Dataset on the qualitative characteristics of roselle varieties (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.).

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is a worldwide known species of great importance due to its medicinal properties and pleasant flavor. In Paraguay, it is used as an alternative crop by family-run farmers; however, the varieties used in the country are unknown, so no information is available on this crop. The qualitative characterization would collect knowledge serving as a basis for the registration of varieties produced in Paraguay. In addition, such data are useful for future genetic improvement programs considering this crop. The present work was carried out at the Multidisciplinary Center for Technological Research and the experimental farmland of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the National University of Asuncion, during the years 2022 and 2023. The main objective was to carry out a morphological characterization of four Roselle varieties: Ana Delia, Benito, Dogo, and Creole. The design consisted of completely randomized blocks, with four treatments (varieties) and four replications; each experimental unit (block) was composed of 24 plants, distributed in four rows; 12 plants, selected from the central rows, were harvested for the evaluations. Stem color, leaf shape, leaf margin, rib color, petiole color, flower color, calyx color, calyx sepal opening, capsule shape, capsule color, capsule anthocyanin coloration, and pubescence level were evaluated. The results demonstrate qualitative differences between the varieties, which help to compare and classify them for a better variety selection.

Germination of bean seeds (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) in strong electric fields.

This paper presents a tutorial for the germination of bean seeds (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) in strong electrostatic fields up to 1240 V/cm. The seeds were allowed to germinate under different electric field strengths for 48 h. Although most of such germination experiments did not show any visible effect, the field strength of 945 V/cm strongly increased the seedling's vigor during the early growth stage. In the end, 30 % more yield was obtained from stimulated seeds when compared to the control group. This article postulates for the first time a hypothesis of the mechanism of action of the electric field during germination. In biological cells of any species, water confined between narrow surfaces can undergo a phase transition that shifts its melting point to higher temperatures when an external electric field is applied. This effect has already been known as electrofreezing, and has been confirmed by several experimental and molecular modeling studies. As a consequence, the transport kinetics of molecules across cell organelle membranes might be altered, which in turn leads to different plant properties. With emphasis on the presented method, this work reports: •An inexpensive electric circuit for the generation of strong electric fields•Instructions regarding the setup and operation of an adequate germination chamber.

Actividad antibacteriana in vitro de Maytenus ilicifolia Martius sobre Streptococcus mutans y Staphylococcus aureus / In vitro antibacterial activity of Maytenus ilicifolia Martius on Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus

Maytenus ilicifolia es un arbusto empleado como medicación natural en Paraguay, Brasil, Argentina y Uruguay. Entre sus propiedades se cita la actividad antimicrobiana. El objetivo del estudio experimental in vitro fue evaluar el efecto antibacteriano del extracto etanólico de Maytenus ilicifolia Martius frente a Streptococcus mutans y Staphylococcus aureus. Se determinó el efecto de tres concentraciones C1 47,76 mg/mL, C2 24,4 mg/mL y C3 12,8 mg/mL, frente a cepas bacterianas de Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 y de Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, mediante el método de difusión en pozo en agar Mueller Hinton. Se realizó un ensayo por triplicado para cada cepa con las diferentes concentraciones del extracto, incluyendo un control positivo de Gluconato de Clorhexidina 0,12% y un control negativo de solución fisiológica 0,9%. La C1 47,76 mg/mL tuvo efecto antibacteriano sobre ambas cepas. La media de halo de inhibición para Streptococcus mutans fue de 11,68 mm correspondiendo al 67,2% de efecto inhibitorio y la media de halo de inhibición para Staphylococcus aureus fue de 9,39 mm, correspondiendo al 51,82% de efecto inhibitorio en relación con el Gluconato de Clorhexidina 0,12%. Se concluyó que el extracto etanólico de Maytenus ilicifolia Martius posee efecto antibacteriano para Streptococcus mutans y Staphylococcus aureus.

Control de la biopelícula dental en niños mediante una estrategia de motivación basada en el uso domiciliario de sustancia reveladora / Control of dental biofilm in children through a motivational strategy based on the home use of disclosing agents

