Plant Extracts and Phytochemicals from the Asteraceae Family with Antiviral Properties.

Asteraceae (Compositae), commonly known as the sunflower family, is one of the largest plant families in the world and includes several species with pharmacological properties. In the search for new antiviral candidates, an in vitro screening against dengue virus (DENV) was performed on a series of dichloromethane and methanolic extracts prepared from six Asteraceae species, including Acmella bellidioides, Campuloclinium macrocephalum, Grindelia pulchella, Grindelia chiloensis, Helenium radiatum, and Viguiera tuberosa, along with pure phytochemicals isolated from Asteraceae: mikanolide (1), eupatoriopicrin (2), eupahakonenin B (3), minimolide (4), estafietin (5), 2-oxo-8-deoxyligustrin (6), santhemoidin C (7), euparin (8), jaceidin (9), nepetin (10), jaceosidin (11), eryodictiol (12), eupatorin (13), and 5-demethylsinensetin (14). Results showed that the dichloromethane extracts of C. macrocephalum and H. radiatum and the methanolic extracts prepared from C. macrocephalum and G. pulchella were highly active and selective against DENV-2, affording EC50 values of 0.11, 0.15, 1.80, and 3.85 µg/mL, respectively, and SIs of 171.0, 18.8, >17.36, and 64.9, respectively. From the pool of phytochemicals tested, compounds 6, 7, and 8 stand out as the most active (EC50 = 3.7, 3.1, and 6.8 µM, respectively; SI = 5.9, 6.7, and >73.4, respectively). These results demonstrate that Asteraceae species and their chemical constituents represent valuable sources of new antiviral molecules.

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.

Antiprotozoal Compounds from Urolepis hecatantha (Asteraceae).

The dewaxed dichloromethane extract of Urolepis hecatantha and the compounds isolated from it were tested for their in vitro activity on Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes and Leishmania infantum promastigotes. The extract of U. hecatantha showed activity against both parasites with IC50 values of 7 µg/mL and 31 µg/mL, respectively. Fractionation of the dichloromethane extract led to the isolation of euparin, jaceidin, santhemoidin C, and eucannabinolide. The sesquiterpene lactones eucannabinolide and santhemoidin C were active on T. cruzi with IC50 values of 10 ± 2 µM (4.2 µg/mL) and 18 ± 3 µM (7.6 µg/mL), respectively. Euparin and santhemoidin C were the most active on L. infantum with IC50 values of 18 ± 4 µM (3.9 µg/mL) and 19 ± 4 µM (8.0 µg/mL), respectively. Eucannabinolide has also shown drug-like pharmacokinetic and toxicity properties.

Neurobehavioral evaluation and phytochemical characterization of a series of argentine valerian species.

Folkloric or galenic preparations of valerian roots and rhizomes have been used as sedatives/anxiolytics and sleep inducers since ancient times. "Valerianas" are plants that naturally grow in our region. Although some of them are used in folk medicine, they lack scientific information. We performed a comparative study of the phytochemical composition and the potential in vivo effects of ethanolic extracts of argentine valerian species: Valeriana carnosa Sm., V. clarionifolia Phil. and V. macrorhiza Poepp. ex DC., from "Patagonia Argentina"; V. ferax (Griseb.) Höck and V. effusa Griseb., from the central part of our country, and V. officinalis (as the reference plant). All these plants were rich in phenolic compounds, evidenced the presence of ligands for the benzodiazepine binding site of the GABAA receptor and were able to induce sedation as assessed by loss-of-righting reflex assays (500 mg/kg, i.p.). Mice treated with V. macrorhiza, V. carnosa and V. ferax extracts showed reduced exploratory behaviors while V. clarionifolia produced anxiolytic-like activities (500 mg/kg, i.p.) in the Hole board test. Oral administrations (300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg, p.o.) evidenced sedative effects for V. ferax and anxiolytic-like properties for V. macrorhiza, V. carnosa and V. clarionifolia extracts. Our native valerian species are active on the CNS, validating its folkloric use as anxiolytic/sedative and sleep enhancers.

