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Obesity has increasingly become a worldwide epidemic, as demonstrated by epidemiological and clinical studies. Obesity may lead to the development of a broad spectrum of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. In addition to hypertension, there are other cardiometabolic risk factors (CRFs) such as visceral adiposity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, diabetes, elevated levels of fibrinogen and C-reactive protein, and others, all of which increase the risk of CVD events. The mechanisms involved between obesity and CVD mainly include insulin resistance, oxidative stress, inflammation, and adipokine dysregulation, which cause maladaptive structural and functional alterations of the heart, particularly left-ventricular remodeling and diastolic dysfunction. Natural products of plants provide a diversity of nutrients and different bioactive compounds, including phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, carotenoids, anthocyanins, vitamins, minerals, fibers, and others, which possess a wide range of biological activities including antihypertensive, antilipidemic, antidiabetic, and other activities, thus conferring cardiometabolic benefits. In this review, we discuss the main therapeutic interventions using extracts from herbs and plants in preclinical and clinical trials with protective properties targeting CRFs. Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets of herb and plant extracts for the prevention and treatment of CRFs are also reviewed.

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Kombucha is a fermented beverage that originated in China and is spread worldwide today. The infusion of Camellia sinensis leaves is mandatory as the substrate to produce kombucha but alternative plant infusions are expected to increase the opportunities to develop new fermented food products analogous to kombucha, with high technological potential and functional properties. This review gathers information regarding promising alternative substrates to produce kombucha-analogous beverages, focusing on plants available in the Amazonia biome. The data from the literature showed a wide range of alternative substrates in increasing expansion, with 37 new substrates being highlighted, of which ~29% are available in the Amazon region. Regarding the technological production of kombucha-analogous beverages, the following were the most frequent conditions: sucrose was the most used carbon/energy source; the infusions were mostly prepared at 90-100 °C, which allowed increased contents of phenolic compounds in the product; and 14 day-fermentation at 25-28 °C was typical. Furthermore, herbs with promising bioactive compound compositions and high antioxidant and antimicrobial properties are usually preferred. This review also brings up gaps in the literature, such as the lack of consistent information about chemical composition, sensory aspects, biological properties, and market strategies for fermented beverages analogous to kombucha produced with alternative substrates. Therefore, investigations aiming to overcome these gaps may stimulate the upscale of these beverages in reaching wide access to contribute to the modern consumers' quality of life.

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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes the death of motor neurons and consequent muscle paralysis. Despite many efforts to address it, current therapy targeting ALS remains limited, increasing the interest in complementary therapies. Over the years, several herbal preparations and medicinal plants have been studied to prevent and treat this disease, which has received remarkable attention due to their blood-brain barrier penetration properties and low toxicity. Thus, this review presents the therapeutic potential of a variety of medicinal herbs and their relationship with ALS and their physiopathological pathways.

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Minimally processed vegetables (MPVs) are marketed as convenient and healthy choices for consumers. However, the absence of post-commercialization treatments raises concerns about their microbiological safety. This study investigated the processing practices of 28 Brazilian MPV plants and compared the microbiological quality of these products with fresh counterparts in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Through cluster analysis, the processing plants were categorized into two groups: group 1 (nineteen plants) primarily uses chemical substances in the washing step, while group 2 (nine plants) avoids chemical use but employs similar rinsing practices. Microbiological analysis of 100 samples (49 unprocessed and 51 MPVs) revealed no significant differences in microbial group counts (Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms, and E. coli) between the in natura (unprocessed) and MPV products. However, the prevalence of E. coli was higher in natura vegetables than in MPVs. The results indicated the presence of Salmonella DNA (from either dead or live cells or residual DNA) in 4 samples (3 in natura and 1 MPV) using conventional PCR, suggesting the presence of the pathogen in these samples. Listeria monocytogenes was absent, but Listeria innocua was found in two unprocessed products. The study suggests that certain MPVs have microbial loads similar to unprocessed vegetables, potentially serving as carriers for pathogen transmission. These findings emphasize the importance of understanding practices in Brazilian MPV processing plants, informing the implementation of control measures to improve MPV safety and shelf-life, thus ensuring microbiological safety.

