Appraisal of the antichemotactic activity of flavonoids on polymorphonuclear neutrophils.

Flavonoids are polyphenols that are ubiquitous in plants and frequently consumed in the diet. They are suggested to have many beneficial actions on human health, including anti-inflammatory activity. Their properties have been studied in a number of cell types, but little is known about their effects on neutrophil biology. Consequently, we selected 25 flavonoids with different structural features to evaluate their in vitro inhibition of rat polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) chemotaxis, employing a modified Boyden chamber. Migratory activity was measured towards a chemotactic stimulant, formyl-Met-Leu-Phe or lipopolysaccharide. Furthermore, the cytotoxic effect of flavonoids on PMNs was determined by the release of cytosolic lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Ten flavonoids significantly retarded the migration of PMNs with at least one of the concentrations tested in a range between 0.625 and 100 µM; the best antichemotactic agents were flavone, flavonol, quercetin and rutin. None of the flavanones evaluated presented any significant inhibition of migration in this assay. Our findings indicated that non-hydroxylated flavones possess a better antichemotactic activity when compared to flavones with hydroxy groups. The presence of a sugar moiety in rutin did not produce any increase in this effect, when compared to the respective aglycone analogue. Finally, none of the flavonoids exhibited cell toxicity and for many of these flavonoids this is the first report of the inhibition of PMN chemotaxis.

Potential use of secondary products of the agri-food industry for topical formulations and comparative analysis of antioxidant activity of grape leaf polyphenols.

The aim of the present study was to develop a phytocosmetic using Vitis waste by-products, for use as a topical formulation for skin protection against ultraviolet radiation damage. The study also evaluates the free radical scavenger activity of the crude extracts of dried leaves of Vitis vinifera and Vitis labrusca, as well as the anthocyanins, flavonoid fraction and isolated compounds. Next, release and permeation studies of hydrogels were performed using Franz-type diffusion cells. Flavonoid acted more intensively in TRAP and conjugated dienes antioxidant assays, whereas anthocyanins had higher antioxidant activity in hydroxyl and nitric oxide assay. Only quercetin-3-O-glucuronide (5) was released from hydrogels, and the flavonoid retention in porcine ear skin after eight hours of permeation was below of limit of quantification for this compound. The polyphenols present in Vitis are capable of absorbing UV and visible light, justifying their potential as sunscreens for the development of a phytocosmetic.

Compilação de levantamentos de uso de plantas medicinais no Rio Grande do Sul / Compilation of surveys of medicinal plants used in Rio Grande do Sul

Resumo A valorização e o registro do conhecimento tradicional sobre plantas medicinais é objetivo de políticas públicas nacionais e estaduais. Nesse sentido, a Política Intersetorial de Plantas Medicinais e Fitoterápicos no Rio Grande do Sul preconiza, dentre outros aspectos, estimular a pesquisa sobre plantas medicinais, priorizando as espécies nativas. Verifica-se a redução da ocorrência das espécies medicinais levando à perda do conhecimento tradicional devido à redução das áreas naturais e à desvalorização dos saberes tradicionais pelas novas gerações. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho visou realizar pesquisas bibliográfica e documental sobre o uso de plantas medicinais no Rio Grande do Sul e consolidar esses estudos compondo material para a compilação de uma listagem única das espécies mais utilizadas com fins medicinais no estado. Utilizou-se metodologia quanti-qualitativa com pesquisa bibliográfica e análise documental. A compilação de dados resultou em uma lista de mais de 280 espécies vegetais distribuídas em mais de 80 famílias botânicas. Verificou-se que das 20 espécies vegetais mais usadas, menos de 50% são nativas, fato muito relacionado à diversidade cultural do estado. Esse trabalho culminou na publicação da Relação Estadual de Plantas Medicinais de interesse do Sistema Único de Saúde no Rio Grande do Sul (REPLAME/RS).

Abstract The appreciation and recording of traditional knowledge about medicinal plants is the aim of state and national public policies. The Intersectoral Policy of Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicines in Rio Grande do Sul recommends the stimulation of research on medicinal plants, giving priority to native species. There is a reduction in the occurrence of medicinal species leading to the loss of traditional knowledge due to the reduction of natural areas and the devaluation of traditional knowledge by the new generations. This study aimed to perform bibliographical and documentary research on the use of medicinal plants in Rio Grande do Sul and to consolidate these studies in order to compose material for the compilation of a single list of the most commonly used plant species for medicinal purposes in the state. It was used a quanti-qualitative methodology with bibliographical research and document analysis. Data collection resulted in a list of more than 280 plant species distributed in more than 80 botanical families. It was found that of the 20 species most commonly used, less than 50% are native, a fact closely related to the cultural diversity of the state. This work culminated in the publication of the State Relation of Medicinal Plants of interest to the Brazilian Unified Health System in the Rio Grande do Sul (REPLAME/RS).

In vitro Antioxidant and Enzymatic Approaches to Evaluate Neuroprotector Potential of Blechnum Extracts without Cytotoxicity to Human Stem Cells.

