Bioactive phenolic compounds and organic acids in the decoction of fruits and leaves of Schinus areira L / Compuestos fenólicos bioactivos y ácidos orgánicos en la decocción de frutos y hojas de Schinus areira L

Leaf and fruit decoctions of Schinus areira L. from northwest Argentina were investigated here. Phenolic compounds and organic acids were analyzed by HPLC. Antioxidant capacity and α-glucosidase inhibition were determined by using in vitro tests. The general toxicity was assessed against Artemia salina nauplii. Hyperoside and 3 O-caffeoylquinic acid in leaf decoctions; gallic acid and catechin in fruit decoction were the major phenolic compounds. Malic and citric acids were the main organic acid quantified in the leaf and fruit decoctions, respectively. Fruit decoction had a relatively important content of shikimic acid, precursor of Tamiflu. Leaf decoction presents a greater richness in bioactive compounds with antiradical activity against DPPH●, O2●-and ●NO radicals. S. areira leaves and fruits had α-glucosidase inhibitory activity comparable to hyperoside and acarbose. Fruit decoction was not eco-toxic; leaf decoction showed significant eco-toxic activity and could be chosen for the search of other bioactive compounds with pharmacological activity.

Se investigaron decocciones de hojas y frutos de Schinus areira L. del noroeste de Argentina. Compuestos fenólicos y ácidos orgánicos se analizaron mediante HPLC. Capacidad antioxidante e inhibición de α-glucosidasa se determinaron in vitro. Se evaluó toxicidad general con Artemia salina. Los principales compuestos fenólicos fueron hiperósido y ácido 3 O-cafeoilquínico en hojas y ácido gálico y catequina en frutos. Los principales ácidos orgánicos cuantificados fueron málico en hojas y cítrico en frutos. Ácido shikímico, precursor del Tamiflu está presente en decocción de frutos con un contenido relativamente importante. La de hojas presenta una mayor riqueza en compuestos bioactivos con actividad antirradicalaria frente a DPPH●, O2●-y ●NO. Las hojas y frutos de S. areira tenían una actividad inhibidora de la α-glucosidasa comparable a la de hiperósido y acarbosa. La decocción de frutas no fue eco-tóxica, pero sí la de hojas que podría ser fuente de compuestos bioactivos con actividad farmacológica.

Safety of Aqueous Extract of Calea ternifolia Used in Mexican Traditional Medicine.

There is a trend to use medicinal plants for primary medical care or as dietary supplements; however, the safety of many of these plants has not been studied. The objective of this work was to determine the toxic effect of the aqueous extract of Calea ternifolia (C. zacatechichi), known popularly as "dream herb" in vivo and in vitro in order to validate its safety. In vivo, the extract had moderate toxicity on A. salina. In vitro, the extract induced eryptosis of 73% at a concentration of 100 µg·mL-1 and it inhibited CYP3A by 99% at a concentration of 375 µg/mL. After administering 8.5 mg/kg of C. ternifolia to rats, we found a reduction in platelets and leukocytes and an increase in urea and the liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Histological analysis showed spongiform changes in the proximal tubules of renal tissue and a lymphoid infiltrate in liver tissue. This plant is used in the treatment of diabetes, and it is commercialized as a dietary supplement in several countries. Our results show renal and hepatic toxicity; therefore, more profound research on the toxicity of this plant is needed.

Mapping of nutrition and sectoral policies addressing malnutrition in Latin America.

OBJECTIVE: To map existing policies addressing malnutrition in all its forms in Latin America and identify gaps in enabling environments supporting the five priority lines of action outlined in the World Health Organization Comprehensive Implementation Plan on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (CIP) approved in 2014. METHODS: This descriptive study consisted of a systematic Internet search for and mapping of publicly available nutrition-related and sectoral policies already in place to address malnutrition in all its forms in 18 Latin American countries (Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay). The policies were described in documents retrieved from the websites of ministries of health, education, agriculture, labor, and development; the national congress; and other government agencies. RESULTS: All 18 countries had relevant policies to address malnutrition, especially undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, but only a few had policies to address overweight and obesity. Nutrition actions were incorporated in food and nutrition security and social protection policies in all 18 countries, and were part of education, environment, agricultural, development, and/or employment policies in some countries. Information on human and financial resources assigned to nutrition was not available through the search strategies used in the study. CONCLUSIONS: All 18 countries included in this review had established enabling environments to support CIP implementation. However, each of the 18 countries needs to develop integrated policies for the promotion of nutrition and prevention of noncommunicable diseases through cross-sector involvement and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

Micronucleated erythrocytes in newborns of rat dams exposed to ultraviolet-A light during pregnancy; protection by ascorbic acid supplementation.

Pregnant hairless rat dams were exposed to ultraviolet-A light (UVA) to induce micronucleated erythrocytes (MNE) in their fetuses. The control group was exposed to conventional light; the experimental groups were exposed to UVA (365nm) during gestational days 16-21. In some cases, ascorbic acid (Asc) was administered in the drinking water from gestational day 15 until delivery. Dams were sampled at 48-h intervals during gestation, from day 16 until delivery. Blood was also obtained from neonates at birth; MNE, micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE), and polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) were scored. Increased MNE and MNPCE were observed in neonates born to mothers exposed to UVA for 40, 80 or 160min, compared to the control group. Asc treatment reduced MNE and MNPCE induction.

