The “Egyptian Saints” of the Abyssinian Hagiography

It seems possible to isolate a group of saints born in Egypt (or living there for a long time), different from the traditional saints of that country mainly because they were not martyrs, and substituted the martyrdom by penances and absolute asceticism; the presence of the desert is much more pronounced than in the rest of Abyssinian hagiography, and nearly absolute; the activity of the devil is also very heavily marked; almost all of them are of “Roman” birth or connection. They are Bula/Abib, Gabra Krestos/Alexius, Latṣun, Nob, Gabra Manfas Qeddus, John the Oriental, maybe Tadēwos of Dabra Bartarwa, Yoḥanni of Däbrä ʿAśa, and some others, to which the “Aksumite” saints must be added. The relationship of these saints among themselves is also demonstrated by the codices, in which the “Life” or the hymnography pertaining to one or more of them occur together with those of some of the others, in different combinations

Frustula nagranitica

The article tries to point out some miscellaneous problems related to the traditions of the Nine Saints and to the Ethio-Ḥimyaritic war of the 6th c. A.D. For the first subject the interesting results achieved by Antonella Brita 2010 are basically confirmed, and a paragraph against the alleged Syrian/Syriac provenance of these saints is added. As for the second subject, after some onomastic notes stressing the traditional etymology of the second name of king Kaleb (from *sbḥ ‘to dawn’) and recalling the existence in the Islamic tradition of two kings Yūsuf (this explaining in turn the indication “Yūsuf the younger” found in at least one of the versions of the “Martyrium Arethae”), the texts which tell of a pagan king of Ethiopia who defeats a Judaizing one from Yemen (who in turn has persecuted  Christians) are identified as speaking of the first of the two Ethio-Ḥimyaritic wars. Finally, the interesting proposal by Beaucamp – Briquel-Chatonnet – Robin 1999–2000, according to which the war should be dated at least in 531 because Procopius speaks of a still active (and not yet retired to monasticism) king Kaleb at that epoch, is put in doubt, because it tries to conciliate two entirely different kinds of sources, one historical and the other purely hagiographical, which as such has not to be compulsorily harmonized with the first

Siegbert Uhlig (ed.): Encyclopaedia Aethiopica. Vol. 3: He-N

 Review   

Some philological problems in the "Miracles" of Gabra Manfas Qeddus

The philological examination of the genealogical tree of the “Miracles” of Gabra Manfas Qeddus, based of course on the principle of conjunctive errors and not on that of marginal similarities, has shown two important phenomena: 1. that not just one, but at least six different stemmas (for miracles I, II‑VII, VIII, IX, X‑XIII) can be identified; and 2. that none of these stemmas has the slightest relationship with those already identified for the “Life”. This involves an important historical consequence, because it demonstrates the profound difference, which has always been supposed in hagiography, between the redaction of the “Life” and that of the “Miracles” of the same saint

Apigenin-7-Glucuronide from Urera aurantiaca Inhibits Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha and Total Nitrite Release in Lipopolysaccharide-Activated Macrophages

Urera aurantiaca is an Argentinean medicinal and edible species traditionally used to treat symptoms of inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of a methanol extract and its major compound. U. aurantiaca aerial parts were extracted with methanol by maceration. A phytochemical analysis was performed, and the extract's major component, apigenin-7-glucuronide (A7G), was identified by spectroscopic and HPLC methods. The analysis of the inflammatory mediators nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) stimulated macrophages were used in the evaluation of the extract and the major compound anti-inflammatory effects. The extract reduced LPS-augmented NO release from 100 μg/mL (27%), reaching the highest inhibition at 1000 μg/mL (96.3%), while A7G reduced it 30.7% at 1 μg/mL, and its maximum effect was 97.1% at 10 μg/mL. In the TNF-α model, the extract at 500 and 1000 μg/mL reduced LPS-augmented TNF-α by 13.5% and 93.9%, respectively; meanwhile, A7G reduced it by 26.2% and 83.8% at 5 and 10 μg/mL, respectively. U. aurantiaca popular use was validated. In the present study, for the first time, A7G was isolated from U. aurantiaca; furthermore, A7G showed anti-inflammatory effect in the macrophage cell line RAW264.7 (ATCC) and seems to be responsible for the extract anti-inflammatory effect.Fil: Marrassini, Carla. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; ArgentinaFil: Cogoi, Laura Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; ArgentinaFil: Sülsen, Valeria Patricia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; ArgentinaFil: Anesini, Claudia Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; Argentin

