Diabetes mellitus is a chronic, degenerative, and multifactorial disease characterized by hyperglycemia, and at least 537 million people suffered from diabetes in 2021. Agave durangensis Gentry, a species of agave native to the state of Durango, reports phenolic compounds, flavonols, flavonoids, and saponins and could be an alternative for the treatment of diabetes. The aim of this work was to identify the compounds in the leaves of Agave durangensis Gentry and their potential activity in diabetes. The leaf extract of Agave durangensis Gentry (EAD) was characterized by ultra-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS), and different families of bioactive compounds were quantified by analytical methods. Probable pharmacological targets were identified in silico, and the inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) was validated in vitro. A model of hyperglycemia was established with streptozotocin in male Wistar rats, and we administered EAD intragastrically at a dose of 300 mg/kg, as well as combinations of the extract with metformin and sitagliptin over 30 days. Biochemical and histological parameters were analyzed. We identified thirty-six major compounds, where triterpenes represented 30% of the extract. Molecular docking showed that the extract could interact with α-glucosidases and DPP4 since a large number of compounds in the extract have a Δ G lower than that reported for the controls, and DPP4 inhibition was confirmed by in vitro assays. In vivo assays demonstrated that the administration of the extract was able to significantly decrease glucose levels by 56.75% and glycosylated hemoglobin by 52.28%, which is higher than that reported for sitagliptin with a decrease of 35.22%. In addition, the extract decreased triglycerides by 59.28% and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol by 60.27%, and when administered in combination with metformin, it decreased them more than when metformin was administered alone. For all the above reasons, Agave durangensis Gentry extract could be used for the development of phytomedicine for the treatment of diabetes.

Agave durangensis (Asparagaceae) sustains a mescal industry in Mexico. The main reproductive strategy of the species is by seeds. The increased demand for agave-based beverages encourages producers to seek new cultivation areas. However, more than half of the territory of the country includes arid and semiarid zones, which are highly affected by salinity. The aim of the current study was to determine if salinity triggers different seed germination potential and variable biochemical and chemical responses in seedlings of two populations of A. durangensis, that might confer different tolerance to salinity. Seeds from each population were irrigated with four salinity treatments. Germination potential, as well as growth parameters and biochemical and chemical attributes of seedlings, were determined. Although with reduced germinability and germination speed, seeds of the two populations were able to germinate even under the strongest NaCl concentration (100 mM) evaluated. Effects in the growth parameters were registered; however, the seedlings of both populations survived throughout the experiments, increasing chlorophyll content and cell viability in most saline treatments. The enzymatic defense mechanism and the accumulation of proline were activated in a salt-dependent manner, which did not occur with the phenolic compounds; however, monomeric anthocyanin accumulation was outstanding under the two strongest NaCl concentrations evaluated. Important interpopulation differences were registered in each type of response, which were differently regulated under variable NaCl concentrations, some of them being more important than others under a particular saline condition. Seeds from the population Durango were more sensitive to salinity.

Background/Objectives: Fouquieria splendens Engelm. is a medicinal plant traditionally used in North America for treating metabolic disorders; however, its antihyperglycemic properties and safety profiles remain poorly studied. We investigated the phytochemical composition, oral acute toxicity, mutagenicity, and antihyperglycemic activity of the foliar ethanolic extract of F. splendens (EFS). Methods: Phytochemical analysis was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Acute toxicity and mutagenicity were evaluated following the OECD guidelines. Antihyperglycemic activity was assessed in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats treated with EFS (200 mg/kg) alone or in combination with metformin for 30 days. Results: Eleven phenolic compounds were identified in the EFS, including ellagic acid, morin, apigenin, and luteolin 7-Oglucoside. EFS was non-mutagenic and had an LD₅₀ of >2000 mg/kg. This treatment significantly reduced blood glucose levels and enhanced the effect of metformin in diabetic rats. Histopathological analysis showed preserved morphology in the pancreatic, hepatic, and renal tissues of the treated animals. Conclusions: EFS exhibited significant antihyperglycemic activity and a favorable safety profile, supporting its potential as a complementary phytotherapeutic agent for diabetes management. These results highlight the pharmacological value of F. splendens and promote the exploration of native plants as adjuncts for chronic disease therapy.

