Chemical Composition and Anticholinesterase Activity of the Essential Oil of Leaves and Flowers from the Ecuadorian Plant Lepechinia paniculata (Kunth) Epling.

This work aimed to study the chemical composition, cholinesterase inhibitory activity, and enantiomeric analysis of the essential oil from the aerial parts (leaves and flowers) of the plant Lepechinia paniculata (Kunth) Epling from Ecuador. The essential oil (EO) was obtained through steam distillation. The chemical composition of the oil was evaluated by gas chromatography, coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and a flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The analyses led to the identification of 69 compounds in total, of which 40 were found in the leaves and 29 were found in the flowers of the plant. The major components found in the oil were 1,8-Cineole, ß-Pinene, δ-3-Carene, α-Pinene, (E)-Caryophyllene, Guaiol, and ß-Phellandrene. Flower essential oil showed interesting selective inhibitory activity against both enzymes AChE (28.2 ± 1.8 2 µg/mL) and BuChE (28.8 ± 1.5 µg/mL). By contrast, the EO of the leaves showed moderate mean inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), with IC50 values of 38.2 ± 2.9 µg/mL and 47.4 ± 2.3 µg/mL, respectively.

Chemical Constituents, Enantiomer Content, Antioxidant and Anticholinesterase Activities of Valeriana microphylla Kunth Essential Oil.

The study of the essential oil (EO) from aerial parts (stems and leaves) of Valeriana microphylla Kunth (Valerianaceae), collected from the Saraguro community in the southern region of Ecuador, was analyzed for the first time. A total of 62 compounds were identified in V. microphylla EO by GC-FID and GC-MS on nonpolar DB-5ms and polar HP-INNOWax columns. The most abundant components (>5%) detected on DB-5ms and polar HP-INNOWax columns were α-gurjunene (11.98, 12.74%), germacrene D (11.47, 14.93%), E-caryophyllene (7.05, 7.78%), and α-copaene (6.76, 6.91%), respectively. In addition, the enantioselective analysis, carried out on a chiral column, showed (+)-α-pinene and (R)-(+)-germacrene as enantiomerically pure compounds (enantiomeric excess = 100%). The antioxidant activity was high for the radicals ABTS (SC50 = 41.82 µg/mL) and DPPH (SC50 = 89.60 µg/mL), and finally, the EO was shown to be inactive to the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), as both values were >250 µg/mL.

Constituents and Selective BuChE Inhibitory Activity of the Essential Oil from Hypericum aciculare Kunth.

A potential source of new inhibitors of cholinesterase enzymes are certain compounds of natural plant origin; therefore, in the study described herein we have determined the chemical composition and the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibitory activities of the essential oil (EO) steam distilled from aerial parts of Hypericum aciculare, which was collected in southern Ecuador. The oil qualitative and quantitative composition was determined by GC-FID and GC-MS using a non-polar and a polar chromatographic column. A total of fifty-three constituents were identified, that accounted for about 98% of the EO content. The hydrocarbon n-nonane (16.4-28.7%) and the aldehyde n-decanal (20.7-23.1%) were the predominant oil constituents. In addition, the EO showed significant inhibition of BuChE (IC50 = 28.3 ± 2.7 µg/mL) and moderate activity towards AChE (IC50 = 82.1 ± 12.1 µg/mL). Thus, the EO from H. aciculare aerial parts is an interesting candidate to investigate the mechanism of selective ChE inhibition by the two ChE enzymes with the aim to discover potential targets to control the progression of the Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Chemical Composition, Enantiomeric Distribution and Anticholinesterase and Antioxidant Activity of the Essential Oil of Diplosthephium juniperinum.

The aim of this study was to extract and identify the chemical compounds of Diplosthephium juniperinum essential oil (EO) from Ecuador and to assess its anticholinesterase and antioxidant properties. The EO chemical composition was determined by GC−MS. A total of 74 constituents of EO were identified, representing 97.27% in DB-5ms and 96.06% in HP-INNOWax of the total EO. The major constituents (>4.50%) identified were: α-pinene (21.52, 22.04%), geranyl acetate (10.54, 7.78%), silphiper-fol-5-ene (8.67, 7.38%), α-copaene (8.26, 8.18%), 7-epi-silphiperfol-5-ene (4.93, 5.95%), and germacrene D (4.91, 6.00%). Enantioselective analysis of the volatile fraction of D. juniperinum showed: (+)-α-pinene as a pure enantiomer and 5 pairs of enantiomeric compounds. Among them, (−)-ß-Pinene and (−)-Germacrene D presented a high enantiomeric excess of 93.23 and 84.62%, respectively, while (−)-α-Thujene, (−)-Sabinene and (S)-4-Terpineol with a lower enantiomeric excess of 56.34, 47.84 and 43.11%, respectively. A moderate inhibitory effect was observed for Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) enzymes with IC50 values of 67.20 ± 7.10 and 89.00 ± 9.90 µg/mL, respectively. A lower antioxidant potential was observed for the EO measured through DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays with SC50 values of 127.03 and >1000 µg/mL, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the chemical composition, enantiomeric distribution and, anticholinesterase and antioxidant potential of the EO of D. juniperinum. As future perspective, further in-vivo studies could be conducted to confirm the anticholinesterase potential of the EO.

