Composición multielemental y valor nutricional de "dumosa" (Ilex dumosa), "yerba mate" (I. paraguariensis) y su mezcla comercial en diferentes formas de uso

The multielement composition and nutritional value of "dumosa" (Ilex dumosa) (ID),"yerba mate" (I. paraguariensis) (IP) and their commercial 70:30 mixture (ID:IP, w/w) in crude drug, brewed mate and tea-bag-like infusion were studied by ICP-OES. This method allowed the detection of an unprecedented number of elements for these species. The order was K > Ca > Mg > P > Mn > Al > Na > Si > Fe in crude drug. IP showed higher concentration of minerals than ID, but most extractability in the latter largely offset its shortcomings. Brewed mate had higher nutritional value than mate tea because their higher solute/solvent ratio. A portion of brewed mate of both species exceeded the dailyrecommended intake (DRI) of Mn, and providing Mg, Cu, Fe, Zn and K, too. The portions of mate tea not contribute significantly to the DRI. Some essential trace elements and many ultra-traces ones that exist in crude drug were not detected in aqueous extracts. Most of the heavy metals were not leached into extracts, and in any case never exceeded international safety limits. Therefore, the aqueous extracts of ID and IP and its mixture are interesting from the nutritional point of view in minerales, and safe in terms of health.La composición multielemental y el valor nutricional de "dumosa" (Ilex dumosa) (ID), "yerba mate" (I. paraguariensis) (IP) y su mezcla comercial 70:30 (ID:IP, p/p) fue estudiada por ICP-OES en droga cruda y dos formas de consumo: "cebadura" y "mate cocido". Este método permitió detectar un número sin precedentes de elementos en estas especies. En droga cruda, el orden resultó K>Ca>Mg>P>Mn>Al>Na>Si>Fe. IP mostró mayor concentración de minerales que ID, pero la mayor extractabilidad en esta última compensó en gran medida sus deficiencias. La cebadura mostró mayor valor nutricional que la infusión, a causa de su mayor relación soluto/disolvente. La porción de cebadura de ambas especies superó la ingesta diaria recomendada (IDR) de Mn, aportando también Mg, Cu, Fe, Zn y K. La porción de mate cocido no contribuyó significativamente a la IDR. Algunos elementos traza esenciales y muchos ultra-trazas presentes en droga cruda no fueron detectados en los extractos acuosos. La mayoría de los metales pesados no fueron lixiviados hacia los extractos, y en todo caso nunca excedieron los límites de seguridad internacionales. Por ello, los extractos acuosos de ID e IP y sus mezclas son interesantes desde el punto de vista nutricional y son seguros en cuanto a la salud.Fil: Maiocchi, Marcos G.. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura. Departamento de Química; ArgentinaFil: del Vitto, Luis Angel. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Departamento de Farmacia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Química de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Química de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Petenatti, Elisa Margarita. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Departamento de Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Marchevsky, Eduardo Jorge. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Química de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Química de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Avanza, María Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura. Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Pellerano, Roberto Gerardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura. Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Petenatti, Elisa Margarita. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; Argentin

Evaluation of the antifungal photodynamic activity of Thymophylla pentachaeta extracts against Candida albicans and its virulence factors