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OBJECTIVE: To measure dietary and urinary changes in sodium (Na) intake and excretion through the implementation of family gardens with aromatic herbs and workshops for cooking, using the herbs as a substitute for salt and seasoning powder. METHODS: Thirty-five participants from a neighborhood of Mexico City were included. A general questionnaire was administered to collect information on sociodemographic factors. At baseline and 3 months later, a dietary evaluation was conducted, and 24-hour urine samples were collected. Food items reported were classified according to the NOVA classification. Visits to participants´ houses were conducted to measure the amount of salt and seasoning powder added to food during the preparation of meals as well as a home food inventory. All participants were given a family garden with 6 aromatic herbs and a recipe book. The intervention included 7 cooking and 3 garden care workshops. Qualitative information on the experience was also collected. Linear regression models were run in order to estimate the contribution of each NOVA group, salt, and seasoning powder to total dietary Na intake. RESULTS: Participants were 44 years old on average and were mainly women (91.4%). The participation compliance in the workshops was 69.5%. After 3 months, there was a Na intake mean reduction of 976 mg. There was also a reduction in the excreted urinary Na of 325 mg per day. CONCLUSION: A positive level of involvement in this program had a direct influence on dietary habits to lower Na consumption.

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BACKGROUND: Clinical trials to treat childhood obesity show modest results, weight regain and high dropout rates. Children with obesity often live in families with habits that contribute to unhealthy weight gain. This study will test whether a family intervention with a Brazilian-adapted Planetary Healthy Diet (PHD) and reduced portion sizes, along with increased physical activity and reduced sedentary behavior, can reduce excessive weight gain. The protocol promotes the intake of in natura products and water and reduces ultra-processed foods, sugar, and sodium. It encourages family lifestyle changes and physical activities, with randomized allocation to experimental and control groups. The responsible family member will be evaluated during follow-up. The control group will receive a print of the Brazilian dietary guideline. METHODS: A factorial crossover design will also allocate families to receive reduced sodium salt plus anti-inflammatory herbs and a placebo salt. Both the control and intervention groups will be randomly assigned to the sequence of both salts. The approach aims to reduce body weight expectations and evaluate salt's impact on blood pressure. It includes a 1-month intervention, 1-month washout, and 1-month intervention with monthly clinic visits and teleservice by health professionals. The primary outcomes will be the variation in the Body Mass Index (BMI) of the children. BMI and the variation in the blood pressure of the pair (child/mother or father) as well as waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) will also be measured. DISCUSSION: The project will test the effectiveness of the use of the recommendations of the PHD, physical activity and a salt-reduced sodium. The results of the present study will allow the refinement of interventions aimed at the treatment of childhood obesity and may help develop guidelines for the treatment of obesity in Brazilian children. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (RBR-10 mm62vs). Registered 10 February 2023.

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In this work, a cost-effective gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method was validated for the analysis of twenty-five pesticide residues in herbs and infusions using a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe procedure or a dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method, respectively. Figures of merit of the method showed good accordance with current guidelines. From the 58 herb samples studied (pertaining to 20 different species), 80% presented at least one detectable pesticide, with 62% of them above the maximum residual level. Results showed that pesticide residues from naturally contaminated herbs were not transferred at a significant rate to the herbal infusions. When a control assay was conducted by spiking a blank herb sample with a large amount of each pesticide (7 mg/L) 15 analytes were detected below the limit of quantification in the infusion.

