Antiproliferative potential and phenolic compounds of infusions and essential oil of chamomile cultivated with homeopathy.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Chamomilla recutita (Asteraceae) is used worldwide as a soothing, anti-inflammatory and aromatherapy. In Brazil, it is one of the most cultivated medicinal species. However, the cultivation form may alter the production of compounds in the secondary metabolism and compromise the therapeutic purpose of this species. AIM OF THE STUDY: Evaluation of antiproliferative and genotoxic effects of infusions and essential oil of chamomile, cultivated with homeopathy, on the cell cycle of Allium cepa, as well as the determination of the phenolic compounds present in the infusions of the chamomile inflorescences. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For the Allium cepa test, two concentrations of 10 and 40 g L-1 of inflorescences of chamomile were used for the preparation of the infusions and essential oil diluted to 0.10%, referring to the six treatments obtained in field cultivation, in which were carried out the applications of homeopathy from the emergence to the harvest of the plants. Distilled water and ethanol were used as negative control and glyphosate 2% as a positive control. The determination of phenolic compounds present in the infusions was carried by liquid chromatography in a UHPLC apparatus. RESULTS: Chamomile infusions at concentrations of 10 and 40 g L-1 of inflorescence reduced mitotic index and emphasized antiproliferative activity on the cell cycle of Allium cepa. However, the treatments related to essential oil diluted to 0.10% showed a response variation dependent on the dynamization used, as well as for apigenin concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, cultivation with homeopathy does not induce a genotoxic effect in the use of infusions and essential oil of chamomile and it emphasize antiproliferative activity on the cell cycle of Allium cepa, favoring the sustainable cultivation and the safe use of this medicinal species when cultivated with homeopathy.

[Antioxidant activity of natural and cultured Cordyceps sp].

OBJECTIVE: Investigating the antioxidant activities of water and ethanol extracts of natural Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris and their fermentation preparations. METHOD: The samples were tested through 6 assays: inhibition ability of linoleic acid oxidation; scavenging activity of DPPH, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical and superoxide anion; and metal chelating activity. RESULT: Samples showed different antioxidant ability, and there was not an extract that exhibited high activity in all assays; however, water extract of natural C. militaris could be regarded as the most powerful antioxidant among 8 samples. It had high activity in inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation, chelating metal ions, and scavenging DPPH and hydroxyl radical. The research also indicated that the contents of phenolic compounds in water and ethanol extracts of natural and cultured Cordyceps sp. had huge difference. CONCLUSION: Natural Cordyceps sp. and its fermentation preparations could be used as potential natural antioxidants. The fermented process affected the antioxidant ability of cultured Cordyceps sp., and the antioxidant activity of both natural and cultured Cordyceps sp. did not significantly related with the quantity of phenolics.

Influencia de los compuestos bioactivos de betarraga (Beta vulgaris L) sobre el efecto cardio-protector: Una revisión narrativa / Influence of the bioactives compounds of beetroot (Beta vulgaris L) on the cardioprotective effect: A narrative review

RESUMEN Los cultivos agrícolas pertenecientes al grupo Beta vulgaris L. actualmente se utilizan en la agroindustria para producción de azúcar, agentes colorantes, consumo fresco y otros sub productos. La betarraga (beta vulgaris L) es una hortaliza con gran cantidad de carbohidratos, potasio y sales de nitrato. El foco de esta revisión se centró en demostrar la influencia de los compuestos bioactivos de betarraga (Beta vulgaris L) sobre el efecto cardio-protector. Se analizaron estudios genéricos y específicos de betarraga. Ellos mostraron que el contenido total de polifenoles en betarraga varia de 218.00 mg.kg-1 a 887.75 mg.kg-1; el contenido total de antocianinas varía de 14.48 ± 0.40 mg.kg-1 a 84.50 ± 4.71 mg.kg-1; los valores de actividad antioxidante variaron en el intervalo de 8.37 ± 0.29% a 21.83 ± 0.35% y el contenido de sales de nitrato se estima en 1800 mg NO3-/kg de masa fresca. Al consumo de betarraga se le atribuyen efectos sobre la salud, entre ellos cardio-protectores y quimioterapéuticos relacionados con los polifenoles, antocianinas, sales de nitrato.

