Estratégias anti-aging baseadas em moléculas químicas naturais como potentes ativadores de telomerase / Anti-aging strategies based on natural chemical molecules as potent telomerase activators / Estrategias antienvejecimiento basadas en moléculas químicas naturales como potentes activadores de la telomerasa

Mesmo em tempos modernos, os grandes avanços tecnológicos não permitem de forma comprovada retardar o envelhecimento nos seres humanos. Neste sentido, uma das estratégias é o uso moléculas químicas naturais que possuem a ação de ativadores de telomerase, uma vez de que a telomerase é uma ribonucleoproteína transcriptase reversa que possui a função de alongar os telômeros e neutralizar a erosão normal dos telômeros. Neste contexto, este estudo de revisão dedicou-se a aprofundar o conhecimento sobre o uso de moléculas químicas naturais derivadas de plantas que possuem função de ativadores de telomerase para atividade anti-aging. Inúmeras moléculas têm sido propostas e, estudas os seus mecanismos com o intuito de desenvolver novas ferramentas para prevenir/retardar e tratar doenças relacionadas a idade e o envelhecimento. Adicionalmente, o uso de moléculas como ativadores da telomerase têm sido um meio de prolongar o encurtamento dos temoleros, como no caso, de moléculas isolada da erva Astragalus membranaceus (TA-65), curcumina, silbinina e alicina; ademais, outras moléculas de origem natural possuem atividade anti-aging comprovadas, conforme reportadas nesta revisão. Sendo assim, a procura por biomarcadores à base de compostos químicos naturais que estimulem a telomerase, a fim de prolongar a vida dos telômero e assim, retardar o processo de envelhecimento do organismo têm despertado o interesse de diversos pesquisadores ao redor do mundo.

Even in modern times, the great technological advances do not allow in a proven way to delay aging in humans. In this sense, one of the strategies is the use of natural chemical molecules that have telomerase activators, since telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein reverse transcriptase that has the function of lengthening telomeres and neutralizing the normal erosion of telomeres. In this context, this review study was dedicated to deepening the knowledge about the use of natural chemical molecules derived from plants that have telomerase activator function for anti-aging activity. Numerous molecules have been proposed and their mechanisms studied in order to develop new tools to prevent/delay and treat aging-related diseases. Additionally, the use of molecules as telomerase activators has been a means of prolonging the shortening of temolers, as in the case of molecules isolated from the herb Astragalus membranaceus (TA-65), curcumin, silbinin and allicin; in addition, other molecules of natural origin have proven anti-aging activity, as reported in this review. Therefore, the search for biomarkers based on natural chemical compounds that stimulate telomerase in order to prolong the life of telomeres and, thus delay the aging process of the organism has aroused the interest of several researchers around the world.

Aún en los tiempos modernos, los grandes avances tecnológicos no permiten de manera comprobada retrasar el envejecimiento en los humanos. En este sentido, una de las estrategias es el uso de moléculas químicas naturales que tengan activadores de la telomerasa, ya que la telomerasa es una ribonucleoproteína transcriptasa inversa que tiene la función de alargar los telómeros y neutralizar la erosión normal de los telómeros. En este contexto, este estudio de revisión se dedicó a profundizar en el conocimiento sobre el uso de moléculas químicas naturales derivadas de plantas que tienen función activadora de la telomerasa para la actividad antienvejecimiento. Se han propuesto numerosas moléculas y se han estudiado sus mecanismos para desarrollar nuevas herramientas para prevenir/retrasar y tratar enfermedades relacionadas con el envejecimiento. Adicionalmente, el uso de moléculas como activadores de la telomerasa ha sido un medio para prolongar el acortamiento de temolers, como es el caso de moléculas aisladas de la hierba Astragalus membranaceus (TA-65), curcumina, silbinina y alicina; además, otras moléculas de origen natural han demostrado actividad antienvejecimiento, como se reporta en esta revisión. Por ello, la búsqueda de biomarcadores basados en compuestos químicos naturales que estimulen la telomerasa para prolongar la vida de los telómeros y así retrasar el proceso de envejecimiento del organismo ha despertado el interés de varios investigadores a nivel mundial.