El cepillado dental diario es importante, en especial en niños durante el período de recambio dentario. Por considerarse a los mismos un grupo de riesgo de caries y gingivitis debido a la dificultad de reproducir una técnica de cepillado, se desarrolló la presente investigación con el objetivo de evaluar una estrategia de motivación para el control de la biopelícula dental con el uso domiciliario de revelador de placa. En el estudio experimental se incluyeron a 30 escolares de 6 a 7 años de edad. Se realizó una charla informativa e instructiva a los padres, explicando el propósito de la investigación y el modo de aplicación del revelador de placa dental en sus hogares. Fueron registrados los valores del pH salival, del Índice de O´Leary y se determinó el nivel de higiene oral antes y después de la intervención. Los resultados basales evidenciaron un nivel de higiene oral malo en el 53%, regular en el 33% y bueno en el 16% de los niños evaluados. Posterior a la intervención, se constató una disminución en los valores del Índice de O´Leary modificándose el nivel de higiene oral en bueno en el 43%, regular en el 26% y malo en el 30% de los niños, observándose una diferencia estadísticamente significativa p=0,006, aplicando la prueba de Wilcoxon. Se concluye que la estrategia de motivación para el control de la biopelícula dental con el uso domiciliario de revelador de placa puede implementarse como coadyuvante modificando positivamente el nivel de higiene oral en los niños.

Daily tooth brushing is important, especially in children during the tooth replacement period. Because they are considered a group of risk of caries and gingivitis due to the difficulty of reproducing a brushing technique, the present investigation was developed with the aim of evaluating a motivational strategy for the control of the dental biofilm with the home use of disclosing agents. The experimental study included 30 schoolchildren from 6 to 7 years of age. An informative and instructive talk was given to the parents, explaining the purpose of the research and the mode of application of the disclosing agents in their homes. The salivary pH values of the O'Leary Index were recorded and the level of oral hygiene was determined before and after the intervention. The baseline results showed a poor level of oral hygiene in 53%, regular in 33% and good in 16% of the children evaluated. After the intervention, there was a decrease in the values of the O'Leary Index, modifying the level of oral hygiene in good in 43%, regular in 26% and bad in 30% of children, observing a difference statistically significant p = 0.006, applying the Wilcoxon test. It is concluded that the strategy of motivation for the control of the dental biofilm with the home use of disclosing agents can be implemented as a coadjuvant modifying positively the level of oral hygiene in children.

Helietta apiculata: a tropical weapon against Chagas disease.

The present study pretends to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of the crude chloroform bark extract of Helietta apiculata, then the activity will be compared with the reference drug, benznidazole, in acute Trypanosoma cruzi infected mice when administered by oral route. The chloroformic extract of Helieta apiculata was administered by oral route at 5, 10 and 50 mg/kg daily for two weeks. This study has shown a moderate efficacy of the H. apiculata bark extract in reducing T. cruzi parasitaemia in 42 to 54% after a monitoring of 60 days post-infection and when compared with control groups. Concerning mice mortality, only two only two mice died, one from the control group and the other one from the group threated with 10 mg of the chlorofom extract of H. apiculata, suggesting the potential of H. apiculta extracts as a safe and inexpensive treatment of Chagas disease.

Evaluación de los efectos mutagénicos/antimutagénicos de Luehea divaricata en ratones / Evaluation of the mutagenic / antimutagenic effects of Luehea divaricata in mice

La Luehea divaricata Mart. conocida popularmente en el Paraguay como "ka´aovetî o ka´aovetîpytâ", es una planta nativa de la región utilizada como fitoterápico. El objetivo de este trabajo fue el de investigar el efecto protector del extracto acuoso de las hojas de L. divaricata frente al quimioterápico ciclofosfamida, en médula ósea de ratones. Los animales fueron divididos en 4 grupos de 5 animales cada uno; el Grupo I, control negativo, que recibió 200 µL de agua, vía oral; el Grupo II, que recibió 200 µL del extracto acuoso de L. divaricata; el Grupo III, que recibió 200 µL del extracto acuoso de L. divaricata y ciclofosfamida, 50 mg/Kg de peso de animal y el Grupo IV, fue el control positivo, recibió ciclofosfamida 50mg/Kg/peso de animal. El extracto acuoso de L. divaricata fue administrado por vía oral y el tratamiento se administró por 48h, la ciclofosfamida fue administrada por vía intraperitoneal 24h antes del sacrifico del animal .Se extrajo la médula ósea de los animales y se realizó el ensayo de micronúcleo en todas las muestras. Los resultados indicaron que el extracto acuoso de L. divaricata no presentó actividad mutagénica, cuando combinado con el agente mutagénico induce una reducción de hasta 49% en la frecuencia de micronúcleos, al ser comparado con el tratamiento con ciclofosfamida, sugiriendo un potencial efecto protector frente a agentes tóxicos.

