Wound Healing Effect of Lippia sidoides and Myracrodruon urundeuva Nanogel.

Wound healing is a natural regenerative response to tissue injury and the conventional treatments consists of the use wound dressings with local administration of medicines, but, in some cases, are only partially effective and limited by toxicity or ineffective anti-microbial protection. Medicinal plants such as Lippia sidoides and Myracrodruon urundeuva have shown interesting pharmacological activities, allied to this, the association of these medicinal plants and nanotechnology, could mean an advantage in relation to classical approach. This study investigated the effect of a nanogel loaded with Lippia sidoides essential oil and Myracrodruon urundeuva extract (NAA) in an excisional wound healing model in rats. Animals were anesthetized and skin wounds were made using a metal punch. The groups were treated with vehicle, NAA or collagenase gel, for 7, 14 or 21 days and then sacrificed for tissue analysis. NAA did not show acute dermal irritation, further significantly reduced (p<0.05) the final wound area, accelerated the wound contraction and organization of collagen in the group treated for 14 days. The data presented here demonstrate the therapeutic potential for the use of nanotechnology associated with medicinal plants and provides evidence that corroborate with the use of L. sidoides and M. urundeuva as healing medicinal plants.

Anti-Leishmania activity of essential oil of Myracrodruon urundeuva (Engl.) Fr. All.: Composition, cytotoxity and possible mechanisms of action.

Myracrodruon urundeuva (Engl.) Fr. All., commonly known as "aroeira-do-sertão", is a medicinal plant from Anacardiaceae family. In this study, the chemical composition of M. urundeuva essential oil (MuEO) was evaluated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), as well as its anti-Leishmania potential, cytotoxicity, and macrophage activation capability as possible antiprotozoal mechanism of action were assessed. Fourteen compounds were identified, which constituted 94.87% of total oil composition. The most abundant components were monoterpenes (80.35%), with ß-myrcene (42.46%), α-myrcene (37.23%), and caryophyllene (4.28%) as the major constituents. The MuEO inhibited the growth of promastigotes (IC50 205 ± 13.4 µg mL-1), axenic amastigotes (IC50 104.5 ± 11.82 µg mL-1) and decreased percentage of macrophage infection and number of amastigotes per macrophage (IC50 of 44.5 ± 4.37 µg⋅mL-1), suggesting significant anti-Leishmania activity. The cytotoxicity of MuEO was assessed by MTT test in Balb/c murine macrophages and by human erythrocytes lysis assay and low cytotoxicity for these cells was observed. The CC50 value against macrophages were 550 ± 29.21 µg mL-1, while cytotoxicity for erythrocytes was around 20% at the highest concentration assessed, with HC50 > 800 µg mL-1. While MuEO-induced anti-Leishmania activity is not mediated by increases in both lysosomal activity and nitric oxide production in macrophages, the results suggest the antiamastigote activity is associated with an immunomodulatory activity of macrophages due to an increase of phagocytic capability induced by MuEO. Thus, MuEO presented significant activity against Leishmania amazonensis, probably modulating the activation of macrophages, with low cytotoxicity to murine macrophages and human erythrocytes.

Physiological traits and antioxidant metabolism of leaves of tropical woody species challenged with cement dust.

Tropical woody species occurring in limestone outcrops are frequently exposed to particulate material from cement factories. The effects of 60-day cement dust exposure on physiological traits and enzymatic antioxidant system of young plant leaves of Guazuma ulmifolia Lam., Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão and Trichilia hirta L. were investigated. Cement dust (2.5 or 5mgcm-2) was applied to the leaf surface or soil or both (leaf plus soil) and plants were maintained at greenhouse. Cement dust barely affected the mineral nutrient levels, except for iron whose content was decreased in leaves/leaflets of all species studied. The incident light was partly blocked in cement dust-treated leaves, regardless of the plant species, causing a decrease in the photosynthetic pigments in M. urundeuva. The chlorophyll b content, however, increased in G. ulmifolia and T. hirta leaves upon cement dust treatment. The potential quantum yield of photosystem II in challenged leaves of G. ulmifolia was 3.8% lower than that of control plants, while such trait remained unaffected in the leaves of the other species. No changes in leaf stomatal conductance and antioxidant enzymes activities were observed, except for M. urundeuva, which experienced a 31% increment in the superoxide dismutase activity upon 5mgcm-2 cement dust (leaf plus soil treatment), when compared with control plants. Overall, the mild changes caused by cement dust in the in physiological and biochemical traits of the species studied indicate that such species might be eligible for further studies of revegetation in fields impacted by cement factories.

