Antifungal activity of terpenes isolated from the Brazilian Caatinga: a review.

Terpenoids, also named terpenes or isoprenoids, are a family of natural products found in all living organisms. Many plants produce terpenoids as secondary metabolites, and these make up a large part of essential oils. One of most important characteristic is that the compounds are volatile, have odor and can be used in a variety of applications in different industrial segments and traditional medicine. Brazil has a rich and diverse flora that can be used as a source of research for obtaining new molecules. Within the Brazilian flora, it is worth mentioning the Caatinga as an exclusively Brazilian biome where plants adapt to a specific series of weather conditions and therefore become a great storehouse of the terpenoid compounds to be described herein. Fungal infections have become increasingly common, and a great demand for new agents with low toxicity and side effects has thus emerged. Scientists must search for new molecules exhibiting antifungal activity to develop new drugs. This review aims to analyze scientific data from the principal published studies describing the use of terpenes and their biological applications as antifungals.

Effect of biotin supplementation on milk yield of Girolando cows reared in a tropical climate.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of biotin supplementation on milk yield and the reproductive efficiency in Girolando cows. The study was conducted on a dairy farm located in central Brazil, between April 2012 and December 2016. Thirty-six Girolando cows in their first lactation were used. The cows were distributed in two treatment groups, each with equivalent weight distributions. Control treatment (CT) cows (n = 18) received a diet without any supplemental biotin, whereas biotin treatment (BT) cows (n = 18) received a diet supplemented with 20 mg/day of biotin during lactation. Biotin supplementation caused a significant increase (p = 0.001) in milk yield in the second lactation, and a trend (p = 0.09) toward higher average production during the three lactations was evaluated. There was no statistically significant difference between the treatments in terms of reproductive efficiency. In conclusion, biotin supplementation (20 mg/day) during lactation for Girolando cows reared in a tropical climate is able to increase milk yield, but does not improve reproductive efficiency.

Tratamento de feridas excisionais de coelhos com extrato de barbatimão associado a células mononucleares autólogas da medula óssea / Treatment of excisional wound in rabbits with barbatiman extracts associated with autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells

Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar o processo de cicatrização de feridas de coelhos tratadas com extrato de barbatimão (S. adstringens) associado a células mononucleares autólogas da medula óssea (CMMO). Utilizaram-se 20 coelhos, distribuídos em quatro grupos: B, extrato de barbatimão; CB, CMMO com extrato de barbatimão; CS, CMMO com solução fisiológica; S, solução fisiológica. Foi avaliada a presença de crosta, hiperemia, secreção, hemorragia, reepitelização, área da ferida e tempo de cicatrização. No terceiro, sétimo, 14º e 21º dias pós-operatório, realizou-se a biópsia das feridas e avaliaram-se os indicadores dos processos de inflamação e de reparo, com destaque para o colágeno, na coloração picrosírius, bem como de proliferação celular, na coloração AgNOR. Houve maior deposição de fibras colágenas nos grupos B e CB (P=0,00003) e formação de crostas mais espessas no sétimo dia, com fibras colágenas mais organizadas no 21º dia. Conclui-se que o barbatimão estimula a produção de fibras colágenas e promove a formação de crostas mais espessas sobre a ferida na fase inicial da cicatrização e, na fase de remodelação, favorece a orientação das fibras colágenas. Além disso, a associação desse fitoterápico com CMMO não estimula a cicatrização de feridas.(AU)

This study aimed to evaluate the healing process of wounds of rabbits in response to treatment with barbatiman extract (S. adstringens) associated with autologous mononuclear bone marrow cells (BM-MNC). We used 20 rabbits, divided into four groups: B, 10% barbatiman extract with 9.48% of total tannins; CB, BM-MNC with barbatiman extract; CS, BM-MNC with NaCl 0.9% solution; S, NaCl 0.9% solution. Clinical evaluation was performed by observing the presence of crust, redness, discharge, bleeding, re-epithelialization, the wound area and healing time in days. In the third, seventh, 14th and 21st postoperative days wounds were biopsied for microscopic evaluation of inflammation and repair process indicators, especially collagen, in picrosirius staining, and cell proliferation, in AgNOR staining. There was a greater deposition of collagen fibers in groups B and CB (p=0.00003) on the seventh day and formation of thicker crusts, and more organized collagen fibers on the 21st day in these groups. In conclusion, in the initial phase of healing, barbatiman extract stimulates the production of collagen fibers and promotes the formation of more exuberant crusts on the wounds and remodeling phase favors the orientation of collagen fibers, but when combined with BMMC does not stimulate wound healing in rabbits.(AU)

