Ada María Ríos-Cortés

Background: Bacopa procumbens is a plant species with medicinal properties. Although several of these properties have already been validated, its use for treating pain remains untested. Objective: the objective was therefore to test the antinociceptive effect of two extracts (n-hexane and hydroalcoholic) and two fractions (aqueous and organic) from the most active extract, as well as to determine the chemical profile of Bacopa procumbens. Methods: analgesic activity was determined by antinociceptive activity using the formalin model in mice. Compounds were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Compared to the vehicle treatment (3% Tween 20), licking time was 22.8 s and 141.6 s lower when treated with the hexane extract (200 mg/kg); 43.4 s and 152.5 s with the hydroalcoholic extract (200 mg/kg); 27.2 s and 169 s with the organic fraction; and 5.4 s and 32 s difference with the positive control, in phases 1 and 2, respectively. Phytochemical analysis of the hexane extract allowed us to identify 2-pentadecanone, 6,10,14-trimetil- (11.70%), 6,10,14-trimethyl-, dibutyl phthalate (34.71%), and hexane-dioic acid bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester (45.15%). Conclusions: We identified arbutin (1), 5-(p-hydroxybenzoyl) shikimic acid (2), and procumgastrodin A (3) in the BpFo fraction. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the BpH extract and the BpFo fraction have anti-nociceptive properties that may be associated with compounds 2 and 3.

Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance represents a critical global health challenge that has been exacerbated by the significant decline in antibiotic development. Natural product-based drugs, particularly plant-derived phenolic compounds, offer promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics. This study aimed to isolate and characterize a novel phenolic compound from Bacopa procumbens, a Mexican perennial repent plant that is widespread in the Mexican valley and produces a variety of saponins, gastrodin derivatives, and phenolic acids, and to evaluate its antibacterial potential against clinically relevant pathogens. Methods: The hydroalcoholic extraction of B. procumbens was followed by liquid–liquid partitioning with ethyl acetate. The resulting fraction underwent chromatographic separation and purification. The structural elucidation of the isolated compound was performed using thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), mass spectrometry (MS-EI), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. Antimicrobial activity was assessed via a microdilution assay against five bacterial strains, including drug-resistant Staphylococcus species and Gram-negative pathogens. Results: A novel phenolic compound, 5-(p-hydroxybenzoyl) shikimic acid (5pHSA), was isolated and characterized. The compound demonstrated moderate antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus haemolyticus and Escherichia coli (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 100 μg/mL) but showed limited efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, and Klebsiella pneumoniae (MIC > 100 μg/mL). Comparative analysis with the previously isolated compound ProcumGastrodin A revealed structure–activity relationships where the higher lipophilicity of PG-A was correlated with enhanced antimicrobial activity. Conclusions: This study establishes 5pHSA as a novel phenolic compound with moderate antibacterial properties. The findings highlight the importance of molecular polarity and structural complexity in determining antimicrobial efficacy, offering valuable insights into the development of phenolic, acid-based antimicrobial agents to address the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance.

Carminic acid is a natural pigment typically found in several insect taxa, including specific insects such as “grana cochinilla fina” in Mexico (Dactylopius coccus Costa). Commercially, it is also referred to as carmine, which is a more concentrated solution presenting as at least 50% carminic acid. To date, this dye has been used in the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries. Unfortunately, one of the main limitations has to do with establishing the appropriate extraction and purification protocol. Currently, there is growing interest in developing eco-friendly and efficient pigment extraction processes for various applications. In this study, we compare the ultrasound- and microwave-assisted extraction versus with a conventional method to obtain carminic acid from cochineal. To do this, we considered three factors that influence the extraction process as independent variables: solvent volume, temperature and irradiation time. The optimization was carried out using the response surface methodology, employing a three-factor and three-level Box–Behnken experimental design. Carminic acid contents were quantified by UV–Vis spectroscopy, and extracts were evaluated by infrared spectroscopy to verify the integrity of the carminic acid molecule. The yield obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction was 49.2 ± 3.25, with an efficiency of 31.3 mg/min, while microwave-assisted extraction showed a yield of 40.89 ± 2.96, with an efficiency of 27.3 mg/min. Both methods exceeded the extract yield (31.9 ± 3.4%) and efficiency (10.6 mg/min) obtained with the conventional method, demostrating that ultrasound- and microwave-assisted extraction are viable alternatives for obtaining carminic acid, with the potential to be scaled up to an industrial level.

Currently, there is an increasing interest to develop eco-friendly and efficient pigment extraction processes for diverse applications. In this study, we report the comparison between the assisted extraction performed by ultrasonication and microwave with a conventional method to obtain cochineal pigments from Dactylopius coccus Costa. Our independent variables were solvent amount, temperature and irradiation time, and the corresponding optimization was performed by three factors and three levels with a Box-Behnken design. The pigment contents were quanti-fied through UV-vis spectroscopy, and the pigment mixture of extracts was assessed by infrared spectroscopy. It is highlighted that after optimization, the extraction assisted by ultrasound gave a yield of 47% with an efficiency of 31.3 mg/min, whereas the yield obtained from the extraction assisted by microwave was 41% with 27.3 mg/min efficiency, both higher that the efficiency ob-tained with a conventional method (3.5 mg/ml).

