Structural Studies of Mexican Husk Tomato (Physalis ixocarpa) Fruit Cutin.

Green tomato (Physalis ixocarpa) is a specie native to Mexico, and it is known as "tomatillo" or "husk tomato". The fruit contains vitamins, minerals, phenolic compounds, and steroidal lactones, presenting antimicrobial activity and antinarcotic effects. Therefore, it is not only used in traditional Mexican cuisine, but also in traditional medicine to relieve some discomforts such as fever, cough, and amygdalitis. However, it is a perishable fruit whose shelf life is very short. As a part of the peel, cuticle, and epicuticular waxes represent the most important part in plant protection, and the specific composition and structural characterization are significant to know how this protective biopolymer keeps quality characteristics in fresh fruits. P. ixocarpa cutin was obtained by enzymatic treatments (cellulase, hemicellulose, and pectinase) and different concentrations of TFA, and studied through Cross Polarization Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (CPMAS 13C NMR), Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-MS), and was morphologically characterized by Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The main constituents identified under the basis of UHPLC-MS analysis were 9,10,18-trihydroxy-octadecanoic acid and 9,10-epoxy-18-hydroxy-octadecanoic acid with 44.7 and 37.5%, respectively. The C16 absence and low occurrence of phenolic compounds, besides the presence of glandular trichomes, which do not allow a continuous layer on the surface of the fruit, could be related to a lower shelf life compared with other common fruits such as tomato (Solanum lycopersicum).

First Evidence of Gastroprotection by Schinus molle: Roles of Nitric Oxide, Prostaglandins, and Sulfhydryls Groups in Its Mechanism of Action.

Schinus molle is a plant traditionally used in Mexico to treat gastric disorders. However, no scientific evidence has been reported on its gastroprotective effect. The aim of the current contribution was to conduct a bioassay-guided study on S. molle to evaluate its gastroprotective activity in a model of Wistar rats given ethanol orally to induce gastric lesions. The hexane and dichloromethane extracts from the tested plant showed over 99% gastroprotection at a dose of 100 mg/kg. From the hexane extract, two of the three fractions (F1 and F2) afforded over 99% gastroprotection. The F1 fraction was subjected to column chromatography, which revealed a white solid. Based on the ESI-MS analysis, the two main compounds in this solid were identified. The predominant compound was probably a triterpene. This mixture of compounds furnished about 67% gastroprotection at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Pretreatment with L-NAME, indomethacin, and NEM was carried out to explore the possible involvement of nitric oxide, prostaglandins, and/or sulfhydryl groups, respectively, in the gastroprotective activity of the white solid. We found evidence for the participation of all three factors. No antisecretory activity was detected (tested by pylorus ligation). In conclusion, evidence is herein provided for the first time of the gastroprotective effect of S. molle.

Recovery of Naringin-Rich Flavonoid Extracts from Agroresidues with Anxiolytic- and Antidepressant-like Effects in Mice.

Citrus paradisi species belong to the Rutaceae family, and it is commonly known as grapefruit. Grapefruit consumption involves a large amount of waste that goes to landfills and produces significant pollution affecting the human health. To examine this phenomenon, we designed an efficient chemical method that recovers naringin-rich flavonoid extracts from the fresh waste of grapefruits, by using the solvent impregnation resin method (SIR) with XAD-4 amberlite and either methanol or water as elution systems. Additionally, we focused on evaluating these extracts' anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects in behavioral predictive paradigms in mice. According to direct Principal Component Analysis (PCA) by NMR, and Direct Injection Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry (DIESI-MS), methanol extracts obtained after resin treatment were free of coumarin compounds and evinced had a high content of naringin. Poncirin, phenylalanine, chrysin 5,7-dimethyl ether, 5,7-dimethoxy-4'-hydroxyflavanone, 2,3-dihydro-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5,6,7,8-tetramethoxy-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, tetrahydrocurcumin, corchoionoside C, 6'-coumaroyl-1'-O-[2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) ethyl]-ß-D-glucopyranoside were also detected. Naringin-rich methanol extract caused a clear anxiolytic-like effect in the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) and the Hole-Board (HBT) Tests, increasing oral doses of this extract did not produce a sedative effect. A single oral dose caused an antidepressant-like effect in the Tail Suspension Test (TST), while repeated administrations of the methanol extract elicited a robust antidepressant effect in the Forced Swimming Test (FST) in mice. Our evidence highlights the importance of bioprospecting studies of organic waste with therapeutic potentials, such as anxiety and depression disorders.

Gastroprotective activity of (E)-ethyl-12-cyclohexyl-4,5-dihydroxydodec-2-enoate, a compound isolated from Heliotropium indicum: role of nitric oxide, prostaglandins, and sulfhydryls in its mechanism of action.

CONTEXT: The gastroprotective effect of Heliotropium indicum L. (Boraginaceae), a plant traditionally used in Mexico to treat gastric ulcers, has been previously reported. However, no active compound was identified. OBJECTIVE: The current contribution aimed to isolate, through a bioassay-guided study, at least one compound from H. indicum with considerable gastroprotective activity, examine its effect on ethanol-induced gastric lesions in mice, and explore possible mechanisms of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three extracts (hexane, dichloromethane, and methanol) were obtained from H. indicum leaves. Their 30 and 100 mg/kg doses were assessed on ethanol-induced gastric lesions in male CD1 mice. Since the dichloromethane extract was the most active, successive chromatographies were carried out leading to the identification of the most active compound. This compound (at 3-100 mg/kg) was compared to carbenoxolone (at 10-100 mg/kg) in biological evaluations in mice. Pre-treatments with indomethacin (10 mg/kg, s.c.), L-NAME (70 mg/kg, i.p.), and NEM (10 mg/kg, s.c.) were performed independently to determine the participation of prostaglandins, nitric oxide, and/or sulfhydryl groups, respectively, in the mechanism of action of the compound. RESULTS: (E)-Ethyl-12-cyclohexyl-4,5-dihydroxydodec-2-enoate, a compound isolated from H. indicum, afforded dose-dependent gastroprotective activity. The maximum effect was observed at 100 mg/kg (90.13 ± 3.08%), with an ED50 of 5.92 ± 2.48 mg/kg. Gastroprotection was not modified by pre-treatment with indomethacin, L-NAME, or NEM. CONCLUSIONS: (E)-Ethyl-12-cyclohexyl-4,5-dihydroxydodec-2-enoate, isolated from H. indicum, was found to produce a substantial gastroprotective effect. Prostaglandins, nitric oxide, and non-protein sulfhydryl groups are not involved in its mechanism of action.

Avocado Creole Peel Ameliorates Metabolic Alterations Caused by a High Sucrose Fat Diet in a Wistar Rats Model.

High-sucrose high-fat diets are one of the causes of malnutrition, and may induce metabolic alterations such as dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and adipogenesis. The objective of this work was to investigate the possible protective effect of traditionally edible avocado creole peel (Persea americana Mill var. drymifolia) when consuming a high-sucrose and fat diet (HSFD). The experimental animal model included 21 male Wistar rats divided in three groups: the control group received a standard diet of purina®, the HSFD group received a high fat diet plus 30% sucrose in drinking water, and finally the HSFD + AP group received the HSFD diet supplemented with 200 mg/kg of avocado peel for 14 weeks. It was observed that alterations included higher cholesterol, glucose, insulin, fatty acids and TNF-α levels as well as lower HDL, and adiponectin. The addition of avocado peel reverted some of these effects, resulting in normal values of triglicerides, insulin and adiponectin, while attenuated the levels of total cholesterol. Liver weight of the group added with avocado peel was similar to the control group. The neuronal density in the hippocampal areas CA1 and dentate gyrus DC were lower in the high glucose fat group, while the ingestion of the avocado peel showed a neuroprotective effect. The avocado creole ingestion reverted or attenuated most of the metabolic effects caused by a high-sucrose fat diet which was attributed to the compounds detected by HPLC-MS and GC-MS that included bioactive polyphenols such as flavanol quercetin, flavanone naringenin, flavan 3-ol catechin, cyanidin 3-glucoside, pelargonidin 3-glucoside, pelargonidin 3-rhamnoside, hydroxydelphinidin, eugenol and estragole.

