Local/traditional uses, secondary metabolites and biological activities of Mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum Ruíz & Pavón).

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Tropaeolum tuberosum Ruíz & Pavón (Tropaeolaceae). Sim (commonly called Mashua) is an indigenous plant that has medicinal values for various ethnic groups of the regions of the Andes mountain range of South America, which use it for the treatment of diseases venereal, lung and skin; for the healing of internal and external wounds; and as an analgesic for kidney and bladder pain. AIM OF THE REVIEW: We critically summarised the current evidence on the botanic characterisation and distribution, ethnopharmacology, secondary metabolites, pharmacological activities, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and toxicology of T. tuberosum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The relevant information on T. tuberosum was gathered from worldwide accepted scientific databases via electronic search (Google scholar, Elsevier, SciFinder, ScienceDirect, PubMed, SpringerLink, Web of Science, Scopus, Wiley Online, Mendeley, Scielo and Dialnet electronic databases). Information was also obtained from the literature and books as well as PhD and MSc dissertations. Plant names were validated by 'The Plant List' (www.theplantlist.org). RESULTS: T. tuberosum has diverse uses in local and popular medicine, specifically for relieving pain and infections in humans. Regarding its biological activities, polar extracts (aqueous, hydroalcoholic) and isolated compounds from the tubers have exhibited a wide range of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological effects, including antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activities. Quantitative analysis (e.g., NMR, HPLC, GC-MS) indicated the presence of a set of secondary metabolites, including hydroxybenzoic acids, tannins, flavanols, anthocyanins, glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, phytosterols, fatty acids and alkamides in the tubers of T. tuberosum. Likewise, glucosinolates have been identified in the seeds and isothiocyanates have been detected in leaves, flowers and seeds. CONCLUSIONS: T. tuberosum has been tested for various biological activities and the extracts (tubers in particular) demonstrated a promising potential as an antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and inhibitors of benign prostatic hyperplasia. A lack of alignment between the ethno-medicinal uses and existing biological screenings was observed, indicating the need to explore its potential for the treatment against respiratory affections, urinary affections and blood diseases. Likewise, it is necessary to analyse deeply the relationship that exists between the different tuber colours of T. tuberosum and its use for the treatment of certain diseases. Validation of clinical studies of the antibacterial, antioxidant/anti-inflammatory, anti-spermatogenic activities and as inhibitors of benign prostatic hyperplasia is required. Moreover, studies on the toxicity, bioavailability, and pharmacokinetics, in addition to clinical trials, are indispensable for assessing the safety and efficacy of the active metabolites or extracts obtained from T. tuberosum. Other areas that need investigation are the development of future applications based on their active metabolites, such as neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease). Finally, the work purposes to motivate other research groups to carry out a series of scientific studies that can fill the gaps that exist with respect to Mashua properties, and thus be able to change the focus of T. tuberosum (Mashua) that currently has in the consumer society.

Evaluación del efecto antiinflamatorio de un extracto orgánico de Allophylus cominia (L) Sw. sobre la actividad de COX-2 y FLA-2s / Evaluation of the antiinflammatory effect of an organic extract of Allophylus cominia (L) Sw. on COX-2 and sPLA-2 activity

Allophylus cominia (L) Sw (Sapindaceae), is one of the most popular Cuban medicinal plant. The aimed of this study was to explore, if the antidiabetic organic extract has also anti-inflammatory effect, considering that inflammation is correlationated with diabetes. It was evaluated in vitro inhibitory activity of chloroform extract of leaves on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA-2), which are important cellular mediators in the signaling cascade of the inflammatory process. The extract studied shown inhibitory activity on COX-2, while not shown on FLA-2s. This study provides direct evidence of the activity of A. cominia on mechanisms related to anti-inflammatory effects involving the eicosanoid cascade.

Allophylus cominia (L) Sw (Sapindáceas) es una de las plantas medicinales más afamadas de la medicina tradicional en Cuba. El objetivo de este estudio fue explorar si el extracto orgánico con actividad antidiabética tenía también efecto de tipo antiinflamatorio, considerando que la inflamación es un evento relacionado con la diabetes. En tal sentido se evaluó in vitro la actividad inhibitoria del extracto clorofórmico de las hojas de Allophylus cominia (L) Sw sobre cicloxigenasa-2 (COX-2) y fosofolipasa A2 secretada (FLA-2s), las cuales constituyen importantes mediadores celulares en la cascada de señalización del proceso inflamatorio. El extracto estudiado exhibió actividad inhibitoria sobre COX-2, mientras que no la mostró sobre FLA-2s. Este trabajo brinda evidencias directas de la actividad de A. cominia sobre mecanismos vinculados al efecto antinflamatorio que involucran la cascada de eicosanoides.