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Peppermint (Lamiaceae) is an aromatic herb with culinary, medicinal, and industrial properties. In June 2022, symptoms and signs of foliar rust were observed in four commercial fields of peppermint (Mentha × piperita) in San Buenaventura Tecalzingo, San Martín Texmelucan, Puebla, Mexico (19°14'34.0"N 98°27'25.4"W; 19°14'16.7"N 98°27'21.4"W; 19°14'37.0"N 98°27'07.7"W; 19°15'00.6"N 98°26'54.7"W). Two diseased plants were collected at each site. The disease was present in 50% of the plants and the damaged foliar tissue was under 17%. Initial symptoms included small chlorotic spots on the adaxial surface of the leaves, which later spread to form a necrotic area surrounded by a broad chlorotic halo. Necrosis developed only in the presence of abundant reddish-brown pustules on the abaxial surface of the leaf, while smaller pustules were observed on the adaxial surface. The signs were detected as numerous reddish-brown pustules on the abaxial surface of the leaves. The infected leaves of all samples showed subepidermal uredinia, erumpent, with hyaline and cylindrical paraphyses. Urediniospores (n = 50) were hyaline to light brown, echinulate, with two germinative pores, obovoid (16.5-26.5 × 11.5-25.5 µm, mean ± SD = 22 ± 1.6 × 19 ± 0.4 µm and 0.6 µm of wall thickness), individually supported on pedicels. Morphological characteristics aligned most closely with the description of Puccinia menthae by Kabaktepe et al. (2017) and Solano-Báez et al. (2022). A voucher specimen was deposited in the Herbarium of the Department of Plant-Insect Interactions at the Biotic Products Development Center of the National Polytechnic Institute under accession no. IPN 10.0115. From one sample, genomic DNA was extracted, and the 28S gene region of rDNA was amplified by a nested PCR using the primer sets Rust2inv (Aime, 2006) and LR6 (Vilgalys and Hester, 1990), and Rust28SF (Aime et al., 2018), and LR5 (Vilgalys and Hester, 1990) for the first and second reactions, respectively. The obtained sequence (GenBank accession No. OQ552847) showed 100% homology (902/1304bp) with the type-specimen sequence of P. menthae (DQ354513) from Cunila origanoides from USA (Aime, 2006). A phylogenetic analysis using Maximum Likelihood including a published 28S dataset for Puccinia species was executed and the isolate IPN 10.0115 was grouped into a clade of P. menthae with bootstrap support value of 100%. Pathogenicity was assessed by spraying a suspension of urediniospores (1×104 spores/ml) of the isolate IPN 10.0115 onto six healthy peppermint plants (Mentha × piperita) that were 30 days old, while six other plants were sprayed with sterile distilled water. All plants were kept in a wet chamber for 48 h at temperatures from 28±2°C and relative humidity of 95%, after which the plastic bag was removed. All inoculated plants developed disease symptoms after 15 days, whereas the control plants remained symptomless. The pathogenicity assay was conducted twice with similar results. The morphology of the pathogen recovered from the pustules of the inoculated plants was identical to that originally recollected, thus fulfilling Koch'postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Puccinia menthae causing leaf rust on Mentha × piperita in Mexico. This species has been previously identified using morphological characteristics in Brazil, Canada, Poland, and USA on Mentha × piperita (Farr and Rossman, 2023). Since the disease defoliates peppermint plants reducing yield, further information on disease management is needed.

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Resumen: Objetivo: Identificar las plantas medicinales que presentan interacciones farmacológicas con los fármacos antivirales. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica mediante la recolección de artículos en las bases de datos PubMed, Scielo, Google académico. Se recuperó información de cada una de las plantas estudiadas hasta mayo de 2018. Se confeccionó una ficha instructiva a partir de la información obtenida, se tuvo en cuenta su utilidad y actualidad. Resultados: El 57.9% de la información fue recuperada de Google académico. El 47.9% del total de estudios revisados se referían a estudios clínicos y el 27% fueron investigaciones realizadas en Cuba. Allium sativum L. (19.7%), Hypericum perforatum (7.8%) y Panax quinquefolius (7.6%) fueron las plantas que presentaron mayor número de estudios concernientes a interacciones con antivirales. Las acciones sobre el citocromo P450 y la glicoproteína-P fueron las principales responsables de la ocurrencia de interacciones entre las plantas medicinales y los antivirales. La curcumina metabolito secundario de la Curcuma longa L. mostró potencial actividad antiviral ante virus de inmunodeficiencia humana tipo 1 sin obtenerse resultados concluyentes. Conclusiones: Podemos concluir que a pesar de que las interacciones farmacológicas entre antivirales y plantas medicinales son escasas, cuando se presentan lo hacen, en su mayoría, en forma de alteraciones farmacocinéticas. Los antirretrovirales fueron los fármacos de este grupo más involucrados en interacciones con plantas de uso común como el ajo. Los resultados encontrados fueron contradictorios en ocasiones y no todos estaban basados en evidencias clínicas.

