Fatty-Acid-Rich Agave angustifolia Fraction Shows Antiarthritic and Immunomodulatory Effect.

Agave angustifolia is a xerophytic species widely used in Mexico as an ingredient in sweet food and fermented beverages; it is also used in traditional medicine to treat wound pain and rheumatic damage, and as a remedy for psoriasis. Among the various A. angustifolia extracts and extract fractions that have been evaluated for their anti-inflammatory effects, the acetonic extract (AaAc) and its acetonic (F-Ac) and methanolic (F-MeOH) fractions were the most active in a xylene-induced ear edema model in mice, when orally administered. Four fractions resulting from chemically resolving F-Ac (F1-F4) were locally applied to mice with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA)-induced ear inflammation; F1 inhibited inflammation by 70% and was further evaluated in a carrageenan-induced mono-arthritis model. When administered at doses of 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg, F1 reduced articular edema and the spleen index. In addition, it modulated spleen and joint cytokine levels and decreased pain. According to a GC-MS analysis, the main components of F1 are fatty-acid derivatives: palmitic acid methyl ester, palmitic acid ethyl ester, octadecenoic acid methyl ester, linoleic acid ethyl ester, and oleic acid ethyl ester.

Isolation, chemical characterization, and anti-inflammatory activity of coumarins, flavonoids, and terpenes from Tagetes lucida.

Tagetes lucida is widely used in traditional Mexican medicine for several disorders, including those associated with inflammation. In this work, fifteen compounds were identified (1-15) from T. lucida. Some of these compounds (1-8, 10, 12-14) were detected for the first time in the plant, and quercetagetin 7-O-ß-(6''-Protocatecoyl) glucopyranoside (13) has been identified for any plant species. The inflammation inhibition effects of these compounds were as follows: Amix (1-2) > 10 > 12a > 13 > 14a > Bmix (3-9) > 12; 12 and 13 showed a dose-response behavior. The mixture of 14 and 15 was not active. This work contributes to the knowledge of the anti-inflammatory capacity of T. lucida and the chemical identity of their bioactive compounds.

Antidepressant and anxiolytic compounds isolated from Salvia elegans interact with serotonergic drugs.

Salvia elegans belongs to a genus plants with biological activities in central nervous system. In this work, the purpose was to evaluate the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of fractions and compounds isolated from S. elegans and its interaction with serotoninergic drugs by using behavioral tests in mice. Fractions from aerial parts of S. elegans were obtained by column chromatography, SeF1, SeF2, SeF3, and SeF4. Each of them was administered to 25 mg/k in ICR mice subject to forced swimming test (FST), or elevated plus maze test (EPM), or open field test (OFT). The most active fractions were chemically separated until compounds, which were analyzed as anxiolytic or antidepressant and the coadministration of these treatments with 5-HT1A and 5-HT2 drugs was measured in the different biological tests. All fractions were anxiolytic and antidepressant, oleanolic acid (OA) was found in SeF2, and from SeF3, a mixture of terpenes was found; a GC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of two main compounds: rosifoliol and agaraspirol (TM, mixture of terpenes). TM (doses-response curve, 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg) and OA (5 mg/kg) were also evaluated demonstrating an antidepressant and anxiolytic effect, respectively. The combination of TM (0.5 mg/kg) with 8-OH (selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist) induced an increment of antidepressant activity, while with the antagonist WAY-100635, the effect diminished. But with DOI (5-HT1c/5-HT2 receptor agonist), there was no change, and with KET (5-HT2 receptor antagonist), the activity was increased. When OA is co-administered with 8-OH or with DOI, the anxiolytic activity of this terpene, diminished; but with the combination with antagonists, the effect of OA shows no change. TM and OA were antidepressant and anxiolytic, respectively, on mice exposed to different tests, and these are able to interact with serotoninergic drugs.