Cognitive decline prevention in offspring of Pb+2 exposed mice by maternal aerobic training and Cur/CaCO3@Cur supplementations: In vitro and in vivo studies.

Heavy metals are considered contaminants that hazardously influence the healthy life of humans and animals as they are widely used in industry. Contact of youngsters and women at ages of parturition with lead (Pb+2) is a main related concern, which passes through the placental barricade and its better absorption in the intestine leads to flaws in the fetal developfment. However, the metals threaten animal and human life, in particular throughout developmental stages. Products existing in the nature have a major contribution to innovating chemo-preventives. As a naturally available polyphenol and necessary curcuminoid, curcumin (Cur) is a derivative of the herb Curcuma longa (L.) rhizome, which globally recognized as "wonder drug of life"; however, Cur has a limited clinical use as it is poorly dissolved in water. Therefore, to enhance its clinically relevant parameters, curcumin-loaded calcium carbonate (CaCO3@Cur) was synthesized by one step coprecipitation method as a newly introduced in this research. Initially, its structure was physio chemically characterized using FT-IR, FESEM and DLS equipment and then the cytotoxicity of lead when it was pretreated with Cur/CaCO3@Cur were assessed by MTT assay. Both Cur and CaCO3@Cur diminished the toxic effects of Pb+2 while the most protective effect on the Pb+2 cytotoxicity was achieved by pre-incubation of cells with CaCO3@Cur. Besides, the morphological changes of Pb+2-treated cells that were pre-incubated with or without Cur/CaCO3@Cur were observed by normal and florescent microscopes. A non-pharmacologic method that lowers the hazard of brain damage is exercise training that is capable of both improving and alleviating memory. In the current study, the role of regular aerobic training and CaCO3@Cur was assessed in reducing the risk of brain damage induced by lead nitrate contact. To achieve the mentioned goal, pregnant Balb/C mice were assigned to five groups (six mice/group) at random: negative and positive controls, aerobic training group and Cur and CaCO3@Cur treated (50 mg/kg/b.wt) trained groups that exposed to Pb+2 (2 mg/kg) by drinking water during breeding and pregnancy. With the completion of study, offspring were subjected to the behavioral tasks that was tested by step-through ORT, DLB, MWM and YM tests. As a result, having regular aerobic training and CaCO3@Cur co-administration with lead nitrate could reverse the most defected behavioral indicators; yet, this was not visible for both sexes and it seems that gender can also be a source of different effects in the animal's body. In fact, having regular aerobic training along with CaCO3@Cur supplementation during pregnancy may be encouraging protecting potential agents towards the toxicity of Pb+2 that could be recommended in the areas with high pollution of heavy metals.

Antibiotic-producing Pseudomonas fluorescens mediates rhizome rot disease resistance and promotes plant growth in turmeric plants.

Rhizome rot of turmeric caused by Pythium aphanidermatum is a major threat to turmeric-cultivating areas of India. This study intends to evaluate the performance of fluorescent pseudomonads against Rhizome rot disease and understand the resistance mechanism in Turmeric plants. Fluorescent pseudomonads were screened against Pythium aphanidermatum using dual culture. Selected strains were evaluated for the performance of growth promoting attributes and the presence of antibiotic genes through PCR analysis. Strain FP7 recorded the maximum percent inhibition of P. aphanidermatum under in vitro conditions. Strains FP7 and TPF54 both increased plant growth in turmeric plants in vitro. Strain FP7 alone contained all the evaluated antibiotic biosynthetic genes. Talc and liquid-based formulations were prepared with effective strain and tested for its biocontrol activities under both glasshouse and field conditions. Enzymatic activities of the induced defense enzymes such as PO, PPO, PAL, CAT and SOD were estimated and subjected to spectrophotometric analysis. A combination of rhizome dip and soil drench of FP7 liquid formulation treatment remarkably recorded the minimum disease incidence, higher defense enzymes, maximum plant growth and yield under glasshouse and field conditions. Application of strain FP7 increased the defense molecules, plant growth and yield in turmeric plants thereby reducing the incidence of rhizome rot disease. Moreover, this study has a potential to be adopted for sustainable and eco-friendly turmeric production.

