center for Interdisciplinary Studies on the Nervous System; ChileFil: Lima, Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Gamarra Luques, Carlos Diego. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Bórquez, Jorge. Universidad de Antofagasta; ChileFil: Caballero, Duilio. Hospital Marcial Quiroga; ArgentinaFil: Feresin, Gabriela Egly. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Tapia, Alejandro. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería; Argentin

Magnetic Nanoparticles of La0.78Sr0.22MnO3, Coated with SiO2: Preparation and Cytotoxicity in Human Cell Cultures

Nanomedicine is a great interesting area for use of magnetic nanoparticles. Among their main applications we can highlight, for example, its use as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging, or intracellular delivery, or cellular hyperthermia, which is an employed method in oncology therapy. This study aimed to determine whether the magnetic nanoparticles with La0.78Sr0.22MnO3 (LSMO), coated with SiO2 are cytotoxic to the cancer cell line MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma). For perovskite LSMO synthesis the liquid-mix method was used and sol-gel method was used for SiO2 coating. Cytotoxicity was determined by cell number and viability assessment as well as clonogenic assay to study chronic effect induced by nanoparticles. Concentrations of 74.88 ± 1.1 LSMO μg/ml were able to reduce 50% of cell number compared with control untreated cells and after 72 h of treatment, cells lead a slight chronic effect. We also observed morphological changes after incubation of particles.Fil: Lassa, Maria Silvina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas. Laboratorio de Investigaciones y Servicios Ambientales Mendoza; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Gamarra Luques, Carlos Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Albornoz, Cecilia Andrea. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Leyva de Guglielmino, Ana Gabriela. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Vargas Roig, Laura Maria. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Vazquez, Patricia Graciela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas "Dr. Jorge J. Ronco". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas; Argentin

Synthesis, physicochemical characterization and biological activity of anandamide/ε-polycaprolactone nanoparticles obtained by electrospraying

Drug encapsulation in nanocarriers such as polymeric nanoparticles (Nps) may help to overcome the limitations associated with cannabinoids. In this sense, our work aimed to highlight the use of electrospraying technique for the development of carrier Nps of anandamide (AEA), an endocannabinoid with attractive pharmacological effects but underestimated due to its unfavorable physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties added to its undesirable effects at the level of the central nervous system. We characterized physicochemically and evaluated in vitro biological activity of anandamide/ε-polycaprolactone nanoparticles (Nps-AEA/PCL) obtained by electrospraying in epithelial cells of human proximal tubule (HK2), to prove the utility of this method and to validate the biological effect of Nps-AEA/PCL. We obtained particles from 100 to 900 nm of diameter with a predominance of 200 a 400 nm. Their zeta potential was -20±1.86 mV. We demonstrated the stable encapsulation of AEA in Nps-AEA/PCL, as well as its dose-dependent capacity to induce the expression of iNOS and NO levels and to decrease the Na+/K+ ATPase activity in HK2 cells. Obtaining Nps-AEA/PCL by electrospraying would represent a promising methodology for a novel AEA pharmaceutical formulation development with optimal physicochemical properties, physical stability and biological activity on HK2 cells.Fil: Martín Giménez, Virna Margarita. Universidad Católica de Cuyo - Sede San Juan; ArgentinaFil: Russo, Marcos Guillermo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química; ArgentinaFil: Narda, Griselda Edith. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química; ArgentinaFil: Fuentes, Lucía B.. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Mazzei, Luciana Jorgelina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Gamarra Luques, Carlos Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Kassuha, Diego Enrique. Universidad Católica de Cuyo - Sede San Juan; ArgentinaFil: Manucha, Walter Ariel Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentin