Evaluation of the anti-convulsive potential of cyanobacteria and micro-algas present in water bodies of the Cajas National Park

At present, the search for new products with pharmacological activity based on natural resources has had a huge impulse worldwide. This phenomenon can be explained by several factors: i) the world current to return to nature as a source of health; Ii) the unique structural characteristics present in natural products and very difficult to reproduce in the laboratory; Iii) the ability of most living beings to completely metabolize natural products; IIII) The least toxicity presented by natural products when consumed. Among the natural products one of the least attention has received in our environment is that of algae and within them the micro-algas and that of green-blue algae or cyanobacteria. These organisms belong to the kingdom of prokaryotes (cyanobacteria) and are considered the most promising for the identification and isolation of biochemically active natural products. The potential of these organisms lies primarily in the structure of their secondary metabolites. These products are the result of the metabolic transformation of the primary or essential compounds of organisms such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats, among others. The composition of these secondary metabolites is highly affected by the weather and geographical conditions where the living organism develops; Generally secondary metabolites are intended to facilitate the development of the organism in a specific environment. Ecuador, by factors such as its geographical location, the presence of the Andes mountain range or marine currents that cross their territorial waters, among others is considered a biologically mega-diverse country. Near our city is the Cajas National Park (PNC) that presents a great natural wealth of unique water resources and climatic characteristics that have allowed the presence of endemic species. Unfortunately, in our environment, experienced personnel have not been had in the identification and isolation of micro-allegation or cyanobacteria species that are developed in the PNC water bodies. It would be expected that the so particular geographical and climatic conditions of the PNC will result in the production by these living beings of secondary metabolites with particular characteristics that allow their acclimatization to these conditions. Through the Ecophysiology of Phyto-and Zooplankton from Alpine Lakes of the Boxes National Park (Ecuador). SANITATION OF CUENCA (EP Stage) are valuing the microbiological wealth (phytoplankton and zooplankton) of various bodies of water from the PNC. The particular objective of the Vlir project of medicinal plants is to evaluate the pharmacological potential of micro-algas (phytoplankton) present (anti-bacterial effects, anti-partner and anti-inflammatory). To achieve this objective, it is required to obtain a sufficient biomass that allows subsequent experimentation. Due to the current situation, this stage of the investigation will be developed in Belgium and the biomass obtained for their pharmacological evaluation in our country. This project aims to contribute to the study of this potential through the establishment at the University of Cuenca of an ease that allows the cultivation of species of microalgae or cyanobacteria isolated in the water bodies of the PNC. The microalgae obtained will be pharmacologically evaluated by analyzing their anti-convulsive capacity using the biological model of zebra fish with which the Vlir project of medicinal plants has.

X RESEARCH PROJECT COMPETITION, V RESEARCH PROGRAM COMPETITION.