Structural Studies of the Cutin from Two Apple Varieties: Golden Delicious and Red Delicious (Malus domestica).

The cuticle, a protective cuticular barrier present in almost all primary aerial plant organs, has a composition that varies between plant species. As a part of the apple peel, cuticle and epicuticular waxes have an important role in the skin appearance and quality characteristic in fresh fruits destined for human consumption. The specific composition and structural characteristics of cutin from two apple varieties, "golden delicious" and "red delicious", were obtained by enzymatic protocols and studied by means of cross polarization magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (CP-MAS 13C NMR), attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and mass spectrometry, and were morphologically characterized by specialized microscopy techniques (atomic force microscopy (AFM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLMS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)). According to CP-MAS 13C NMR and ATR-FTIR analysis, cutins from both varieties are mainly composed of aliphatics and a small difference is shown between them. This was corroborated from the hydrolyzed cutins analysis by mass spectrometry, where 9,10,18-trihydroxy-octadecanoic acid; 10,20-Dihydroxy-icosanoic acid; 10,16-dihydroxy hexadecenoic acid (10,16-DHPA); 9,10-epoxy-12-octadecenoic acid; and 9,10-epoxy-18-hydroxy-12-octadecenoic acid were the main monomers isolated. The low presence of polysaccharides and phenolics in the cutins obtained could be related to the low elastic behavior of this biocomposite and the presence of cracks in the apple cutin's surface. These cracks have an average depth of 1.57 µm ± 0.57 in the golden apple, and 1.77 µm ± 0.64 in those found in the red apple. The results obtained in this work may facilitate a better understanding that mechanical properties of the apple fruit skin are mainly related to the specific aliphatic composition of cutin and help to much better investigate the formation of microcracks, an important symptom of russet formation.

Aliphatic Diacidic Long-Chain C16 Polyesters from 10,16-Dihydroxyhexadecanoic Acid Obtained from Tomato Residual Wastes.

10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid obtained from agroresidual tomato waste, was oxidized to produce 7-oxohexadecanedioic acid in good yield (>70%) and purified without oxidation side products in one step. Polycondensation with 1,8-octanediol, yielded the polyester (poly(ω-carboxyl PA-co-OD)) with Mw = 2155.15 and Mn = 1637.27. The best enzymatic reaction conditions to get the polyester were using lipase CAL-B (%-by-wt relative to monomer) in toluene as a solvent for 1 h at 60 °C. The poly(ω-carboxyl PA-co-OD) was characterized by 1H- and 13C-NMR, mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) and the polyester film formed with a Langmuir-Blodgett Trough was analyzed by means of spectroscopic ellipsometry and atomic force microscopy.

The Timing of Melatonin Administration Is Crucial for Its Antidepressant-Like Effect in Mice.

Melatonin is synthesized by the pineal gland with a circadian rhythm in synchrony with the environmental light/dark cycle. A gradual increase in circulating levels of melatonin occur after lights off, reaching its maximum around the middle of the dark phase. Agonists of melatonin receptors have proved effectiveness as antidepressants in clinical trials. However, there is contradictory evidence about the potential antidepressant effect of melatonin itself. Herein we studied melatonin administration in mice at two zeitgeber times (ZT; ZT = 0 lights on; 12:12 L/D), one hour before the beginning (ZT11) and at the middle (ZT18) of the dark phase after either a single or a three-dose protocol. Behavioral despair was assessed through a forced-swimming test (FST) or a tail suspension test (TST), at ZT18.5. A single dose of 4 mg/kg melatonin at ZT11 was effective to reduce the immobility time in both tests. However, acute administration of melatonin at ZT18 was not effective in mice subjected to FST, and a higher dose (16 mg/kg) was required to reduce immobility time in the TST. A three-dose administration protocol of 16 mg/kg melatonin (ZT18, ZT11, and ZT18) significantly reduced immobility time in FST. Data indicate that the timely administration of melatonin could improve its antidepressant-like effect.

Complete 1 H NMR assignment of cedranolides.

