Estudio farmacognóstico de la semilla de Phalaris canariensis L. “alpiste”y su cuantificación de esteroles

Se realizó el estudio farmacognóstico de la semilla de Phalaris canariensis L., procedente del distrito de Simbal, determinándose las características macromorfológicas, parámetros físico-químicos del control de calidad de la droga según la Norma Ramal para drogas crudas del MINSAP, tales como: porcentaje de humedad  residual,  cenizas  totales,  cenizas  insolubles  en  ácido,  cenizas  solubles  en  agua, materia extraña; cuyos valores promedios obtenidos, se encontraron dentro del rango permisible. Además, se realizó la huella dactilar del extracto hidroalcohólico al 70%v/v; y el tamizaje fitoquímico – según la prueba de la gota, evidenciándose la presencia de esteroles. Se identificó y cuantificó los esteroles mediante espectrofotometría UV/Visible a 236nm; donde, según las reglas de Woodward-Fieser, el esqueleto base de los esteroles es la 3 – hidroxiandrosta – 5,7 – dieno, y se encuentran en una cantidad de 3,2471 ±0,0119%.Palabras Clave: Phalaris canariensis L., estudio farmacognóstico, esteroles, cuantificación, espectrofotometría UV/Visible

Chemical composition, in vitro cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of the essential oil of Peruvian Minthostachys mollis Griseb

The composition of the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from Minthostachys mollis Griseb (Lamiaceae) aerial parts was determined by GC and GC/MS. Menthone (13.2%), pulegone (12.4%), cis-dihydrocarvone (9.8%) and carvacrol acetate (8.8%) were the main essential oil components. The cytotoxic activity of the essential oil was in vitro measured using the MTT colorimetric assay. IC50values were calculated on healthy non-tumor cells (HEK-293) and three human cancer cell lines (T24, DU-145 and MCF-7). In such latter cells, the estimated values were around 0.2 mg/mL. In addition, the antioxidant activity was determined by interaction with the stable freeradical 2,2”-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. The essential oil was almost devoid of antioxidant activity indicating that its anti-proliferative action relies on other unknown mechanism

Determinación del factor de conversión de nitrógeno a proteína en huevos de Coturnix coturnix L. (codorniz japonesa)

En el presente trabajo se determinó el factor de conversión de nitrógeno en huevos de Coturnix coturnix L. (codorniz japonesa). Se analizaron 850 huevos de Coturnix coturnix L., se determinó el pH de máxima precipitación y extracción mediante el método Kjeldahl, a diferentes pH ácidos y básicos. Los factores de conversión proteica encontrados para clara y yema fueron 6,33 y 6,30 respectivamente. Estos resultados justifican su consumo comparado a otras fuentes alimenticias, altas en proteínas en la dieta human

Antifungal Activity and In Silico Studies on 2-Acylated Benzo- and Naphthohydroquinones

The high rates of morbidity and mortality due to fungal infections are associated with a limited antifungal arsenal and the high toxicity of drugs. Therefore, the identification of novel drug targets is challenging due to the several resemblances between fungal and human cells. Here, we report the in vitro antifungal evaluation of two acylphenols series, namely 2-acyl-1,4-benzo- and 2-acyl-1,4-naphthohydroquinones. The antifungal properties were assessed on diverse Candida and filamentous fungi strains through the halo of inhibition (HOI) and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). The antifungal activities of 2-acyl-1,4-benzohydroquinone derivatives were higher than those of the 2-acyl-1,4-naphthohydroquinone analogues. The evaluation indicates that 2-octanoylbenzohydroquinone 4 is the most active member of the 2-acylbenzohydroquinone series, with MIC values ranging from 2 to 16 μg/mL. In some fungal strains (i.e., Candida krusei and Rhizopus oryzae), such MIC values of compound 4 (2 and 4 μg/mL) were comparable to that obtained by amphotericin B (1 μg/mL). The compound 4 was evaluated for its antioxidant activity by means of FRAP, ABTS and DPPH assays, showing moderate activity as compared to standard antioxidants. Molecular docking studies of compound 4 and ADMET predictions make this compound a potential candidate for topical pharmacological use. The results obtained using the most active acylbenzohydroquinones are promising because some evaluated Candida strains are known to have decreased sensitivity to standard antifungal treatments

