Evaluation of percutaneous absorption of esculetin: effect of chemical enhancers.

Percutaneous transdermal absorption of esculetin (6,7-dihydroxycoumarin), an oxidative damage inhibitor, was evaluated by means of in vitro permeation studies in which vertical Franz-type diffusion cells and pig ear skin were employed. To determine the absorption of esculetin, we validated a simple, accurate, precise, and rapid HPLC-UV method. Additionally, the effects of several percutaneous enhancers were studied. Pretreatment of porcine skin was performed with ethanol (control vehicle), decenoic acid, oleic acid, R-(+)-limonene, and laurocapram (Azone®) (5% in ethanol, w/w, respectively). Pretreatment of skin with oleic acid or laurocapram led to statistically significant differences in the transdermal flux of esculetin with respect to controls. Of the two enhancers, laurocapram showed the greatest capacity to enhance the flux of esculetin across pig skin.

Productos naturales con actividad leishmanicida y tripanocida / Natural products with leishmanicidal and trypanocidal activity

Las enfermedades parasitarias constituyen un importante problema de salud, y muchas de ellas están emergiendo en países donde se consideraban erradicadas. La leishmaniasis, la enfermedad del sueño y la enfermedad de Chagas, causadas por los parásitos Leishmania spp, Trypanosoma brucei y Trypanosoma cruzi, respectivamente, se encuentran entre las enfermedades parasitarias más prevalentes. La principal alternativa para tratarlas es la quimioterapia. Sin embargo, los tratamientos actuales se encuentran lejos de ser satisfactorios. La toxicidad de los fármacos, la vía de administración, la duración de los tratamientos y la aparición de resistencias hacen necesario el desarrollo de nuevas moléculas activas, más seguras y eficaces. Estudios recientes ponen de manifiesto la actividad leishmanicida y tripanocida in vivo de una amplia variedad de compuestos fenólicos, alcaloides y terpenos. En este artículo se revisan los productos naturales activos frente a leishmaniasis, enfermedad del sueño y enfermedad de Chagas (AU)

Diseases caused by protozoan parasites are still an important human health problem, since many of them are becoming “emerging” infectious sickness in geographical areas where they were considered eradicated. Leishmaniasis, African sleeping sickness and Chagas disease, caused by the parasites Leishmania spp, Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi, respectively, are among the most important parasitic diseases. The main alternative to control such parasitosis is chemotherapy. Nevertheless, the current drug treatments are far from being satisfactory. Toxic side effects, route of administration, long-term treatments and the apparition of resistance, highlight the urgent need of developing new active molecules, more safe and effective. Recent studies report the leishmanicidal and trypanocidal activities of a wide variety of phenolic compounds, alkaloids and terpenes that have shown activity in vivo. This review outlines the current understanding of natural products against leishmaniasis, African sleeping sickness and Chagas disease (AU)

Estudio fitoquímico y evaluación del efecto analgésico de Erica scoparia L / No disponible

Erica scoparia L. es una especie autóctona del matorral mediterráneo de la cual no se han realizado hasta el momento ningún estudio farmacológico para valorar su posible potencial medicinal. Se obtienen los extractos metanólico y hexánico de las hojas en las que se aíslan triterpenos con esqueletos de tipo lupano y ursano. Se ha demostrado que estos extractos no son tóxicos y han presentado actividad analgésica según la prueba de la Placa Caliente

Erica scoparia L. is and endemic mediterranean taxon. However non pharmacological studies have been carried out on this specie. The metanolic and hexanic extracts were obtained of Erica scoparia L., leaves where triterpenes are present with lupane and ursolic skeletons type. In addition, these extracts are not toxic and have demonstrated analgesic activity according to Hot Plate test