ITS1 Barcode and Phytochemical Analysis by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry of Corynaea crassa Hook. f (Balanophoraceae) from Ecuador and Peru.

The use of medicinal plants is the basis of traditional healthcare. Recently, the use of herbal medicine has been increasing among consumers due to availability, economy, and less side effect. For instance, the hemiparasite plant Corynaea crassa has medicinal properties and could be found in some regions of America, from Costa Rica to Bolivia. Phytochemical and genetic characterization of medicinal plants is needed for proper identification of metabolites responsible for medicinal properties and for genotyping, respectively. Moreover, characterization of medicinal plants through the use of DNA barcodes is an important tool for phylogenetic analysis and identification of species; furthermore, complemented with phytochemical analysis, both are useful for identification of plant species and quality control of medicinal products. The objective of this study was to analyze the species of C. crassa collected in Ecuador and Peru from the phylogenetic and phytochemical point of view. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed for amplification of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region after DNA extraction of samples of C. crassa. Blast analysis was performed in the GenBank database with the ITS1 sequences obtained from two accessions of C. crassa from Ecuador (GenBank accession numbers OM471920 and OM471919 for isolates CIBE-17 and CIBE-18, respectively) and three from Peru (GenBank accession numbers OM471921, OM471922, and OM471923 for isolates CIBE-13, CIBE-14, and CIBE-15, respectively). The accessions available in the GenBank were used for phylogenetic analysis. For the phytochemical analysis, hydroalcoholic extracts were obtained by maceration using 80% ethanol as solvent, followed by a derivatization process and analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of the C. crassa samples, the ITS1 sequence could be used to differentiate C. crassa of different locations. The samples of C. crassa from Ecuador and Peru are more similar between them than with other clades including Helosis spp. The phytochemical study revealed differences in the presence and relative abundance of some metabolites; mainly eugenol, 1,4-lactone arabinonic acid, dimethoxyrabelomycin and azelaic acid, which are reported for the first time for the species under study and the genus Corynaea. These results are the first findings on the combined analysis using genetic and phytochemical analysis for C. crassa, which could be used as a useful tool for quality control of the C. crassa species in medicinal products.

Phytochemical screening and hepatoprotective potential of Niphidium albopunctatissimum Lellinger on alcoholic hepatoxicity induced in albino rats / Tamizaje fitoquímico y potencial hepatoprotector de Niphidium albopunctatissimum Lellinger en la hepatoxicidad alcohólica inducida en ratas albinas

OBJECTIVES: To identify the phytoconstituents and determine the effect of Niphidium albopunctatissimum Lellinger on alcoholic hepatoxicity induced in albino rats. METHODS: Phytochemical screening was performed using the drop Test. For hepatoxicity study, albino rats were randomized into 5 groups of 6 each. Healthy group: without hepatoxicity; Control group: hepatotoxicity; Curative group: hepatotoxicity plus fluid extract of N. albopunctatissimum Lellinger; Standard group: hepatotoxicity plus silymarin; Preventive group: Fluid extract of N. albopunctatissimum Lellinger for one week, then hepatotoxicity. Hepatotoxicity was induced with 56% (w / v) ethanol at doses of 7.6 mL / kg p.c every 12 hours for 7 days. Glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) values were determined at baseline, 7 days after induction and 14 days after. A histopathological study of the livers was performed. RESULTS: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of polyphenols, anthocyanidins, saponins, flavonoids and tannins. The preventive and standard groups showed a very significant decrease in serum GPT levels compared to control group (p < 0.01), and curative group did so significantly (p < 0.05). Histopathological analysis showed in curative group some degenerating hepatocytes, many with normal-looking cytoplasm; the preventive and standard groups presented hepatocytes with normal architecture and some in degeneration, unlike the evident degeneration and necrosis in control group. CONCLUSION: Niphidium albopunctatissimum Lellinger may have hepatoprotective potential against alcoholic toxicity induced in albino rats

OBJETIVOS: Identificar los fitoconstituyentes y determinar el efecto de Niphidium albopunctatissimum Lellingeren la hepatoxicidad alcohólica inducida en ratas albinas. MÉTODOS: El tamizaje fitoquímico se realizó mediante la Prueba de la gota. Para el efecto en la hepatoxicidad, las ratas albinas fueron distribuidas al azar en 5 grupos de 6 cada uno, Grupo sano: Sin hepatoxicidad, Grupo Control: hepatotoxicidad, Grupo Curativo: hepatotoxicidad más extracto fluído de N. albopunctatissimum Lellinger, Grupo Patrón: hepatotoxicidad más silimarina y Grupo Preventivo: extracto fluido de N. albopunctatissimum Lellinger por una semana, luego hepatotoxicidad. La hepatotoxicidad se indujo con etanol 56% (p/v) en dosis de 7,6 mL/kg p.c cada 12 horas por 7 días. Se determinaron valores de Glutámico pirúvica transaminasa (GPT) al inicio, a los 7 días de inducción y a los 14 días. Se realizó el estudio histopatológico a los hígados. RESULTADOS: El tamizaje fitoquímico reveló presencia de polifenoles, antocianidinas, saponinas, flavonoides y taninos. Los grupos preventivo y patrón evidenciaron disminución muy significativa de niveles séricos de GPT en comparación con el grupo control (p< 0,01), y el grupo curativo lo hizo de manera significativa (p < 0,05). El análisis histopatológico evidenció en el grupo curativo algunos hepatocitos en degeneración, muchos con citoplasma de aspecto normal; los grupos preventivo y patrón presentaron hepatocitos con arquitectura normal y algunos en degeneración, a diferencia de la evidente degeneración y necrosis en el grupo control. CONCLUSIÓN: Niphidium albopunctatissimum Lellinger puede tenerpotencial hepatoprotector frente a la toxicidad alcohólica inducida en ratas albinas