Background: Candida albicans is one of the most common causative of opportunistic infections. Treatment of candidiasis is challenging considering the few antifungal drugs available and the increase in resistance. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is a recently developed therapeutic option that combines a non-toxic photosensitizer (PS) and light to kill the microbial pathogens. Targeting virulence, defined as the ability of a pathogen to cause overt disease, represents another attractive target for the development of novel antifungal agents. Thymophylla pentachaeta (DC.) Small var. belenidium (DC.) is an endemic plant from Argentina in which the presence of thiophenes, biologically active compounds whose antifungal activity is enhanced by irradiation with Ultraviolet A (UVA), have been already described. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the photodynamic antifungal activity of hexane (Hex), dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and methanol (MeOH) extracts from T. pentachaeta var. belenidium and their inhibitory effects on C. albicans virulence factors as well as biofilm formation and eradication. Study Design/Methods: Antifungal photodynamic activity of Hex, DCM, EtOAc and MeOH extracts from different parts of the plant were assessed with the microbroth dilution, bioautography and the time-kill assays, under light and darkness conditions. The capacities of the most active extracts of inhibiting Candida virulence factors (adherence to epithelial cells, germ tube and pseudomycelium formation and hydrolytic enzyme secretion) were assessed. In addition, the activity against biofilm formation and eradication has been investigated by reaction with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) that quantifies living cells in these structures. Results: Hex and DCM extracts from T. pentachaeta roots exhibited high photodynamic antifungal activity against C. albicans [Minimal fungicide concentrations (MFCs)= 7.8 µg/ml] under UVA light irradiation. Chemical analysis of active extracts (Hex and DCM from roots) revealed the presence of photoactive thiophenes. Both extracts generate reactive oxygen species through type I and II mechanisms. These extracts, at sub-inhibitory concentrations, under light conditions decreased the adherence of C. albicans to Buccal Epithelial Cells (BEC), inhibited germ tube formation and reduced esterase production. Finally, they demonstrated activity against preformed biofilms submitted to irradiation (MFCs= 3.91 µg/ml and 15.63 µg/ml for Hex and DCM extracts, respectively). Conclusion: Taking together, results demonstrated the strong photodynamic effects of T. pentachaeta root extracts under UVA irradiation, making them valuable alternatives to the already established antifungal drugs against C. albicans.Fil: Cordisco, Estefanía. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Área Farmacognosia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Petenatti, Elisa Margarita. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Svetaz, Laura Andrea. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Área Farmacognosia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Sortino, Maximiliano Andrés. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Área Farmacognosia; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentin

Micrografía cuantitativa y perfiles de HPLC y FTIR de Melissa officinalis y Nepeta cataria (Lamiaceae) de Argentina

Melissa officinalis L., so called "Melissa" or "Toronjil", is a perennial aromatic herb, whose leaves are used in traditional medicine as a carminative, digestive and sedative, both in simple as in mixtures. Meanwhile, Nepeta cataria L., commonly called "Cat mint" or "Toronjil", with some similar properties, often replacing M. officinalis in the market, although their chemical composition is not completely matched, and contains an iridoid potentially toxic (nepetalactone). It is therefore necessary to establish diacritic parameters to differentiate these species, both at crude drug level, mixtures and extracts. Samples from various sources in Argentina were studied and documental specimens are preserved in the Herbarium UNSL. Anatomical sections were analyzed, and quantitative micrographic parameters were obtained, together with HPLC and FTIR spectra from methanolic and aqueous lyophilized extracts. Significant differences were detected in the prevailing smell foliage, morphology of leaves and inflorescences, trichomata type, palisade ratio, veinlet termination number, rosmarinic acid concentration (with distinctive HPLC profiles), and the CO/CH relationships obtained by FTIR from the extracts, that together allow adequate differentiation of both drugs, even when they were ground or powdered.Melissa officinalis L., llamada vulgarmente "melisa" o "toronjil", es una hierba perenne, aromática, cuyas hojas son empleadas en medicina popular como carminativo, digestivo y sedante, tanto en droga simple como en asociación. Por su parte Nepeta cataria L., llamada vulgarmente "menta de los gatos" y también "toronjil", con algunas propiedades similares, sustituye con frecuencia a M. officinalis en el mercado, aunque su composición química no es del todo coincidente y contiene un iridoide potencialmente tóxico (nepetalactona). Por ello es necesario establecer parámetros diacríticos para diferenciar ambas especies, a nivel de droga cruda, mezclas y extractos. Fueron estudiados especímenes de diversas procedencias en Argentina, y los ejemplares documentales son conservados en el Herbario UNSL. Se analizaron cortes anatómicos, se registraron los parámetros micrográficos cuantitativos y se obtuvieron espectros de HPLC y FTIR a partir de extractos metanólicos y acuosos liofilizados. Fueron detectadas diferencias significativas entre ambas especies en cuanto al aroma prevaleciente del follaje, la exomorfología de hojas e inflorescencias, los tipos tricomáticos, la relación de empalizada, el número de terminales de nerviación, la concentración de ácido rosmarínico (con perfiles HPLC distintivos), y las relaciones CO/CH obtenidas por FTIR a partir de los extractos, caracteres que en conjunto permiten una diferenciación adecuada de ambas drogas, aún cuando se presenten molidas o reducidas a polvo.Fil: Petenatti, Marta E.. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Gette, Maria de Los Angeles. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Camí, Gerardo Enrique. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Popovich, Mariana C.. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Marchevsky, Eduardo Jorge. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Química de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Química de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: del Vitto, Luis Angel. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Petenatti, Elisa Margarita. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia; Argentin

