Candy Carranza-Álvarez

Ethnobotany of medicinal plants used in Xalpatlahuac, Guerrero, México.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE Medicinal plants have been used for centuries for the empirical treatment of many diseases. This study documented the use of plant species in traditional medicine in the municipality of Xalpatlahuac, Guerrero, México. MATERIALS AND METHODS Direct interviews were performed with inhabitants from Xalpatlahuac. The interviews were analyzed with two quantitative tools: (a) the informant consensus factor (ICF) that estimates the level of agreement about which medicinal plants may be used for each category and (b) the relative importance (RI) that determines the extent of potential utilization of each species. RESULTS A total of 67 plant species with medicinal purposes, belonging to 36 families and used to treat 55 illnesses and 3 cultural filiations were reported by interviewees. Nineteen mixtures with medicinal plants were reported by the interviewers. Mentha piperita was the most used plant for combinations (4 mixtures). The results of the ICF showed that diseases of the respiratory and digestive systems had the greatest agreement. The most versatile species according to their RI are Marrubium vulgare, Mimosa albida and Psidium guajava.. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that plant species play an important role in healing practices and magical-religious rituals among inhabitants from Xalpatlahuac, Guerrero, Mexico. Furthermore, pharmacological, phytochemical and toxicological studies with medicinal flora, including mixtures, are required for the experimental validation of their traditional uses.

Antitumor and immunomodulatory effects of Justicia spicigera Schltdl (Acanthaceae).

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Medicinal plants are an important source of antitumor compounds. This study evaluated the acute toxicity in vitro and in vivo, as well as the cytotoxic, antitumor and immunomodulatory effects of ethanolic extracts of Justicia spicigera leaves (JSE). MATERIALS AND METHODS The in vitro and in vivo toxicity of JSE was evaluated with comet assay in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and acute toxicity in mice, according to the Lorke procedure, respectively. The apoptotic effect of JSE on human cancer cells and human noncancerous cells was evaluated using flow cytometry with annexin-Alexa 488/propidium iodide. Also, different doses of JSE were injected intraperitoneally daily into athymic mice bearing tumors of HeLa cells during 18 days. The growth and weight of tumors were measured. The in vitro immunomodulatory effects of JSE were evaluated estimating the effects of JSE on the phagocytosis of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, NO production and H(2)O(2) release in macrophages, as well as the proliferation of splenocytes and NK activity. RESULTS The comet assay showed that only JSE tested at 200 and 1000 μg/ml induced a significantly DNA damage in PBMC, compared to untreated cells, whereas the LD(50) was >5000 mg/kg by intraperitoneal route (i.p.) and by oral route. JSE showed pro-apoptotic (Annexin/PI) effects by 35% against HeLa cells, but lack toxic effects against human normal cells. JSE administrated at 10, 50 and 100 mg/kg i.p. inhibited the tumor growth by 28%, 41% and 53%, respectively, in mice bearing HeLa tumor. JSE stimulated, in a concentration dependent manner, the phagocytosis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts, the NO production and H(2)O(2) release by human differentiated macrophages. In addition, JSE stimulated the proliferation of murine splenocytes and induced the NK cell activity. CONCLUSION Justicia spicigera shows low toxic effects in vitro and in vivo, exerts apoptotic effects on HeLa cells, has antitumor effects in mice bearing HeLa tumor and induces immunomodulatory activities in vitro.

Zootherapeutic practices in Aquismón, San Luis Potosí, México

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE Animal derived products have been a source of medicinal compounds since ancient times. This work documents the use of animal species in traditional medicine in the municipality of Aquismón, San Luis Potosí, México. MATERIALS AND METHODS Direct interviews were performed with inhabitants from Aquismón. The interviews were analyzed with two quantitative tools: (a) the informant consensus (ICF) that estimates the level of agreement about which animals may be used for each category and (b) the relative importance (RI) that determines the extent of potential utilization of each species. RESULTS A total of 24 animal species used for medicinal purposes, belonging to 22 families and 4 taxonomic categories, were reported by interviewees. Nine medicinal species had not been reported in scientific literature. The results of the IFC showed that diseases of the respiratory systems had the greatest agreement. The most versatile species according to their RI are Crotalus atrox and Mephitis macroura. CONCLUSION Further studies with medicinal fauna from Aquismón are required for the experimental validation of their traditional uses, especially with Mephitis macroura and Crotalus atrox.