Multivariate diallel analysis allows multiple gains in segregating populations for agronomic traits in Jatropha.

Jatropha is research target worldwide aimed at large-scale oil production for biodiesel and bio-kerosene. Its production potential is among 1200 and 1500 kg/ha of oil after the 4th year. This study aimed to estimate combining ability of Jatropha genotypes by multivariate diallel analysis to select parents and crosses that allow gains in important agronomic traits. We performed crosses in diallel complete genetic design (3 x 3) arranged in blocks with five replications and three plants per plot. The following traits were evaluated: plant height, stem diameter, canopy projection between rows, canopy projection on the line, number of branches, mass of hundred grains, and grain yield. Data were submitted to univariate and multivariate diallel analysis. Genotypes 107 and 190 can be used in crosses for establishing a base population of Jatropha, since it has favorable alleles for increasing the mass of hundred grains and grain yield and reducing the plant height. The cross 190 x 107 is the most promising to perform the selection of superior genotypes for the simultaneous breeding of these traits.

Path analysis and canonical correlations for indirect selection of Jatropha genotypes with higher oil yield.

Jatropha is a species with great potential for biodiesel production, and the knowledge on how the main agronomic traits are correlated will contribute to its improvement. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to estimate the genetic parameters of the traits: plant height at 12 and 40 months, canopy projection on the row at 12 and 40 months, canopy projection between the row at 12 and 40 months, number of branches at 40 months, grain yield, and oil yield; to verify the existence of phenotypic correlation between these traits; to verify the influence of the morphological traits on oil yield by means of path analysis; and to evaluate the relationship between the productive traits in Jatropha and the morphological traits measured at different ages. Sixty-seven half-sib families were evaluated using a completely randomized block design with two replications and five plants per plot. Analysis of variance was used to estimate the genetic value. Phenotypic correlations were given by the Pearson correlation between traits. For the canonical correlation analysis, two groups of traits were established: group I, consisting of traits of economic importance for the culture, and group II, consisting of morphological traits. Path analysis was carried out considering oil yield as the main dependent variable. Genetic variability was observed among Jatropha families. Productive traits can be indirectly selected via morphological traits due to the correlation between these two groups of traits. Therefore, canonical correlations and path analysis are two strategies that may be useful in Jatropha-breeding program when the objective is to select productive traits via morphological traits.

Cinética de secagem e difusividade efetiva em folhas de jenipapo (Genipa americana L. ) / Drying kinetics and effective diffusivity in jenipapo sheets (Genipa americana L. )

RESUMO O jenipapo (Genipa americana L.) é uma espécie nativa com importância medicinal, sendo amplamente utilizada no Brasil. Em função da necessidade de conhecimento à cerca do pré-processamento desta espécie, este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar a cinética de secagem de folhas de jenipapo (G. americana L.), bem como determinar a difusividade efetiva da água durante o processo. As folhas foram coletadas com teor de água inicial de 2,30±0,05 (decimal b.s.), e submetidas à secagem em três condições de temperatura do ar (35,3; 46,0 e 65,0°C) até atingirem o teor de água de equilíbrio. Aos dados experimentais, ajustaram-se doze modelos matemáticos, recomendados para representar o processo de secagem de produtos agrícolas. As magnitudes do coeficiente de determinação (R2), do erro médio relativo (P), do erro médio estimado (SE) e do teste do qui-quadrado (χ2), foram utilizadas para verificar o grau de ajuste dos modelos. Os modelos de Henderson e Pabis modificado e Midilli apresentaram ajustes adequados aos dados experimentais, sendo o modelo de Midilli, em função de sua simplicidade, escolhido para representar a cinética de secagem das folhas de jenipapo. Aumentando a temperatura do ar de secagem de 35,3 para 46,0 e 65,0ºC houve redução no tempo de secagem das folhas de jenipapo de 91,1 para 62,5 e 24,2 horas, respectivamente. O coeficiente de difusão efetivo aumenta com a elevação da temperatura, e esta relação é descrita pela equação de Arrhenius, que apresenta energia de ativação para a difusão líquida de 33,9 kJ mol-1.

