Modulation of Gut Microbiota, and Morphometry, Blood Profiles and performance of Broiler Chickens Supplemented with Piper aduncum, Morinda citrifolia, and Artocarpus altilis leaves Ethanolic Extracts.

Bioactive plants such as P. aduncum, M. citrifolia, and A. altilis might improve intestinal health as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the ethanolic extracts (EEs) of these plants on the intestinal health of broiler chickens. Cobb 500 chickens (n = 352) were distributed into eight treatments with four replicates and 11 chickens each. T1 received a base diet, and T2 received a base diet with 0.005% zinc bacitracin. T3, T5, and T7 were supplemented with 0.005% of P. aduncum, M. citrifolia, and A. altilis EE in the diet while T4, T6, and T8 with 0.01% of the extract. The EEs were supplemented with drinking water from 1 to 26 days of age. The following parameters were evaluated: hematological profiles at 28 days of age, blood metabolites profiles at 14, 21, and 28 days; Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Lactobacillus sp. abundance in the ileum mucosa and content at 21 and 28 days, and histomorphometry of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum mucosa at 14, 21, and 28 d. Final weight (FW), weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion rate (FCR) were evaluated at seven, 21, and 33 days of age. M. citrifolia and A. altilis EE at 0.01% increased blood glucose levels at 21 and 28 days of age, respectively, and P. aduncum and M. citrifolia EE at 0.01% increased triglycerides at 28 days of age; in addition, this EE did not have any effect on the AST and ALT profiles. The depths of the Lieberkühn crypts and the villi length to the crypt's depth ratio increased with age on supplementation with 0.01% M. citrifolia and A. altilis EE at 21 days of age (p < 0.05). In addition, the depth of the crypts increased at 28 days of age (p < 0.05) in chickens supplemented with 0.01% A. altilis EE. The 0.01% M. citrifolia EE in diet decreased in the Staphylococcus aureus population in the ileal microbiota (p < 0.05). The FW and WG during the fattening and in the three stages overall increased, and the FCR decreased; however, the FI and the carcass yield did not change in the broiler chickens supplemented with 0.01% M. citrifolia EE (p < 0.05). Conclusively, the M. citrifolia EE at 0.01% of the diet improved intestinal health and thus the performance indices of the broiler chickens and did not have a detrimental effect on any of the parameters evaluated, so it is postulated as a potential alternative to AGP in poultry.

Antileishmanial Activity of Clinanthus milagroanthus S. Leiva & Meerow (Amaryllidaceae) Collected in Peru.

Leishmaniasis is a worldwide infectious parasitic disease caused by different species of protozoa of the genus Leishmania, which are transmitted to animals and humans through the bite of insects of the Psychodidae family. In the present work, the antileishmanial activity of an alkaloid extract of the bulbs of Clinanthus milagroanthus S. Leiva & Meerow (Amaryllidaceae) was evaluated in vitro, in vivo, and in silico against the parasite Leishmania braziliensis, and the chemical profile of the sample was determined by GC-MS analysis. At concentrations of 1, 10, and 100 µg·mL−1, the alkaloid extract presented inhibition percentages of 8.7%, 23.1%, and 98.8%, respectively, against L. braziliensis with a p < 0.05, and IC50 values of 18.5 ± 0.3 µg·mL−1. Furthermore, at a dose of 1.0 mg·kg−1, a greater decrease in lesion size was observed (90%) for in vivo assays, as well as a decrease in infection (96%), finding no significant differences (p > 0.05) in comparison with amphotericin B (92% and 98%, respectively). Eleven alkaloids were identified in C. milagroanthus bulbs: galanthamine, vittatine/crinine, 8-O-demethylmaritidine, anhydrolycorine, 11,12-dehydroanhydrolycorine, hippamine, lycorine, 2-hydroxyanhydrolycorine, 7-hydroxyclivonine, 2α-hydroxyhomolycorine, and 7-hydroxyclivonine isomer. A molecular model of Leishmania braziliensis trypanothione reductase (TRLb) was built using computational experiments to evaluate in silico the potential of the Amaryllidaceae alkaloid identified in C. milagroanthus toward this enzyme. The structures galanthamine, 7-hydroxyclivonine isomer, and crinine showed better estimated free energy of binding than the reference compound, amphotericin B. In conclusion, this is the first in vitro, in vivo, and in silico report about the antileishmanial potential and alkaloid profiling of the extract of C. milagroanthus bulbs, which could become an interesting source of bioactive molecules.

Alkaloid Composition and Biological Activities of the Amaryllidaceae Species Ismene amancaes (Ker Gawl.) Herb.