A mixture of quercetin 4'-O-rhamnoside and isoquercitrin from Tilia americana var. mexicana and its biotransformation products with antidepressant activity in mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The aerial parts of Tilia americana var. mexicana (Malvaceae, formerly Tiliaceae) or "sirimo" are used in Mexican traditional medicine for the relief of mild symptoms of mental stress, commonly referred to as "nerve diseases". Individuals use this plant to fall asleep, to calm states of nervous excitement, headaches, mood disorders, and general discomfort. Recent studies indicated that fractions standardized in their flavonoid content possess antidepressant activity in behavioral assays in mice. The present study aims to focus on the evaluation of the antidepressant effect of the mixture of two flavonoids (FMix), and its interaction with serotonergic drugs. Also, the pharmacological effect of the products of the metabolism of aglycone, quercetin, was evaluated in mice subjected to forced swimming test (FST) and open field test (OFT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A methanol-soluble extract obtained from leaves of Tilia americana was fractionated in an open column chromatographic separation. One of the fractions contained FMix wich is constituted of the mixture of quercetin 4'-O-rhamnoside (1, 47%) y isoquercitrin (2, 53%). The mice were divided into the several following groups: FMix (0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 2 mg/kg); FMix (1.0 mg/kg) and agonist DOI (2.0 mg/kg); FMix (1.0 mg/kg) and antagonist ketanserin (KET, 0.03 mg/kg) of 5-HT2A receptors; FMix (1.0 mg/kg) and selective agonist 8-OH-DPAT (8-OH, 0.01 mg/kg); FMix (1.0 mg/kg) and antagonist WAY100635 (WAY, 0.5 mg/kg) of 5HT1 receptors; Phloroglucinol (PHL); 3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl acid (DOPAC); p-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid (p-HPAA); and m-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid (m-HPAA) were tested in FST or OFT. RESULTS: FMix induced dependent-dose antidepressant activity and, at the highest dose administered, a sedative effect was also observed. The 8-OH-DPAT, or the DOI, or the KET combination with FMix (1.0 mg/kg) induced a higher antidepressant effect than compounds alone; there was no effect exerted with WAY. The activity on OFT increased only with the FMix and KET combination. At the same time, the products of the aglycone metabolism of quercetin, that is, DOPAC and p-HPAA, decreased the immobility time of the mice in FST at 1.0 mg/kg, and a dose-curve was formed for these. CONCLUSION: The antidepressant effect of FMix could depend, at least in part, on the degradation products of quercetin and with a possible action mode through interaction with the serotoninergic system.

Anti-arthritic and anti- inflammatory effects of extract and fractions of Malva parviflora in a mono- arthritis model induced with kaolin/carrageenan.

Malva parviflora is used as food in the gastronomy of some regions of Mexico and, also, in Mexican traditional medicine for inflammation-related conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. The objective of this work was to evaluate its antiarthritic activity in a mice model. In ICR, female mice were tested the dichloromethane extract (MpD) and fractions MpF4 (extracted with a dichoromethane:methanol system) and MpFphy (a precipitate by acetone:methanol) by using the mono-arthritis with kaolin/carrageenan model. During the treatment, joint inflammation was measured daily, and hyperalgesia was measured using the hot plate test. The treatments diminished both joint inflammation and pain. At the end of the evaluation, the left joint and spleen were extracted for determination of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The results showed that the MpD, MpF4, and MpFphy treatments modulated the concentration of these proteins. Specifically, MpFphy at 1.0 mg/kg increased IL-4 and IL-10 and decreased IL-17, IL-1ß, and TNF-α. GC-MS analysis showed that MpF4 contained a mixture of a total of nine compounds, three of them newly reported for the species. The studies confirmed the presence of five sterols in the MpFphy fraction, including stigmasterol and ß-sitosterol. These results confirm the anti-rheumatoid and anti-inflammatory activities of a fraction rich in sterols from Malva parviflora. Graphical abstract.

Effect of Standardized Fractions and Tiliroside from Leaves of Tilia americana on Depression Tests in Mice.

