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A histological analysis was performed with the aim of elucidating the spontaneous regeneration process of the hairy root lines LRT 2.3 and LRT 6.4, derived from Lopezia racemosa leaf explants and genetically transformed with the Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain ATCC15834/pTDT. The analysis showed both lines regenerate via indirect somatic embryogenesis; LRT 6.4 also regenerated by direct organogenesis. The morphogenic characteristics of the regenerated plantlets from both lines showed the typical characteristics, described previously, including a higher number of axillary shoot formation, short internodes, and plagiotropic roots compared with wild-type seedlings. The regeneration process occurred without the addition of plant growth regulators and was linked to the sucrose concentration in the culture medium. Reducing the sucrose concentration from 3% to 2%, 1%, and 0.5% increased the regeneration rate in LRT 6.4; the effect was less pronounced in LRT 2.3. The cytotoxic activity of different organic extracts obtained from roots and shoots were evaluated in the cancer cell lines HeLa (cervical carcinoma), HCT-15 (colon adenocarcinoma), and OVCAR (ovary carcinoma). The hexane and dichloromethane extracts from roots of both lines showed cytotoxic activity against the HeLa cell line. Only the dichloromethane extract from the roots of PLRT 2.3 showed cytotoxic activity against the OVCAR cell line. None of the methanol extracts showed cytotoxic activity, nor the shoot extracts from any solvent.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Anxiety is one of the most common mental disorders. It has an impact on the decrease of productivity, the affectation of quality of life, and the increase in health care costs. The study of plant species with medicinal properties to treat anxiety has made significant progress, since they have been evaluated through in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies. OBJECTIVE: To identify the use of medicinal plants among patients with symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A diagnostic questionnaire, including the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, and another related with the use of medicinal plants, was applied. It was designed specifically for this study, and it was used in subjects and/or their companions, who visited an Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social hospital. RESULTS: The study had 985 subjects, 802 women, with a median age of 37.1 ± 15.17; anxiety symptoms were identified in 95.9% (940); according to the number of signs and symptoms, 53.1% (523) of subjects may have suffered a moderate or severe degree of anxiety. 23.09% (187) used medicinal plants to treat their symptoms. 39 plant species were identified as used by patients with GAD symptoms. Of these, 76.3% (29) had a history of ethnomedical use on mental disorders. CONCLUSIONS: A high percentage of the population in Mexico presents symptoms of GAD. A significant number of patients use medicinal plants to treat the symptoms of anxiety, even when they do not know that their symptomatology is part of a mental disorder.
INTRODUCCIÓN: la ansiedad es uno de los trastornos mentales más comunes. Incide en la pérdida de productividad, la afectación de la calidad de vida y el aumento en el gasto de la atención médica. El estudio de especies vegetales con propiedades medicinales para tratar la ansiedad ha progresado, al evaluarse con estudios in vitro, in vivo y clínicos. OBJETIVO: identificar el uso de plantas medicinales en pacientes con síntomas de trastorno de ansiedad generalizada (TAG). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: se aplicó un cuestionario diagnóstico que incluía la Escala para ansiedad generalizada de Hamilton y otro relacionado con el uso de plantas medicinales. Se diseñó ex profeso para personas que acuden a consulta a un hospital del IMSS o sus acompañantes (si eran derechohabientes). RESULTADOS: participaron 985 personas, 802 mujeres, con una mediana de edad de 37.1 ± 15.17; en 95.9% (940) se identificaron síntomas de ansiedad; el 53.1% (523) de los encuestados pudo haber estado padeciendo un grado de ansiedad moderada o severa. Del total, 23.09% (187) usaban plantas medicinales para tratar sus síntomas. Se identificaron 39 especies vegetales que empleaban los pacientes con síntomas de TAG. De ellas, 76.3% (29) tenía antecedentes de uso etnomédico en trastornos mentales. CONCLUSIONES: un alto porcentaje de la población en México presenta síntomas de TAG. Un número importante de los pacientes usa plantas medicinales para tratar los síntomas de ansiedad, aun cuando no saben que su sintomatología es parte de un desorden mental.
Asunto(s)
Ansiolíticos/uso terapéutico , Trastornos de Ansiedad/tratamiento farmacológico , Fitoterapia/métodos , Plantas Medicinales , Adulto , Análisis de Varianza , Trastornos de Ansiedad/diagnóstico , Trastornos de Ansiedad/epidemiología , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Encuestas Epidemiológicas/estadística & datos numéricos , Humanos , Masculino , México/epidemiología , Persona de Mediana Edad , Fitoterapia/estadística & datos numéricos , Plantas Medicinales/clasificación , Evaluación de SíntomasRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: to analyze the knowledge about phytopharmaceuticals of specialists affiliated to secondary care hospitals in the State of Morelos, Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: the study was conducted through a survey in which 278 medical doctors participated. They were randomly selected from Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Sistema de Salud de Morelos (SSM) and private practice facilities. Their knowledge was rated as: "low," "medium," and "advanced." To determine the frequency and distribution of the variables, univariate analysis was done and to ascertain the associations between variables, the chi(2) test was used. RESULTS: 79.1% of physicians had low level of knowledge; 11.1% had medium level and 9.1% had advanced knowledge; the variable "working in the morning shift" was associated with advanced knowledge (p = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: The low level of knowledge about phytopharmaceuticals should prompt to include this topic within the academic programs of health workers and the continuous medical education activities for practicing physicians.