Chemical composition and evaluation of the antibacterial and Cytotoxic activities of the essential oil from the leaves of Myracrodruon urundeuva.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the in vitro activity of essential oil extracted from the leaves of Myracrodruon urundeuva. METHODS: The oil was obtained by hydro-distillation and characterized by Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). The antibacterial activity was evaluated by the broth microdilution technique and the MIF was determined by using growth indicator CTT (2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium) and CBM in BHI agar. The oil's cytotoxicity was evaluated in HeLa, HEK-293, and Vero E6 cells using MTT, 3- (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium. RESULTS: The oil showed chemical markers, including α-pinene (87.85%), trans-caryophyllene (1.57%), limonene (1.49%) and ß -pinene (1.42%), and activity against all strains: Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = MBC = 0.22 mg/mL), Staphylococcus epidermidis (MIC = 0.11 mg/mL and MBC = 0.22 mg/mL), Escherichia coli (MIC = 0.88 mg/mL and MBC = 1.75 mg/mL), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC = MBC = 7 mg/mL) and Salmonella Enteritidis (MIC = MBC = 0.44 mg/mL). In vitro cytotoxicity tests showed that the oil is not toxic and has slight antitumor activity. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the M. urundeuva oil results are promising, with prospects of being pharmacologically viable.

Evaluation of the skin whitening and antioxidant activity of Myracrodruon urundeuva extract (aroeira-do-sertão).

Myracrodruon urundeuva, popularly known as 'aroeira-do-sertão', a large tree, with a tall trunk. Belonging to the Anacardiaceae family, it occurs in the 'caatinga' and dry forests of Brazil, from Ceará to the states of Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul. The present study aimed to analyse the whitening and antioxidant activities of the aqueous extract of the leaves of Myracrodruon urundeuva (AELMU). Inhibition of the tyrosinase enzyme, as well as its copper chelating capacity and antioxidant effect were evaluated. The AELMU (at 2000 µg/mL) showed excellent inhibitory action (83.76%) on tyrosinase by chelating the copper ion while kojic acid at the same concentration inhibited 97.81%. Moreover, the extract displayed important antioxidant activity (inhibited 76,46% of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical - DPPH; 49,59% of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and 51,07% of the hydroxyl radical). Thus, the extract under study is promising for use in cosmetics, given its multifactorial action.

Strongly unbalanced gender attractiveness in a dioecious mass flowering tropical tree pollinated by stingless bees.

In dioecious, bee-pollinated tree species, male and female flowers offer different resources. It is unclear how this unbalanced quantity and quality of floral resources affects flower visits and pollen transfer to female flowers. We asked, what characteristics of flowering and dynamics of resource production by trees favour flights of bees between male and female trees. We quantified the floral resources produced by individual flowers and entire trees of Myracrodruon urundeuva (Anacardiaceae), measured pollen flow to female flowers, fruit set of naturally pollinated flowers and determined the effective pollinators. Crown volume of male trees was four-fold, flower number 15-fold and nectar volume 60 times higher than in female trees. While ~70% of male flowers opened in the morning, ~70% of female flowers opened in the afternoon. Fruit set was 27%. Stingless bee species were the main pollinators, while honeybees were common only on male flowers. Strongly unbalanced production of floral resources, high potential lifespan of female flowers and anticipated opening of male flowers favour pollinator movement and pollen deposition on female flowers, albeit low (0.003% of pollen that reached stigmas), but sufficient to produce thousands of fruits per tree. Besides being an astonishing pollen and nectar source for numerous social bee species, only a few of them were effective pollinators. Our quantitative approach to floral resource production of each gender provides new insights, such as the proportion of resources allocated to each gender and the corresponding behaviour of flower visitors, for understanding the reproductive strategy of dioecious tropical mass-flowering trees.

