Phytoconstituents, antioxidant and antiglycation activity of Chrysophyllum cainito L., Hancornia speciosa Gomes and Plinia glomerata Berg. fruits.

The present study verified the presence of phytoconstituents and evaluated antioxidant (DPPH, FRAP, NO and TBARS tests) and antiglycation (REM test) activities of unconventional wild edible fruits Chrysophyllum cainito, Hancornia speciosa and Plinia glomerata. It was verified the presence of phenolic compounds for all fruits and flavonoids were observed only for C. cainito, which presented in its peel the highest total phenols (90.34 µg GAE mg-1) and flavonoids (30.4 µg RE mg-1) content. Sugar concentration was significant for all fruits, where H. speciosa showed the highest reducing sugar content (576.12 mg g-1) and C. cainito pulp showed the highest total sugar content (858.67 mg g-1). All fruits presented vitamin C and carotenoids, highlighting P. glomerata with the best results for ascorbic acid (2260.94 mg 100 g-1) and carotenoids (59.62 µg g-1). Extracts presented antioxidant activity, highlighting C. cainito peel that presented 65.64% (DPPH), 231.34 µM TE L-1 (FRAP), 49.34% (NO) and 22.56% (TBARS), while in antiglycation evaluation, P. glomerata showed evident activity. Therefore, it was possible to determine different phytoconstituents, and antioxidant and antiglycation activities of the fruits. These data provide subsidies for application of these fruits in new studies, to increase knowledge and preservation of these species.

Characterization of allelochemicals from Pistia stratiotes extracts and their effects on the growth and physiology of Microcystis aeruginosa.

Due to the public and environmental health impact of cyanotoxins, investigations have been focused on finding environmental friendly algaecides from aquatic plants. The present study had the objective to evaluate the population control and physiological response of Microcystis aeruginosa (Kützing) Kützing (strain BCCUSP232) exposed to Pistia stratiotes L. extracts. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of P. stratiotes at different concentrations (10, 25, and 50 mg L-1) were submitted to M. aeruginosa and reduced significantly (p<0.05) the cyanobacterium cell density. The ethanolic extract presented the greatest growth inhibition of the strain at the highest concentration. During exposure to P. stratiotes extracts, intracellular hydrogen peroxide levels, malondialdehyde content, and antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione S-transferase) activities increased in M. aeruginosa, while total protein concentration decreased when compared to the control group. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities presented a sharp decline, suggesting superoxide radical and peroxide accumulation. This implied that SOD was a target for bioactive substance(s) from aqueous and ethanolic extracts of P. stratiotes. Phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed that the ethanolic extract presented 93.36 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per gram dry weight (g-1 DW) total polyphenols and 217.33 mg rutin equivalent (RE) per gram dry weight total flavonoids, and for the aqueous extract, 5.19 mg GAE g-1 DW total polyphenols and 11.02 mg RE g-1 DW total flavonoids were detected. Gas chromatography (GC)/mass spectrometry (MS) analyses of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts presented palmitic acid ethyl ester as major allelochemical. In view of these results, it can be concluded that P. stratiotes showed potential in controlling M. aeruginosa populations.

Evaluation of the antigenotoxic and antioxidant activity induced by Croton antisyphiliticus.

This study aimed to investigate antigenotoxicity and antioxidant potential of extract, fractions and vitexin from C. antisyphiliticus. Methanolic extract was fractionated through solvents of increasing polarity. The composition of extracts and fractions were evaluated through phytochemical screening. Micronucleus test was performed in mice to evaluate the antigenotoxicity. Antioxidant activity was measured using the assay 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), iron ion chelating, thiobarbituric acid assay and nitric oxide scavenging. Treatment with extract, fractions and vitexin did not produce an increase in Micronucleus mean values. However, Micronucleus (MN) mean values decreased in relation to control. methanolic extract presented antioxidant potential for DPPH (81%), iron ion chelating (77.8%), Thiobarbituric Acid (TBARS) (32.49%) and Nitric Oxide (NO) (80.97%). Ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest antioxidant activity (65.46%). The vitexin showed a Inhibitory Concentration (IC50) of DPPH value smaller in relation to control. Vitexin flavonoid was detected by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), infrared spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. It can be inferred that methanolic extract, fraction ethyl acetate and vitexin isolated from C. antisyphiliticus is endowed with antigenotoxic and antioxidant potential.