Complete and unambiguous 1 H NMR chemical shift assignment of α-cedrene (2) and cedrol (9), as well as for α-pipitzol (1), isocedrol (10), and the six related compounds 3-8 has been established by iterative full spin analysis using the PERCH NMR software (PERCH Solutions Ltd., Kuopio, Finland). The total sets of coupling constants are described and correlated with the conformational equilibria of the five-membered ring of 1-10, which were calculated using the complete basis set method. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Jatropha curcas Protein Concentrate Stimulates Insulin Signaling, Lipogenesis, Protein Synthesis and the PKCα Pathway in Rat Liver.

Jatropha curcas is an oil seed plant that belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. Nontoxic genotypes have been reported in Mexico. The purpose of the present work was to evaluate the effect of a Mexican variety of J. curcas protein concentrate (JCP) on weight gain, biochemical parameters, and the expression of genes and proteins involved in insulin signaling, lipogenesis, cholesterol and protein synthesis in rats. The results demonstrated that short-term consumption of JCP increased serum glucose, insulin, triglycerides and cholesterol levels as well as the expression of transcription factors involved in lipogenesis and cholesterol synthesis (SREBP-1 and LXRα). Moreover, there was an increase in insulin signaling mediated by Akt phosphorylation and mTOR. JCP also increased PKCα protein abundance and the activation of downstream signaling pathway targets such as the AP1 and NF-κB transcription factors typically activated by phorbol esters. These results suggested that phorbol esters are present in JCP, and that they could be involved in the activation of PKC which may be responsible for the high insulin secretion and consequently the activation of insulin-dependent pathways. Our data suggest that this Mexican Jatropha variety contains toxic compounds that produce negative metabolic effects which require caution when using in the applications of Jatropha-based products in medicine and nutrition.

Bioassay-guided chemical study of the anti-inflammatory effect of Senna villosa (Miller) H.S. Irwin & Barneby (Leguminosae) in TPA-induced ear edema.

Senna villosa (Miller) is a plant that grows in México. In traditional Mexican medicine, it is used topically to treat skin infections, pustules and eruptions and to heal wounds by scar formation. However, studies of its potential anti-inflammatory effects have not been performed. The aim of the present study was to determine the anti-inflammatory effect of extracts from the leaves of Senna villosa and to perform a bioassay-guided chemical study of the extract with major activity in a model of ear edema induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). The results reveal that the chloroform extract from Senna villosa leaves has anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties. Nine fractions were obtained from the bioassay-guided chemical study, including a white precipitate from fractions 2 and 3. Although none of the nine fractions presented anti-inflammatory activity, the white precipitate exhibited pharmacological activity. It was chemically characterized using mass spectrometry and infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, resulting in a mixture of three aliphatic esters, which were identified as the principal constituents: hexyl tetradecanoate (C20H40O2), heptyl tetradecanoate (C21H42O2) and octyl tetradecanoate (C22H44O2). This research provides, for the first time, evidence of the anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties of compounds isolated from Senna villosa.

Dillapiole, isolated from Peperomia pellucida, shows gastroprotector activity against ethanol-induced gastric lesions in Wistar rats.

Peperomia pellucida is a plant used in traditional medicine to treat gastric ulcers. Although this gastroprotective activity was reported, the active compounds have not been identified. Therefore, the aim herein was to identify the most active compound in the gastroprotective activity of P. pellucida using an ethanol-induced gastric ulcer experimental rat model. A gastroprotective effect was observed when the hexane and dichloromethane extracts were tested, with the higher effect being obtained with the dichloromethane extract (82.3 ± 5.6%) at 100 mg/kg. Dillapiole was identified as the most active compound in this extract. Although there have been previous reports on dillapiole, this is the first on its gastroprotective activity. Rats treated with this compound at 3, 10, 30 and 100 mg/kg showed 23.1, 56.1, 73.2 and 85.5% gastroprotection, respectively. The effect elicited by dillapiole at 100 mg/kg was not attenuated by pretreatment with indomethacin (10 mg/kg, s.c.), a prostaglandin synthesis blocker, NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (70 mg/kg, i.p.), a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, or N-ethylmaleimide (10 mg/kg, s.c.), a blocker of sulfhydryl groups. This suggests that the gastroprotective mechanism of action of dillapiole does not involve prostaglandins, NO or sulfhydryl groups.

