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Background and Aims: Cirrhosis is associated with changes in gut microbiota in both saliva and stool. The relative linkage patterns of stool versus saliva microbiota with systemic metabolomics are unclear and may differ across countries. We hypothesized that stool microbiota have greater linkages with plasma metabolites than saliva microbiota, which may depend on country of origin. Methods: Age‐balanced controls and outpatient patients with cirrhosis, compensated and decompensated, from the USA and Mexico (MX) underwent plasma collection and dietary recall. Plasma metabolomics were analysed using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Microbiota in stool and saliva samples were analysed using 16S rRNA analyses. Correlation network differences between both saliva and stool gut microbiota and plasma metabolites were compared between subject groupings and within/between countries. Results: A total of 313 age‐balanced subjects—135 USA (47 control, 48 compensated and 40 decompensated) and 178 MX (71 control, 56 compensated and 51 decompensated)—were enrolled. Cirrhosis severity, including lactulose and rifaximin use, were comparable. Plasma metabolites differed with advancing cirrhosis, between countries and according to 90‐day hospitalizations. Correlation networks demonstrated more microbiome–metabolite linkages in stool compared to saliva in both populations, although there were no salivary correlation metrics across decompensated subjects in either country. Stool Lactobacillus showed a positive correlation to plasma lactate in decompensated cirrhosis from MX but not USA. Conclusions: Stool microbiota were more extensively linked with systemic metabolites than were saliva microbiota, irrespective of cirrhosis severity and country. These changes were more prominent in decompensated cirrhosis and were centred around plasma lactate, which might reflect the interaction of diet and lactulose therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Leaves of L. glaucescens has a high antioxidant activity. • L. glaucescens has a high concentration of phenolic compounds. • Phenolic compounds responsible for the antioxidant activity of L. glaucescens • Epicatechin, quercetin 3- O -rhamnoside and kaempferol were isolated Litsea glaucescens is a native plant from Mexico and Central America known as laurel, and they leaves are commonly used as food seasoning and traditional medicine, however, there is not enough information about its biological activities, as antioxidant and the compounds responsible of this activity. The antioxidant activity and the total phenolic content of a methanolic extract of L. glaucescens leaves (LGE) and a series of twelve chromatographic fractions (I-XII) obtained through a polarity gradient elution are reported in this work. In all the cases a concentration-response was observed since the DPPH inhibition increases (p≤0.05) as a function of the concentration. Nevertheless, the most polar fractions XI and XII were the most effective of the series (100 µg/mL=93 and 91%, 50 µg/mL= 93 and 91%, 25 µg/mL =92 and 87% and 12.5 µg/mL=85 and 53% of radical inhibition, respectively). The results of the FRAP assay confirmed that XI and XII have the highest antioxidant activity (7994.06 and 5011.03 µmol Fe(II)/g, respectively) and the total phenolic content, evaluated by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, was also the highest in both fractions (462.9 and 347.5 mg GAE/g of dry weight, respectively). In addition, epicatechin, was isolated from XI, whereas quercitrin and kaempferol were obtained from XII by flash chromatography and their structures were elucidated through HPLC-ESI-MS and NMR spectroscopy. Then, it is possible to infer that these phenolic compounds are the main responsible for the antioxidant activity of L. glaucescens. Our study provides information that may be useful for the use of this natural product in food and pharmaceutical formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetes are associated with dyslipidemia, metabolic abnormalities, and atherosclerotic risk. