Diabetes mellitus presents a great diversity of treatments that cause adverse effects; therefore, plants are a source of compounds that may have fewer adverse effects; Cinnamomum cassia (C. cassia) has compounds with potential antidiabetic activity. The objective was to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of C. cassia oil (CCO) and its impact on oxidative stress in Wistar rats. Five groups were evaluated: (1) sham (SH), (2) 300 mg/kg CCO (CCO), (3) diabetic (D) induced with alloxan, (4) D + 300 mg/kg of CCO (D + CCO), and (5) D + 500 mg/kg of metformin (D + MET); all were treated for 5 days. CCO did not show alteration in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) vs. SH. D + CCO vs. D significantly reduced glucose (333 ± 109 vs. 458 ± 81 mg/dL), ALT (66 ± 15 vs. 160 ± 54 U/L), AST (119 ± 26 vs. 243 ± 104 U/L), and blood urea nitrogen (18.8 ± 2.3 vs. 29.2 ± 6.9 mg/dL). No significant changes were observed in D + CCO vs. D in malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), whereas a significant reduction in MDA and GSH was achieved in D + MET, with an increase in SOD. There was a reduction in Rela and Gpx in D + CCO and D + MET vs. D. CCO has antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects and reduces ALT, AST, and BUN levels.

The progression and distribution of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic are continuously changing over time and can be traced by blood donors’ serological survey. Here, we investigated the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in blood donors in Nuevo Leon, Mexico during 2020 as a strategy for the rapid evaluation of the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and asymptomatic case detection. We collected residual plasma samples from blood donors who attended two regional donation centers from January to December of 2020 to identify changes in anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG prevalence. Plasma samples were analyzed on the Abbott Architect instrument using the commercial Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG chemiluminescent assay. We found a total of 99 reactive samples from 2068 analyzed plasma samples, resulting in a raw prevalence of 4.87%. Donors aged 18–49 years were more likely to be seropositive compared to those aged >50 years (p < 0.001). Weekly seroprevalence increased from 1.8% during the early pandemic stage to 27.59% by the end of the year. Prevalence was 1.46-fold higher in females compared to males. Case geographical mapping showed that Monterrey city recorded the majority of SARS-CoV-2 cases. These results show that there is a growing trend of seroprevalence over time associated with asymptomatic infection that is unnoticed under the current epidemiological surveillance protocols.

Plant extracts with antioxidant activities have shown nephroprotection against IR injury. Jatropha dioica (Jd) possesses antioxidant activity. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of a hydroalcoholic Jd extract against IR injury in Wistar rats. Rats were divided into groups (n = 6): sham (SH); no toxicity (JdTox; 300 mg/kg/day of extract for 7 days); IR (on day 7 [I: 45 min/R: 24 h]); and Jd+IR (same treatment as JdTox; same surgical procedure as IR). AST and LDH were significantly lower in the JdTox. IR exhibited significantly higher CrS, BUN, and MDA compared with SH; Jd+IR showed reductions in these markers. GSH and SOD levels were significantly lower in IR compared with SH; an increase in these markers was observed in the Jd+IR. Histologically, IR showed significant increases in medullary tubular necrosis, medullary protein casts, and medullary vascular congestion compared with SH and JdTox. In Jd+IR, a significant decrease was observed only in medullary tubular necrosis. Therefore, the evaluated hydroalcoholic Jd extract dose showed no nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. Jd extract pretreatment attenuated IR-induced renal injury, as evidenced by the improved serum markers of renal damage and oxidative stress.

Summary: Background: The progression and distribution of SARS-CoV-2 is unknown because typically only symptomatic individuals are diagnosed. Aim: We evaluated the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in blood donors in Nuevo Leon, Mexico as a strategy for asymptomatic case detection of COVID-19 and epidemic progression. Methods/Materials: We tested 1968 blood donors that attended two regional donation centers in Northeast Mexico from January 1 ^st to August 30, 2020, to identify anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG by chemiluminescent immunoassay. Additionally, routine tests for donors including Brucella, Chagas, HCV, VDRL, HIV-1, and HBsAg identification were performed. Results: We found 77 donors reactive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG (seroprevalence 3.99%) and none of them had reported recent COVID-19 symptoms. Donors aged 18 to 49 years (89.5%) were more likely to be seropositive compared to those aged 50 years or older (10.5%) (P<0.001). Prevalence of antibodies increased each epidemiological (EPI) week, parallel to the report of confirmed cases by RT-PCR, identifying the highest prevalence between EPI week 33 and 35 (10.2% to 19%). The metropolitan area of Monterrey recorded the highest number of cases. Routine tests showed that the prevalence of anti-Brucella was 0.13%, anti-HCV 0.5%, anti-HIV-1-2 0.14%, HBsAg 0.16%, Chagas 0.48% and syphilis 1.06%. Conclusions: There is a growing trend of seroprevalence over time, parallel to the constantly increasing epidemic curve in our region and it was higher under 49 years of age associated with asymptomatic infection in donors from the Nuevo Leon area. Detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in blood donors is a potential tool for tracking the progression and identifying population exposure during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak.

Liver disease represents a major global health issue, with limited availability of effective hepatoprotective treatments. Hojasé or hojasén or Flourensia cernua (Fc) is known for its antioxidant properties and high phenolic content and may exhibit a potential hepatoprotective effect. Additionally, natural products have been shown to restore gut microbiota and reduce liver inflammation. To evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of Fc and its impact on gut microbiota in a valproic acid (VPA)-induced injury model in Wistar rats. Seven groups of Wistar rats (n = 6) were treated as follows: Sham; Non-toxic Fc (NTox 200 and 400 mg/kg); VPA 500 mg/kg; VPA + Fc 200 and VPA + Fc 400; and silybinin 500 mg/kg (VPA + Slb). Liver function tests, malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) markers, aerobic gut microbiota analysis, and histological analysis were conducted. No significant differences were observed in ALT and AST levels between NTox 200, NTox 400, and Sham. Only the 400 mg/kg dose of Fc significantly reduced ALT and AST versus VPA, similar to Slb. In VPA + Fc 200 and VPA + Fc 400, MDA and SOD decreased versus VPA, comparable to VPA + Slb. Only VPA + Fc 400 and VPA + Slb restored aerobic gut microbiota versus VPA. No histological changes were observed between groups. Fc extract demonstrated hepatoprotective effects at a dose of 400 mg/kg and impacted the restoration of aerobic gut microbiota against VPA-induced damage.