RESUMO
The participation of natural products in health care has been remarkable, and today they continue to play a key role in the discovery and development of new treatments. Phytochemical studies together with pharmacological tests have managed to integrate bioactive agents as an alternative solution to reduce or regulate the problems caused by diseases. The Eysenhardtia genus is a family of plants that are rich in secondary metabolites, which have shown potential activity in the control and mitigation of urinary disorders, diabetes, oxidative stress, protein glycosylation, microbial infections, inflammation, pain or discomfort, muscle contractions, cytotoxicity, or as a cellular or neuronal signaling modulator. These conditions generally appear in comorbid diseases, which motivated the bibliographic review associated with the plant. This document presents the beneficial actions produced by Eysenhardtia extracts and/or bioactives to inhibit, control, or reduce the complications or discomfort of degenerative diseases and thus generate new therapeutic alternatives.
RESUMO
This research evaluated the potential of using the methanol extract of Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f (AVM) to prevent the formation of AGEs by means of the BSA/glucose assay, BSA-methylglyoxal assay, arginine-methylglyoxal assay, fructosamine, NÉ-(carboxymethyl) lysine (CML), thiol groups, and carbonyl protein in vitro. The effect of AVM was also evaluated with regard to inhibiting the enzymes α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and pancreatic lipase. For this, the plant was dried, ground, and subsequently macerated with methanol. Aloe vera methanol extract (AVM) significantly decreased the formation of AGEs, as well as the formation of fructosamine, CML, and carbonyl protein. The concentration of 5 mg/ml of AVM presented the best results. AVM significantly inhibited the α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. As regards the content of thiol groups, a significant increase was observed during the four weeks of the experiment. So, we can conclude that Aloe vera methanol extract decreases the formation of AGEs and may inhibit the increase in postprandial glucose, suggesting that AVM can prevent diabetes complications associated with AGE.
RESUMO
Hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus causes irreversible life-threatening micro- and macrovascular complications. There is evidence that the glycation reaction leads to a chemical modification of the proteins contributing to the complications of diabetes. It is known that advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are formed by glycation and oxidation reactions called glycoxidation. CML, a nonfluorescent AGE, has become a biomarker of glycoxidative damage; other AGEs appear to induce oxidative stress, which results in cytotoxicity. To determine antioxidant activity, the FRAP, DPPH, and TEAC tests were used, as well as the polyphenols content using Folin-Ciocalteu's method. To evaluate the antiglycation activity, the BSA/glucose system was used, and the fructosamine concentration, protein carbonyl content, thiol, and CML groups were determined. The results obtained show that the hexane extract of the fruit of Spondias purpurea (CFH) effectively inhibits the glycation reaction, in addition to increasing the thiol groups and decreasing levels of fructosamine, protein carbonyl, and CML. In addition, CFH presented significant antioxidant activity. CFH inhibits the glycation reaction; therefore, it can help prevent complications related to AGEs in diabetes mellitus; it also reduces oxidative stress and is effective in protecting proteins from oxidative damage.
RESUMO
The Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) is known for engaging in long-distance North-South migrations and back in the Americas with Cuba being an important wintering ground. Teals serve as hosts for a wide range of parasite species that can be "discharged" at each end of the migration route. Here, we explore for the first time the diversity of trematodes that the Blue-winged Teal may be introducing to -or exporting from- Cuba. We found 15 digenean parasites in 65 sampled teals of which 13 represent first reports for Cuba with one species (Echinostoma revolutum) of zoonotic importance. Overall prevalence was very high (96.92%) whereas Trichobilharzia spp. resulted the most ubiquitous parasite. Highest intensities were recorded for Australapatemon sp. (arriving teals) and Levinseniella amnicolae (departing teals). Altogether, departing teals harboured the highest number of trematode species and abundance. The short development and lifespan, inside migratory birds, of adult stages of trematodes like Trichobilharzia sp., Cotylurus flabelliformis and Microphallus pygmaeus strongly suggest that the occurrence of these trematodes in the departing teals could be related to their long establishment in Cuban ecosystems. In a global scenario where parasitology, particularly wildlife parasitology, is mostly overlooked, there should be an increasing need of gathering information and increasing surveillance of wildlife diseases that might eventually become important for the health of ecosystems and of domestic animals and humans. The present study constitutes the first major attempt to explore trematode infection from S. discors in Cuba under the view of parasite flow via bird migration.