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy provides much more detail on lipoproteins than traditional assays. Methods: In about 38 000 participants from the Mexico City Prospective Study, aged 35 to 84 years and not using lipid-lowering medication, NMR spectroscopy quantified plasma concentrations of lipoprotein particles, their lipidic compositions, and other metabolic measures. Linear regression related low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; <60 mL/min/1.73 m2) to each NMR measure after adjustment for confounders and for multiplicity. Analyses were done separately for those with and without diabetes. Results: Among the 38 081 participants (mean age 52 years, 64% women), low eGFR was present for 4.8% (306/6403) of those with diabetes and 1.2% (365/31 678) of those without diabetes. Among both those with and without diabetes, low eGFR was significantly associated with higher levels of 58 NMR measures, including apolipoprotein B (Apo-B), the particle numbers of most Apo-B containing lipoproteins, the cholesterol and triglycerides carried in these lipoproteins, several fatty acids, total cholines and phosphatidylcholine, citrate, glutamine, phenylalanine, ß-OH-butyrate, and the inflammatory measure glycoprotein-A, and significantly lower levels of 13 NMR measures, including medium and small high-density lipoprotein particle measures, very low-density lipoprotein particle size, the ratio of saturated:total fatty acids, valine, tyrosine, and aceto-acetate. Conclusions: In this Mexican population with high levels of adiposity and diabetes, low kidney function was associated with widespread alterations in lipidic and metabolic profiles, both in those with and without diabetes. These alterations may help explain the higher atherosclerotic risk experienced by people with CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximately 90% of the chili peppers consumed in the world are harvested in Mexico. The present article describes the untargeted 1H NMR-based metabolomic profiling of 11 cultivars of Capsicum annuum species which are routinely consumed worldwide. The metabolomic fingerprinting detected via 1H NMR contained 44 metabolites including sugars, amino acids, organic acids, polyphenolic acids and alcohols which were identified by comparison with the literature data, with Chenomx database and by 2D NMR. Statistical approaches based on principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) were used to classify the Capsicum annuum cultivars according to their metabolite profile. LDA revealed metabolomic differences and similarities among Capsicum annuum cultivars, whereas hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) significantly separated the cultivars according to the phylogenetic trees obtained. Substantial endogenous levels of free amino acids and carbohydrates were detected in all the studied cultivars but interestingly, Capsicum annuum cv. mirasol and C. annuum cv. chilaca contained almost three-fold more endogenous levels of vitamin C than the other cultivars. Considering that this antioxidant was found in crude aqueous extracts, its abundance could be directly proportional to its bioavailability for human nutrition. The results suggest that 1H NMR is an effective method to determine differences among cultivars of the Capsicum annuum species. Unlabelled Image • The 1H NMR metabolomics profiling of 11 cultivars of Capsicum annuum were compared. • 1H NMR metabolomics profiling revealed a particular fingerprinting to identify each cultivar. • PCA and LDA models confirmed differences among the cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is a carnivorous cetacean that thrives in marine environments, one of the apex predators of the marine food web. They are found in coastal and estuarine ecosystems, which are known to be sensitive to environmental impacts. Dolphins are considered sentinel organisms for monitoring the health of coastal marine ecosystems due to their role as predators that can bioaccumulate contaminants. Although recent studies have focused on capturing the circulating metabolomes of these mammals, and in the context of pollutants and exposures in the marine environment, skin and blubber are important surface and protective tissues that have not been adequately probed for metabolism. Using a proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR) based metabolomics approach, we quantified 51 metabolites belonging to 74 different metabolic pathways in the skin and blubber of stranded bottlenose dolphin (n = 4) samples collected at different localities in the Southern Zone coast of Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Results indicate that metabolism of skin and blubber are quantitatively very different. These metabolite abundances could help discriminate the tissue-types using supervised partial least square regression discriminant analysis (PLSDA). Further, using hierarchical clustering analysis and random forest analysis of the metabolite abundances, the results pointed to unique metabolites that are important classifiers of the tissue-type. On one hand, the differential metabolic patterns, mainly linking fatty acid metabolism and ketogenic amino acids, seem to constitute a characteristic of blubber, thus pointing to fat synthesis and deposition. On the other hand, the skin showed several metabolites involved in gluconeogenic pathways, pointing towards an active anabolic energy-generating metabolism. The most notable pathways found in both tissues included: urea cycle, nucleotide metabolism, amino acid metabolism, glutathione metabolism among others. Our 1H NMR metabolomics analysis allowed the quantification of metabolites associated with these two organs, i.e., pyruvic acid, arginine, ornithine, 2-hydroxybutyric acid, 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid, and acetic acid, as discriminatory and classifying metabolites. These results would lead to further understanding of the functional and physiological roles of dolphin skin and blubber metabolism for better efforts in their conservation, as well as useful target biopsy tissues for monitoring of dolphin health conditions in marine pollution and ecotoxicology studies. Unlabelled Image • We performed an unbiased metabolomics study of bottlenose dolphin tissues • Stranded dolphin skin and blubber tissue samples were probed for metabolomics. • 1H-NMR spectral analysis provided abundances of 51 metabolites in both tissues • Metabolite derived pathways explain tissue-specific functional roles • Gluconeogenesis in skin and lipid metabolism in blubber are evident • 1H-NMR metabolomics is a tool to monitor stranded or live dolphin health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Herein we report on the 1H NMR-based metabolomics profiling of ten new races of Capsicum annuum cv. serrano, cultivated in Mexico. Forty eight metabolites (including sugars, amino acids, organic acids, polyphenolic acids and alcohols) were identified and quantified by 2D NMR and qNMR, respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) separated the ten races into two clusters, from which citric acid, formic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, glucose, fructose, sucrose and galactose were found as differential metabolites. This is the first study describing the chemical profiling of ten new races of Capsicum annuum cv. serrano and the spectrometric method used presently is characterized by great simplicity, robustness and reproducibility. Thus, this technique can be used for establishing reliable metabolomic fingerprints of different races of Capsicum annuum cv. serrano. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • The 1H NMR metabolomics profiling of 10 new races of Capsicum annuum cv. serrano is reported. • Forty-eight metabolites were identified in cultivars of Capsicun annuum cv. serrano. • PLS-DA models grouped the ten races into two clusters of serrano peppers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance In Mexico, plants are an important element of traditional medicine, and many are considered part of Mexican cultural heritage from prehispanic and colonial times. Nevertheless, relatively few systematic scientific studies have been conducted to fully characterize the chemical composition and pharmacological activities of Mexican medicinal plants. Acacia farnesiana is used in Mexican traditional medicine to treat dysentery and tuberculosis and therefore could have bioactive compounds that may explain its traditional use. Aims of the study i) To isolate and characterize the compounds from the hexanic, chloroformic and methanolic extracts; ii) to identify the volatile compounds from methylated hexanic and chloroformic extracts using GC-FID and GC-MS methods; iii) to identify the compounds from methanolic and aqueous extracts using HPLC-Q-TOF-MS; iv) to test the activity of extracts and isolated compounds against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and dysentery bacteria. Material and methods A. farnesiana fruits were collected in Acatlán de Osorio, Puebla, Mexico. Hexanic, chloroformic, methanolic and aqueous extracts were prepared and analyzed by different chromatographic techniques including column chromatography, flash chromatography, GC-FID, GC-MS and HPLC-Q-TOF-MS. Structural elucidation was carried out by NMR spectroscopic analysis. The activity of extracts, phytochemicals and semi-synthetic derivatives against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv and G122 as well as dysentery bacteria (Campylobacter jejuni , Shigella flexneri , Salmonella enteritidis , Yersinia enterocolitica and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli) was determined by the broth microdilution method and reported as minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC µg/mL). Results From both hexane and chloroform extracts, tetracosanoic acid (2 S)-2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester (1) and (3β,22 E)-estigmasta-5,22-dien-3-yl β-D-glucopyranoside (2) were isolated and characterized. From the methanolic extract, methyl gallate (3), gallic acid (4), (3β,22 E)-estigmasta-5,22-dien-3-yl β-D-glucopyranoside (2), (2 S) naringenin 7- O -β-glucopyranoside (prunin, 5), pinitol (6) and sucrose (7) were isolated and characterized. Furthermore, hexanic and chloroformic extracts were analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS and 18 methylated fatty acids were identified for each extract in addition to three sterols. The methanolic and aqueous extracts were analyzed separately by HPLC-Q-TOF-MS, and 15 compounds were identified in each extract. The compounds 1 , 2 , and 7 , in addition to 13 fatty acids and eight phenolic compounds, were identified for the first time in A. farnesiana. The extracts showed antitubercular (MIC 100–200 µg/mL) and antidysentery activity (MIC 100–200 µg/mL). Methyl gallate and its acetylated derivative showed activity against the sensible strain M. tuberculosis H37Rv with MIC values of 50–25 µg/mL, respectively. The flavanone prunin showed activity against multidrug resistant M. tuberculosis G122 (MIC 50 μg/mL). Methyl gallate, gallic acid and prunin showed activity against C. jejuni (MIC 50 μg/mL). Conclusions The activity of tested extracts and isolated compounds against M. tuberculosis and dysentery bacteria justifies the ethnomedical use of A. farnesiana fruits for the treatment of tuberculosis and dysentery. Graphical abstract fx1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfated polysaccharides (SPs) extracted from five seaweed samples collected or cultivated in Mexico (Macrocystis pyrifera, Eisenia arborea, Pelvetia compressa, Ulva intestinalis, and Solieria filiformis) were tested in this study in order to evaluate their effect on measles virus in vitro. All polysaccharides showed antiviral activity (as measured by the reduction of syncytia formation) and low cytotoxicity (MTT assay) at inhibitory concentrations. SPs from Eisenia arborea and Solieria filiformis showed the highest antiviral activities (confirmed by qPCR) and were selected to determine their combined effect. Their synergistic effect was observed at low concentrations (0.0274 μg/mL and 0.011 μg/mL of E. arborea and S. filiformis SPs, resp.), which exhibited by far a higher inhibitory effect (96% syncytia reduction) in comparison to the individual SP effects (50% inhibition with 0.275 μg/mL and 0.985 μg/mL of E. arborea and S. filiformis, resp.). Time of addition experiments and viral penetration assays suggest that best activities of these SPs occur at different stages of infection. The synergistic effect would allow reducing the treatment dose and toxicity and minimizing or delaying the induction of antiviral resistance; sulfated polysaccharides of the tested seaweed species thus appear as promising candidates for the development of natural antiviral agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several medicinal plants, including the endemic herb Cirsum ehrenbergii (Asteraceae), have been documented in manuscripts, medical and botanical books written in Mexico since the XVI century until the present. This unique circumstance is a real window in the time that allows to investigate historical and contemporary ethnopharmacological knowledge. To examine the persistence, disappearance, and transformation of ethnomedicinal knowledge of C. ehrenbergii along time. Also, to investigate the chemistry and pharmacology of this species in relation to its historical and present day main ethnomedical applications related to Central Nervous System and inflammation. A thorough review was performed of written sources of medicinal plants from XVI and onwards. For the pharmacological studies, the organic extracts were tested in mice models to assess its antidepressant and anti-inflammatory properties. The active extracts were studied chemically. The isolated compounds were identified by 1H, 13C NMR, or characterized by GC-MS. Cirsum ehrenbergii was illustrated for the first time (1552) in the Libellus de Medicinalibus Indorum Herbis (Booklet of Medicinal Plants of the Indians) and named in the Nahuatl native language as huitzquilitl (edible thistle). It was there recommended as nigris sanguinis remedium (remedy for black blood), and for the treatment of illnesses with an inflammatory component. Nigris sanguinis was well known in the European medicine