Effects of Annual Growth Conditions on Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity in the Roots of Eryngium montanum.

Medicinal plants grown in natural settings are exposed to different adverse environmental conditions that determine their growth and development as well as the composition and concentration of secondary metabolites in their organs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of environmental conditions associated with localities and annual growth cycles on the contents of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, antioxidant activity and potentially bioactive phenolic acids in the roots of Eryngium montanum, a medicinal species from temperate Mexico. The samples for composition analysis were collected using a bifactorial design: Factor A consisted of the localities (Morelos and La Unión de San Martin Huamelulpam, Mexico) and Factor B was represented by the annual growth cycle (2020 and 2021). In each sample, the contents of polyphenols and equivalent flavonoids of quercetin and catechin and antioxidant activity were evaluated using spectrophotometry. Subsequently, chlorogenic, caffeic and rosmarinic acids were identified and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD). The annual growth conditions and, to a lesser extent, the locality of origin of the samples significantly influenced the contents of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. The environmental conditions that occurred in 2021 favored an increase in the contents of phenolic compounds compared to those in 2020, and the same pattern was observed for chlorogenic acid; however, for caffeic and rosmarinic acids, the opposite pattern was observed. The content of phenolic acids in the roots of E. montanum follows different and independent patterns between cycles based on the interaction between the locality of origin and annual growth cycle. This study quantifies the magnitude of the total environmental effect on the phenolic compound concentrations in E. montanum roots, which was measured via sampling during two annual growth cycles, where the sampling locations factor had little influence. The bioactive compounds identified in E. montanum roots have the potential for use as alternative medicines, as mentioned by different families from Oaxaca, Mexico.

Anthocyanins of Blue Corn and Tortilla Arrest Cell Cycle and Induce Apoptosis on Breast and Prostate Cancer Cells.

Background: Breast and prostate cancer are frequently diagnosed neoplasias in women and men around the world. The signaling of the androgen receptor (AR) influences the development of both tumors. Since therapies focused to block the receptor's activity have not been fully effective, and have shown side effects, therapies based on natural compounds are promissory complementary alternatives in its treatment. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of anthocyanins from blue corn in cancer cell lines. Methods: We analyzed the antiproliferative effect of anthocyanins from raw and alkali-processed (tortillas) Mixteco blue corn in breast and prostate cancer cell lines MDA-MB-453 (subtype: triple negative) and LNCaP using methyltiazlyl-tetrazolium (MTT) and flow cytometry (FCM). The combination of anthocyanins and 2-amino-N-quinolin-8-yl-benzenesulfonamide (QBS) or nocodazole also were evaluated. The anthocyanins were isolated trough column chromatography (XAD-7).Results: Our results demonstrated that anthocyanin specially the ones obtained from tortillas, decreased cell viability and arrested cell cycle in G1 phase inducing apoptosis. Cytometry analysis shows an increased effect on apoptosis of MDA-MB-453 and LNCaP cells when tortilla anthocyanins and QBS were combined. Conclusions: This is the first report that suggest that anthocyanins from blue corn have an effect in cell cycle and viability so they could serve as adjuvants for breast and prostate cancer therapies and may prompt to deepen investigations to decipher its molecular properties. AbbreviationsARAndrogen ReceptorCIDIIRInterdisciplinary Center for Research on Integral Regional DevelopmentDHT5α-DihydrotestosteroneEREstrogen ReceptorPRProgesterone ReceptorQBSAmino-N-quinolin-8-yl-benzenesulfonamide.

Antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of blue corn and tortilla from native maize.

BACKGROUND: Blue corn is a cereal rich in phenolic compounds used to make blue tortillas. Tortillas are an important part of the Mexican diet. Blue corn and tortilla represent an important source of the natural antioxidants anthocyanins. However, studies on their biological activity on cancer cell lines are limited. The goal of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of blue corn and tortilla on different cancer cell lines. METHODS: Total polyphenol content, monomeric anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity by the DPPH and TBARS methods of blue corn and tortilla were determined. The anthocyanin profile of tortilla was obtained by means of HPLC-ESI-MS. The antiproliferative activity of blue corn and tortilla extract on HepG2, H-460, Hela, MCF-7 and PC-3 was evaluated by the MTT assay. RESULTS: Blue corn had higher content of total polyphenols and monomeric anthocyanins as well as lower percentage of polymeric color than tortilla; however, both showed similar antioxidant activity by DPPH. In addition, although a higher degradation of anthocyanins was observed on tortilla extract, both extracts inhibited lipid peroxidation (IC50) at a similar concentration. The anthocyanin profile showed 28 compounds which are primarily derived from cyanidin, including acylated anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins. Blue corn and tortilla extracts showed antiproliferative effects against HepG2, H-460, MCF-7 and PC-3 cells at 1000 µg/mL, however Hela cells were more sensitive at this concentration. CONCLUSION: This is the first report to demonstrate anticancer properties in vitro of tortilla derived from blue corn, suggesting that this product has beneficial health effects. In addition, blue corn could be a potential source of nutraceuticals with anticancer activity.