Natural products have always played a significant role in the search for new drugs. One of the most relevant alkaloid-containing plant groups is the Amaryllidaceae family, a source of exclusive structures with a wide variety of pharmacological activities. The aim of this work was to determine the alkaloid composition and biological potential of an extract from the bulbs of an endemic Peruvian Amaryllidaceae species Ismene amancaes (Ker Gawl.) Herb. The alkaloid profiling was carried out by GC-MS, which revealed the presence of 13 compounds, 2 of them unidentified. The plant extract was found to contain high amounts of lycoramine, a galanthamine-type alkaloid. The extract also presented low inhibitory potential against the enzymes AChE and BuChE, with IC50 values of 14.6 ± 0.6 and 37.6 ± 1.4 µg·mL-1, respectively, and good to moderate inhibitory activity against the protozoan Plasmodium falciparum strain FCR-3 (chloroquine-resistant), with IC50 values of 3.78 ± 0.3 µg·mL-1. This is the first report of the alkaloid profile of a plant of the Ismene genus, which could be an interesting source of bioactive compounds.

Mindfulness-based online intervention for mental health during times of COVID-19.

Background: As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, mental health begins to be affected. In this sense, practical and low-cost solutions are necessary to minimize the impact on the population. Aim: This study aimed to determine the effect of a mindfulness-based online intervention for mental health during times of COVID-19. Method: A quasi-experimental study was carried out with pre-test and post-test measurements in a sample of 62 participants divided into an experimental group whose members were administered a 12-session mindfulness online program, and a control group on the waiting list. The Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) was used to assess anxiety, the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) to measure depression, and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) to determine stress levels. Results: The levels of anxiety, depression, and stress decreased after the intervention, finding significant differences between the groups and study phases (P < 0.05). In addition, moderate changes in anxiety (d = 0.849, g = 0.847) and depression (d = 0.533, g = 0.530) were found, as well as important changes in stress reduction (d = 1.254, g = 1.240). Conclusion: There is evidence of a potential for the use of mindfulness program to reduce stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in stressful situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

FTIR Characterization of Sulfated Polysaccharides Obtained from Macrocystis integrifolia Algae and Verification of Their Antiangiogenic and Immunomodulatory Potency In Vitro and In Vivo.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory potential of sulfated polysaccharides from the marine algae Macrocystis integrifolia characterized by FTIR. The cytotoxicity of sulfated polysaccharides was evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Antiangiogenic activity was evaluated using the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Immunomodulatory activity was determined on macrophage functionality and allergic response. The results showed that sulfated polysaccharides significantly decreased angiogenesis in chicken chorioallantoic membranes (p < 0.05). Likewise, they inhibited in vivo chemotaxis and in vitro phagocytosis, the transcription process of genes that code the enzymes cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and nitric oxide synthase-2 (NOS-2) and the nuclear factor kappa-light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), showing immunomodulatory properties on the allergic response, as well as an in vivo inhibitory effect in the ovalbumin-induced inflammatory allergy model (OVA) and inhibited lymphocyte proliferation specific to the OVA antigen in immunized mice. Finally, these compounds inhibited the histamine-induced skin reaction in rats, the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in mice, and the passive response to skin anaphylaxis in rats. Therefore, the results of this research showed the potential of these compounds to be a promising source for the development of antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory drugs.

The Parotoid Gland Secretion from Peruvian Toad Rhinella horribilis (Wiegmann, 1833): Chemical Composition and Effect on the Proliferation and Migration of Lung Cancer Cells.

Since Rhinella sp. toads produce bioactive substances, some species have been used in traditional medicine and magical practices by ancient cultures in Peru. During several decades, the Rhinella horribilis toad was confused with the invasive toad Rhinella marina, a species documented with extensive toxinological studies. In contrast, the chemical composition and biological effects of the parotoid gland secretions (PGS) remain still unknown for R. horribilis. In this work, we determine for the first time 55 compounds from the PGS of R. horribilis, which were identified using HPLC-MS/MS. The crude extract inhibited the proliferation of A549 cancer cells with IC50 values of 0.031 ± 0.007 and 0.015 ± 0.001 µg/mL at 24 and 48 h of exposure, respectively. Moreover, it inhibited the clonogenic capacity, increased ROS levels, and prevented the etoposide-induced apoptosis, suggesting that the effect of R. horribilis poison secretion was by cell cycle blocking before of G2/M-phase checkpoint. Fraction B was the most active and strongly inhibited cancer cell migration. Our results indicate that the PGS of R. horribilis are composed of alkaloids, bufadienolides, and argininyl diacids derivatives, inhibiting the proliferation and migration of A549 cells.

Fitoterapia a base del extracto fluido de Passiflora ligularis en el tratamiento de la ansiedad ante los exámenes / Phytotherapy based on the fluid extract of passiflora ligulain the treatment of test anxiety

El objetivo de la investigación fue evaluar el efecto del extracto fluido de Passiflora ligularis; en los niveles de ansiedad ante los exámenes de estudiantes universitarios. Se realizó un estudio experimental pre test y post test, con 36 participantes, divididos en un grupo control y un grupo experimental. Los niveles de ansiedad ante los exámenes fueron evaluados utili-zando el cuestionario CAEX. Los resultados demuestran que los niveles de ansiedad ante los exámenes disminuyeron después del tratamiento de fitoterapia, con resultados estadísticamente significativos (p<0.05), hallándose una puntuación D de Cohen de 0.28, y 4.03% de porcentaje de cambio.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of the fluid extract of Passiflora ligularis in the levels of test anxiety of university students. An experimental, pre-test and post-test study was carried out, with a sample of 36 students, divided into a control group and an experimental group. Test anxiety levels were assessed using the CAEX questionnaire. The results evidence that test anxiety levels decreased after phytotherapy treatment, with statistically significant results (p <0.05), and with a Cohen D score of 0.28 and a 4.03% change rate.

