Studies of the biological and therapeutic effects of argentine stingless bee propolis

Meliponids are native bees of the Americas, characterized by having no sting (ANSA). Some live in the Yunga forests of northern Argentina, a place rich in a diversity of this type of bees of which at least thirty-three species may be found. Propolis is a resinous substance that bees collect from plants exudates. Chemical composition and functional properties vary according to the flora of the place where the hives are. They have been valued by humans for their biological properties for centuries. This study is aimed at investigating the antinociceptive, antioxidant and anti-biofilm activities of propolis from the stingless bees Tetragonisca fiebrigi Schwarz and Scaptotrigona jujuyensis Schrottky found in Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá of INTA, Tucumán, Argentina. Analgesic activity of the extracts was estimated against acetic acid induced writhing, tail immersion method and formalin test. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated using DPPH free radical scavenging and β-carotene bleaching assays. Propolis anti biofilm activity was tested on Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Staphylococcus aureus ATTC 6538P bacteria. Phytochemical constituents were obtained using standard chemical methods. The propolis alcoholic extracts of the studied species possess antinociceptive activity at both central and peripheral levels as demonstrated by the three algesia tests used. Both propolis extracts were effective antioxidants in DPPH and β-carotene linoleic acid model systems. S. jujuyensis propolis tested at all doses against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa presented a selective biofilm inhibition unrelated to bacterial growth inhibition, thus achieving a reduction in pathogenicity. The chemical studies revealed the presence of sterols, triterpenes, catechins, coumarins, flavonoids, phenols, tannins and anthocyanidins. Chemical composition observed in the T.fiebrigi and S. jujuyensis propolis, suggest that those responsible for the activity would be chemical compounds of a non-phenolic nature. Our data indicate that geopropolis is a natural source of bioactive substances with promising beneficial properties for human health. Isolation and identification of compounds responsible for the pharmacological activities displayed by propolis has started.Fil: Brodkiewicz, Ivana Yanina. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Farmacia. Cátedra de Farmacoquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Marcinkevicius, Karenina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; ArgentinaFil: Reynoso Marcos. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Farmacia. Cátedra de Farmacoquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Salomon Virginia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Tucuman-Santiago del Estero. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; ArgentinaFil: Maldonado Luis. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Tucuman-Santiago del Estero. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; ArgentinaFil: Vera, Nancy Roxana. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Farmacia. Cátedra de Farmacoquímica; Argentin

Nutraceutical properties and safety evaluation of fruits and arrope of Geoffroea decorticans (chañar)

Context: Geoffroea decorticans (chañar) fruits and its derivate product (arrope) have been traditionally used as food and in folk medicine for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases including bronchopulmonary disorder. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the antitussive, expectorant and anti-inflammatory effects and safety of aqueous extract (AE) and arrope (Ar) of chañar.Materials and methods: The anti-inflammatory activity of AE and Ar, was evaluated through carrageenan induced edema and cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation in rats. The antitussive activity was evaluated using model against ammonia induced cough in rats. The expectorant activity was evaluated by volume of phenol red in rat?s tracheas. The tested doses of extracts were of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg, (p.o.). For the safety evaluation of AE and Ar, was conducted the chronic toxicity test in rats (1 and 2 g/kg, p.o.).Results: The results showed that AE (1000 mg/Kg) significantly reduced the edema (100%) induced by carrageenan 3 h post-dosing and granuloma formation (47.76 %) induced by cotton pellets. In the ammonia liquor induced cough and the amount of phenol red secretion, AE and Ar of chañar (1000 mg/kg) significantly enhanced the latent period of cough, inhibited the cough frequency and significantly enhance tracheal phenol red compared with that negative control. The result of toxicity assays suggested that AE and Ar did not induce or cause any damage to the liver and kidney of the rats and can be considered nontoxic for these animals at tested doses.Discussion and conclusions: This study has shown that the AE and Ar, possess antitussive and expectorant significant effect. Also AE possess significant anti-inflammatory effects, both extracts were nontoxic. These findings seem to justify use of the plant in traditional medicine and are proposed, the chañar fruits as an excellent nutraceutical food.Fil: Reynoso, Marcos Adrian. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Sanchez Riera, Alicia Noemi. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Vera, Nancy Roxana. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; Argentin

Contracts, payment mechanisms and bargaining power: the case of Cordoba’s health care system