ABSTRACT The jenipapo (Genipa americana L.) is a native species with medicinal importance and is widely used in Brazil. Due to the need for knowledge about the preprocessing of this species, this work was developed to evaluate the drying kinetics of the jenipapo leaves (G. americana L.), and also to determine the effective diffusivity of water during the process. The leaves were collected with an initial moisture content of 2.30 ± 0.05 (decimal db), and dried in three conditions of air temperature (35.3, 46.0 and 65.0°C) until they reach the equilibrium moisture content. The experimental data set were twelve mathematical models, recommended to represent the drying process of agricultural products. The magnitudes of the coefficient of determination (R2), the mean relative error (P), the average estimated error (SE) and the chi-square (X2), were used in order to verify the adequacy level of the models. The Henderson, modified Pabis and Midilli models presented appropriate adjustments to the experimental data, with the model Midilli, due to its simplicity, chosen to represent the drying kinetics of the jenipapo leaves. By increasing the temperature of the drying air from 35.3 to 46.0 and 65.0ºC, there was a reduction in the drying time of the jenipapo leaves, from 91.1 to 62.5 and to 24.2 hours, respectively. The effective diffusion coefficient increases with the temperature’s raise, and this relationship is described by the Arrhenius equation, which shows activation energy for liquid diffusion of 33.9 kJ mol-1.

Levantamento preliminar sobre plantas medicinais utilizadas no bairro Salobrinho no município de Ilhéus, Bahia / Preliminary survey on medicinal plants used in the district of Salobrinho in the city of Ilhéus, Bahia

Este trabalho teve como objetivo realizar o levantamento etnobotânico das principais espécies utilizadas para fins medicinais pela comunidade Salobrinho, no município de Ilhéus (BA). Foi realizada entrevista com aplicação de questionário semi-estruturado juntamente com a coleta de material vegetal para identificação das espécies citadas. Apesar do elevado número de citações de plantas nas residências dos entrevistados apenas 51 espécies são cultivadas, as quais estão distribuídas em 32 famílias e 42 gêneros, sendo a família Lamiaceae a mais representativa, seguida por Euphorbiaceae, Asteraceae, Verbenaceae e Poaceae. A maioria destas espécies é de porte herbáceo ou arbustivo e são plantas introduzidas. A parte mais utilizada para o preparo de remédios foi a folha (86%), sendo o chá a forma de preparo mais comum (70%). Dentre 86 diferentes indicações de uso terapêutico, as mais citadas foram relacionadas à problemas gastrointestinais com 308 citações, seguida por 171 citações referente a afecções respiratórias. A espécie com maior índice de concordância de uso corrigido foi a Lippia alba, indicada para o tratamento de dor de barriga e como calmante. Conclui-se que a localização afastada do bairro em relação aos espaços construídos da cidade, a origem rural dos seus moradores, e sua condição sócio-econômica, possivelmente contribuíram para o acúmulo de conhecimento sobre o tratamento de diversas enfermidades utilizando preparados feitos à base de plantas medicinais.