An extract from Myracrodruon urundeuva inhibits matrix mineralization in human osteoblasts.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Phytotherapy based on plant-derived compounds is an alternative medicinal strategy for the relief of symptoms and the curing of diseases. The leaves of Myracrodruon urundeuva a medicinal plant also known as "aroeira", has been used in traditional medicine as healing, antiulcer and anti-inflammatory to treat skeletal diseases in Brazil, but its role in bone cell toxicity, as well as in bone formation, remains to be established. AIM OF THE STUDY: We sought to determine the in vitro osteogenic effects of a hydroalcoholic M. urundeuva leaves extract in primary human osteoblasts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and matrix mineralization were evaluated by MTT assay, DCFH-DA probe, colorimetric-based enzymatic assay and Alizarin Red-staining, respectively. Besides, the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and progressive ankylosis protein homolog (ANKH) gene expression were determined by real-time RT-qPCR and MMP-2 activity by zymography. RESULTS: Exposure of osteoblasts to M. urundeuva extract significantly decreased viability and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, regardless of the extract concentration. The M. urundeuva extract at 10 µg/mL also downregulated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, while upregulating progressive ankylosis protein homolog (ANKH) gene expression. By contrast, the MMP-2 activity was unchanged. The M. urundeuva extract at 10 µg/mL also reduced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralization. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our findings suggest that the inhibition of osteogenic differentiation and matrix mineralization promoted by M. urundeuva may be due more to an increase in oxidative stress than to the modulation of MMP-2 and ANKH expression.

Optimized method for dna extraction and PCR amplification in aroeira tree

Molecular markers are important tools in the characterization of plant genetic diversity and can provide support for conservation strategies for endangered populations. The different molecular techniques involve the evaluation of many individuals; therefore, it is crucial to have fast, efficient, and inexpensive methods for DNA extraction. Given the importance of the Aroeira (Myracrodruon urundeuva Fr. All.) it is pertinent to optimize a protocol that allows the obtainment of intact and pure DNA, aiming to assist conservation strategies for this species that is threatened with extinction. Thus, this study aimed to compare five DNA extraction methods: Dellaporta et al. (1983), Doyle and Doyle (1987) modified, Ferreira and Grattapaglia (1995), Romano and Brasileiro (2015), and Khanuja et al. (1999) and optimize the most efficient protocol for M. urundeuva. The modified DNA extraction protocol proposed by Doyle and Doyle (1987), using 100 mg of leaf tissue and 6 µl of ß-mercaptoethanol was the protocol that presented the sharpest bands after DNA electrophoresis and after the reactions of amplification employing Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Therefore, it is suggested to use the protocol described by Doyle and Doyle (1987) modified for the extraction of DNA from young M. urundeuva leaves to carry out techniques involving molecular markers.

Leaf structural traits of tropical woody species resistant to cement dust.

Cement industries located nearby limestone outcrops in Brazil have contributed to the coating of cement dust over native plant species. However, little is known about the extent of the response of tropical woody plants to such environmental pollutant particularly during the first stages of plant development and establishment. This work focused on the investigation of possible alterations in leaf structural and ultrastructural traits of 5-month-old Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. (Malvaceae), 6-month-old Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão (Anacardiaceae), and 9-month-old Trichilia hirta L. (Meliaceae) challenged superficially with cement dust during new leaf development. Leaf surface of plants, the soil or both (leaf plus soil), were treated (or not) for 60 days, under controlled conditions, with cement dust at 2.5 or 5.0 mg cm(-2). After exposure, no significant structural changes were observed in plant leaves. Also, no plant death was recorded by the end of the experiment. There was also some evidence of localized leaf necrosis in G. ulmifolia and T. hirta, leaf curling in M. urundeuva and T. hirta, and bulges formation on epidermal surface of T. hirta, after cement dust contact with plant shoots. All species studied exhibited stomata obliteration while T. hirta, in particular, presented early leaf abscission, changes in cellular relief, and organization and content of midrib cells. No significant ultrastructural alterations were detected under the experimental conditions studied. Indeed, mesophyll cells presented plastids with intact membrane systems. The high plant survival rates, together with mild morphoanatomic traits alterations in leaves, indicate that G. ulmifolia is more resistant to cement dust pollutant, followed by M. urundeuva and T. hirta. Thus, the three plant species are promising for being used to revegetate areas impacted by cement industries activities.