Espacios verdes en un hospital pediátrico de alta complejidad: beneficios, evaluación taxonómica y perspectiva / Green spaces in a tertiary care children's hospital: Benefits, taxonomic survey, and perspective

El contacto del ser humano con espacios verdes naturales tiene un efecto físico, mental y social beneficioso. Con el primer objetivo de conocer las especies vegetales de los jardines del Hospital de Pediatría Garrahan (Ciudad de Buenos Aires), se realizó un relevamiento taxonómico entre diciembre de 2013 y noviembre de 2016. Otro objetivo fue revisar el estado del conocimiento sobre cómo los espacios verdes naturales influían en la salud de los pacientes internados. Existen sesenta y nueve especies de plantas que abarcan cuarenta y siete familias botánicas; de ellas, solo el ocho por ciento son nativas. Se sugiere incrementar las especies autóctonas y coordinar aspectos relacionados con su preservación. Este relevamiento, como parte de un plan que incluirá la divulgación del conocimiento, comprensión y concientización sobre espacios verdes y salud, y la cuantificación de esos efectos concretos en este Hospital, profundizará y fomentará la interacción de los pacientes, los familiares y los profesionales con los espacios verdes naturales.

Humans coming in contact with natural green spaces experience beneficial physical, mental, and social effects. For the primary purpose of describing plant species found in the gardens of Hospital de Pediatría "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan" (Autonomous City of Buenos Aires), a taxonomic survey was carried out between December 2013 and November 2016. A secondary objective was to review the extent of knowledge on how natural green spaces affect the health of hospitalized patients. There are 69 plant species from 47 botanical families; of these, only 8% are native. The recommendation is to increase the number of native species and coordinate those aspects related to their preservation. This survey, which is part of a plan that will include the dissemination of knowledge, understanding and awareness of green spaces and health, and the quantification of such specific effects in this hospital, will deepen and promote the interaction of patients, families, and health care providers with natural green spaces.

Green spaces in a tertiary care children's hospital: Benefits, taxonomic survey, and perspective. / Espacios verdes en un hospital pediátrico de alta complejidad: beneficios, evaluación taxonómica y perspectiva.

Humans coming in contact with natural green spaces experience beneficial physical, mental, and social effects. For the primary purpose of describing plant species found in the gardens of Hospital de Pediatría "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan" (Autonomous City of Buenos Aires), a taxonomic survey was carried out between December 2013 and November 2016. A secondary objective was to review the extent of knowledge on how natural green spaces affect the health of hospitalized patients. There are 69 plant species from 47 botanical families; of these, only 8% are native. The recommendation is to increase the number of native species and coordinate those aspects related to their preservation. This survey, which is part of a plan that will include the dissemination of knowledge, understanding and awareness of green spaces and health, and the quantification of such specific effects in this hospital, will deepen and promote the interaction of patients, families, and health care providers with natural green spaces.

El contacto del ser humano con espacios verdes naturales tiene un efecto físico, mental y social beneficioso. Con el primer objetivo de conocer las especies vegetales de los jardines del Hospital de Pediatría Garrahan (Ciudad de Buenos Aires), se realizó un relevamiento taxonómico entre diciembre de 2013 y noviembre de 2016. Otro objetivo fue revisar el estado del conocimiento sobre cómo los espacios verdes naturales influían en la salud de los pacientes internados. Existen sesenta y nueve especies de plantas que abarcan cuarenta y siete familias botánicas; de ellas, solo el ocho por ciento son nativas. Se sugiere incrementar las especies autóctonas y coordinar aspectos relacionados con su preservación. Este relevamiento, como parte de un plan que incluirá la divulgación del conocimiento, comprensión y concientización sobre espacios verdes y salud, y la cuantificación de esos efectos concretos en este Hospital, profundizará y fomentará la interacción de los pacientes, los familiares y los profesionales con los espacios verdes naturales.

Morfoanatomía foliar para el reconocimiento de especies de Asteraceae conocidas como "contrayerba" en la herboristería argentina / Foliar morfoanatomía for the reconocimiento of species of Asteraceae conocidas como "contrayerba" in the Argentine herbalism

El complejo "contrayerbas" comprende especies pertenecientes a cuatro familias botánicas: Aristolochiaceae, Asteraceae, Menispermaceaae y Moraceae. Dentro de la familia Asteraceae se conocen como "contrayerba" unas 12 especies, utilizadas en medicina popular para tratar problemas digestivos, como diuréticos, antihemorrágicos y cicatrizantes. En este trabajo, se estudiaron las hojas de tres entidades botánicas de "contrayerba": Flaveria bidentis, Trichocline reptans y Trixis divaricata subsp. discolor. Se analizaron también muestras comerciales procedentes de farmacias y herboristerías. El objetivo fue establecer caracteres foliares micrográficos para el control de calidad botánico de las especies estudiadas. Se realizaron observaciones macroscópicas, técnicas de disociación leve y diafanización sobre las hojas, y observaciones microscópicas. Los elementos diagnósticos fueron: tipo de pelos, tipo de estomas, presencia de estructura Kranz y de estructuras secretoras. Sólo una de las muestras comerciales se identificó como Trixis divaricata subsp. discolor, mientras las otras especies estudiadas no se identificaron en las muestras de "contrayerba". Se deduce que existe una falta de control y se comercializan bajo el mismo nombre común otras especies que no corresponden al contenido. (AU)

