Modulation of Secondary Metabolites among Mexican Medicinal Plants by Using Elicitors and Biotechnology Techniques

Medicinal plants are being utilized as raw material and the use has increased in recent decades due that these biosynthesize compounds with several pharmacological activities. Some plant species with biological potential are of interest to the industry for preparation of drugs, phytodrugs, or food supplements. This causes overexploitation and deforestation, which endangers plant species-of-interest. In recent years, alternatives have been sought to eradicate this problem. A solution that was give and is maintained is plant biotechnology, which favors the production of active Secondary Metabolites (SMt). Plant biotechnology allows us to increase the yield of a compound-of-interest, reduces its production times and costs, and allows constant and controlled production of the raw material, and while aiding in the protection of medicinal plants that are found in danger of extinction. In the scientific literature, procuring the SMt by means of biotechnological processes is described, highlighting the study of four species from Mexican traditional medicine (Lopezia racemosa, Galphimia glauca, Cnidoscolus chayamansa, Sphaeralceae angustifolia and Buddleja cordata), and the main biological activities are as follows: anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotector, neuroprotector, anxiolytic, antitumoral, antibacterial, and antioxidant, among others.

Evaluation of the Phytochemical and Nutritional Profiles of Cnidoscolus chayamansa (Mc Vaugh) Leaf Collected in Jos, North Central, Nigeria

Background: Plants could either be ornamental, medicinal, as well as nutritional, hence there has been a high level of reliance on plants as a whole by both man and animals for survival. Aim of the Study: This study aimed to evaluate the Phytochemical contents and Nutritional Profiles of Cnidoscolus chayamansa Leaf Collected in Jos, North Central, Nigeria. Study Duration: This study was conducted on 30th June, 2019 at the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Nigeria. Methodology: The proximate and phytochemical compositions were investigated in accordance with standard procedures. Mineral concentrations were determined by using flame photometer, atomic absorption spectrophotometer, calorimetry. Crude protein content was determined by Kjeldahl method and amino acid profile were analyzed using Technicon sequential Multi-Sample Amino Acid Analyzer (TSM). Results: The preliminary qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloid, flavonoids, tanins, saponins, terpenes and steroids, balsam and phenol with the absence of cardiac glycosides, and resin. The proximate analysis showed high carbohydrate (27.48±0.02), crude fibre (25.18±0.02) and protein (18.63±0.01), moderate concentration of moisture content (12.62±0.00) and ashes content (11.68±0.01), low concentration of crude lipid (4.40±0.01). The minerals detected were calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron, manganese, cobalt, sulphur, aluminium, zinc, molybdenum, and Phosphorus. Seventeen amino acids were analysed; nine essential amino acids namely; Leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, trptophane, valine, threonine, arginine, methionine and histidine and Eight non-essential amino acids namely; proline, tyrosine, cysteine, alanine, glutamate, gycine, serine and aspartic. Glutamic and leucine acids were found in higher concentration as 10.14+ 0.016 and 8.99+ 0.000 respectively. Conclusion: This investigation shows that Cnidoscolus chayamansa leaf from Jos, Nigeria contains high medicinal and nutritional compositions which could be exploited for the treatment of diseases as well as nutritional supplements.

Use of Chaya (Cnidoscolous chayamansa) Leaves for Nutritional Compounds Production for Human Consumption