In vitro anthelmintic activity of Psidium guajava hydroalcoholic extract against gastro-intestinal sheep nematodes.

Tanniferous plants have been used for ruminants verminosis control and represent a possibility to minimize the pharmacological resistance against conventional antiparasitics. This study aimed to evaluate the antihelminthic activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of stem bark of guava tree (PgHA). It was performed the hatchability and larval migration inhibition assays to evaluate PgHA at the following concentrations 0.62, 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 mg mL-1 and the control treatments. The total polyphenol, flavonoid and tannin contents were determined by phytochemical analysis, high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, ferric reducing antioxidant power and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances tests. It was also determinated total protein, intracellular H2O2 and antioxidant activity of enzimes: glutathione S-transferase and superoxide dismutase. PgHA was able to inhibit both hatchability and larval migration, but only hatchability inhibition presented dose-dependent pattern. The antioxidant activity was demonstrated by linear regression with IC50 corresponding to 534.02 µg mL-1. The antiparasitic mechanism occurred through pro-oxidative activity by the increase of total proteins, intracellular H2O2 and the lipid peroxidation products, as well as the increase of the enzymes above related. Thus, the PgHA showed antiparasitic activity in vitro.

Genotoxicity, anti-melanoma and antioxidant activities of Hymenaea courbaril L. seed extract.

Hymenaea courbaril has been used to treat different diseases, although its properties are yet to be scientifically validated. The objective of this study was to determine the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, antigenotoxicity and antioxidant potentials of hydroethanolic extract from H. courbaril seeds. Therefore, for the cytotoxicity test an anti-melanoma assay was performed in B16F10 strain cells. The genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity was evaluated in bone marrow cells (Permit number: 002/2010) of mice, the antioxidant activity was determined by the DPPH test and the total flavonoid content was also determined. The hydroethanolic extract showed antigenotoxic effect and antioxidant activity. It was verified that total flavonoid content was 442.25±18.03 mg RE/g dry extract. HPLC-PAD chromatogram revealed presence of flavones as majority compound in evaluated extract. The results allowed us to also infer that the hydroethanolic extract from seeds shows cytotoxic activity against B16F10 melanoma cells line and it has dose-and-time-dependency.

Pyrostegia venusta heptane extract containing saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons induces apoptosis on B16F10-Nex2 melanoma cells and displays antitumor activity in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Pyrostegia venusta (Ker. Gawl.) Miers (Bignoniacea) is a medicinal plant from the Brazilian Cerrado used to treat leucoderma and common diseases of the respiratory system. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antitumor activity of P.venusta extracts against melanoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cytotoxic activity and tumor induced cell death of heptane extract (HE) from P. venusta flowers was evaluated against murine melanoma B16F10-Nex2 cells in vitro and in a syngeneic model in vivo. RESULTS: We found that HE induced apoptosis in melanoma cells by disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential, induction of reactive oxygen species and late apoptosis evidenced by plasma membrane blebbing, cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation, exposure of phosphatidylserine on the cell surface and activation of caspase-2,-3,-8,-9. HE was also protective against singeneyc subcutaneous melanoma HE compounds were also able to induce cell cycle arrest at G2/M phases on tumor cells. On fractionation of HE in silica gel we isolated a cytotoxic fraction that contained a mixture of saturated hydrocarbons identified by (1)H NMR and GC-MS analyses. Predominant species were octacosane (C28H58-36%) and triacontane (C30H62-13%), which individually showed significant cytotoxic activity against murine melanoma B16F10-Nex2 cells in vitro and a very promising antitumor protection against subcutaneous melanoma in vivo. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the components of the heptane extract, mainly octasane and triacontane, which showed antitumor properties in experimental melanoma upon regional administration, might also be therapeutic in human cancer, such as in the mostly epidermal and slowly invasive melanomas, such as acral lentiginous melanoma, as an adjuvant treatment to surgical excision.

