Riqueza y afinidades geográficas de la flora de un bosque de Abies religiosa de la Faja Volcánica Transmexicana

Fir forests (Abies religiosa) in central Mexico have been subjected to strong human pressures and their richness and the geographic affinity of their flora in some regions have been poorly analyzed. Through field trips and collections of botanical specimens, the floristic composition and patterns of current geographical distribution of families, genera and species were determined of a fir forest located in the Transmexican Volcanic Belt. We obtained a list of 94 species grouped in 74 genera and 42 families. 67 % of the flora is grouped in 13 families of which Asteraceae family stands out for gather the largest number of species (24.5 %) and genera (22 %). The floristic similarity between the study area and neighboring forests increases with geographical proximity. 60 % of the families have a widespread distribution, while 50 % of the genera are exclusive of the Americas, distributed mainly from Mexico to Central America. At the species level 95.8 % have American distribution, of which 44.2 % are found only in Mexico and 36.8 % from Mexico to Central America. Among the tree species 61.4 % elements are from Mexico to Central America, while the shrubs and herbs are mainly endemic species to Mexico (60 % and 43.6 % respectively). The high proportion of endemic species in the analyzed fir forest; require continuous monitoring to ensure the generation of new alternatives for its conservation

Riqueza y afinidades geográficas de la flora de un bosque de Abies religiosa de la Faja Volcánica Transmexicana

Los bosques de oyamel (Abies religiosa) del centro de México han estado sometidos a fuertes presiones humanas y la información sobre su riqueza y la afinidad geográfica de su flora en algunas regiones ha sido poco estudiada. Mediante recorridos de campo y colectas de ejemplares botánicos, se determinó la composición florística y los patrones de distribución geográfica actual de las familias, géneros y especies de un bosque de oyamel localizado en la Faja Volcánica Transmexicana. Se obtuvo una lista de 94 especies agrupadas en 74 géneros y 42 familias. El 67 % de la flora se concentra en 13 familias de las que Asteraceae destaca por contener el mayor número de especies (24,5 %) y géneros (22 %). La similitud florística entre la zona de estudio y bosques vecinos se incrementa con la cercanía geográfica. El 60 % de las familias son de amplia distribución y cerca del 50 % de los géneros son americanos distribuidos principalmente de México a Centroamérica. El 95,8 % de las especies son exclusivas de América, de las cuales el 44,2 % se encuentran solo en los límites de México y 36,8 % se distribuyen de México a Centroamérica. Entre las especies arbóreas predominan los elementos distribuidos de México a Centroamérica (61,4 %), mientras que entre los arbustos y hierbas sobresalen las especies endémicas de México (60 % y 43,6 %, respectivamente). La alta proporción de especies endémicas de la zona analizada demandan monitoreo continuo que garantice la generación de nuevas alternativas para su conservación.Fir forests (Abies religiosa) in central Mexico have been subjected to strong human pressures and their richness and the geographic affinity of their flora in some regions have been poorly analyzed. Through field trips and collections of botanical specimens, the floristic composition and patterns of current geographical distribution of families, genera and species were determined of a fir forest located in the Transmexican Volcanic Belt. We obtained a list of 94 species grouped in 74 genera and 42 families. 67 % of the flora is grouped in 13 families of which Asteraceae family stands out for gather the largest number of species (24.5 %) and genera (22 %). The floristic similarity between the study area and neighboring forests increases with geographical proximity. 60 % of the families have a widespread distribution, while 50 % of the genera are exclusive of the Americas, distributed mainly from Mexico to Central America. At the species level 95.8 % have American distribution, of which 44.2 % are found only in Mexico and 36.8 % from Mexico to Central America. Among the tree species 61.4 % elements are from Mexico to Central America, while the shrubs and herbs are mainly endemic species to Mexico (60 % and 43.6 % respectively). The high proportion of endemic species in the analyzed fir forest; require continuous monitoring to ensure the generation of new alternatives for its conservation

Photoprotective Activity of Buddleja cordata Cell Culture Methanolic Extract on UVB-irradiated 3T3-Swiss Albino Fibroblasts