Objetivos: Analizar la estructura del mercado de servicios de salud de la Provincia de Córdoba durante el período 2003-2008, considerando las condiciones socio-económicosanitarias locales, marco institucional, la historia de los actores más relevantes del sector, y las conductas adquiridas como respuesta a la estrategia combinada de tales actores. Métodos: Revisión de literatura, mapa de actores, encuestas de campo a establecimientos de segundo y tercer nivel en los sectores públicos y privados de los departamentos de Ciudad de Córdoba, Calamuchita y Tercero Arriba. Resultados: Córdoba aparece como un caso de estructura de mercado de competencia monopolística, con pocos competidores por especialidad y alta presencia de instituciones líderes. Conclusiones: La diferenciación vertical de producto se constituye en la estrategia elegida por los jugadores donde la infraestructura es el primer criterio para definir la competencia, seguido por la tecnología, ambos indicadores de calidad tanto para pacientes como de financiadores.Objectives: To analyze the market structure of healthcare services in the province of Cordoba for the period 2003-2008, considering socio-economic and local health conditions, institutional framework, history of most relevant actors, and behaviors acquired as a response to their combined strategies. Methods: Literature review, stakeholder analysis and field surveys of public and private providers at second and third level of care for the departments of the City of Córdoba, Calamuchita and Tercero Arriba. Results: Cordoba appears as a case of monopolistic competition, with few competitors, high presence of leading institutions and vertical product differentiation as the strategy chosen by the players. Conclusions: Infrastructure is the first criterion to define competition, followed by technology, for both indicators of perceived or actual quality of both patients and financiers.Fil: Maceira, Daniel Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Centro de Estudios de Estado y Sociedad; ArgentinaFil: Reynoso, Roxana María. Universidad de San Andrés; Argentin

Prenatal hyperandrogenism induces alterations that affect liver lipid metabolism

Prenatal hyperandrogenism is hypothesized as one of the main factors contributing to26 the development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS patients have high risk27 of developing fatty liver and steatosis. This study aimed to evaluate the role of prenatal28 hyperandrogenism in liver lipid metabolism and fatty liver development. Pregnant rats29 were hyperandrogenized with testosterone. At pubertal age, the prenatally30 hyperandrogenized (PH) female offspring displayed both ovulatory (PHov) and31 anovulatory (PHanov) phenotypes that mimic human PCOS features. We evaluated32 hepatic transferases, liver lipid content, the balance between lipogenesis and fatty acid33 oxidation pathway, oxidant/antioxidant balance and pro-inflammatory status. We also34 evaluated the general metabolic status through growth rate curve, basal glucose and35 insulin levels, glucose tolerance test, HOMA-IR index and serum lipid profile.36 Although neither PH group showed signs of liver lipid content, the lipogenesis and fatty37 oxidation pathways were altered. The PH groups also showed impaired38 oxidant/antioxidant balance, a decrease in the pro-inflammatory pathway (measured by39 prostaglandin E2 and cyclooxygenase-2 levels), decreased glucose tolerance, imbalance40 of circulating lipids and increased risk of metabolic syndrome. We conclude that41 prenatal hyperandrogenism generates both PHov and PHanov phenotypes with signs of42 liver alterations, imbalance in lipid metabolism and increased risk of developing43 metabolic syndrome. The anovulatory phenotype showed more alterations in liver44 lipogenesis and a more impaired balance of insulin and glucose metabolism, being more45 susceptible to the development of steatosis.Fil: Abruzzese, Giselle Adriana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; ArgentinaFil: Heber, María Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; ArgentinaFil: Ferreira, Silvana Rocío. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; ArgentinaFil: Velez, Leandro Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; ArgentinaFil: Reynoso, Roxana María. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas. Laboratorio de Endocrinología; ArgentinaFil: Pignataro, Omar Pedro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Motta, Alicia Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; Argentin

Reconstrucción del servicio educativo del nivel secundario en la I.E CECAT Marcial Acharan, provincia de Trujillo - la Libertad