Phytotoxicity of ethanolic extract of turnip leaves (Raphanus sativus L. ) / Fitotoxicidade do extrato etanólico de folhas de nabo (Raphanus sativus L. )

The study of allelopathic activity has been aim of research that evaluates mainly species used in green fertilization. Raphanus sativus L. stands out among these species, because it shows high capacity for nutrient recycling, specially nitrogen and phosphorus, what makes it an advantageous cover plant in crop rotation systems. Considering the exposed, the present study had as objective the evaluation of the allelopathic and phytotoxic potentials of different concentrations of the R. sativus leaves ethanolic extract by mean of seeds germination analyses and development of lettuce seedlings, evaluating the phytotoxicity by determination of the mitotic index of lettuce root cells, realizing the phytochemical profile and investigating the antioxidant activity. It was possible to verify that the R. sativus extract interferes in the germination index, decreasing the germinability (5 mg.mL-1 = 9.84%; 10 mg.mL-1 = 11.91% and 20 mg.mL-1= 57.51%). In the lettuce seedlings growth, the extract of this species affected the roots and hypocotyls growth. It was possible to observe phenols and total flavonoids in the extract for the concentration of 1000µg.mL-1(161mg and 83.57 mg, respectively). It was also observed, higher antioxidant activity for the concentration of 1000 µg.mL-1 (89.76%). In the phytotoxicity assay was observed a dose dependent effect in the mitotic index and in the cellular events during cellular division. In this study it was possible to conclude that this species has allelochemical compounds which are able to interfere directly on the stabilization and development of other species.

O estudo da atividade alelopática tem sido alvo de investigação, avaliando principalmente espécies usadas na adubação verde. Raphanus sativus L. destaca-se entre as espécies, porque mostra alta capacidade de reciclagem de nutrientes, nitrogênio e fósforo, especialmente, o que faz com que seja uma planta de cobertura vantajosa em sistemas de rotação de culturas. Considerando o exposto, o presente estudo teve como objetivo a avaliação dos potenciais alelopáticos e fitotóxico de diferentes concentrações do extrato etanólico de folhas de R. sativus por meio de análises de germinação de sementes e desenvolvimento de mudas de alface, avaliar a fitotoxicidade por determinação do índice mitótico de células da raiz de alface, investigar o perfil fitoquímico e a atividade antioxidante. Foi possível verificar que o extrato de R. sativus interfere no índice de germinação, diminuindo a capacidade de germinação (5 mg.mL-1 = 9,84%; 10 mg.mL-1 = 11,91% e 20 mg.mL-1= 57,51%). No crescimento de mudas de alface o extrato desta espécie afetou o crescimento de raízes e hipocótilos. Foi possível observar uma considerável quantidade de fenóis e flavonóides totais no extrato para a concentração de 1000 µg.mL-1 (161 mg e 83.57 mg, respectivamente). Observou-se, também, a atividade antioxidante mais elevada para a concentração de 10000 µg.mL-1 (89,76%). No ensaio de fitotoxicidade foi observado um efeito dose dependente no índice mitótico e nos eventos celulares durante a divisão celular. Neste estudo foi possível concluir que esta espécie tem compostos aleloquímicos capazes de interferir diretamente na estabilização e desenvolvimento de outras espécies.

Avaliação do potencial genotóxico do extrato bruto de Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl. ) Miers, Bignoneaceae, em medula óssea de camundongos / The Evaluation of the genotoxic potency of the Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl. ) Miers, Bignoneaceae, crude extract on bone marrow of mice

Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl.) Miers, Bignoneaceae, é utilizada no tratamento de vitiligo e de outras doenças, mas seus efeitos genotóxicos não são conhecidos. Neste sentido, o presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito genotóxico de extratos de P. venusta em camundongos utilizando os Testes de Micronúcleo (MN) e o de Aberração Cromossômica (AC). O vegetal foi coletado, selecionado, seco, triturado e extraído com etanol. Camundongos de 40 g foram divididos em grupos experimentais e controles. Os grupos experimentais receberam concentrações crescentes do extrato (50, 100 e 200 mg/kg por peso corporal), por v.o. O grupo controle negativo (CN) recebeu água. O grupo controle positivo (CP) recebeu Ciclofosfamida® por v.i. Realizou-se o sacrifício, retirada da medula óssea, homogeneização e preparação das lâminas. As freqüências de eritrócitos policromáticos micronucleados (EPCMN) foram: CN = 0,35±0,09; CP = 2,87±1,78; 50 = 0,09±0,04; 100 = 0,16±0,08 e 200 = 0,10±0,03. O teste de AC apresentou as seguintes freqüências: CN = 0,12±1,87; CP = 0,62±5,61; 50 = 0,12±1,58; 100 = 0,072±0,54 e 200 = 0,124±1,64. As freqüências de EPCMN dos grupos experimentais foram significantemente inferiores quando comparadas com as dos controles. A freqüência de cromossomos aberrantes não teve diferença significativa se comparada com o CN, mas foi estatisticamente menor que a do CP. P.venusta não apresentou atividade genotóxica.

Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl.) Miers, Bignoneaceae, is used in the treatment of vitiligo and other diseases, but its genotoxic effects are unknown. In this way, this study aimed to evaluate the genotoxic effect of extracts of P. venusta in mice using the micronucleus (MN) and chromosome aberration tests (CA). The plant was collected, selected, dried, pounded and extracted with ethanol. Mice weighing 40 g were divided in experimental and control groups. The experimental groups received different concentrations (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight), by oral gavage. The negative control group (NC) received water. The positive control group (PC) received Ciclophosphamide® by v.i. It was performed the sacrifice, removal of bone marrow, homogenization and slides preparation. Frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE) was: NC = 0.35±1.87; PC = 2.87±9.02; 50 = 0.09±0.83; 100 = 0.16±0.10 e 200 = 0.10±0.71. The CA test showed the frequency: NC = 0.12±1.87; PC = 0.62±5.61; 50 = 0.12±1.58; 100 = 0.072±0.54 e 200 = 0.124±1.64. The frequency of MNPCE of experimental controls was significantly lower when compared with NC, but it was statistically lower than PC's frequency. P.venusta didn't show genotoxicity activity.

Diffuse reflection FTIR spectral database of dyes and pigments.

24 Pigments commonly used in art have been characterized by diffuse reflection infrared spectroscopy (DR). All of the compounds have also been characterized by means of infrared absorption spectroscopy to demonstrate the reliability of the DR technique. This is the first record of the use of this technique as an analytical tool in conservation science, and the results appear to be promising for the identification of unknown pigments used on historical and artwork artifacts. Although the DR technique used here is not nondestructive, it can still be usefully applied to the analysis of artwork since it requires only a very small quantity of sample for analysis.

Anti-Taenia solium metacestode IgG antibodies in serum samples from inhabitants of a central-western region of Brazil.

A total of 354 serum samples from inhabitants who frequent the Clinical Laboratory in Catalão, Goiás, in the central-western region of Brazil, were collected from June to August, 2002. The samples were evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence antibody tests and an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in order to detect anti-Taenia solium metacestode IgG antibodies. Reactive and inconclusive samples were tested by Western blotting (WB). Considering WB as a confirmation, the frequency of antibodies in the serum samples of the above population was 11.3% (CI 5.09-17.51). The immunodominant bands most frequently recognized in WB were 64-68 kDa (97.5%) and 47-52 kDa (80%). The percentage of seropositivity to cysticercosis was significantly higher for individuals residing in areas without sewage systems (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, the results indicate a probable endemic situation of cysticercosis in this population. These results reinforce the urgent need for control and prevention measures to be taken by the local public health services.

Anti-Taenia solium metacestode IgG antibodies in serum samples from inhabitants of a central-western region of Brazil

Um total de 354 amostras de soro de habitantes que freqüentaram o Laboratório Clínico em Catalão, Goiás, na região centro-oeste do Brasil, foram colhidas no período de junho a agosto de 2002. As amostras foram avaliadas pelo teste de imunofluorescência indireta e enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) com o objetivo de detectar anticorpos IgG anti-metacestódeo de Taenia solium. As amostras reativas e inconclusivas foram testadas pelo Western blotting (WB). Considerando WB como reação confirmatória, a freqüência de anticorpos nas amostras de soro da população estudada foi 11,3% (IC: 5,09 - 17,51). As bandas imunodominantes mais frequentemente reconhecidas no WB foram 64-68 kDa (97,5%) e 47-52 kDa (80%). A porcentagem de soropositividade para cisticercose foi significativamente maior nos indivíduos que residiam em áreas sem sistema de esgoto (p < 0,0001). Concluiu-se que os resultados indicam uma provável situação de endemicidade para cisticercose nesta população, reforçando a urgente necessidade de medidas de controle e prevenção que devem ser implantadas pelo serviço de saúde pública local.