Evaluation of the effects of passion fruit peel flour (Passiflora edulis fo. flavicarpa) on metabolic changes in HIV patients with lipodystrophy syndrome secondary to antiretroviral therapy

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effects of using passion fruit peel flour together with diet therapy and counseling in 36 patients with HIV lipodystrophy who were in an ambulatory clinic in a university hospital. The patients were divided into two groups. One received 30 g of passion fruit peel flour daily for 90 days and diet therapy counseling. The other group received only diet therapy counseling. The metabolic changes were analyzed before and after the intervention, with a significance level predetermined at p ≤ 0.05. The use of passion fruit peel flour was effective in reducing total cholesterol and triacylglycerides after 30 days. The concentrations of LDL-C decreased, while HDL-C increased in the blood of lipodystrophy patients after 90 days passion fruit peel flour treatment. No significant differences in food consumption were seen between groups. The use of 30 g of passion fruit peel flour for 90 days together with diet therapy counseling was effective in improving plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C and triacylglycerides.

UPLC–QTOF–MS and NMR analyses of graviola (Annona muricata) leaves

ABSTRACT Graviola leaves (Annona muricata L., Annonaceae) are used by some people to try to treat or even cure cancer, even though over-consumption of the fruit, which contains the neurotoxins annonacin and squamocin has caused an atypical form of Parkinson's disease. In previous analyses, the fruits were extracted with methanol under ambient conditions before analyses. In the present study, UPLC–QTOF–MS and NMR were used to analyze freeze-dried graviola leaves that were extracted using dry methanol and ethanol at 100 ºC and 10 MPa (100 atm) pressure in a sealed container. Methanol solubilized 33% of the metabolites in the lyophilized leaves. Ethanol solubilized 41% of metabolites in the lyophilized leaves. The concentrations of total phenolic compounds were 100.3 ± 2.8 and 93.2 ± 2.0 mg gallic acid equivalents per g of sample, for the methanolic and ethanolic extracts, respectively. Moreover, the toxicophore (unsaturated γ-lactone) that is present in neurotoxic acetogenins was found in the lipophilic portion of this extract. The concentrations of the neurotoxins annonacin and squamocin were found by UPLC–QTOF–MS to be 305.6 ± 28.3 and 17.4 ± 0.89 µg/g-dw, respectively, in the dried leaves. Pressurized methanol solubilized more annonacin and squamocin than ethanol. On the other hand, a hot, aqueous infusion solubilized only 0.213% of the annonacin and too little of the squamocin to be detected. So, graviola leaves contain significant amounts of the neurotoxins annonacin and squamocin, as well as some potentially healthy phenolic compounds. Finally, the potential neurotoxicity of whole leaves in dietary supplements could be much higher than that of a tea (hot aqueous infusion) that is made from them.

Spilanthol: occurrence, extraction, chemistry and biological activities

Abstract Spilanthol (C14H23NO, 221.339 g/mol) is a bioactive compound that is found in many different plants that are used as traditional remedies throughout the world. It is present in Heliopsis longipes and several species in the genus Acmella, including A. oleracea L., also known as paracress and jambu. Its leaves and flowers have sensory properties (pungency, tingling, numbing, mouth-watering) that make it a popular spice and ingredient in several Brazilian dishes. Spilanthol can exert a variety of biological and pharmacological effects including analgesic, neuroprotective, antioxidant, antimutagenic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antilarvicidal and insecticidal activities. So, the aim of this review is to present a literature review on the spilanthol that describes its occurrence, chemistry, extraction and biological activities.