Oligomerization of 10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid and methyl 10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoate catalyzed by lipases.

The main monomer of tomato cuticle, 10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid (10,16-DHPA) and its methyl ester derivative (methyl-10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanote; methyl-10,16-DHHD), were used to study their oligomerization reactions catalyzed by five lipases: Candida antarctica lipase B (CAL-B), Rhizomucor miehei lipase (RM), Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase (TL), Pseudomonas cepacia lipase (PCL) and porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL). For 10,16-DHPA, optimum yields were obtained at 60 °C using toluene and 2-methyl-2-butanol (2M2B) as solvent, while for methyl-10,16-DHHD the bests yields were obtained in toluene and acetonitrile. Both reactions leaded to linear polyesters according to the NMR and FT-IR analysis, and there was no data indicating the presence of branched polymers. Using optimized conditions, poly(10,16-DHPA) and poly(methyl-10,16-DHHD) with Mw = 814 and Mn = 1,206 Da, and Mw = 982 and Mn = 860 Da, respectively, were formed according to their MALDI-TOF MS and ESI-MS data. The self-assembly of the polyesters obtained were analyzed by AFM.

Effect of thermal sterilization on ferulic, coumaric and cinnamic acids: dimerization and antioxidant activity.

BACKGROUND: Some phenolic compounds, such as ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid, exist in the form of free acids, in fruits, rice, corn and other grains. Thermal treatment (121 °C at 15-17 psi) for different times on ferulic, p-coumaric and cinnamic acids as well as equimolar mixtures of these acids was investigated. RESULTS: Ferulic and p-coumaric acids underwent decarboxylation, yielding dimeric products formed through their corresponding radical intermediates, while cinnamic acid was recovered unreacted. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed no cross-dimerization when equimolar mixtures of pairs of hydroxycinnamic acids were treated under the same conditions. Dimers were characterized as (E)-4',4″-(but-1-ene-1,3-diyl)bis(2'-methoxyphenol)) (dimer of 4-vinylguaiacol) and (E)-4,4'-(but-1-ene-1,3-diyl)diphenol) (dimer of 4-vinylphenol) by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. CONCLUSION: Sterilization by thermal processing produced dimers of ferulic and coumaric acid. The antioxidant activity of these dimers was greater than that of the respective hydroxycinnamic acids. These results may be relevant for fruits and grains that contain hydroxycinnamic acids and undergo sterilization processes such as canning.

Antidepressant-like effects of a methanol extract of Leonotis nepetifolia in mice.

This study evaluated the antidepressant-like effects of a methanol extract of Leonotis nepetifolia in behavioural tests in mice. Our results showed that a single administration of the extract significantly reduced immobility behaviour in the tail suspension test, while three administrations were necessary to diminish immobility behaviour in the forced swimming test. A daily dose of the extract for 28 days improved body weight gain and significantly reduced corticosterone levels of mice exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress. Metabolic profiling of the extract revealed that nepetaefolin, methoxynepataefolin, and 7-O-ß-glucoside luteolin were the main products. Acute and repeated administration of the extract produced antidepressant-like effects in animals subjected to chronic stress. Our results suggest the hypothalamus-hypophysis-adrenal axis participates in the antidepressant actions of the extract. These results show that alterations in behaviour elicited by stress can be prevented with L. nepetifolia treatment.

Phenolic compounds profile by UPLC-ESI-MS in black beans and its distribution in the seed coat during storage.

Hard to cook phenomenon results from inadequate post-harvest storage of the bean associated with the microstructure and changes in seed color and texture. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical and chemical properties, identify the phenolic compounds and their relationship with the black bean seed coat microstructure during 270 days at 30 °C and 70% r. h. The water absorption capacity decrease to 12.19% that induced changes in seed texture observed by increasing the hardness from 5.42 to 19.96 N. A total of 37 compounds were identified by UPLC-ESI-MS and the changes in phenolic profile during storage period contribute to the seed coat color saturation. The identification of flavonoids, hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic acids, as well as distribution of condensed tannins in the seed coat, the changes in physical properties evidenced by seed darkening and hardening contribute to the seed coat impermeability.

