Jose-Luis Rios

University of Valencia | UV · Department of Pharmacology

La salvia roja o salvia china, Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Lamiáceas), es una planta perenne originaria de China, conocida como danshen (inglés) o dānshēn (chino). Su raíz, ampliamente utilizada en la medicina oriental, contiene componentes lipofílicos diterpénicos como las tanshinonas, e hidrofílicos, de tipo fenólico, como los ácidos salvianólicos...

Secondary metabolites derived from hydroquinone are quite rare in nature despite the original simplicity of its structure, especially when compared to other derivatives with which it shares biosynthetic pathways. However, its presence in a prenylated form is somewhat relevant, especially in the marine environment, where it is found in different alg...

Depression is a syndrome characterized by deep sadness and the inhibition of psychic functions, sometimes accompanied by neurovegetative disorders, with symptoms of anxiety almost always present. The disease produces alterations in a variety of neural networks and neurotransmission systems, along with a dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adr...

El "Manual de fitoterapia" estudia la utilización farmacológica de las plantas analizando características botánicas, indicaciones, dosis terapéuticas, contraindicaciones y efectos adversos. Escrita por especialistas conocedores de todas las áreas relacionadas con las plantas medicinales (botánica, farmacología, fitoquímica, fitoterapia e industria...

Medicinal plants and their extracts are natural remedies with enormous potential for treating various diseases, including depression and anxiety. In the case of depression, hundreds of plants have traditionally been used in folk medicine for generations. Different plant extracts and natural products have been analyzed as potential antidepressant ag...

Olive leaves are used in Mediterranean folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia since ancient times. In the last decade, different authors have studied their chemical composition and ratified their pharmacological properties both in vitro and in vivo, and, more recently, clinical trials focusing on their e...

Esta actividad da continuidad y se enmarca en un proyecto de innovación educativa que se ha venido desarrollando en años académicos previos por estudiantes de Farmacognosia de tercer curso del Grado en Farmacia (Giner et al., 2019), para dar formación sobre los problemas asociados al consumo de sustancias de abuso a estudiantes de Institutos de Sec...

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Cocoa extracts rich in polyphenols are used as potential agent for treating diabetes. Cocoa polyphenols have been proved to ameliorate important hallmarks of type-2 diabetes (T2D). They can regulate glucose levels by increasing insulin secretion, promoting β-cell proliferation and a reduction of insulin resistance....

Medicinal plants from the Mediterranean region show great potential in the improvement of health and in the prevention of disease. Epidemiological studies indicate that some of these plants reduce the incidence of inflammatory diseases and cancer by inducing programmed cell death, thus arresting proliferation. These medicinal properties are related...

Incretins are metabolic hormones released after a meal that increase insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells. The two main incretins are the intestinal peptides glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide. Both induce a decrease in glycemia, slow down the absorption of nutrients, and are inactivated by the enzyme dipe...

Type-2 diabetes (T2D) is a metabolic disease characterized by permanent hyperglycemia, whose development can be prevented or delayed by using therapeutic agents and implementing lifestyle changes. Some therapeutic alternatives include regulation of glycemia through modulation of different mediators and enzymes, such as AMP-activated protein kinase...

No abstract available.--- Conclusions: The majority of medicinal plants used in the treatment of psoriasis are based on their traditional use and folk medicine, without relevant studies on humans. The number of clinical trials is limited and, those available, are not clearly defined, the number of patients is limited and the evaluation of results...

The cascade of molecular events leading to Human apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) amyloidosis is not completely understood, not even the pathways that determine clinical manifestations associated to systemic protein deposition in organs such as liver, kidney and heart. About twenty natural variants of apoA-I were described as inducing amyloidosis, but t...

Myocardial ischemia is the leading cause of death worldwide. Despite better outcomes with early coronary artery reperfusion strategies, morbidity and mortality remain significant. The principal myocardial hallmark of myocardial ischemia is the cell death and associated impairment of cardiac contractility. In this way, the use of extracts from medic...

Ellagic acid is a common metabolite present in many medicinal plants and vegetables. It is present either in free form or as part of more complex molecules (ellagitannins), which can be metabolized to liberate ellagic acid and several of its metabolites, including urolithins. While ellagic acidʼs antioxidant properties are doubtless responsible for...

Shikonin is the main active principle in the root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for its anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties. Recent research highlights shikoninʼs antitumor properties and capacity to prevent acute ulcerative colitis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ability of...

Resumen La depresión es un síndrome caracterizado por una tristeza profunda y por la inhibición de las funciones psíquicas, a veces acompañado de trastornos neurovegetativos. Hay pérdida de interés, anhedonia, apatía, cambios en el sueño y el apetito, tristeza y posible ideación suicida. Se trata de un trastorno multifactorial, con disfunciones en...

Betulinic acid is a naturally occurring pentacyclic lupane-type triterpenoid usually isolated from birch trees, but present in many other botanical sources. It is found in different plant organs, both as a free aglycon and as glycosyl derivatives. A wide range of pharmacological activities has been described for this triterpenoid, including antivir...

Apocynin has been widely used as an inhibitor of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphatase oxidase (NADPH-oxidase) system and shows promise as an anti-inflammatory drug. Diapocynin, the dimeric product generated by the oxidation of apocynin in presence of myeloperoxidase (MPO), is supposed to be its active form. In this study, diapocynin has be...

Lanostanes are a group of tetracyclic triterpenoids derived from lanosterol. They have relevant biological and pharmacological properties, such as cytotoxicity, immunomodulation, and anti-inflammation. Some of them also have interesting effects on metabolism and anti-infectious properties. This review will compile chemical data, biological effects,...

Essential oils are aromatic, volatile liquids obtained from plant material through steam distillation and named after the plant from which they are derived. Essential oils can be defined as either products or mixtures of fragrant substances or as mixtures of fragrant and odorless substances. These fragrant substances are chemically pure compounds t...

En un artículo previo se analizaron los mecanismos de acción de los principales compuestos antidiabéticos de plantas medicinales utilizadas en medicina tradicional y en fitoterapia. La presente revisión se ha enfocado como una continuación de la anterior, para lo cual se han seleccionado los ensayos clínicos más relevantes realizados con las princi...

La diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DMT2) es una enfermedad metabólica caracterizada por una hiperglucemia persistente, la cual si no es tratada adecuadamente ,a largo plazo puede producir complicaciones cardiovasculares, trastornos renales o retinopatía. El desarrollo de la enfermedad puede prevenirse o retrasarse en personas con tolerancia a la glucosa...

Background: Inflammation is a complex physiopathologic response to different stimuli. Recently, some pharmacological strategies have been proposed that could be used for resolution of inflammation by enhancing apoptosis of inflammatory cells. Objectives: To study in vitro apoptotic activity of isoespintanol [ISO] and of two semi-synthetic derivativ...

La implementación de nuevas metodologías que nos permita valorar si el estudiante ha alcanzado los conocimientos necesarios así como una serie de competencias y habilidades, es una de las prioridades docentes del proceso de convergencia en el espacio europeo de educación superior. El empleo de la clase inversa (flipped classroom) con el cambio en l...

Our objective was to determine the effects of a polyphenol-enriched cocoa extract (PCE) on myocardial postischemic alterations in normotensive (Wistar rats, W) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Isolated hearts were submitted to 110 min of perfusion or 20-min stabilization, 30-min global ischemia and 60-min reperfusion (R). Other hearts wer...

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative dysfunction characterized by the loss of pigmented dopaminergic neurons of the nigrostriatal system with a consequent dopamine decrease. The reduction of dopamine levels produces neuronal damage, depigmentation of the substantia nigra, and the presence of intracellular inclusions in dopaminergi...

Tea made from Ilex paraguariensis (IP) dried and minced leaves is a beverage widely consumed by large populations in South America as a source of caffeine (stimulant action) and for its medicinal properties. However, there is little information about the action of IP on the myocardium in the ischemia-reperfusion condition. Therefore, the objective...

Throughout the Mediterranean region, medicinal plants are widely used to improve health and avoid disease. Various epidemiological studies indicate that some of these plants reduce the incidence of inflammatory diseases and cancer by inducing programmed cell death, thus arresting proliferation. Several of these plant species, including saffron, cap...

Numerous studies on intestinal inflammation have established a critical role for the recently discovered Th17 cells, since an amount of this subtype of infiltrating leukocytes and their related cytokines are found in inflamed mucosa of colitic mice and in ulcerative colitis patients, as well. Once we demonstrated that oleuropein acts as an anti-inf...

Scope: The main phenolic secoiridoid oleuropein and active constituent from olive tree (Olea europaea, Oleaceae), has demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties in intestinal inflammation and anti-tumoral effects in different cancer cells. In this study, we evaluated the chemoprevention of oleuropein in a model of azoxymethane (AOM)/Dextran sulfate...

