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.

Edible Leafy Plants from Mexico as Sources of Antioxidant Compounds, and Their Nutritional, Nutraceutical and Antimicrobial Potential: A Review.

A review of indigenous Mexican plants with edible stems and leaves and their nutritional and nutraceutical potential was conducted, complemented by the authors' experiences. In Mexico, more than 250 species with edible stems, leaves, vines and flowers, known as "quelites," are collected or are cultivated and consumed. The assessment of the quelite composition depends on the chemical characteristics of the compounds being evaluated; the protein quality is a direct function of the amino acid content, which is evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the contribution of minerals is evaluated by atomic absorption spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) or ICP mass spectrometry. The total contents of phenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, saponins and other general compounds have been analyzed using UV-vis spectrophotometry and by HPLC. For the determination of specific compounds such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, organic acids and other profiles, it is recommended to use HPLC-DAD, UHPLC-DAD, UFLC-PDA or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The current biochemical analysis and biological evaluations were performed to understand the mechanisms of action that lead to decreased glucose levels and lipid peroxidation, increased hypoglycemic and antitumor activity, immune system improvement, increased antibacterial and antifungal activity and, in some cases, anti-Helicobacter pylori activity.

Impact of a community-based intervention on Latino grandparents' knowledge about and self-efficacy in supporting grandchildren's physical activities.

INTRODUCTION: Latino grandparents are often involved in rearing grandchildren, but their roles in promoting children's physical activity (PA) have been largely overlooked. This study examined the impact of a community-based intervention called Nietos Activos y Saludables (Active and Healthy Grandchildren) on Latino grandparents' knowledge about and self-efficacy in supporting grandchildren's (aged 2-12 years) PA. METHOD: The Spanish language intervention, consisting of 4 weekly sessions, was delivered to 12 Latino grandparents (primarily female, aged > 60 years) in Los Angeles County from October to November 2017. Pre- and posttest surveys and postintervention focus groups assessed the intervention impact. RESULTS: Participants indicated that the intervention provided useful information. After intervention sessions, participants achieved a higher score in test on PA requirements for children. They also reported greater knowledge about children's PA, local resources for children's PA, and modifying children's behavior. Additionally, participants reported greater confidence in motivating children in PA and collaborating with parents in promoting children's PA. Results of focus groups generally confirmed the quantitative findings. DISCUSSION: Nietos Activos y Saludables intervention has the promise to increase Latino grandparents' knowledge about and self-efficacy in supporting grandchildren's PA. Future studies should test the impact of the intervention on grandparents' behavior and grandchildren's health outcomes using a randomized controlled trial. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Complementarity in Phenolic Compounds and the Antioxidant Activities of Phaseolus coccineus L. and P. vulgaris L. Landraces.

Phaseolus vulgaris L. is one of the most consumed and documented legumes in regard to its grain composition, but little is known about P. coccineus L. To evaluate and compare the phenolic compound content and antioxidant activity between landraces of P. coccineus and P. vulgaris, a total of 14 accessions of P. coccineus and P. vulgaris were collected from farmers in Oaxaca, Mexico. Based on reference standards and spectrophotometry, the polyphenol, flavonoid and anthocyanin contents were quantified, and the antioxidant activity was determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. The results showed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) between species and accessions, where P. coccineus and P. vulgaris significantly differed in their contents of polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, as well as their antioxidant activity in the seed coat and cotyledons. Higher concentrations were found in the seed coat than in the cotyledons for both species. P. vulgaris had a higher anthocyanin content in the seed coat and a higher flavonoid content in the cotyledons than P. coccineus, but it did not for the other compounds tested. There was high variability among the accessions that were classified into four phenotypic groups: Two of P. coccineus, one of a P. coccineus-vulgaris mixed group, and one group of P. vulgaris.

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.

Presentación de tres casos de distrofia macular de North Carolina / Presentation of three cases with North Carolina macular dystrophy

Se presentan las características oftalmológicas de tres pacientes, dos hermanos varones y su padre con diagnóstico de distrofia macular de North Carolina. Este es un trastorno genético que produce degeneración macular congénita o de inicio precoz. Se caracteriza por una herencia autosómica dominante, con penetrancia completa, genéticamente mapeados en el cromosoma 6q16. Las lesiones son principalmente estacionarias. Las manifestaciones fundoscópicas varían. En estos pacientes predomina la lesión disciforme en área macular, disminución del grosor macular correspondiente con el coloboma macular, con idénticas particulares en los tres pacientes. La agudeza visual varía en rango de 0,6 a 0,2 en estos pacientes.

The ophthalmological characteristics of three patients, two male siblings and their father, with diagnosis of North Carolina macular dystrophy were presented. This is a genetic dysfunction that causes congenital or early onset macular degeneration. It is characterized by a dominant autosomal heredity, with complete penetrance, genetically mapped in the chromosome 6q16. The lesions are mainly stationary. The funduscopic manifestations vary. The type of lesion is mainly stationary whereas funduscopic manifestations are varied. The dysciform lesion in the macular area and decrease of the macular thicness according to the macular coloboma prevailed, with identical particularities in the three patients. The visual acuity varied from 0.6 to 0.2.