Reporte de consumo de plantas medicinales en gestantes del Centro de Salud Viña Alta, La Molina. Lima, Perú

This research aimed to find out the frequency and ways of using medicinal plants by pregnant women treated at the Centro de Salud Viña Alta, located in La Molina district. Twenty-one (21) pregnant women voluntarily participated in the study, where they were administered an expert-validated survey regarding the use of medicinal plants. The results showed that 86 % of the pregnant women used medicinal plants and 67 % did not ask their doctor before using them. The most frequent way of using the medicinal plants was by oral intake as herbal teas. The most widely used medicinal plants were chamomile, parsley, eucalyptus, boldo, aloe, mint and rue, some of which produced a teratogenic effect, uterine stimulant action, abortifacient effect, among others. It is necessary to know the actual quantity and most frequent way of using medicinal plants by pregnant women to classify these products as for its safety level and promote the rational use of traditional medicine to contribute to public health.El objetivo de este trabajo fue conocer la frecuencia y la manera en que las plantas medicinales son empleadas por las gestantes del Centro de Salud Viña Alta del distrito de La Molina. En el estudio participaron veintiuna gestantes, quienes respondieron una encuesta, validada por expertos, sobre el uso de plantas medicinales. Se demostró que el 86,00 % de las gestantes utilizaron plantas medicinales, y que 67,00 % no consultó con un médico sobre su empleo. La manera más frecuente de consumo de las plantas medicinales fue la vía oral, en forma de infusiones. Las plantas medicinales más utilizadas fueron manzanilla, perejil, eucalipto, boldo, aloe, menta y ruda; y algunas de ellas mostraron efecto teratogénico, estimulante uterino, abortivo, entre otros. Es necesario conocer la cantidad real y la manera más frecuente en que las gestantes consumen las plantas medicinales, con la finalidad de clasificar estos productos de acuerdo al nivel de seguridad que ofrecen y promover el uso racional de la medicina tradicional para contribuir en la salud pública

The Genetic History of Indigenous Populations of the Peruvian and Bolivian Altiplano: The Legacy of the Uros

The Altiplano region of the South American Andes is marked by an inhospitable climate to which the autochthonous human populations adapted and then developed great ancient civilizations, such as the Tiwanaku culture and the Inca Empire. Since pre-Columbian times, different rulers established themselves around the Titicaca and Poopo Lakes. By the time of the arrival of Spaniards, Aymara and Quechua languages were predominant on the Altiplano under the rule of the Incas, although the occurrence of other spoken languages, such as Puquina and Uruquilla, suggests the existence of different ethnic groups in this region. In this study, we focused on the pre-Columbian history of the autochthonous Altiplano populations, particularly the Uros ethnic group, which claims to directly descend from the first settlers of the Andes, and some linguists suggest they might otherwise be related to Arawak speaking groups from the Amazon. Using phylogeographic, population structure and spatial genetic analyses of Y-chromosome and mtDNA data, we inferred the genetic relationships among Uros populations (Los Uros from Peru, Uru-Chipaya and Uru-Poopo from Bolivia), and compared their haplotype profiles with eight Aymara, nine Quechua and two Arawak (Machiguenga and Yanesha) speaking populations from Peru and Bolivia. Our results indicated that Uros populations stand out among the Altiplano populations, while appearing more closely related to the Aymara and Quechua from Lake Titicaca and surrounding regions than to the Amazon Arawaks. Moreover, the Uros populations from Peru and Bolivia are genetically differentiated from each other, indicating a high heterogeneity in this ethnic group. Finally, our results support the distinctive ancestry for the Uros populations of Peru and Bolivia, which are likely derived from ancient Andean lineages that were partially replaced during more recent farming expansion events and the establishment of complex civilizations in the Andes

Latin Americans show wide-spread Converso ancestry and imprint of local Native ancestry on physical appearance

Historical records and genetic analyses indicate that Latin Americans trace their ancestry mainly to the intermixing (admixture) of Native Americans, Europeans and Sub-Saharan Africans. Using novel haplotype-based methods, here we infer sub-continental ancestry in over 6,500 Latin Americans and evaluate the impact of regional ancestry variation on physical appearance. We find that Native American ancestry components in Latin Americans correspond geographically to the present-day genetic structure of Native groups, and that sources of non-Native ancestry, and admixture timings, match documented migratory flows. We also detect South/East Mediterranean ancestry across Latin America, probably stemming mostly from the clandestine colonial migration of Christian converts of non-European origin (Conversos). Furthermore, we find that ancestry related to highland (Central Andean) versus lowland (Mapuche) Natives is associated with variation in facial features, particularly nose morphology, and detect significant differences in allele frequencies between these groups at loci previously associated with nose morphology in this sample.Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celula

