A Review of Cosmos caudatus as A Promising Antidiabetic Plant

@#Cosmos caudatus Kunth is an edible plant commonly known for its beneficial medicinal effects on human health and traditionally used to treat various health conditions, including diabetes. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge about this plant, to provide some basic information about this herb that reflects its antidiabetic potential through multiple mechanisms. Currently, available evidence suggests that C. caudatus possess some pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, the formation of healthy bone and regulation of blood pressure and glucose levels. The review summarized the antidiabetic activity and its significant phytoconstituents in C. caudatus

Da natureza e do inconsciente coletivo / Of Nature and the Collective Unconscious / De la Naturaleza y del Inconsciente Colectivo

Este artigo tem como objetivo traçar um paralelo entre o conceito de inconsciente coletivo da psicologia analítica e a concepção de natureza dentro da tradição filosófica. Tenta demonstrar a proximidade do pensamento analítico, no que se refere à concepção de Natureza e inconsciente, com a concepção de Natureza no Romantismo alemão e na filosofia grega.

This article aims to draw a parallel between the concept of the collective unconscious of analytical psychology and the conception of Nature within the philosophical tradition. It tries to demonstrate the proximity of analytical thinking, regarding the conception of Nature and unconscious, with the conception of Nature in German Romanticism and Greek philosophy.

Este artículo tiene como objetivo trazar un paralelo entre el concepto de inconsciente colectivo de la psicología analítica y la concepción de la naturaleza dentro de la tradición filosófica. Intenta demostrar la proximidad del pensamiento analítico, en lo que se refiere a la concepción de Naturaleza e inconsciente, con la concepción de Naturaleza en el Romanticismo alemán y en la filosofía griega.

The Effects of Cosmos caudatus (Ulam Raja) on Detoxifying Enzymes in Extrahepatic Organs in Mice.

‘Ulam Raja’ or Cosmos caudatus is a common appetizer (ulam) consumed by the Malay community in Malaysia. However, in vivo studies pertaining to its antioxidant and chemoprotective properties are lacking. This study was done to determine the effects of Cosmos caudatus on detoxifying enzymes in extrahepatic organs (lungs, kidneys and stomach) in mice. Thirty adult male white mice were treated orally for 21 days with different doses of ‘Ulam Raja’ aqueous extract (UR) (100, 500, 1000mg/kg). The control group was given normal saline by oral gavage. Mice fed with diet containing 0.5% butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) were used as positive control. After 21 days, the mice were sacrificed and extrahepatic organs were harvested. The activities of several detoxifying enzymes [catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), DT-diaphorase (DTD)] were measured. Lipid peroxidation level was determined by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. In lungs, 100, 500 & 1000 mg/kg UR oral supplementation resulted in significant increases in CAT, SOD and GST activities. DTD activity in lungs was significantly increased in mice treated with 1000mg/kg UR. MDA levels in lungs were significantly decreased in mice treated with 100mg/kg & 500 mg/kg UR but was significantly increased in mice treated with 1000mg/kg UR. In kidneys, DTD activity was significantly increased in mice treated with 1000mg/kg UR. In stomach, CAT activity was significantly increased in mice treated with 1000mg/kg UR. The results showed that Cosmos caudatus supplementation in mice could protect extrahepatic organs from xenobiotic and oxidative injury. This indicates that consumption of ‘Ulam Raja’ might be a useful chemoprotective measure.

"A liberdade é azul", mas está no vermelho: blue", but the color of freedom seems to be in the red / "Three colors

Dinheiro é excitante. Dinheiro é sexo. Dinheiro é liberdade. Comprar é excitante. É erótico. Armadilha. Nem toda soma de dinheiro é capital. O dinheiro torna-se capital no modo de produção capitalista. Assim a mercadoria também torna mercadoria-capital. Entender a mais-valia. O artista vive no azul da liberdade e no vermelho das dívidas. E das dúvidas. Necessidade de esclarecimentos. Estudo. Capital humano. Psicanálise, Ciência, Cabala, Teatro, Amor, Poesia, Humor. Muito humor para suportar as vozes dissonantes. O artista busca diálogo. Diálogo com seu Eu e com o Outro. Erotiza a vida e a vida o erotiza. É livre com ou sem dinheiro. Mas com dinheiro ele é mais livre. "O dinheiro não é tudo. Mas quando você tem muito dinheiro pelo menos ninguém chama: Hei, você aí!", Millôr Fernandes.