Depression affects more than 300 million people worldwide, represents one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Depression treatment is based on the use of tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. These drugs, although clinically effective, have also been shown to have delayed onset activity and produce significant adverse side effects. Medicinal plants are presented as a source of study in the search for therapies. This study was aimed to assess the antidepressant effect (on forced swimming test -FST- and tail suspension test -TST-) of different fractions and tiliroside from Tilia americana. The organic fractions (FAC1-1, FAC1-2) and aqueous fractions (FAqC2-1, FAqC2-3) were obtained by column chromatography and the HPLC analysis allowed the standardization based on the concentration (mg/g) of several compounds: FAqC2-1 with tiliroside 20, quercitrin 41.7, and quercetin glucoside 73.8; FAqC2-3 with tiliroside 2.4, quercitrin 16.6 and 7-O-luteolin glucoside 35.9; FAC1-1 caffeic acid was quantified with 7.87 ; FAC1-2 with tiliroside 24.7 and quercitrin 19.8. Each fraction was tested in ICR mice at different dose in the FST and TST, as well as in the open field test (OFT); tiliroside was isolated and tested in such assays (at 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/kg). All fractions were active, the better was FAC1-2, and induced a dose-dependent effect on FST with an ED50= 2.59 mg/kg and Emax = 175.4 sec; with a sedative effect in OFT. Tiliroside with like-antidepressant activity, showed a dose-response behavior (ED50= 0.04 mg/kg and Emax = 121.42 sec for FST; ED50= 0.014 mg/kg and Emax = 78.28 sec for TST).

Violencia de género, embarazo y autoestima en un área urbana de la ciudad de México / Gender violence, pregnancy and self-esteem in an urban area of Mexico city

Objetivo: Estimar la violencia de género con la autoestima en mujeres con y sin embarazo para brindar atención de enfermería. Material y Métodos: Estudio transversal y analítico; muestra: 490 mujeres seleccionadas aleatoriamente conforme criterios de inclusión: edad de 15-45 años, con y sin embarazo, con pareja y participación voluntaria. Se utilizó la Encuesta Nacional de Violencia contra las Mujeres/ENVIM, el Inventario de Autoestima de Coopersmith- A y datos sociodemográficos y obstétricos; para el análisis se utilizó la estadística descriptiva y regresión logística. Resultados: El 52% estuvo embarazada con edad entre 15 a 25 años (p=0,000), con menor que 3 años de convivencia (p=0,000), trabajo no remunerado (p=0,00), el cónyuge percibiendo salario menor que al mínimo (p=0,00); de O a 1 gestación (p=0,001); el 94% refirió violencia por parte de su pareja, las embarazadas presentaron mayor violencia psicológica (RM 2,29 IC 95% 1,39-3,75) y económica (RM 1,38 IC 95% 1,09-1,76) y autoestima baja (RM 1,06 IC 95% 1,63- 2,78); salario menor que al mínimo del cónyuge (RM 1,90 IC 95% 1,00-3,60) y edad entre 15 a 25 años (RM 1,76 IC 95% 1,42-3,98); destacándose la violencia física en las mujeres sin embarazo (RM 1,43 IC 95% 1,08-3,84) y autoestima baja (RM 1,52 IC 95% 1,05-2,21). Conclusiones: Existen diferencias de violencia entre las embarazadas (psicológica y económica) versus no embarazadas (física), siendo la autoestima baja un factor de riesgo. Cabe a las enfermeras identificar factores de riesgo para violencia de género en las consultas y realizar la referencia correspondiente, así como promoción educativa entre las mujeres.

Objective: To estimate gender violence with the self-esteem in women with and without pregnancy to provide nursing care. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional and analytical study; sample: 490 women randomly selected following inclusion criteria: age 15 to 45 years old, with or without pregnancy, with partner and voluntary participation. We used the National Survey of Violence against Women/ENVIM, Self-Esteem lnventory of Coopersmith-A and demographic and obstetric data, for analysis was used descriptive statistic and logistic regression. Results: 52% was pregnant with an age between 15 to 25 years old (p=0.000), with less than 3 years of cohabitation (p=O.OOO), unpaid work (p=0.000), partner receiving salary less than to minimum (p=0.000), from Oto 1 pregnancy (p=O.OOO), 94% referred violence by partner, pregnant women presented more psychological (OR 2.29 CI 95% 1.39-3.75), and economic violence (OR 1.38 CI 95% 1.09-1.76) and low self-esteem (RM 1.06 CI 95% 1.63-2.78); salary menor que amount to a minimum of partner (OR 1.90 CI 95% 1.00-3.60), and age between 15 to 25 years (OR 1.76 CI 95% 1.42-3.98), it is highlighted physical violence against women without pregnancy (OR 1.43 CI 95% 1.08-3.84) and low self-esteem (RM 1.52 CI 95% 1.05-2.21). Conclusions: there are differences of violence among pregnant women (psychological-economic) vs. non-pregnant (physical); being low self-esteem a risk factor. Nursing should identify risk factors for gender violence at consultation and carry out necessary referral, as well educational promotion among women.