The Luehea divaricata Mart. is a plant native, popularly known in Paraguay as "ovetîka'a”or “ovetîka'aPytá" of the region used as herbal medicines. The aim of this study was toinvestigate the protective effect of aqueous extract from the leaves of L. divaricata versuscyclophosphamide chemotherapy. The animals were divided in 4 groups and each grouphave 5 animals, Group I, negative control, which received 200 uL of water, orally; Group II,which received 200 uL of aqueous extract of L. divaricata; Group III, which received 200 uLof the aqueous extract of L. divaricata and cyclophosphamide, 50 mg / kg animal weight;Group IV, positive control, cyclophosphamide received 50mg / kg / animal weight. Theaqueous extract of L. divaricata was orally administered and the treatment wasadministered for 48 hs, cyclophosphamide was administered intraperitoneal and had 24hours of treatment. Bone marrow of the animals is removed and micronucleus assay wasperformed on all samples. The results indicated that aqueous extract of L. divaricata showedno mutagenic activity and when combined with the mutagen agent induces a reduction ofup to 41% in the frequency of micronucleus, when compared to treatment withcyclophosphamide, suggesting a potential protective effect against toxic agents.

Antileishmanial activity of furoquinolines and coumarins from Helietta apiculata.

UNLABELLED: The bark infusion of H. apiculata are used to treat wound healing related to cutaneous leishmaniasis and as anti-inflammatory. AIM OF THE STUDY: To isolate, purify active constituents of H. apiculata stem bark, and evaluate their in vitro and in vivo antileishmanial activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Isolation by chromatographic methods and chemical identification of furoquinoline alkaloids and coumarins, then evaluation of the in vitro leishmanicidal activity of these compounds against three strains of Leishmania sp. promastigotes and in vivo against Leishmania amazonensis in Balb/c mice. RESULTS: Furoquinoline alkaloids and coumarins presented a moderate in vitro activity against promastigote forms of Leishmania sp. with IC(50) values in the range between 17 and >50 microg/ml. Balb/c mice infected with Leishmania amazonensis were treated with gamma-fagarine by oral route, or with 3-(1'-dimethylallyl)-decursinol or (-)-heliettin by subscutaneous route for 14 days at 10mg/kg daily. In these conditions, gamma-fagarine, 3-(1'-dimethylallyl)-decursinol and (-)-heliettin showed the same efficacy as the reference drug reducing by 97.4, 95.6 and 98.6% the parasite loads in the lesion, respectively. CONCLUSION: These compounds showed significant efficacy in L. amazonensis infected mice, providing important knowledge to improve its potential role for a future use in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

In vitro and in vivo antitrypanosomatid activity of 5-nitroindazoles.

Previously, we have identified a series of 5-nitroindazoles with good antiprotozoal activities, against Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes and Trichomonas vaginalis. Most of them have shown very low unspecific toxicity on macrophage cell lines. In the present work, we assayed these compounds on T. cruzi bloodstream trypomastigotes and Leishmania promastigotes (Leishmania amazonensis, Leishmania braziliensis and Leishmania infantum). Derivatives 1, 2, 7 and 8 displayed remarkable trypanocidal activity (>80% lysis) equivalent to gentian violet. Derivatives 2 and 10, as Pentamidine, caused the complete lysis of promastigotes of Leishmania. An oxidative stress-mediated mechanism of action was confirmed for derivatives 1, 10 and 12 on T. cruzi epimastigotes. Supported by the in vitro activities, derivatives 1 and 2 were submitted to in vivo assays using an acute model of Chagas' disease and a short-term treatment. None of the animals treated with derivatives 1 and 2 died, unlike the untreated control and Benznidazole groups.

Activity of a hydroxybibenzyl bryophyte constituent against Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi: in silico, in vitro and in vivo activity studies.

The synthesis and potent antiprotozoal activity of 14-hydroxylunularin, a natural hydroxybibenzyl bryophyte constituent is reported. 14-hydroxylunularin was highly active in vitro assays against culture and intracellular forms of Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma. cruzi, in absence of cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. Preliminary structure-activity relationship studies showed that the reported bioactivity depends on hybridization at the carbon-carbon bridge, position and number of free hydroxy group on the aromatic rings. The reported results were also in agreement with the in silico prediction using Non-Stochastic Quadratic Fingerprints-based algorithms. The same compound also showed antiprotozoal activity in Leishmania spp. infected mice by oral and subcutaneous administration routes, with an optimal treatment of a daily subcutaneous administration of 10 mg/kg of body weight for 15 days. This study suggested that 14-hydroxylunularin may be chosen as a new candidate in the development of leishmanicidal therapy.

Effects of canthin-6-one alkaloids from Zanthoxylum chiloperone on Trypanosoma cruzi-infected mice.

