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Moringa oleifera is a tree used as a medicinal herb by several populations. Due to their curative and preventive properties, all parts have been studied, especially the leaves. They have been found to act as antithrombotic, antihypertensive, anticancer, immunomodulating, and antioxidant agents. This study was aimed to characterize and evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammation activities of Moringa oleifera leaves protein hydrolysate obtained by in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. The antioxidant activity of these peptides was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), and Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) assays. RAW 264.7 macrophages were stimulated with lipopolysaccharides, and the effect of the peptides over nitric oxide production was measured to assess the anti-inflammatory effect. Furthermore, peptides were identified by nanoscale liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Moringa oleifera leaves peptides (1.33 mg/ml) inhibited DPPH and ABTS radicals by 45.70 and 93.09%, respectively, and had an ORAC activity of 3.27 mM Trolox equivalent/g. They were not cytotoxic to lipopolysaccharides-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages and, at a concentration of 100 μg/ml, inhibited the nitric oxide production by 30.51%. The sequences of 14 novel peptides were identified. Our findings suggest that Moringa oleifera leaves peptides released by in vitro gastrointestinal digestion might be a potential resource for natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components. However, further in vivo experiments are needed.

Phenolic compounds are recognized for their antioxidant capacity and potential hypoglycemic activity. Thus, there is a need to develop more efficient extraction techniques. Phenolic extracts from Lippia graveolens aerial parts using supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) extraction were obtained. We aimed to optimize the temperature and pressure conditions to obtain higher total phenolic content (TPC) from L. graveolens. Furthermore, we evaluated the total flavonoid content, antioxidant capacity, and α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition of the optimized supercritical fluid extract (OSFE). The optimal extraction conditions were 35.9 °C and 244.6 bar, with a TPC of 354 ± 8.6 mg GAE/g extract. The OSFE also showed higher TEAC and ORAC values than a conventional methanolic extract (ME); however the yield of the OSFE was lower than the yield of the ME, 5.9% and 25.9%, respectively. Despite that the ME showed 14 flavonoids and one phenolic acid compared to OSFE with 12 flavonoids and two phenolic acids, OSFE presented higher compounds content; both had α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activity. The use of SC-CO2 is an environment-friendly alternative to obtain extracts rich in phenolic compounds with beneficial bioactivities for human health.

A potential alternative to the use of chemical products with oomyceticidal action for the control of Phytophthora capsici in vegetables is the use of antimicrobial metabolites, biosynthesized in Bacillus species. The objective of this study was to induce the biosynthesis of lipopeptides in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens KX953161.1 by using glutamic acid, iron, cellulose, chitin, or inactive Colletotrichum spp. cells. The in vitro oomyceticidal effect of the bacterial lipopeptides on zoospores of Phytophthora capsici was evaluated. The lipopeptides identified and quantified in the crude extracts by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) were fengycin and surfactin. The bacterial culture with inactive fungal cells yielded the greatest biosynthesis of lipopeptides, at 1847.02± 11.8 and 2563.45± 18.4 μg/ml of fengycin and surfactin, respectively and the treatments that obtained lower production of these lipopeptides, were those to which iron and cellulose were added with 608.05 ± 22.6 and 903.74± 22.1; 563.31± 11.9 and 936.96± 41.1 μg/ml for fengicin and surfactin, respectively. The lipopeptide extracted showed 100% germination inhibition on zoospores of P. capsici, revealing encystment, malformations in the germ tube and cellular degradation. Lipopeptides have the potential to control P. capsici; however, the biosynthesis of these lipopeptides requires further study to determine their biological mode of action and optimize lipopeptide performance and profile.