ABSTRACT The agricultural crops that belong to the group Beta vulgaris L are currently used in agroindustry to produce sugar, coloring agents, other sub products and for fresh consumption. Beetroot (beta vulgaris L) is a vegetable with a large amount of carbohydrates, potassium and nitrate salts. The focus of this review was to demonstrate the influence of the bioactive compounds of beetroot (Beta vulgaris L) on the cardioprotective effect. We analyzed generic and specific studies of beetroot. They showed that the total content of polyphenols in beetroot varied from 218.00 mg.kg-1 to 887.75 mg.kg-1; the total content of anthocyanins varied from 14.48 ± 0.40 mg.kg-1 to 84.50 ± 4.71 mg.kg-1; the value of antioxidant activity varied in range from 8.37 ± 0.29% to 21.83 ± 0.35%; and the content of nitrate salts was estimated at 1800 mg NO3-/kg of fresh mass. thus, the intake of beetroot is attributed to health effects including caridioprotectors and chemotherapeutic related to polyphenols, anthocyanins, nitrate salts.

Quality control and analytical test method for Taxus baccata tincture preparation.

The homeopathic tincture of Taxus baccata L. is monographed in the current German Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia (HAB 2009). However, the described identification test is a common comparative TLC procedure that might be updated. The purpose of the current work was the quali-quantitative analysis by HPLC/DAD/MS of Taxus tincture. In this study we characterized polyphenolic compounds, in particular four hydroxycinnamic derivatives (0.85 mg/mL) and four flavonoids (quercetin and kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside and xylosyl glucosides); the total polyphenol content was 1.265 mg/mL of tincture. Starting from the official German Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia method of preparation, the aim of this work was to optimize a rapid and reproducible method for the analysis of herbal drugs and tincture, directly prepared in store or the herbalist's shop, to ensure safety and efficacy of the preparation. The procedure has to ensure validation, robustness of the results, and provide a quick response about the composition of compounds in the herbal drug preparation.

Analytical characterisation of homoeopathic mother tinctures.

Quality of homoeopathic mother tinctures is assured by the definition of the starting material, the manufacturing process and the analytical characteristics described in the monograph. Traditionally analytical characterisation of the mother tincture comprises appearance, odour, identity, density and dry residue. According to annex I of directive 2001/83/EC an assay is only performed in case of a health hazard due to toxic compounds. The concept of marker substances as usually used in phytotherapy cannot be transferred to mother tinctures without research effort. For example the marker substances echinacoside, apigenin-7-glucoside and rosmarinic acid found in dried underground parts of Echinacea pallida Nutt., dried flower heads of Matricaria recutita L. and dried herb of Pulmonaria officinalis L. cannot be found in homoeopathic mother tinctures prepared from fresh material thereof.

Quality criteria of homoeopathic mother tinctures: considerations regarding suitable tests for homoeopathic monographs.

Quantitative determination of markers may improve quality control of herbal homoeopathic mother tinctures. Since the activity of homoeopathic medicinal products does not depend on the specific content of such markers, appropriate substances can be selected according to analytical aspects only. We tested carbohydrates, amino acids, total polyphenols and flavonols in different mother tinctures. The results obtained with the latter two groups of substances imply that corresponding tests might be useful for inclusion into pharmacopoeial monographs.