Abstract: Objective: To identify medicinal plants that show pharmacological interactions with antiviral drugs. Materials and methods: A literature review carried out through the collection of articles in the PubMed, Scielo, Google academic databases. Information retrieved from each of the plants studied up to May 2018. An information sheet was prepared based on the information obtained and taking into account its usefulness and topicality. Results: 57.9% of the information was retrieved from academic Google. 47.9% of the total studies reviewed referred to clinical studies and 27% were investigations carried out in Cuba. Allium sativum L. (19.7%), Hypericum perforatum (7.8%) and Panax quinquefolius (7.6%) were the plants that presented the highest number of studies concerning interactions with antivirals. Actions on cytochrome P450 and P-glycoprotein were mainly responsible for the occurrence of interactions between medicinal plants and antivirals. The secondary metabolite curcumin of Curcuma longa L. showed potential antiviral activity against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 without obtaining conclusive results. Conclusions: We can conclude that although the interactions between antivirals and medicinal plants are rather rare when they occur, they do so mostly in the form of pharmacokinetic alterations. Antiretroviral drugs are the drugs of this group most involved in interactions with commonly used plants such as garlic. The results found are not all base on clinical evidence and sometime they were contradictories.

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The aim of this study was to establish a sustainable alternative callus culture of Cereus hildmannianus for the production and bioactive determination of phenolic compounds from this species. The conventional callus was cultivated using agar and Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, while for the alternative culture the agar was replaced with a cotton support covered with filter paper and MS medium (incubated at 32 °C with photoperiod of 16 h), and the morphological characteristics and growth index were assessed (8 weeks). Extracts were obtained by maceration followed by partition, characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance - NMR and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography - UHPLC, quantified (phenolic compounds) by UV-Vis methods, and their antioxidant, antitumor activities, as well as cytotoxicity, were evaluated. The establishment of an alternative callus culture was carried out successfully. Characteristic signals of phenolic compounds were determined by NMR, and 46 compounds with fragment ions were identified using UHPLC analysis. The highest concentrations of phenolic compounds, and greatest antioxidant and antitumor activities, were obtained with the dichloromethane fractions of both callus tissue cultures, which were not cytotoxic. The callus culture from C. hildmannianus has shown promise as a source for the sustainable production of phenolic compounds with antioxidant and antiproliferative activities and thus, has potential use as a natural antitumor product.

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The concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, and lead in infusion tea bags of Camellia sinensis (tea), Pimpinella anisum (anise), Matricaria recutita (chamomile), Peumus boldus (boldo), and Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS) for four commercial brands sold in Tacna, Peru, to compare these concentrations with international standards. The moderate level of arsenic obtained for C. sinensis (0.294 mg kg-1) exceeded the Codex Alimentarius standard for three of the four analyzed brands, while the level of arsenic in P. boldus (0.220 mg kg-1) exceeded the same standard and the Mercado Común del Sur (MERCOSUR) parameters for only one brand. The moderate level of cadmium outlined in the Codex Alimentarius and by the World Health Organization (WHO) was exceeded by two infusion tea bag brands of M. recutita (0.210 mg kg-1) and one brand of C. citratus (0.134 mg kg-1). Finally, based on the MERCOSUR parameters, moderate levels of lead were exceeded by only one brand of C. citratus (0.535 mg kg-1). To evaluate possible health risks, we also calculated the hazard index (HI) of the heavy metals in the target herbal tea bags. The values obtained were less than 1, showing negligible noncarcinogenic health risks for consumers. Despite this information and because of the elevated concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, and lead obtained in some of our results, we suggest more detailed studies to obtain more information about the potential toxicity of these products to humans.

