Phenolic profile of Cynara scolymus L. and Silybum marianum(L.) Gaertn and related antimicrobial properties

Cynara scolymus L. (artichoke) and Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn (milk thistle), belonging to the Asteraceae family, are medicinal plants vo.ith well-reported antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects. Widely consumed as infusions, these plants can also be found in several formulations to allow an easier consumption. The bioactivity of infusions, pills, and syrups based on artichoke and milk thistle was previously reported by our research group [1 ,2] and among the various phytochemicals present in these dietary supplements, phenolic compounds are pointed out as the most responsible for their beneficial properties. With the aim of studying the antimicrobial activity and possible relation vo.ith the phenolic composition, two different formulations of each plant were assessed (pills and syrups). The phenolic profiles were obtained by HPLC-DAD-ESIIMS, and the antimicrobial activity was performed with clinical isolates from hospitalized patients, namely Escherichia coli, Escherichia coli spectrum extended producer of P-lactarnases (ESBL), Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Vanillic acid (5.58 J.tg/g) and luteolin-7-0-glucoside (2.2 J.tg/g) were the most abundant compounds in artichoke syrup, that did not reveal antimicrobial activity against the studied strains, which could be due to their low concentrations. On the other hand, artichoke pills presented a prevalence of 5-0-caffeoylquinic (28.2 J.tg/g), 1,3-dicaffeoylquinic (24 J.tg/g), and 4-0-Caffeoylquinic acids (13.3 J.tg/g); revealing the capacity to inhibit MRSA vo.ith a MIC value of 1.9 mg!g. Regarding milk thistle, isorhamnetin-0-deoxyhexoside-0-hexoside, isorhamnetin-3-0-rutinoside, and isorhamnetin-0-deoxyhexoside-0-dihexoside were the major compounds detected in the syrup, in concentrations of 7.26, 5. 75, and 3.64 J.tg/g, respectively. This formulation proved to be able to inhibit the growth of E. coli, ESBL, MRSA and P. aeruginosa, with MIC values ranging from 0.2 to 1.3 mg!mL. Hydroxylated silibinin (1.565 J.!g/g) was the major flavonoid found in the pills, that revealed antimicrobial activity against ESBL, with a MIC value of 15 mg!mL, but did not inhibit the growth of the remaining bacteria None of the studied samples was able to inhibit P. mirabilis at the studied concentrations (1000 and 26.4 mg!mL for the syrups of artichoke and milk thistle, respectively; 150 mg/mL for both pills). Overall, the studied syrups and pills of artichoke and milk thistle revealed to be a good source of phenolic compounds, with some of these formulations revealing antimicrobial activity.

Phenolic profile and antimicrobial activity of dietary supplements based on Cochlospermum angolensis Welw.

Cochlospermum angolensis Welw. (borututu) is a widespread tree in Angola that belongs to the Cochlospermaceae family. Its bark infusion is used in the traditional medicine of Angola for the treatment of jaundice, hepatic diseases and for the prophylaxis of malaria [1]. In the present work, three formulations based on this plant (infusion, pills, and syrup) were characterized by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS regarding phenolic composition, and evaluated by their in vitro antimicrobial activity against isolates of multiresistant bacteria (Escherichia coli, Escherichia coli spectrum extended producer of β-lactamases (ESBL), Proteus mirabilis, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The infusion and pills revealed the highest variety of phenolic compounds, with eleven compounds identified. Protocatechuic acid was only present in infusions, being the most abundant compound, while (epi)gallocatechin-O-gallate and eucaglobulin/globulusin were the main molecules identified in pills and syrup, respectively. Methyl ellagic acids, eucaglobulin/globulusin B (Fig. 1) and (epi)gallocatechin-O-gallate were found in all the formulations. The infusion revealed antimicrobial activity against all the studied bacteria with the exception of P. mirabilis whereas the pills revealed activity in E. coli ESBL and MRSA. No significant antimicrobial activity was detected in the syrup, in agreement with its low concentrations of phenolic compounds. None of the tested formulations inhibited P. mirabilis. Considering the obtained results, C. angolensis infusion can be considered a good source of phenolic compounds as well as a good antimicrobial agent.

Clinical Signs and Symptoms and Laboratory Findings of Methadone Poisoning in Children

Background: Poisoning accounts for about 7% of all accidents in children under 5 years and is implicated in over 5% of all childhood deaths in developing countries. Objectives: Due to the potential risks of methadone poisoning in children and increased cases of methadone poisoning among Iranian children, this study was conducted to investigate the clinical signs and symptoms and laboratory findings of methadone toxicity in children. Patients and Methods: The present retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study describes the clinical symptoms and signs and laboratory findings of methadone poisoning in children under 12 years old in Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Kashan, during the years 2009 to 2013. Results: Of 58 patients, 33 (56.9%) were male and 25 (43.1%) female (P = 0.294). The mean age of patients was 5.2 ± 1.0 years. All the cases of poisoning happened with methadone syrup, due to unsafe keeping of methadone in mineral water bottles and containers of other drugs. Signs and symptoms included drowsiness (91.4 %), miosis (75.9%), vomiting (69.0%), ineffective breathing (any kind of breathing problem except apnea) (62.1%), apnea (53.4%), cyanosis (43.1%), seizure (8.6%), ataxia (6.9%) and delirium (3.4%). Conclusions: Keeping methadone in appropriate containers and warning methadone consumers about the dangerous side effects of its consumption and the symptoms of methadone poisoning in children may minimize the occurrence of this form of poisoning and its complications in children.

