Tapirira guianensis is Selectively Cytotoxic, Induces Apoptosis to the Glioblastoma and Decreases Tumor Growth and Angiogenesis in vivo.

Glioblastoma is the most frequent primary malignant brain tumor without effective treatment, which makes this work extremely relevant. The study of the bioactive compounds from medicinal plants plays an important role in the discovery of new drugs.This research investigated the constituents of Tapirira guianensis and its antitumor potential (in vitro and in vivo) in glioblastoma. The T. guianensis extracts were characterized by mass spectrometry. The ethyl acetate partition (01ID) and its fractions 01ID-F2 and 01ID-F4 from T. guianensis showed potential antitumor treatment evidenced by selective cytotoxicity for GAMG with IC50 14.1 µg/mL, 83.07 µg/mL, 59.27 µg/mL and U251 with IC50 25.92 µg/mL, 37.3 µg/mL and 18.84 µg/mL. Fractions 01ID-F2 and 01ID-F4 were 10 times more selective when compared to TMZ and 01ID for the two evaluated cell lines. T. guianensis also reduced matrix metalloproteinases 2 - 01ID-F2 (21.84%), 01ID-F4 (29.6%) and 9 - 01ID-F4 (73.42%), ID-F4 (53.84%) activities, and induced apoptosis mainly through the extrinsic pathway. Furthermore, all treatments significantly reduced tumor size (01ID p < 0,01, 01ID-F2 p < 0,01 and 01ID-F4 p < 0,0001) and caused blood vessels to shrink in vivo. The present findings highlight that T. guianensis exhibits considerable antitumor potential in preclinical studies of glioblastoma. This ability may be related to the phenolic compounds and sesquiterpene derivatives identified in the extracts. This study deserves further in vivo research, followed by clinical investigation.

Modulation of Apoptotic, Cell Cycle, DNA Repair, and Senescence Pathways by Marine Algae Peptides in Cancer Therapy.

Marine algae, encompassing both macroalgae and microalgae, have emerged as a promising and prolific source of bioactive compounds with potent anticancer properties. Despite their significant therapeutic potential, the clinical application of these peptides is hindered by challenges such as poor bioavailability and susceptibility to enzymatic degradation. To overcome these limitations, innovative delivery systems, particularly nanocarriers, have been explored. Nanocarriers, including liposomes, nanoparticles, and micelles, have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in enhancing the stability, solubility, and bioavailability of marine algal peptides, ensuring controlled release and prolonged therapeutic effects. Marine algal peptides encapsulated in nanocarriers significantly enhance bioavailability, ensuring more efficient absorption and utilization in the body. Preclinical studies have shown promising results, indicating that nanocarrier-based delivery systems can significantly improve the pharmacokinetic profiles and therapeutic outcomes of marine algal peptides. This review delves into the diverse anticancer mechanisms of marine algal peptides, which include inducing apoptosis, disrupting cell cycle progression, and inhibiting angiogenesis. Further research focused on optimizing nanocarrier formulations, conducting comprehensive clinical trials, and continued exploration of marine algal peptides holds great promise for developing innovative, effective, and sustainable cancer therapies.

Ocimum basilicum L. (basil) presents pro-apoptotic activity in an Ehrlich's experimental tumor murine model.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of an ethanol extract of Ocimum basilicum L. (EEOb) aerial parts against Ehrlich's experimental tumor (EET) in mice. METHODS: Swiss mice were divided into two groups (control and treated; n = 6). On day 21, all mice were inoculated subcutaneously with 2 × 106 (0.05 mL) EET cells in the left paw for solid tumor development. This study lasted 28 days. Treatment began 24 hours after inoculation with EET. Measurements of dorsoplantar thickness were used to assess tumor growth. The paw pad was collected for histopathological analysis and stained using the argyrophilic nucleolar organizing regions (AgNOR) technique and immunohistochemistry for proliferating cell nuclear antigen, Bcl-2 and Bax. RESULTS: The treatment of animals with EEOb at 100 mg/kg intraperitoneally was able to reduce the growth (Control = 3.7 ± 0.1 mm vs. EEOb = 5.7 ± 0.2 mm) and the number of AgNORs of solid Ehrlich tumor. The antitumor effect of EEOb was associated with the induction of apoptosis of tumoral cell, as suggested by the reduction of the content of Bcl-2 induced by extract. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that daily administration of EEOb is able to reduce the growth of EET by induce apoptosis of tumoral cells.