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This work presents an easy and quick miniaturized procedure for the analysis of dithiocarbamates fungicides (DTC), by GC-MS, in yerba mate, an important product in South America. The sample amount, the volume of extracting solvent and acid solution, and the time of hot bath shaking were minimized. A clean-up procedure based on PSA, GCB and MgSO4 was studied in order to improve analytical signal and reduce GC-MS system damage. Blank yerba mate samples were spiked with thiram at equivalent CS2 concentrations of 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and 1 mg kg-1. The validated method at least 2 times faster than the traditional method and was according to the latest European guidelines for pesticide residue analysis. Linearity, limits of detection and quantification, matrix effects, trueness and precision were assessed. Sixty-five commercialized samples from southern Brazil and Argentina were analyzed; 14% of samples presented CS2 concentration greater than LOQ (0.1 mg kg-1).

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Introducción: El dengue es una enfermedad de interés para la salud pública por el difícil control, la expansión acelerada en países tropicales y subtropicales, la inexistencia de vacunas o medicamentos específicos y la desatención de comunidades con altos niveles de vulnerabilidad y riesgos de enfermar o morir. Objetivo: Explorar las prácticas ancestrales en el control del dengue utilizadas por indígenas de una comunidad embera katío en Córdoba, Colombia. Métodos: Estudio cualitativo con diseño microetnográfico, desarrollado con 20 miembros de una de las comunidades indígenas embera katío del Departamento de Córdoba, Colombia, entre junio de 2019 y mayo de 2020. La recolección de datos se hizo mediante una entrevista a profundidad, desde los postulados de Leininger. Los hallazgos se organizaron, sistematizaron e interpretaron bajo la técnica de análisis de contenido. Resultados: Se pudo constatar que, en la comunidad sujeto de estudio, persiste el uso de prácticas ancestrales, dentro de las cuales se destaca la utilización de plantas en forma de baños y bebidas. Asimismo, el control de las enfermedades se vincula con costumbres basadas en rituales, cantos y procedimientos realizados por el Jaibaná, donde se integra la conexión entre el mundo espiritual, cultural y corporal. Conclusiones: Las plantas de mayor uso para el control del dengue son balsamina (Momordica charantia), corrata (Simaba cedron Planch.), gavilán (Simarouba glauca DC.), matarratón (Gliricidia sepium) y limoncillo (Cymbopogon citratus). Se requiere implementar miradas transdisciplinares y transculturales que potencien la capacidad de las familias como cuidadoras primarias, y de enfermería como agente en la identificación precoz de necesidades e implementación de planes de cuidado(AU)

Introduction: Dengue is a disease of public health concern, due to its difficult control, accelerated expansion in tropical and subtropical countries, the nonexistence of vaccines or specific drugs, as well as the neglect of communities with high levels of vulnerability and morbidity and mortality risks. Objective: To explore the ancestral practices of dengue control used by indigenous people from the Embera Katío community in Córdoba, Colombia. Methods: Qualitative study, with a microethnographic design, developed with twenty members from Embera Katío, one of the indigenous communities in the Córdoba Department, Colombia, between June 2019 and May 2020. Data collection was carried out through in-depth interview, following Leininger postulates. The findings were organized, systematized and interpreted using the content analysis technique. Results: It was found that, in the community under study, the use of ancestral practices persists, among which the use of herbs in the form of baths and drinks stands out. Likewise, disease control is linked to customs based on rituals, chants and procedures performed by the Jaibaná, integrating the spiritual, cultural and corporeal worlds. Conclusions: The most commonly used herbs for dengue control are balsam-pear (Momordica charantia), cedron (Simaba cedron [Planch.]), paradise tree (Simarouba glauca [DC.]), quickstick (Gliricidia sepium) and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus). It is necessary to implement transdisciplinary and transcultural approaches, in order to enhance the capacity of families as primary caregivers, as well as of nurses as agents in the early identification of needs and the implementation of care plans(AU)