of that time and currently it has been interpreted as "depression". At the present time, peasants and native population in Mexico mainly name C. ehrenbergii in Spanish as cardo Santo (holy thistle). Its original Nahuatl name has been almost forgotten. However, these communities use this species, among other maladies, to heal "nervios" (anxiety and/or depression) and for anti-inflammatory purposes. These ailments and treatments resemble those recorded in the Libellus and in several medicinal plant books along centuries. The ethanol extract of C. ehrenbergii roots showed antidepressant-like activity in mice administered at 300 mg/kg, as indicated by the forced swim test (FST). The glycosylated flavonoid linarin was identified as antidepressant principle and was active at the doses of 30 and 60 mg/kg in the FST. Regarding to anti-inflammatory activity, the most active was the methylene chloride extract of the aerial parts, which contains taraxasterol, pseudotaraxasterol, β-sitosterol and stigmasterol. Cirsium ehrenbergii extracts possess antidepressant-like (roots, EtOH) and anti-inflammatory (aerial parts, CH 2 Cl 2) properties, containing active compounds. Our results sustain historical and present day ethnomedical applications of this species documented along five centuries. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance The high frequency of poisoning by sting or bite from venomous animals has begun to be a serious public health problem in Mexico where scorpion sting is the most common. Because of this, there is the need to seek active substances in plant species with an antagonistic effect against neurotropic activity of scorpion venom. The aim of this work was to demonstrate which of the compounds contained in the n -hexane extract from Aristolochia elegans roots display activity against scorpion venom. Material and methods Antagonist activity displayed by extract, fractions and isolated compounds obtained from Aristolochia elegans was guided by the inhibition of smooth muscle contraction induced by scorpion venom ( Centruroides limpidus limpidus ) in a model of isolated guinea pig ileum. The neolignans obtained from this extract were isolated and analyzed by chromatographic methods including HPLC. The chemical characterization of these compounds was performed by the analysis of 1 H and 13 C NMR spectra. Results The bio-guided chromatographic fractionation allowed us to isolate 4 known neolignans: Eupomatenoid-7 ( 1 ), licarin A ( 2 ), licarin B ( 3 ), eupomatenoid-1 ( 4 ) and other new neolignan which was characterized as 2-(3′-hydroxy-4′-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-5-[(E)-α-propen-γ-al]-7-methoxy-benzo [b] furan ( 5 ). This compound was named as eleganal. Compounds 1 and 2 were purified from the most active fraction AeF3 (EC 50 of 149.9 μg/mL, E max of 65.66%). A doses–response analysis of eupomatenoid-7( 1 ) and licarin A( 2 ) allowed us to establish EC 50 values (65.96 μg/mL and 51.96 μg/mL) respectively. Conclusions The antagonistic effect against Centuroides limpidus limpidus scorpion venom displayed by the n -hexane extract from Aristolochia elegans roots is due to the presence of neolignans 1–2 contained in the fraction AeF3. Chemical analysis of fraction AeF2 allowed the isolation of a new compound which was identified as 2-(3′-hydroxy-4′-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-5-[(E)-α-propen-γ-al]-7-methoxy-benzo[b]furan ( 5 ), denominated as eleganal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The guaianolide 8-epi-mikanokryptin (1) and the melampolide 11Hβ-11,13-dihydromicrantholide (2) along with known sesquiterpene lactones (3–13) and other constituents were isolated from the aerial parts of different populations of Mikania micrantha and Mikania cordifolia collected in several states of Mexico. The relative and absolute configurations of 1 were determined by X-ray diffraction and CD analysis, respectively. Considering the 1H and 13C NMR chemical shift similarities and the H–H coupling constant values, a [1D14, 15D5] conformation was established for micrantholides (2, 8–13). We tested nearly all the sesquiterpene lactones for antiproliferative activity in human cancer cell lines, and they exhibited moderate activity. Additionally, in a mouse ear model of edema induced by TPA, the anti-inflammatory activities were marginal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacology relevance: Galphimia glauca (Malpighiaceae) is a Mexican plant popularly used as a tranquilizer in the treatment of nervous system disorders, although it is also used to treat other common illnesses. Aim of the