Variación en contenido de minerales en frutos de variedades autóctonas de Chile (Capsicum annuum L), cultivadas en invernadero / Variation in minerals content in fruits of pepper (Capsicum annuum L) landraces, grown in greenhouse

Antecedentes: La malnutrición es un problema tanto en países desarrollados como en desarrollo, y en Latinoamérica, una opción viable es reconsiderar las dietas precolombinas tradicionales basadas en las especies endémicas. En Mesoamérica el chile o chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) desempeñó una función esencial, y perdura en la gastronomía mexicana. Objetivo: evaluar la variación entre y dentro de cinco morfotipos de chile (C. annuum L.) nativo de Oaxaca, México, en relación al contenido de minerales en fruto. Métodos: Una colección de 45 muestras poblacionales de chile, agrupadas en cinco morfotipos, nominados como chile de Agua, Tabiche, Piquín, Solterito y Nanche, fueron sembradas en invernadero bajo un diseño de bloques al azar con tres repeticiones. A la cosecha se obtuvo una muestra de 300 a 500 g de frutos por población, a partir de la que se obtuvieron cenizas solubilizadas en medio ácido, y la determinación de Cu, Fe, Mg, Zn, Na, K, y Ca se hizo por espectrofotometría de absorción atómica, y S y P se cuantificó mediante un espectrofotómetro UV-visible. Resultados: En el análisis de varianza se determinaron diferencias significativas (P < 0,05) entre y dentro de morfotipos de C. annuum para todos los macro y microelementos evaluados. Solterito sobresalió en ocho elementos minerales, le siguen Piquín y de Agua. En contenido de Fe sobresalieron Piquín y Solterito con 8,0 y 8,5 mg/100 g de pesos seco de muestra. Dentro de cada morfotipo sobresalen diferentes poblaciones: CAG03 y CAG10 en chile de Agua; CNA02 de Nanche; CPI02 y CPI09 de Piquín; CSO01, CSO02 y CSO03 de Solterito; y CTA02 y CTA05 del tipo Tabiche. Las diferencias entre morfotipos se confirmaron mediante un análisis discriminante múltiple y las distancias de Mahalanobis. Conclusiones: Los resultados muestran diferencias entre y dentro de morfotipos de C. annuum, y los valores del contenido de minerales reportados muestran que, el chile es un alimento con alto valor nutricional porque 100 g de peso seco potencialmente pueden suplir las necesidad diarias de Cu, Mg, P, y una proporción importante de Fe, Zn y K, entre otros elementos.

Background: Malnutrition is a major health problem in developed and developing countries, and in Latino American, a viable option is reconsider the pre-Columbian and traditional diets based on endemic species. In Mesoamerica, the chilli or pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) played an important role, and its contribution remain until today in the Mexican gastronomy. Objective: the aim of the present work was to evaluate the variation among and within five morphotypes of pepper (C. annuum L.) native of Oaxaca, Mexico, in relation to minerals content in fruits. Methods: a collection of 45 population samples of chilli pepper, which were grouped in five morphotypes named as chile de Agua, Tabiche, Piquin, Solterito and Nanche, and later planted in greenhouse conditions under a complete blocks randomized design with three replications. At harvest time a fruit samples from 300 to 500 g per population were obtained, and later the samples were incinerated to obtain ashes, which were solubilized in acid medium. The determinations of Cu, Fe, Mg, Zn, Na, K, and Ca were done by atomic absorption spectrometry, and the S and P elements were quantified by an UV-vis spectrometer. Results: in the analysis of variance, significant differences (P < 0.05) were determined among and within morphotypes of C. annuum over all macro and trace elements. Solterito presented the highest values in eight mineral elements, after Piquin and chile de Agua were the second more important. In Fe content, Piquin and Solterito showed high values between 8.0 and 8.5 mg/100 g of dry sample weight. Into each morphotype, the outstanding populations were: CAG03 and CAG10 from chile de Agua; CNA02 of Nanche; CPI02 and CPI09 of Piquin type; CSO01, CSO02 and CSO03 from Solterito; and CTA02 and CTA05 from Tabiche type. The differences among morphotypes were confirmed in the multiple discriminant analysis and the Mahalanobis' distances. Conclusions: The results showed differences among and within morfotypes of C. annuum, and the minerals content reported indicate that, the chilli pepper is a food with high nutritional values. In fact 100 g of dry weight, potentially can supply the dairy needs of Cu, Mg, P and an important proportion of the needs of Fe, Zn and K, among other nutritional elements.