Acupuntura en el asma bronquial / Acupuncture in Bronchial Asthma

Se realizó un estudio experimental tipo ensayo clínico controlado, terapéutico, ciego y monocentrico con el objetivo de evaluar la eficacia de un modelo de tratamiento acupuntural en pacientes aquejados de asma bronquial en el período de intercrisis, en el policlínico 13 de Marzo, en Bayamo, Granma de enero-diciembre 2000. La muestra estuvo representada por los primeros 120 pacientes que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión para la investigación, los cuales fueron distribuidos de forma aleatoria en dos grupos denominados estudio y control. El primero recibió tratamiento acupuntural y el segundo la terapia farmacológica convencionalmente utilizada. Se evalúo la respuesta terapéutica en ambos grupos en relación con la edad, sexo, raza, severidad del asma y tiempo de tratamiento. Los datos se expresaron en tablas de doble entrada tomando el porcentaje como medida resumen y se aplicó la prueba de hipótesis para proporciones de grupos independientes en el análisis de comparabilidad y el test del chi cuadrado para determinar la relación entre variables. De los pacientes del grupo estudio 70 por ciento evolucionó satisfactoriamente mientras solo tuvieron similar respuesta terapéutica 51,7 por ciento de los incluidos en el grupo control. Finalmente se concluye que el tratamiento acupuntural escogido eficaz en el asma bronquial(AU)

It was carried an experimental study as controlled, clinical, therapeutic, blind and monocentered assay, with the objective to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment patterns in patients complaining of bronchial asthma in the intercrisis period, in 13 de Marzo Policlinic, Bayamo, Granma, from January to December 2000. The sample was made by the first 120 patients that fulfilled the inclusion criteria for the research, which were distributed at random in two groups, the experimental and control group. The first one received acupuncture treatment and the second one received pharmacological therapy, conventionally used, it was evaluated the therapeutic answer in both groups according to age, sex, race, asthma conditions, and kind of treatment. The data was presented in double entrance tables, taking the percentage as a summary measure and it was applied the hypothesis test for independent groups proportions in comparison analysis and finally the test of chi square to determine the relation among variables. From the experimental group patients the 70 per cent successfully progressed while only 51,7 per cent from the control group had a similar therapeutic answer. Finally, it was stated that the acupuncture treatment is efficient for bronchial asthma(EU)

Labor de enfermería en el tratamiento con oxigenación hiperbárica (OHB) / Nursing care in hyperbaric oxigenation therapy (HBO)

La labor del personal de enefermería con el paciente que recibe tratamiento mediante oxigenación hiperbárica (OHB) está dada fundamentalmente por la preparación, atención y apoyo psicológico durante su estancia en el Servicio de OHB. La OHB como método terapeútico fue incorporada a nuestro sistema de salud en 1986. La OHB se aplica en diversas enfermedades tanto sola como en apoyo a una terapeútica clínica o quirúrgica y se basa en el incremento significativo del oxígeno en el plasma cuando se aumenta la presión del gas a una dosis adecuada, para lo cual se utilizan las cámaras hiperbáricas. El personal de enfermería entrenado desempeña un importante papel en la atención del paciente, el cuidado de los equipos y vela por el cumplimiento de las medidas y técnicas de seguridad. La OHB ha demostrado ser eficaz en el tratamiento de la sepsis anaeróbica, intoxicación por monóxido de carbono, en la peritonitis, úlceras gastroduodenales, osteomielitis, en apoyo a injertos, trasplantes y en enfermedades de las más variadas causas (AU)

Labor de enfermería en el tratamiento con oxigenación hiperbárica (OHB) / Nursing care in hyperbaric oxigenation therapy (HBO)

La labor del personal de enefermería con el paciente que recibe tratamiento mediante oxigenación hiperbárica (OHB) está dada fundamentalmente por la preparación, atención y apoyo psicológico durante su estancia en el Servicio de OHB. La OHB como método terapeútico fue incorporada a nuestro sistema de salud en 1986. La OHB se aplica en diversas enfermedades tanto sola como en apoyo a una terapeútica clínica o quirúrgica y se basa en el incremento significativo del oxígeno en el plasma cuando se aumenta la presión del gas a una dosis adecuada, para lo cual se utilizan las cámaras hiperbáricas. El personal de enfermería entrenado desempeña un importante papel en la atención del paciente, el cuidado de los equipos y vela por el cumplimiento de las medidas y técnicas de seguridad. La OHB ha demostrado ser eficaz en el tratamiento de la sepsis anaeróbica, intoxicación por monóxido de carbono, en la peritonitis, úlceras gastroduodenales, osteomielitis, en apoyo a injertos, trasplantes y en enfermedades de las más variadas causas