Person:
Orellana Paucar, Adriana Monserrath

Birth Date

1983-03-12

ORCID

0000-0003-1460-0990

Scopus Author ID

55159727400

Afiliación

Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca, Ecuador
Universidad de Cuenca, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Cuenca, Ecuador

País

Ecuador

Organizational Units

Organizational Unit

Facultad de Ciencias Médicas

La Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de la Universidad de Cuenca fue creada en el año 1867, convirtiéndose en una de las facultades más antiguas. La Facultad de Ciencias Médicas es un lugar donde la pasión por la salud y el compromiso con el bienestar se fusionan para formar profesionales altamente capacitados en diversas disciplinas del área de la salud. Nos enorgullece ofrecer un amplio programa académico de calidad que abarca varias áreas importantes para el bienestar de nuestra comunidad. Ofrecemos un entorno de aprendizaje enriquecedor y vanguardista, con docentes altamente capacitados y recursos actualizados. Valoramos la vinculación con lo colectivo y la investigación científica, con compromiso social al igual que ética. Nuestros graduados son reconocidos por su excelencia y están preparados para afrontar los desafíos de un mundo en constante evolución.

Job Title

Profesor (T)

Last Name

Orellana Paucar

First Name

Adriana Monserrath

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 18

Anexploratory investigation of the perspectives of educated parents on the gender roles and stereotypes in child and adolescent sexuality
(2022) Huiracocha Tutivén, María de Lourdes; Orellana Paucar, Adriana Monserrath; Abril Ulloa, Sandra Victoria; Huiracocha Tutivén, Mirian Sofía; Clavijo, María Isabel
The exploratory research presented in this article investigated the perspectives on the gender roles and stereotypes in the care of children and their sexual education of a small group of educated parents, using a patriarchal model. The sample consisted of 30 parents of which 20 participated in in-depth interviews, and 10 in two focus groups, 5 in each group. All 23 women and 7 men possessed a third-level degree, and some held apostgraduate diploma. It was found that even educated parents reproduce patterns they learned within the traditional family. A man decides and enjoys free and dominant sexuality, while a woman is required to have a beautiful body and be a wife who submits sexually to her husband. The study concludes that the caringrole of women, the subalternity and maternalism-marianism of female identity, and the care of the body and the norms of beauty are the female characteristics that still dominate social thinking. However, due to the increasing participation of women in thelabor market, women are becoming gradually more autonomous
Nutraceutical and functional properties of the andean grain amaranthus caudatus L
(Taylor & Francis, 2022) Orellana Paucar, Adriana Monserrath
A nutraceutical is a naturally occurring food compound marketed as a dietary supplement in a dosage form. This compound may possess beneficial health effects when administrated in higher quantities than those present in food. Moreover, when consumed as part of the diet in recommended amounts for daily intake, a functional food provides an adequate nutritional effect and contributes to health improvement or reduces the risk of disease (Luengo 2007). In this context, due to its characteristic protein composition with a unique qualitative and quantitative protein profile and its appealing pharmacological properties, Amaranthus caudatus is currently considered an appealing nutraceutical, functional food and drug candidate. Worldwide interest in amaranth (A. caudatus) began in the 1980s, mainly favored by a recognition endorsed by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. Then, amaranth was included among the world’s most promising crops due to its nutritional value (National Research Council 1984)
Insights from zebrafish and mouse models on the activity and safety of ar-turmerone as a potential drug candidate for the treatment of epilepsy
(2013) Orellana Paucar, Adriana Monserrath; Afrikanova, Tatiana; Thomas, Joice; Aibuldinov, Yelaman K.; Dehaen, Wim; De Witte, Peter A.M.; Esguerra, Camila Vicencio
In a previous study, we uncovered the anticonvulsant properties of turmeric oil and its sesquiterpenoids (ar- turmerone, α-, β-turmerone and α-atlantone) in both zebrafish and mouse models of chemically-induced seizures using pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). In this follow-up study, we aimed at evaluating the anticonvulsant activity of ar- turmerone further. A more in-depth anticonvulsant evaluation of ar-turmerone was therefore carried out in the i.v. PTZ and 6-Hz mouse models. The potential toxic effects of ar-turmerone were evaluated using the beam walking test to assess mouse motor function and balance. In addition, determination of the concentration-time profile of ar- turmerone was carried out for a more extended evaluation of its bioavailability in the mouse brain. Ar-turmerone displayed anticonvulsant properties in both acute seizure models in mice and modulated the expression patterns of two seizure-related genes (c-fos and brain-derived neurotrophic factor [bdnf]) in zebrafish. Importantly, no effects on motor function and balance were observed in mice after treatment with ar-turmerone even after administering a dose 500-fold higher than the effective dose in the 6-Hz model. In addition, quantification of its concentration in mouse brains revealed rapid absorption after i.p. administration, capacity to cross the BBB and long-term brain residence. Hence, our results provide additional information on the anticonvulsant properties of ar-turmerone and support further evaluation towards elucidating its mechanism of action, bioavailability, toxicity and potential clinical application.