Diversity and conservational status of vascular plants of "Sierra de las Quijadas" National Park (San Luis, Argentina)

The "Sierra de las Quijadas" National Park, located in the NW of San Luis province, covers 150,252 hectares and preserves a sample of the Chaco-Monte ecotone, with communities of the "Dry Chaco", and "Monte" ecoregions (partly "Monte of plains and plateaus" and partly "Monte of Sierras and bolsons"). It includes mixed forests, shrubby steppes, groves and galleries, rings of halophytes, "pajonales" and rushes. Our goals were to inventory and analyze the vascular flora as well as to identify the endemisms that require greater protection. We recorded 356 species distributed in 208 genera of 58 plant families. Eight taxa are new records for the native vascular flora of the province of San Luis. While 120 taxa are endemic to Argentina, four species turned out to be exclusive of the Park and surroundings: Atriplex quixadensis (Chenopodiaceae), Senecio hualtaranensis (Asteraceae), Sclerophylax difulvioi (Solanaceae) and Gomphrena colosacana var. andersonii (Amaranthaceae). These taxa suffer varying degrees of threat from population restriction, intense erosion and anthropic action: 3 are critically endangered (CR), other 3 are endangered (EN), 10 are vulnerable (VU), 25 near threatened (NT) and 79 cause minor concern (LC), requiring in many cases immediate and continued protection. Dicotyledons (74%) and Monocotyledons (25%) predominate, plus 2 Monilophyta species and 3 Gymnospermae. The six best represented families are Poaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Solanaceae, Verbenaceae and Bromeliaceae, which account for 56% of the species. Phanerophytes and Hemicryptophytes life-forms reach 24% each, followed by Chamaephytes (22%) and Therophytes (16%). This reveals a remarkable adaptation of the flora to the long dry season. Highlights A first check-list of the vascular flora of the Sierra de las Quijadas National Park is presented, in the ecotone Dry Chaco and Monte, one of the most arid places in Argentina. The Park preserves 356 species and 99 infraspecific taxa (3.6% of the Argentinean flora). Eight of them are new records for the province of San Luis. Stand out 4 species that are unique to the Park, of which 3 are critically endangered (CR) and the remaining one is vulnerable (VU). Another 116 species are endemic to Argentina, including 3 endangered (EN), 9 vulnerable (VU), and 25 almost threatened (NT) with extinction. The prevalence of chamaephytes, hemicryptophytes, cryptophytes and therophytes (70%) reveal the high degree of adaptation to the prolonged dry season.The "Sierra de las Quijadas" National Park, located in the NW of San Luis province, covers 150,252 hectares and preserves a sample of the Chaco-Monte ecotone, with communities of the "Dry Chaco", and "Monte" ecoregions (partly "Monte of plains and plateaus" and partly "Monte of Sierras and bolsons"). It includes mixed forests, shrubby steppes, groves and galleries, rings of halophytes, "pajonales" and rushes. Our goals were to inventory and analyze the vascular flora as well as to identify the endemisms that require greater protection. We recorded 356 species distributed in 208 genera of 58 plant families. Eight taxa are new records for the native vascular flora of the province of San Luis. While 120 taxa are endemic to Argentina, four species turned out to be exclusive of the Park and surroundings: Atriplex quixadensis (Chenopodiaceae), Senecio hualtaranensis (Asteraceae), Sclerophylax difulvioi (Solanaceae) and Gomphrena colosacana var. andersonii (Amaranthaceae). These taxa suffer varying degrees of threat from population restriction, intense erosion and anthropic action: 3 are critically endangered (CR), other 3 are endangered (EN), 10 are vulnerable (VU), 25 near threatened (NT) and 79 cause minor concern (LC), requiring in many cases immediate and continued protection. Dicotyledons (74%) and Monocotyledons (25%) predominate, plus 2 Monilophyta species and 3 Gymnospermae. The six best represented families are Poaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Solanaceae, Verbenaceae and Bromeliaceae, which account for 56% of the species. Phanerophytes and Hemicryptophytes life-forms reach 24% each, followed by Chamaephytes (22%) and Therophytes (16%). This reveals a remarkable adaptation of the flora to the long dry season. Highlights A first check-list of the vascular flora of the Sierra de las Quijadas National Park is presented, in the ecotone Dry Chaco and Monte, one of the most arid places in Argentina. The Park preserves 356 species and 99 infraspecific taxa (3.6% of the Argentinean flora). Eight of them are new records for the province of San Luis. Stand out 4 species that are unique to the Park, of which 3 are critically endangered (CR) and the remaining one is vulnerable (VU). Another 116 species are endemic to Argentina, including 3 endangered (EN), 9 vulnerable (VU), and 25 almost threatened (NT) with extinction. The prevalence of chamaephytes, hemicryptophytes, cryptophytes and therophytes (70%) reveal the high degree of adaptation to the prolonged dry season