El café es una de las bebidas más populares consumidas a nivel mundial. Además de su rico sabor y su alto contenido de cafeína, presenta propiedades que le confieren el nombre de “alimento funcional”, gracias a los beneficios que le proporciona directamente a la salud de los consumidores. Dentro de los beneficios destacan una serie de compuestos bioactivos como por ejemplo; compuestos fenólicos, ácido clorogénico, ácido cafeico y algunos alcaloides importantes tales como trigonelina y cafeína, los cuales tienen como objetivo principal evitar el daño oxidativo de las células en el organismo. Por esta y muchas razones más, el café tiene gran importancia en el mundo. En la república mexicana se estima que un aproximado del 84% de la población consume café soluble, mientras que el 20.8% de la población consume café tostado y molido también denominado “café gourmet” o “café de cafetera”. En México se estima que el consumo per cápita es de 1.7 kg, el proceso de elaboración de café genera una cantidad importante de bagazo o borra del café el cual es considerado materia de desecho, este contiene compuestos importantes que pueden ser aprovechados por la industria alimentaria o cosmética, por lo cual se buscan alternativas para aprovecharlos.El propósito principal de este artículo es dar a conocer las estrategias que se pueden implementar para la recuperación de compuestos fenólicos del bagazo de café, utilizando este residuo para su máximo aprovechamiento, en la industria alimentaria, farmacéutica, cosmética etc., por otra parte, esto tendrá alto impacto en el medio ambiente minimizando la contaminación ambiental.

Objetivo: Identificar el conocimiento sobre el uso tradicional de Bacopa procumbens que conservan los pobladores del municipio de Huasca de Ocampo, Hidalgo, México. Metodología: El estudio se basó en una entrevista estructurada aplicada a 26 informantes, mediante un muestreo por conveniencia. Se realizó el análisis descriptivo de la información por medio de frecuencias y un análisis multivariado de correspondencias múltiples. Resultados: El conocimiento tradicional de esta planta se concentra en las amas de casa con edad entre 40 y 50 años; este conocimiento fue trasmitido por familiares, el uso tradicional que le dan a la especie B. procumbens es medicinal y se usa para disminuir o aliviar el dolor de estómago, sanar heridas, calmar el dolor de muelas, calmar el dolor de riñón, eliminar la hinchazón y fiebre. La planta es recolectada en el campo, solo en la cantidad que será usada, lo que puede ayudar en parte a la conservación del recurso, aunque debe prevenirse la sobre explotación. Limitaciones: Existen pocas personas que conocen la planta y sus propiedades. Conclusiones: El conocimiento tradicional de la planta se centra en mujeres amas de casa, la forma más común de uso es hervida y se aplica principalmente para dolor de estómago, y otros problemas de salud.

El uso exitoso de las nanopartículas (NP) en diversos sectores ha incrementado el interés y la demanda para sintetizarlas, explorarlas y estudiarlas. La síntesis de NP (tanto como sus derivados, reducciones, funcionalizaciones, o conjugaciones), sus propiedades y aplicaciones se han analizado desde enfoques modernos, a través de diversas técnicas de avanzada, para aplicaciones múltiples. El objetivo de este trabajo es destacar la importancia de las plantas silvestres o cultivables de México como fuente de metabolitos y extractos, empleadas como origen y medio de síntesis de NP. Asimismo, se destaca la síntesis verde como un método amigable con el medioambiente para aprovechar la amplia gama de posibilidades que representa el reservorio natural de plantas mexicanas y sus diversas aplicaciones y propiedades a explorar en el campo de la nanobiotecnología.

Wounds represent a medical problem that contributes importantly to patient morbidity and to healthcare costs in several pathologies. In Hidalgo, Mexico, the Bacopa procumbens plant has been traditionally used for wound-healing care for several generations; in vitro and in vivo experiments were designed to evaluate the effects of bioactive compounds obtained from a B. procumbens aqueous fraction and to determine the key pathways involved in wound regeneration. Bioactive compounds were characterized by HPLC/QTOF-MS, and proliferation, migration, adhesion, and differentiation studies were conducted on NIH/3T3 fibroblasts. Polyphenolic compounds from Bacopa procumbens (PB) regulated proliferation and cell adhesion; enhanced migration, reducing the artificial scratch area; and modulated cell differentiation. PB compounds were included in a hydrogel for topical administration in a rat excision wound model. Histological, histochemical, and mechanical analyses showed that PB treatment accelerates wound closure in at least 48 h and reduces inflammation, increasing cell proliferation and deposition and organization of collagen at earlier times. These changes resulted in the formation of a scar with better tensile properties. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR molecular analyses demonstrated that treatment induces (i) overexpression of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and (ii) the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 and ERK1/2, suggesting the central role of some PB compounds to enhance wound healing, modulating TGF-β activation.

Wounds represents a medical problem that contribute importantly to patient morbidity and to the healthcare costs in several pathologies. In Hidalgo, Mexico, Bacopa procumbens plant has been traditionally used for wound healing care for several generations; in vitro and in vivo experiments were design to evaluate the effects of bioactive compounds obtained from B. procumbens aquoethanolic extract and to determine the key pathways involved in wound regeneration. Bioactive compounds were characterized by HPLC- QTOF-MS and proliferation, migration, adhesion, and differentiation studies were done on NIH/3T3 fibroblasts. Polyphenolic compounds from Bacopa procumbens (PB) regulated proliferation and cell adhesion; enhanced migration reducing the artificial scratch area; and modulated cell differentiation. PB compounds were included in a hydrogel for topical administration on rat excision wound model. Histological, histochemical and mechanical analysis showed that PB treatment accelerates wound closure in at least 48 h; reduce inflammation, increasing cell proliferation and deposition and organization of collagen in earlier times. These changes resulted in the formation of a scar with better tensile properties. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR molecular analyses demonstrated that treatment induces: i) overexpression of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β); and ii) the phosphorylation of Smad 2/3 and ERK1/2, suggesting the central role of some PB to enhance wound healing, modulating TGF-β activation.