Hibiscus sabdariffa L., roselle calyx, from ethnobotany to pharmacology

Using MEDLINE and SCOPUS databases, a review of the literature from the pioneering study of 1991 until 2010 was performed on the effects on biological models of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. roselle calyx, its extracts mainly in polar solvents, or pure components found in extracts, as well as their possible relationship to these effects. Three relevant effects on lipid metabolism, antihypertensive activity, and apoptosis were observed. Our chronological review of the studies mentioned in the literature provides another opportunity to see how humans compile scientific knowledge of a chemical structure–physiological activity relationship starting from an ethnobotanical–ethnopharmagognosy contribution. The chemical components that are the main active principles in the physiological activities of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. calyx are anthocyanins and polyphenols (protocatechuic acid and quercetin). Advances have also been made in the elucidation of action mechanisms. Additionally, it has become clear that the lack of standardization in terms of chemical components of the material arising from Hibiscus sabdariffa L. used in testing on biological models imposes limits on the possibility of carrying out comparative analyses between studies. Fortunately, more recent studies are overcoming this obstacle by reporting component concentrations of assumed active principles; however, complete analysis of the extract, if this is to be considered as a therapeutic agent, is not commonly reported in the aforesaid studies. If one of the eventual scenarios for Hibiscus sabdariffa L. calyx is as a therapeutic agent in communities with economic limitations, then studies of a pharmacological nature should guarantee the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of this material, which is widely accepted to be associated with chemical complexity, thus making this knowledge necessary

Planes de estudio o currículos de las licenciaturas en Ingeniería Química, IQ, e Ingeniería Bioquímica, IBQ, 2010, del Instituto Tecnológico de Veracruz (ITV), dependiente del Tecnológico Nacional de México TNM: Un análisis comparativo

El análisis comparativo de áreas del conocimiento por créditos académicos SATCA de los planes de estudio de IBQ e IQ que imparte el ITV, reveló que en tres de las cinco áreas (Ciencias de la Ingeniería CI, Ingeniería Aplicada IA, otras), estos créditos no tienen diferencia significativa, indicando equivalencia en la formación de los egresados. Donde se observó una diferencia fue en el porcentaje de créditos SATCA en las áreas Ciencias Básicas y Matemáticas CByM y de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades CSyH, siendo mayor el porcentaje de créditos en el  plan de IBQ que en el de IQ. Dos elementos de reflexión se generaron sobre estos últimos aspectos, uno referido a la ausencia de la Biología como ciencia básica en el plan de estudios de IQ del Sistema de Educación Superior Tecnológica, asunto que no deja de ser preocupante a la luz de planes de IQ de otras instituciones nacionales o extranjeras de prestigio que han incorporado a esta ciencia básica desde hace por lo menos veinte años. El otro aspecto es el de la necesidad de un mayor acento social y humanístico en ese mismo plan de estudios, para una equilibrada formación integral. En cuanto al análisis programa por programa de los planes de estudio, este reiteró el grado de similitud entre los mismos, produciendo aproximadamente 74 % de contenidos con diferencias de nula a media, y 26 % de diferencia sensible. Se recomienda, entre otros puntos, la realización de un proceso de equivalencia de los planes de estudio u homologación por la autoridad educacional correspondiente

OPTIMIZATION OF HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA L. (ROSELLE) ANTHOCYANIN AQUEOUS-ETHANOL EXTRACTION PARAMETERS USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY

Anthocyanins along with protocatechuic acid and quercetin have been recognized as bioactive compounds in Hibiscus sabdariffa L. aqueous extracts. Characteristic anthocyanin absorption in the visible region makes their quantification possible without the interference of the other two compounds, and also can favor its potential application as an alternative to organic-based dye sensitized solar cell, in various forms. In order to optimize measurable factors linked to the extraction of these flavonoids, an optimization was performed using a Box-Behnken experimental design and response surface methodology (RSM). Three levels of ethanol concentration, temperature and solid-solvent ratio (SSR) were investigated. The optimization model showed that with 96 % EtOH, 65 °C, and 1:50 SSR, the highest anthocyanin concentration of 150 mg/100 g was obtained