Constituents, Enantiomeric Content, and ChE Inhibitory Activity of the Essential Oil from Hypericum laricifolium Juss. Aerial Parts Collected in Ecuador.

The physical properties, chemical composition, enantiomer distribution, and cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitory activity were determined for a steam-distilled essential oil (EO), with a yield of 0.15 ± 0.05 % (w/w), from H. laricifolium aerial parts, collected in southern Ecuador. The oil qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed by GC-EIMS and GC-FID techniques, using two capillary columns containing a non-polar 5%-phenyl-methylpolysiloxane and a polar polyethylene glycol stationary phase, respectively. The main constituents (>10%) detected on the two columns were, respectively, limonene (24.29, 23.16%), (E)-ß-ocimene (21.89, 27.15%), and (Z)-ß-ocimene (12.88, 16.03%). The EO enantioselective analysis was carried out using a column based on 2,3-diethyl-6-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-ß-cyclodextrin. Two mixtures of chiral monoterpenes were detected containing (1R,5R)-(+)-α-pinene (ee = 83.68%), and (S)-(-)-limonene (ee = 88.30%) as the major enantiomers. This finding led to some hypotheses about the existence in the plant of two enantioselective biosynthetic pathways. Finally, the EO exhibited selective inhibitory effects in vitro against butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) (IC50 = 36.80 ± 2.40 µg/mL), which were about three times greater than against acetylcholinesterase (IC50 = 106.10 ± 20.20). Thus, the EO from Ecuadorian H. laricifolium is an interesting candidate for investigating the mechanism of the selective inhibition of BuChE and for discovering novel drugs to manage the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Informed substitution of hazardous chemicals through the lens of California's Safer Consumer Products Alternatives Analysis: Best practices, challenges, and opportunities.

California adopted the Safer Consumer Products (SCP) regulations in 2013, which mandate that companies that manufacture specific products containing designated chemicals of concern complete an Alternatives Analysis. Alternatives Analysis is a process to avoid regrettable substitution by identifying, comparing, and selecting safer alternatives based on technical functions, hazards, exposure pathways, life-cycle multimedia impacts, and economic impacts. The SCP Alternatives Analysis builds upon and expands existing frameworks for alternatives assessments (AAs). The aim of this study was to identify practices from AA that facilitate the robust assessment of alternatives and that align with SCP requirements and identify gaps in the practice. We evaluated completed AAs for methods regarding transparency and careful documentation of information sources, data gaps, uncertainty, criteria, and justification for decision-making. The AAs in this review demonstrate some of the challenges in the field. Most AAs have a constrained scope and only consider chemical substitutes rather than a broad array of functional alternatives. Their scopes were also limited in the hazard endpoints that were evaluated. This was most noted with ecotoxicity endpoints, which were generally confined to aquatic toxicity. The majority of AAs do not explicitly explain their decision-making methods or adequately discuss tradeoffs across the adverse impacts. The AAs also lack the analysis in the exposure, life-cycle impacts, and economic impacts that are required in the SCP Alternatives Analysis process. Further, we recommend strategies and research opportunities to address these challenges and strengthen the practice of AAs. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:1007-1019. © 2021 SETAC.

Acculturation and Campus Carry: Examining the Effect of Mexico Versus United States Cultural Orientations on College Students' Support for Campus Carry.

Several U.S. states have authorized carrying concealed firearms on campuses. These measures are controversial, with support falling along ideological lines. This study examines whether cultural proximity to the U.S., relative to Mexico, influences support for campus carry. Using a random sample of 1,447 college students from two Texas public universities, structural equation modeling results revealed that individuals more oriented toward U.S. culture were more likely to support campus carry than individuals oriented more toward Mexican culture. Besides this direct effect, acculturation also indirectly influenced support for campus carry through public attitudes toward the police. Specifically, individuals more oriented toward the U.S. held more favorable views of the police, which in turn predicted greater support for campus carry. Collectively, these findings suggest that cultural values influence support for public policies such as campus carry.

Pharmacology and Phytochemistry of Ecuadorian Medicinal Plants: An Update and Perspectives.