Background: Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) or physic nut is a potential source for the production of biodiesel as well as its use in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, cosmetic and food industries. Genetic variability is of great importance for future selection of elite plants. Objective: Analyze the genetic diversity of wild Jatropha curcas in Northwest México. Methodology: Young leaves of J. curcas were collected in three different ecotypes in Northern of Sinaloa (El Quelite, Estación Dimas and La Campana). Their diversity was analyzed with 5 primers ISSRs. Results: The ISSR analysis of 27 J. curcas accessions showed an expected heterozygosity (He) and observed heterozygosity (Ho) elevated among in La Campana (He 0.7524, Ho 0.644), Estación Dimas (He 0.7092, Ho 0.5106) and El Quelite (He 0.7956, Ho 0.6660). Implications: The analysis of the genetic variability of wild Jatropha curcas from Sinaloa contributes to be the bases for possible selection of genetic material. Conclusions: The ISSR analysis showed that there is genetic diversity in the wild germplasm of the different regions of Sinaloa, this is important in the selection of plants and the establishment of potential crops for the production of biodiesel, as well as the possibility of improving and identifying new varieties.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most deadly and the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world. CRC treatment is mainly based on surgery, chemotherapy, and even though the probability of complications after surgery is very low, chemo drugs affect the patient's quality of life. Multiple studies have shown a strong correlation between diet and the onset and progression of CRC. Thus, the consumption of dietary nutraceuticals for its treatment and prevention has been suggested as a promising option. Peptides have increasingly become of interest in human health due to their antioxidant, antihypertensive, and anticancer potential. In recent years, there have been extensive reports on peptides with anti-tumor activity, and some studies suggest that peptides modulate cell proliferation, evasion of cell death, and metastasis in malignant cells. Plant-derived peptides such as soybean, bean, and rice have received main attention. In this review, we show evidence of several mechanisms through which bioactive peptides exert anti-tumor activity over in vitro and in vivo CRC models. We also report the current status of major production techniques, as well as limitations and future perspectives. Graphical Abstract.

Oregano phenolic compounds have been studied for their anti-inflammatory properties. Nonetheless, after ingestion, the gastrointestinal environment can affect their antioxidant stability and thus their bioactive properties. To evaluate the effect of in vitro gastrointestinal (GI) digestion on the phenolic compounds of 3 species of oregano (Hedeoma patens, Lippia graveolens, and Lippia palmeri), the total reducing capacity, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant capacity were evaluated before and after in vitro GI digestion. In addition, the phenolic compounds of the 3 oregano species were identified and quantified by UPLC-PDA before and after in vitro GI digestion. It was shown that the reducing capacity, flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity were affected by the GI digestion process. Moreover, the phenolic compounds identified were apigenin-7-glucoside, scutellarein, luteolin, luteolin-7-glucoside, phloridzin and chlorogenic acid, and their levels were affected by the in vitro GI process. Our results showed that the phenolic compounds from these 3 species of oregano are affected by the in vitro digestion process, and this effect is largely attributable to pH changes. These changes can modify the bioavailability and further anti-inflammatory activity of oregano phenolics, and thus, further research is needed. Practical Application Oregano is a rich source of polyphenols that have shown bioactive properties like anti-inflammatory potential. However, little is known of the gastrointestinal fate of oregano polyphenols which is imperative to fully understand its bioaccessibility. Our results are important to develop new administration strategies which could help protect the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential and bioaccessibility of such compounds.

Lippia alba essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation (HD) and supercritical fluid (SFE) extraction methods. These were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-flame ionization detector (GC-FID-MS). Antioxidant activity was tested by DPPH and ABTS methods, and total soluble phenolics (TSP) were also determined. While in the SFE extract 14 compounds were identified (mostly: myrcenone 3.4%, α-terpineol 1.0% and β-caryophyllene 2.3%), in the HD extract 17 compounds were identified (mostly: eucalyptol 15.6%, myrcenone 9.3% and Z-ocimenone 5.8%). The results showed that L. alba essential oils obtained by SFE was IC50=17.35 mg/mL and by HD was IC50 = 12.45 mg/mL in DPPH assay. L. alba has an excellent eucalyptol content. Key words: Antioxidants, bioactive compounds, supercritical fluid, green technologies.

Jatropha platyphylla is a species of the Euphorbiaceae family with kernels rich in oil and protein with no toxicity. The aim of this study was to analyze the morphological variability and oil content of J. platyphylla in tropical deciduous forests of Mexico to determine the characteristics and establish domestication strategies. Principal component and cluster analyses were performed with 11 traits: plant height, stem diameter, canopy spread, number of branches, total fruit production, dry fruit weight, seed weight, seed diameter, kernel weight, shell weight and oil content. Significant differences were found in eight of the traits. Grid maps of the distribution pattern, total fruit production and oil percentage were generated. In principal components analysis the three components explained 70.2% of the variance in the data and showed that the traits that contributed most to the variance were the morphological characteristics of seeds. In the cluster analysis, seven clusters were obtained, of which three clusters grouped the germplasms with the highest oil percentages. The variations in oil content and morphological variables suggested opportunities for viable selection in domestication and genetic improvement programs, considering that J. platyphylla is a wild species. Exploring adapted varieties and producing interspecies hybrids can create added value to these little explored species.