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by persistent hyperglycemia. High blood sugar can produce long-term complications such as cardiovascular and renal disorders, retinopathy, and poor blood flow. Its development can be prevented or delayed in people with impaired glucose tolerance by implementing lifestyle changes or use o...

Acanthus mollis (Acanthaceae), Achillea ligustica, Artemisia arborescens and Inula viscosa (Asteraceae) are used in Southern Italy against psoriasis and other skin diseases that occur with an imbalanced production of eicosanoids. We here assessed their in vitro effects upon 5-, 12-, 15-LOX and COX-1 enzymes as well as NFκB activation in intact cell...

Lanostanes are a group of tetracyclic triterpenoids derived from lanosterol. They have relevant biological and pharmacological properties, such as cytotoxicity, immunomodulation, and anti-inflammation. Some of them also have interesting effects on metabolism and anti-infectious properties. This review will compile chemical data, biological effects,...

The balance between the generation and deletion of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species is necessary for maintaining the physiological functions in the organism. For this purpose, the organism has an antioxidant defense system, which eliminates these reactive species, maintaining the redox homeostasis. This system includes enzymatic and non-enzymat...

The beneficial effects of the secoiridoid oleuropein, mainly found in leaves of olive tree (Olea europaea), are known for a long time. Our studies are focussed on the ability of this polyphenol to protect from inflammation, especially in large intestine. We tested its effect successfully in two intestinal acute and chronic inflammatory models, usin...

Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is a highly popular herbal beverage in South America due to its high content of caffeine. Its hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties are of increasing interest in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders and for weight control. In the present study, we show for the first time both the local and systemic anti-inflammato...

El equilibrio entre generación y eliminación de especies reactivas de oxígeno y nitrógeno es necesario para mantener las funciones fisiológicas del organismo. Para ello se dispone de un sistema de defensa cuya función es la de eliminar las especies reactivas de oxígeno y nitrógeno, manteniendo así la homeostasis redox. Este sistema incluye componen...

Antioxidants at the crossroads: myths and realities: The balance between the generation and deletion of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species is necessary for maintaining the physiological functions in the organism. For this purpose, the organism has an antioxidant defense system, which eliminate these reactive species, maintaining the redox homeost...

Yerba Mate is the trivial name of the species Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil. (Aquifoliaceae). It has a high reputation in the countries of origin for its psycho-stimulant properties, where the folia are used as a social drink. It is widely distributed in South America. The folium contains caffeine (0.3-1.7%) as principal xanthine, but theobromine...

The naphthoquinone shikonin is the main active principle of Zicao, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine made from the dried root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon. Studies carried out over the past 30 years have provided a scientific basis for the use of Zicao which has been long employed in folk medicine to treat a variety of inflammatory and infecti...

Apocynin, a constituent of Picrorhiza kurroa, successfully inhibits NADPH oxidase and shows promise as an anti-inflammatory drug. Now, we report anti-inflammatory effects of apocynin in an experimental colitis model induced by dextran sulfate sodium as well as the effects on the mediators involved in this process. Apocynin reduced the colitis induc...

The anti-inflammatory effect of oleuropein (1), the major phenolic secoiridoid in Olea europaea, was evaluated in an experimental model of chronic colitis in mice. Animals were exposed to four repeated cycles of dextran sodium sulfate in drinking water followed by a 7-day rest period. Animals receiving a standard diet supplemented with 0.25% of 1 (...

The intestinal barrier is a complex system with a dynamic structure that is designed for the maintenance of homeostasis in healthy individuals. Ulcerative colitis, one of the main manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease, is characterized by an inadequate and delayed wound healing. Shikonin, the active principle in the root of Lithospermum eryt...

Shikonin is the major constituent of the root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat external wounds, burns, and dermatitis for centuries. Nowadays, this root is commonly used as an herbal medicine against cancer. Studies carried out over the past 30 years have demonstrated that many of the effec...

Our objective was to assess the antioxidant properties and the effects against the reperfusion injury of a nonalcoholic extract obtained by fermentation from the Colombian blueberry, mortiño ( Swartz, Ericaceae). Antioxidant properties were assessed by systems. To examine the postischemic myocardial function, isolated rat hearts were treated 10 min...

The naphthoquinone shikonin, a major component of the root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon , now is studied as an anti-inflammatory agent in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Acute UC was induced in Balb/C mice by oral administration of 5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). The disease activity index was evaluated, and a histologic study was carri...

