Desarrollo inicial de un fitofármaco derivado del jugo de Citrus limón (limón) para el tratamiento de crisis hipertensivas

Objetivo: Obtener un fitofármaco a base de extracto seco de limón con estándares de calidad, procesamiento amigable con el medio ambiente y con antecedentes de efectividad y seguridad, evaluando sus efectos en pacientes hipertensos con frecuentes crisis hipertensivas. Métodos y resultados: Se seleccionó la población de limónes de las Regiones Metropolitana y Coquimbo con las concentraciones más altas de ácido ascórbico y flavonoides totales, respectivamente. Se utilizó liofilización para obtener jugo de limón en polvo. Sólo durante el período de estudio, se informó un caso de aumento/ crisis hipertensiva. La formulación con la concentración más alta de ácido ascórbico disminuyó la presión arterial sistólica y diastólica en 16 mmHg desde 10 minutos hasta 60 minutos. Por otro lado, la formulación con mayor concentración de flavonoides disminuyó la presión arterial en 12 a 30 mmHg desde 5 a 60 minutos. Conclusión: Se obtuvo un producto innovador como complemento al manejo de los aumentos de presión arterial. Los principios activos con mayor contribución al mecanismo antihipertensivo del jugo de limón corresponden a compuestos fenólicos, específicamente, flavonoides.

Aim: To obtain a product based on a dry extract of standardized phytodrug lemon with high quality standards, using an environmentally friendly process; to evaluate its effects in hypertensive patients suffering frequent episodes of hypertensive crisis. Methods and Results: Lemons with high concentration of ascorbic acid (Coquimbo Region) or total flavonoids (Metropolitan Region) were selected. Lyophilization was used to obtain juice powder. During the study period only one case of hypertensive crisis was reported. The formula with the highest concentration of ascorbic acid decreased systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 16 mmHg from 10 minutes up to 60 minutes. On the other hand, the formula with the highest concentration of flavonoids decreased blood pressure from 12 to 30 mmHg between 5 and 60 minutes. Conclusion: An novel product to help decrease acutely elevated blood pressure was obtained that can be used as a complement to the management of acute blood pressure rises. The active principles with greater contribution to the antihypertensive mechanism of lemon juice corresponded to phenolic compounds, specifically flavonoids.

Improvement of endothelial function by Gunnera tinctoria extract with antioxidant properties

BACKGROUND: Gunnera tinctoria has been collected by Mapuche-Pewenche people for food and medicinal purposes. The high polyphenol content of methanolic extract from G. tinctoria leaves with chemical constituents such as ellagic acid and quercetin derivatives suggests its application to prevent endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to provide evidence of the protective effect of this extract on endothelial function by reducing oxidative stress induced by high D-glucose and H2O2, as well as by stimulating nitric oxide (NO) levels in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). RESULTS: A methanolic extract with a high content of polyphenols (520 ± 30 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry extract) was obtained from G. tinctoria leaves. Its main constituent was ellagic acid. The results of Ferric reducing antioxidant power and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assays of the extract confirmed its antioxidant activity by inhibition pathway of radical species. The incubation of HUVECs with the extract decreased the apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) synthesis induced by high extracellular concentration of D-glucose or hydrogen peroxide. The extract increased endothelial NO levels and reduced vasoconstriction in human placental vessels. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence about the antioxidant and endothelial protective properties of methanolic G. tinctoria leaf extract. The extract improves the availability of NO in HUVECs, inhibiting the production of ROS and vasoconstriction.

Efecto pediculicida de una formulación en base a Eucaliptus globulus L / Pediculicide effect of a Eucaliptus globulus L formulation

Introduction: Pediculosis capitis is a public health problem with a high prevalence. The emergence of parasite resistance to conventional pediculicide is of great concern worldwide. Objective: To develop alternatives pediculicide, effective and safe, based on the essential oil of Eucaliptus globulus. Method: Through bioassays active concentrations ranges of the essential oil were established, and proceeded to develop a standardized, stable, pharmaceutical form, evaluating its effects on our population. Results: The results showed 100% effectiveness; short time of death, ovicidal action, activity on the adhesion of the egg, and low toxicity. Discussion: In addition to great effect, the inability of the parasite to become resistant to the chemical composition of the essential oil makes this formulation an alternative to the problem of head lice solution.

Introducción: La pediculosis capitis es un problema de salud pública con una alta prevalencia. La aparición de resistencia del parásito a los pediculicidas convencionales es de gran preocupación a nivel mundial. Objetivo: Desarrollar alternativas pediculicidas, efectivas y seguras, en base al aceite esencial de Eucaliptus globulus. Método: A través de bioensayos se establecieron rangos de concentraciones activas del aceite esencial, y se procedió al desarrollo de una forma farmacéutica, estandarizada, estable, evaluando sus efectos en nuestra población. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron 100% de efectividad; corto tiempo de muerte, acción ovicida, actividad sobre la adherencia del huevo, y baja toxicidad. Discusión: Además de la gran efectividad, la imposibilidad del parásito de adquirir resistencia a la composición química del aceite esencial hace de esta formulación una solución alternativa al problema de la pediculosis.