Determinación del factor de conversión de nitrógeno a proteína en huevos de Coturnix coturnix L. (codorniz japonesa)

En el presente trabajo se determinó el factor de conversión de nitrógeno en huevos de Coturnix coturnix L. (codorniz japonesa). Se analizaron 850 huevos de Coturnix coturnix L., se determinó el pH de máxima precipitación y extracción mediante el método Kjeldahl, a diferentes pH ácidos y básicos. Los factores de conversión proteica encontrados para clara y yema fueron 6,33 y 6,30 respectivamente. Estos resultados justifican su consumo comparado a otras fuentes alimenticias, altas en proteínas en la dieta human

Valeriana pilosa Roots Essential Oil: Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Activities, and Molecular Docking Studies on Enzymes Involved in Redox Biological Processes.

Valeriana pilosa is usually employed in Peruvian folk medicine in the form of infusion to treat stomach pain, and has antispasmodic, relaxing, sleep-promoting, and sedative properties, as well as is an anti-inflammatory. In this study, Valeriana pilosa essential oil (VPEO) was obtained by hydrodistillation, analyzed by GC and GC/MS, and 47 compounds were identified. Major oil components were α-patchoulene (5.8%), α-humulene (6.1%), seychellene (7.6%), and patchoulol (20.8%). Furthermore, we assessed the in vitro antioxidant activities, molecular docking, and Ligand Efficiency studies on enzymes involved in cellular redox pathways such as CYP2C9, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and xanthine oxidase. Essential oil antioxidant activities were assessed by FRAP, ABTS•+, and DPPH• radical scavenging activity. VPEO displays high antioxidant activity as compared to essential oils of Valeriana jatamansi and Valeriana officinalis oil roots. In addition, molecular docking and ADMET prediction was employed to compare the absorption, metabolism, and toxicity properties of Valeriana pilosa compounds. In the molecular docking studies, limonene, p-cimene, carvone, α-cubebene, cyclosativene, α-guaiene, allo-aromadendrene, valencene, and eremophyllene were the compounds with the best docking score on CYP2C9 and xanthine oxidase. Thus, volatile components of Valeriana pilosa could be associated with the detected antioxidant activity, acting as putative inhibitors of CYP2C9 and xanthine oxidase

Antidepressant-Like Behavioral and Spatial Memory Effects in Peruvian Red Maca (Lepidium meyenii)-Treated Rats

INTRODUCTION: Lepidium meyenii, known with the vernacular name of “Maca”, is a Brassicaceae family that has been widely used by Peruvian traditional medicine in cases of sexual dysfunction, memory loss, and several other diseases and pathologies. OBJETIVE: The aim of the study was to test the potential effects of aqueous extract of Red Maca (AQ-RM) on antidepressant-like behavioral in male rats and spatial memory in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. METHODS: Forced swimming test was used to examine the potential antidepressant AQ-RM activity in male rats. Fluoxetine and amitryptiline were included as reference drugs. Morris Water Maze test was employed to examine the effect of AQ-RM on spatial memory in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Such effects were compared to exogenous estradiol administration. The potential role of oxidative stress on spatial memory loss was assessed by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in rats brain homogenates. RESULTS: AQ-RM enhances swimming and climbing activities while reducing the time of immobility in male rats. Meanwhile, it prevents the decrease in the time spent in the target quadrant and displays higher values in the number of crossings in OVX-rats as compared to OVX-control rats. MDA levels in brain homogenates were decreased in OVX-rats receiving AQ-RM. CONCLUSION: Oral administration of AQ-RM has anti-depressive application in male rats; and increases the ability of learning and memory in OVX rats