The research on compounds exhibiting photoprotection against ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is a matter of increasing interest. The methanolic extract of a cell culture of Buddleja cordata has potential photoprotective effects as these cells produce phenolic secondary metabolites (SMs). These metabolites are attributed with biological activities capable of counteracting the harmful effects caused by UVR on skin. In the present work, the methanolic extract (310–2500 µg/mL) of B. cordata cell culture showed a photoprotective effect on UVB-irradiated 3T3-Swiss albino fibroblasts with a significant increase in cell viability. The greatest photoprotective effect (75%) of the extract was observed at 2500 µg/mL, which was statistically comparable with that of 250 µg/mL verbascoside, used as positive control. In addition, concentrations of the extract higher than 2500 µg/mL resulted in decreased cell viability (≤83%) after 24 h of exposure. Phytochemical analysis of the extract allowed us to determine that it was characterized by high concentrations of total phenol and total phenolic acid contents (138 ± 4.7 mg gallic acid equivalents and 44.01 ± 1.33 mg verbascoside equivalents per gram of extract, respectively) as well as absorption of UV light (first and second bands peaking at 294 and 330 nm, respectively). Some phenylethanoid glycosides were identified from the extract

Photoprotective Activity of <i>Buddleja cordata</i> Cell Culture Methanolic Extract on UVB-irradiated 3T3-Swiss Albino Fibroblasts

The research on compounds exhibiting photoprotection against ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is a matter of increasing interest. The methanolic extract of a cell culture of Buddleja cordata has potential photoprotective effects as these cells produce phenolic secondary metabolites (SMs). These metabolites are attributed with biological activities capable of counteracting the harmful effects caused by UVR on skin. In the present work, the methanolic extract (310–2500 µg/mL) of B. cordata cell culture showed a photoprotective effect on UVB-irradiated 3T3-Swiss albino fibroblasts with a significant increase in cell viability. The greatest photoprotective effect (75%) of the extract was observed at 2500 µg/mL, which was statistically comparable with that of 250 µg/mL verbascoside, used as positive control. In addition, concentrations of the extract higher than 2500 µg/mL resulted in decreased cell viability (≤83%) after 24 h of exposure. Phytochemical analysis of the extract allowed us to determine that it was characterized by high concentrations of total phenol and total phenolic acid contents (138 ± 4.7 mg gallic acid equivalents and 44.01 ± 1.33 mg verbascoside equivalents per gram of extract, respectively) as well as absorption of UV light (first and second bands peaking at 294 and 330 nm, respectively). Some phenylethanoid glycosides were identified from the extract

<i>Arnica montana</i> Cell Culture Establishment, and Assessment of Its Cytotoxic, Antibacterial, <i>α</i>-Amylase Inhibitor, and Antioxidant In Vitro Bioactivities

Arnica montana cell suspension culture could be a sustainable source of a vegetal material producer of secondary metabolites (SMs) possessing biological effects. Different plant growth regulator concentrations (0–5 mg/L) were tested in foliar explants to induce a callus that was used to establish a cell suspension culture. Growth kinetics was carried out for 30 days. A methanolic extract obtained from biomass harvested at 30 days of growth kinetics was fractionated, and three fractions were tested for bioactivities. We induced a callus with 1 mg/L of picloram and 0.5 mg/L of kinetin in foliar explants, which allowed for the establishment of a cell suspension culture, and the latter had the highest total SMs contents at day 30. Three fractions showed differences in total SMs contents, with the highest values per gram as follows: 270 mg gallic acid equivalent for total phenolic content, 200 mg quercetin equivalent for total flavonoid content, 83 mg verbascoside equivalent for total phenolic acid content, and 396 mg parthenolide equivalent for total sesquiterpene lactone content. The best bioactivities were 2–6 µg/mL for the 50% inhibition of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical, 30% cellular viability of lymphoma cells at 40 µg/mL, 17% inhibition against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus at 8 µg/disk, and α-amylase inhibition at 12% with 10 µg/mL. The total SMs contents were correlated with bioactivities

Retos del espacio habitable, sostenible y la movilidad

La discusión del diseño y su objetivo de lograr espacios habitables es la temática principal de este libro a partir de 3 ópticas generales, la habitabilidad, la sustentabilidad y la movilidad; que engloban la práctica, la investigación y la propuesta para hacer de este espacio vital, uno con características que lo transformen en uno habitable para sus ocupantes quienes de manera importante les dan sentido y razón de ser a través de su interacción en ellos y con la demás gente