Antioxidant and antihypertensive activity of Gouda cheese at different stages of ripening.

In Mexico, local ripened cheeses such as Chihuahua, Ranchero, and Cotija are produced, being consumed in great quantities together with imported cheeses. Proteolysis that takes place during ripening generates bioactive peptides; in this way the cheese acquires potential as a functional food. The ripening process of Gouda cheese was studied based on its bromatological and sensorial properties, bioactivity, and peptide profile. Ripened cheese met bromatological standard parameters and showed higher overall acceptability. After 90 days, bioactivity reached maximum values for radical scavenging (6.6%), ferric reducing power (11.2%), metal chelating effect (49%), and angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory activity (66.2%). Eight peptides were identified, four from αS1-casein, f(1-9, 1-13, 1-14, and 25-36), and four from ß-casein, f(11-28, 60-63, 193-209, and 197-205). Ripening of Gouda cheese results in a product with functional potential due to the presence of peptides with biological activity. Additionally, the methodology proposed in this work could be used by the dairy industry to monitor the manufacturing process and ripening of other types of cheeses.

Derivatives of 10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid isolated from tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) as potential material for aliphatic polyesters.

The main monomer of tomato cuticle, 10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid (or 10,16-dihydroxypalmitic acid; 10,16-DHPA), was isolated and used to efficiently synthesize two different monomers (16-hydroxy-10-oxo-hexadecanoic and 7-oxohexa-decanedioic acids) in addition to a dimer and linear and branched trimers. These compounds were fully characterized using NMR and MS techniques and could be used as starting materials for the synthesis of a wide range of chemicals and bio-polyesters, particularly the latter due to their physical properties, non-toxicity, and relative abundance among raw materials.

Calea zacatechichi Schltdl. (Compositae) produces anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects, and increases the hippocampal activity during REM sleep in rodents.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Calea zacatechichi is a plant with an extensive popular and ritual use in Mexico. In healthy volunteers, it induces well-being and tranquility senses, and facilitates superficial stages of sleep. However, anxiolytic, and antidepressant-like effects and changes on the sleep-waking stages have not been explored. AIM: To determine anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects of an aqueous extract of C. zacatechichi (CZ) in rodents and to analyze their effects on hippocampal activity in the rat sleep-waking cycle. MATERIAL AND METHODS: CZ anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects were evaluated in several mice and rat behavioral paradigms. CZ effects on temporal distribution of sleep were described, and hippocampus EEG frequency patterns were analyzed during the sleep-waking cycle; absolute and relative powers were analyzed during Rapid Eye Movements (REM) and non-REM sleep stages. CZ chemical analysis was performed by UPLC-ESI-MS. RESULTS: CZ produced specific and robust anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects in mice and rats, similar to those of prototypical drugs, at doses ranging from 0.5 to 50 mg/kg. CZ at 100 mg/kg produced visible mild sedative effects in rats, associated with a significant increase in Slow Wave Sleep episodes during a 6 h recording, and enhanced fast frequencies of hippocampus (gamma-band:31-50 Hz) during REM sleep. CONCLUSION: Results could support the well-being and tranquility senses reported by healthy consumers, and to explain the oneiric content during dreams and some improvements in cognitive processes described by consumers. Anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects of this species, reported for first time in this study could improve some aspects of mental health.

Cladodes: Chemical and structural properties, biological activity, and polyphenols profile.

The nopal cactus is an essential part of the Mexican diet and culture. The per capita consumption of young cladodes averages annually to 6.4 kg across the nation. In addition to contributing to the country's food culture, the nopal is considered a food with functional characteristics since, in addition to providing fiber, an important group of polyphenolic compounds is present, which has given cladodes to be considered a healthy food, for what they have been incorporated into the diet of Mexican people and many other countries worldwide. Research suggests that polyphenols from cladodes act as antioxidants and antidiabetics. This review studies the main phenolic components in cladodes and summarizes both conventional and novel methods to identify them.