Determinación de rutina y trigonelina en extractos de hojas de Bauhinia forficata subsp. pruinosa y evaluación del efecto hipoglicemiante en humanos / Determination of rutin and trigonelline in extracts of Bauhinia forficata subsp. pruinosa and hypoglycemic effect on diabetic and prediabetic patients humans

Diabetes mellitus type 2 is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, and an important cardiovascular risk factor with a high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Phytotherapy can be an useful complement in the treatment of chronic diseases, so the hypoglycemic effect of Bauhinia forficata (L) subsp. pruinosa (Fabaceae) was evaluated, as used in Chilean traditional medicine. The content of rutin (R) and trigonelline (T) in aqueous extracts (0.15 and 1.0 percent infusions) and lyophilized extract from leaves of B. forficata were determined by HPLC. It was obtained 2.80 ugR/mL and 2.87 ugT/mL for 0.15 percent infusion, 12.48 ugR/mL and 16.24 ugT/mL for 1.0 percent infusion, and 5.70 ugR/mL and 8.14 ugT/mL for the lyophilized extract (0.1percent). Subsequently, a pilot clinical study in diabetic and prediabetic volunteers (n = 15) was performed, taking one dose of the 0.15 percent infusion, three times a day after meals, for 3 months. The results showed a significant statistically reduction in percent of HbA1c of 0.57 +/- 0.83 (p = 0.0179), suggesting that the 0.15 percent infusion of B. forficata could be useful in the prevention or complementary treatment of diabetes...

La diabetes mellitus tipo 2 es una alteración metabólica caracterizada por hiperglicemia crónica, y un importante factor de riesgo cardiovascular con elevada morbimortalidad a nivel mundial. La Fitoterapia puede ser un complemento útil en el tratamiento de enfermedades crónicas, por lo que se evaluó el efecto hipoglicemiante de Bauhinia forficata (L) subsp. pruinosa (Fabaceae), según su uso en medicina tradicional Chilena. Se determinó mediante HPLC el contenido de rutina (R) y trigonelina (T) en infusos (0.15 por ciento y 1.0 por ciento) y extracto acuoso liofilizado de las hojas de B. forficata. Se obtuvo para el infuso 0.15 por ciento = 2.80 ugR/mL y 2.87 ugT/mL, infuso 1.0 por ciento = 12.48 ugR/mL y 16.24 ugT/mL, y en el extracto liofilizado 0.1 por ciento = 5.70 ugR/mL y 8.14 ugT/mL. Posteriormente, se realizó un estudio clínico piloto en voluntarios diabéticos y prediabéticos (n = 15), tomando una dosis del infuso al 0.15 por ciento, tres veces al día después de las comidas, durante 3 meses. Los resultados mostraron una reducción estadísticamente significativa del por ciento de HbA1c de 0.57 +/- 0.83 (p = 0.0179), sugiriendo que el infuso de hojas de B. forficata (0.15 por ciento) podría ser útil en la prevención o tratamiento complementario de la diabetes...

Variation in phenolic compounds of Ugni molinae populations and their potential use as antioxidant supplement

In the present work we carried out a comparative study of total phenolic contents and antioxidant capacity of aqueous leaf extracts of Ugni molinae Turcz., Myrtaceae (infusion and Soxhlet extracted) prepared from continent and Juan Fernández Island samples. The results revealed that total phenol content (TPC), tannins (TTC) and flavonoids (TFC) for U. molinae extracts (infusion and Soxhlet extracts) from island leaves were 38.5, 56.7 and 37.5% higher than those obtained with leaves from the continent, respectively. Also, HPLC profiles showed important differences between U. molinae populations. In vitro antioxidant capacity (scavenging of DPPH radical) for 1% infusion and aqueous extract (Soxhlet method) of U. molinae from island samples, was 15% greater than from continent samples. Further, in vivo impact of U. molinae intake (1% infusion) was studied in plasma samples obtained from healthy volunteers. Participants that consumed tea prepared with leaves from island population showed higher TBARS reduction and plasma antioxidant capacity (TEAC-CUPRAC) than those who consumed tea prepared with leaves from continental population. The conditions of the territory in which U. molinae populations growth could explain the differences in their composition and activity. According to results, island U. molinae populations could be an important source of study for the development of an antioxidant supplement, and thereby contribute to the use of this species that has becoming an ecological problem in the island.