Context: Echinacea (Asteraceae) is used because of its pharmacological properties. However, there are few studies that integrate phytochemical analyses with pharmacological effects. Objective: Evaluate the chemical profile and biological activity of hydroalcoholic Echinacea extracts. Materials and methods: Density, dry matter, phenols (Folin–Ciocalteu method), flavonoids (AlCl₃ method), alkylamides (GC-MS analysis), antioxidant capacity (DPPH and ABTS methods), antiproliferative effect (SRB assay), anti-inflammatory effect (paw oedema assay, 11 days/Wistar rats; 0.4 mL/kg) and hypoglycaemic effect (33 days/Wistar rats; 0.4 mL/kg) were determined in three Echinacea extracts which were labelled as A, B and C (A, roots of Echinacea purpurea L. Moench; B, roots, leaves, flowers and seeds of Echinacea purpurea; C, aerial parts and roots of Echinacea purpurea and roots of Echinacea angustifolia DC). Results: Extract C showed higher density (0.97 g/mL), dry matter (0.23 g/mL), phenols (137.5 ± 2.3 mEAG/mL), flavonoids (0.62 ± 0.02 mEQ/mL), and caffeic acid (0.048 mg/L) compared to A and B. A, B presented 11 alkylamides, whereas C presented those 11 and three more. B decreased the oedema (40%) on day 2 similar to indomethacin. A and C showed hypoglycaemic activity similar to glibenclamide. Antiproliferative effect was only detected for C (IC₅₀ 270 μg/mL; 8171 μg/mL; 9338 μg/mL in HeLa, MCF-7, HCT-15, respectively). Discussion and conclusion: The difference in the chemical and pharmacological properties among extracts highlights the need to consider strategies and policies for standardization of commercial herbal extracts in order to guarantee the safety and identity of this type of products.

This investigation describes the formation of crystalline nanotubes of titanium oxide on the surface of a Ti-6Al-4V alloy and its biological evaluation. The formation of nanotubes was performed by the anodic oxidation technique with a constant work potential of 60 V but with different anodizing times of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min used to evaluate their effects on the characteristics of the nanotubes and their biological activity. A mixture of ethylene glycol, water, and ammonium fluoride (NH₄F) was used as the electrolytic fluid. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were applied to determine the morphology and crystalline nature of the nanotubes, showing a well-defined matrix of nanotubes of titanium oxide with a crystalline structure and a diameter in the range of 52.5 ± 5.13 to 95 ± 11.92 nm. In contrast, the XRD patterns showed an increase of defined peaks that directly correlated with treatment times. Moreover, in vitro assays using an innovative cell culture device demonstrated that the inner diameter of the nanotubes directly correlated with cell proliferation.

Aerial parts of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) were collected in the Northern Mexico City for a comprehensive effect-directed profiling. Its hydrodistilled P. amboinicus essential oil (PAEO) was separated on HPTLC silica gel plates with n-hexane—ethyl acetate—ethanol, 95:3:2, followed by derivatization with the anisaldehyde – sulfuric acid reagent. The UV/Vis/FLD detection was expanded by a biological and biochemical detection. Eight different effect-directed assays were performed including the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay as well as biochemical assays for inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, α- and β-glucosidases, α-amylase and tyrosinase as well as antimicrobial assays against Gram-negative Aliivibrio fischeri and Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis bacteria. The bioprofiling, subsequent direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry of the detected five bioactive compound zones and comparison with literature data resulted in the tentative assignment of caryophyllene oxide (hR_F 20), α-humulene (hR_F 26), carvacrol (hR_F 40), methyl carvacrol ether (hR_F 76) and caryophyllene (hR_F 84). The antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria of PAEO was elicited by a mixture of the multi-potent compounds, whereas α-humulene was strongly acting against Gram-positive bacteria. The antioxidant effect was related to carvacrol and the inhibitory effect over AChE, tyrosinase and glucosidases to α-humulene.