Plants used in the traditional medicine of Mesoamerica (Mexico and Central America) and the Caribbean for the treatment of obesity

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Obesity is a worldwide medical concern. New ethnobotanical information regarding the antiobesity effect of medicinal plants has been obtained in the last 30 years in response to socio-demographic changes and high-fat diets became common. AIM OF THE STUDY This review provides a summary of medicinal plants used in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean for the empirical treatment of obesity in terms of ethnobotany, toxicity, pharmacology, conservation status, trade and chemistry. MATERIALS AND METHODS Bibliographic investigation was performed by analyzing recognized books, undergraduate and postgraduate theses and peer-reviewed scientific articles, consulting worldwide accepted scientific databases from the last four decades. Medicinal plants used for the treatment of obesity were classified in two categories: (1) plants with pharmacological evidence and (2) plants without pharmacological evidence. RESULTS A total of 139 plant species, belonging to 61 families, native to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean that are used for the empirical treatment of obesity were recorded. From these plants, 33 were investigated in scientific studies, and 106 plants lacked scientific investigation. Medicinal plants were experimentally studied in vitro (21 plants) and in vivo (16 plants). A total of 4 compounds isolated from medicinal plants used for the empirical treatment of obesity have been tested in vitro (2 compounds) and in vivo (4 compounds) studies. No clinical trials on obese subjects (BMI>30 kg/m(2)) have been performed using the medicinal plants cited in this review. There are no herbal-based products approved in Mexico for the treatment of obesity. CONCLUSIONS There are a limited number of scientific studies published on medicinal plants from Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean used for the treatment of obesity. This review highlights the need to perform pharmacological, phytochemical, toxicological and ethnobotanical studies with medicinal flora to obtain new antiobesity agents.

Antidiabetic effects of Justicia spicigera Schltdl (Acanthaceae)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE Justicia spicigera is a plant species used for the Teenak (Huesteca Potosina) and Mayan (Yucatan peninsula) indigenous for the empirical treatment of diabetes, infections and as stimulant. AIM OF THE STUDY To evaluate the cytotoxicity, antioxidant and antidiabetic properties of J. spicigera. MATERIALS AND METHODS The effects of ethanolic extracts of J. spicigera (JSE) on the glucose uptake in insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant murine 3T3-F442A and human subcutaneous adipocytes was evaluated. The antioxidant activities of the extract of JSE was determined by ABTS and DPPH methods. Additionally, it was evaluated the antidiabetic properties of JSE on T2DM model. RESULTS JSE stimulated 2-NBDG uptake by insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant human and murine adipocytes in a concentration-dependent manner with higher potency than rosiglitazone 1mM. JSE showed antioxidant effects in vitro and induced glucose lowering effects in normoglycemic and STZ-induced diabetic rats. CONCLUSION The antidiabetic effects of administration of J. spicigera are related to the stimulation of glucose uptake in both insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant murine and human adipocytes and this evidence justify its empirical use in Traditional Medicine. In addition, J. spicigera exerts glucose lowering effects in normoglycemic and STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Pharmacological effects and toxicity of Costus pulverulentus C. Presl (Costaceae)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Costus pulverulentus C. Presl (Costaceae), a species endemic to Mexico, is used for the empirical treatment of cancer, pain, and inflammation. AIM OF THE STUDY The objective of this study was to evaluate the toxicity, as well as the cytotoxic, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and sedative effects of an ethanol extract from Costus pulverulentus stem (CPE). MATERIALS AND METHODS The chemical characterization of CPE was performed by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The toxicity of CPE was evaluated using the comet assay (10-1000 µg/ml during 5h) and the acute toxicity test (500-5000 mg/kg p.o. and i.p. during 14 days). The cytotoxic effect of CPE (1-250 µg/ml) on human cancer cells was evaluated using the MTT assay. The antinociceptive effects of CPE (50-200mg/kg p.o.) were evaluated using thermal-induced nociception tests (hot plate and tail flick) and the chemical-induced nociceptive tests (acetic acid and formalin). The sedative activity of CPE (50-200mg/kg p.o.) was evaluated using the ketamine-induced sleeping time test. RESULTS CPE showed the presence of compounds such as campesterol, stigmasterol β-sitosterol, vanillic acid, among others. In the comet assay, CPE at 200 µg/ml or higher concentrations induced DNA damage. In the acute toxicity test, the LD50 estimated for CPE was>5000 mg/kg p.o. or i.p. CEP showed moderate cytotoxic effects on prostate carcinoma cells PC-3 cells (IC50=179 ± 23.2 µg/ml). In the chemical-induced nociception models, CPE (100 and 200mg/kg p.o.) showed antinociceptive effects with similar activity to 100mg/kg naproxen. In the thermal-induced nociception tests, CPE tested at 200mg/kg showed moderate antinociceptive effects by 28% (hot plate test) and by 25% (tail flick test). In the ketamine-induced sleeping time test, CPE showed no sedative effects. CONCLUSIONS C. pulverulents exerts moderate cytotoxic effects in human cancer cells, moderate anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects. C. pulverulentus induces antinociceptive effects without inducing sedation.