Canthin-6-one (1), isolated from Zanthoxylum chiloperone (Rutaceae), possesses a broad sprectum of antifungal and leishmanicidal activities. In this study, we have examined the antiparasitic effects of canthin-6-one (1), 5-methoxycanthin-6-one (2), canthin-6-one N-oxide (3), as well as that of the total alkaloids of Zanthoxylum chiloperone stem bark, in Balb/c mice infected either acutely or chronically with Trypanosoma cruzi. The compounds were administered orally or subcutaneously at 5mg/kg/day for 2 weeks, whereas the alkaloidal extract was given at 50mg/kg/day for 2 weeks. The antiparasitic activity was compared with that of benznidazole given at 50mg/kg/day for 2 weeks. In the case of acute infection, parasiteamia was significantly reduced following oral treatment with canthin-6-one (1). Moreover, the total alkaloids of Zanthoxylum chiloperone stem bark led to high levels of parasitological clearance. Seventy days post-infection, the serological response in the acute model was significantly different between oral canthin-6-one (1) and benznidazole-treated mice. Chronic model of the disease showed that both canthin-6-one (1) and the alkaloidal extract at the above dosage induced 80-100% animal survival compared to untreated controls. These results indicate that canthin-6-one (1) exhibits trypanocidal activity in vivo in the mouse model of acute or chronic infection. This is the first demonstration of anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity for a member of this chemical group (canthinones). Considering the very low toxicity of canthin-6-one (1), our results suggest that long-term oral treatment with this natural product could prove advantageous compared to the current chemotherapy of Chagas disease.

2H-benzimidazole 1,3-dioxide derivatives: a new family of water-soluble anti-trypanosomatid agents.

Three series of benzimidazole N-oxide derivatives were developed and were examined for their activity against trypanosomatid parasites (Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp.). 2H-benzimidazole 1,3-dioxides displayed remarkable in vitro activities against both parasites, with derivatives 28, 29, and 32 being the most potent (IC50 < 5 microM) against the epimastigote form of T. cruzi and 28, 33, and 35 the most potent against the promastigote form of Leishmania spp. Unspecific cytotoxicity was evaluated using murine macrophages, and derivative 33 was not toxic at a concentration 30 times that of its IC50 against T. cruzi that was completely toxic for Leishmania spp., implying that the series of 2H-benzimidazole 1,3-dioxides is selective toward both trypanosomatid parasites. Derivatives 33 and 35 were submitted to an in vivo assay using an acute model of Chagas' disease and a short-term treatment (30 mg/kg/day orally administrated as aqueous solution, during 10 days). While in the control (untreated) and Benznidazole (50 mg/kg/day) groups survival fraction was 60.0% and 87.5%, respectively, none of the animals treated with derivatives 33 and 35 died. From the preliminary structure-activity relationship studies reduction potential and electrophilicity were found relevant to anti-T. cruzi activity. Active compounds are better electrophiles and more easily reduced than inactive ones.

Efficacy of orally administered 2-substituted quinolines in experimental murine cutaneous and visceral leishmaniases.

We report in this study the in vivo efficacy of nine 2-substituted quinolines on the Leishmania amazonensis cutaneous infection murine model and on the Leishmania infantum and Leishmania donovani visceral infection murine models. In the case of the L. amazonensis model, quinolines were administered orally at 25 mg/kg twice daily for 15 days. Quinolines 1, 2, 3, and 7 reduced by 80 to 90% the parasite burdens in the lesion, whereas N-methylglucamine antimoniate (Glucantime), administered by subcutaneous injections at 100 mg [28 mg Sb(V)] per kg of body weight daily, reduced the parasite burdens by 98%. In visceral leishmaniasis due to L. infantum, mice treated orally at 25 mg/kg daily for 10 days with quinolines 1, 4, 5, and 6 showed a significant reduction of parasite burdens in the liver and spleen. These quinolines were significantly more effective than meglumine antimoniate to reduce the parasite burden in both the liver and spleen. Also, the oral in vivo activity of three quinolines (quinolines 4, 5, and 2-n-propylquinoline) were determined against L. donovani (LV 9) at 12.5 and 25 mg/kg for 10 days. Their activity was compared with that of miltefosine at 7.5 mg/kg. Miltefosine, 2-n-propylquinoline, and quinoline 5 at 12.5 mg/kg significantly reduced the parasite burdens in the liver by 72, 66, and 61%, respectively. From the present study, quinoline 5 is the most promising compound against both cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. The double antileishmanial and antiviral activities of these compounds suggest that this series could be a potential treatment for coinfection of Leishmania-human immunodeficiency virus.