study : The aim of this investigation is to find out if populations of Galphimia glauca collected in different regions and ecosystems in Mexico actually belong to the same species by using the contemporary technique of DNA barcodes. Our previous metabolic profiling study demonstrates that different collections of this plant obtained from various geographical areas exhibited diverse chemical profiles in terms of the active compounds named Galphimines. We expected the DNA barcodes apart from indicating the different species of Galphimia would indicate the active populations. Materials and methods: We employed matK, rpoC1 and rbcL DNA barcodes to indicate the different species. Furthermore to investigate the possible impact of the several different ecosystems where the seven populations were collected, thin layer chromatography was employed to create a partial chemical profile, which was then compared with the metabolic profiles obtained by 1H-NMR and multivariate data analysis. Results and conclusions: This study showed that the seven populations here analyzed contain at least three different species of the genus Galphimia, although each individual population is homogeneous. Interestingly our TLC analysis clearly showed that the active populations displayed a distinctively unique chemical profile. This work also showed that the use of DNA barcodes combined with chemical profile analysis is an excellent approach to solve the problems of quality control in the development of Galphimia-based medicines as well as for any breeding programs for this species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Bioassay guided fractionation of an antimycobacterial extract of Foeniculum vulgare var dulce (Apiaceae) led to the isolation and characterization of 5-hydroxyfuranocoumarin. The chemical structure of this compound was elucidated by 1H and 13C (1D and 2D) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. In addition, the active fractions were analyzed by GC-MS and seventy eight compounds were identified; the major compounds were 1,3-benzenediol, 1-methoxycyclohexene, o-cymene, sorbic acid, 2-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one, estragole, limonene-10-ol and 3-methyl-2- cyclopenten-1-one. Twenty compounds identified in the active fractions were tested against one sensitive and three MDR strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using the Alamar Blue microassay. Compounds that showed some degree of antimycobacterial activity against all strains tested were the following: linoleic acid (MIC 100 μg/mL), oleic acid (MIC 100 μg/mL), 1,3-benzenediol (MIC 100-200 μg/mL), undecanal (MIC 50-200 μg/mL), and 2,4-undecadienal (MIC 25-50 μg/mL), the last being the most active compound. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the presence of 5-hydroxyfuranocoumarin in F. vulgare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Galphimia glauca has a long traditional use, and continues to be used in Mexico as a natural tranquilizer for the treatment of Central Nervous System disorders as well as for other illnesses. Aim of the study: In 2005 the initial use of metabolic profiling to populations of Galphimia glauca resulted in two of the six collected populations being producers for galphimines, the markers for sedative and anxiolytic activities. The aim of this investigation was to confirm the previously established metabolic profile, as well as the previous in vivo results on mice. Additionally in this study we wanted to investigate potential anti-inflammatory properties. Materials and methods: Four years later, we collected samples in the five localities designated for the first-stage investigation in 2005, and in two new locations. Metabolic profiling was carried out by means of 1H NMR spectroscopy and multivariate data analysis applied to crude extracts from wild plant specimens. HPLC analysis was performed to confirm and quantify the presence of galphimines. Two neuropharmacological in vivo assays on mice were employed to study anxiolytic (elevated plus maze test) and sedative (sodium pentobarbital-induced hypnosis model) activities in the extracts. Anti-inflammatory activity was determined by using the tetradecanoylphorbol acetate-induced mouse ear inflammation model (TPA). Results and conclusions: The results for the 2009 collected species were similar to the 2005 collection, confirming the metabolic profiles and that galphimines are consistent good markers for CNS activity. Galloylquinic acid levels varied between the years without, as of yet, known effects. In vivo anti-inflammatory activity was similar for all plants and thus not linked with galphimines, requiring further studies to identify the active compound(s). Areas of collection affect neuropharmacological activities but not anti-inflammatory action. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: From the roots of Iostephane heterophylla, six known compounds, namely, ent-trachyloban-19-oic acid (1), the mixture of ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (2) and ent-beyer-15-en-19-oic acid (3), xanthorrhizol (4), 16α-hydroxy-ent-kaurane (5) and 16α-hydroxy-ent-kaur-11-en-19-oic acid (6) were isolated using a bioassay-guided fractionation method. The known compounds (1–6) were identified by comparison of their spectroscopic data with reported values in the literature. In an attempt to increase the resultant antimicrobial activity of 1 and 4, a series of reactions was performed on ent-trachyloban-19-oic acid (1) and xanthorrhizol (4), to obtain derivatives 1a, 1b, and 4a–4d. All the isolated compounds (1–6) and the derivatives 1a, 1b, and 4a–4d were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against two oral pathogens, Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis associated with caries and periodontal disease, respectively. Compounds 1, 1b, 2 + 3, 4 and 4d inhibited the growth of S. mutans with concentrations ranging from 4.1μg/mL to 70.5μg/mL. No significant activity was found on P. gingivalis except for 4 with an MIC of 6.8μg/mL. The ability of 1, 1b, 2 + 3, 4 and 4d to inhibit biofilm formation by S. mutans was evaluated. It was found that 1, 1b, 4 and 4d interfered with the establishment of S. mutans biofilms, inhibiting their development at 32.5, 125.0, 14.1 and 24.4μg/mL, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aim of the study: Casimiroa spp. are Mexican plants traditionally used for treatment of hypertension. To study their antihypertensive action, we determined the arterial dilatation induced by extracts from leaves and seeds of Casimiroa calderoniae F. Chiang & Medrano, Casimiroa edulis Llave et Lex, and Casimiroa pubescens Ramirez. Materials and methods: The vascular effects of Casimiroa spp. extracts were investigated on rat caudal and aortic arteries. In addition, the extracts were characterized by HPLC using heraclenol, isopimpinellin, heraclenin and phellopterin as external standards. The methanolic extract of Casimiroa pubescens seeds (Cp12) was also studied by H-NMR and LC–MS (ESI-TOF) for the determination of casimiroin and zapotin. Results: The hexanic and methanolic extracts of Casimiroa spp. (20μg/ml) showed vasorelaxation in arterial tissues precontracted by phenylephrine (0.5μM); the extracts from seeds always caused a greater relaxation in comparison to those from leaves. The most active were the methanolic seed extracts of Casimiroa edulis (Ce8) and Casimiroa pubescens (Cp12). To study the pharmacological mechanisms of vasodilatation we used various inhibitors selective to different receptor subtypes or intracellular enzymes. The vasorelaxant effect of Ce8 (20μg/ml) remained unaffected by the pretreatment with pyrilamine (10μM), an antagonist of histamine H1 receptors, but was inhibited by atropine (0.1μM), a muscarinic receptor antagonist. Therefore, to determine muscarinic receptor subtypes, we used pirenzepine (1μM), a selective inhibitor of M1 receptor, and 4-diphenylacetoxyl-N-methylpiperidine methiodide (DAMP, 0.01μM), a selective inhibitor of M3 receptor. Only the latter reduced the vasodilatation by Ce8 and Cp12. To investigate the role of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS), we used NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME, 10μM), a selective NOS inhibitor, which decreased the dilatation induced by Ce8 and Cp12. Finally, we studied the action of (1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one) (ODQ, 3μM), a selective guanylyl cyclase inhibitor, which inhibited the dilatation by Casimiroa extracts. Conclusion: The data show that methanolic seed extracts of Casimiroa edulis (Ce8) and Casimiroa pubescens (Cp12) induce vasorelaxation by M3 receptor through the activation of cGMP-dependent NO signaling. These results support the traditional use of Casimiroa decoctions for antihypertensive treatments in the Mexican ethnomedicine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Psacalium decompositum (Gray) H.E. Rob. & Brett (Asteraceae), popularly known as "matarique," is a medicinal plant used in Mexico for the empirical treatment of diabetes mellitus. Previous studies with P. decompositum roots demonstrated that an aqueous fraction containing carbohydrates (WMP-fraction) exhibited a notable hypoglycemic