Elaboración de confitería a base de chocolate con edulcorantes no calóricos

En este trabajo de titulación se detallan los aspectos más relevantes relacionados a la investigación, formulación y elaboración de uno de los placeres más agradables en la vida cotidiana de cualquier persona como lo es el chocolate. Cada uno de los chocolates realizados tiene como particularidad el estar endulzado con edulcorantes no calóricos como: stevia, sucralosa y jarabe de yacón, disminuyendo así el contenido de calorías presentes en los mismos. Entre los tres chocolates elaborados, la mejor formulación fue seleccionada mediante una prueba de cata resultando ganador el chocolate endulzado con jarabe de yacón, debido a que posee las mejores características sensoriales resaltando principalmente el dulzor y el sabor. Para comprobar que la mejor formulación cumple con los estándares de calidad de las normas INEN de chocolates se realizó un análisis físico-químico y se corroboraron estos resultados con un laboratorio certificado por parte del Servicio de Acreditación Ecuatoriano (SAE). Los resultados obtenidos determinaron que el porcentaje de grasa es menor a los chocolates existentes en el mercado. Además se realizaron pruebas de dureza para analizar las propiedades de textura presentes en el chocolate. Destacando que el chocolate endulzado con jarabe de yacón puede ser consumido por personas diabéticas y no diabéticas, al no tener en su formulación sacarosa como endulzante principal.

Oral Zinc Sulfate as Adjuvant Treatment in Children With Nephrolithiasis: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Background: Nephrolithiasis in children is associated with a high rate of complications and recurrence. Objectives:Since some evidences reported that zinc has an important place amongst inhibitors of crystallization and crystal growth, we decided to assess the effectiveness of oral zinc sulfate as adjuvant treatment in children with nephrolithiasis. Patients and Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. 102 children in the age range 1 month to 11 years with first nephrolithiasis were recruited. Patients were randomly divided into two equal groups (intervention and control groups). Intervention group received conservative measures for stones and 1 mg/kg/day (maximum 20 mg/day) oral zinc sulfate syrup for 3 months. Control group received placebo in addition to conservative measures, also for 3 months. Patients were followed up by ultrasonography for 9 months, in 5 steps (at the end of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 9th month after treatment) assessing size and number of stones in the kidneys. Results: Only at the end of the first month, the average number (intervention: 1.15 ± 3.78, control: 1.3 ± 2.84) (P = 0.001) and size (cm) (intervention: 0.51 ± 1.76, control: 0.62 ± 1.39) (P = 0.001) of stones was significantly lower in the intervention group, and in other points there was no significant therapeutic efficacy in oral zinc adjuvant treatment compared to conservative treatment alone. Also, during the 9-month follow-up, the number and size of stones in both groups decreased significantly (both: P < 0.0001) in a way that the decrease in the intervention group showed no difference with the control group. Conclusions: Adjuvant treatment with zinc is not more effective than consecutive treatment in children with nephrolithiasis. However, further studies are recommended due to the lack of clinical evidence in this field.

The sensory features of packaging and its effects on product perception

The present study shows the influence of tactile contacts with packaging on product taste. A within-subject experiment 1 (product: grenadine syrup) x 3 (packaging’s material: plastic, aluminium, glass) was conducted. Moreover, we examine the role of the Need For Touch (NFT) as a moderator. We confirmed that the same product tasted three times by each participant is judged differently depending on the packaging. Furthermore, participants with a high NFT seem to be more influenced by sensory features of packaging than those with a low NFT. These results support previous researches about tactile effects on taste.

Prevalencia y factores asociados al consumo de bebidas azucaradas en escolares de 9 a 17 años de Bogotá, Colombia: Estudio FUPRECOL

Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia y los factores asociados al consumo de bebidas azucaradas en una población escolar de Bogotá, Colombia, pertenecientes al estudio FUPRECOL. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo y transversal, realizado en 8136 niños y adolescentes en edad escolar entre 9 y 17 años de Bogotá, Colombia. El peso, la estatura, el índice de masa corporal (IMC), la circunferencia de cintura y el porcentaje de grasa, se recogieron como marcadores antropométricos y de composición corporal. El consumo de bebidas azucaradas (bebidas carbonatadas, jugos ultra-procesados y/o Té), y los factores asociados (sexo, edad, obesidad abdominal, clasificación del IMC, grado de estudios de la madre/padre, y nivel nutricional por cuestionario “Krece plus”), se recogieron por encuesta estructurada. Se establecieron asociaciones mediante la construcción de modelos de regresión logística simple. Resultados: De la población general, el 58,4% eran mujeres. En función al sexo, los varones acusaron la mayor ingesta de “bebidas carbonatadas” con una frecuencia semanal y diaria de 70,9% y 21,0%, respectivamente, seguido de “jugos ultra- procesados” (64,4% semanal vs. 11,3% diario). En ambos sexos, la prevalencia de obesidad abdominal fue mayor en los escolares que respondieron consumir diariamente “bebidas carbonatadas” (23,3%), “jugos ultra-procesados” (13,2%) y “bebidas Té” (9,7%). La edad, el grado de educación de los padres y el nivel nutricional, se asociaron como factores predisponentes al consumo diario de “bebidas carbonatadas”. Conclusión: El consumo de bebidas azucaradas cambia por los factores analizados. Se recomiendan intervenciones integrales en las que estén involucrados los componentes nutricional y educativo entre los niños y adolescentes de Bogotá, Colombia.