Use of medicinal plants by health professionals in Mexico

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The use of medicinal plants in Mexico has been documented since pre-Hispanic times. Nevertheless, the level of use of medicinal plants by health professionals in Mexico remains to be explored. AIM OF THE STUDY To evaluate the use, acceptance and prescription of medicinal plants by health professionals in 9 of the states of Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS Direct and indirect interviews, regarding the use and acceptance of medicinal plants, with health professionals (n=1614), including nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and odontologists from nine states in Mexico were performed from January 2015 to July 2016. The interviews were analyzed with the factor the informant consensus (FIC). RESULTS The information obtained indicated that 46% of those interviewed feel patients should not use medicinal plants as an alternative therapy. Moreover, 54% of health professionals, and 49% of the physicians have used medicinal plants as an alternative therapy for several diseases. Twenty eight percent of health professionals, and 26% of the physicians, have recommended or prescribed medicinal plants to their patients, whereas 73% of health professionals were in agreement with receiving academic information regarding the use and prescription of medicinal plants. A total of 77 plant species used for medicinal purposes, belonging to 40 botanical families were reported by the interviewed. The results of the FIC showed that the categories of diseases of the digestive system (FIC=0.901) and diseases of the respiratory system (FIC=0.898) had the greatest agreement. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that medicinal plants are used for primary health care in Mexico by health professionals.

Antinociceptive Activity of an Ethanol Extract of Justicia spicigera

Preclinical Research

Use of Nanoparticles in the Food Industry: Advances and Perspectives

Abstract Nanotechnology has become important in the food industry in the production of active packaging and the use of microencapsulated nanoparticles. There are physical and chemical methods to produce nanoparticles which, besides being expensive, create waste. However, there are new alternatives for their production, such as the use of plant extracts. These methods are known as green synthesis or bioreduction because they are more environmentally friendly and produce less toxic waste. In this chapter, we present the areas of the food production process where nanotechnology can be employed: processing, packaging, safety, and development of functional foods. Finally, toxicological aspects, regulations, and perspectives on the use of nanoparticles in the food industry are presented.

The antinociceptive effects of a standardized ethanol extract of the Bidens odorata Cav (Asteraceae) leaves are mediated by ATP-sensitive K+ channels

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Bidens odorata Cav (Asteraceae) is used for the empirical treatment of inflammation and pain. AIM OF THE STUDY This work evaluated the in vitro and in vivo toxicity, antioxidant activity, as well as the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of an ethanol extract from Bidens odorata leaves (BOE). MATERIALS AND METHODS The in vitro toxicity of BOE (10-1000µg/ml) was evaluated with the comet assay in PBMC. The in vivo acute toxicity of BOE (500-5000mg/kg) and the effect of BOE (10-1000µg/ml) on the level of ROS in PBMC were determined. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of BOE was assessed using the TPA-induced ear edema in mice. The antinociceptive activities of BOE (50-200mg/kg p.o.) were assessed using the acetic acid and formalin tests. The antinociceptive mechanism of BOE was determined using naloxone and glibenclamide. RESULTS BOE lacked DNA damage, and showed low in vivo toxicity (LD50 > 5000mg/kg p.o.). BOE inhibited ROS production (IC50 = 252.13 ± 20.54µg/ml), and decreased inflammation by 36.1 ± 3.66%. In both antinociceptive test, BOE (200mg/kg) exerted activity with similar activity than the reference drugs. CONCLUSION B. odorata exerts low in vitro and in vivo toxicity, antioxidant effects, moderate in vivo anti-inflammatory activity, and antinociceptive effects mediated by ATP-sensitive K+ channels.