Effects of different extracts of the mushroom Agaricus blazei Murill on the hematologic profile of mice with Ehrlich tumor / Efeitos de diferentes extratos do cogumelo Agaricus blazei Murill sobre o perfil hematológico de camundongos com tumor de Ehrlich

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the mushroom Agaricus blazeii Murril (ABM) extracts on the hematological profile of Swiss mice bearing an Ehrlich solid tumor. Three fractions (total extract, polysaccharides, and supernatant) of ABM extracts obtained by four methods (ultrasonic or water bath, at pH 4 or pH 7) were administered to mice over 21 days. Polysaccharide solutions were analyzed by gas and liquid chromatography that showed both mannose and glucose concentrations. The method of extraction influenced the degree of glucose polymerization and the mannose/glucose relationship. The treatment with ABM supernatant at pH 7 and water bath was associated with reduced concentrations of leukocytes and lymphocytes and altered the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in Ehrlich tumor-bearing mice. The treatment with the ABM extract in water bath and ultrasound at pH 4 resulted in lower lymphocyte counts, regardless of tumor presence, and greater granulocyte values in mice with Ehrlich tumor than in controls. We concluded that different fractions and methods of extraction of A. blazei produced differing blood profiles in mice inoculated with the Ehrlich tumor.

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o efeito de diferentes extratos do cogumelo Agaricus blazeii Murril (ABM) sobre o perfil hematológico de camundongos Swiss portadores de tumor de Ehrlich sólido. Três frações (extrato total, polissacarídeos e sobrenadante) dos extratos de ABM foram obtidas por quatro métodos (sonificador, banho-maria, em pH 4 ou pH 7) e administradas para camundongos durante 21 dias. Soluções de polissacarídeos foram analisadas por cromatografia gasosa e líquida, que mostraram concentrações de glucose e manose. O método de extração influenciou o grau de polimerização da glicose e a relação manose/glucose. O tratamento com o sobrenadante de ABM (em pH 7 e banho-maria) estava associado com reduzidas concentrações de leucócitos e linfócitos, além de alterar a porcentagem de linfócitos CD4+ e CD8+ em camundongos portadores de tumor sólido de Ehrlich. O tratamento com extratos de ABM, obtidos tanto em banho-maria como no sonificador em pH 4, resultou nas mais baixas contagens de linfócitos, independentemente da presença do tumor, e nos maiores valores de granulócitos em camundongos com tumor de Ehrlich. Conclui-se que os diferentes métodos de extração com as respectivas frações de A. blazei são capazes de intereferir no perfil hematológico de camundongos com tumor sólido de Ehrlich.

Cardiac evaluation after experimental intoxication by Amorimia rigida (Malpighiaceae) extracts in rabbits

Clinical and laboratory changes were evaluated in rabbits after intoxication by Amorimia rigida, a plant that causes sudden death. Nine New Zealand male rabbits, averaging 3.54 kg, were categorized into three groups (n = 3) and received, for eight consecutive days, the equivalent of 30 g/kg dry matter of A. rigida water-soluble (SG) and water-insoluble (IG) extracts via nasoesophageal route. The control group received water. There were no alterations in creatine kinase enzyme (CK), CK myocardial fraction (CKMB) or troponine I (cTnI). None of the animals had clinical or electrocardiographic (conventional and Holter) alterations. There were progressive decreases in the left ventricular ejection fraction and systolic fractional shortening. Doppler echocardiography alterations suggested a systolic dysfunction in the SG and IG groups and diastolic dysfunction in IG group. It was concluded that the soluble and insoluble extracts of A. rigida cause deficit of cardiac function.

Purification and molecular characterization of antibacterial compounds produced by Lactobacillus murinus strain L1.

AIMS: The aim of this work was to purify and characterize antibacterial compounds produced by Lactobacillus murinus strain L1. METHODS AND RESULTS: Antagonistic activity was observed in a deferred agar-spot assay against spoilage and pathogenic bacteria, but not against lactobacilli. The inhibitory activity occurred between pH 3.0 and 5.0, and was heat stable. The active compounds were purified by gel filtration chromatography and two peaks of antibacterial activity were observed using Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778 and Shigella sonnei ATCC 11060 as indicator strains. Two active low molecular weight compounds were responsible for this phenomenon and UV spectroscopy, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry were used to characterize them. One of them is lactic acid, while the other is a mono-substituted aromatic ring apparently constituted by group residues of m/z 192 linked in tandem to phenylalanine. CONCLUSIONS: Lactobacillus murinus produces at least two low molecular weight compounds active against B. cereus and Sh. sonnei. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first purification of a new broad-spectrum antibacterial compound from Lact. murinus which inhibits various pathogenic and food spoilage bacteria without acting on other lactobacilli. Using it as a biotechnological control agent of bacterial spoilage may be a promising possibility for the food industry.