Traditional Uses, Phytochemical Constituents and Ethnopharmacological Properties of Mistletoe from Phoradendron and Viscum Species.

Plants from the genus Phoradendron and Viscum, also known as American and European mistletoe, are a group of hemiparasitic plants traditionally used to treat many diseases. Mistletoes have a rich content of natural compounds like terpenes, alkaloids, proteins, and phenolic compounds associated with their potential medicinal properties. In this sense, mistletoes have shown antiproliferative, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity, which has been attributed to their phytochemical constituents. The mechanisms in which mistletoe plants act vary and depend on their phytochemical content and distribution, which in part will depend on the mistletoe species. In this sense, recent literature research is needed to visualize state of the art in the ethnopharmacological potential of mistletoe. Thus, this literature review aims to systematically report recent studies (2010-2023) on the phytochemical characterization and bioactive studies of mistletoe plants, mainly the Viscum and Phoradendron genera. We gather recent information of 161 references selected in our research. Here we report that although there are several bioactivity studies of mistletoe species, bioavailability studies are still scarce, and the precise mechanisms of action are not fully known. We encourage that further studies include a systematic strategy to cover these areas of opportunity.

Metabolomic Characterization of Phoradendron brachystachyum Mistletoe and In-Silico and In-Vitro Investigation of Its Therapeutic Potential in Metabolic Disorders.

Plants of the Phoradendron genus have been traditionally used for their lipid- and glucose-lowering effects. However, the compounds responsible for these effects and the overall chemical profile of these plants have not been thoroughly investigated. We aimed to characterize the metabolome of leaves, stems, and aerial parts of the Phoradendron brachystachyum plant. We used mass spectrometry and colorimetric screening techniques (with various solvents) to identify and characterize the metabolites present. We also evaluated the antioxidant (FRAP, ORAC, TEAC, and DPPH assays) and inhibitory effects on pancreatic lipase and α-glucosidase enzymes of hydrophilic extracts. Furthermore, we compared the molecular fingerprints between the identified metabolites and FDA-approved drugs to gain insights into the metabolites that might be responsible for the observed effects on enzymes. Our findings revealed the presence of 59 putative metabolites, primarily flavonoids. However, we also hint at the presence of peptide and carbohydrate derivatives. The leaf extracts demonstrated the most promising metrics across all assays, exhibiting strong antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory effects as well as high levels of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and tannins. Fingerprint analysis suggested potential peptide and carbohydrate metabolites as pancreatic lipase and α-glucosidase inhibitors. Overall, our study provides evidence on specific metabolites in Phoradendron brachystachyum that could be responsible for the therapeutic effects noted in obese and type 2 diabetes subjects.

Solanum Fruits: Phytochemicals, Bioaccessibility and Bioavailability, and Their Relationship With Their Health-Promoting Effects.

The Solanum genus is the largest in the Solanaceae family containing around 2,000 species. There is a great number of edibles obtained from this genus, and globally, the most common are tomato (S. lycopersicum), potato (S. tuberosum), and eggplant (S. melongena). Other fruits are common in specific regions and countries, for instance, S. nigrum, S. torvum, S. betaceum, and S. stramonifolium. Various reports have shown that flavonoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, saponins, and other molecules can be found in these plants. These molecules are associated with various health-promoting properties against many non-communicable diseases, the main causes of death globally. Nonetheless, the transformations of the structure of antioxidants caused by cooking methods and gastrointestinal digestion impact their potential benefits and must be considered. This review provides information about antioxidant compounds, their bioaccessibility and bioavailability, and their health-promoting effects. Bioaccessibility and bioavailability studies must be considered when evaluating the bioactive properties of health-promoting molecules like those from the Solanum genus.

Insulinoma: diagnóstico y tratamiento tras 5 años de manejo psiquiátrico / Insulinoma: diagnosis and treatment after 5 years of psychiatric management

El insulinoma es un tumor endocrinológico derivado de las células beta del páncreas, de baja frecuencia y de mayor prevalencia en la 5a década de la vida. Son pequeños, benignos y únicos, en la mayoría de los casos. Presentamos un caso, diagnosticado en el Servicio de Medicina Interna del Hospital Regional de Talca, en una paciente de 38 años de edad con antecedentes de depresión de 5 años de evolución en tratamiento farmacológico, que ingresó para estudio de hipoglicemias de larga data, persistentes, de ayuno. Se objetivaron hipoglicemias de ayuno e insulinemia inapropiadamente alta. TAC abdomen con contraste demostró masa hipervascular en relación al páncreas. Se realizó resección quirúrgica del tumor y el estudio inmunohistoquímico confirmó insulinoma. La evolución postoperatoria fue satisfactoria, con normalización de glicemias y notable mejoría de su cuadro depresivo.

Fístulas gastrointestinales: revisión bibliográfica / Gastrointestinal fistulas: bibliographic review

Las fístulas digestivas constituyen cuadros clínicos de relativa frecuencia en la práctica quirúrgica. Tienen elevada morbi mortalidad; provocan angustia y cambios en la calidad de vida de los pacientes y preocupaciones en los cirujanos. Entre las fístulas digestivas, las hay de todos los segmentos(esofágicas, gastroduodenales, pancreáticas, biliares, intestinales y colónicas). En cuanto a sus causas las más frecuentes son postoperatorias. En esta revisión se presentan las clasificaciones de estas complicaciones mïas aceptadas en la actualidad. También se abordan los diversos eventos fisiopatplógicvos que tienen lugar en los diferntes tipos de fístulas digestivas así como las alernativas terapéuticas actualmente disponibles