Juan Pablo Ogalde

The selective cytotoxicity elicited by phytochemical extract from Senecio graveolens (Asteraceae) on breast cancer cells is enhanced by hypoxia.

Breast cancer is the second cause of cancer‑related deaths in woman and the incidence of the disease has increased worldwide, in part due to improvements in early detection. Several drugs with anticancer effects have been extracted from plants in the last 20 years, many of which are particularly effective against breast cancer cells. In particular, we have become interested in the ethanolic extract from Senecio graveolens (synonym of S. nutans), a plant commonly called Chachacoma, in an effort to isolate compounds that could demonstrate cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cells. Senecio (Asteraceae) is the largest gender in Chile comprising approximatly 200 species. These herbs inhabit areas over 3,500 meters above the sea level in the Andes Mountains. S. graveolens is commonly used by local communities for its medicinal properties, particularly its capacity to ameliorate high-altitude-associated sickness. The cytotoxic effect of the alcoholic extract from S. graveolens, as well as its most abundant compound 4-hydroxy-3-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)acetophenone, were tested in the breast cancer cell lines ZR-75-1, MCF-7 and MDA-MB‑231, and non-tumorigenic MCF-10F cells. We show that the phytochemical extract was able to induce cytotoxicity in cancer cells but not in MCF-10F. Importantly, this effect was enhanced under hypoxic conditions. However, 4-hydroxy-3-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)acetophenone, the main compound, did not by itself show an effective anticarcinogenic activity in comparison to the whole extract. Interestingly, the cytotoxic effect of the phytochemical extract was dependent on the basal MnSOD protein expression. Thus, cytotoxicity was increased when MnSOD levels were low, but resistance was evident when protein levels were high. Additionally, the crude extract seems to trigger cell death by a variety of processes, including autophagy, apoptosis and necrosis, in MCF-7 cells. In summary, S. graveolens extract possess anticancer activity displaying a specific cytotoxic effect on cancer cells, thus serving as a potential source of phytochemical compounds for cancer treatment.

ESTUDIO DE ALMIDONES EN QUEROS DE MADERA DEL NORTE DE CHILE RELACIONADOS CON EL CONSUMO DE CHICHA DURANTE EL HORIZONTE INCA

Se presentan los resultados de los analisis realizados a micro-restos botanicos (granos de almidon) extraidos de las paredes internas y fondo de 17 queros de madera del extremo norte de Chile. Estos queros representan cinco tipos diferentes de vasijas y estan relacionados con el consumo de chicha durante el periodo Intermedio Tardio y Horizonte Inca. Los granos de almidon fueron separados por gravimetria y observados con montaje directo. Quince de estos queros dieron positivos para la presencia de granos de almidon crudo de maiz ( Zea mays ), algunos de los cuales muestran signos de fermentacion. Ademas de maiz se encontraron granos de almidon de frijol ( Phaseolus vulgaris ), pallar ( Phaseolus lunatus ) y yuca ( Manihot esculenta ) entre otras especies. Se plantea que los aspectos tecnicos y contextuales en la produccion de chicha de maiz local, no cocida, difieren de lo descrito en las cronicas para este periodo respecto de las areas nucleares del Tawantinsuyo. Esta compleja evidencia encontrada en los queros de madera analizados incluyo el consumo de diversos tipos de vegetales, probablemente procesados e incorporados en la forma de harinas. Se concluye que esto indicaria variantes regionales del protocolo de elaboracion y consumo de chicha, posiblemente asociado a aspectos nutritivos y de ritualidad funebre local. Palabras claves: fermentados - Valles Occidentales - libaciones - rituales mortuorios - Arica. Abstract This paper presents the results of botanical analyses undertaken on micro-remains (starch grains) collected from the internal wall and base of five different types of queros of a total of 17 vessels. These queros are associated with chicha production during the Late Intermediate and Inca Horizon periods in northern Chile. The starch grains were separated by gravimetry and observed on microscope slides. Fifteen of these queros were positive for starch grains of corn ( Zea mays ) and some of these also contained evidence of fermented corn. In addition, we found starches of the common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris ), lima bean ( Phaseolus lunatus ) and yucca ( Manihot esculenta ), among other species. These local findings differ from the contextual and technical aspects of chicha production described by the chroniclers for the nuclear area of Tawantinsuyo. Evidence found in the wooden queros and the different plant starches suggest grinding of these products and perhaps adding them as flour to the chicha. We conclude that this indicates regional variation in the protocols of production and consumption of chicha that were more likely related to dietary intake and local mortuary rites. Key words: fermented drinks - Western Valleys - libations - mortuary rites - Arica.

MULTI-INSTRUMENTAL IDENTIFICATION OF ORPIMENT IN ARCHAEOLOGICAL MORTUARY CONTEXTS

ABSTRACT This paper reports on an unknown yellowish mineral compound found in an archaeological context from Chorrillos cemetery (Calama, Chile) dating to the Early Formative period (800 - 200 B.C.). We used optic microscopy, SEM, EDX, 1 H- RMN, 13 C-RMN, and infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopy to tease out the chemical and molecular composition of the sample. The microscopic images show amorphous yellowish granulates with heterogeneous chemical surfaces. 1 H- RMN and 13 C-RMN negative results show that the sample is free of organic matter. The SEM and EDX indicate the presence of arsenic and sulfur in the sample. The IR and Raman analyses suggest the presence of orpiment which is a toxic yellow arsenic sulfide mineral. Keywords: Pigments, Raman spectroscopy, SEM-EDX, Chorrillos, Northern Chile. e-mail: jpabloogalde@yahoo.es INTRODUCTION Instrumental analyses of pigment usage have a significant value to play in many disciplines, such as natural resources, prehistoric artistic expression, archaeology and art history. It is a useful tool to identify and characterize pigments, elemental chemical composition, toxicity, usage, etc. Microsampling and non-destructive techniques are also important variables to consider when dealing with cultural patrimony and unique objects while pursuing chemical characterization and analyses of ancient samples

Uso de plantas psicoactivas en el norte de chile: evidencia química del consumo de ayahuasca durante el Periodo Medio (500–1000 d.C.)

Este trabajo discute el uso de plantas psicoactivas en el Valle de Azapa del norte de Chile. Al respecto, en el norte de Chile existen evidencias arqueoldgicas materiales tempranas e ininterrumpidas relacionadas con prdcticas psicoactivas en torno a la Anadenanthera, acompahadas de evidencia quimica que consigna el consumo de Erythroxylum. En este contexto, se evalua el consumo de Anadenanthera y Banisteriopsis en el cabello de treinta y dos momias del periodo Medio (ca. 500-1000 d. C.) del Valle de Azapa, mediante cromatografia gaseosa y espectrometria de masa. De los casos analizados ninguno resulto positivo para el consumo de Anadenanthera, pero dos resultaron positivos para la ingesta de Banisteriopsis, planta psi coactiva preparada como infusion denominada generalmente Ayahuasca. Se postula que el consumo de Banisteriopsis en el Valle de Azapa estaria relacionado con prdcticas curativas y medicinales como por ejemplo en el parto y/o puerperio, mas que una prdctica alucinogena.