Conocimientos y actitudes del personal de enfermería sobre la violencia de género / Knowledge and nurses' attitudes about gender violence

Objetivo: Identificar los conocimientos y las actitudes sobre la violencia de género (VG), así como las barreras personales e institucionales existentes en el personal de enfermería del Instituto Nacional de Perinatología "Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes" (INPerIER), con el fin de identificar necesidades de capacitación del personal. Material y métodos: Es un estudio transversal, observacional y analítico. La población seleccionada fueron enfermeras que estuvieron en contacto con mujeres que acudieron a una institución de salud reproductiva de tercer nivel de atención. La recolección de la información fue voluntaria, informada y anónima, a través de la "Encuesta de Violencia contra la Mujer por parte de su pareja: Opinión del Personal de Salud". Para el análisis estadístico, se utilizó un modelo de regresión logística para evaluar el conocimiento sobre normas, guías e instituciones de referencia a los casos de VG y actitudes. Resultados: Participaron 136 enfermeras (tasa de no-aceptación de 9.4%). El promedio de edad fue 37 años, no tenía pareja 52.9% de las encuestadas, la proporción de enfermeras generales fue 51.5%, tenían estudios carrera técnica postsecundaria 47.1% y laboraban en el turno matutino 54.4%. El conocimiento sobre la VG del personal fue 92.6% nulo a bajo y 7.4% medio. Los factores asociados con la actitud cognitiva y conductual de rechazo con la VG fueron: tener edad de 23 a 35 años (RM 2.93 IC 95% 3.0-8.0), familiares con violencia (RM 2.47 IC 95% 1.13-5.37) y nivel de bachillerato (RM 5.03 IC 95% 1.20-10.21). El ser autora de violencia tiene una actitud afectiva desfavorable hacia la VG (OR 5.30 IC 95% 11.08-25.88). Las barreras institucionales y personales para la identificación de los casos de VG, fueron 74.3%. Conclusiones: Se requiere sensibilizar y capacitar para identificar y referir a los casos con VG, además de implementar programas de salud mental para las enfermeras que sean autoras o víctimas de violencia.

Objective: To identify attitudes and knowledge among nurses from Instituto Nacional de Peinatologia (INPerIER) regarding Gender Violence (GV). Material and methods: This is a cross-section, observational and analytic study. Participants were nurses who had been in contact with women attending INPerIER. Information was collected anonymously and voluntary through the "Partner violence against women: healthcare professional's opinion Survey". A logistic regression model was calculated to evaluate the association among several factors including knowledge of guidelines, counselling and centers for assistance to affected women. Results: A total of 136 nurses participated in the study (9.4% non-participants). Average age was 37 years, 52.9% did not have a partner, 51.5% were non-specialized nurses, 47.1% had a post-high school education and 54.4% had an afternoon shift. Knowledge regarding was none-low in 92.6% of the nurses and moderate in 7.4%. Factors associated with cognitive and behavioural attitude and GV included age between 23-35 years (OR 2.93; IC 95%: 3.0-8.0), family members with violence (OR 2.47; IC 95%: 1.13-5.37) and bachelor's level (OR 5.03; IC 95%: 1.20-10.21). The being violence author has an unfavourable affective attitude (OR 5.30; IC 95%: 11.08-25.88). Personal and institutional barriers to identify GV cases were present in 74.3% of the cases. Conclusions: It is necessary to sensitize and train nurses to give assistance or counselling to GV cases, as well as to implement mental health programs for nurses who act violent or are victims of violence.