Chaya (Cnidoscolus chayamansa) is an edible leafy vegetable consumed in the southeast region of México and Central America; it is mainly appreciated for its protein content and bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols. In this work, chaya leaves were nutritionally characterized and used for the production of protein concentrates. The nutritional quality (amino acids, protein efficiency, and bioavailability) and structure by SDS-PAGE, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) of protein were analyzed. Additionally, the amount of some polyphenolic compounds were identified by LC-MS/MS. Electrophoretic bands from RuBisCO protein subunits at 10 kDa and 50 kDa were observed. FTIR identified the typical protein footprint of secondary structure and DSC measurements showed a denaturation temperature ~57 °C. Protein concentrates with a purity of 63.52 ± 0.69 % showed higher bioavailability than the control diet, and the essential amino acids met the FAO requirements without limiting amino acids. From the total polyphenol content, 14.8 % corresponded to anthocyanidins, 61.0 % hydroxycinnamic acids, 6.9 % hydroxybenzoic acids, and 17.2 % flavonols. Chaya leaves are a potential low-cost underutilized alternative source for the production of nutritional compounds for functional food product development for human nutrition. Resumen. La chaya (Cnidoscolus chayamansa), es una hoja comestible que se consume en las regiones del sureste de México y Centroamérica, es apreciada principalmente por su contenido de proteínas y compuestos bioactivos, tales como los polifenoles. En este trabajo, las hojas de chaya fueron caracterizadas nutricionalmente y utilizadas para la producción de concentrados proteicos. Se estudió la calidad nutrimental de la proteína (aminoácidos, eficiencia proteica y biodisponibilidad) y algunas características estructurales mediante técnicas analíticas como SDS-gel electroforesis, espectroscopía de infrarrojo por la transformada de Fourier (FTIR) y calorimetría diferencial de barrido (DSC). Asimismo, se determinó la cantidad total de polifenoles y se identificó el perfil de polifenoles mediante LC-MS/MS. Se observaron las bandas electroforéticas correspondientes a las subunidades de la proteína RuBisCO a 10 kDa y 50 kDa. En el FTIR se identificó el espectro típico de la estructura secundaria de la proteína y DSC mostró una temperatura de desnaturalización ~57 °C. Los concentrados de proteína con pureza ~63.52 ± 0.69 % mostraron mayor biodisponibilidad que el control y la cantidad de aminoácidos esenciales cumplieron con los requerimientos de la FAO sin aminoácidos limitantes. Del total del contenido de polifenoles, 14.8 % correspondieron a las antocianidinas, 61.0 % a ácidos hidroxicinámicos, 6.9 % a ácidos hidroxibenzoicos y 17.2 % a flavonoles. Las hojas de chaya pueden ser una fuente potencial alternativa para la producción de compuestos nutrimentales para el desarrollo de productos alimentarios funcionales para la nutrición humana.

Anti-Anaemic Effect of Cnidoscolus chayamansa (Mc Vaugh) Leaf Extract on Phenyl Hydrazine-Treated Rats

Background: Anaemia is one of the world's threatening disease conditions of blood disorder that leads to the decrease in red blood cells which affects people of all ages. Aim of the Study: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Cnidoscolus chayamansa leaf extract on phenylhydrazine hydrochloride induced anaemia in albino rats. Study Duration: This study was conducted on 30th June 2019 at the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Nigeria. Methodology: A total of 16 rats were split into four groups. Group A the baseline for negative control, group B positive control, group C pre-treatment and group D post-treatment. Induction was done by intraperitoneal with phenylhydrazine at a dose of 40 mg/kg. Blood was taken for each 2 days interval for PCV, RBC, WBC and Hb. Preliminary phytochemical screening was investigated by standard procedures. Results: The results show a significant (P<0.05) increase in serum PCV, RBC, WBC and Hb concentration when compared with the untreated group. Decrease in serum alanine aminotransferase (15.46±4.443 & 7.80±0.429), aspartate aminotransferase (20.89±1.095 & 11.66±0.898), total bilirubin (13.70±0.351 & 10.45±0.620), direct bilirubin (7.49±0.659 & 3.76±0.042) and alkaline phosphatase (254.25±2.287 & 192.00±1.474) and a significant (P<0.05) increase in serum protein and albumin when compared with untreated group. Iron binding shows a significantly (P<0.05) increase (153.49±0.530 & 166.09±1.334) and (85.16±0.824 &98.43±0.562) while there was a significant (p<0.05) decrease in serum Urea (2.39±0.027&4.70±0.047), Creatinine (68.38±0.404&75.01±0.891), and Uric acid (234.92±2.761&246.52±1.136) when compared with the baselines. Conclusion: The positive effect of the vegetable may be attributed to its rich phytochemicals, nutrients which supports the use of the leaves for food and ethnomedicinal purposes in many parts of Nigeria.

The Potential of Cnidoscolus chayamansa Alchoholic Leaves Extract as Hypolipidemia Agent

Cardiovascular disease caused by hyperlipidemia is the highest case in term of fatality of non-infectious disease in Indonesia. Cnidoscolus chayamansa is well known as a herb that has nutraceutical potential for medicine and likely as a hypolipidemia agent. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the optimal dose of C. chayamansa as a candidate to treat cardiovascular diseases. A total of 30 white rats were acclimatized in the laboratory for 14 days. After that, the rats were grouped into six groups, randomly, which including a healthy control group (K0), a negative control group or hyperlipidemic rats (K-), a positive control group or hyperlipidemia-induced rats that was supplemented with atorvastatin (K+), then a hyperlipidemic rats treated with alcoholic extract of C. chayamansa leaves at doses of 100 mg /kgBB /day for K1, 200 mg/ kgBB/ day for K2 and 400 mg/ KgBB/ day for K3. The results showed that K3 treatment is the most effective and optimum dose for lowering total cholesterol level at 76.81±1.10 mg/dl, triglycerides 72.39±1.66 mg/dl and LDL-C at 21.47±0.58 mg/dl. The aortic histology assessment also showed that the K- group had putative thrombus or plaque in intima, and it was not found in other groups. This research focused on the optimum dose and new usage of C. chayamansa, as an anti-inflammatory in atherosclerosis. By understanding the optimum dose of C. chayamansa, the community can apply and control the herb consumption for their own therapeutic properties. For future application, the herb is potentially developed as anti-atherogenic medicine.

KARAKTERISASI NILAI GIZI DAUN CHAYA (Cnidoscolus chayamansa ) SEBAGAI SAYURAN HIJAU YANG MUDAH DIBUDIDAYAKAN

Tanaman chaya merupakan tanaman yang mulai dibudidayakan secara luas, mudah dan banyak digunakan sebagai makanan maupun obat. Stek tanaman ini diintroduksi ke Indonesia melalui program internasional Educational Concern for Hunger Organization, untuk meningkatkan gizi keluarga terutama di negara berkembang. Beberapa referensi menyatakan bahwa daun chaya mengandung zat gizi dan senyawa fungsional untuk kesehatan. Data ilmiah daun chaya di Indonesia masih sangat terbatas sehingga pengembangan dan aplikasi daun chaya ke depan akan sulit. Kondisi suatu bahan pangan, proses pengolahan, dan daerah asal tumbuh tanaman dapat mempengaruhi karakteristik produk. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengetahui karakteristik nilai gizi daun chaya segar dibandingkan daun chaya setelah diolah. Penelitian ini termasuk metode eksperimental dengan Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL). Faktor perlakuan yaitu : kondisi daun (daun mentah, daun yang direbus, daun yang dikukus). Variabel pengamatan meliputi kadar air, kadar abu, kadar protein total, kadar serat kasar, kadar lemak dan kadar karbohidrat (by difference), kadar Ca, kadar Fe, kadar total fenolik, kadar total flavonoid, kadar HCN, kapasitas antioksidan dan sifat fisik. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa daun chaya mengandung senyawa gizi yang kompleks baik gizi makro maupun mikro. Proses perebusan dan pengukusan secara umum dapat menurunkan nilai gizi daun chaya akibat proses leaching, deforming maupun releasing.

Contenido de oligoelementos y factores antinutricionales de hojas comestibles nativas de Mesoamérica

Los oligoelementos son importantes constituyentes nutricionales de las hierbas comestibles. Se colectaron 11 especies, nueve nativas (Amaranthus hybridus, Cnidoscolus chayamansa, Crotalaria longirostrata, Dysphania ambrosioides, Lycianthes synanthera, Sechium edule, Solanum americanum, S. nigrescens, S. wendlandii) y dos extranjeras (Moringa oleifera, Spinacea oleracea) en dos regiones de Guatemala. Se prepararon muestras de la hierba seca, cocida y de caldo de hierba fresca. Se cuantificaron por espectrofotometría de absorción atómica los macro (N, P, K) y oligoelementos (Ca, Mg, Na, Cu, Zn, Mn), taninos por espectrofotometría y oxalatos por permanganimetría. El contenido de oligoelementos es diverso, para Zn, la hierba control S. oleracea contienen buena cantidad (90-140 ppm); de las nativas D. ambrosioides (130-160 ppm) y A. hybridus (70-80 ppm) tienen la mayor cantidad. Respecto a Fe las hierbas control tienen buena composición (S. oleracea, 220-280 ppm y M. oleifera, 105-135 ppm); de las nativas A. hybridus (90-240 ppm), C. aconitifolius (75-185 ppm) y L. synanthera (75-140 ppm) tienen las mayores concentraciones. Se encontraron niveles elevados de oxalatos en S. oleracea (67.30 (5.51) mg/g), L. synanthera (56.30 (9.67) mg/g) y S. nigrescens (33.6 (5.48) mg/g); en las demás hierbas se encontraron niveles menores. Los niveles de taninos fueron bajos (0.1-0.8 mg/g) para todas las especies. Se demuestra que cuatro especies nativas tienen un buen contenido de oligoelementos y presentan valores menores de antinutricionales que los controles