Efecto Analgésico Postexodoncia Simple del Extracto de Morinda citrifolia (Noni): Ensayo Clínico Aleatorizado de Grupos en Paralelo / Post Exodontia Analgesic Effect of Morinda citrifolia (Noni): A Randomized Clinical Trial in Parallel Groups

El objetivo de este trabajo fue comparar el efecto analgésico post exodoncia simple del extracto de Morinda citrifolia (Noni) de 30 g vs. 15 g. Este ensayo clínico paralelo aleatorizado, se desarrolló en la Clínica Estomatológica de la Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego (Trujillo, Perú). Los pacientes, quienes requerían exodoncia simple, fueron distribuidos aleatoriamente en tres grupos de 17 sujetos cada uno: Noni a dosis de 30 g, de 15 g y grupo testigo (ibuprofeno). El procedimiento fue estandarizado, evaluándose el efecto analgésico mediante la Escala Visual Analógica, a las 2, 8, 24 y 48 horas posteriores a la primera toma del fármaco. El análisis estadístico se realizó mediante la prueba T de Student para comparación de medias para una p<0,005. No existe diferencia en el efecto analgésico post exodoncia simple entre el extracto de Noni de 30 g y 15 g, a las 2 (p=0,09), 8 (p=0,22), 24 (p=0,61) y 48 horas (p=0,67). Ambas dosis fueron similares o superiores al control. El extracto de Noni presenta efecto analgésico post exodoncia simple.

The objective of this study was to compare the post exodontia analgesic effect of the Morinda citrifolia (Noni) extract of 30 g vs. 15 g. This randomized parallel clinical trial, was developed in the Dental Clinic of Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego (Trujillo, Peru). Patients who required simple dental extraction, were randomized into three groups of 17 subjects each one: Noni at doses of 30 g, 15 g and control group (ibuprofen). The procedure was standardized and the analgesic effect was evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale at 2, 8, 24 and 48 hours after the first dose of the drug. Statistical analysis was performed using Student 's t test for comparison of means with p<0.005. There is no difference in the post exodontia analgesic effect between Noni extract 30 g and 15 g, at 2 (p=0.09), 8 (p=0.22), 24 (p=0.61) and 48 hours (p=0.67). Both doses were similar to or higher than control. The extract of Noni has post exodontia analgesic effect.

Identificación preliminar de los metabolitos secundarios de los extractos acuosos y etanólicos del fruto y hojas de Morinda citrifolia L. noni y cuantificación espectrofotométrica de los flavonoides totales / Preliminary identification of secondary metabolites from aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the fruit and leaves of Morinda citrifolia L. noni and spectrophotometric quantification of total flavonoids

El presente trabajo de investigación estuvo orientado a la identificación preliminar de los metabolitos secundarios de los extractos acuosos y etanólicos del fruto y hojas de Morinda citrifolia L. “noni” y a la cuantificación espectrofotométrica de los flavonoides totales. La especie fue recolectada en el Jardín Botánico de Plantas Medicinales “Rosa Elena de los Ríos Martínez” de la Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica de la Universidad Nacional de Trujillo. Los metabolitos secundarios encontrados en la identificación preliminar fueron: esteroides, quinonas, flavonoides y leucoantocianidinas. En la cuantificación espectrofotométrica de los flavonoides totales expresados como quercetina, se encontró que el extracto con mayor porcentaje correspondió a la extracción a reflujo de hoja con 0.191%, seguido de los liofilizados de los extractos acuoso y etanólico de hoja con 0.114 y 0.115% respectivamente, la extracción Soxhlet de hoja con 0.007% y el liofilizado del extracto acuoso de fruto con 0.032%. Los resultados obtenidos de los extractos fueron evaluados mediante el Análisis de Varianza y Prueba de Duncan.

This investigation was aimed at the preliminary identification of secondary metabolites from aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the fruit and leaves of Morinda citrifolia L. "noni" and spectrophotometric quantification of total flavonoids. The species was collected in the Botanical Garden of Medicinal Plants “Rosa Elena de los Ríos Martínez” at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, National University of Trujillo. The secondary metabolites found in the preliminary identification were: steroids, quinones, flavonoids, and leucoanthocyanidins. In the spectrophotometric quantification of total flavonoids expressed as quercetin, found that the extract with the highest percentage corresponded to reflux extraction leaf with 0.191%, followed by the lyophilized aqueous and ethanol extracts of leaf with 0.114 and 0.115% respectively, Soxhlet extraction of leaf with 0.007% and aqueous extract of freeze dried fruit with 0.032%. The results of the extracts were evaluated by Variance Analysis and Duncan test.