Hypoglycemic effect of Berberis microphylla G Forst root extract

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of the root extract of Berberis microphylla on glucose uptake and AMPK-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity in non-resistant and insulin-resistant HepG2 cells.Methods: B. microphylla root was extracted with absolute ethanol, filtered, concentrated and lyophilized. Subsequently, liver cells, HepG2 (resistant and non-insulin resistant), were exposed for 24 h to different concentrations of the extract (10, 5, 2.5 and 1.25 x 10-3 μg/μL) to determine the stimulation of glucose uptake and phosphorylation of AMPK.Results: In HepG2 cells without resistance exposed to B. microphylla root extract, glucose uptake varied from 34 to 59 % of the available glucose while AMPK phosphorylation was 1.9 to 3.6 times the phosphorylation of the control. In insulin-resistant HepG2 cells, glucose uptake varied from 68 to 95 % of available glucose while AMPK phosphorylation was 1.8 to 3.3 times the phosphorylation of the control.Conclusion: The root extract of B. microphylla possesses hypoglycemic effects and stimulates glucose uptake in HepG2 cells with and without resistance by activating AMPK protein.Keywords: Calafate, Diabetes, Antihyperglycemic effect, Phytomedicine, Berberis, Insulin resistanc

PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF THE ROOT OF BERBERIS MICROPHYLLA

Objective: To objective of this work was to perform phytochemical qualitative and quantitative analyzes of the main secondary metabolites in the root of Berberis microphylla.Methods: The extracts of B. microphylla root were tested through phytochemical screening and the quantification of the most important constituents was carried out using spectrophotometric and gravimetric techniques.Results: Phytochemical screening of both extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, cardiac glycosides, saponins, terpenes,and tannins, which are pharmacologically important. Quantification of the major phytochemicals groups showed that the ethanolic extract contains 3.9% alkaloids, 0.46% flavonoids, 9.53% tannins, and 3.60% saponins. Similarly, the methanolic extract contains 6.61% alkaloids, 0.41% flavonoids, 7.40% tannins, and 1.43% saponins.Conclusion: This is the first time that the presence of tannins, flavonoids, and saponins in this plant has been reported. The medicinal properties of the root of B. microphylla may exist due to the presence secondary metabolites

Clearing extracellular alpha-synuclein from cerebrospinal fluid: A new therapeutic strategy in parkinson’s disease

This concept article aims to show the rationale of targeting extracellular α-Synuclein (α-Syn) from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as a new strategy to remove this protein from the brain in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Misfolding and intracellular aggregation of α-synuclein into Lewy bodies are thought to be crucial in the pathogenesis of PD. Recent research has shown that small amounts of monomeric and oligomeric α-synuclein are released from neuronal cells by exocytosis and that this extracellular alpha-synuclein contributes to neurodegeneration, progressive spreading of alpha-synuclein pathology, and neuroinflammation. In PD, extracellular oligomeric-α-synuclein moves in constant equilibrium between the interstitial fluid (ISF) and the CSF. Thus, we expect that continuous depletion of oligomeric-α-synuclein in the CSF will produce a steady clearance of the protein in the ISF, preventing transmission and deposition in the brain

