Soursop (Annona muricata L.) Fruit Peels as Source of Phenolic Constituents and Annonacin with Biological Activities

Aims: In this study, chemical constituents and biological activities of the Annona muricata L. fruit peels were evaluated using methanol extract (MEAM) and hexane (HFAM), dichloromethane (DFAM), ethyl acetate (EFAM), and butanol (BFAM) fractions. Place and Duration of Study: All the experiments were done in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, 36026-900, Brazil, between January 2012 and July 2016. Methodology: Phytochemical screening (specific chemical reactions), total phenolic and flavonoid contents (Spectrophotometric methods) and chemical compounds were assessed (High performance liquid chromatography analysis). The antioxidant activity was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), beta-carotene, and thiobarbituric acid assays. The inhibitory effect against digestive enzymes (lipase, ?-amylase and ?-glucosidase) was measured by spectrophotometric assays and and toxicity by the brine shrimp lethality bioassay. Results: Tannins, flavonoids, coumarins, terpenes and steroids, saponins, and alkaloids were detected. EFAM had the highest values of total phenolic and flavonoids, while a similar compound to annonacin was found in MEAM by HPLC. EFAM was also more active in DPPH and FRAP assays, and HFAM was effective in inhibiting the linoleic acid oxidation and the malondialdehyde. MEAM and fractions blocked lipase, ?-amylase and ?-glucosidase, while HFAM and DFAM were toxic against Artemia salina. Conclusion: The results showed that the A. muricata fruit peels have important biological effects, which can bring great benefits to human and animal health.

Perfil de resistência antimicrobiana de Escherichia coli isoladas do açude Santo Anastácio, Ceará, Brasil / Resistance profile of Escherichia coli isolated from the environment

Este trabalho objetivou caracterizar a resistência antimicrobiana de 43 cepas de Escherichia coli isoladas do açude Santo Anastácio (Fortaleza, CE), durante os meses de janeiro a abril de 2007. As cepas foram submetidas a testes de suscetibilidade a oito antimicrobianos, tendo 67,4% delas apresentado sensibilidade a todos. Observou-se resistência à tetraciclina (25,6%), ao sulfazotrin (18,6%), ao ácido nalidixíco (9,3%) e a ciprofloxacina (4,7%). Nenhuma resistência foi observada aos betalactâmicos. Nove (21%) cepas apresentaram multirresistência, com um percentual de 78% para resistência cromossômica e 56% para resistência plasmidial. A presença de bactérias resistentes pode estar relacionada ao lançamento de antimicrobianos nas águas através de esgotos, sendo que o uso inadequado dessas águas pode comprometer a saúde da população.

The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial resistance of 43 Escherichia coli strains isolated from the Santo Antonio weir (Fortaleza, CE, Brazil) from January to April 2007. Susceptibility tests performed with 8 antimicrobials indicated that 67.5% of the strains were susceptible to all of them. Resistance to tetracycline (25.6%), sulfazotrim (18.6%), nalidixic acid (9.3%), and ciprofloxacin (4.7%) was observed. The strains did not show resistance to betalactamics. Nine strains (21%) were multiresistant, the resistance being chromosome (78%) and plasmid (56%) mediated. The presence of resistant bacteria may be related to antimicrobials in the sewage discharged into the weir, and the inappropriate use of this body of water may pose human health risks.

Investigação das atividades antinociceptiva e antiedematogênica do extrato etanólico das folhas de Joannesia princeps Vellozo / Investigation of antinociceptive and anti-edematogenic activities of an ethanol extract of the leaves of Joannesia princeps Vellozo