Latin Americans show wide-spread Converso ancestry and imprint of local Native ancestry on physical appearance

Historical records and genetic analyses indicate that Latin Americans trace their ancestry mainly to the intermixing (admixture) of Native Americans, Europeans and Sub-Saharan Africans. Using novel haplotype-based methods, here we infer sub-continental ancestry in over 6,500 Latin Americans and evaluate the impact of regional ancestry variation on physical appearance. We find that Native American ancestry components in Latin Americans correspond geographically to the present-day genetic structure of Native groups, and that sources of non-Native ancestry, and admixture timings, match documented migratory flows. We also detect South/East Mediterranean ancestry across Latin America, probably stemming mostly from the clandestine colonial migration of Christian converts of non-European origin (Conversos). Furthermore, we find that ancestry related to highland (Central Andean) versus lowland (Mapuche) Natives is associated with variation in facial features, particularly nose morphology, and detect significant differences in allele frequencies between these groups at loci previously associated with nose morphology in this sample.Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celula

Un examen actualizado de la percepción de las barreras para la implementación de la farmacogenómica y la utilidad de los pares fármaco/gen en América Latina y el Caribe

La farmacogenómica (PGx) se considera un campo emergente en los países en desarrollo. La investigación sobre PGx en la región de América Latina y el Caribe (ALC) sigue siendo escasa, con información limitada en algunas poblaciones. Por lo tanto, las extrapolaciones son complicadas, especialmente en poblaciones mixtas. En este trabajo, revisamos y analizamos el conocimiento farmacogenómico entre la comunidad científica y clínica de ALC y examinamos las barreras para la aplicación clínica. Realizamos una búsqueda de publicaciones y ensayos clínicos en este campo en todo el mundo y evaluamos la contribución de ALC. A continuación, realizamos una encuesta regional estructurada que evaluó una lista de 14 barreras potenciales para la aplicación clínica de biomarcadores en función de su importancia. Además, se analizó una lista emparejada de 54 genes/fármacos para determinar una asociación entre los biomarcadores y la respuesta a la medicina genómica. Esta encuesta se comparó con una encuesta anterior realizada en 2014 para evaluar el progreso en la región. Los resultados de la búsqueda indicaron que los países de América Latina y el Caribe han contribuido con el 3,44% del total de publicaciones y el 2,45% de los ensayos clínicos relacionados con PGx en todo el mundo hasta el momento. Un total de 106 profesionales de 17 países respondieron a la encuesta. Se identificaron seis grandes grupos de obstáculos. A pesar de los continuos esfuerzos de la región en la última década, la principal barrera para la implementación de PGx en ALC sigue siendo la misma, la "necesidad de directrices, procesos y protocolos para la aplicación clínica de la farmacogenética/farmacogenómica". Las cuestiones de coste-eficacia se consideran factores críticos en la región. Los puntos relacionados con la reticencia de los clínicos son actualmente menos relevantes. Según los resultados de la encuesta, los pares gen/fármaco mejor clasificados (96%-99%) y percibidos como importantes fueron CYP2D6/tamoxifeno, CYP3A5/tacrolimus, CYP2D6/opioides, DPYD/fluoropirimidinas, TMPT/tiopurinas, CYP2D6/antidepresivos tricíclicos, CYP2C19/antidepresivos tricíclicos, NUDT15/tiopurinas, CYP2B6/efavirenz y CYP2C19/clopidogrel. En conclusión, aunque la contribución global de los países de ALC sigue siendo baja en el campo del PGx, se ha observado una mejora relevante en la región. La percepción de la utilidad de las pruebas PGx en la comunidad biomédica ha cambiado drásticamente, aumentando la concienciación entre los médicos, lo que sugiere un futuro prometedor en las aplicaciones clínicas de PGx en ALC.Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is considered an emergent field in developing countries. Research on PGx in the Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) region remains scarce, with limited information in some populations. Thus, extrapolations are complicated, especially in mixed populations. In this paper, we reviewed and analyzed pharmacogenomic knowledge among the LAC scientific and clinical community and examined barriers to clinical application. We performed a search for publications and clinical trials in the field worldwide and evaluated the contribution of LAC. Next, we conducted a regional structured survey that evaluated a list of 14 potential barriers to the clinical implementation of biomarkers based on their importance. In addition, a paired list of 54 genes/drugs was analyzed to determine an association between biomarkers and response to genomic medicine. This survey was compared to a previous survey performed in 2014 to assess progress in the region. The search results indicated that Latin American and Caribbean countries have contributed 3.44% of the total publications and 2.45% of the PGx-related clinical trials worldwide thus far. A total of 106 professionals from 17 countries answered the survey. Six major groups of barriers were identified. Despite the region’s continuous efforts in the last decade, the primary barrier to PGx implementation in LAC remains the same, the “need for guidelines, processes, and protocols for the clinical application of pharmacogenetics/pharmacogenomics”. Cost-effectiveness issues are considered critical factors in the region. Items related to the reluctance of clinicians are currently less relevant. Based on the survey results, the highest ranked (96%–99%) gene/drug pairs perceived as important were CYP2D6/tamoxifen, CYP3A5/tacrolimus, CYP2D6/opioids, DPYD/fluoropyrimidines, TMPT/thiopurines, CYP2D6/tricyclic antidepressants, CYP2C19/tricyclic antidepressants, NUDT15/thiopurines, CYP2B6/efavirenz, and CYP2C19/clopidogrel. In conclusion, although the global contribution of LAC countries remains low in the PGx field, a relevant improvement has been observed in the region. The perception of the usefulness of PGx tests in biomedical community has drastically changed, raising awareness among physicians, which suggests a promising future in the clinical applications of PGx in LAC

