Chalcones are compounds containing an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl group that have been studied due to their structural simplicity, ease of synthesis, and broad spectrum of biological activities. Within this family, nitrochalcones have gained relevance due to the influence of the nitro group (–NO₂) on the modulation of their electronic properties, chemical reactivity, and pharmacological behavior. This review presents a critical analysis of advances in the biological activities and possible mechanisms of action of nitrochalcones and their derivatives, with an emphasis on their structure–activity relationships and therapeutic potential. The available evidence shows that nitrochalcones and their derivatives act as multitarget molecules, capable of intervening in key biological processes such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and cell signaling pathways associated with proliferation and apoptosis. Several studies report anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, antimicrobial, antifungal, and cardiovascular activities, often with favorable selectivity toward pathological cells over healthy cells.

Introduction: Mango is commercially important; however, its shelf life is short, mainly early harvested mangoes from forced production systems. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 1-MCP and Ethephon treatments on the ripening stage and quality of early-produced mango fruit. Methodology: Three treatments (control, Ethephon and 1-MCP) were studied, determining respiration rate, weight loss, external color changes (lightness and hue angle), and the contents of carotenoids, ascorbic acid, total soluble solids (TSS) and citric acid. Results: Changes in respiration, color, loss of firmness and ascorbic acid were observed in Ethephontreated fruits in a shorter time, although their carotenoid and TSS content was higher at eating maturity. Fruits treated with 1-MCP had lower respiration and firmness loss, but weight loss was higher, and their external color was not the typical yellow. Limitations of the study: Time and quantity of Ethephon and 1-MCP to improve mango maturation should be evaluated. Originality: The information provided is significant to favor homogeneous mango maturation, as well as an alternative to delay its maturation. Conclusions: The use of 1-MCP helps to delay mango maturation; weight and color losses were lower than expected with this treatment. Fruit maturation of Ethephon-treated fruits was homogeneous, but their shelf life was shorter

La canela (Cinnamomum sp.) es una especie con algunas limitantes sanitarias pero significativas, siendo Phytophthora cinnamomi y Fusarium sp. las de mayor importancia que afectan la raíz. Su control con fungicidas sintéticos ha favorecido el desarrollo de resistencia debido a su mal manejo, por lo que su control con aceites esenciales es una alternativa viable. El objetivo fue determinar el potencial antifúngico de los aceites esenciales de tomillo y clavo para el control de P. cinnamomi y Fusarium sp. aislados de Cinnamomum verum. Se evaluaron concentraciones de 60, 120 y 300 µL L-1 para los dos aceites esenciales. Los datos registrados sobre la tasa de crecimiento radial micelial de los patógenos después de la incubación de Fusarium sp. a 25 ± 1 °C y 28 ± 1 °C tuvo diferencia significativa en las concentraciones ensayadas. P. cinnamomi, no creció radialmente con la concentración de 300 µL L‑1, mientras que con 120 µL L-1 la tasa de crecimiento fue de 0.06 mm por día. En tanto, con Fusarium sp. se inhibe por completo el crecimiento micelial con las dosis de 120 y 300 µL L-1 de aceites esenciales. Con el aceite de tomillo se observó una tendencia similar en las concentraciones 120 y 300 µL L-1 con mayor efecto de inhibición de los dos patógenos. La dosis de 300 µL L-1 de los dos aceites esenciales son capaces de inhibir en su totalidad (P ≤ 0.05) el crecimiento de ambos patógenos. En una concentración máxima de 280 esporas de ambos patógenos; se observó que, el número de esporas se reduce hasta 73 esporas con 300 µL L-1 de aceite de tomillo. Por tanto, pueden ser una alternativa preventiva en el control de enfermedades de la raíz en canela.

Species of the genus Opuntia exhibit considerable variation in chromosome number and ploidy level, making cytogenetic information essential for studies on evolution, taxonomy, and genetic improvement. However, cytogenetic information on several species of this genus remains limited. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine chromosome numbers and ploidy levels in seven Opuntia species and to characterize the karyotype of Opuntia microdasys as a representative diploid species. A total of 69 accessions representing seven species were collected from wild and cultivated populations in southeastern Coahuila, Mexico. Somatic cells obtained from root apices developed from cladodes were used to analyze chromosome numbers. Cytological preparations included determination of mitotic activity, pretreatment with p-dichlorobenzene, enzymatic digestion with pectolyase and cellulase, and acetocarmine staining, followed by chromosome counting and karyotype analysis of O. microdasys. The highest mitotic activity was recorded between 10:00 and 11:00 h. Chromosome counts revealed diploid (2n = 22), tetraploid (2n = 44), hexaploid (2n = 66), and octoploid (2n = 88) cytotypes. Notably, O. engelmannii exhibited intraspecific cytotypic variation, with both hexaploid and octoploid populations. The karyotype of O. microdasys was highly symmetrical, with a karyotype formula of 10m + 1sm, small chromosomes, and low asymmetry indices (A1 = 0.15; A2 = 0.106). These findings reveal substantial ploidy diversity among the seven Opuntia species analyzed and provide cytogenetic information relevant to the characterization, management, and conservation of Opuntia genetic resources, including their potential use in ex situ conservation and botanical collections.

Lactuca sativa commonly known as lettuce is a food that provides few calories due to its high water content and fewer carbohydrates, proteins and fats. The main problem with this crop is that during its cycle it is attacked by a range of fungi (Fusarium spp., Pythium sp., Alternaria alternata., among others) and bacteria (Erwinia sp, Burkholderia sp, among others); this leads to excess use of pesticides, economic losses and damage to the environment. Therefore, sustainable control strategies are sought to mitigate the spread of diseases and stimulate the optimal development of the plant. Ecofungicides were made based in: Ricinus communis “higuerilla”; Chamaemelum nobile “manzanilla” with Allium sativum “ajo”; Ruta graveolens “ruda”; as well as Bordeaux broth as a craft product and a synthetic product. The randomized complete block experimental design and the Tukey multiple means comparison (p≤0.05) showed tha in Ricinus communis based ecofungicide favors, on average, the height per plant (18.89 cm), the diameter per plant (36.29 cm); the number of leaves per plant (15.50 cm), the leaf width (19.85), the leaf length (17.76 cm) and therefore, a final weight of 1.43 kg per healthy plant was reported. It´s concluded that higuerilla treatment at a dose of 0.33 ml in 1 liter of water increases the productivity of Lactuca sativa L. and decreases the incidence of phytopathogenic fungi.