Central nervous system effects and chemical composition of two subspecies of Agastache mexicana; an ethnomedicine of Mexico

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Agastache mexicana subspecies mexicana (Amm) and xolocotziana (Amx) are used in Mexican traditional medicine to relief cultural affiliation syndromes known as “susto” or “espanto”, for “nervous” condition, and as a sleep aid. Despite its intensive use, neuropharmacological studies are scarce, and the chemical composition of the aqueous extracts has not been described. Aims of the study are: (1) To analyze the chemical composition of aqueous extracts from aerial parts of Amm and Amx. (2) To evaluate the anxiolytic-like, sedative, antidepressant-like effects. (3) Analyze the general toxic effects of different doses.

Materials and methods

Anxiolytic-like and sedative effects were measured in the avoidance exploratory behavior, burying behavior and the hole-board tests. The antidepressant-like actions were studied in the forced swimming and tail suspension tests. Finally, general activity and motor coordination disturbances were evaluated in the open field, inverted screen and rota-rod tests. The acute toxicity of Amm and Amx was determined by calculating their LD₅₀ (mean lethal dose). The chemical analyses were performed employing chromatographic, photometric and HPLC–ESI-MS techniques.

Results

Low doses of Amm and Amx (0.1σ1.0 mg/kg) induced anxiolytic-like actions; while higher doses (over 10 mg/kg) induced sedation and reduced the locomotor activity, exerting a general inhibition in the central nervous system (CNS).

Conclusions

Results support the use of Amm and Amx in traditional medicine as tranquilizers and sleep inducers. Additionally, this paper contributes to the knowledge of the chemical composition of the aqueous extracts of these plants.     

Resilience and related factors during female Ecuadorian mid-life

Background

Studies reporting on resilience (capacity to overcome life adversity) and the menopausal transition are scarce.

Objective

To assess resilience and related factors in mid-aged Ecuadorian women.

Method

This was a cross sectional study in which 904 women aged 40–59 completed the 14-item Wagnild and Young Resilience Scale (WYRS) and a general socio-demographic questionnaire containing personal and partner data. Lower total WYRS scores indicate less resilience. Internal consistency of the tool was also assessed.

Results

Median age of all surveyed women was 49 years. A 51.1% were postmenopausal, 43.8% lived high altitude, 43.5% were abdominally obese, 12.6% used hormone therapy and 80.8% had a partner. Internal consistency was high for the WYRS tool (Cronbach's alpha: 0.94). Multiple linear regression analysis determined that lower total WYRS scores (less resilience) correlated with high altitude residency, more severe hot flushes, sedentarism, higher abdominal circumferences and having a partner with erectile dysfunction. Contrary to this, higher WYRS scores correlated with higher parity and sexual activity.

Conclusion

As assessed with the WYRS tool, lower resilience of this mid-aged Ecuadorian female sample was related to various female and partner lifestyle and health issues, not necessarily related per se to the ageing process. More research using the tool is warranted.     

Targeting the tick protective antigen subolesin reduces vector infestations and pathogen infection by Anaplasma marginale and Babesia bigemina

The ultimate goal of vector vaccines is the control of vector infestations while reducing pathogen infection and transmission to protect against the many diseases caused by vector-borne pathogens. Previously (Vaccine 2011;29:2248-2254), we demonstrated that subolesin vaccination and release of tick larvae after subolesin knockdown by RNA interference (RNAi) were effective for the control of cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus infestations in cattle. In this study, we used the fact that these animals were naturally infected with Anaplasma marginale and Babesia bigemina to evaluate the effect of subolesin vaccination and gene knockdown on tick infection by these cattle tick-transmitted pathogens. Ticks fed on vaccinated cattle had lower subolesin mRNA levels when compared to controls, resembling RNAi results. A. marginale and B. bigemina infection was determined by PCR and decreased by 98% and 99%, respectively in ticks fed on vaccinated cattle and by 97% and 99%, respectively after subolesin knockdown. These results demonstrated that targeting subolesin expression by vaccination or RNAi results in lower subolesin mRNA and pathogen infection levels, probably due to the effect of subolesin downregulation on tick feeding, gene expression and gut and salivary glands tissue development and function. These results suggested that subolesin vaccines could be used for the dual control of tick infestations and pathogen infection, a result that could be relevant for other vectors and vector-borne pathogens.     

Genome-wide association analysis of dementia and its clinical endophenotypes reveal novel loci associated with Alzheimer's disease and three causality networks: The GR@ACE project

IntroductionLarge variability among Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases might impact genetic discoveries and complicate dissection of underlying biological pathways.MethodsGenome Research at Fundacio ACE ([email protected]) is a genome-wide study of dementia and its clinical endophenotypes, defined based on AD's clinical certainty and vascular burden. We assessed the impact of known AD loci across endophenotypes to generate loci categories. We incorporated gene coexpression data and conducted pathway analysis per category. Finally, to evaluate the effect of heterogeneity in genetic studies, [email protected] series were meta-analyzed with additional genome-wide association study data sets.ResultsWe classified known AD loci into three categories, which might reflect the disease clinical heterogeneity. Vascular processes were only detected as a causal mechanism in probable AD. The meta-analysis strategy revealed the ANKRD31-rs4704171 and NDUFAF6-rs10098778 and confirmed SCIMP-rs7225151 and CD33-rs3865444.DiscussionThe regulation of vasculature is a prominent causal component of probable AD. [email protected] meta-analysis revealed novel AD genetic signals, strongly driven by the presence of clinical heterogeneity in the AD series.     

Post-viral atopic airway disease: pathogenesis and potential avenues for intervention

Introduction: In early childhood, wheezing due to lower respiratory tract illness is often associated with infection by commonly known respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human rhinovirus (RV). How respiratory viral infections lead to wheeze and/or asthma is an area of active research.

Areas covered: This review provides an updated summary of the published information on the development of post-viral induced atopy and asthma and the mechanisms involved. We focus on the contribution of animal models in identifying pathways that may contribute to atopy and asthma following respiratory virus infection, different polymorphisms that have been associated with asthma development, and current options for disease management and potential future interventions.

Expert commentary: Currently there are no prophylactic therapies that prevent infants infected with respiratory viruses from developing asthma or atopy. Neither are there curative therapies for patients with asthma. Therefore, a better understanding of genetic factors and other associated biomarkers in respiratory viral induced pathogenesis is important for developing effective personalized therapies.     

Cirugía de implante de estimulador de nervio hipogloso en el síndrome de apnea obstructiva del sueño: nuestra experiencia preliminar

The objective of this communication is to describe our preliminary results in upper airway stimulation surgery via hypoglossal nerve stimulation implantation for obstructive sleep apnoea. We describe 4 cases and the outcomes of the surgery were analysed using the Epworth scale, apnoea-hypopnoea index, minimal O₂ Sat, average O₂ Sat and snoring intensity. In all cases a significant reduction in Epworth scale values and apnoea-hypopnoea index were obtained (P<.05). The minimum and average oxygen saturation had better values after the surgery, however, there was no statistically significant difference. The snoring severity measured subjectively changed from «intense» to «absent» in all cases. The preliminary results obtained with the upper airway stimulation surgery via hypoglossal nerve stimulation showed objective and subjective improvement after the implant activation.