Estudos farmacobotânicos comparativos e utilizações ethnopharmacológicas do "botões d'ouro" da medicina popular Argentina

The aerial parts of six Argentinean plants - commonly known as "botones de oro"-are indistinctly used either in folk medicine or to obtain herbal remedies and phytotherapics. However, these entities belong to three different genera of the Tribe Helenieae (Asteraceae): Gaillardia, Helenium and Hymenoxys, being the most used species Gaillardia megapotamica var. megapotamica (Spreng.) Bak.; G. megapotamica var. scabiosoides (Arn.) Bak.; G. megapotamica var. radiata (Griseb.) Bak.; Helenium donianum (Hook. & Arn.) Seckt; H. argentinum Ariza and Hymenoxys anthemoides (Juss.) Cass. In this work, we studied the relationships between the mentioned taxa from the morphological point of view, their coexistence in natural populations and their reputed pharmacological actions. Their histological features are described and illustrated, in order to obtain an accurate botanical identification of the products found in the market so as to guarantee their quality, especially because the samples are often already powdered or grounded.As partes aéreas de seis plantas argentinas - conhecidas geralmente como “botões d’ouro” - são usadas indistintamente na medicina popular ou para obter remédios ervais e fitoterápicos. No entanto, estas entidades pertencem a três gêneros da tribo Helenieae (Asteraceae): Gaillardia, Helenium e Hymenoxys, sendo as espécies mais utilizadas Gaillardia megapotamica var. megapotamica (Spreng.) Bak.; G. megapotamica var. scabiosoides (Arn.) Bak.; G. megapotamica var. radiata (Griseb.) Bak.; Helenium donianum (Hook. & Arn.) Seckt; H. argentinum Ariza e Hymenoxys anthemoides(Juss.) Cass. Neste trabalho, foram estudadas as relações entre os táxons mencionados a partir do ponto de vista morfológico, a sua coexistência em populações naturais e suas ações farmacológicas reputadas. As suas características histológicas são descritas e ilustradas, a fim de obter uma exata identificação botânica dos produtos encontrados no mercado, de forma a garantir a sua qualidade, especialmente porque as amostras são freqüentemente já pulverizadas ou em pó.Fil: Gette, Maria de Los Angeles. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Petenatti, Marta Elena. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: del Vitto, Luis Angel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Zacchino, Susana Alicia Stella. Universidad Nacional de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Petenatti, Elisa Margarita. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; Argentin

