In vitro antifungal activity of polymeric nanoparticles loaded with Euphorbia tirucalli extract.

The therapeutic potential of medicinal plants is known as an alternative in treatment of human affections; in effect, the conventional application of these medicinal sources has several limitations like low bioavailability, solubility and stability, which affect its pharmacological efficacy. In recent decades, extraordinary advances have been made in new drug delivery systems using nanocarriers. This work consisted in determining the in vitro antifungal activity of the methanolic extract of Euphorbia tirucalli formulated in polymeric nanoparticles. The antifungal activity was determined by the microdilution method in 96-well microplates, applying nanoparticles loaded with plant extract (NP-Ext) obtained by nanoprecipitation on clinical isolates of Trichophyton rubrum and T. interdigitalis. Regarding the nanoparticles, the lots used did not present significant differences in their physicochemical characteristics, with a size of 91.885 ± 1.621nm, polydispersity index of 0.152 ± 0.025 and Z-potential of -6.047 ± 0.987. The quantification of the extract in the polymeric matrix was determined by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), where an efficiency and encapsulation percentage of 22.15 ± 0.82 and 2.95 ± 0.11, respectively, were obtained. The in vitro antifungal activity of the crude and formulated extract was obtained calculating the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of each one; a MIC of 125 µg/mL was obtained against T. rubrum and T. interdigitalis with the crude extract, while a MIC value of 55.55 and 0.1 µg/mL was obtained with NP-Ext, respectively, against these same. Conclusions: biological activity is closely linked to the phytochemical profile of the extract; while the improvement of said potential with the NP-Ext with the dosage form was directly related to the physicochemical characteristics of the nanocarrier.

Antioxidant capacity of human milk and its association with vitamins A and E and fatty acid composition.

AIM: The antioxidant capacity of human milk reflects the presence and activity of multiple components, which prevent oxidative rancidity. The aim of this study was to use the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity assay to assess human milk antioxidant capacity and find correlations with milk components. METHODS: Milk samples collected from 60 breastfeeding women at 1 month postpartum were assayed for antioxidant capacity, vitamins E and A, and fatty acids. Potential statistical relationships of concentrations of vitamins A and E and polyunsaturated fatty acids on the antioxidant capacity of human milk were determined. RESULTS: Human milk antioxidant capacity was positively attributed to alpha-tocopherol concentration (rho < 0.05). The vitamin A concentration did not significantly contribute to milk antioxidant capacity, but was correlated to milk alpha-tocopherol concentration (r = 0.587; rho < 0.001). There was no evidence of an inverse relationship between polyunsaturated fatty acids concentration and the antioxidant capacity value of milk. CONCLUSION: This study shows that alpha-tocopherol is an important contributor to the oxidative stability of human milk. Moreover, there was no evidence obtained to show that women who have high levels of milk polyunsaturated fatty acids are predisposed to lower milk antioxidant capacity.

[Relationship of serum cortisol and metabolic syndrome components, dietary intakes and anxiety disorder in children at 8 to 12 years of age with obesity]. / Relación de cortisol sérico con los componentes del síndrome metabólico, ingesta alimentaria y trastorno de ansiedad en niños de 8 a 12 años con obesidad.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a disorder associated to an inappropriate food intake and psychological problems predisposing to complications such as metabolic syndrome (MS), which has been related to chronic stress due to hypercortisolism-mediated impairments of the hypothalamushypophysis-adrenal (HHA) axis activity. OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between serum cortisol and MS components, the food intake, and anxiety disorder in 8-12 years old obese children. METHODS: 78 children, 40 with obesity and 38 with appropriate weight. The following serum and clinical indicators were assessed: cortisol, glucose, HDL-cholesterol (c-HDL) and triglycerides; anthropometrical and clinical indicators: weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and blood pressure (BP); food intake: deficient or excessive consumption and intake of energy and nutrients; psychological indicator: anxiety. RESULTS: There exists a significant relationship between cortisol level and the number of MS components in obese children (p < 0.05). When assessing the cortisol level against each one of these components, there were no significant differences. When analyzing the total sample, the cortisol level showed a negative relationship with c-HDL (r = -0.228, p = 0.045). We found a significant relationship between the cortisol level and excessive intake of foods of animal origin and sugars and with the subsets of fats and sugars (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in energy or nutrients intake or anxiety in obese children. CONCLUSION: There exists a relationship between the cortisol level and the number of MS components as well as with excessive intake of foods of animal origin, sugars, and fats in obese children.