BACKGROUND: Investigation of selected plant extracts on multi-targets related to neurodegeneration, such as monoamine oxidases (MAO), cholinesterase enzymes, and antioxidant activities (AOA) is a useful tool for identification of new scaffolds. OBJECTIVE: This work investigated biological effects of three Blechnum methanol extracts from Brazil and chemical profile of the most active sample. MATERIALS AND METHODS: AOA included scavenging of hydroxyl and nitric oxide radicals, also lipid peroxidation inhibition. Enzymatic modulation of Blechnum binervatum, Blechnum brasiliense, and Blechnum occidentale extracts on MAO and cholinesterases was conducted. Moreover, total phenol content was performed with all samples, and high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection mass spectrometry HPLC-DAD-MS analysis was carried out with B. brasiliense. Possible toxic effects were evaluated on Wistar rats polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and human stem cells. RESULTS: B. brasiliense extract presented the highest phenolic amount (9.25 g gallic acid equivalent/100 g extract) and lowest IC50 values (112.3 ± 2.61 and 176.1 ± 1.19 µg/mL) against hydroxyl radicals and on lipid peroxidation, respectively, showing strong AO effects. On nitric oxide assay and cholinesterase inhibition, all extracts were considered inactive. MAO-A selective action was evidenced, being B. brasiliense powerful against this enzyme (IC50: 72.7 µg/mL), followed by B. occidentale and B. binervatum (IC50: 130.85 and 165.2 µg/mL). No cytotoxic effects were observed on PMN and human stem cells treated with Blechnum extracts. HPLC-DAD-MS analysis of B. brasiliense allowed the identification of chlorogenic and rosmarinic acids. CONCLUSION: Our results especially highlight B. brasiliense, with pronounced phenols content and strong effects on selected targets related to neurodegeneration, being characterized as a natural safe source of bioactive hydroxycinnamic acids. SUMMARY: Blechnum crude extracts showed high phenolic amounts and valuable IC50 values on targets related with neurodegenerative disordersBlechnum brasiliense was the most active sample, with strong radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibition, also with monoamine oxidases: A selective modulationNo cytotoxic effects were observed on polymorphonuclear cells rat cells and human stem cells treated with Blechnum extractsHigh-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-mass spectrometry analysis of Blechnum brasiliense allowed the identification of hydroxycinnamic derivatives: Chlorogenic and rosmarinic acids. Abbreviations used: IC50: half maximal inhibitory concentration; MAO: monoamine oxidase; MAO-A: monoamine oxidase isoform A; MAO-B: monoamine oxidase isoform B; HO•: hydroxyl radical.

Comparative analysis of the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of red (Psidium cattleianum) and yellow (Psidium cattleianum var. lucidum) strawberry guava fruit.

UNLABELLED: Strawberry guava (Psidium cattleianum Sabine) is a native fruit of Brazil widely consumed fresh and used in the food industry. In this context, the present study deals with the chemical characterization and the antioxidant activity of the red (Psidium cattleianum) and yellow (P. cattleianum var. lucidum Hort.) strawberry guava fruits, cultivars Irapuã and Ya-Cy, respectively. Knowledge of chemical composition is fundamental to human nutrition, contributing to the quality of foods. Phenolic compounds in both fruits were analyzed by HPLC-DAD and the total flavonoid content was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by the total reactive antioxidant (TRAP) method. Psidium cattleianum presented a higher content of polyphenolic compounds than P. cattleianum var. lucidum (501.33 and 292.03 mg/100 g, respectively), with hyperoside being one of the major flavonoids identified for both cultivars. In addition to flavonoids, P. cattleianum presented an anthocyanin, identified as cyanidin. The antioxidant activity varied in a concentration-dependent manner for both strawberry guava species. The volatile oils in fruits and fatty acids in seeds were quantified by GC-EM. The analysis of the essential oil of yellow strawberry guava was compared with a previous study on the red cultivar, revealing ß-caryophyllene as the main component in both oils. The fatty acid composition was also quite similar and was especially characterized by the presence of unsaturated fatty acids (86.25% and 76%, respectively), among which linoleic acid as the most abundant. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: In this study, the chemical characterization and the antioxidant activity of the red (Psidium cattleianum) and yellow (P. cattleianum var. lucidum Hort.) strawberry guava fruits were investigated. This is important for potential application of strawberry guava as functional food. Moreover, it may be the experimental basis for further development and use in food industry.

Immunohistochemical localization of an N-acetyl amino-carbohydrate specific lectin (ACL-I) of the marine sponge Axinella corrugata.

The N-acetyl amino-carbohydrate specific lectin (ACL-I) was previously identified and purified by us from the marine sponge Axinella corrugata (phylum Porifera, class Demospongiae). The distribution of the specific lectin within the tissue of the sponge was studied by bright-field optical microscopy immunohistochemistry in order to better understand its physiological role in the sponge. Polyclonal antibodies were raised against purified ACL-I in mice and tested by Western blot technique. The immunohistochemical analysis of ACL-I in cross sections of A. corrugata showed that this lectin is found inside the denominated spherulous cells, which contain vesicles that store the lectin. Some evidence is shown that ACL-I might also be present in the extracellular matrix. It was not possible to demonstrate by the immunohistochemical technique if ACL-I is colocalized in both the plasma membrane and in the cytoplasm of the spherulous cells.

Implantação da análise de perigos críticos de controle na fabricação de queijos / Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point System (HACCP) in manufacturing cheeses

Atualmente, o método mais recomendado para garantir a segurança de um produto alimentício denomina-se Sistema de Análise de Perigos e Pontos Críticos de Controle (APPCC) ou Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point System (HACCP). O sistema HACCP não é a solução de todos os problemas de segurança alimentar, sendo apenas uma ferramenta, já que se os dados gerados pela sua implantação não foram adequadamente avaliados e utilizados, o esforço será desperdiçado. Enquanto a descrição dos princípios do sistema HACCP é relativamente breve, o desenvolvimento de um plano HACCP não é nada simples, já que sua implantação demanda tempo considerável, além de habilidade e conhecimentos específicos. Os princípios do HACCP devem ser incorporados gradativamente. Nas indústrias de pequeno e médio porte sua implantação é mais difícil, pois nem sempre há pessoal capacitado para coordenar um programa como este. No Brasil, as corporações do ramo alimentício devem adotar esse método conforme determina a Portaria 1428/93.