Analysis of Major and Trace Elements in Crude Drug and Infusions of Pluchea sagittalis (Asteraceae)

Pluchea sagittalis (Lam.) Cabrera is widely used in Argentinean folk medicine. In this work, eleven major and trace elements (Al, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, and Zn) were determined in P. sagittalis herb and made infusions by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Infusions were prepared using deionized water and the extraction yields for all elements present in the infusions were calculated. The results showed that contributions of P. sagittalis infusions of essential elements were less than 6% for humans. Although, the high amounts of K, Mg, and Na in infusions justify the use of this herb as nutritional supplement in special diets. Additionally, the contribution of non-essential elements (Al, Cd and Pb) was very low and did not pose any threat to consumers. Finally, the accuracy and precision of the method were verified against a NIST 1570a Spinach leaves certified reference material.Fil: Martinez, Gloria Cristina. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura. Departamento de Química; ArgentinaFil: Hidalgo, Melisa Jazmin. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura. Departamento de Química; ArgentinaFil: del Vitto, Luis Angel. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Petenatti, Elisa Margarita. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Marchevsky, Eduardo Jorge. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico San Luis. Instituto de Química de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Pellerano, Roberto Gerardo. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura; Argentin

Estudios de bioaccesibilidad de Fe, Cu y Zn de suplementos dietarios de espirulina con diferente composición de excipiente y forma de dosificación

Contexto: La cianobacteria espirulina es un complemento alimenticio según su alto valor nutricional. Sin embargo, la bioaccesibilidad (Bac) de nutrientes como Fe, Cu y Zn de la espirulina puede verse afectada por los excipientes y las formulaciones de suplementos. Objetivos: Evaluar la Bac de Fe, Cu y Zn de diferentes presentaciones comerciales de suplementos dietéticos basados en espirulina de acuerdo con excipientes y formulaciones. Métodos: Se realizaron estudios microscópicos para estudiar el contenido de espirulina en suplementos dietéticos. Las concentraciones totales de Fe, Cu y Zn se determinaron por espectrometría de masas de plasma acoplado inductivamente (ICP-MS). Bac se calculó como la relación entre la concentración de metal total y la concentración de metal después de la digestión gastrointestinal in vitro. Resultados: La concentración de fragmentos de espirulina en los suplementos dietéticos analizados fue diferente, correspondiendo a 2.21 109 – 4.46 109 fragmentos de células/g (p = 0.021; 95% de confianza). Las concentraciones de Fe, Cu y Zn en los suplementos dietéticos de espirulina variaron entre 63 ± 1 – 1066 ± 7 µg/g, 1.8 ± 0.1 – 187.9 ± 1.9 µg/g y 3.0 ± 0.3 – 57.3 ± 0.6 µg/g, respectivamente. Bac de Fe, Cu y Zn fueron mayores en la etapa de digestión intestinal en muestras con un alto recuento de espirulina. Bac de Fe fue menor en tabletas. Bac de Cu fue mayor en la fase oral que en la fase intestinal cuando Cu está presente en los excipientes y no en la espirulina. Bac de Zn disminuye cuando se introduce estearato de Mg como excipiente. Conclusiones: La Bac de Fe, Cu y Zn de los suplementos dietéticos de espirulina se vio afectado por la composición de los excipientes y por la forma de dosificación sólida. Las diferentes presentaciones comerciales de espirulina afectan su valor nutricional.Context: The cyanobacteria Spirulina is a food supplement according to its high nutritional value. However, the bioaccesibility (Bac) of nutrients like Fe, Cu and Zn from Spirulina can be affected by excipients and formulations of supplements. Aims: To evaluate the Bac of Fe, Cu and Zn from different commercial presentations of Spirulina-based dietary supplements according to excipients and formulations. Methods: Microscopic studies were performed to study Spirulina content in dietary supplements. Total Fe, Cu and Zn concentrations were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS). Bac was calculated as the ratio between total metal concentration and the metal concentration after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Results: The Spirulina fragments concentration in the analyzed dietary supplements were different, corresponding to 2.21 109 – 4.46 109 cell fragments/g (p = 0.021; 95% confidence). Fe, Cu and Zn concentrations in Spirulina dietary supplements ranged from 63 ± 1 – 1066 ± 7 µg/g, 1.8 ± 0.1 – 187.9 ± 1.9 µg/g and 3.0 ± 0.3 – 57.3 ± 0.6 µg/g, respectively. Fe, Cu and Zn Bac were higher in the intestinal digestion stage in samples with high Spirulina count. Fe Bac was lower in tablets. Cu Bac was higher in the oral phase rather than the intestinal phase when Cu is present in excipients and not in Spirulina. Zn Bac decreases when Mg stearate is introduced as an excipient. Conclusions: The Bac of Fe, Cu, and Zn from Spirulina dietary supplements showed to be affected by excipients composition and by the solid dosage form. The different commercial presentations of Spirulina affect their nutritional value.Fil: Principe, María Virginia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Química de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Química de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Permigiani, Isis Sabrina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Química de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Química de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Della Vedova, Maria Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Química de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Química de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Petenatti, Elisa Margarita. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Pacheco, Pablo Hugo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Química de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Química de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Gil, Raul Andres. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Química de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Química de San Luis; Argentin