Determinación de caracteres discriminantes en espiga en híbridos de maíz

p.431-435Se efectuó un análisis estadístico discriminante en un grupo de 12 híbridos argentinos de maíz con el fin de detectar cuáles son los caracteres macroscópicos en espiga que más contribuyen a dicha discriminación con el fin de mejorar la respuesta a la selección fenotípica. Para ello se efectuaron mediciones en 12 caracteres en espiga, a saber: longitud de espiga, diámetro medio de la espiga, diámetro en la base de la espiga, número de granos por hilera, número de hileras, número de cariopses, número de chalas, peso de chalas, peso de grano, peso de la espiga, peso de marlo y peso total. Se dividió el análisis en grupos según la clase de híbrido: 2X, 3X ó 4X. La prueba realizada para evaluar el nivel general de discriminación (X de Wilks) y la prueba con respecto a las distancias euclidianas (F Snedecor) entre grupos resultaron altamente significativas lo cual implica la existencia de variación fenotípica estadísticamente significativa entre grupos y oportunidades para aumentar la respuesta a la selección. Se calcularon raíces canónicas para dar cuenta de la naturaleza de la discriminación hallada. La variable peso total resultó la más importante en la composición de la primera variable canónica en híbridos simples mientras que para el grupo de híbridos tres vías las variables más importantes a este respecto resultaron ser el peso de la espiga y el peso de los granos. Finalmente, para el grupo de híbridos dobles ha sido una diferencia entre el peso de los granos y el peso total la variable más importante

Acute Hypotensive, Diuretic and Antioxidant Activities Induced by Urtica circularis

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the possible hypotensive and diuretic effects of ethanolic extract of Urtica circularis (Hicken) Sorarú (Urticaceae) using preclinical methods. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Universidad de Buenos Aires, from July 2015 to January 2016. Methodology: Effect on blood pressure and heart rate on anaesthetized normotensive and hypertensive rats were measured using Statham Gould P23ID pressure transducer coupled to a Grass 79D polygraph. Rats were placed in metabolic cages in order to collect urine. Urinary volume was measured and sodium and potassium concentration was estimated from each urine sample using indirect ion-selective electrode potentiometry. The vasorelaxant activity of major compound was studied using isolated aortic rings. Antioxidant activity was estimated measuring 2,2 diphenyl 2 picryl hydrazyl hydrate radical scavenging activity. Results: The intravenous administration of the extract of U. circularis (0.1–30 mg/kg) in anaesthetized normotensive and hypertensive rats caused a dose-dependent reduction in the mean arterial pressure without affecting the heart rate. The greater reduction of blood pressure induced by U. circularis was observed in hypertensive rats (30 mg/kg: Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat: -34.7±3.3 mmHg, Spague Dawley: -18.3±3.9 mmHg). Cumulative urinary excretions 24 h after treatment with the extract 100 and 300 mg/kg were 18.2±1.2 and 14.9±1.5 mL respectively, significantly higher than the control group (9.0±1.3 mL). The addition of cumulative concentrations of vicenin-2 (10-7-10-4M) generated relaxation in endothelium-intact aortic rings pre-contracted with 10–7M Phenylephrine (Emax = 66.2±3.5%). Extract showed antioxidant activity reaching 45% of DPPH scavenging activity at 1000 μg/mL, meanwhile the flavonoid reached 20% of scavenger capacity. Conclusion: U. circularis, has a diuretic, antioxidant and hypotensive effect. Vicenin-2, the major component of this extract showed vasorelaxant activity, potentially responsible for the properties of the extract.Fil: Rodriguez Basso, A.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Farmacología; ArgentinaFil: Marrassini, Carla. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Farmacología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Anesini, Claudia Alejandra. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Farmacología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Gorzalczany, Susana Beatriz. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Farmacología; Argentin

Larrea divaricata Cav. aqueous extract and nordihydroguariaretic acid modulate oxidative stress in submandibular glands of diabetic rats: A buccal protective in diabetes