Epigenetic changes are involved in plant responses to stress. Cytosine methylation is one of the most important epigenetic changes, regulating gene expression. In this paper, the MSAP (methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism) method was used to find out how the watercress (Rorippa nasturtium aquaticum) genome changed in response to 0, 60, 80, and 100 mM NaCl and how that affected phenylalanine ammonium lyase (PAL) activity, phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity. The results showed an inverse correlation between methylation levels and PAL activity and the contents of total phenolics and flavonoids, indicating salt stress-induced reprogramming of the methylation pattern of watercress, which has a negative effect on the synthesis of phenolics. The results revealed a significant decrease in phenolic contents and antioxidant activity under low and moderate salinity compared to control and an increase under strong salinity compared to moderate salinity. The findings of this study contribute to our understanding of the reprogramming of DNA methylation under salinity and its effect on watercress phenolic metabolism.

Las plantas silvestres han sido desde tiempos prehispánicos una fuente importante de alimento para los mexicanos. Un grupo de alto valor nutritivo representativo de estas plantas y presente en la gastronomía mexicana son los quelites, cuyas hojas, tallos y flores se consumen tiernos. En algunas regiones de México, como Durango, existe poca información sobre la diversidad y distribución de especies de quelites. El objetivo de este trabajo trabajo fue analizar el estado actual del conocimiento sobre la relevancia de los quelites en la alimentación de la población del estado de Durango, México, y elaborar mapas de riqueza y distribución utilizando las bases de datos del Sistema Global de Información sobre Biodiversidad (GBIF). Considerando la literatura y el GBIF, se seleccionó un total de 39 especies pertenecientes a 15 familias botánicas, las cuales se encontraron distribuidas principalmente a lo largo de la Sierra Madre Occidental (SMO). Los municipios con mayor riqueza de especies fueron Durango, Nombre de Dios, Súchil y Vicente Guerrero. Este tipo de estudios son esenciales para revalorizar los quelites como alimento altamente nutritivo, promover su producción y por lo tanto el desarrollo económico local, y contribuir a su conservación y uso sostenible, así como a la seguridad alimentaria de México.

Antecedentes: El frijol común silvestre de Durango, México ha sido poco estudiado. Se determinó ex situ , la variación fenológica, morfométrica, de germinación y de rendimiento entre frijol común de cinco poblaciones silvestres de Durango, México. También se compararon in situ y ex situ caracteres morfométricos de las mismas poblaciones. Hipótesis: Factores genéticos y ambientales han contribuido de manera variable a la diferenciación fenotípica de frijol común silvestre. Especies de estudio: Phaseolus vulgaris L. Sitio y años de estudio: Cinco localidades de Durango, México. Septiembre de 2018 a noviembre de 2019. Métodos: Se registraron datos fenológicos, morfométricos, de germinación y de rendimiento ex situ . Se compararon in situ y ex situ caracteres morfométricos. Los datos se sometieron a análisis de varianza, componentes principales, de agrupamiento y de correspondencia canónica. Resultados: La mayoría de las características morfométricas de las vainas y semillas tuvieron un determinismo genético. La altitud determinó patrones de interacción con la procedencia. La escarificación favoreció mayores potenciales de germinación en los frijoles silvestres que una variedad cultivada analizada como referencia. Las condiciones ex situ estimularon en general el desarrollo de vainas, semillas y hojas más grandes, y mayor cantidad de semillas que las condiciones in situ . Conclusiones: Diferentes atributos de las poblaciones silvestres de P. vulgaris analizadas han respondido de manera variable a cambios ambientales, principalmente en la altitud, a través de interacciones genotipo-ambiente. Esa variación brinda una base para entender el potencial adaptativo y sustentar programas de conservación de la especie y el desarrollo de variedades. Translate stop Translate stop Translate stop