effect in experimental animals. However, studies to identify these carbohydrates have not yet been performed. The goal of this investigation was to isolate and characterize the principal compounds in the WMP-fraction by spectroscopic and spectrometric analysis. Additionally, we sought to evaluate the hypoglycemic effect of these compounds in healthy and alloxan-induced diabetic mice. The results show that the chemical structures of the major compounds in the WMP-fraction correspond with fructan-type oligosaccharides and have a hypoglycemic effect in healthy and diabetic mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Dalbergia congestiflora Pittier tree, known in Mexico as campinceran, is a species from the tropical and mountain deciduous forests of western Mexico. Its heartwood is considered to have great beauty and is highly valued in the international market due to its excellent physical and mechanical properties, and its natural resistance to fungal attack. In the present work, the antifungal effect of various extracts from the D. congestiflora Pittier heartwood were evaluated against the Trametes versicolor fungus. A hexane extract (250 mg l−1) caused 100% growth inhibition, as did a crystalline substance isolated from the same extract (150 mg l−1) characterized as (+)-3-hydroxy-9-methoxypterocarpan or (+)-Medicarpin by MS and NMR spectroscopy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new chromene glycoside, 6-acetyl-2,2-dimethylchromene-8- O-β-D-glucoside, together with four known compounds were isolated from the aerial parts of Tithonia diversifolia. Their structures were established by 1H, 13C NMR, and HMQC together with the other physical and chemical investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The 1H NMR metabolome of mirasol chili peppers infected by Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii is revealed. • The endogenous levels of 42 metabolites were significantly changed in the symptomatic samples. • The levels of ascorbic acid and capsaicionoids were substantially reduced by the phytophatogen. The infection of Capsicum annuum cv. mirasol by Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii (16SrVI) causes devastating crop losses in northern Mexico. This study addresses the metabolomics profiling of mirasol chili peppers (Capsicum annuum cv. mirasol) infected by Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii. For this study, 25 diseased fruits and 25 healthy fruits were used. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) revealed dramatic changes in the content of 42 metabolites which were identified in diseased and healthy mirasol chili peppers. The endogenous levels of fructose, glucose and formic acid were substantially decreased in the diseased chili peppers. In the same group of samples, high concentrations of alanine, asparagine, fumaric acid, sucrose and threonine were observed. The content of Choline didńt present a significant difference. This evidence supports the fact that Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii infection reduces de CO 2 fixation into carbohydrates, decreases invertase activity, and inhibits glycolysis in the diseased plant tissues. The levels of ascorbic acid, capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicinin in diseased fruits were dramatically decreased, suggesting that Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii can reduce the pungency and the nutraceutical value of mirasol chili peppers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chili pepper (Capsicum annuum) is the most important and emblematic condiment in Mexican food. Serrano pepper is a variety of C. annuum that is traditionally cultivated in Mexico and commercialized in local markets. The aim of this study was to describe the 1 H NMR metabolomic profiling of the aqueous phase of serrano peppers harvested from two distinct regions, in the states of Veracruz and Oaxaca, Mexico. According to the current results, aspartate citrate, lactate, leucine and sucrose were found at higher amount in the serrano peppers from Veracruz. On the other hand, acetate, formate, fumarate, malonate, phosphocholine, pyruvate and succinate showed the highest abundance in this product from Oaxaca. These are the main metabolites that distinguish one group from the other. The spectrometric method reported presently is characterized by great simplicity, robustness and reproducibility. Thus, this technique can be used for establishing reliable metabolomic fingerprints of serrano peppers grown under different environmental conditions., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)