O presente estudo investigou as atividades antinociceptiva e antiedematogênica do extrato etanólico das folhas de J. princeps através dos testes de contorções abdominais, formalina, placa quente e edema de pata induzido por carragenina. O extrato etanólico reduziu (p < 0,05) as contorções abdominais (100 mg/kg = 55,75±1,29 e 200 mg/kg = 47,75±1,35) quando comparado ao grupo controle (67,25±1,51). Ambas as fases do teste de formalina foram inibidas (p < 0,05): 1ª fase (50 mg/kg = 79,50±1,12; 100 mg/kg = 69,37±1,03 e 200 mg/kg = 56,75±1,95) e 2ª fase (50 mg/kg = 86,50±1,22; 100 mg/kg = 69,62±1,66 e 200 mg/kg = 49,37±1,50). Após 90 min de tratamento, o limiar nociceptivo dos animais quando avaliados no modelo de placa quente foi aumentado de forma significativa com o extrato nas doses de 100 mg/kg (8,12±0,48) e 200 mg/kg (10,25±0,45) quando comparados com o grupo controle (6,62±0,46). Após 3 h de aplicação da carragenina, a dose de 200 mg/kg (0,43±0,02) reduziu o edema de pata em relação ao grupo controle (0,55±0,04). Este efeito também foi observado nas doses de 100 mg/kg (0,52±0,04) e 200 mg/kg (0,45±0,02) após 4 h de experimento (controle = 0,63±0,03). Estes resultados sugerem que J. princeps pode constituir uma fonte de substâncias ativas com atividades antinociceptiva e antiedematogênica.

The antinociceptive and anti-edematogenic activities of ethanol extract of Joannesia princeps leaves were investigated in male rats. The responses tested were acetic acid writhing, paw licking induced by formalin, hot plate and carrageenan-induced paw edema. The ethanol extract reduced (p<0.05) the abdominal contortions (100 mg/kg = 55.75±1.29 and 200 mg/kg = 47.75±1.35) in comparison with the control group (67.25±1.51). Both phases of paw lick were inhibited (p < 0.05): 1st phase (50 mg/kg = 79.50±1.12; 100 mg/kg = 69.37±1.03; 200 mg/kg = 56.75±1.95; controls 84.37±1.91) and 2nd phase (50 mg/kg = 86.50±1.22; 100 mg/kg = 69.62±1.66; 200 mg/kg = 49.37±1.50; controls 91.87±1.31). After 90 min of treatment, the reaction time on the hot plate increased at the doses 100 mg/kg (8.12±0.48) and 200 mg/kg (10.25±0.45), compared to the control group (6.62±0.46). After 3 h of application of carrageenan, a dose of 200 mg/kg (0.43±0.02) inhibited the paw edema, compared to the control group (0.55 ± 0.04). This effect was also observed at doses of 100 mg/kg (0.52±0.04) and 200 mg/kg (0.45±0.02) after 4 h of the experiment (control = 0.63 ± 0.03). These results suggest that the Brazilian arara-nut tree, J. princeps, could constitute a source of active substances with antinociceptive and anti-edematogenic activities and, after further tests, may help to validate the use of this plant in popular medicine.

Multiple drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from a fish market and from fish handlers

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains in fish stalls and in hands and nasal and oral cavities of fish handlers of the Mucuripe Fish Market, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. All S. aureus isolates were resistant to Ampicillin and 44 percent were multi-drug resistant.

O objetivo da pesquisa foi investigar a presença de Staphylococcus aureus resistente a antibióticos nos boxes de venda de peixe e nas mãos e cavidades nasal e oral de manipuladores de pescado da Feira de Pescado do Mucuripe, Fortaleza, Ceará. Todas as cepas isoladas foram resistentes à ampicilina e 44 por cento apresentaram multiresistência.

Efeitos farmacológicos e toxicológicos do extrato de Posoqueria acutifolia Mart. (Rubiaceae) em roedores / Pharmacological and toxic effects of Posoqueria acutifolia Mart. (Rubiaceae) extract in rodents

O presente trabalho investigou os efeitos farmacológicos e toxicológicos do extrato metanólico dos galhos de Posoqueria acutifolia. Foram realizados os testes de contorções abdominais, formalina, placa quente, edema de pata e pleurisia, bem como para a toxicidade aguda. As doses de 100, 200 e 400 mg/kg inibiram as contorções abdominais. No teste da formalina, a dose de 400 mg/kg reduziu o tempo de lambida da primeira fase, enquanto este efeito foi observado nas doses de 200 e 400 mg/kg sobre a segunda fase. O tempo de permanência sobre aplaca quente aumentou na dose de 400 mg/kg, embora a dose de 200 mg/kg também tenha tido efeito significativo após 90 minutos de tratamento. Houve uma redução do edema de pata, do volume do exsudato e da migração leucocitária nas doses testadas. O extrato testado não foi tóxico nas doses avaliadas. Portanto, o extrato metanólicode P. acutifolia exibe efeitos analgésico e antiinflamatório, o que poderia estar relacionado a seu uso na medicina popular