This study aimed to conduct an ethnobotanical survey of the main speciesused for medicinal purposes by the Salobrinho community in Ilhéus (BA). Several interviews were conducted wit theh application of a semi-structured questionnaire and the collection of plant material for identification. Despite the high number of cited plants, only 51 cultivated species were found in the households of the respondents which are distributed into 32 families and 42 genera, with Lamiaceae as the most representative family, followed by Euphorbiaceae, Asteraceae, Poaceae and Verbenaceae. Most of them were herbaceous or shrub introduced plants. The leaves were the most used portion of the plant to prepare medications (86%) and the tea was the main use (70%). There were 86 different indications and the most cited ones were related to gastrointestinal problems, with 308 citations, followed by 171 indications relating to respiratory diseases. The species with the highest corrected concordance use index was Lippia alba, indicated for the treatment of stomachache and as a tranquilizer. It was concluded that the remote location of the district in relation to the built areas of the city, the rural origins of its inhabitants, and their socioeconomic status possibly contributed to the accumulation of knowledge about the treatment of various diseases using medicinal plants.

Chromosome number, microsporogenesis, microgametogenesis, and pollen viability in the Brazilian native grass Mesosetum chaseae (Poaceae).

The genus Mesosetum is a primarily South American genus with 42 species. Mesosetum chaseae, regionally known as 'grama-do-cerrado', is abundant in the Pantanal Matogrossense (Brazil); it is a valuable resource for livestock and for environmental conservation. We collected specimens from the Nhecolandia sub-region of the Brazilian Pantanal, located in Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. We examined chromosome number, ploidy level, meiotic behavior, microgametogenesis, and pollen viability of 10 accessions. All the accessions were diploid, derived from x = 8, presenting 2n = 2x = 16 chromosomes. Chromosomes paired as bivalents showing, predominantly, two terminal chiasmata. Interstitial chiasmata were rare. Meiosis was quite normal producing only a few abnormal tetrads in some accessions. Microgametogenesis, after two mitotic divisions, produced three-celled pollen grains. Pollen viability was variable among plant and accessions and was not correlated with meiotic abnormalities.

Efeito de fontes e níveis de selênio sobre parâmetros fisiológicos em frangos de corte / Effect of sources and levels of selenium on physiological traits in broilers

Avaliaram-se a retenção aparente, a deposição hepática, tecidual e plasmática, bem como a eficiência da glutationa peroxidase hepática e plasmática em frangos de corte alimentados com diferentes níveis e fontes de selênio. Utilizaram-se 300 pintos machos com 14 dias, submetidos a um esquema fatorial 3x3 + 1 (três níveis de Se - 0,150; 0,300; 0,450ppm, e três fontes comerciais de Se - uma inorgânica e duas orgânicas + um tratamento controle sem suplementação), em DIC. Do primeiro ao 14º dia de idade - período de depleção -, as aves receberam rações basais sem suplementação de selênio. Aos 14 dias, receberam as dietas com selênio, por um período de 14 dias, sendo coletadas as excretas nos últimos quatro dias. A retenção de selênio foi relativamente alta. O uso da fonte orgânica A em níveis crescentes apresentou menor queda na retenção aparente de selênio. As fontes orgânicas participaram mais ativamente nas atividades de tecidos de forma geral, e a fonte inorgânica foi neutralizada no tecido hepático. A eficiência dessa enzima no plasma aumentou linearmente quando se elevaram os níveis dietéticos. Para a fonte inorgânica, não houve mudança nesta eficiência.

We evaluated the apparent retention, the hepatic, tissue and plasmatic deposition as well as the efficiency of the enzyme hepatic and plasmatic Glutathione Peroxidase in broiler chickens fed different sources and levels of selenium. 300 male Cobb- 500 chicks aged 14 days were submitted to a factorial scheme 3x3+1 (three levels - 0.150; 0.300; 0.450ppm, three commercial sources - one inorganic and two organic + one control treatment without a supplementation) in CRD. The first 14 days of age (depletion period) the birds were fed basal diets without a supplementation of selenium. At 14 days the birds were given the diets with selenium for a period for 14 days, and the excreta collected in the last four days. The work suggested that the selenium retentions were relatively high, due to the use of organic source A at growing levels they presented a lower decrease in apparent retention of selenium. The organic sources participated more actively in the activities of tissues in general and the inorganic source is neutralized in the hepatic tissue. The efficiency of this enzyme in plasma was increased linearly, when we increased dietary levels for the inorganic source there was no change in efficiency.

Scanning electron microscopic study of the cleaning ability of chlorhexidine as a root-canal irrigant.