In vitro antifungal activity of Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão against human vaginal Candida species

ABSTRACT Myracrodruon urundeuva is a plant native to Brazil, which is used by the indigenous population for the treatment of candidiasis. The aims of this study were to evaluate the antifungal activity of extract against human vaginal Candida species and evaluate the possible toxicological activities of M. urundeuva. Initially, ethanol extracts, ethyl acetate fractions, and hydroalcoholic fractions of the bark and leaf of M. urundeuva were used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration. The extracts that showed antifungal activity were characterized by liquid chromatography and subjected to toxicity assessment. Toxic, cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic testing were performed using Allium cepa and Ames assays with the ethanol extracts of the bark and leaves. Hemolytic activity was evaluated in erythrocytes and acute toxicity in rats. The ethanol bark extracts showed best activity against Candida albicans, C. krusei, and C. tropicalis ATCC (4-512 µg/mL). Chemical characterization indicated the presence of flavonoids and tannins in the extracts. Hemolytic activity, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity were not observed. The results of the Ames and A. cepa tests were also in agreement, ethanol bark extracts and ethanol leaf extracts of M. urundeuva showed absence of mutagenic activity. Similar results were observed in the A. cepa assay and acute toxicity test in rats. M. urundeuva bark extracts showed potential for the treatment of vaginal infections caused Candida species, as a topical.

Free radical scavenging activity of ethanol leaves extracts of Anacardiaceae / Atividade de sequestramento de radical livre dos extratos etanólicos das folhas de Anacardiaceae

Free radicals are responsible for causing many chronic and degenerative diseases. Antioxidants are substances capable of scavenging free radicals and preventing cell damage. In this context, antioxidant activity of alcoholic extracts from leaves of Anacardium occidentale and Myracrodruon urundeuva was evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl DPPH and 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethyl-benzothiazolin6-sulfonic acid) ABTS methods. Phenolic content and phytochemical analysis were performed for each species. Results showed that both species exhibited free radical scavenging activity. These results are directly related to high phenolic content found in the extracts. M. urundeuva showed antioxidant activity similar to butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) and could be considered a promising plant source of natural antioxidant.

Os radicais livres são responsáveis por causar muitas doenças crônicas e degenerativas. Os antioxidantes são substâncias capazes de eliminar radicais livres e impedi-los de causar danos celulares. Neste contexto, a atividade antioxidante dos extratos alcoólicos das folhas de Anacardium occidentale e Myracrodruon urundeuva foi avaliada pelos métodos de 2,2- difenil-1-picrilhidrazil (DPPH) e 2,2'-azinobis-(3-etil-benzothiazolin-6-sulfónico ácido) (ABTS). O conteúdo fenólico e análise fitoquímica dos extratos também foram avaliados. As duas espécies exibiram atividade sequestradora de radicais livres. Estes resultados estão relacionados com alto teor de compostos fenólicos encontrados nos extratos. M. urundeuva mostrou atividade antioxidante semelhante ao butilhidroxitolueno (BHT), se tornando uma fonte promissora de antioxidante natural.

Toxicidade subaguda do extrato etanólico das folhas de Myracrodruon urundeuva sobre o ciclo estral de ratas Wistar / Subacute toxicity of Myracrodruon urundeuva leave ethanolic extract and its effects on the estrous cycle of female Wistar rats

RESUMO A fitoterapia, abrangendo o uso popular e empírico de plantas medicinais no combate e prevenção de doenças, deve ser aliada a estudos científicos que comprovem a eficácia e segurança desses compostos. No Brasil, a ampla biodiversidade vegetal da região nordeste favorece o uso e estudo de plantas com potenciais terapêuticos. A Aroeira do Sertão (Myracrodruon urundeuva Allem.) é uma espécie pertencente à família Anacardiaceae, comum no semiárido, desde o Piauí até Minas Gerais. Seu uso é diverso e disseminado por todo o País, sendo indispensáveis estudos de suas potencialidades e riscos. Devido à ampla utilização da Myracrodruon Urundeuva de forma empírica, este trabalho tem por objetivo a pesquisa de efeitos tóxicos com doses repetidas do extrato etanólico de Myracrodruon urundeuva Allem. (EEMU) e sua influência no ciclo estral de ratas Wistar. No protocolo de toxicidade subaguda foram utilizadas 25 ratas Wistar, divididas em 5 grupos (n=5), tratadas com diferentes doses do EEMU (125, 250, 500 e 1000 mg/kg) e água destilada (controle) por um período de 28 dias. Nesse período foram realizadas mensurações do consumo de água e ração e avaliação comportamental. Esses animais foram avaliados diariamente quanto a fase do ciclo estral, por meio de esfregaço vaginal a fresco, sendo observada a frequência de cada fase bem como o intervalo interestro. As ratas foram anestesiadas e o sangue foi coletado para a realização dos ensaios bioquímicos. Em seguida, foram eutanasiadas para coleta e avaliação dos órgãos internos. Durante o período de avaliação, não foram observadas alterações de comportamento, nem de consumo de água ou ração. A evolução ponderal dos animais não diferiu entre os grupos tratados. A concentração sérica de ALT foi maior nos animais tratados com EEMU 1000 mg/kg. As ratas tratadas com o extrato não apresentaram alterações significativas na frequência das fases do ciclo estral bem como duração do estro e intervalo entre estros, quando comparadas ao grupo controle. Os resultados obtidos neste estudo não apontam alterações tóxicas significativas, sistêmicas ou sobre o ciclo estral, de ratas Wistar tratadas com o extrato, nas doses avaliadas, por um período de 28 dias.