Aromatherapy with two essential oils from Satureja genre and mindfulness meditation to reduce anxiety in humans.

The goal of this study was to verify whether association of aromatherapy with essential oils of Satureja brevicalyx or Satureja boliviana and mindfulness meditation can reduce anxiety levels in humans. A randomized experimental trial was carried out with 108 participants who were divided into 6 groups, comprising a waiting list control group and five experimental groups. Aromatherapy was carried out by inhalation of essential oils while mindfulness intervention program was focused on "flow meditation". The anxiety index was evaluated by State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Measures were taken two times: pretest and posttest. State and Trait anxiety scores showed a decrease in posttest study phase in comparison with pretest in all experimental groups (p < 0.005), especially in those where aromatherapy and mindfulness meditation were used together. All Cohen's d scores were over to 1 that means a large size effect in anxiety variable. Percentages of change showed reductions of anxiety variable ranging between 20% and 47%. All treatments used isolated or associated, may be considered alternative treatment options for anxiety.

Actividad antinociceptiva y antibacteriana de los alcaloides totales de dos especies de la familia Solanaceae / Antinociceptive and antibacterial activity of total alkaloids from two species of the Solanaceae family

Introducción: Solanum multifidum Lam., y Lycianthes lycioides (L.) Hassl. son dos especies características de las lomas costeras del Perú. Ambas pertenecen a la familia Solanaceae, conocida por su elevado contenido de alcaloides con diversas actividades terapéuticas, lo que motivó su estudio. Objetivo: evaluar la actividad antinociceptiva y antibacteriana de los alcaloides totales de las hojas de Solanum multifidum Lam., y Lycianthes lycioides (L.) Hassl. Métodos: los alcaloides totales se extrajeron de las hojas secas de las especies estudiadas, mediante el método descrito por Peña. La actividad antinociceptiva se evaluó in vivo utilizando el test de las contorciones abdominales, mientras que la actividad antibacteriana in vitro se evalúo utilizando la técnica de difusión en agar con discos impregnados y se determinó la concentración mínima inhibitoria mediante el método de dilución en agar. Resultados: los alcaloides totales de ambas especies presentaron actividad antinociceptiva a las dosis de 2,5 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg y 10 mg/kg., mostrando mayor porcentaje de inhibición, a dosis de 10 mg/kg., con diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p<0,05). Asimismo, estos alcaloides inhibieron el crecimiento de Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25992), y Pseudomona aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), a las concentraciones de 2 mg/mL y 4 mg/mL, mostrando mayor bioactividad frente a Staphlylococus aureus. En términos generales, los alcaloides totales Lycianthes lycioides (L.) Hassl., resultaron ser más activos como antinociceptivos y antibacterianos. Conclusiones: se demostró la actividad antinociceptiva y antibacteriana de los alcaloides totales de ambas especies. Este trabajo constituye el primer reporte de la bioactividad de estas especies vegetales, y resulta una opción atractiva para el desarrollo de nuevos fármacos.

Introduction: Solanum multifidum Lam. and Lycianthes lycioides (L.) Hassl. are two species typical of coastal hills of Peru. Both belong to the Solanaceae family, and are renowned for their high content of alkaloids with a variety of therapeutic activities. That was the reason why the present study was conducted. Objective: evaluate the antinociceptive and antibacterial activity of total alkaloids from leaves of Solanum multifidum Lam. and Lycianthes lycioides (L.) Hassl. Methods: total alkaloids were extracted from dry leaves of the study species following the method described by Peña. Antinociceptive activity was evaluated in vivo using the writhing test, whereas in vitro antibacterial activity was evaluated with the agar diffusion technique with impregnated discs. Minimum inhibitory concentration was determined by the agar dilution method. Results: in both species total alkaloids showed antinociceptive activity at doses of 2.5 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg y 10 mg/kg, with the greatest inhibition percentage at 10 mg/kg and statistically significant differences (p<0.05). The alkaloids also inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25992) and Pseudomona aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) at concentrations of 2 mg/mL and 4 mg/mL, exhibiting greater bioactivity against Staphlylococus aureus. In general terms, total alkaloids Lycianthes lycioides (L.) Hassl. showed the greatest antinociceptive and antibacterial activity. Conclusions: it was demonstrated that total alkaloids from both species have antinociceptive and antibacterial activity. The present paper is the first report about bioactivity of these plant species, an attractive option for the development of new drugs.