Anti-plasmodial polyvalent interactions in Artemisia annua L. aqueous extract – possible synergistic and resistance mechanisms

Artemisia annua hot water infusion (tea) has been used in in vitro experiments against P. falciparum malaria parasites to test potency relative to equivalent pure artemisinin. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometric analyses were employed to determine the metabolite profile of tea including the concentrations of artemisinin (47.5±0.8 mg L-1), dihydroartemisinic acid (70.0±0.3 mg L-1), arteannuin B (1.3±0.0 mg L-1), isovitexin (105.0±7.2 mg L-1) and a range of polyphenolic acids. The tea extract, purified compounds from the extract, and the combination of artemisinin with the purified compounds were tested against chloroquine sensitive and chloroquine resistant strains of P. falciparum using the DNA-intercalative SYBR Green I assay. The results of these in vitro tests and of isobologram analyses of combination effects showed mild to strong antagonistic interactions between artemisinin and the compounds (9-epi-artemisinin and artemisitene) extracted from A. annua with significant (IC50 <1 μM) anti-plasmodial activities for the combination range evaluated. Mono-caffeoylquinic acids, tri-caffeoylquinic acid, artemisinic acid and arteannuin B showed additive interaction while rosmarinic acid showed synergistic interaction with artemisinin in the chloroquine sensitive strain at a combination ratio of 1:3 (artemisinin to purified compound). In the chloroquine resistant parasite, using the same ratio, these compounds strongly antagonised artemisinin anti-plasmodial activity with the exception of arteannuin B, which was synergistic. This result would suggest a mechanism targeting parasite resistance defenses for arteannuin B’s potentiation of artemisinin

An overview of NMR-based metabolomics to identify secondary plant compounds involved in host plant resistance

Secondary metabolites provide a potential source for the generation of host plant resistance and development of biopesticides. This is especially important in view of the rapid and vast spread of agricultural and horticultural pests worldwide. Multiple pests control tactics in the framework of an integrated pest management (IPM) programme are necessary. One important strategy of IPM is the use of chemical host plant resistance. Up to now the study of chemical host plant resistance has, for technical reasons, been restricted to the identification of single compounds applying specific chemical analyses adapted to the compound in question. In biological processes however, usually more than one compound is involved. Metabolomics allows the simultaneous detection of a wide range of compounds, providing an immediate image of the metabolome of a plant. One of the most universally used metabolomic approaches comprises nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). It has been NMR which has been applied as a proof of principle to show that metabolomics can constitute a major advancement in the study of host plant resistance. Here we give an overview on the application of NMR to identify candidate compounds for host plant resistance. We focus on host plant resistance to western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) which has been used as a model for different plant species

The return of jesus to the disciples. The faces of the parousia in the fourth gospel

Explora la riqueza de concepciones cristológicas y escatológicas subyacentes al lenguaje de la Parusía, en los textos de la tradición literaria y teológica del Cuarto Evangelio. Su originalidad y novedad están representadas por la forma como se han articulado las distintas referencias a la segunda venida del Señor, con la intención de explicitar los distintos horizontes escatológicos y captar el enorme potencial hermenéutico de e)/rxomai en su dimensión epifánica, y su extensión en el lenguaje implícito, representado especialmente por los verbos de visión, conocimiento y revelación, y la paradigmática figura del Paráclito.This paper explores the richness of the theological and eschatological conceptions subtending the language of the Parousia in the texts of the literary and theological tradition of the Fourth Gospel. Its originality and novelty are represented by the way in which the different traditions referring to the second advent of the Lord are articulated, with the intention of expliciting the different eschatological horizons and of grasping the enormous hermeneutical potential of e)/rxomai in its epiphanic dimension, and its extension in implicit language represented mainly by the verbs of vision, knowledge and revelation, and the paradigmatic figure of the Paraclete

The return of jesus to the disciples. The faces of the parousia in the fourth gospel