El objetivo del presente estudio es el diseño de una nueva infraestructura de la I.E. CECAT Marcial Acharan, guiando los criterios de diseño a la nueva estructura del Sistema Educativo Peruano, por lo que será de gran utilidad para el bienestar integral del usuario, mejorando sus condiciones de desarrollo cognitivo del mismo. La investigación que se ha desarrollado es de tipo descriptiva, con diseño no experimental. Como técnica principal se utilizó la recopilación de información dentro del área de trabajo, para su próximo análisis. Cuyos datos tienen el fin de proponer estrategias de diseño arquitectónico sostenible para desarrollar la propuesta, la cual se adecuó al usuario y contexto en el que se inscribe. Debido al proceso de distritalización, surge la necesidad de contar con un ente institucional con una diversa oferta educativo en la zona sur del sector. Actualmente cuenta con una infraestructura deteriorada, construido con una antigüedad de 20 años. Su funcionamiento es limitado, por lo cual es ideal hacer una reconstrucción total de la estructura y crecer alrededor del actual radio zonalThe objective of this study is the design of a new infrastructure for the I.E. CECAT Marcial Acharan, guiding the design standard to the new structure of the Peruvian Educational System, so it will be very useful for the integral well-being of the user, improving their cognitive development conditions. The research that has been developed is descriptive, with a non-experimental design. The main technique used was the collection of information within the work area, for its next test. Whose data have the purpose of proposing sustainable architectural design strategies to develop the proposal, which was adapted to the user and context in which it is registered. Due to the districtization process, the need arises for an institutional entity with a diverse educational offer in the southern part of the sector. It currently has a deteriorated infrastructure, built 20 years old. Its operation is limited, so it is ideal to make a total reconstruction of the structure and grow around the current zonal radius.Tesi

Síndrome de Burnout causada por la Covid-19 en el personal de salud en una clínica privada de Arequipa, 2021

El principal objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar el nivel de síndrome de burnout causada por la COVID-19 en el personal de salud en una clínica privada de Arequipa 2021. Investigación de tipo descriptivo y básico de diseño no experimental; para lograr el objetivo de investigación, se aplicó un cuestionario de estrés laboral confiable y válido a una población de 30 profesionales constituidos de médicos, licenciadas en enfermería, técnicos en enfermería y técnicos en farmacia que laboran entre 1 a 9 meses y de 1 a 3 años en una clínica privada de Arequipa. Los resultados obtenidos mediante el instrumento de investigación nos indican que, en 66,7% del personal de salud de una clínica privada de Arequipa muestran el niveles de síndrome de burnout medio, el 20% el nivel alto y 13,3% el nivel bajo: de acuerdo a las dimensiones del síndrome de burnout, se observó que, en 50% del personal de salud muestra el nivel bajo de agotamiento emocional y 46,7% en el nivel medio; el 70% del personal de salud muestra el nivel bajo de despersonalización y 26,7% en el nivel medio; en 70% del personal de salud muestran alto nivel de realización personal y solo 30% en el nivel medio. En ´síntesis, se puede concluir que la mayoría del personal de salud de una clínica privada de Arequipa, presentan el nivel medio de síndrome de burnout causada por la COVID-19; por lo que, se recomienda que el Ministerio de Salud y la Gerencia de Salud de Arequipa debe diseñar, implementar y ejecutar estrategias efectivas de salud mental del personal de salud en las clínica, hospitales y centros de salud de primer nivel de atención

Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory effects and safety of Ziziphus mistol fruits

Ziziphus mistol Griseb. (Rhamnaceae), popularly known as ?mistol,? is widely distributed throughout Perú, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina. Its fruit is consumed in different forms in several argentinean communities. The present study was carried out to investigate the medicinal properties and safety of Ziziphus mistol (mistol) fruits ethanol and aqueous extracts and arrope. Antinociceptive activity was assessed using the formalin, acetic acid-induced writhing and tail-flick tests in rats. Anti-inflammatory effects were determinated through carrageenan induced edema test and cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation, in rats. The safety was evaluated with test of acute toxicity (48 hs) and sub-chronic toxicity (91 days).All extracts (1,000 mg / kg body weight) showed significant inhibition (P <0.05) in the pain and inflammation experimentally induced. In the acute toxicity study, a single dose of 4000 and 8000 mg/kg b.w., produced no mortality and no clinical signs of disease were observed after 48 h. In the sub-chronic toxicity study the extracts no caused significant visible signs of toxicity, nor mortality for 91 consecutive days of treatment. No significant differences were found in relative organ weights and hematological and biochemical parameters between the treated groups and the control groups. Aqueous extract and arrope of Z. mistol fruits could be good source of antinociceptive and anti-inflamatory agents because of its good activity and safety.Fil: Reynoso, Marcos Adrian. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Biología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Daud, Adriana del Valle. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Biología; ArgentinaFil: Belizán, María Melina Eleonora. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Farmacia. Cátedra de Farmacoquímica; ArgentinaFil: Sánchez Riera, Alvaro. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Biología; ArgentinaFil: Vera, Nancy Roxana. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Farmacia. Cátedra de Farmacoquímica; Argentin

Effects of bisphenol A administration during critical stages of sexual development

