Insights of ethyl acetate fraction from Vassobia breviflora in multidrug-resistant bacteria and cancer cells: from biological to therapeutic.

Cancer and infectious diseases are among the leading causes of death in the world. Despite the diverse array of treatments available, challenges posed by resistance, side effects, high costs, and inaccessibility persist. In the Solanaceae plant family, few studies with Vassobia breviflora species relating to biological activity are known, but promising results have emerged. The phytochemicals present in the ethyl acetate fraction were obtained using ESI-MS-QTOF, and the antioxidants assays 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical capture (ABTS), plasma ferric reduction capacity (FRAP), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Cytotoxic activity was evaluated by MTT, Neutral Red, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released. The production of reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, and purinergic enzymes was also investigated. Antibacterial activity was measured through minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and antibiofilm activity, in addition to genotoxicity in plasmid DNA. Five major masses were identified D-glucopyranose II, allyl disulfide, γ-lactones, pharbilignoside, and one mass was not identified. V. breviflora exhibited relevant antioxidant and cytotoxic activity against the HeLa cell line and enhanced expression effect in modulation of purinergic signaling. Antibacterial activities in the assays in 7 ATCC strains and 8 multidrug-resistant clinical isolates were found. V. breviflora blocked biofilm formation in producing bacteria at the highest concentrations tested. However, there was no plasmid DNA cleavage at the concentrations tested. Data demonstrated that V. breviflora exhibited an antioxidant effect through several methods and proved to be a promising therapeutic alternative for use against tumor cells via purinergic signaling and multidrug-resistant microorganisms, presenting an anti-biofilm effect.

Uncaria tomentosa-Adjuvant Treatment for Breast Cancer: Clinical Trial.

Breast cancer is the most frequent neoplasm affecting women worldwide. Some of the recommended treatments involve chemotherapy whose toxic effects include leukopenia and neutropenia. This study assessed the effectiveness of Uncaria tomentosa (Ut) in reducing the adverse effects of chemotherapy through a randomized clinical trial. Patients with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma-Stage II, who underwent a treatment regimen known as FAC (Fluorouracil, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide), were divided into two groups: the UtCa received chemotherapy plus 300 mg dry Ut extract per day and the Ca group that only received chemotherapy and served as the control experiment. Blood samples were collected before each one of the six chemotherapy cycles and blood counts, immunological parameters, antioxidant enzymes, and oxidative stress were analyzed. Uncaria tomentosa reduced the neutropenia caused by chemotherapy and was also able to restore cellular DNA damage. We concluded that Ut is an effective adjuvant treatment for breast cancer.

Antiplatelet, Antithrombotic, and Fibrinolytic Activities of Campomanesia xanthocarpa.

In a previous work based on popular belief, Campomanesia xanthocarpa Berg., popularly known as "guavirova", showed to have a potential effect in the control of a number of conditions associated with cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the present work was to investigate the effects of C. xanthocarpa extract (CXE) on antiplatelet, antithrombotic and fibrinolytic activities in mice and in human blood. Mice were treated orally for 5 days with CXE or acetylsalicylic acid and at the end of the treatment period animals were challenged for bleeding, acute thromboembolism and ulcerogenic activity. In addition, we have assessed the prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) after oral administration. In in vitro assays, antiplatelet effects of CXE was evaluated on platelet aggregation, and fibrinolytic activity of the extract was observed by mice or human artificial blood clot degradation. Platelet citotoxicity of the extract was also determined by the LDH assay. Results demonstrated that CXE has a significant protective effect on thrombosis. It also inhibits platelet aggregation without demonstrating cytotoxicity on platelets. CXE slightly prolonged aPTT and showed no ulcerogenic activity after oral administration. In addition, CXE showed a fibrinolytic activity. Thus, C. xanthocarpa showed antiplatelet, antithrombotic and fibrinolytic activities in mice.