ABSTRACT The herbal medicine, comprising the popular and empirical use of medicinal plants in combating and preventing diseases, should be combined with scientific studies that prove the effectiveness and safety of these compounds. In Brazil, the vast plant biodiversity of the Northeast favors the use and study of plants with therapeutic potential. Aroeira (Myracrodruon urundeuva Allem.) is a species of the Anacardiaceae family, common in the semiarid region, from Piauí to Minas Gerais. Its use is diverse and widespread throughout the country, making studies of its potential and risks necessary. Due to the wide use of Myracrodruon urundeuva in an empirical form, this paper aims to research toxic effects with repeated doses of Myracrodruon urundeuva Allem.ethanol extract (EEMU) and its influence on the estrous cycle of female Wistar rats. In a subacute toxicity protocol 35 female Wistar rats were used, divided into 5 groups (n=5) treated with different doses of EEMU (125, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) and distilled water (control) for 28 days. In this period measurements of water intake, feed consumption were carried out and a behavioral assessment was performed. The estrous cycles of these animals were evaluated daily by fresh vaginal smear, it the frequency of each phase as well as the inter-estrus intervals were observed. The rats were anesthetized and blood was collected for the biochemical assays. Then they were euthanized for the collection and evaluation of internal organs. During the evaluation period, there were no observed behavioral changes nor were the water or food consumption variations. The weight gain of the animals did not differ between treatment groups. The serum ALT was higher in animals treated with EEMU 1000 mg/kg. The rats treated with the extract showed no significant changes in the frequency of the phases of the estrous cycle, estrus duration and estrus interval when compared to the control group. The results of this study do not indicate significant toxic alterations, neither systemic nor on the estrous cycle in female rats treated with the extract, at the evaluated doses, over a period of 28 days.

Viability of Human Gingival Fibroblast (FGH) Treated with Ethanolic "Aroeira" Extract (Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão)

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ethanolic "aroeira" (Myracrodruon urundeuva) extract on the viability of human gingival fibroblast. For this, fibroblasts (2x103 cells/well) were plated in a 96-well plate and incubated for 24 h; the medium (Eagle's medium modified by Dulbecco - DMEM) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum was replaced by DMEM with different ethanolic extract concentration (0, 0.1, 1, 10, 100, and 1000μg / mL). The fibroblast viability was analyzed after 48,72, and 96 h by the neutral red capture test and violet crystal. The "aroeira" extract, at high concentrations (100 and 1000 µg/mL) caused decrease in both cellular viability tests (p<0.05). However, dilutions between 0.1 and 10 µg/mL did not affect the viability of the cells. It was concluded that "aroeira" extract was able to change the gingival fibroblast viability, and this effect was concentration dependent.