El bisfenol A (BPA) es un compuesto estrogénico utilizado en la fabricación de plásticos policarbonatos, que tiene efectos deletéreos sobre el eje reproductor de los individuos expuestos y el de su descendencia. El BPA actuaría sobre el eje hipotálamo-hipófiso-gonadal de ratas hembra modificando sus procesos de maduración. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue estudiar el efecto del BPA sobre la maduración del eje reproductor de ratas hembra peripúberes expuestas a este compuesto desde el inicio de la gestación y durante la lactancia (Grupo 1, 2,5 mg/kg/día)) y otro grupo (Grupo 2, 6,0 mg/kg/día) expuesto desde los 21 días y hasta los 30 días de edad. Se administró BPA en el agua de bebida o etanol al 0,1% (grupo control), (n=10/grupo). Se determinó LH, FSH (RIA, ng/ml), estradiol (ELISA, pg/ml), se evaluaron peso corporal y pesos relativos de útero y ovario. Se realizó estudio histológico de cortes de ovario y útero. Grupo 1, los niveles de LH y estradiol aumentaron significativamente (Control: 11 ± 1,0 vs. BPA: 40 ± 4,0, p<0,001; Control: 20 ± 0,5 vs. BPA: 40 ± 2,0, p<0,0001), mientras los de FSH mostraron tendencia al aumento pero éste no fue significativo. Los pesos corporales y el peso relativo del ovario no se modificaron con el tratamiento. El estudio histológico mostró mayor número de folículos maduros y desarrollo de células de la teca y epitelio cilíndrico en útero de los animales tratados. Grupo 2, LH y estradiol aumentaron significativamente (Control: 3,3 ± 0,3 vs. BPA: 5,1 ± 0,3, p<0,01; Control: 25,0 ± 0,5 vs. BPA: 27,1 ± 0,7, p<0,05). La FSH, si bien mostró tendencia a aumentar, ésta no fue significativa. Los pesos corporales y los pesos relativos de ovario y útero no se modificaron con este tratamiento. En la histología se observa mayor desarrollo de la teca interna y un mayor número de folículos maduros en los animales tratados. No se encontraron diferencias evidentes en el alto del epitelio uterino. La exposición aguda o crónica a BPA en etapas clave de la maduración sexual modifica la actividad del eje reproductor. Los resultados obtenidos sugieren que el BPA ejercería su efecto estrogénico, actuando sobre los mecanismos de retroalimentación positivos.Bisphenol A (BPA) is an estrogenic compound used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastic. It has deleterious effects on the reproductive axis in human and wildlife, both in individuals exposed to it and their descendants. Evidence suggests that BPA exerts its influence on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis of female rats by interfering with its maturation process. The aim of the present study was to analyse the effect of BPA on maturation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis of peripuberal female rats, exposed to it since the beginning of the gestation and during the lactation period (Group 1, 2.5 mg/kg/day), and from the age of 21 days till the age of 30 (Group 2, 6.0 mg/kg/day). The animals were treated with BPA or 0.1% ethanol (Control Group) in their drinking water (n=10/grupo). LH, FSH (RIA, ng/ml) and estradiol (ELISA, pg/ml) were measured in serum. Ovaries and uterus relative weights were obtained. Histological studies were performed on several sections of uterus and ovaries. Group 1, LH and estradiol serum levels increased significantly (Control: 11 ± 1.0 vs. BPA: 40 ± 4.0, p<0.001; Control: 20 ± 0.5 vs BPA: 40 ± 2.0, p<0.0001). FSH levels showed an increasing trend as well, but this was not statistically significant. Corporal weights and ovaries relative weights were not modified by treatment. Histological studies showed an increase in the total number of mature follicles, and development of the theca cells and ovarian stroma, in animals exposed to BPA. Group 2, LH and estradiol serum levels increased significantly (Control: 3.3 ± 0.3 vs. BPA: 5.1 ± 0.3, p<0.01; Control: 25.0 ± 0.5 vs. BPA: 27.1 ± 0.7, p<0.05). Although FSH levels exhibited an increasing trend, this did not reach statistical significance. Corporal weights and ovaries and uterus relative weights were not modified by treatment. Histological studies revealed major development of the internal theca, and an increase in the number of mature follicles, in those animals under treatment. No significant differences were found in the height of the epithelium of the uterus. Acute or chronic exposure to BPA during critical stages of sexual development modifies the activity of the reproductive axis. The results obtained suggest that BPA may exert its estrogenic effect, acting on the positive feedback mechanism.Fil: Cardoso, Nancy Patricia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas; ArgentinaFil: Pandolfi, Matias. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental. Laboratorio de Embriología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Ponzo, Osvaldo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas; ArgentinaFil: Carbone, Silvia Elena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Peñalba, Romina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas; ArgentinaFil: Dicugno. Mariana. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Sede Hospital Britanico Bs.as; ArgentinaFil: Scacchi, Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Reynoso, Roxana. Hospital Británico; Argentin

