Antileishmanial Effect of 5,3′-Hydroxy-7,4′-dimethoxyflavanone of Picramnia gracilis

Species of Picramnia genus are used in folk medicine to treat or prevent skin disorders, but only few species have been studied for biological activity and chemical composition. P. gracilis Tul. is a native species from Central and South America and although its fruits are edible, phytochemical analysis or medicinal uses of this species are not known. In the search of candidates to antileishmanial drugs, this work aimed to evaluate the antileishmanial activity of P. gracilis Tul. in in vitro and in vivo studies. Only ethanolic extract of fruits showed leishmanicidal activity. The majoritarian metabolite was 5,3′-hydroxy-7,4′-dimethoxyflavanone ether that exhibited high activity against L. (V.) panamensis (EC50 17.0 + 2.8 mg/mL, 53.7 μM) and low toxicity on mammalian U-937 cells, with an index of selectivity >11.8. In vivo studies showed that the flavanone administered in solution (2 mg/kg/day) or cream (2%) induces clinical improvement and no toxicity in hamsters with CL. In conclusion, this is the first report about isolation of 5,3′-hydroxy-7,4′-dimethoxyflavanone of P. gracilis Tul. The leishmanicidal activity attributed to this flavanone is also reported for the first time. Finally, the in vitro and in vivo leishmanicidal activity reported here for 5,3′-hydroxy-7,4′-dimethoxyflavanone offers a greater prospect towards antileishmanial drug discovery and development

Informal Rural Economy in Colombia

Estudiar las economías rurales es importante porque permite obtener una mayor comprensión de las características y los fenómenos que se encuentran inmersos en estos contextos. Además, existe un reconocimiento sobre lo que representan las economías campesinas para la conservación de la biodiversidad genética, el abastecimiento de alimentos, la consolidación de mercados locales y las redes de cooperación existentes que facilitan la operatividad de todas las formas de organización rural productiva. Este libro reúne varios estudios, experiencias y acciones emanadas de las dinámicas agrícolas en Colombia. En tres partes describe las transformaciones sociales y de desarrollo alcanzadas en el sur del Tolima, por la labor educativa universitaria; presenta tres casos interesantes de emprendimientos rurales, abordados y presentados de forma diferente que pueden guiar futuros emprendimientos, así como la sistematización de experiencias, y da a conocer la percepción del uso del efectivo y la cédula cafetera, al igual que la descripción de las finanzas rurales a partir de investigación cualitativa y diarios financieros desde el punto de vista de hogares caficultores de los departamentos de Huila y Tolima. Todo ello permite planear intervenciones futuras para el desarrollo rural y comprender las dinámicas de la economía rural en Colombia.Studying rural economies is relevant because it offers a better understanding of the characteristics and phenomena encompassed in these contexts. In addition, there is a recognition of the importance of peasant economies for the conservation of genetic biodiversity, food supply, the consolidation of local markets, and the existing cooperation networks that facilitate the operation of all forms of rural productive organization. This book brings together several studies, experiences, and actions emanating from agricultural dynamics in Colombia. In three parts, it describes the social and developmental transformations achieved in the south of Tolima through university educational work; it presents three engaging cases of rural enterprises, approached and explained in different ways that can guide future endeavors, as well as the systematization of experiences. It also describes the perception of the use of cash and the coffee card, and it depicts rural finances based on qualitative research and financial diaries from the point of view of coffee-growing households in the departments of Huila and Tolima. All of this allows for planning future interventions for rural development and understanding the dynamics of the rural economy in Colombia