Money is exciting. Money is sex. Money is freedom. Buying is exciting. It is erotic. It is a trap. Not all sum of money is capital. Money becomes capital in the capitalism. This way goods also become capitalgoods. Understanding the surplus value. The artist, always in the red, has an account in the black when the topic is freedom. Full of doubts, the artist needs enlightening. Studying. Human capital. Psychoanalysis, Science, Cabala, Theater, Love, Poetry, Humor. A lot of humor to handle the dissonant voices. The artist seeks dialogue. A dialogue between the Self and the Other. He eroticizes life and it is eroticized by it. He is free with or without money. But he has more freedom with money. "Money isn't everything. But when you have a lot of it no one calls you: 'Hey, you there!'", Millôr Fernandes.

Effect of Cosmos caudatus Kunth. (Ulam Raja) Aqueous and Dry Extracts on the Physicochemical and Functional Properties, and Sensory Acceptability of Herbal Yellow Alkaline Noodles

Introduction: Cosmos caudatus (Ulam Raja) is rich in phytochemicals and can be utilised in diet diversification strategies to improve the health of individuals. This study was designed to incorporate dry and aqueous extracts of C. caudatus for the preparation of herbal noodles. Methods: For this purpose, different proportions of dry extract (2, 4 and 6% dry extract) and aqueous extract (5, 10 and 15% aqueous extract) of C. caudatus were used. The physicochemical properties of noodles evaluated were pH, cooking time, cooking loss, texture and colour. Total polyphenol contents (TPC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay were carried out to assess the antioxidant potential. Lastly, sensory appraisal of functional noodles was carried out to assess consumer acceptance and marketability. Results: The results on physicochemical properties indicated that the pH value of noodles varied from 8.66 to 10.47. In terms of textural analysis and colour properties, firmness and greenness (a*) were higher in dry extract noodles. TPC varied between 115 to 149 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE/100g) whilst the highest DPPH free radical inhibition was exhibited in herbal noodles prepared using 4% dry extract (92.8%). In contrast, in terms of sensory appraisal, herbal noodles prepared with aqueous extract were more acceptable than dry extract noodles. Conclusion: C. caudatus can be utilised to prepare herbal noodles thus enhancing the dietary intake of phytochemicals especially antioxidants. Such functional foods can improve the health of consumers and offer the potential of protection against various ailments.

Emergência de capim-carrapicho e picão-de-flor com diferentes profundidades de semeadura em duas épocas / Emergence of Cenchrus echinatus L. and Cosmos sulphureus Cav. with different sowing depths in two seasons

Com o objetivo de estudar a emergência de plântulas de Cenchrus echinatus e Cosmos sulphureus em resposta à época e à profundidade de semeadura, foram realizados dois experimentos em condições ambientais não controladas, aguadas diariamente, nos meses de junho e setembro de 2009. Sementes de C. echinatus e C. sulphureus foram semeadas em diferentes profundidades (0, 1, 3, 5, 7 e 9 cm). Os experimentos foram conduzidos em vasos com 5 repetições, contendo 50 sementes por vaso. Diariamente, durante 21 dias, as plântulas emergidas foram contadas e cortadas rente ao solo, seguido de avaliação de porcentagem de emergência e índice de velocidade de emergência (IVE). Os maiores percentuais de emergência e maiores IVE foram observados até 5 cm de profundidade e a espécie C. sulphureus se mostrou mais sensível às variações de temperatura em decorrência da época de semeadura do que a espécie C. echinatus.