Emerging concepts in heart failure management and treatment: focus on SGLT2 inhibitors in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Dapagliflozin; Empagliflozin; Heart failureDapagliflozina; Empagliflozina; Atac de corDapagliflozina; Empagliflozina; Insuficiencia cardiacaThe role of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SLTG2i), developed initially as glucose-lowering agents, has represented a novelty in patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) since dapagliflozin (DAPA-HF study) and empagliflozin (EMPEROR-Reduced study) were able to reduce morbidity and mortality in this setting regardless of the presence or absence of diabetes. In previous large clinical trials (EMPA-REG OUTCOME study, CANVAS, DECLARE-TIMI 58), SGLT2i have been shown to attenuate HF progression expressed by reducing the risk of HF hospitalizations in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus mostly without HF at baseline. This benefit was then corroborated with positive results in HF outcomes (cardiovascular mortality and HF hospitalizations) in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in the EMPEROR-Preserved (empagliflozin) and DELIVER (dapagliflozin) trials. Several biological mechanisms apart from the glycosuria are attributed to these agents in this last context, including anti-inflammatory effects, reduction of fibrosis and apoptosis, improvement of myocardial metabolism, mitochondrial function optimization, and oxidative stress protection. Moreover, SGLT2i can also improve ventricular loading conditions by forcing diuresis and natriuresis, and by enhancing vascular and renal function. In addition, SGLT2i can reduce myocardial passive stiffness (diastolic function) by enforcing the phosphorylation of myofilament modulatory proteins. This article provided an overview of the main pathophysiological characteristics of HFpEF and of the diverse mechanisms of action of SGLT2i in this setting. The supporting clinical evidence of SGLT2i in HFpEF (EMPEROR-Preserved and DELIVER trials) is also reviewed. This article is part of the Emerging concepts in heart failure management and treatment Special Issue: https://www.drugsincontext.com/special_issues/emerging-concepts-in-heart-failure-management-and-treatment

Medicinal value of the Berberis genus as hypoglycemic agent

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a common chronic disease whose prevalence is currently increasing worldwide. Nowadays, the main antidiabetic agent used is metformin. However, between 10 and 30% of patients undergoing metformin therapy have nonspecific gastric alterations as an undesired secondary effect. Therefore, the search for new therapeutic alternatives is especially useful, where plant- derived products emerge as an excellent phytochemical resource. The objective of this review is to present and discuss the state of the art of current research conducted on the Berberis gender with hypoglycemic activity, which is normally used in alternative medicine therapy for the treatment of T2DM, and its possible mechanisms of action described in literature

Análisis técnico y financiero del potencial energético del viento para generar energía eléctrica: el caso de Apan, Hidalgo

(Technical and Financial Analysis of the Wind Energy Potential to Generate Electric Power: the Case of Apan, Hidalgo)Objective: Evaluate the energy potential of wind in Apan, Hidalgo. Methodology: Two types of analysis were used: technical analysis and financial analysis. The Weibull probability density function is used for the technical study. Likewise, the following parameters are evaluated for the financial analysis: net present value, the internal rate of return, the Levelized Cost of Electricity, the recovery period and the cost / benefit ratio. Results: It was found that of the twelve wind turbines considered only eight are technically viable and none economically. Recommendations: It is recommended not to install commercial wind turbines. Limitations and implications: The main limitation of Weibull density function is that it does not correctly represent the probabilities of wind speed when it is very low or near zero. Originality: According to the literature review, this study is the first investigation in the case of Apan, Hidalgo, which analyzes the wind's energy potential and its financial feasibility. Conclusions: The evidence suggests that the potential of the wind is suitable for applications that are not connected to the electricity grid and insufficient for the production of energy on a commercial scale.Objetivo: Evaluar el potencial energético del viento en Apan, Hidalgo. Metodología: Se emplean dos tipos de análisis: el análisis técnico y el análisis financiero. Para el estudio técnico se emplea la función de densidad de probabilidad Weibull. Así mismo, para el análisis financiero se evalúan los siguientes parámetros: valor presente neto, la tasa interna de rendimiento, el Costo Nivelado de la Electricidad, el período de recuperación y la razón costo/beneficio. Resultados: Se encontró que de los doce aerogeneradores considerados solo ocho son técnicamente viables y ninguno económicamente.  Recomendaciones:  Se recomienda no hacer la instalación de aerogeneradores comerciales.  Limitaciones e implicaciones:  La limitación de la función de densidad de probabilidad de Weibull es que no representa correctamente las probabilidades de la velocidad del viento cuando esta es muy baja o cercana a cero. Orignalidad: De acuerdo a la revisión de la literatura este estudio es la primera investigación para el caso de Apan, Hidalgo que analiza el potencial energético del viento y su factibilidad financiera. Conclusiones: La evidencia sugiere que el potencial del viento es adecuado para aplicaciones que no están conectadas a la red eléctrica e insuficiente para la producción de energía a escala comercial