Anti-inflammatory Effects and Safety of Extracts and Essential Oil from Clinopodium gilliesii (muña muña)

The chemical machinery of vegetables offers a great diversity of biological properties and plays a fundamental role in the field of pharmacology. The search for new drugs with fewer adverse effects represents a challenge for researchers. The objective of the present work was to carry out to investigate the medicinal properties and safety of extracts and essential oil from aerial parts of Clinopodium gilliesii (muña muña) and evaluate their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in vivo. The extractions were carried out serially, using 96º alcohol (EE) and boiled distilled water (AE). The essential oil (EO) was obtained by steam dragging. The AE in vivo antiinflammatory activity was determined by carrageenan induced plantar edema (acute inflammation) and granuloma formation by cotton disc (chronic inflammation) at oral doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg while that of the EO was established topically at doses of 50, 100µl/kg. In-vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH depuration and inhibition of lipid peroxidation (β-carotene-linoleic acid method). Chemical study of the extracts was carried out by means of phytochemical screening and the essential oil was analyzed by GC-MS chromatography. The safety was evaluated with test of acute toxicity (48 h) and acute dermal toxicity (14 days). The results revealed that EE and EO had a significant acute and chronic anti-inflammatory activity, compared with positive patterns. EE (500 mg/kg), EO (100µl/kg), ibuprofen (100 mg/kg) and meprednisone (5 mg/kg) significantly reduced the weight of the exudate and cotton disc granuloma (24.17, 35.30, 45.56 and 57.17% respectively). The alcoholic and aqueous extracts presented important antioxidant activities with values higher than 90% (from 400μg/ml) in both methods and similar to the positive patterns (BHT and quercetin). The chromatographic profile of volatile oil compounds showed a great richness in terpene substances, pulegone, menthone and neomenthol, being its major constituents. The hydroalcoholic extracts revealed the presence of reducing compounds, polysaccharides, tannins, triterpenes, sterols and coumarins as major phytoconstituents. In the acute toxicity study, a single dose of 4000 and 8000 mg/kg b.w., produced no mortality and no clinical signs of disease were observed after 48 h. The essential oil at a single dose of 2000 and 5000 mg/kg of body weight did not produce treatment-related signs of toxicity or mortality in all rats tested during the 14 day observation period. These findings are encouraging to continue studies for the validation of popular use and development of a phytopharmaceutical with medicinal utility.Fil: Reynoso, Marcos Adrian. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Balderrama Coca, Maria Elizabeth. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Brodkiewicz, Ivana Yanina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Jaime, Gloria Susana. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Perotti, Marina Elvira. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Shuff, Carola. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Vera, Nancy Roxana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; Argentin

Anti-Inflammatory Activity Evaluation of the Extract and Topical Pre-Formulation of Morus nigra Fruits

Natural products are often a source for bioactive compounds which have great potential for developing novel therapeutic agents. In this sense, the present study aimed to formulate and evaluate a gel containing Morus nigra leaf extract and to evaluate its anti-inflammatory (in-vivo) and antioxidant (in-vitro) activity. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using Carrageenan-induced paw oedema. The antioxidant activity is evaluated by the lipid peroxidation inhibition and DPPH radical scavenging method. The results indicated that the extract (oral and topical route) and the blackberry gel (topical route) produced a significant anti-inflammatory activity (p < 0.05) compared to the untreated control, and similar to the reference drugs (ibuprofen and diclofenac). Regarding antioxidant activity, the Morus nigra extract also showed a significant activity in the tested models. Based on the above observations and results, mora gel formulation was found to be a promising anti-inflammatory formulation and further extensive in-vitro and in-vivo studies are warranted to evaluate its safety and biological potency and which may be useful for further clinical applications.Fil: Rojas, Isabel Patricia de Los Angeles. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Bioquimica, Quimica y Farmacia. Instituto de Estudios Farmacologicos - Farmacoquimica.; ArgentinaFil: Balderrama Coca, María Elizabeth. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Bioquimica, Quimica y Farmacia. Instituto de Estudios Farmacologicos - Farmacoquimica.; ArgentinaFil: Villagra, Josefina. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Bioquimica, Quimica y Farmacia. Instituto de Estudios Farmacologicos - Farmacoquimica.; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Bejarano, Gabriela del Carmen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Bioquimica, Quimica y Farmacia. Instituto de Estudios Farmacologicos - Farmacoquimica.; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Vera, Nancy Roxana. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Reynoso, Marcos Adrian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; Argentin