In the present study, the pharmacological and toxic effects on mice of methanol extract of branches of the Brazilian tree Posoqueria acutifolia were investigated. The tests carried out were acetic acid induced writhing, paw licking induced by formalin, hot plate, paw edema and pleurisy, as well as in acute toxicity test. Doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg inhibited the abdominal contortions. In the formalin test, the first phase of paw licking was shortened at the dose of 400 mg/kg, while the second phase was significantly affected by 200 and 400 mg/kg. The time of reaction to the hot plate increased with 400 mg/kg, although 200 mg/kg had a significant effect after 90 min of treatment. All doses of the methanolic extract reduced the paw edema, the volume of the exsudate and the leukocyte migration. The tested extract showed low acute toxicity to mice. It was concluded that (or thus) the methanol extract of P. acutifolia branches possess analgesic and antiinflammatory activity, which could justify the popular medicinal application of this plant.

Atividades antinociceptiva e antiinflamatória do óleo essencial de cascas de Duguetia lanceolata St. Hil., Annonaceae

O presente trabalho avaliou as atividades antinociceptiva e antiinflamatória do óleo essencial de cascas de Duguetia lanceolata. Para isto, foram realizados os testes de contorções abdominais induzidas por ácido acético; tempo da lambida da pata induzida por formalina; e edema de pata induzido por carragenina. O número de contorções abdominais (DE50 = 21,79 mg/kg) e o tempo da lambida da pata 1ª fase (DE50 = 5,27 mg/kg) e 2ª fase (DE50 = 1,43 mg/ kg) foram reduzidos significativamente de forma dependente da dose. O material vegetal nas doses de 50, 100 e 200 mg/kg diminuíram de maneira expressiva o edema de pata em 20,83; 36,46 e 48,96 por cento, respectivamente. O óleo essencial de cascas de D. lanceolata possui efeitos antinociceptivo e antiinflamatório por prováveis ações central e periférica.

The present work evaluated the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the essential oil from barks of Duguetia lanceolata. For this purpose, acetic acid writhing, formalin and carrageenan tests were performed. The number of writhings (ED50 = 21,79 mg/kg) and the lick of the paw 1st phase (ED50 = 5,27 mg/kg) e 2nd phase (ED50 = 1,43 mg/kg) reduced significantly in a dosedependent form. The doses 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg reduced the paw edema significantly in 20,83; 36,46 and 48,96 percent, respectively. These results suggest that the essential oil from barks of D. lanceolata has antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects and probably the mechanisms(s) involve central and peripheric actions.

Avaliação da qualidade de matérias-primas de ruibarbo utilizadas em formulações farmacêuticas

As plantas denominadas de ruibarbo sintetizam antraquinonas e taninos, que são responsáveis pelos efeitos laxante e adstringente, respectivamente. Análises da qualidade de cinco matérias-primas de ruibarbo foram realizadas a fim de detectar adulterações. As reações para antraquinonas e taninos foram positivas. Os constituintes rapônticos foram observados na amostra de Rheum palmatum (2). As medidas de cinzas totais para Rheum palmatum (2) e Ferraria cathartica estão acima do esperado. Conforme resultados, as amostras de Rheum palmatum (2) e Ferraria cathartica devem estar adulteradas.

Plants known as rhubarb synthesize anthraquinones and tannins. Theses compounds have medicinal uses as laxative and astringent, respectivity. The quality of five raw materials was analysed to detect adulterant. Anthraquinones and tannins reactions were positive. Derivatives rhapontocoside were observed in the sample of Rheum palmatum (2). Total ashes were increased to Rheum palmatum (2) and Ferraria cathartica. According to the results, samples of Rheum palmatum (2) and Ferraria cathartica shoulde are adulterated.