Introducción a cultivo de vitroplantas de "Peperina de las Lomas" (Hedeoma multiflora Benth) como contribución para su conservación ex situ / Field establishment of vitroplants of "Peperina de las Lomas" (Hedeoma multiflora Benth) as a contribution to its ex situ conservation

Hedeoma multiflora Benth. (Lamiaceae) is an aromatic-medicinal species native to Argentina, Uruguay and southern Brazil that is in a state of vulnerability due to overexploitation. It is used in the preparation of flavored yerba mate and in popular medicine, mainly in abdominal conditions. The objective of this work was to adjust the micropropagation technique, study the field behavior of vitroplants, compare the seeds generated and close their cultivation cycle. Different concentrations of growth regulators were evaluated on Murashige-Skoog medium. The implantation was successful. There are no differences between the evaluated plants. It was possible to efficiently close the complete cycle in vitro, with 100% survival, flowering and production of viable seeds. This methodology will serve for its introduction to the field, subsequent domestication, reintroduction into its natural environment and mitigate the process of degradation of the populations.

Hedeoma multiflora Benth. (Lamiaceae) es una especie aromatico-medicinal nativa de Argentina, Uruguay y sur de Brasil que se encuentra en estado de vulnerabilidad debido a la sobreexplotación. Es utilizada en la elaboración de yerba mate saborizada y en medicina popular, principalmente en afecciones abdominales. El objetivo de este trabajo fue ajustar la técnica de micropropagación, estudiar el comportamiento a campo de vitroplantas, comparar las semillas generadas y cerrar su ciclo de cultivo. Se evaluaron diferentes concentraciones de reguladores de crecimiento sobre medio de cultivo Murashige-Skoog. La implantación se realizó exitosamente, sin deterioro ni muerte de las plantas. No existen diferencias entre las plantas evaluadas. Se logró cerrar eficientemente el ciclo completo in vitro, con un 100% de supervivencia, floración y producción de semillas viables. Esta metodología servirá para su introducción a campo, posterior domesticación, reintroducción en su ambiente natural y mitigar el proceso de degradación de las poblaciones.

Biological Evaluation of Valeriana Extracts from Argentina with Potent Cholinesterase Inhibition for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders and Their Comorbidities-The Case of Valeriana carnosa Sm. (Caprifoliaceae) Studied in Mice.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder whose pathophysiology includes the abnormal accumulation of proteins (e.g., ß-amyloid), oxidative stress, and alterations in neurotransmitter levels, mainly acetylcholine. Here we present a comparative study of the effect of extracts obtained from endemic Argentinian species of valerians, namely V. carnosa Sm., V. clarionifolia Phil. and V. macrorhiza Poepp. ex DC from Patagonia and V. ferax (Griseb.) Höck and V. effusa Griseb., on different AD-related biological targets. Of these anxiolytic, sedative and sleep-inducing valerians, V. carnosa proved the most promising and was assayed in vivo. All valerians inhibited acetylcholinesterase (IC50 between 1.08-12.69 mg/mL) and butyrylcholinesterase (IC50 between 0.0019-1.46 mg/mL). They also inhibited the aggregation of ß-amyloid peptide, were able to chelate Fe2+ ions, and exhibited a direct relationship between antioxidant capacity and phenolic content. Moreover, V. carnosa was able to inhibit human monoamine oxidase A (IC50: 0.286 mg/mL (0.213-0.384)). A daily intake of aqueous V. carnosa extract by male Swiss mice (50 and 150 mg/kg/day) resulted in anxiolytic and antidepressant-like behavior and improved spatial memory. In addition, decreased AChE activity and oxidative stress markers were observed in treated mouse brains. Our studies contribute to the development of indigenous herbal medicines as therapeutic agents for AD.