Control de Calidad del Xanthium spinosum, planta medicinal expendida en la ciudad de La Paz, Bolivia / Quality control of Xanthiu spinosum, a medicinal plant that is expended in the city of La Paz, Bolivia

Xanthium spinosum L. especie vegetal conocida comunmente en la ciudad de La Paz con el nombre "amor seco" es una especie autóctona de Sud América, es utilizada en la medicina tradicional principalmente por sus propiedades coleréticas hepáticas, laxantes suaves, cicatrizante de heridas, antiinflamatorio y diurético. Este trabajo tuvo como finalidad establecer los parámetros de calidad e identificación de esta especie, para ello se ha realizado el análisis micrográfico de hojas y tallos que es una característica diagnóstica y de identidad, los principales elementos encontrados son fragmentos de tricomas pluricelulares, vasos asociados a tejido, parénquima con estomas, fibras lignificadas y parénquima cortical. El análisis farmacognóstico muestra un contenido humedad de 7,78%, cenizas totales de 18,31%, cenizas ácidas 5,97%, elementos extraños 0,584% e índice de hinchamiento 19,46 ml. El análisis químico cualitativo muestra una mayor presencia de flavonoides y taninos, además de alcaloides y saponinas en menor proporción. La evaluación preliminar microbiológica muestra que las unidades formadoras de colonias (ufc) están dentro de los límites establecidos por la APHA. (AU)

Evaluación de la toxicidad de los extractos etanólicos de Baccharis latifolia Baccharis papillosa en animales de experimentación / Toxicity evaluation of ethanolic extracts of Baccharis latifolia and Baccharis papillosa using laboratory animals

Con el objetivo de potenciar el uso de plantas medicinales así como el de cumplir con los requisitos normativos del ministerio de salud para productos naturales, se evaluó la toxicidad de los extractos etanólicos de las especies Bacharis latifolia (EE-Bl) y Bacharis papillosa (EE-Bp) en diferentes pruebas: comportamiento general, determinación de la temperatura rectal, peso corporal y peso de órganos en ratones albinos suizos. Los extractos a dosis de 3000 y 5000 mg/kg para el EE-Bp y 5000 mg/kg para el EEBl, fueron administrados por canulación vía oral a ratones machos y hembras para la determinación de la toxicidad aguda, efectos sobre el comportamiento general, toxicidad subaguda a dosis única, y evaluación de la influencia de los extractos sobre la temperatura corporal. Los resultados revelaron que ambos extractos no manifiestan toxicidad aguda (mortalidad hasta 5000 mg/kg) a dosis única. Los EE-Bp y EE-Bl a las dosis ensayadas produjeron piloerección hasta las 24 hrs, con disminución de la actividad prensil y analgesia en grado variable. Con las dosis ensayadas de EE-Bp se observó un aumento significativo de la temperatura rectal en ratones machos hasta las 24 horas. Con ambos extractos (EE-Bp y EE-Bl) se observó que en general no modificaron significativamente el peso corporal hasta los 14 días de observación. Con referencia al peso de órganos, para los dos extractos, el peso de los intestinos aumentó significativamente respecto al control probablemente debido a una acción directa del extracto sobre este órgano a dosis ensayadas. Similares resultados se muestra en riñones, estómago e hígado. (AU)

Sesquiterpenes from Jasonia glutinosa: in vitro anti-inflammatory activity.

Four sesquiterpenes isolated from Jasonia glutinosa D.C. (Asteraceae), namely lucinone, glutinone, 5-epi-kutdtriol and kutdtriol, have been evaluated for their in vitro anti-inflammatory activity in cellular systems generating cyclooxygenase (COX) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) metabolites. None of the compounds assayed had a significant effect on leukotriene C4 (LTC4)-release from calcium ionophore-stimulated mouse peritoneal cells. However, the release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by mouse peritoneal cells stimulated with calcium ionophore was inhibited by these compounds, although with less potency than the reference drug indomethacin (IC50=0.24 microM). The IC50 values of the active compounds were: lucinone 42.69 microM, glutinone 3.61 microM, 5-epi-kutdtriol 1.28 microM and kutdtriol 39 microM. Of the tested compounds, only glutinone (IC50=24 microM) showed a significant effect on thromboxane B2 (TXB2)-release induced by calcium ionophore in human platelets, although with less potency than the reference drug ibuprofen (IC50=1.27 microM).