@article {1813, title = {In silico Analysis of the Polyphenolic Metabolites of Zea mays L. "Purple Corn" on HMG-CoA Reductase}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {14}, year = {2022}, month = {June 2022}, pages = {549-558}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {549}, abstract = {

This research aims to identify the polyphenolic metabolites, reported in ears and grains of Zea mays L. "purple corn" according to the current literature, with more significant interaction on HMG-CoA reductase, through in silico assays. Using the keyword combination {\textquotedblleft}Zea mays L{\textquotedblright} AND {\textquotedblleft}polyphenols{\textquotedblright}, a search was made in Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect and Scopus databases, identifying 22 polyphenolic compounds. Polyphenolic ligands and control molecules were prepared with the OpenBabel program and parameterized with AutoDock Tools. In addition, the crystallized structure of HMG-CoA reductase (1DQA) was downloaded from the Protein Data Bank database, then prepared in PyMOL and parameterized with AutoDock Tools. Molecular docking was performed in AutoDock Vina with a 100-time repetition for each ligand-target interaction. The results show that the hydrogen bonds with amino acids of importance in HMG-CoA reductase are ASN 658, ARG 590, and GLU 559. Protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid presented lower affinity energy (ΔG{\textdegree}). The physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of the molecules with the best pharmacodynamic interaction were analyzed with the SwissADME and pkCSM servers, showing that protocatechuic, caffeic, vanillic, ferulic, p-coumaric and 4-hydroxybenzoic acids have the best physicochemical and pharmacokinetic profile. Therefore, this study gives us a clearer idea of the action of polyphenols on HMG-CoA reductase, which will allow obtaining new drug candidates for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.

}, keywords = {Flavonoids, HMG-CoA reductase., in silico, Polyphenols, Zea mays L.}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2022.14.70}, author = {Horna-Rodriguez Alexsandra M and L{\'o}pez-Gamboa July A and Silva-Correa Carmen R and Sag{\'a}stegui-Guarniz William Antonio and Gamarra-S{\'a}nchez C{\'e}sar D and Villarreal-La Torre V{\'\i}ctor E} } @article {1229, title = {Hepatoprotective and Nephroprotective Activity of Artemisia absinthium L. on Diclofenac-induced Toxicity in Rats}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {12}, year = {2020}, month = {August 2020}, pages = {1032-1041}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {1032}, abstract = {

Background: Artemisia absinthium L. is known for its antimalarial activity however, hepatoprotective activity of aqueous extracts has also been reported but, nephroprotective activity not yet evaluated. Objective: To evaluate the hepatoprotective and nephroprotective activities of A. absinthium against diclofenac-induced toxicity on rats. Materials and Methods: Three different doses of methanol and ethyl acetate extract of A. absinthium (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day) were evaluated and compared with silymarin 100 mg/kg. Rats received these doses for 5 days and on the 3rd and 4th day diclofenac (50 mg/kg i.p.) was administered 1 h after treatment. Animals were sacrificed 48 h after the last injection of diclofenac. Biochemical blood parameters like aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea and creatinine, and histopathologic changes of liver and kidney were studied and evaluated. Results: A. absinthium reduced the elevated blood levels of ALT, AST, ALP, urea and creatinine with the methanol extract to 200 mg/kg/day being more effective. The histopathologic evaluation suggested that A. absinthium decreased hepatic and renal necrosis induced by diclofenac. Conclusions: Hepatoprotective and nephroprotective activities of methanol and ethyl acetate extract of A. absinthium were demonstrated, being methanol extract to 200 mg/kg/day the most effective. This provides scientific support for the use of medicinal plants such as A. absinthium in the treatment of liver and kidney disorders.

}, keywords = {Artemisia absinthium, Biochemical parameters, Diclofenac, Hepatoprotective, Histopathology, Nephroprotective}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2020.12.146}, author = {Sag{\'a}stegui-Guarniz William Antonio and Silva-Correa Carmen R and Villarreal-La Torre V{\'\i}ctor E and Cruzado-Razco Jos{\'e} L and Calder{\'o}n-Pe{\~n}a Abhel A and Aspajo-Villalaz Cinthya L and Gamarra-S{\'a}nchez C{\'e}sar D and Ruiz-Reyes Segundo G and Ch{\'a}vez-Flores Juana E} }