Methylated flavonoids as antiseizure agents: Naringenin 4′,7-dimethyl ether attenuates epileptic seizures in zebrafish and mouse models
(2018) Copmans, Danielle; Orellana Paucar, Adriana Monserrath; Steurs, Gert; Zhang, Yifan; Ny, Annelii; Foubert, Kenn; Exarchou, Vasiliki; Siekierska, Aleksandra; Kim, Youngju; De borggraeve, Wim; Dehaen, Wim; Pieters, Luc; De Witte, Peter AM
Epilepsy is a neurological disease that affects more than 70 million people worldwide and is characterized by the presence of spontaneous unprovoked recurrent seizures. Existing anti-seizure drugs (ASDs) have side effects and fail to control seizures in 30% of patients due to drug resistance. Hence, safer and more efficacious drugs are sorely needed. Flavonoids are polyphenolic structures naturally present in most plants and consumed daily with no adverse effects reported. These structures have shown activity in several seizure and epilepsy animal models through allosteric modulation of GABAA receptors, but also via potent anti-inflammatory action in the brain. As such, dietary flavonoids offer an interesting source for ASD and anti-epileptogenic drug (AED) discovery, but their pharmaceutical potential is often hampered by metabolic instability and low oral bioavailability. It has been argued that their drug-likeness can be improved via methylation of the free hydroxyl groups, thereby dramatically enhancing metabolic stability and membrane transport, facilitating absorption and highly increasing bioavailability. Since no scientific data is available regarding the use of methylated flavonoids in the fight against epilepsy, we studied naringenin (NRG), kaempferol (KFL), and three methylated derivatives, i.e., naringenin 7-O-methyl ether (NRG-M), naringenin 40,7-dimethyl ether (NRG-DM), and kaempferide (40-O-methyl kaempferol) (KFD) in the zebrafish pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) seizure model. We demonstrate that the methylated flavanones NRG-DM and NRG-M are highly effective against PTZ-induced seizures in larval zebrafish, whereas NRG and the flavonols KFL and KFD possess only a limited activity. Moreover, we show that NRG-DM is active in two standard acute mouse seizure models, i.e., the timed i.v. PTZ seizure model and the 6-Hz psychomotor seizure model. Based on these results, NRG-DM is proposed as a lead compound that is worth further investigation for the treatment of generalized seizures and drug-resistant focal seizures. Our data therefore highlights the potential of methylated flavonoids in the search for new and improved ASDs.
Steviol glycosides from stevia rebaudiana: an updated overview of their sweetening activity, pharmacological properties, and safety aspects
(2023) Orellana Paucar, Adriana Monserrath
This literature-based review synthesizes the available scientific information about steviol glycosides as natural sweeteners and molecules with therapeutic potential. In addition, it discusses the safety concerns regarding human consumption. Steviol glycosides exhibit a superior sweetener proficiency to that of sucrose and are noncaloric, noncariogenic, and nonfermentative. Scientific evidence encourages stevioside and rebaudioside A as sweetener alternatives to sucrose and supports their use based on their absences of harmful effects on human health. Moreover, these active compounds isolated from Stevia rebaudiana possess interesting medicinal activities, including antidiabetic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and antidiarrheal activity. The described bioactivities of steviol glycosides deserve special attention based on their dose dependence and specific pathological situations. Further clinical research is needed to understand underlying mechanisms of action, therapeutic indexes, and pharmacological applications.
Child development and nutritional status in Ecuador
(2019) Huiracocha Tutivén, María de Lourdes; Orellana Paucar, Adriana Monserrath; Abril Ulloa, Sandra Victoria; Huiracocha Tutivén, Mirian Sofía; Palacios Santana, Gicela; Blume, Stuart