Antiviral activity of Myracrodruon urundeuva against rotavirus

ABSTRACT Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão, Anacardiaceae, is a medicinal plant widely found in Brazil, especially in the northern region. In our previous study, the ethanolic extract from leaves of M. urundeuva showed antiviral activity against simian rotavirus SA-11. Here, the crude extract was subjected to fractionations in order to subsequently work with more concentrated and pure bioactive compounds, which were analyzed by TLC and HPLC methods to support a better understanding of their virucidal effect. The antiviral activity was evaluated using a rotavirus infection model in MA-104 cells treated with the maximum non-cytotoxic concentration of the crude extract and its fractions. Data were expressed as the percentage inhibition of viral replication calculated by the inhibition of cytopathic effect in the treated cells compared to untreated controls after 48 h of incubation. First, we conducted a fractionation, generating five fractions (F1–F5) which were submitted to antiviral assay. Then, the fraction that showed the highest virucidal effect (F3, PI = 75%) was subjected to a larger partition, yielding eighteen subfractions, which were submitted to new antiviral assays. Terpenes, flavonoids and tannins were the major secondary metabolites detected by TLC analysis in F3. SF1, a flavonoid-enriched fraction, showed the strongest in vitro activity against rotavirus (PI = 92%), preventing cytopathic effect. Chromatographic profiles were obtained by HPLC for the crude extract and SF1, the most potent subfraction. Overall, our data point to the potential anti-rotavirus activity of flavonoid-enriched fraction (SF1) of M. urundeuva leaves, corroborating the traditional use of this species to treat diarrhea and broadening our perspectives on in vivo assays in mice with SF1 isolated or associated with other fractions.

Antimicrobial activity of natural products from Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão (Aroeira-do-sertão) / Actividad antimicrobiana de productos naturales de Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão (Aroeira-do-sertão)

Introduction: Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão (Anacardiaceae) is a plant from the Brazilian semiarid region with medicinal properties against various diseases. Objective: to screen the phytochemistry and determine the antimicrobial activity of the hydroalcoholic extract from the bark of this plant. Methods: the extract was obtained by maceration and subjected to qualitative phytochemical tests and in vitro antimicrobial activity assays against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and fungi. Results: among the phytochemical compounds stood out tannins, flavonoids and alkaloids. The extract was effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterococcus faecalis. Conclusions: Myracrodruon urundeuva presents compounds of high pharmacological interest such as tannins, flavonoids and alkaloids, being a plant with potential antibacterial activity.

Introducción: Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão es una planta medicinal utilizada contra diversas enfermedades en el semiárido brasileño. Objetivo: realizar el tamizaje fitoquímico y determinar la actividad antimicrobiana del extracto hidroalcohólico de la corteza de esta planta. Métodos: el extracto se obtuvo por maceración y se sometió a una prueba fitoquímica cualitativa y ensayos antimicrobianos in vitro contra bacterias grampositivas, bacterias gramnegativas y hongos. Resultados: entre los compuestos fitoquímicos se destacaron taninos, flavonoides y alcaloides. El extracto fue eficaz frente a Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae y Enterococcus faecalis. Conclusiones: Myracrodruon urundeuva presenta sustancias de alto interés farmacológico, como taninos, flavonoides y alcaloides, siendo una planta con actividad antibacteriana potencial.

Concentração inibitória mínima e concentração bactericida mínima de extratos hidroalcoólicos das folhas de Myracrodruon urundeuva All. e Qualea grandiflora Mart. sobre Streptococcus mutans e Lactobacillus casei / Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of hydroalcoholic extracts of Myracrodruon urundeuva All. and Qualea grandiflora Mart. leaves on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus casei

