ABSTRACT
Context: Pterygium, meaty eyes, is a disease that produces a triangular, conjunctival-epithelial, neovascularized overgrowth covering the cornea, which can cause vision loss. Histological characterization of Pterygium reveals the presence of proliferating fibroblasts (FBs) that remodel the extracellular matrix, with infiltration of immune cells, causing chronic inflammation. The fresh juice of Echeveria pallida E. Walther (Crassulaceae), mechanically extracted from the leaves, can be used to lubricate the eyes and remove Pterygium, even in advanced, degenerative ocular disease. Objective: This study aimed to explore the healing mechanisms of an ethanolic extract of E. pallida on pterygium-derived FBs, lymphocytes, and neutrophils. Design: The research team designed an in-vitro study. Primary cultures of FBs were obtained from fresh, surgical pterygium tissues, and neutrophils and mononuclear cells were purified from the peripheral blood of healthy donors. Intervention: An ethanolic extract of E. pallida was evaluated at 30, 50, 80, 100, 200, and 300 µg/mL-the intervention groups-for viability and proliferation of FBs and lymphocytes. The study included a negative control with no extract, and a positive control, Mitomycin C (MMC), used as a FB proliferation inhibitor and anti-inflammatory. Because some reports have suggested that DMSO at low concentrations can stimulate or inhibit lymphocyte proliferation depending on the cell type, the study also included a DMSO control. Outcome Measures: The measures included an analysis of E. pallida's effects on the proliferation and viability of FBs, the proliferation of human lymphocytes, and human neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) production. NETs were induced using biochemical and microbiological stimuli-phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), hypochlorous acid (HOCl), Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans-through fluorescence microscopy. Results: The ethanolic extract didn't affect the viability or proliferation of pterygium-derived FBs and human blood lymphocytes, but it showed significant inhibitory activity, from 100 µg/mL, on FB adhesion and the production of NETs. Conclusion: The study found scientific evidence that supports the effects of an extract of the medicinal plant E. pallida in inhibiting the adhesion of FBs derived from human pterygium and NET production.
Subject(s)
Crassulaceae , Extracellular Traps , Fibroblasts , Plant Extracts , Pterygium , Fibroblasts/drug effects , Neutrophils , Cell Adhesion , Humans , Crassulaceae/chemistry , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Cells, CulturedABSTRACT
Mexico is the center of origin and diversification of domesticated chile (Capsicum annuum L.). Chile is conceived and employed as both food and medicine in Mexico. In this context, the objective of this paper is to describe and analyze the cultural role of chile as food and as medicine for the body and soul in different cultures of Mexico. To write it, we relied on our own fieldwork and literature review. Our findings include a) the first matrix of uses of chile across 67 indigenous and Afrodescendants cultures within Mexican territory and b) the proposal of a new model of diversified uses of chile. Traditional knowledge, uses and management of chile as food and medicine form a continuum (i.e., are not separated into distinct categories). The intermingled uses of Capsicum are diversified, deeply rooted and far-reaching into the past. Most of the knowledge, uses and practices are shared throughout Mexico. On the other hand, there is knowledge and practices that only occur in local or regional cultural contexts. In order to fulfill food, medicinal or spiritual functions, native communities use wild/cultivated chile.
ABSTRACT
Se realizó el estudio etnobotánico de las plantas suculentas en Santo Domingo Tonalá, Oaxaca. El trabajo de campo consistió en recorridos mensuales durante un año, a sitios con presencia de estas plantas, y entrevistas semiestructuradas (dos eventos) a 20 colaboradores claves; posteriormente, se llevó a cabo el análisis de los datos etnobotánicos utilizando el método etnográfico de enlistado libre y el índice de valor de uso. Fueron registradas 44 especies, incluidas en seis familias botánicas: Cactaceae, Agavaceae, Nolinaceae, Crassulaceae, Euphorbiaceae y Fouquieriaceae; sobresale Cactaceae, tanto por el número de especies como por los usos asignados. De un total de 21 categorías de uso, las más importantes fueron: comestible, ornamental y medicinal; y la principal forma de manejo es la recolección de plantas de la vegetación natural. Se identificó un grupo de siete especies como las de mayor importancia cultural. Dentro de las plantas suculentas se torna un grupo con gran potencial, como una alternativa de aprovechamiento sustentable por parte de las comunidades; sin embargo, es necesario llevar a cabo estudios que proporcionen información sobre las tasas de extracción de las especies y el estado actual de sus poblaciones. Existe una pérdida incalculable de especies vegetales y desaparición del conocimiento sobre su uso y manejo. En Santo Domingo Tonalá se identificó un importante número de plantas suculentas útiles, por lo cual, para esta región es prioritario diseñar estrategias que contribuyan a la conservación de estos recursos vegetales, así como al rescate y valoración del conocimiento tradicional.