Actividad biológica de tres Curcuminoides de Curcuma longa L. (Cúrcuma) cultivada en el Quindío-Colombia / Biological activity of three curcuminoids from Curcuma longa L. (turmeric) grown in Quindío, Colombia

Introducción: Curcuma longa L. es una planta de la familia Zingiberaceae distribuida en las regiones tropicales y subtropicales, utilizada en la industria alimentaria, en medicina y en cosmética. Su colorante principal es la curcumina, un polifenol con múltiples efectos medicinales. Objetivos: obtener, caracterizar químicamente y evaluar la actividad biológica de tres curcuminoides de C. longa, cultivada en el Quindío-Colombia. Métodos: se purificaron tres curcuminoides (curcumina (C), demetoxicurcumina (DMC) y bisdemetoxicurcumina (BDMC) desde el rizoma de la planta, en estado seco, por cromatografía en columna y se caracterizaron por punto de fusión, espectroscopía infrarroja (IR), espectroscopía UV-vis y espectrometría de masas. Se evaluó la actividad antimicrobiana en bacterias y hongos por el método modificado de pozos de agar, la citotoxicidad sobre células BHK-21 por el método de bromuro de 3-(4,5- dimetiltiazol-2-ilo)-2,5-difeniltetrazol (MTT) y la toxicidad sobre Artemia salina. Finalmente se determinó el efecto de los curcuminoides en células BHK-21 infectadas con dengue virus 2. Resultados: la curcumina presentó mayor punto de fusión (177,3 ºC-183,2 ºC). El espectro IR reveló los grupos funcionales característicos y el UV-vis indicó máximos de absorción para curcumina, demetoxicurcumina y bisdemetoxicurcumina de 419, 418 y 414 nm en cloroformo, respectivamente. El espectro de masas mostró m/z para C: 368, DMC: 338 y BDMC: 308. Se encontró actividad antimicrobiana frente a Staphylococcus aureus y Staphylococcus epidermidis, se determinó que BDMC presentó menor toxicidad y se evidenció mayor efecto inhibitorio sobre viriones infectivos de dengue con curcumina a 20 y 30 M. Conclusiones: la caracterización de los compuestos confirma su composición como polifenoles, lo cual se relaciona a la actividad biológica de éstos, encontrándose principalmente que la curcumina altera la infección por virus dengue en cultivo celular. Esta investigación confirma la importancia de los principios activos de plantas con amplio espectro farmacológico como C. longa(AU)

Introduction: Curcuma longa L. is a plant from the family Zingiberaceae distributed in tropical and subtropical regions and used in the food industry, in medicine and in cosmetics. Its main coloring substance is curcumin, a polyphenol with many medicinal properties. Objectives: Obtain, characterize chemically and evaluate the biological activity of three curcuminoids from C. longa grown in Quindío, Colombia. Methods: Three curcuminoids (curcumin (C), demethoxycurcumin (DMC) and bisdemethoxycurcumin BDMC) from the rhizome of the plant were purified in a dry state by column chromatography and characterized by fusion point, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi was evaluated by the modified agar well method, cytotoxicity to BHK-21 cells by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method, and toxicity against Artemia salina. Finally, determination was made of the effect of the curcuminoids in BHK-21 cells infected with dengue virus 2. Results: Curcumin had the highest fusion point (177.3 ºC-183.2 ºC). IR spectroscopy revealed the characteristic functional groups and UV-vis spectroscopy showed maximum absorption values for curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin of 419, 418 and 414 nm in chloroform, respectively. Mass spectrometry found that m/z values were C: 368, DMC: 338 and BDMC: 308. Antimicrobial activity was observed against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. BDMC was found to have lower toxicity. A greater inhibitory effect against infective dengue virions was observed with curcumin at 20 y 30 µM. Conclusions: Characterization of the compounds confirms their polyphenolic composition, which manifests in their biological activity, mainly the capacity of curcumin to alter infection by dengue virus in cell cultures. The study corroborated the importance of the active principles of plants with a wide pharmacological spectrum, such as C. longa(AU)