Background: Mexican damiana (Turnera diffusa Willd. Ex. Schult), specifically damiana of California has a high demand in the international market for its popularity as aphrodisiac, but its marketing has been affected by the adulteration of its products due to a lack of authentication mechanisms and limited information on the differences between the two currently known varieties. The aim of this study was to establish a leaf standard monograph with scientific bases of the varieties aphrodisiaca and diffusa of Turnera diffusa Willd. Ex. Schult, cultivated at the same agronomic and environmental conditions.Material and Methods: Damiana leaves were collected from a cultivar located in the municipality of Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico in 2016. The pharmacognostic studies were carried out in terms of macroscopic and both optical and electronic microscopic characteristics of leaves of the two varieties for their distinction.Results: The leaves of diffusa variety were twice as large as those of the aphrodisiaca variety, whereas papillose glandular trichomes were observed with greater density in the aphrodisiaca variety than those on diffusa leaves where unicellular trichomes were the ones observed in greater density. The leaves of both varieties are dorsiventral and hypostomatic with paracytic stomata.Conclusion: The obtained qualitative and quantitative leaf standards provide reference information for the proper identification and monograph preparation of the aphrodisiaca and diffusa varieties of Turnera diffusa. Pharmacognostic characteristics such as the type of stomata, trichomes, and leaf identify the species, whereas characteristics as leaf size and trichome density differ between varieties.Keywords: Turnera diffusa, var. diffusa, var. aphrodisiaca, medicinal plant, trichomes, microscopy.

Three wild populations of Jatropha curcas in the central and southern parts of Sinaloa were studied; Estacion Dimas, La Campana, and El Quelite. The objectives were to characterize plants and seeds morphologically to assess the relationship between morphological traits and environmental factors and the potential distribution of the species considering environmental factors from the study sites. All individuals/m2 and number of branches were counted, and height, diameter of cup, and basal diameter were measured. The number of seeds per kilogram was obtained, as well as color, weight, and seed length and width. Plant height ranged from 2.25 to 4.59 m; the crown diameter from 2.24 to 4.48 m; basal diameter from 18.75 to 24.81 cm; and branch number 2 to 4. No significant differences were found in morphological characteristics between plants from Estacion Dimas and El Quelite but those from La Campana were significantly smaller. Plant height was favored in sites with lower temperature, altitude, and wind speed, and with higher precipitation and relative humidity. Seed length ranged from 7.41 to 7.9 mm and seed width from 15.1 to 15.9 mm. Seed moisture ranged from 3.57 to 4.21%. The seed color ranged from 60.80 to 65.54° Hue. The highest tree density was found in Estacion Dimas (21 ind/ha), but agricultural practices threatens the vegetation in this site. The species has a high potential for distribution in the southern and central parts of the state. Germplasm from the studied populations may be useful for plans and management for species conservation; they also constitute an alternative to the establishment of crops in the state of Sinaloa with typical species of the region and possibly other regions of the country. Moreover, it was observed that the species has a high potential for distribution in the state mainly in the municipalities of Sinaloa de Leyva, Guasave, Guamuchil, Culiacan, Elota, San Ignacio, Mazatlan, Villa Union, Concordia, and Escuinapa.

Seventeen polyphenols (e.g, apigenin, genistein, and luteolin glycosides) and 11 lipophilic compounds (e.g., fatty acids, sterols, and terpenes) were detected by LC-MS/MS-ESI and GC-MS, respectively, in Jatropha platyphylla. Extracts from pulp, kernel, and leaves and fractions were studied to know their effect on some pro-inflammatory mediators. Phenolic and lipophilic extracts showed significant inhibitory effects on ROS and NO production while not affecting mitochondrial activity or superoxide generation rate in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. In addition, NO production was also diminished by lipophilic leaf fractions F1 and F2 with the latter fraction showing a greater effect and composed mainly of sterols and terpene. Furthermore, total extracts showed nonselective inhibitions against cyclooxygenase COX-1 and COX-2 activities. All together, these results suggest that J. platyphylla extracts have potential in treating inflammatory diseases and their activity is mediated by flavonoids and lipophilic compounds.