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Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that affects millions of people around the world. Currently, the only drug available for the treatment of this disease is praziquantel, which has low efficacy against immature helminth stages and there are reports of drug resistance. In this study, the chemical composition and the in vitro effect of essential oils (EOs) and major compounds from Lippia gracilis and Lippia alba against schistosomula and adult Schistosoma mansoni worms were evaluated. Adult S. mansoni worms cultured for 8h in the presence of L. gracilis EO (50 and 100 µg/mL) or for 2h with its major compound, carvacrol (100 µg/mL), had a 100% reduction in viability. After interaction with L. alba EO (100µg/mL), there was a reduction of approximately 60% in the viability of adult worms after 24 hours of exposure; citral (50 and 100 µg/mL), its major compound, reduced the viability after 24 hours by more than 75%. Treatment of schistosomula with 100 µg/mL of L. gracilis or L. alba EOs for 6h led to a reduction in parasite viability of 80% and 16% respectively. Both EOs and their major compounds significantly reduced the oviposition of adult worms exposed to a non-lethal concentration (5 µg/mL). In addition, morphological changes such as the destruction of the tegument and disorganization of the reproductive system of male and female worms were visualized. Both EOs showed low cytotoxicity at a concentration of 50 µg/mL. The results encourage further investigation of these plants as a potential source of bioactive compounds against S. mansoni.

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Curcuma longa constitutes an important source of secondary metabolites that have been associated with multiple health benefits. For instance, curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin, have been found to perform important biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, antihypertensive and anticoagulant. These promising results prompted this research to evaluate the polyphenols of C. longa rhizomes in Costa Rica. The present work reports a comprehensive study on the polyphenolic profile and the contents of the three main curcuminoids as well as the antioxidant activity of extracts from C. longa rhizomes (n = 12) produced in Costa Rica. Through UPLC-QTOF-ESI MS, a total of 33 polyphenols were identified, grouped in eight types of structures. In addition, our findings on the main curcuminoids using UPLC-DAD show all rhizomes complying with total curcuminoids (TC) content established by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). At an individual level, samples NW-3 and NE-1 show the higher contents (118.7 and 125.0 mg/g dry material), representing more than twice the average values of the lowest samples. These samples also exhibit the highest Folin−Ciocalteu (FC) reducing capacity results as well as the best DPPH (IC50 15.21 and 16.07 µg extract/mL) and NO (IC50 between 52.5 and 54.3 µg extract/mL) antioxidant values. Further, Pearson correlation analysis findings indicated positive correlation (p < 0.05) between TC, CUR with FC results (r = 0.833 and r = 0.867 respectively) and negative correlation (p < 0.05) between CUR, TC and FC with DPPH results (r = −0.898, r = −0.911, and r = −0.890, respectively) and between NO results and DPPH (r = −0.805, p < 0.05). Finally, results for Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed composition variability associated with their region of origin with products from the Northeastern (NE) region exhibiting higher average values for FC, TC and antioxidant activities. Further, PCA confirmed that two samples, namely NE-1 and NW-3, stand out by presenting the highest PC1 due to their particularly high TC, CUR and antioxidant activities. Consequently, our findings agree with previous results indicating the importance of C. longa extracts to elaborate products with potential benefits for health, while delivering extracts with higher levels of curcuminoids than previous reports and exhibiting high antioxidant activity.

