Abstract
Piper carpunya Ruiz & Pav. (Piperaceae) is a perennial aromatic shrub of Amazonian area of Ecuador and Peru, belonging to the ethnomedicine of these countries. The traditional preparations of the crude drug (fresh leaves used topically as is, and dried leaves in infusions or decoctions) are known for anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, antidiarrheal, antiparasitic effects, and wound healing properties. In light of this traditional evidence, chemical composition (GC-MS) and biological activity, i.e., antioxidant, antifungal (yeast) capacities, and genotoxicity, of Amazonian P. carpunya leaf essential oil (EO) have been investigated in order to valorize some of the putative ethnomedical effects. The EO was obtained through steam distillation of fresh leaves (yield: 7.6 g/kg [0.76%]; refractive index at 20°C: 1.49; density: 0.928 g/mL). Chemical characterization performed through GC-MS evidenced the presence of 21 compounds (96.2% of the total). The most abundant constituents were piperitone (26.2%), limonene (9.5%), elemicin (7.2%), and β-phellandrene (5.6%). In vitro DPPH antioxidant assay showed a weak radical scavenging ability (IC50) if compared to positive control. Low bioactivity of the EO was also demonstrated against yeast, but it showed an interesting synergistic activity (FIC index of EO+fluconazole) against Candida sp. strains. Ames test evidenced the safety of the EO concerning genotoxicity.
Highlights
Breastfeeding has unparalleled advantages in both optimal infant development and the intimacy between mothers and infants, for preterm infants in particular
Human milk from the mother is the best choice for preterm infants, insufficient production is common among mothers [4]. e reasons are as follows [5, 6]: the baby is born with a small gestational age and the mammary gland of the mother is immature; there is no early, regular, and frequent emptying of the breast; the skin contact between the mother and the baby is reduced; the mother is feeling stressed or anxious; and the effect of certain demographic factors
Results. e medical records of 50 potential participants out of 267 preterm mothers were reviewed to screen the eligibility of mothers of preterm infants. 2 were excluded because of severe postpartum depression, while 3 were excluded because they had to stop breastfeeding for medical reasons
Summary
Breastfeeding has unparalleled advantages in both optimal infant development and the intimacy between mothers and infants, for preterm infants in particular. Human milk from the mother is the best choice for preterm infants, insufficient production is common among mothers [4]. Preterm infant mothers have always encountered difficulties in human milk production. For this reason, an intervention of breast massage combined with acupoint stimulation was designed to increase the production. Rough a pilot randomized trial, we assessed the acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of breast massage combined with acupoint stimulation and the study procedures. 40 participants of preterm infants born at less than 34 weeks of gestation were randomly allocated to the CG (control group) or the EG (group with breast massage combined with acupoint stimulation). Is pilot study was oriented towards the effectiveness of breast massage combined with acupuncture stimulation for the increase of human milk production in the participants. A large-scale RCT will be able to determine the beneficial effects of this intervention on human milk production
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