Dose-response in the peripheral analgesic activity of metformin in the abdominal writhing test in mice

Objective: To evaluate the dose-response analgesic effect of metformin in an acute pain event in rodents. Materials and methods: Eighty (80) mice were used. The analgesic effect was evaluated using the abdominal writhing test in mice. Eight (8) groups of 10 mice each were formed: one diclofenac 8 mg/kg group, one tramadol group, one target group, and five experimental groups of metformin at doses of 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mg/kg. For the statistical analysis, the D'Agostino-Pearson test, one-tailed ANOVA test, Tukey's test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used. Results: The D'Agostino-Pearson normality test revealed a p-value < 0.05 in all groups. The ANOVA test showed a p-value < 0.0001. The Tukey's range test obtained a p-value < 0.05 between the target group and metformin groups at all doses, and between the diclofenac group and metformin groups at doses of 100, 150, 200 and 250 mg/kg, and a p-value > 0.05 between the tramadol group and metformin groups at doses of 100, 150, 200 and 250 mg/kg. The Pearson's correlation coefficient was r = -0.6897 and R = 0.4756, and yielded a p-value < 0.0001. Metformin showed a pain inhibition percentage in the range of 34.89 % to 92.62 %. Conclusions: It has been demonstrated that metformin at doses of 100, 150, 200 and 250 mg/kg had an acute analgesic effect in the abdominal writhing test in mice, with the 250 mg/kg dose being the one that showed the best effect. In addition, a dose-response effect was obtained in escalated doses of metformin

Variantes del gen Mannose Binding Lectin (MBL) en pobladores amazónicos de Andoas-Loreto y su posible implicancia en la salud

El gen MBL (Mannose Binding Lectin) codifica una proteína de la inmunidad innata que activa el sistema del complemento, así como recluta macrófagos y quimioquinas proinflamatorias. Estudios realizados en otras latitudes han asociado susceptibilidad o resistencia a enfermedades infecciosas, autoinmunes y cardiovasculares con alelos deficientes de MBL. Sin embargo, muchos estudios no son concluyentes debido a la rareza de estos alelos en las poblaciones estudiadas. Previamente hemos demostrado que en las islas del Lago Titicaca, el alelo deficiente B tiene la más alta prevalencia del mundo

Actividad antioxidante y marcha fitoquímica de los capítulos de Tagetes filifolia Lag. “pacha anís”

Objetivo: Estudiar la actividad antioxidante y marcha fitoquímica de los capítulos de Tagetes filifolia Lag. “pacha anís“.Materiales y métodos: Estudio de tipo experimental en el cual se empleó 5 kg de los capítulos de la planta medicinal Tagetes filifolia lag., provenientes de Junín. Se usó el método de cribado fitoquímico de Olga Lock para la marcha fitoquímica y el método DPPH para la determinación de la actividad antioxidante. Se dividió la muestra en 3 grupos: etéreo, alcohol etílico y agua destilada a concentraciones de 100, 50 y 5 μg/ml.Resultados: Se encontró fenoles en cantidades abundantes tanto en el extracto en agua destilada como en el extracto en alcohol etílico, además este último tuvo cantidades moderadas de quinonas. Por otro lado, el extracto en alcohol etílico fue el que presentó el mayor porcentaje de captación de radicales libres (91.26%) a una concentración de 100 μg/ml, similares resultados se encontró con el extracto etéreo (88.94%) y el extracto en agua destilada (75.58%).Conclusiones: Los principales componentes químicos fueron fenoles y quinonas. El mayor efecto antioxidante se obtuvo del extracto etanólico de la planta Tagetes filifolia a una concentración de 100 μg/ml