Caso de Leishmaniasis cutanea diseminada detectado en el distrito de Capiata / Annual reports 1997 / A case pf disseminated cutaneous Leishmaniasis detected in the Capiata district

Se presenta un caso poco frecuente de leihmaniasis cutánea en un individuo adulto, japonés, residente en una zona periférica de Capiatá, a la altura del km 24 de la ruta 2. El paciente presentaba diversas lesiones en distintas zonas del cuerpo. En todas ellas se identificaron amastigotes de Leihmania a través de frotis, biopsias y cultivo. También las pruebas indirectas (intradermorreacción de Montenegro e inmunofluorescencia indirecta para leishmaniasis) resultaron positivas. El paciente respondió eficazmente al tratamiento con antimoniales. De acuerdo a las características clínicas y resultados laboratoriales, estimamos que el caso, poco común, corresponde a una leishmaniasis cutánea diseminada por metástasis. Se plantea una discusión acerca del origen geográfico de la infección

Inhibiciòn de la agregaciòn plaquetaria por extractos de plantas de uso medicinal en Paraguay / Annual reports 1995 / Inhibition of platelet aggregation by medicinal plants usein Paraguay

Con el propòsito de identificar extractos y luego aislar productos on actividad inhibidoria sobre la agregaciòn plaquetaria in vitro fueron probados 21 extractos alcohòlicos de plantas antitrombòlicos y en transtornos circulatorios e inmunològicos. La inhibiciòn de la agregaciòn se determinò mediante el mètodo turbo-densitomètrico (coagulòmetro AccuStasisTM 1000) midiendo el tiempo de agregaciòn del plasma rico en plaquetas inducido por adenosina 5 difosfato (ADP), colàgeno y epinefrina a las concentraciones iniciales de 2x10-4mo1/L, 2 mg/ml y 1x10-4mo1/L respectivamente y como control positivo de la inhibiciòn de la agregaciòn plaquetaria se usò aspirina a la concentraciòn de 0,1g/ml. La evaluaciòn cualitativa se realizò por apreciaciòn microscòpica (A 100x) de frotis teñidos con Giemsa del agregado plaquetario o nò por los extractos y los controles. Del screening resultò activo el extracto de una planta medicinal perteneciente a la familia Myrtaceae a la concentraciòn de 272ug/ml con los porcentajes de inhibiciòn de 96 por ciento a la concentraciòn de 0,18x10-4mo1/L de ADP y 94,4 por ciento a la concentraciòn de 0,045x10-4mo1/L de ADP. Tambièn resultò activo el extracto de una planta medicinal perteneciente a la familia Flacourtiaceae con un porcentaje de inhibiciòn de 92 por ciento al ser inducido por ADP a la concentraciòn de 0,045x10-4mo1/L. Este estudio indica el potencial de algunos extractos estudiados y justifica el aislamiento de compuestos puros de los extractos activos con mejores propiedades.

Inhibiciòn de la agregaciòn plaquetaria por extractos de plantas de uso medicinal en Paraguay / Annual reports 1995 / Inhibition of platelet aggregation by medicinal plants usein Paraguay

Con el propòsito de identificar extractos y luego aislar productos on actividad inhibidoria sobre la agregaciòn plaquetaria in vitro fueron probados 21 extractos alcohòlicos de plantas antitrombòlicos y en transtornos circulatorios e inmunològicos. La inhibiciòn de la agregaciòn se determinò mediante el mètodo turbo-densitomètrico (coagulòmetro AccuStasisTM 1000) midiendo el tiempo de agregaciòn del plasma rico en plaquetas inducido por adenosina 5 difosfato (ADP), colàgeno y epinefrina a las concentraciones iniciales de 2x10-4mo1/L, 2 mg/ml y 1x10-4mo1/L respectivamente y como control positivo de la inhibiciòn de la agregaciòn plaquetaria se usò aspirina a la concentraciòn de 0,1g/ml. La evaluaciòn cualitativa se realizò por apreciaciòn microscòpica (A 100x) de frotis teñidos con Giemsa del agregado plaquetario o nò por los extractos y los controles. Del screening resultò activo el extracto de una planta medicinal perteneciente a la familia Myrtaceae a la concentraciòn de 272ug/ml con los porcentajes de inhibiciòn de 96 por ciento a la concentraciòn de 0,18x10-4mo1/L de ADP y 94,4 por ciento a la concentraciòn de 0,045x10-4mo1/L de ADP. Tambièn resultò activo el extracto de una planta medicinal perteneciente a la familia Flacourtiaceae con un porcentaje de inhibiciòn de 92 por ciento al ser inducido por ADP a la concentraciòn de 0,045x10-4mo1/L. Este estudio indica el potencial de algunos extractos estudiados y justifica el aislamiento de compuestos puros de los extractos activos con mejores propiedades