Stability of Active Constituents of Hops (Humulus lupulus) Strobiles and their Ethanolic Extracts during Storage.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the stability of three major active constituents (humulones, lupulones and xanthohumol) in dried hops (Humulus lupulus) strobiles (whole and ground) as well as their ethanolic extracts during storage. Methodology: A comparative study of humulones, lupulones and xanthohumol levels of H. lupulus strobiles during storage was carried out. Dried whole strobiles and cryogenically ground dried strobiles stored at -15ºC as well as ethanol extracts of the strobiles prepared using different ethanol concentrations (10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 95%) and stored at room temperature, were analyzed by HPLC to quantify each constituent. These hops samples were analyzed immediately after preparation, and then one year and two years later to determine the concentrations of the constituents. Results: HPLC analysis indicated that the amount of all three constituents in the ground strobiles and in the ethanol extracts decreased gradually during the storage period. The 10% and 30% ethanol extracts had very low amounts of constituents initially and were practically devoid of constituents at the end of two years. The 50% ethanol extract contained considerable amounts of humulones and xanthohumol, and low levels of lupulones initially, but lost substantial amounts over time. The 70% and 95% ethanol extracts showed higher levels of all three constituents, while the 95% H. lupulus ethanol extract contained the highest constituent levels throughout the experimental period. The ethanol content of the extract had a direct correlation to the constituent levels; the higher the ethanol level, the higher the initial and subsequent constituent levels. Conclusion: Both dried hops and ethanol extracts lose active components over storage time. When preparing extracts, at least 70% ethanol is necessary to extract the highest levels of three bioactive constituents and to retain them over a two-year period. Ethanol concentration is a critical factor to be considered in hops extraction process.

International programs for the detection of breast cancer

The benefit of early breast cancer detection is the foundation for programs around the globe to reduce morbidity and mortality related to breast cancer. These programs range from educational programs targeted to women and health professionals to organized or opportunistic screening programs that target specific age groups of women.Modern mammography programs tend to follow the protocols from the randomized clinical trials, but there is variation in key program elements such as the age groups invited to screening, the screening interval, performance indicators, and the uptake rate. Until recently, the emphasis on early breast cancer detection was limited to mammography, but the steady rise in incidence and mortality in low and medium resource countries, where mammography may be unaffordable, has led to a renewal in emphasizing the incremental value of downsizing palpable tumors through physical exams. There is consensus that programs should be designed based on disease burden and available resources, but that even in low resource countries there are opportunities to reduce breast deaths through earlier diagnosis and effective treatment. Screening programs are most effective when they are organized, and program planners should consider WHO criteria and local input data as a basis for tailoring screening programs to the needs of their population.

El beneficio de la detección temprana del cáncer de mama es el fundamento para programas alrededor del mundo que buscan reducir la morbilidad y mortalidad relacionada con este padecimiento. Estos programas abarcan desde los de tipo educativo, orientados a mujeres y profesionales de la salud, hasta programas de monitoreo organizados u oportunistas que tienen como objetivo grupos específicos de edad. Los programas modernos de mastografía tienden a seguir protocolos para estudios clínicos aleatorios,pero hay una variación en elementos clave como los grupos de edad invitados a participar, el intervalo para el monitoreo, indicadores de desempeño, y la tasa de captación. Hasta hace poco, el énfasis en la detección temprana del cáncer estaba limitado a la mastografía, pero el incrementoen la incidencia ymortalidad en países de recursos bajos a medios, donde las mastografías no son asequibles, ha llevado a un renovado énfasis en el valor de los exámenes físicos. Existe un consenso en cuanto a que los programas deben estar diseñados basándose en la carga de la enfermedad y los recursos disponibles, pero incluso los países con recursos más limitados tienen oportunidades para reducir las muertes de cáncer de mama a través de un diagnóstico oportuno y un tratamiento eficaz. Los programas de detección son más eficaces cuando están organizados, y los planeadores del programa deben considerar los criterios de la OMS y la información local como bases para ajustarlos a las necesidades de la población.

Cefalea: su tratamiento

Progresos recientes en el terreno de la fisiopatología de las cefaleas han permitido el hallazgo de nuevos medicamentos, más efectivos, que facilitan el tratamiento de la mayor parte de las cefaleas. En este articulo se analizan el tratamiento y la profilaxis de la migraña aguda, la cefalea "por tensión", la cefalea "en salvas" y la cefalea diaria crónica