A cárie dentária é uma doença bucal de alta prevalência e impactante em países em desenvolvimento. É causada pela presença de biofilme dentário rico em bactérias acidogênicas e acidúricas, como Streptococcus mutans e Lactobacillus casei. Neste sentido, a fitoterapia tem sido aplicada na odontologia devido ao seu conhecido efeito antimicrobiano, tendo potencial para prevenir doenças como a cárie dentária. Portanto, o presente estudo tem como objetivo testar o potencial antimicrobiano de extratos bruto e etanólico das folhas de Myracrodruon urundeuva (M. urundeuva.) e Qualea grandiflora (Q. grandiflora) sobre S.mutans e L. casei. Para tal, determinaram-se a Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM) e a Concentração Bactericida Mínima (CBM). A CIM foi definida como a menor concentração do agente antimicrobiano capaz de inibir 100% o crescimento microbiano (absorbância) em relação aos controles negativos. Para a CBM, alíquotas foram removidas dos poços que não apresentaram nenhuma absorbância (viabilidade, concentrações CIM) e semeadas em placas de ágar BHI, incubadas por 24 h a 37°C em estufa de CO2 5%. A CBM foi determinada considerando a menor concentração dos extratos capaz de impedir o crescimento bacteriano visível. Cepas de S. mutans (ATCC 21175) e L. casei (ATTC 334) foram ativadas em BHI e caldo Rogosa, respectivamente. A CIM foi determinada pela técnica de diluição em microplacas de 96 poços (100 l de extrato + 80 l BHI/Rogosa + 20 l da bactéria diluída em BHI/Rogosa equivalente a 5x105 UFC/mL), as quais foram incubadas por 24 h (S. mutans) e 48 h (L. casei) a 37°C em estufa de CO2 5%. Os extratos de M. urundeuva e Q. grandiflora inicialmente foram diluídos em BHI/Rogosa variando as concentrações entre 2 mg/ml a 0,00012207 mg/ml e os mesmos extratos diluídos em álcool foram avaliados nas concentrações entre 20 mg/ml a 0,00244 mg/ml para S. mutans e L. casei. Não foi possível determinar a CIM e a CBM para os extratos diluídos no BHI/Rogosa. Foram utilizados como controle positivo a clorexidina e como controles negativos BHI/Rogosa com e sem álcool a 5%. As CIMs (CBMs) da M. urundeuva e Q. grandiflora, diluídas em álcool, e clorexidina contra S. mutans foram 2,5 mg/ml (2,5 mg/ml), 5,0 mg/ml (--) e 0,00468 mg/ml (0,00937 mg/ml), respectivamente. Em relação ao L. casei, as CIMs (CBMs) da M. urundeuva e Q. grandiflora, diluídas em álcool, e da clorexidina foram 0,156 mg/ml (0,312 mg/ml), 0,156 0,625 mg/ml (0,312 0,625mg/ml) e 0,00468 mg/ml (0,3 mg/ml), respectivamente. Como conclusão, nosso estudo mostrou que L. casei (ATTC 334) é mais susceptível aos extratos que S. mutans (ATCC 21175) e o extrato M. urundeuva apresenta melhor efeito antimicrobiano que a Q. grandiflora em S. mutans (ATCC 21175), porém os dois extratos apresentam efeito similar sobre L. casei (ATTC 334) e ambos foram inferiores à CHX.(AU)

Dental caries is an oral disease of high prevalence and impact in developing countries. It is caused by the presence of a dental biofilm rich in acidogenic and aciduric bacteria, such as Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus casei. Accordingly, phytotherapy has been applied in dentistry due to its known antimicrobial effect, having potential to prevent diseases such as dental caries. Therefore, the present study aims to test the antimicrobial potential of crude and ethanolic extracts of Myracrodruon urundeuva (M. urundeuva) and Qualea grandiflora (Q. grandiflora) leaves on S. mutans and L. casei. For this, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) were determined. MIC was defined as the lowest concentration of the antimicrobial agent capable of inhibiting 100% the microbial growth in comparison to the negative controls. For MBC, aliquots were removed from the wells that did not show any absorbance (viability, concentrations than MIC) and seeded on BHI agar plates, incubated for 24 h at 37°C and 5% CO2. The MBC was determined considering the lowest concentration of extracts capable of preventing visible bacterial growth. Strains of S. mutans (ATCC 21175) and L. casei (ATTC 334) were activated in BHI and Rogosa broth. MIC was determined by the dilution technique in 96-wells microplates (100 l of extract + 80 l BHI/ Rogosa + 20 l of bacterium diluted in BHI/Rogosa equivalent to 5x105 CFU/ml), which were incubated for 24 h (S. mutans) and 48 h (L. casei) at 37°C and 5% CO2. The extracts were firstly diluted in BHI/Rogosa varying the concentrations between 2 mg/mL and 0.00012207 mg/ml; the same extracts were also diluted in alcohol at concentrations ranging from 20 mg/ml to 0.00244 mg/ml and both tested against S. mutans and L. casei. It was not possible to determine the MIC and MBC for the extracts diluted in BHI/Rogosa. Chlorhexidine was used as positive control, while BHI/Rogosa with or without 5% alcohol were used as negative controls. The MICs (MBCs) of M. urundeuva and Q. grandiflora diluted in alcohol, and clorexidine against S. mutans were 2.5 mg/ml (2.5 mg/ml), 5.0 mg/ml (--) and 0.00468 mg/ml (0.00937 mg/ml), respectively. In respect to L. casei, the MICs (MBCs) of M. urundeuva and Q. grandiflora, diluted in alcohol, and chlorhexidine were 0.156 mg/ml (0.312 mg/ml), 0.156 0.625 mg/ml (0.312 0.625 mg/ml) and 0.00468 mg/ml (0.3 mg/ml), respectively. In conclusion, our study showed that L. casei (ATTC 334) is more susceptible than S. mutans (ATCC 21175) to the extracts and the extract of M. urundeuva has a better antimicrobial effect than Q. grandiflora against S. mutans (ATCC 21175), but both extracts have similar effect on L. casei (ATTC 334) and they were inferior to CHX.(AU)