Revisão sistemática das plantas de Interesse ao Sistema Único de Saúde com potencial terapêutico cardiovascular / Revisión sistemática de las plantas de interés para el Sistema de Salud con potencial terapéutico cardiovascular / Systematic review of the plants of interest to the National Health System with cardiovascular therapeutic potential

Introdução: doenças cardiovasculares constituem uma das principais causas de mortalidade, pois muitos são os fatores de risco associados ao seu desenvolvimento. Estudos vêm demonstrando que moléculas extraídas de plantas medicinais podem reduzir o risco de doenças crônicas. Assim, o Ministério da Saúde, publicou em fevereiro de 2009, a Relação Nacional de Plantas Medicinais de Interesse ao SUS. Objetivos: quantificar os estudos clínicos que referem potencial terapêutico sobre doenças cardiovasculares a partir da utilização de Plantas da Medicinais de Interesse ao SUS, publicados entre 2010 e fevereiro de 2013 em três bases de dados científicas (SciELO, Science Direct e Springer). Métodos: os descritores utilizados na busca inicial foram o nome científico das 71 plantas da Relação Nacional de Plantas Medicinais de Interesse ao SUS. Considerou-se todos os artigos científicos gratuitos, disponibilizados sob forma de texto completo nas bases de pesquisa, independente do idioma. A busca inicial resultou na seleção de 21,357 artigos encontrados nas bases de dados. A análise foi realizada inicialmente a partir da leitura do título da publicação. Os artigos selecionados foram avaliados através da leitura do Abstratc. Por fim, foi lido integralmente o texto dos artigos selecionados após a avaliação do Abstract, tendo sido selecionados estudos pré-clínicos e clínicos, in vitro e in vivo, que comprovam potencial terapêutico sobre doenças cardiovasculares. Resultados: esta seleção resultou em 34 artigos de interesse, dos quais, 17 estudos foram realizados com a planta Curcuma longa. Infarto do miocárdio, isquemia cerebral e hipertensão arterial foram as morbidades com a maior quantidade de estudos terapêuticos. Conclusões: os resultados deste estudo fornecem subsídios teóricos para discussões na Saúde Pública sobre tratamentos alternativos para doenças cardiovasculares(AU)

Introducción: las enfermedades cardiovasculares constituyen una de las principales causas de mortalidad, al existir muchos factores de riesgo asociados a su aparición. Hay estudios que demuestran que moléculas extraídas de plantas medicinales pueden reducir el riesgo de enfermedades crónicas. De esta forma, el Ministerio de Salud, publicó en febrero de 2009, la Lista Nacional de Plantas Medicinales de Interés para el SUS. Objetivos: cuantificar los estudios clínicos que refieren potencial terapéutico sobre las enfermedades cardiovasculares a partir de la utilización de Plantas da Medicinais de Interesse ao SUS, publicados entre 2010 y febrero de 2013 en tres bases de datos científicas (SciELO, Science Direct y Springer). Métodos: los descriptores utilizados en la búsqueda inicial fueron el nombre científico de 71 plantas de Plantas da Medicinais de Interesse ao SUS. Se consideraron todos los artículos científicos gratuitos, disponibles en texto completo en las bases de investigación, independiente del idioma. Primero se seleccionaron 21,357 artículos encontrados en las bases de datos. El análisis fue realizado a partir de la lectura del título de publicación. Los artículos seleccionados fueron evaluados a través de la lectura del Abstract. Por último, fueron leídos de forma íntegra el texto de los artículos seleccionados después de la evaluación del Abstract, fueron seleccionados estudios pre-clínicos y clínicos in vitro e in vivo, que comprueban el potencial terapéutico sobre las enfermedades cardiovasculares. Resultados: esta selección resultó de 34 artículos de interés, de los cuales, 17 estudios fueron realizados con la planta Curcuma longa. Infarto de miocardio, isquemia cerebral e hipertensión arterial fueron las comorbilidades con la mayor cantidad de estudios terapéuticos. Conclusiones: los resultados de este estudio ofrecen subsidios teóricos para discusiones en Salud Pública sobre tratamientos alternativos para las enfermedades cardiovasculares(AU)