In addition to its nutritional value, Cocoa seeds (Theobroma cacao L, Sterculiaceae) and its derivatives also have a great interest due to its pharmacological properties. Three groups of constituents stand out: nitrogen bases, lipids and polyphenols, mainly catechins and their oligomers proanthocianidins (dimers to decamers). The phenolic compounds...

This paper compiles the beneficial effects of cocoa polyphenols on human health, especially with regard to cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases, metabolic disorders, and cancer prevention. Their antioxidant properties may be responsible for many of their pharmacological effects, including the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and the protection...

Lanostanes are a group of tetracyclic triterpenoids derived from lanosterol. They have relevant biological and pharmacological properties, such as their cytotoxic effects via induction of apoptosis. This review compiles the most relevant lanostanoids studied from 2000 to 2011, principally those isolated from Ganoderma lucidum and other related fung...

Human apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I)-derived amyloidosis can present with either wild-type (Wt) protein deposits in atherosclerotic plaques or as a hereditary form in which apoA-I variants deposit causing multiple organ failure. More than 15 single amino acid replacement amyloidogenic apoA-I variants have been described, but the molecular mechanisms i...

Shikonin (Shk) inhibits the development of colorectal dysplasia and the colitis induced in a mouse model of azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), as demonstrated both by macroscopic and biochemical determinations. The oral administration of shikonin prevents weight loss and colorectum shortening. Histological analysis revealed a decrease...

Triterpenes have been reported to induce cell death. One relevant group of this family of compounds is cucurbitacins, which have been studied as inducers of apoptosis in various cancer cell lines. The most significant mechanisms with regard to the apoptotic effects of cucurbitacins are their ability to modify transcriptional activities via nuclear...

The identification of substances that can promote the resolution of inflammation in a way that is homeostatic, modulatory, efficient, and well-tolerated by the body is of fundamental importance. Traditional medicines have long provided front-line pharmacotherapy for many millions of people worldwide. Medicinal extracts are a rich source of therapeu...

The aim of this research was to study the potential anti-inflammatory activity of myrtle (Myrtus communis), sarsaparilla (Smilax aspera), Arabian or French lavender (Lavandula stoechas), and calamint (Calamintha nepeta) along with their apoptotic effects on the pro-inflammatory cells, and the correlation of these effects with the plants' potential...

Oleuropein, the major secoiridoid in olive tree leaves, possesses a wide range of health promoting properties. It has recently been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory activity. We have evaluated the effect of oleuropein on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental colitis in mice in order to provide insight into its mechanisms of action. Or...

We studied a polyphenol-enriched cocoa extract (PCE) with epicatechin, procyanidin B2, catechin, and procyanidin B1 as the major phenolics for its anti-inflammatory properties against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice. PCE reduced colon damage, with significant reductions in both the extent and the severity of the...

2-isoprenylhydroquinone-1-glucoside (1), 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (2), and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid methyl ester (3), isolated from Phagnalon rupestre, improved the contact hypersensitivity response to 2,4,6-trinitrochlorobenzene in mice. These phenolics reduced ear swelling and IL-1β content by 50% 24 h after challenge; in addition, 2 inhibited...

Poria cocos (Polyporaceae) is a saprophytic fungus that grows in diverse species of Pinus. Its sclerotium, called fu-ling or hoelen, is used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine for its diuretic, sedative, and tonic effects. Various studies of this fungus have demonstrated its marked anti-inflammatory activity in different experimental mode...

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.

Naringin (4′,5,7-trihydroxyflavanone 7-rhamnoglucoside) is a well-known natural flavonoid that acts as a potent anti-oxidant, superoxide scavenging, anti-apoptotic, anti-atherogenic and metal chelating agent [1]. Orally administered naringin is metabolized to its aglycone, naringenin, which has a wide range of pharmacological properties, including...

Cucurbitacin R, a natural anti-inflammatory product, has been shown to exhibit activity against both adjuvant-induced arthritis and delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions induced by various agents. Previous studies have demonstrated that the effects of cucurbitacin R stem from its inhibition of both cytokine production and lymphocyte proliferation...

Fermentation and roasting are the main causes of polyphenol degradation during the process for obtaining cocoa products. In the present study, a process for obtaining polyphenol-rich cocoa products on an industrial scale is described. The process avoids the fermentation and roasting steps and includes a step for the inactivation of the enzyme Polyp...

In the present paper we studied the effect of shikonin on ear oedema induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), and determined the mechanisms through which shikonin might exert its topical anti-inflammatory action. Acute ear oedema was induced in mice by topical application of TPA. The in vitro assays used macrophages RAW 264.7 cells st...