Parámetros nutricionales del "mate cocido" con leche preparado a partir de dos especies de Ilex y su mezcla comercial, para la población en edad escolar

La infusión al 1,5% de "yerba mate" (Ilex paraguariensis A.St. -Hil.) (Ip) constituye el "mate cocido" (MC), que con leche (50:50 v/v) (M) y azúcar refinada (S) es el "mate cocido con leche", alimento popular en el Cono Sur de América ofrecido en la escuela a niños de educación inicial y primaria (3-13 años) en Argentina. Otra especie del género, I. dumosa Reissek (Id), tiene baja cafeína; se presenta en el mercado en mezcla con Ip (Id:Ip 70:30 p/p). Sustituyendo Ip por la mezcla, el MC+M+S mantiene valores nutricionales análogos con niveles significativamente bajos de cafeína (α=0.05); aún con consumos diarios altos de este alimento, no se alcanza los límites de xantinas establecidos para el rango etario (40-100 mg día-1), favoreciendo el desempeño intelectual y físico sin efectos adversos. La ingesta diaria de una doble porción (desayuno y merienda) de MC+M+S aporta altos valores energéticos y es fuente de carbohidratos, proteínas, vitaminas A, B1 , B2 , B5 , B6 y B12, biotina y minerales esenciales (Mn, P, Zn, Cu, Ca, Mg, Na, Cl, K, Fe y Al), con bajo colesterol. Los parámetros nutricionales están comprendidos dentro de límites internacionales. Los metales pesados no pasan a la infusión, o están muy por debajo de los valores peligrosos.The infusion at 1.5% of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis A.St.-Hil.) (Ip) corresponds to "cooked mate" (MC), whose combination with milk (50:50 v/v) (M) and refined sugar (S) is the "mate cocido with milk", a popular food in southern South America offered to preschool and primary education students (3-13 years old) in Argentina. Another species of the genus, I. dumosa Reissek (Id), has low caffeine; appears in the market as an Id:Ip (70:30 w/w) mixture. The substitution of Ip by the mentioned mixture maintains analogous nutritional values and significantly lowers the caffeine levels (α=0.05); this allows for a higher consumption of the food during the day, without reaching the xanthine daily limits (40-100 mg day-1) for the age range, favoring the students intellectual and physical performance without adverse effects. The daily intake of a double serving (breakfast and afternoon snack) of MC+M+S provides high energy and is a source of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins A, B1 , B2 , B5 , B6 , and B12, biotin and essential minerals (Mn, P, Zn, Cu, Ca, Mg, Na, Cl, K, Fe and Al), with low cholesterol. The nutritional parameters are within international limits. Heavy metals do not make it to the infusion or they remain well below harmful values.Fil: Maiocchi, Marcos. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Corrales, María Lorena. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura; ArgentinaFil: Cardoso Schiavi, Paulina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Serrano, Natalia. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura; ArgentinaFil: Petenatti, Elisa Margarita. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Marchevsky, Eduardo Jorge. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Química de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Química de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: del Vitto, Luis Angel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; Argentin