AIM: To evaluate in vitro the cleaning of root-canal walls after irrigation with different irrigants. METHODOLOGY: A total of 36 recently extracted human teeth were divided into four experimental groups according to the irrigating solution used: saline; 2% chlorhexidine; 2.5% sodium hypochlorite; and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite + EDTA. The cleaning of the apical, middle and coronal thirds of the root canals was evaluated by scanning electron microscope examination using a 4-point scoring system. RESULTS: The best cleaning was obtained using 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and EDTA, followed by 2.5% sodium hypochlorite only (P < 0.05), whose cleaning was similar to chlorhexidine only in the cervical third. Cleaning by saline and 2% chlorhexidine was worse than the other two groups and was similar in all thirds. Better cleaning was found in the cervical and middle thirds for all groups with the worst results in the apical third. CONCLUSIONS: The apical third of the root canals was not cleaned as well as the middle and coronal thirds. Cleaning by chlorhexidine and saline was inferior compared to the cleaning by sodium hypochlorite with and without EDTA.

In vitro evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of a castor oil-based irrigant.

The antimicrobial activity of irrigating solutions--Endoquil (castor oil detergent), 2% chlorhexidine gluconate solution, and 0.5% NaOCl solution-was evaluated against gram-positive cocci (Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus mutans, and Streptococcus sobrinus), gram-negative rods (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and the yeast Candida albicans. Activity was evaluated using the two-layer agar diffusion technique. The base layer was obtained by pouring 10.0 ml of Muller Hinton Medium or 10.0 ml of Brain Heart Infusion agar in a Petri dish. After solidification a 5.0 ml seed layer of Muller Hinton Medium or Brain Heart Infusion agar with inoculum (106/ml) was added. Absorbent paper disks (6.0 mm in diameter) immersed in the solutions were placed at equidistant points. Plates were maintained at room temperature for 2 h for prediffusion of the solutions and incubated at 37 degrees C for 24 h. The candle jar system was used for the Brain Heart Infusion agar plates. All tests were performed in duplicate. After incubation the medium was optimized with 0.05 g% triphenyltetrazolium chlorate gel and inhibition halos were measured. All bacterial strains were inhibited by 2.0% chlorhexidine gluconate. Endoquil was effective against gram-positive microorganisms, and 0.5% NaOCl was effective only against S. aureus.

Calcium hydroxide root canal sealers--histopathologic evaluation of apical and periapical repair after endodontic treatment.

Eighty root canals of the premolars of 4 dogs, with vital pulp, were instrumented and filled during the same session with the Sealapex, CRCS, Sealer 26, and Apexit sealers. The animals were sacrificed 180 days after root canal filling and their maxillae and mandibles were removed and fixed in 10% formalin. After routine histologic processing, the sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Mallory trichrome. Histopathologic analysis showed that Sealapex was the sealer that best permitted the deposition of mineralized tissue at the apical level and was the only sealer that provided complete sealing (37.5% of cases). With the use of Sealapex, no inflammatory infiltrate occurred and there was no reabsorption of mineralized tissues. In contrast, partial sealing and a moderate inflammatory infiltrate occurred with the use of CRCS. When Apexit and Sealer 26 were used the absence of sealing was frequent and active reabsorption of mineralized tissues occurred in most cases. The inflammatory infiltrate predominating with the use of Apexit was of the severe type, whereas with the use of Sealer 26 the inflammatory infiltrate was mild or absent.

Histopathological observations of periapical repair in teeth with radiolucent areas submitted to two different methods of root canal treatment.

Dogs' teeth with induced chronic periapical periodontitis were treated endodontically by two different methods, and the results were compared. A total of 40 root canals from the upper and lower premolars of two dogs were prepared chemomechanically. In method 1, a high-concentration (5.25%) hypochlorite solution was used during the instrumentation of the root canal, and an antibacterial dressing was applied between sessions, followed by filling of the root canal. In method 2, a low-concentration (0.5%) sodium hypochlorite solution was used as an adjunct to mechanical debridement, and the root canal was filled during the same session. The histopathological results showed that method 1 led to better periapical repair than method 2.