Edible insects are a natural resource with profound interest in the food industry. Not only because of their nutritional content and technical production advantage, but also for the presence of bioactive compounds known as entomochemicals. These include phenolic, alkaloid, and terpenoid compounds, as well as amino acids derivatives, among others. This work is focused on phenolic compounds, which have been the best characterized due to their role in food development and bioactive properties. The major taxonomic orders studied in this regard include Orthoptera, Coleoptera, and Lepidoptera, whose edible specimens have antioxidant effects provided by the phenolic compounds contained therein. The use of these insects in the development of nutritious foods will enhance the number of options available for the human population. However, depth research is still needed to guarantee the aforementioned bioactivity in processed foods and ensure its innocuity, thus minimizing the risk of allergic reactions and allowing the full utilization of edible insect species in the food industry. Phenolic derived from edible insects portray an opportunity to improve high quality food, as an alternative to diversify and complement an adequate and functional diet. Future development foods supplemented with insects must consider the preservation of potential benefits of not only nutrients, also de nutraceuticals.

Equisetum myriochaetum is a semi-aquatic plant found on riverbanks that is commonly used in traditional medicine as a diuretic agent. Additionally, the genus Equisetum stands out for its content of the flavonoid kaempferol, a well-known antiproliferative agent. Therefore, in this study, E. myriochaetum ethanolic extract was tested in vitro against a cervical cancer cell line (SiHa). Additionally, the antioxidative activity was evaluated through a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrilhidrazil (DPPH) assay. Finally, a molecular docking analysis of apigenin, kaempferol, and quercetin on the active site of β-tubulin was performed to investigate their potential mechanism of action. All fractions of E. myriochaetum ethanolic extract showed antioxidative activity. Fraction 14 displayed an antiproliferative capacity with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value of 6.78 μg/mL against SiHa cells.

Rhus pachyrrhachis and Rhus virens are medicinal plant species with important uses in northeastern Mexico. They belong to a complex of Rhus species called “lantriscos”, which are used for medicinal applications. The medicinal effects of these species are based on traditional use, however, they require phytochemical research to validate their medicinal properties, as well as structural characterization for their correct identification during the collecting practice and uses. The phytochemical potential of aqueous extracts from R. pachyrrhachis and R. virens was analyzed by the quantification of total phenolic content (TPC), free radical-scavenging potential, and total flavonoids, with a comparison of four drying methods, and some phenolic compounds were identified. Furthermore, the stems and leaves of both species were anatomically characterized to establish a differentiation. R. pachyrrhachis and R. virens showed similar values of phytochemical contents, although the TPC content (0.17 mg of gallic acid equivalent per gram of dry weight, GAE/g DW) was higher in R. virens. The drying method used affected the metabolite contents, and this behavior was related to the species. Regarding the phenolic compounds, shikimic acid, galloylquinic acid, and gallic acid were identified in both species, however, quinic acid was only found in Rhus pachyrrhachis, while vanillic acid O-hexoside was identified only in Rhus virens. At the anatomical level, the pubescence associated with trichomes on the leaves of Rhus pachyrrhachis was highlighted as the main differential characteristic.

Avocado bronze mite (ABM), Oligonychus punicae Hirst (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae) has potential for development in several plant species of agricultural importance. ABM is one of the most economically important pests in avocado cultivars, causing major damage to fruit and defoliation. At present, the control of ABM depends mainly on agrochemicals. Therefore, it is necessary to find alternatives to agrochemicals that can help minimize environmental impact and health risks for humans and mammals. The aim of this research was to assess the effect of different concentrations (5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000 µg/mL) of ethanolic powdered extract of M. tamaulipana leaves against adult ABM females. The different concentrations of M. tamaulipana extract did not cause mortality of O. punicae. Females treated with 5 and 1000 µg/mL of the extract showed a decrease in the number of eggs laid per female at 24 (5.17 and 1.27), 48 (5.07 and 1.17), and 72 h (4.97 and 0.80), compared to the control treatment (5.20, 6.60 and 6.87), respectively, which led to a reduction in the growth rate. Percentage of feeding damage decreased with the increasing concentration of the extract. The ethanolic powdered extract of M. tamaulipana leaf has potential to control O. punicae.

Background: Tuberculosis is a worldwide public health threat, according to the World Health Organization, 10.8 million people acquired the infection and 1.8 million deaths occurred due to the disease in 2015. Currently, β-lactam derivatives have emerged as antituberculosis agents. Objective: β-lactam derivatives were synthesized and tested in vitro against M. tuberculosis (pan-susceptible and resistant strains) and macrophage cell line J77A.1. Methods: Three series of β-lactam derivatives were synthetized following the Staudinger reaction of an aromatic imine and an acid chloride. The antimycobacterial activity was carried out by the microplate Alamar blue assay and cytotoxicity was assessed by the trypan blue exclusion assay on macrophage cell line J774A.1. The software AutoDock Vina was used to perform molecular docking studies of the synthesized drugs on the active site of the crystal structures of β -lactamase and transpeptidase from M. tuberculosis. Results: 7 β-lactam derivatives were effective against M. tuberculosis, including resistant strains. β-5 was the most active compound against the five strains (MIC= 3.125-6.25 μg/mL) with low cytotoxicity. In silico analysis indicated the probable binding sites of the synthesized derivatives on β-lactamase and transpeptidase. Conclusion: β-lactam derivatives were effective on resistant M. tuberculosis strains with a low cytotoxicity; therefore these compounds could be used for development new antitubercular agents.