Paracoccidioidomycosis: a series of 66 patients with oral lesions from an endemic area.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is the most important systemic mycosis in Latin America. It has been regarded as a multifocal disease, with oral lesions as the prominent feature. To provide useful information concerning the diagnosis and management of the disease, this study describes demographic and clinical data from the medical records of a consecutive series of 66 Brazilian patients from an endemic area, evaluated in a referral centre for oral diagnosis. In this sample of patients, there was a predominance of middle-aged male patients, who were primarily rural workers. Chronic multifocal disease was prevalent, with lesions also detected in the lungs, lymph nodes, skin or adrenal glands. Most of the cases presented with lesions at the gingival mucosa followed by the palate and lips; these conditions occurring in the oral cavity were frequently associated with pain. Importantly, most of the patients sought professional care for oral lesions. The diagnosis was obtained through exfoliative cytology and/or biopsy of the oral lesions. Medical treatment was effective, and there were no mortalities in the sample. The present findings not only confirm the importance of oral lesions in the diagnosis and management of PCM but also illustrate that questions still remain unclear, such as the possibility of direct inoculation of the fungus onto oral tissues.

Ocimum basilicum L. (basil) presents pro-apoptotic activity in an Ehrlich's experimental tumor murine model

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of an ethanol extract of Ocimum basilicum L. (EEOb) aerial parts against Ehrlich's experimental tumor (EET) in mice. Methods: Swiss mice were divided into two groups (control and treated; n = 6). On day 21, all mice were inoculated subcutaneously with 2 × 106 (0.05 mL) EET cells in the left paw for solid tumor development. This study lasted 28 days. Treatment began 24 hours after inoculation with EET. Measurements of dorsoplantar thickness were used to assess tumor growth. The paw pad was collected for histopathological analysis and stained using the argyrophilic nucleolar organizing regions (AgNOR) technique and immunohistochemistry for proliferating cell nuclear antigen, Bcl-2 and Bax. Results: The treatment of animals with EEOb at 100 mg/kg intraperitoneally was able to reduce the growth (Control = 3.7 ± 0.1 mm vs. EEOb = 5.7 ± 0.2 mm) and the number of AgNORs of solid Ehrlich tumor. The antitumor effect of EEOb was associated with the induction of apoptosis of tumoral cell, as suggested by the reduction of the content of Bcl-2 induced by extract. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that daily administration of EEOb is able to reduce the growth of EET by induce apoptosis of tumoral cells.

Primary culture macrophages from fish as potential experimental model in toxicity studies with multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) has been broadly used in several sectors of society. This material when exposed to the environment might reach the aquatic animals and cause toxic effects. Here, it was evaluated the MWCNTs toxicity in melanomacrophages primary culture that was submitted to 1 µ gm L-1 MWCNTs for 24 hours. After exposition to MWCNT, 48 and 59% liver and spleen melanomacrophages were healthy, respectively. The control group presented 85% viability. Phagocytosis activity of melanomacrophages was observed by presence of black inclusions in cytoplasm. The findings indicate MWCNT was cytotoxic to melanomacrophages, where its release and effect into aquatic environment must be more studied. Finally, the melanomacrophages present large potential as experimental model for evaluation of carbon-based nanomaterial toxicity.

Evaluation of healing wound and genotoxicity potentials from extracts hydroalcoholic of Plantago major and Siparuna guianensis.

