Abstract Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni, Asteraceae, is a plant with hypoglycemic and antihyperlipidemic properties. S. rebaudiana (SrB) has become a lead candidate for the treatment of the diabetes mellitus. However, chronic administrations of S. rebaudiana are required to cause the normoglycemic effect. Importantly, nanomaterials in general and titanium dioxide (TiO2) in particular have become effective tools for drug delivery. In this work, we obtained TiO2 nanomaterials with SrB at different concentrations (10, 20 and 30 µM) by sol–gel method. After this nanomaterials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Where it was demonstrated, the presence of the S. rebaudiana in TiO2 nanomaterials, which were observed as hemispherical agglomerated particles of different sizes. The nanomaterials were evaluated in male rats whose diabetes mellitus-phenotype was induced by alloxan (200 mg/kg, i.p.). The co-administration of TiO2-SrB (20 and 30 µM) induced a significant and permanent decrease in the glucose concentration since 4 h, until 30 days post-administration. Likewise, the concentrations of insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin, cholesterol, and triacylglycerides showed a significant recovery to basal levels. The major finding of the study was that the TiO2-SrB (20 and 30 µM) has a potent and prolonged activity antidiabetic. TiO2 can be considered like an appropriated vehicle in the continuous freeing of active substances to treat of diabetes mellitus.

The application of extracts with healing action is a simple and inexpensive manner in the treatment of wounds. In combination with pharmaceuticals forms which improve the effects of treatment, is obtained an alternative that surpasses the existing. In this work was possible to couple two potentials flattering of healing (ZnO and extract of Plantago major) in nanomatrices. SEM characterization showed ZnO nanomatrices of 720 nm, long; 420 nm, base; Pm/ZnO= 500 nm, long; 70 nm, base. Meanwhile, FTIR analysis showed the interaction nanomatrix-Pm in the regions 3651.4 cm-1 y 3402.9 cm-1 corresponding to glucosides of aucubina, and in the region 2088 cm-1 to to benzene thereof, being the most important. Finally, the nanomatrix designed showed better results on healing than its components by separate respect to the control in 22.5, 37.5, 40, 72.5 y 85 % at 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days, respectively. Therefore, the local administration of nanomatrices of Pm/ZnO possess a terapeutic potential to consider as treatment in lesions of skin.

El uso de extractos con acción cicatrizante resulta una manera sencilla y económica en el tratamiento de heridas. Al combinarlo con formas farmacéuticas que optimizan la acción del tratamiento, se obtiene una alternativa que aventaja a las existentes. En el presente trabajo se logró acoplar dos potenciales favorecedores de la cicatrización (ZnO y extracto de Plantago major) en nanomatrices. Caracterizadas por SEM: ZnO= 720 nm, largo; 420 nm, base; Pm/ZnO= 500 nm, largo; 70 nm, base. Mientras el análisis de FTIR mostró interacción de las nanomatrices con Pm en las regiones 3651.4 cm-1 y 3402.9 cm-1 correspondientes a los glucósidos aucubina, y en la región 2088 cm-1 corresponde al benceno de la misma, como las de mayor relevancia. Finalmente, las nanomatrices diseñadas mostraron mejores resultados cicatrizantes que sus componentes por separado respecto del control en un 22.5, 37.5, 40, 72.5 y 85 % a los 3, 6, 9, 12 y 15 días, respectivamente. Por lo que, la administración tópica de nanomatrices de Pm/ZnO, poseen un potencial terapéutico a considerar como tratamiento en lesiones de la piel.

Diarrhea is a serious public health problem in Mexico and other countries. A widely used alternative in the treatment of diarrhea is the use of herbal medicines. Infusions of chamomile and star anise possess anti-inflammatory and antimotility properties that could help alleviate gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the mixture of chamomile and star anise infusions on gastrointestinal activity in mice. A gastrointestinal assessment of the mixture of chamomile and star anise was carried out in mice, and the percentage of advance of administered activated carbon through the intestinal tract of the animals was measured. Furthermore, the diarrhea model was induced with castor oil. The infusions were prepared using a mix with a 50:50 ratio of the herbs, and were administered at Mix-10, 20, 40 and 80 (mg/kg) orally. The results indicate that Mix-40 and Mix-80 decreased the completion percentage of the activated carbon, delayed the appearance of diarrhea and decreased the number of evacuations in comparison with the control group. This suggests that the combination of chamomile and star anise can be used as an alternative antidiarrheal treatment.

Stevia Rebaudina Bertoni (SrB) is a plant with properties hypoglycemic and antihyperlipidemic. SrB has become a lead candidate for the treatment of Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Importantly, nanostructures in general and titanium dioxide (TiO2) in particular have become effective tools for drug delivery. This project evaluated antidiabetic effect of TiO2 nanostructured-conjugated SrB (TiO2-SrB) when given in animal model of DM. Male rats DM-phenotype was induced by alloxan (200 mg/kg, ip). The coadministration of TiO2-SrB induced a significant decrease in the glucose concentration at 24 hours and 30 days. Likewise, the concentrations of insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin, cholesterol, and triglycerides showed a significant recovery to basal levels. These results suggest that the TiO2-SrB has a potent activity and prolonged as hypoglycemic and antihyperlipidemic. TiO2-SrB can be considered as an effective treatment option for DM.

Actualmente, la nanotecnología farmacéutica se enfoca al desarrollo de formulaciones de agentes terapéuticos en nanocomplejos biocompatibles como las nanomatrices. En este proyecto se evaluó el efecto antidiabético de las nanomatrices de óxido de titanio (TiO2) con extracto de Stevia rebaudiana bertoni (TiO2-SrB), una planta con propiedades hipoglucemiantes y antihiperlipidemicas en ratas diabéticas inducidas con aloxano (200 mg/kg, ip). Los resultados muestran la disminución significativa en la concentración de glucosa desde las 24 horas y hasta los 30 días posteriores a la administración de TiO2-SrB. Así mismo, la concentración de insulina, hemoglobina glicosilada, colesterol y triglicéridos mostraron una recuperación significativa a sus niveles normales. Los resultados sugieren que las nanomatrices de TiO2-SrB muestran una actividad hipoglucemiante y antihiperlipidemica prolongada, considerándose como una opción terapéutica para la diabetes Mellitus (DM).