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Spearmint (Lamiaceae) is an aromatic herb widely cultivated in Mexico for its culinary, medicinal, and industrial properties. In May 2020, symptoms and signs of rust were observed in a two-ha commercial crop of spearmint in Cuautla, Morelos (18°50'26.6"N 98°57'31.9"W), Mexico. The disease incidence was 85% and the severity was 23%. Initial symptoms included chlorotic spots on the adaxial surface of the leaves. At advanced stages of the disease, necrotic spots surrounded by chlorotic halos were developed, and later the plants were defoliated. The signs were observed as numerous orange to reddish-brown erumpent pustules primarily on the abaxial surface of the leaves. Microscopic examination of the samples revealed the presence of subepidermal uredinia, erumpent, with hyaline and cylindrical paraphyses. Urediniospores (n = 50) were hyaline to light yellow, globose to obovoid, measuring 17-27  11-25 µm, including 0.6-0.7 µm wall thickness, individually supported on pedicels, echinulate, with two germinative pores. Morphological features of the fungus correspond with previous descriptions of Puccinia mentha by Kabaktepe et al. (2017). A voucher specimen (accession no. UACH448) was deposited in the Department of Agricultural Parasitology Herbarium at the Chapingo Autonomous University. To confirm identification, the 28S gene region of rDNA was amplified from one sample by a nested PCR using the primer sets Rust2inv (Aime, 2006) and LR6 (Vilgalys and Hester, 1990), and Rust28SF primers (Aime et al., 2018), and LR5 (Vilgalys and Hester, 1990) for the first and second reactions, respectively. The sequence of our specimen (GenBank accession No. OL878354) showed 100% homology (923/1304bp) with the type-specimen sequence of P. menthae (GenBank accession No. DQ354513) from Cunila origanoides from USA (Aime, 2006). Also, a phylogenetic analysis (Bayesian inference) including a published 28S dataset for Puccinia species was performed and the isolate UACH448 was grouped into a clade with P. menthae. Pathogenicity was demonstrated by spraying five ml of a suspension of urediniospores (1104 spores/ml) recovered from infected leaves onto leaves of ten healthy spearmint plants and ten noninoculated plants served as controls. All plants were maintained at temperatures from 28 to 35°C and relative humidity ranging from 70 to 80%. All inoculated plants developed the characteristic symptoms of the disease after 14 days, whereas the control plants remained symptomless. The pathogenicity test was performed twice with similar disease response. The morphological characteristics of the pathogen recovered from all the inoculated plants were identical to that originally inoculated, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Puccinia menthae causing leaf rust on Mentha spicata in Mexico. This species has been previously identified in Australia (Edwards et al. 1999), New Zealand (Beresford et al. 1982), and USA (Farr and Rossman, 2021) on Mentha spicata. This disease reduces considerably the quality of peppermint plants, so it is necessary to develop management strategies.

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Spices and herbs have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. Also, in the last decades, the use of different nutritional supplements has been implemented to treat all kinds of diseases, including those that present an alteration in cognitive functioning. Dementia is a clinical syndrome in which a person's mental and cognitive capacities gradually decline. As the disease progresses, the person's autonomy diminishes. As there is not an effective treatment to prevent progressive deterioration in many of these pathologies, nutritional interventions have been, and still are, one of the most widely explored therapeutic possibilities. In this review, we have discussed a great number of potentially interesting plants, nutritional derivatives, and probiotics for the treatment of dementia around the world. Their action mechanisms generally involve neuroprotective effects via anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, b-amyloid, and tau anti-aggregate actions; brain blood flow improvement, and effects on synaptic cholinergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission, which may optimize cognitive performance in patients with cognitive impairment. As for their efficacy in patients with cognitive impairment and/or dementias, evidence is still scarce andthe outcomes are controversial. We consider that many of these substances have promising therapeutic properties. Therefore, the scientific community has to continue with a complete research focused on both identifying possible action mechanisms and carrying out clinical trials, preferably randomized, double-blind ones, with a greater number of patients, a long-term follow-up, dose standardization, and the use of current diagnostic criteria.