We assessed the development, nutritional status, and complementary feeding of 12- to 23-month-old children from Cuenca, Ecuador in 2013. Ecuador, an upper-middle-income country, developed a child policy in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. We collected cross-sectional survey data. Child development was assessed using the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness Guide–2011. The nutritional status was defined with WHO Child Growth Standards−2006. We investigated nutrient density, WHO Infant and Young Child Feeding Indicators, and nutrient supplementation intake of the complementary feeding. In all, 11.7% of children had “possible developmental delay,” stunting was identified in 29.4% of the children, and 25.3% faced overnutrition (overweight risk/overweight/obesity). The complementary feeding composition can be summarized as having adequate fat, high energy (MJ/day) and protein, and low iron and zinc. Children with “possible developmental delay” received less iron (P <.05) than children with normal development. Overall, 30.4% of children had minimum dietary diversity. A total of 47.7% of children received nutrient supplementation. This epidemiological profile of infants remains a challenge for Ecuador’s health programs.
Pharmacological profile, bioactivities, and safety of turmeric oil
(2022) Machado Orellana, Maria Gabriela; Orellana Paucar, Adriana Monserrath
The pharmacological attributes of turmeric have been extensively described and frequently related to the action of curcuminoids. However, there is also scientific evidence of the contribution of turmeric oil. Since the oil does not contain curcuminoids in its composition, it is crucial to better understand the therapeutic role of other constituents in turmeric. The present review discusses the pharmacokinetics of turmeric oil, pointing to the potential application of its active molecules as therapeutic compounds. In addition, the bioactivities of turmeric oil and its safety in preclinical and clinical studies were revised. This literature-based research intends to provide an updated overview to promote further research on turmeric oil and its constituents. © 2022 by the authors.
Actividad anticonvulsiva del aceite de cúrcuma y sus constituyentes en los modelos biológicos de pez cebra y ratón
(Universitaria Abya-Yala, 2019) Orellana Paucar, Adriana Monserrath
Anticonvulsant activity of bisabolene sesquiterpenoids of Curcuma longa in zebrafish and mouse seizure models.
(2012) Orellana Paucar, Adriana Monserrath; Serruys, Ann Sophie K.; Afrikanova, Tatiana; Maes, Jan; De Borggraeve, Wim; Alen, Jo; León Tamariz, Fabián; Wilches Arizabala, Isabel Maria; De Witte, Peter A.M.; Esguerra, Camila V.
urmeric, obtained from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa, is used in South Asia as a traditional medicine for the treatment of epilepsy. To date, in vivo studies on the anticonvulsant activity of turmeric have focused on its principal curcuminoid, curcumin. However, poor absorption and rapid metabolism have limited the therapeutic application of curcumin in humans. To explore the therapeutic potential of turmeric for epilepsy further, we analyzed its anticonvulsant activity in a larval zebrafish seizure assay. Initial experiments revealed that the anticonvulsant activity of turmeric in zebrafish larvae cannot be explained solely by the effects of curcumin. Zebrafish bioassay-guided fractionation of turmeric identified bisabolene sesquiterpenoids as additional anticonvulsants that inhibit PTZ-induced seizures in both zebrafish and mice. Here, we present the first report of the anticonvulsant properties of bisabolene sesquiterpenoids and provide evidence which warrants further investigation toward the mechanistic understanding of their neuromodulatory activity.
Perceptions towards the practice of andean traditional medicine and the challenges of its integration with modern medicine. Case Cuenca, Ecuador.
(2021) Quinche Guillen, Valeria Estefania; Garzon Lopez, Danilo Esteban; Ansaloni, Raffaella; Barrera Luna, Geovanny Patricio; Orellana Paucar, Adriana Monserrath; Huiracocha Tutivén, María de Lourdes
There is currently a resurgent interest in traditional medicine. The World Health Organization suggested applying strategies for its proper integration into the National Health System. This study seeks to know and understand the opportunities and challenges of the practice of Andean traditional medicine (ATM) in Cuenca (Ecuador) within the context of a possible integration with modern medicine (MM) from the perspective of healers, physicians, and users. The study is qualitative and has a phenomenological design. Convenience and snowball sampling was applied to select participants for focus groups, individual semi-structured interviews, and individual non-participatory observations. The information was qualitatively processed, and the findings categorized into 2 major themes (a. Opportunities in the practice of ATM, and b. Challenges in the potential integration of ATM in MM) and 14 associated subthemes, respectively 6 in the first main theme and 8 in the second main theme. Participants characterized the strengths and weaknesses in integrating Andean traditional medicine with modern medicine. Findings suggest that an appropriate integration of ATM with MM request a government regulatory framework encouraging the protection of ancestral wisdom and biodiversity, a safe and rational application of joint therapies, and research development in the area.