Análise da citotoxicidade do extrato do fruto de juçara (Euterpe oleracea Mart) do Maranhão em células malignas humanas / Analysis of cytotoxicity of fruit extract juçara (euterpe oleracea mart) of Maranhão in human malignant cells

A juçara, Euterpe oleracea Mart., fruta indígena da Amazônia Legal, é rica em fitoquímicos com atividades anti-oxidante, antiinflamatória e anti-câncer. Este estudo tem por objetivo analisar os efeitos do extrato hidroalcoólico da casca, caroço e fruto total da juçara em diferentes linhagens de células malignas humana. Os frutos foram coletados no Parque da Juçara, localizado no Maracanã, município de São Luís, seguida da confecção da excicata que se mantém registrada no Herbário Rosa Mochel do Núcleo de Estudos Biológicos da Universidade Estadual do Maranhão. Os extratos hidroalcoólicos da casca, caroço e fruto total foram extraidos no Laboratório de Farmacologia e Psicobiologia da UERJ. As linhagens celulares utilizadas nos ensaios foram MCF-7 (adenocarcinoma de mama), CACO-2 e HT-20 (adenocarcinoma colo retal) e adenocarcinoma na mama (MDA-MB-468). As linhagens foram tratadas com 10, 20 e 40µg/mL dos extratos por 24 e 48 horas e feitas às análises. Células MCF-7 controle apresentaram núcleo proeminente com nucléolos evidentes. Após tratamento com o extrato hidroalcoólico da casca da juçara, as células mostraram morfologia arredondada com retração do citoplasma. O ensaio de viabilidade com MTT ((3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide)) demonstrou uma redução na viabilidade das células. Após 48 horas, o tratamento das células com 20µg/mL do extrato da casca reduziu a viabilidade sendo que o efeito citotóxico do tratamento com 40µg/mL do extrato da casca foi potencializado. Células tratadas com 10µg/mL do extrato do caroço de juçara apresentavam-se arredondadas com consequente redução no volume celular. A concentração 20µg/mL de extrato hidroalcoólico do caroço, causou severa redução no volume das células e ocasionou o surgimento de vacúolos intracelulares. O mesmo foi observado após tratamento com 40µg/mL. O tratamento com 40µg/mL do extrato hidroalcoólico do fruto total, modificou drasticamente a morfologia das células MCF-7...

Juçara, Euterpe oleracea Mart., an indigenous fruit from Amazon, is rich in phytochemicals with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activity. This study aims to analyze the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of the bark, seed and total fruit of juçara in different human malignant cell lines. Fruits were collected at the Maracana Ecological Park, in São Luís, followed by excicata manufacturing that remains registered in the Herbarium Rosa Mochel from the Nucleus of Biological Studies at the State University of Maranhão. The hydroalcoholic extracts of bark, seed and fruit were all obtained in the Laboratory of Pharmacology and Psychobiology UERJ. The cell lines used in the tests were MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468 (breast adenocarcinoma) and CACO-2 and HT-20 (colorectal adenocarcinoma). Strains were treated with 10, 20 and 40μg/mL of extracts for 24 and 48 hours. Control MCF-7 cells showed prominent nucleus with evident nucleoli. After treatment with the hydroalcoholic extract from the bark of juçara, the cells showed rounded morphology with retraction of the cytoplasm. The MTT viability assay showed a reduction in cell viability. After 48 hours, treatment of cells with 20μg/mL of bark extract reduced cell viability and the cytotoxic effect of treatment with 40μg/mL extract of the bark was potentiated. Cells treated with 10μg/mL of the bark extract were rounded with consequent reduction in cell volume. The concentration of 20μg/mL of bark extract caused severe reduction in volume of the cells and caused the appearance of intracellular vacuoles. The same was observed after treatment with 40μg/mL. Treatment with 40μg/mL of the hydroalcoholic extract of total fruit dramatically changed the morphology of the MCF-7 cells causing vacuolization and lysis with apparent loss of cytoplasmic contents. MTT assay showed a reduction in viability of MCF-7 cells treated with 20 and 40μg/mL after 24 hours of treatment. Analysis by electron microscopy showed the appearance...