With the purpose to study the emergence of Cenchrus echinatus L.and Cosmos sulphureus Cav. in response to time and depth of sowing, two experiments were conducted in uncontrolled environmental conditions in the months of June and September 2009. Cenchrus echinatus L.and Cosmos sulphureus Cav seeds were sown at different depths (0, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 cm). The experiments were conducted in pots, with five replications of 50 seeds per pot, followed by evaluation of the emergence percentage and emergence speed index (ESI). The highest percentage of emergency and higher EVR were observed up to 5 cm depth and the species Cosmos sulphureus Cav. was more sensitive to temperature variations due to the time of sowing of the species C. equinatus

Evaluación del efecto inhibitorio sobre la respuesta alérgica y determinación de la toxicidad aguda del extracto metanólico de Cosmos Peucedanifolius (Panti) / Evaluation of the inhibitory effect on the allergic response and determination of the acute toxicity of the methanolic extract of Cosmos Peucedanifolius (Panti)

El presente trabajo abordó la evaluación del efecto inhibitorio sobre la respuesta alérgica del extracto metanótico de Cosmos peucedanifofius (panti) y la determinación de la toxicidad aguda de esta especie. Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto inhibitorio sobre la respuesta alérgica del extracto metanólico de Cosmos peucedanifolius (panti) y determinar la toxicidad aguda. Metodología: Para evaluar el efecto sobre la respuesta alérgica se realizó un estudio cuasi experimental de series cronologías con repetición del estímulo y diseño con un grupo control, realizando las siguientes pruebas: Edema plantar inducido por OVA (ovoalbúmina), Reacción cutánea inducida por Histamina en ratas albinas y Prueba de Anafilaxia Pasiva Cutánea para determinar lgE específica. Y con el objetivo de demostrar la probable toxicidad aguda se usó, un estudio cuasi experimental con pre prueba y post prueba teniendo en cuenta el Método de Lorke. Resultados: Se observó que a dosis de 800mg/Kg existió una inhibición muy buena sobre la inflamación alérgica inducida por Ovoalbúmina de 52 % similar al del fármaco patrón lndometacina. En el ensayo de la evaluación de la reacción cutánea inducida por histamina en ratas albinas se obtuvo buenos resultados a dosis de 400 y 800 mg/kg obteniéndose un buen porcentaje de Inhibición. Finalmente a dosis de 400 mg/Kg se observó una inhibición en la producción de lgE especifica mostrándose de mejor manera a una dilución de e 1/256. En cuanto a la determinación de la toxicidad aguda mediante la prueba de Lorke se determinó que el extracto metanólico de Cosmos peucedanifolius (panti), es poco toxica. Conclusiones: Los resultados de esta investigación constituyen parte de la base experimental pre clínica necesaria para la realización de ensayos clínicos controlados en inmunopatologías como la artritis reumatoide o el asma bronquial entre otras enfermedades relacionadas a la respuesta alérgica.

In vitro Inhibitory Potential of Selected Malaysian Plants Against Key Enzymes Involved in Hyperglycemia and Hypertension

Introduction: This study was conducted to determine the inhibitory potential of selected Malaysian plants against key enzymes related to type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Methods: The samples investigated were pucuk ubi (Manihot esculenta), pucuk betik (Carica papaya), ulam raja (Cosmos caudatus), pegaga (Centella asiatica) and kacang botol (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus). The inhibitory potential of hexane and dichloromethane extracts against the enzymes were determined by using α-amylase, α-glucosidase and angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition assay. Results: In α-amylase inhibition assay, the inhibitory potential was highest in pucuk ubi for both hexane (59.22%) and dichloromethane extract (54.15%). Hexane extract of pucuk ubi (95.01%) and dichloromethane extract of kacang botol (38.94%) showed the highest inhibitory potential against α- glucosidase,while in ACE inhibition assay, the inhibitory potential was highest in hexane extract of pegaga (48.45%) and dichloromethane extract of pucuk betik (59.77%). Conclusion: This study suggests a nutraceutical potential of some of these plants for hyperglycemia and hypertension prevention associated with type 2 diabetes.