Photodynamic activity of Tagetes minuta extracts against superficial fungal infections

Candida and dermatophyte species are the most common causes of superficialmycoses because their treatment can be difficult due to limitations of current antifungal drugs in terms of toxicity, bioavailability, interactions, narrow-spectrum activity, and development of resistance. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves the topical administration of a photosensitizer in combination with light of an appropriate wavelength and molecular oxygen that produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), which promote damage to several vital components of the microorganism. Tagetes species are known as a source of thiophenes, biologically active compounds whose antifungal activity is enhanced by irradiation with UVA. The present investigation evaluated Tagetes minuta extracts as a photosensitizer on growth of Candida and dermatophytes and their effect on Candida virulence factors. T. minuta root hexane and dichloromethane extracts demonstrated high photodynamic antifungal activity. Bioautographic assays and chromatographic analysis revealed the presence of five thiophenes with reported photodynamic antifungal activities under UVA. Analysis of ROS production indicated that both type I and II reactions were involved in the activity of the extracts. In addition, the extracts inhibited virulence factors of Candida, such as adherence to epithelial surfaces and germ tube formation and showed efficacy against different Candida morphologies: Budding cells, cells with germ tube and biofilms. Results suggested that PDT with T. minuta extracts might become a valuable alternative to the already established antifungal drugs for the treatment of superficial fungal infections.Fil: Giacone, Lucía. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Área Farmacognosia; ArgentinaFil: Cordisco, Estefanía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Área Farmacognosia; ArgentinaFil: Garrido, María Clara. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Área Farmacognosia; ArgentinaFil: Petenatti, Elisa Margarita. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Sortino, Maximiliano Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Área Farmacognosia; Argentin

Antifungal photosensitive activity of Porophyllum obscurum (Spreng.) DC.: Correlation of the chemical composition of the hexane extract with the bioactivity

We report Porophyllum obscurum as a source of new photosensitizers with potential use in Photodynamic Therapy as an alternative for oropharyngeal candidiasis treatment. The antifungal photosensitive activity of different extracts from P. obscurum was evaluated by using microdilution and bioautographic assays. The Minimum Fungicidal Concentration for hexanic extract under UV-A irradiation was 0.98 μg/mL, but it was inactive in experiments without irradiation. The bioassay-guided fractionation of this extract led to the isolation of four thiophenes responsible for the photosensitive activity: 2,2′:5′2″terthiophene, 5-(3-buten-1-ynyl)-2,2′-bithiophene, 5-(4-acetoxy-1-butenyl)-2,2′- bithiophene and 5-(4-hydroxy-1-butenyl)-2,2′- bithiophene, with Minimum Fungicidal Concentrations ranging 0.24-7.81 μg/mL under UV-A irradiation. The activity of the hexanic extract was evaluated against 25 clinical strains of Candida spp. isolates as etiological agents of oropharyngeal candidiasis. No differences in susceptibility were observed in strains resistant and susceptible to conventional antifungal drugs. Qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses of seven samples of P. obscurum collected in four different phenological stages were carried out showing that full flowering stage possesses the highest thiophenes content. These data also allowed us to establish a correlation between the thiophene composition of the different extracts and their antifungal photosensitive activity, according to a second order polynomial model with the equation: y = 11.2603-0.6831*x + 0.0108*x2. The thiophenes isolated were the responsible of antifungal photosensitive activity and can be used for the future standardization of the extract. Results showed that P. obscurum hexanic extract could be potentially developed as an Herbal Medicinal Product to be applied as a photosensitizer in Photodynamic Therapy.Fil: Postigo, Agustina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Área Farmacognosia; ArgentinaFil: Funes, Matías Daniel. 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: Petenatti, Elisa Margarita. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Bottai, Hebe. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Pacciaroni, Adriana del Valle. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Sortino, Maximiliano Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Área Farmacognosia; Argentin