Introduction: cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of mortality, because there are many risk factors associated with its development. Studies have shown that molecules extracted from medicinal plants can reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Thus, the Ministry of Health, published in February 2009, the National List of Medicinal Plants of Interest to SUS. Objective: to quantify the clinical studies that relate therapeutic potential of cardiovascular disease from the use of the National List of Medicinal Plants of Interest to SUS, published between 2010 and February 2013 in three scientific databases (SciELO, Science Direct and Springer). Methods: the descriptors used in the initial search were the scientific name of the 71 plants from the National List of Medicinal Plants of Interest to SUS. It considered all free papers made available in the form of full text search in databases, regardless of the language. The initial search resulted in the selection of 21 357 articles found in databases. The analysis was initially performed from reading the title of the publication. The articles were evaluated by reading the Abstratc. Finally, it was fully read the text of the articles selected after evaluation of the Abstract and was selected pre-clinical and clinical studies, in vitro and in vivo, that show therapeutic potential for cardiovascular disease. Results: this selection resulted in 34 articles of interest, of which 17 studies were conducted with the Curcuma longa plant. Myocardial infarction, cerebral ischemia and hypertension were morbidities with the greatest amount of therapeutic studies. Conclusions: the results of this study provide theoretical basis for discussions at the Public Health on alternative treatments for cardiovascular disease(AU)

Foliar application of ß-D-glucan nanoparticles to control rhizome rot disease of turmeric.

The soilborne Oomycete Pythium aphanidermatum is the causal agent of rhizome rot disease, one of the most serious threats to turmeric crops. At present, effective fungicides are not available. Researches on nanoparticles in a number of crops have evidenced the positive changes in gene expression indicating their potential use in crop improvement. Hence, experiments were carried out to determine the effect of ß-D-glucan nanoparticles (nanobiopolymer) in protection of turmeric plants against rot disease by the way of products that reinforce plant's own defense mechanism. Foliar spray of ß-D-glucan nanoparticles (0.1%, w/v) elicited marked increase in the activity of defense enzymes such as peroxidases (E.C.1.11.1.7), polyphenol oxidases (E.C.1.14.18.1), protease inhibitors (E.C.3.4.21.1) and ß-1,3-glucanases (E.C.3.2.1.39) at various age levels. Constitutive and induced isoforms of these enzymes were investigated during this time-course study. ß-D-glucan nanoparticles (GNPs) significantly reduced the rot incidence offering 77% protection. Increased activities of defense enzymes in GNPs-applied turmeric plants may play a role in restricting the development of disease symptoms. These results demonstrated that GNPs could be used as an effective resistance activator in turmeric for control of rhizome rot disease.

ß-D-Glucan nanoparticle pre-treatment induce resistance against Pythium aphanidermatum infection in turmeric.

In vitro experiments were carried out to test the efficacy of GNP (ß-D-glucan nanoparticle prepared from mycelium of Pythium aphanidermatum) against rhizome rot disease of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) caused by P. aphanidermatum. GNP (0.1%, w/v) was applied to rhizome prior to inoculation with P. aphanidermatum (0 h, 24 h). Cell death, activities of defense enzymes such as peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, protease inhibitor and ß-1,3 glucanase were monitored. Prior application of GNP (24 h) to turmeric rhizome effectively controls P. aphanidermatum infection. The increase in defense enzyme activities occurred more rapidly and was enhanced in P. aphanidermatum infected rhizomes that were pre-treated with GNP. Pre-treatment also induced new isoforms of defense enzymes. Increased activities of defense enzymes suggest that they play a key role in restricting the development of disease symptoms in the rhizomes as evidenced by a reduction in cell death. The results demonstrated that GNP can be used as a potential agent for control of rhizome rot disease.