Desigualdad del ingreso y desarrollo del sistema financiero un enfoque multidimensional

Este trabajo explora la relación entre el sistema financiero y la desigualdad del ingreso. Se utilizó el método de Mínimos Cuadrados Ordinarios como estimación base y el método de Mínimos Cuadrados Generalizados Estimados con efectos aleatorios de dos vías como prueba de robustez. Los resultados para el sector bancario indican que profundidad, eficiencia y estructura de mercado exhiben evidencia a favor de la hipótesis de un aumento de la desigualdad del ingreso. De igual manera, se encuentra evidencia de una relación positiva entre menores niveles de competencia y la desigualdad del ingreso. Se recomienda de acuerdo a los resultados garantizar condiciones equitativas en la utilización de los servicios financieros. La limitante de este estudio es que no se consideró la dimensión acceso para el sector bancario. La aportación original es utilizar cuatro medidas diferentes de desigualdad del ingreso. La dimensión profundidad tanto para el sector bancario como para los mercados financieros, tiene el efecto de aumentar la desigualdad del ingreso. Mientras que la dimensión estabilidad del sector bancario y la dimensión eficiencia de los mercados financieros tienen un efecto redistributivo.Income Inequality and Financial System Development a Multidimensional ApproachThis paper explores the relationship between the financial system and income inequality. The Ordinary Least Squares method was used as the base estimation and the Generalized Least Squares Estimated method with two-way random effects as a robustness test. The results for the banking sector indicate that depth, efficiency and market structure exhibit evidence in favor of the hypothesis of an increase in income inequality. Similarly, there is evidence of a positive relationship between lower levels of competition and income inequality. According to the results, it is recommended to guarantee a level playing field in the use of financial services. The main limitation of this study is that the access dimension was not considered for the banking sector. The original contribution of this research is to use four different measures of income inequality. The depth dimension for both the banking sector and financial markets has the effect of increasing income inequality. While the stability dimension of the banking sector and the efficiency dimension of financial markets have a redistributive effect

Volatilidad y COVID-19: evidencia empírica internacional

Volatility and COVID-19: international empirical evidenceThe relationship between the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and realized volatility was studied. In addition, the possible link between mitigation and containment measures adopted by governments and realized volatility was analyzed. The study period covers February 2, 2020 to August 28, 2020. This period in turn was divided into fourteen samples, two for each month, which gave rise to the fourteen unbalanced panels used in the estimations. The estimation method used is Ordinary Least Squares with two-way fixed effects and the Estimated Generalized Least Squares (EGLS) method with one-way random effects (period). Realized volatility data from sixty-five major stock market indexes were used. The results show evidence that supports the existence of a significant statistical relationship between containment and mitigation measures and realized volatility, mainly in the months of February and March; however, no uniformity was found in the results. On the other hand, not enough evidence was found in favor of the existence of a positive relationship between the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and realized volatility.Se estudió la relación entre los efectos de la pandemia de COVID-19 y la volatilidad realizada. Además, se analizó el posible nexo entre las medidas de mitigación y contención adoptadas por los gobiernos y la volatilidad realizada. El período de estudio abarca del 2 de febrero de 2020 al 28 de agosto del mismo año. Este período a su vez se dividió en catorce muestras dos para cada mes, lo que dio origen a los catorce paneles no balanceados usados en las estimaciones. El método de estimación utilizado es Mínimos Cuadrados Ordinarios con efectos fijos de dos vías y el método de Mínimos Cuadrados Generalizados Estimados (EGLS) con efectos aleatorios de una vía (período). Se utilizaron datos de volatilidad realizada de sesenta y cinco de los principales índices bursátiles. Los resultados exhiben evidencia que apoya la existencia de una relación estadística significativa entre las medidas de contención y mitigación y la volatilidad realizada, principalmente en los meses de febrero y marzo, sin embargo, no se encontró uniformidad en los resultados. Por otro lado, no se encontró evidencia suficiente a favor de la existencia de una relación positiva entre los efectos de la pandemia COVID-19 y la volatilidad realizada