Dinámica de polifenoles en ephedra tweediana fisch & C. A. Mey. emend. J. H. Hunz. (Ephedraceae) / Polyphenol dinamics in ephedra tweediana fisch & C. A. Mey. emend. J. H. Hunz. (Ephedraceae)

Ephedra tweediana (Ephedraceae), conocida como “tramontana”, es empleada en la medicina popular como antiasmático. Se analizaron comparativamente los extractos acuosos de los tallos herbáceos, lignificados y partes subterráneas, provenientes de ejemplares femeninos y masculinos. En los tallos lignificados se determinó la presencia de proapigeninidina (cuya identidad fue corroborada por comparación con un testigo de apigeninidina sometido a estudios de FAB-MS, UV, HPLC, 1H-NMR y espectroscopía IR); mientras que en los órganos subterráneos se determinó la presencia de proapigeninidina y propelargonidina (la identidad de la pelargonidina fue establecida por comparación con un testigo de pelargonidina sometido a estudios de TLC/HPTLC y espectroscopía UV-Visible). Estos compuestos no se observaron en los tallos herbáceos. Los tallos herbáceos presentaron las mayores concentraciones de flavonoides y ácidos hidroxicinámicos totales. Los órganos subterráneos presentaron la mayor concentración de taninos y proantocianidinas. En los tallos herbáceos se detectó una reacción fuertemente positiva para flavonoides. No se observó reacción positiva para proantocianidinas. En el tallo aéreo lignificado se observó una reacción positiva para flavonoides y proantocianidinas a nivel de la peridermis. En los órganos subterráneos, los flavonoides y proantocianidinas se localizaron principalmente en los tejidos más externos. Este trabajo constituye el primer aporte a la dinámica de polifenoles de E. tweediana.

Ephedra tweediana (Ephedraceae), known as "tramontana" is used in folk medicine as antiasthmatic. Aqueous extracts obtained from young stems, woody stems and underground parts were analyzed and compared. In lignified stems was detected proapigeninidin (whose identity was confirmed by comparison with a control apigeninidin subjected to FAB-MS, UV, HPLC, 1H-NMR and IR spectroscopy), while underground organs were detected proapigeninidin and propelargonidin (by comparison with a control pelargonidin whose identity was established by studies of TLC/HPTLC, and UV-visible spectroscopy). These compounds were not observed in the herbaceous stems. The herbaceous stems had the highest concentrations of total flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acids. Uderground organs had the highest concentration of tannins and proanthocyanidins. In herbaceous stems a strong positive reaction for flavonoids was detected. No positive reaction was observed for proanthocyanidins. In the periderm of woody aerial stem a positive reaction for flavonoids and proanthocyanidins were observed. In the underground organs, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins were located mainly in the more external tissues. This work is the first contribution to the dynamic of E. tweediana polyphenols.

Sale of medicinal herbs in pharmacies and herbal stores in Hurlingham district, Buenos Aires, Argentina

In this paper, the sale of medicinal plants was described in the urban city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with pharmacists and herb store owners about different characteristics of retail. Likewise, different types of retailers were compared, and the phytomedicine degree of acceptance was consulted. The percentage of customers who buy medicinal plants in herb stores is higher than in pharmacies. The five most demanded species were: "malva" (Malva sp.), 18%; "manzanilla" (Matricaria recutita), 13%; "tilo" (Tilia sp.), 12%; "cuasia" (Picrasma crenata), 8%; and "boldo" (Peumus boldus), 7%. In like manner, the most demanded mixes of species were those that had slimming properties, 21%; digestive, 17%; sedative and diuretic, 13%. Of the 32 most frequently requested species, only 13 are native. Phytomedicines were widely accepted in the different kinds of retail stores. It was also emphasized that, contrary to the usual assumption, the choice to consume plants is cultural rather than economic. Due to the acceptance observed in the use of phytomedicines, it must be emphasized the potential that Argentina possesses for the development of this industry.