Phytochemistry

1 The objective is to study metabolites of plant origin with photoprotective and antioxidant activity, which can have biotechnological application by acting as effective sun filters and being biodegradable.
In the field, it is determined that plant extracts absorb UV radiation efficiently and have antioxidant activity; and thus select the plants to be studied.
We work on the separation and characterization of the compounds present in the extracts that have shown photochemoprotective properties. The results have been the isolation of UV-chromophoric substances, with antioxidant properties, which act as sun filters and chronically protect against photocarcinogenesis.

2 The objective is to investigate the medicinal flora used for the treatment of skin diseases, from a comprehensive approach that includes: ethnobotany, plant anatomy and phytochemistry, as well as the biological properties of the species (antimicrobial, analgesic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and healing ).

3 Using computational methods, the molecular interaction of organic compounds with ions or metallic aggregates is studied. Quantum theory allows predicting the stability of the molecular structure, as well as the electronic, optical and energetic properties. This is how the reactivity of different chemical compounds is studied. The study of molecular coupling of organic binders with protein structures is currently being developed.

Estrella-Parra, E. A., Espinosa-González, A. M., García-Bores, A. M., Zamora-Salas, S. X., Benítez-Flores, J. C., González-Valle, M. R., Hernández-Delgado, C.T., Peñalosa-Castro, I., Avila-Acevedo, J, G. (2019). Flavonol glycosides in Dyssodia tagetiflora and its temporal variation, chemoprotective and ameliorating activities. Food Chem Toxicol. 124:411-422. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2018.12.024.

Valencia, I.; López-Sándoval, H., Ávila-Torres, Y., Castro, M. (2020). Optical and electronic properties of nickel (II) coordinated to chiral amino-alcohols. An experimental and theoretical study. J. Mol. Struct. 1202. 127200

García-Bores, A. M., Arciniegas-Arciniegas, A., Reyna-Campos, A., Céspedes-Acuña, C., Avila-Suárez, B., Alarcón-Enos, J., Flores-Maya, S., Espinosa-González, A. M., de Vivar-Romo, A. R., Pérez-Plasencia, C., Avila-Acevedo, J. G. (2018). Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activities of Dyssodia tagetiflora Lag. Chem Biodivers. 15(2). doi: 10.1002/cbdv.201700415. Epub 2018 Jan 30.

García-Bores, A. M., Espinosa-González, A. M., Reyna-Campos, A., Cruz-Toscano, S., Benítez-Flores, J. C., Hernández-Delgado, C. T., Flores-Maya, S., Urzúa-Meza, M., Peñalosa-Castro, I., Céspedes-Acuña, C. L., Avila-Acevedo, J. G. (2017). Lippia graveolens photochemopreventive effect against UVB radiation-induced skin carcinogenesis. J Photochem Photobiol B. 167:72-81.

Espinosa-González, A. M., García B. A. M., Benítez, F. J. C., Sandoval, P. C. E., González, V. M. R., Céspedes, P. C. L., Avila, A. J. G. (2016). Photoprotective effect of verbascoside from Buddleja cordata in mice SKH-1 exposed to acute and chronic UVB radiation. Boletín Latinoamericano y del Caribe de Plantas Medicinales y Aromáticas. 15 (5): 288 – 300. ISSN: 0717-7917