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Resumo O uso de plantas medicinais (PM) favorece a integralidade do cuidado na atenção primária à saúde (APS), valorizando o saber popular e o autocuidado. Esta revisão integrativa de literatura objetiva analisar estudos sobre a inserção do uso de PM na APS. A estratégia PICO norteou a busca de evidências, reunindo 18 artigos publicados de janeiro de 2015 a agosto de 2020 nos bancos de dados Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde e PubMed. As variáveis de análise foram o conhecimento dos profissionais da saúde da APS sobre PM e políticas associadas, o uso de PM pelos usuários, destacando seu perfil, fatores que favorecem o uso e a falta de segurança no uso de PM. A literatura aponta insuficiência de conhecimento dos profissionais de saúde sobre as políticas de práticas integrativas e complementares e o uso de plantas para fins medicinais. Os principais usuários são mulheres, idosas, com baixa renda e escolaridade, tanto no Brasil quanto em outros países. Sobre a segurança no uso de PM, frequentemente não há correta identificação de espécie, origem, preparo e dose adequada para cada caso. Por fim, a não abordagem desses conteúdos durante a formação de profissionais da saúde gera menos conhecimento, menos pesquisas e mais preconceito por falta de informação, prejudicando o incentivo e divulgação à comunidade.

Abstract Medicinal plant (MP) use supports comprehensiveness of care in Primary Health Care (PHC), enabling appreciation of popular knowledge and self-care. This integrative literature review aims to analyze researches that approach the insertion of using MP in PHC. PICO strategy was used as a guideline in search of evidence, reuniting 18 articles published between January 2015 and August 2020, in the Virtual Health Library and PubMed databases. The variables of analysis were knowledge of PHC healthcare professionals about MP and associated policies, MP use by its users, highlighting their profile, the reasons that lead to the use and lack of security in MP use. The results show insufficient knowledge of healthcare professionals about Integrative and Complementary Practices policies and the medicinal uses of plants. The main users are women, elderly, with low income and education, either in Brazil or other countries. Regarding safety in MP use, frequently there is no correct identification of species, its origin, its preparation and the appropriate dose for each case. Finally, failure to approach these contents during training of healthcare professionals generates less knowledge, less research and more prejudice due to lack of information, impairing incentive and dissemination to the community.

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RESUMO A crise socioambiental é cada vez mais presente na realidade urbana e rural. A experiência agroecológica neorrural é uma inovação que pode transformar o paradigma produtivo predominante e propor novas formas de relacionamento entre as pessoas. Além disso, pode contribuir para o desenvolvimento de sistemas alimentares que promovem justiça socioambiental, segurança alimentar e nutricional, criação de territórios saudáveis e sustentáveis. O objetivo deste relato de experiência foi apresentar a Comunidade que Sustenta a Agricultura, Educação e Saúde (CSAES) na Chácara Bindu, que desenvolve tecnologias sociais nas áreas de agricultura, educação e saúde no Distrito Federal. O relato da experiência foi desenvolvido em sete itens relacionados com criação, conservação produtiva, educação e saúde no organismo socioagrícola da Chácara Bindu. Destacam-se os vínculos com base na confiança e cooperação, o processo de expansão do modelo da CSAES Bindu a partir de uma Comunidade que Sustenta a Agricultura, a continuidade das entregas de produtos cultivados sem insumos sintéticos e sem agrotóxicos e o acesso das famílias coagricultoras a alimentos saudáveis no contexto de isolamento social imposto pela pandemia da Covid-19.

ABSTRACT The socio-environmental crisis is increasingly present in the urban and rural reality. A neorural agroecological experience is an innovation that can transform the predominant productive paradigm and propose new ways of relationship between people. Furthermore, it can contribute to the development of food systems that promote social and environmental justice, food and nutrition security, and the creation of healthy and sustainable territories. The objective of this experience report was to present the Community that Sustains Agriculture, Education, and Health (CSAES) at Chácara Bindu, which has social technologies in the fields of agriculture, education, and health in the Federal District. The experience report was developed in seven items related to creation, productive conservation, education, and health in the social-agricultural organization of Chácara Bindu. The linkages based on trust and cooperation, the expansion process of the CSAES from a Community that Sustains Agriculture, the continued delivery of products cultivated without synthetic inputs and without pesticides, and the access of co-agricultural families to healthy food stand out in the context of social isolation imposed by the Covid-19.