Armazenamento de sementes de Myracrodruon urundeuva Fr. All. em diferentes embalagens e ambientes / Storage of Myracrodruon urundeuva Fr. All. seeds in different packaging and environments

Myracrodruon urundeuva Fr. All. é uma espécie pertencente à família Anacardiaceae, cuja planta pode ser utilizada como medicinal, na indústria de curtimento de couro, na arborização de ruas e praças, produzindo madeira de grande resistência mecânica. Diante disso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar as melhores condições e períodos de armazenamento para conservação da viabilidade e vigor das sementes de M. urundeuva. As embalagens utilizadas para acondicionamento das sementes foram sacos de papel Kraft, algodão e de polietileno transparente, bem como folhas de papel alumínio. Em seguida as sementes foram armazenadas em ambiente natural de laboratório (25 ± 2ºC), freezer (-20 ± 2ºC), câmara fria (8 ± 2ºC) e geladeira (6 ± 2ºC). Em intervalos pré-determinados (0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210 e 240 dias) avaliou-se o teor de água das sementes, porcentagem de emergência, índice de velocidade de emergência, comprimento e massa seca de plântulas. No ambiente de laboratório não houve conservação do vigor das sementes de M. urundeuva. A melhor condição para conservação de sementes de M. urundeuva foi obtida com o acondicionamento em sacos de papel Kraft, pano de algodão, plástico ou papel alumínio e manutenção em geladeira ou freezer, podendo também ser conservadas embaladas em papel ou alumínio, quando estocadas em câmara fria, por 240 dias. Alteração no vigor de sementes dessa espécie é primeiramente identificada pela redução da velocidade de emergência.

Myracrodruon urundeuva Fr. All. is a species belonging to the Anacardiaceae family, which can be utilized as a medicinal plant, or in the leather tanning industry, urban afforestation, and the production of wood with great mechanic resistance. The objective of this study was to determine the best conditions and storage periods for preserving the viability and vigor of M. urundeuva. Seeds conditioned in bags of Kraft paper, cotton, polyethylene or aluminum foil of mesh polyethylene were stored at room temperature (25 ± 2ºC), freezer (-20 ± 2ºC), cold (8 ± 2ºC) and refrigerator (6 ± 2ºC). At 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210 and 240 days they were evaluated for seed moisture content, percentage of emergence, emergence speed index (ESI), seedling length and seedling dry matter. In the natural environment of the laboratory, there was no conservation of seed vigor M. urundeuva. The best M. urundeuva seed conservation condition was obtained with bags of Kraft paper, cotton, polyethylene or aluminum foil of mesh polyethylene in the refrigerator or freezer. M. urundeuva seeds can also be kept in paper bags or aluminum foil when stored in a refrigerated chamber, for 240 days. Seed vigor change in this species is initially identified by decrease in the speed emergence.

Chalcones from Myracrodruon urundeuva are efficacious in guinea pig ovalbumin-induced allergic conjunctivitis

The objective of the study was to verify the effects of dimeric chalcones (urundeuvines A, B, and C) from Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão, Anacardiaceae (a Brazilian anti-inflammatory species), on an allergic conjunctivitis model. Male guinea-pigs were sensitized with two intraperitoneal injections of ovalbumin (10 μg dissolved in 0.5 mL saline and emulsified in 0.5 mL Freund's adjuvant), at days 0 and 7. At day 24, the animals were submitted to an ocular instillation (right eyes) with ovalbumin. At the next day, the animals were treated with chalcones (0.5 mg, three times a day for 7 days), 0.1 percent fluormetalone acetate (0.05 mg, as the reference drug) or saline. After anesthesia of the animals, enucleations of their corneas and conjunctivas were carried out for morphometric and histological analyses, at days 1, 3 and 7. Their radical scavenging activity and action on myeloperoxidase were also determined. We demonstrated that chalcones from M. urundeuva stem barks presented anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and drastically inhibited the MPO activity, pointing them as candidates for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis and other inflammatory conditions.