Background: Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and endogenous antioxidants. The aetiology and pathogenesis of several oral diseases are attributed to this process. The antioxidant enzymes secreted in the saliva by submandibular glands maintain oral health through the scavenging of ROS. The objective of this work was to study the capacity of an aqueous extract of L. divaricata (AE), and its majority compound, nordihydroguariaretic acid (NDGA), to modulate the pro-oxidant/antioxidant status in submandibular glands in a model of oxidative stress induced by streptozotocin (STZ) in rats. Methods: To induce oxidative stress with STZ, a group of animals was treated i.p. with 1 X PBS (control group) and other group was injected i.p. once with STZ (60 mg/kg). Ten days after the treatment, blood samples were taken from the tail vain to determine the glucose levels. Animals with glucose values ≥300 mg/ml were selected. The submandibular glands of control and STZ treated animals were incubated with either the AE (500 μg/ml) or with NDGA (1.5 μg/ml), and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl groups, ROS and RNS, and the activity and expression of peroxidase (Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were assayed. Results: AE decreased the levels of MDA (## P < 0.01) and protein carbonyl groups (# P < 0.05), and modulated the levels of ROS such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)(##P < 0.01), superoxide anion (O2 .-) (# P < 0.05) and nitric oxide (NO) (# P < 0.05) in relation to the modulation of Px and iNOS expression. NDGA was found to be involved in these effects. Conclusions: The antioxidant activity of the AE in the submandibular glands would allow the maintenance of the antioxidant pool to prevent oral oxidative diseases.Fil: Peralta, Ignacio Nahuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; ArgentinaFil: Marrassini, Carla. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; ArgentinaFil: Barreiro Arcos, María Laura. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina "Santa María de los Buenos Aires". Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas; ArgentinaFil: Cremaschi, Graciela Alicia. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina "Santa María de los Buenos Aires". Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas; ArgentinaFil: Alonso, María Rosario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; ArgentinaFil: Anesini, Claudia Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; Argentin

Influence of decarboxylation on Cannabis sativa’s antioxidant activity and flavonoid profile: A preliminary study

Cannabis sativa L. es utilizada para el tratamiento de la epilepsia resistente a fármacos. En su composición se identificaron cannabinoides y compuestos fenólicos. Se sabe que la decarboxilación transforma a los ácidos cannabinoides en su forma neutral, que usualmente es más activa. Nuestro objetivo fue determinar el efecto de la decarboxilación de la resina de C. sativa (CSR) sobre la actividad antioxidante y su relación con cannabinoides y compuestos polifenólicos. Se determinaron la actividad eliminadora del radical DPPH, la inhibición de la peroxidación lipídica y la actividad quelante de metales para CSR cruda y decarboxilada (CSRD). La composición fitoquímica se estudió mediante HPLC. El proceso de decarboxilación modificó el perfil de flavonoides y aumentó la actividad antioxidante de la resina. La EC50 de CSRD para la actividad DPPH fue 2.5 veces menor que la de CSR (p<0.001); en la inhibición de la peroxidación lipídica CSRD presentó una EC50 2.7 veces menor que CSR (p<0.001). CSR no mostró actividad quelante de metales. Teniendo en cuenta estos resultados, podría ser interesante decarboxilar CSR para mejorar sus efectos antiepilépticos y antioxidantes.Cannabis sativa L. is used to treat drug-resistant epilepsy. Cannabinoids and phenolic compounds were identified in its composition. It is known that decarboxylation transforms acid cannabinoids into their neutral, usually more active, forms. Our aim was to determine the effect of the decarboxylation on C. sativa´s resin (CSR) antioxidant effect and its relationship with cannabinoids and polyphenolic compounds. The DPPH scavenger activity, the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and the metal chelating activities were determined for the raw CSR and decarboxylated C. sativa´s resin (CSRD). The phytochemical composition was studied by HPLC. The decarboxylation process modified the HPLC flavonoids profile and increased the resin’s antioxidant activities. The EC50 of CSRD for DPPH activity was 2.5 times lower than CSR EC50 (p<0.001); for the inhibition of lipid peroxidation, CSRD presented an EC50 2.7 times lower than CSR (p<0.001). CSR did not exert metal chelating activity. In view of these results, it could be promising to decarboxylate CSR to improve its antiepileptic and antioxidant effects.Fil: Saint Martin, Elina Malén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; ArgentinaFil: Marrassini, Carla. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; ArgentinaFil: Peralta, Ignacio Nahuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; ArgentinaFil: Cogoi, Laura Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; ArgentinaFil: Alonso, Maria del Rosario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; ArgentinaFil: Anesini, Claudia Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; Argentin