Background: The bulb of Allium cepa Linnaeus (onion) is used in traditional medicine as an antidiabetic, antioxidant, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and antihyperlipidemic, among others. The lack of information or little knowledge about the effects of Allium cepa L. on skin lesions, specifically burn wounds, arouses interest in studying its effects on these skin disorders. Objective: This study assessed the wound healing activity of Allium cepa L. on second-degree burns induced in Holtzman rats. Method: Thirty-two albino rats were randomly distributed into four groups of 8 rats each, including the Healthy group, the Control group, the Experimental group (Allium cepa L.), and the Standard group (1% silver sulfadiazine). Burn wounds were induced, and topical treatments were performed daily for 21 days. The reduction of the burned body area (mm2) was determined during the experimental time. Albino rats were sacrificed with an excess of surgical anesthesia to obtain tissue samples for histopathological analysis. Results: Standard and experimental groups significantly reduced burned body area (p<0.01) compared to the control group. Histopathological studies showed hyperemic chorion in the Control group, fibroblasts, and collagen in the Standard group, and dermis composed of a reticular stratum of fibroblasts, collagen, and few blood vessels in the Experimental group. Conclusion: Allium cepa L. revealed wound-healing activity on burns induced in Holtzman rats and reduced the damage produced by burns.

Background: This study focuses on enhancing student success in an undergraduate human physiology course offered by the Department of Pharmacy and Biochemistry at the National University of Trujillo (UNT), Peru. This study was motivated by a retrospective view of student performance during the academic years 2008 to 2016, in which only a low percentage of students were able to successfully pass the course. Method: In 2017, a questionnaire on visual-auditory-kinesthetic learning styles (VAK) revealed that the predominant learning style among students was visual-auditory. Thus, a Visual Thinking student-centred learning strategy was tested and implemented. Results: A noticeable improvement in student success, class participation, and student engagement were observed and linked to the novel learning system adopted. Also, Visual Thinking allowed students to engage in activities that make visible the processes of their creative thinking by laying their ideas graphically, rather than merely showing the conclusions of their thinking.

Schoenoplectus californicus, a macrophyte from Peruvian marine–coastal wetlands, is traditionally used for medicinal purposes, yet its pharmacological potential remains insufficiently explored. This study evaluated the chemical profile, antioxidant capacity, psychopharmacological effects, and analgesic activity of a hydroethanolic extract from its rhizomes. Phytochemical screening and LC–MS/MS analyses were performed to characterize secondary metabolites. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and ABTS assays, while in vivo anxiolytic, sedative, and analgesic effects were evaluated in Balb/c mice through open field, elevated plus maze, rotarod, analgesimeter, tail-flick, and hot plate tests, with diazepam and tramadol as reference drugs. In silico PASS and BOILED-Egg analyses were used to predict pharmacological mechanisms and central nervous system permeability. The extract contained flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and stilbenes and exhibited notable antioxidant activity (IC₅₀: 0.7319 mg/mL for DPPH and 0.6207 mg/mL for ABTS). Anxiolytic effects were observed at 50 mg/kg, sedative effects at 200 mg/kg, and significant analgesic activity at 50 mg/kg. Several compounds were predicted to cross the blood–brain barrier, with inhibition of GABA aminotransferase suggested as a potential mechanism. Acute toxicity was detected (LD₅₀ > 2000 mg/kg). These findings support S. californicus as a promising source of neuroactive and analgesic compounds, although further mechanistic and dose-optimization studies are required.

Brine shrimp lethality assays are commonly used to evaluate the toxicity of substances with potential anticancer applications. In this study, metabolites from Caesalpinia spinosa berries, coffee pulp, and spent coffee grounds (French press, Coffea arabica) were characterized using phytochemical screening and UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. Toxicity was assessed in Artemia franciscana following the CDCM061312 protocol, and LC50 values were interpreted according to CYTED toxicity scales. A total of 45 metabolites were identified, including organic acids, hydrolyzable tannins, phenolic acids, isoflavones, methylxanthines, and flavonoids,many associated with reported anticancer activity. Caesalpinia spinosa extract showed high toxicity (LC50 = 86.77 μg/mL),coffee pulp moderate toxicity (LC50 = 173.53 μg/mL), andspent coffee grounds relative safety (LC50= 141,132.40 μg/mL). These findings suggest that coffee by-products and Caesalpinia spinosa may serve as promising raw materials for developing functional foodswith potential anticancer properties

Introduction: Poorly controlled hyperglycemia causes numerous health complications. Postprandial hyperglycemia is an important indicator of diabetic status. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of Annona muricata L. extract on the in vitro intestinal glucose absorption in diabetic rats and in vivo antihyperglycemic activity in both normal and diabetic rats. Methods: Phytochemical screening of the aqueous extract from the leaves of A. muricata was carried out. Albino rats were randomly assigned into normal and diabetic groups. Each group was divided into three subgroups: control (vehicle), experimental (A. muricata), and standard (Metformin) groups, to determine antihyperglycemic activity at different times after glucose overload. The everted intestinal sac technique was used to study intestinal glucose absorption in diabetic rats. Results: Aqueous leaf extract of Peruvian A. muricata exhibited statistically significant (P < 0.05) in vivo antihyperglycemic activity in both normal and diabetic rats when compared to the control group. The magnitude of the effect was similar to metformin treatment. Moreover, the aqueous leaf extract of A. muricata significantly diminished in vitro intestinal glucose absorption, with a magnitude similar to metformin treatment. Phytochemical analysis of the aqueous extract revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and leucoanthocyanidins, among others. Conclusion: This study reveals that A. muricata aqueous extract is able to reduce in vitro intestinal glucose absorption and improve oral glucose tolerance in rats.

Objectives: To identify the phytoconstituents and determine the effect of Niphidium albopunctatissimum Lellinger on alcoholic hepatoxicity induced in albino rats. Methods: Phytochemical screening was performed using the drop Test. For hepatoxicity study, albino rats were randomized into 5 groups of 6 each. Healthy group: without hepatoxicity; Control group: hepatotoxicity; Curative group: hepatotoxicity plus fluid extract of N. albopunctatissimum Lellinger; Standard group: hepatotoxicity plus silymarin; Preventive group: Fluid extract of N. albopunctatissimum Lellinger for one week, then hepatotoxicity. Hepatotoxicity was induced with 56% (w / v) ethanol at doses of 7.6 mL / kg p.c every 12 hours for 7 days. Glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) values were determined at baseline, 7 days after induction and 14 days after. A histopathological study of the livers was performed. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of polyphenols, anthocyanidins, saponins, flavonoids and tannins. The preventive and standard groups showed a very significant decrease in serum GPT levels compared to control group (p <0.01), and curative group did so significantly (p <0.05). Histopathological analysis showed in curative group some degenerating hepatocytes, many with normal-looking cytoplasm; the preventive and standard groups presented hepatocytes with normal architecture and some in degeneration, unlike the evident degeneration and necrosis in control group. Conclusion: Niphidium albopunctatissimum Lellinger may have hepatoprotective potential against alcoholic toxicity induced in albino rats.