Solution Blow-Spun Poly (Ethylene Oxide)-Polysulfone Bicomponent Fibers-Characterization of Morphology, Structure, and Properties.

Solution blow spinning was used to prepare nonwoven bicomponent fibers constituted by poly (ethylene oxide)-Polysulfone (PEO-PSF). As a new material, deep characterization was carried out to have a database to understand final performance regarding its multiple functions as a potential material for biomedical applications. The morphology was studied by field emission scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy and optical profilometry. Structural characterization was carried out by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermal degradation by thermogravimetric analysis. Additionally, wettability and mechanical behavior were studied by contact angle measurements and tensile tests, respectively. The bicomponent material was constituted of fibers with a structure mainly described by a core-shell structure, where the PSF phase is located at the center of the fibers, and the PEO phase is mainly located at the outer parts of the fibers, leading to a kind of shell wall. The study of possible interactions between different phases revealed them to be lacking, pointing to the presence of an interface core/shell more than an interphase. The morphology and roughness of the bicomponent material improved its wettability when glycerol was tested. Indeed, its mechanical properties were enhanced due to the PSF core provided as reinforcement material.

Antioxidant potential, anti-inflammatory activity, antidiabetic and cardioprotective effect of Microsechium helleri (Peyr. ) Cong / Potencial antioxidante, actividad anti-inflamatoria, efecto antidiabético y cardioprotector de Microsechium helleri (Peyr. ) Cong

Microsechium helleri (Cucurbitaceae) has been used in ethnopharmacological as a lotion to prevent hair loss, diuretic and cathartic, in the region of central Veracruz, Mexico is used as antidiabetic. The antioxidant properties of the hexanic (EHex), chloroformic (ECHCl3) and ethanolic (EEtOH) extracts, were evaluated by 2,2diphenyl-1-pychrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test, the Ferric Reducing/Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and the total phenolic content test. The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated in the acute ear edema induced with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA) in mouse and the hypoglycemic and cardioprotective effects of the EEtOH were determined in rats. The EEtOH was the most active in the antioxidant potential DPPH test and the ECHCl3 was the best in the FRAP assay and the total polyphenols content. In the anti-inflammatory assay, the ECHCl3 showed the most activity. The EEtOH had the decreased the glucose levels and reduced myocardial damage. The results support the use of this plant in folk medicine in Mexico as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic and cardioprotective.

Microsechium helleri (Cucurbitaceae) se utiliza en etnofarmacología como una loción para prevenir la caída del cabello, como diurético y catártico, en la región del centro de Veracruz, México es usado como antidiabético. Las propiedades antioxidantes de los extractos hexánico (EHex), clorofórmico (ECHCl3) y etanólico (EEtOH), se evaluaron mediante la prueba de 2,2difenil-1-psililhidrazilo (DPPH), el poder reductor férrico/poder antioxidante (FRAP) y el contenido fenólico total. El efecto anti-inflamatorio se evaluó en el edema agudo de la oreja inducido con forbol 12-miristato 13-acetato (TPA) en ratones y se determinaron los efectos hipoglucémicos y cardioprotectores del EEtOH en ratas. El EEtOH fue el más activo en la prueba DPPH de potencial antioxidante y el ECHCl3 fue el mejor en el ensayo FRAP y el contenido total de polifenoles. En el ensayo antiinflamatorio, el ECHCl3 mostró la mayor actividad. El EEtOH disminuyó los niveles de glucosa y redujo el daño miocárdico. Los efectos hipoglucémicos y cardioprotector del extracto de EEtOH se determinaron en ratas, donde el extracto disminuyó los niveles de glucosa y redujo el daño miocárdico. Los resultados apoyan el uso de esta planta en la medicina popular en México como antioxidante, anti-inflamatorio, hipoglucemiante y cardioprotector.

Cnidoscolus chayamansa Mc Vaugh, an important antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective plant used in Mexico.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cnidoscolus chayamansa Mc Vaugh (Euphorbiaceae) is commonly known as 'chaya' in Central America. In South East Mexico, because of its high nutritional values, is an important part of the diet of many indigenous communities. Chaya is also used as a traditional remedy for the treatment of diabetes, rheumatism, gastrointestinal disorders and inflammation-related diseases. Although Cnidoscolus chayamansa is one of most used and valued medicinal plants, only few studies on documenting its pharmacological properties can be found. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dried leaves of Cnidoscolus chayamansa were subjected to a successive maceration using Hex, EtOAc and EtOH. The antioxidant activities of the extracts were tested using the DPPH radical scavenging, Ferric reducing/antioxidant power and total phenolic content assays. To determine the anti-inflammatory activity, the TPA-induced mouse ear edema and the carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema assays were used. The cardioprotective effects of the EtOH extract was determined using the ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) rat model. Finally, the acute toxicity was determined using Lorke's method. RESULTS: The results showed a similar anti-inflammatory activity (≈30%) for all extracts but only the EtOAc extract showed relevant activity when applied intraperitoneally. When tested for their antioxidant activity none of the extracts showed a significant activity suggesting that the antinflammatory activity is not related to a direct free radical scavenging of the extracts. Additionally, the EtOH extract showed a strong cardioprotective effect at 500mg/kg when given orally. Both the EtOAc and the EtOH extract have a LD50 >5g/kg, confirming their safety in acute oral administration. CONCLUSIONS: All these results are relevant for a better understanding of the therapeutic used of Cnidoscolus chayamansa in the Mexican traditional medicine and highlights its cardioprotective potential.