Explora la riqueza de concepciones cristológicas y escatológicas subyacentes al lenguaje de la Parusía, en los textos de la tradición literaria y teológica del Cuarto Evangelio. Su originalidad y novedad están representadas por la forma como se han articulado las distintas referencias a la segunda venida del Señor, con la intención de explicitar los distintos horizontes escatológicos y captar el enorme potencial hermenéutico de e)/rxomai en su dimensión epifánica, y su extensión en el lenguaje implícito, representado especialmente por los verbos de visión, conocimiento y revelación, y la paradigmática figura del Paráclito.This paper explores the richness of the theological and eschatological conceptions subtending the language of the Parousia in the texts of the literary and theological tradition of the Fourth Gospel. Its originality and novelty are represented by the way in which the different traditions referring to the second advent of the Lord are articulated, with the intention of expliciting the different eschatological horizons and of grasping the enormous hermeneutical potential of e)/rxomai in its epiphanic dimension, and its extension in implicit language represented mainly by the verbs of vision, knowledge and revelation, and the paradigmatic figure of the Paraclete

Optimized methodology for the simultaneous extraction of glucosinolates, phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity from maca (Lepidium meyenii)

The authors thank Adelayda Pardo for her technical assistance. This work was supported by the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia (CONCYTEC), Peru.Consejo Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación Tecnológica - Concyte

Optimized methodology for the simultaneous extraction of glucosinolates, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity from maca (Lepidium meyenii)

Maca is a highly appreciated Andean crop with multiple attributed health claims due to its assortment of bioactive compounds. The extraction parameters of glucosinolates (GLs), total phenolic compounds (TPC) and antioxidant capacity (AC) of maca (Lepidium meyenii) hypocotyls were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). The effect of different extraction parameters: temperature (°C), liquid-to-solid ratio (ml/g), time (min) and ethanol concentration (%) on GLs, TPC and AC extraction yields were investigated using a Box–Behnken design (BBD) based on response surface methodology (RSM). Maximum yields of 16.4 µmol/g of dried matter (DM), 9.89 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g of DM and 61.4 µmol of trolox equivalents (TE)/g were obtained at conditions of 47, 70 and 70 °C, liquid-to-solid ratio of 10, 16 and 10 ml/g, extraction time of 90, 30 and 48 min and ethanol concentration of 60%, 60% and 50%, for GLs, TPC and AC respectively. Optimal extraction conditions for the simultaneous extraction of GLs, TPC and AC determined by RSM were 70 °C, 10 ml/g, 90 min and 58% ethanol with extraction yields of 14.2 µmol/g of DM, 9.3 mg of GAE/g of DM and 56.9 µmol TE/g for GLs, TPC and AC respectively. Under these conditions, glucotropaeolin represented 79% of total GLs and catechins and gallocatechin derivatives represented 97% of total phenolics. The optimized conditions could be successfully employed by the Nutraceutical industry to extract bioactive compounds from maca flou

Prebiotic effects of yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius Poepp. & Endl), a source of fructooligosaccharides and phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity

Thirty-five different yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius Poepp. & Endl) accessions were evaluated as potential alternative sources of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and phenolic type natural antioxidants. FOS, total phenolics (TPC) and antioxidant capacity (AC) contents in the ranges of 6.4–65 g/100 g of dry mater (DM), 7.9–30.8 mg chlorogenic acid (CAE)/g of DM and 23–136 µmol trolox equivalente (TE)/g DM were found. Accession AJC 5189 sparked attention for its high FOS content while DPA 07011 for its high TPC and AC. In addition, the prebiotic effect of yacon FOS was tested in vivo with a guinea pig model. A diet rich in yacon FOS promoted the growth of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, resulting in high levels of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the cecal material and enhancement of cell density and crypt formation in caecum tissue, being indicative of colon health benefits. This study allowed identification of yacon cultivars rich in FOS, AC and/or FOS and AC for nutraceutical applications

Prebiotic effects of yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius Poepp. & Endl), a source of fructooligosaccharides and phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity

The authors thank Marco Ibarra-Castro, Ana Carrasco and Adelayda Pardo for their technical assistance. Dr. Carlos Arbizu from the International Potato Center (CIP), Lima - Perú, is kindly acknowledged for provision of the 35 yacon accessions. This work was supported by the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONCYTEC), Perú.Consejo Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación Tecnológica - Concyte