Despite the large use of the Plantago major and Siparuna guianensis in traditional medicine, there are no studies demonstrating the effectiveness from extracts of these plants in the healing process by the present methodology. This study reported the effects and toxicity of the P. major and S. guianensis extracts in the wound healing compared with a commercial product used in Brazil by macroscopic and microscopic analysis. Following injury in cervical dorsal area of the mice, the extract from P. major and S. guianensis and ointment was applied after an injury in cervical dorsal area of the mice. Wound healing rates were calculated at 4, 9, 15 and 21 d after the wounding, and tissues were obtained on the ninth day for histological analysis. Moreover, mutagenic assay of extracts was performed. Mutagenicity studies carried out with plant extracts showed not mutagenic with or without metabolic activations. Reduction of the wound area occurred earlier in mice treated with P. major and control treatment. On the 15th day, the complete wound closure occurred in P. major-treated wounds. Throughout ointment and S. guianensis treatment it was not observed the wound closured. Microscopic analyses of the wound, on the ninth day, showed the more efficient formation of the neoepithelium and skin appendages in animals treated with S. guianensis and P. major, while ointment treatment presented no re-epithelialization and absent skin appendages in wound. Thus, P. major extract showed good effects on wound healing processes rendering it a promising candidate for the treatment of wounds what also justified its traditional usage in wound treatment.

Efeito da administração oral de extrato etanólico de Rosmarinus officinalis L. (alecrim) no desenvolvimento do Tumor Sólido de Ehrlich / Effect of oral administration of the ethanol extract of Rosmarinus officinalis L. (alecrim) in the development of Ehrlich Solid Tumor

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da administração oral diária de extrato etanólico de R.officinalis no desenvolvimento do Tumor Sólido de Ehrlich. Camundongos Swiss foram separados em três grupos A, B e C (n=6). Os animais do grupo A (controle) ingeriram, solução salina, durante todo o experimento. Os animais do grupo B, a partir do 1º dia, receberam diariamente, por gavagem, uma dose de 100 mg/kg do extrato etanólico de R.officinalis. Os animais do grupo C iniciaram, no 21º dia, a ingestão diária desse extrato. No 21º dia, todos os camundongos foram inoculados subcutaneamente no coxim plantar esquerdo com 2 x 106 células do Tumor de Ehrlich. No 42º dia, os animais foram sacrificados e suas patas foram removidas para análise histopatológica. Os resultados obtidos, através da mensuração da espessura das patas, mostraram que o grupo controle e os grupos que receberam o extrato, apresentaram o mesmo crescimento tumoral. Nas análises histopatológicas, não foram observadas diferenças na morfologia das células tumorais entre os grupos. A administração oral diária de 100 mg/kg de extrato etanólico de Rosmarinus officinalis não afetou o potencial proliferativo de tumor. Outras concentrações do extrato etanólico de Rosmarinus officinalis serão estudadas em experimentos futuros.

Elaboração de ação educativa sobre câncer de boca para escolares em Divinópolis, Minas Gerais: um relato de experiência / Elaboration of educational action on oral cancer for students in Divinópolis, Minas Gerais: an experience report

A ação educativa é essencial para consolidar a promoção de saúde na Atenção Primária e tem grande potencial para melhorar os índices de saúde da população, desde que planejada, elaborada e executada segundo referencial teórico consistente. Este relato de experiência descreve todo o processo de elaboração de uma ação educativa sobre câncer de boca direcionada a escolares do 7º ao 9º ano do ensino fundamental das escolas municipais de Divinópolis, Minas Gerais. Os resultados deste estudo mostraram que cada fase − planejamento, revisão de literatura, estudo-piloto com realização de pré-teste e pós-teste − foi essencial para garantir a qualidade da fase subsequente e, por conseguinte, da ação como um todo.

The educational action is essential to consolidate the health promotion in the primary care, and has great potential to improve the health indexes of the population, provided that be planned, elaborated and implemented according consistent theoretical approach. The experience report is used to describe the entire process of developing of an oral cancer educational action targeted at students from 7º to 9º year of basic education from Divinópolis, city in the state of Minas Gerais. The results of the study show that each stage ­ planning, literature review, pilot study and pre-test and post-test administered ­ was essential to ensure the quality of the subsequent stage, therefore for the action as a whole.