The use of plants as therapeutic agents is part of the traditional medicine that is practiced by many indigenous communities in Ecuador. The aim of this study was to update a review published in 2016 by including the studies that were carried out in the period 2016-July 2021 on about 120 Ecuadorian medicinal plants. Relevant data on raw extracts and isolated secondary metabolites were retrieved from different databases, resulting in 104 references. They included phytochemical and pharmacological studies on several non-volatile compounds, as well as the chemical composition of essential oils (EOs). The tested biological activities are also reported. The potential of Ecuadorian plants as sources of products for practical applications in different fields, as well the perspectives of future investigations, are discussed in the last part of the review.

Selective BuChE Inhibitory Activity, Chemical Composition, and Enantiomeric Content of the Essential Oil from Salvia leucantha Cav. Collected in Ecuador.

The essential oil (EO) of Salvia leucantha Cav. was isolated by steam distillation of the aerial parts collected in the South of Ecuador. Its physical properties were evaluated and the chemical composition of the oil was determined by GC-MS and GC-FID analyses using two chromatographic columns, DB-5ms and HP-INNOWax. Six major compounds were identified, namely, the sesquiterpenes 6.9-guaiadiene (19.14%), (E)-caryophyllene (16.80%), germacrene D (10.22%), (E)-ß-farnesene (10.00%), and bicyclogermacrene (7.52%), and the monoterpenoid bornyl acetate (14.74%). Furthermore, four pairs of enantiomers were determined by enantioselective GC-MS of the essential oil. (-)-germacrene D and (+)-α-pinene showed the highest enantiomeric excess (ee%). In an in vitro assay, the essential oil demonstrated an interesting inhibitory activity of the enzyme butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), with an IC50 = 32.60 µg/mL, which is the highest determined for a Salvia species. In contrast, the oil was weakly active against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) with an IC50 > 250 µg/mL.

Chemical composition and selective BuChE inhibitory activity of the essential oils from aromatic plants used to prepare the traditional Ecuadorian beverage horchata lojana.

ETHNOBOTANICAL AND ETHNOMEDICINAL RELEVANCE: In southern Ecuador, horchata lojana is a popular aromatic and refreshing beverage that is prepared from an aqueous infusion of different mixtures of local medicinal and aromatic plants. The drink is considered a traditional anti-inflammatory agent and brain tonic; due these properties, it has been drunk since Colonial Times. Several pharmacological studies have evaluated the effects of horchata aqueous infusion. However, the aromatic profile and the contribution of the volatile components to the biological activity of the drink have not been investigated so far. For these reasons, we have determined the chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) distilled from five mixtures of aromatic plants commonly used for the preparation of this traditional drink. Moreover, to support the curative properties of the aromatic plants, the anticholinesterase activity of the EOs was examined. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Different bunches of fresh mixed medicinal and aromatic plants, called tongos, are sold at local markets in the province of Loja for the preparation of different types of horchata. In this research we have purchased plant bunches sold at five popular markets of Loja province. Subsequently, aromatic plants in each bunch were separated from medicinal plants and were then hydrodistilled to give the corresponding EOs. Subsequently, the chemical composition of each EO was determined by GC-MS/GC-FID techniques, whereas the cholinesterase inhibitory activity in vitro was determined against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) enzymes. AIMS OF THE STUDY: i) to contribute to the chemical and pharmacological study of the aroma components of the traditional Ecuadorian drink horchata lojana; ii) to identify botanically the mixtures of aromatic plants used to make the drink; iii) to establish, on the basis of the chemical composition of the EOs, the compounds mainly responsible for the characteristic beverage flavor; iv) to establish the possible existence of an aromatic pattern characteristic of each horchata preparation; v) to test the anticholinesterase activity of the EOs against AChE and BuChE in order to support the traditional consume of the drink as an effective brain tonic. RESULTS: A total of 23 botanical families and 32 species of plants used for the preparation of five different variants of the traditional horchata lojana beverage, have been identified. Fourteen aromatic species were determined to be responsible for the characteristic flavor of the drink. All the analyzed EOs belong to the monoterpene type. A total of 88 compounds have been identified in the different EOs, twenty-four of which are common components of the oils. CONCLUSIONS: According to the main components of the EOs distilled from the five groups of horchata lojana plants, four aromatic profiles have been defined: (i) neral + geranial + carvone, (ii) neral + geranial + myrcene; (iii) geranial + methyl eugenol + isomenthone + neral + citronellol; (iv) (E)-anethole + geranial + pulegone. Moreover, according to the literature, several aromatic plants and individual EOs components exhibit a wide range of biological activities. This finding as well as the significant BuChE inhibitory activity exhibited in vitro by the EOs give scientific support to the use of identified aromatic plants in the traditional preparation of horchata, that is considered a natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory remedy, and an effective brain tonic.