Plant stem cell extract from Coffea canephora shows antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin regenerative properties mediated by suppression of nuclear factor-κB.

Plant cell cultures have become a promising production platform of bioactive compounds for biomedical and cosmetic uses in the last decades. However, the success so far has been limited. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of this unique biotechnology process to obtain a bioactive stem cell extract of Coffea canephora (SCECC) with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined in the SCECC by spectrophotometry. The chemical composition of the extracts was characterized by mass spectrometry. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the colorimetric methods of free radical scavenging 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP). The anti-inflammatory activity was determined in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages through the production of superoxide anion (O2•-), nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Moreover, the ability of SCECC to stimulate the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts was assessed. Five compounds were tentatively identified, two flavonoids, two phenolic acids, and one sugar. High phenolic content and antioxidant activity were observed in the SCECC. SCECC promoted the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts and suppressed the pro-inflammatory mediators O2•-, NO, TNF-α, and IL-6 in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, SCECC inhibited the NF-κB transcription factor. Therefore, we obtained evidence that the extract from C. canephora stem cells can be used as a natural agent against skin damage. Hence, it could be of interest in cosmetics for preventing skin aging.

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.

Anticryptococcal activity of hexane extract from Spondias tuberosa Arruda and associated cellular events.

Cryptococcosis is an opportunistic systemic mycosis whose treatment is limited to three drugs. In this work, we evaluated the antifungal activity of a hexane extract (HE) from Spondias tuberosa leaves against Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined, and putative mechanisms were evaluated by flow cytometry. In addition, an in vivo infection assay was performed using Tenebrio molitor larvae. Treatment with HE inhibited the growth of standard and clinical isolates of C. neoformans and C. gattii (MICs ranging from 0.78 to 3.12mg/mL), significantly (P<0.05) increased mitochondrial superoxide anion levels, and induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization, loss of lysosomal membrane integrity, and phosphatidylserine externalization. The mean survival time of C. gattii-infected T. molitor larvae significantly (P<0.05) increased from 1.225 days in control to 3.067 and 3.882 days in HE-treated groups (78 and 156mg/kg, respectively). In conclusion, HE showed anticryptococcal activity, induced mitochondrial and lysosomal damage in yeast cells, and exhibited anti-infective action against C. gattii in T. molitor larvae.

Determining the genetic stability of micropropagated sugarcane using inter-simple sequence repeat markers.

Sugarcane culture is an important source of income for the Brazilian economy. The aim of this study was to identify somaclonal variation in sugarcane varieties RB943365 and RB92579 arising from micropropagation using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) DNA markers. The evaluated plants were generated from the in vitro propagation of shoot tips grown in MS medium supplemented with vitamins, myoinositol, glycine, and sucrose, without the use of growth regulators. Fifteen consecutive subcultures with intervals of 14 days were carried out, and DNA was extracted from young leaves obtained from each of the subcultures. The DNA was amplified with ISSR markers and separated by electrophoresis on 2% agarose gels. No evidence of polymorphism was observed in subcultures of the varieties analyzed, suggesting the absence of somaclonal variants. In this way, the ISSR marker was efficient at analyzing somaclonal variation, and in vitro propagation of sugarcane can be considered efficient for 15 consecutive subcultures of the varieties analyzed.

Anthelmintic activity of Azadirachta indica A. Juss against sheep gastrointestinal nematodes.

Gastrointestinal nematode control has been performed through use of anthelmintics. However, the development of resistant populations has required research into new alternatives. There are popular reports about anti-parasitic activity of Azadirachta indica in animals and plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of A. indica after feeding sheep with the dried leaves. In this experiment, 40 sheep were allotted into four treatment groups. Group I received a treatment of A. indica dry leaves mixed in a concentrate at a rate of 0.1 g/kg dose for 3 months. Group II was treated with double the dose of Group I. Group III was treated with closantel (Diantel) at the manufacturer-recommended dose once at the beginning of the study and Group IV was not treated. To compare treatment effects, the following parameters were evaluated: egg count per gram of feces (EPG), worm burden, weight gain and haematocrit. EPG and worm burden results were statistically evaluated using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Haematocrit and live weight gain were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the means evaluated by Tukey's test with 95% probability. None of the evaluated parameters of the treatment groups were statistically different when compared to the control group, demonstrating that, with the protocol used, A. indica has no anthelmintic effect.

Use of doxycycline for leptospirosis after high-risk exposure in São Paulo, Brazil.

A clinical trial pilot study, double-blinded, randomized, and controlled with a placebo to assess the effectiveness of oral doxycycline (200 mg, single dose) in preventing leptospirosis after high exposure to potentially contaminated water was performed in São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Confirmed cases were defined as those with leptospira IgM antibody and symptoms; asymptomatic cases were those presenting with IgM antibodies but no symptoms; and suspected cases were individuals with symptoms but no IgM antibody. Forty subjects were given doxycycline and 42 were given placebo. In the drug-treated group there were 2 confirmed cases, 11 asymptomatic cases, and 6 suspected cases. In the placebo group there were 5 confirmed, 6 symptomatic, and 5 suspected cases. Even though we found a protective association of doxycycline for confirmed leptospirosis cases (RR = 2.3) and seroconversion only (RR = 2.0), the association was not statistically significant because of the small number of individuals enrolled in this pilot study. We observed that the 22% of the volunteers already had IgM antibodies to leptospirosis at the first sampling. Finally, the attack rate to confirmed, asymptomatic, and suspected cases of Leptospirosis was 8.5%, 22%, and 13%, respectively, in this population.

[Contribution of the school meal program--basic cycle--to the nutritional requirements of school children]. / Contribuição do programa de merenda escolar--ciclo básicopara as recomendações nutricionais de escolares.

The contribution of the meal given to Basic Cycle students of the Public Teaching Network in comparison to the daily recommendations of energy and nutrients was observed. The study was carried out in seven State schools in Piracicaba, SP. Weighing of food served in the school meal was used as a means for obtaining data during a 5 day period. The energy and nutrient contribution of the meal was calculated on an average <> basis, in comparison to the nutritional pattern defined by FAO/OMS/UNU (1985). Also, the nutritional quality of the meal was analyzed through the <>. The results showed that the meal offered to students contributes with approximately 30% of the total daily energy recommended and 100% of daily protein recommendations for the group of 7 to 8 year old students. Concerning vitamins, the average meal contribution was 30%, except for vitamin C. As to minerals calcium and iron the average composition of the meal observed to fulfill 30% of the total recommended for the group. The results of the study point the need for correcting failures in the nutritional content of meals since these are a major supplement in feeding the target group.