Erythrocyte-derived liposomes for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Effective and safe therapies to counteract persistent inflammation are necessary. We developed erythrocyte-derived liposomes (EDLs) with intrinsic anti-inflammatory activity. The EDLs were prepared using lipids extracted from erythrocyte membranes, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids with several health benefits. Diclofenac, a widely used anti-inflammatory drug, was incorporated into EDLs in relevant therapeutic concentrations. The EDLs were also functionalised with folic acid to allow their active targeting of M1 macrophages, which are key players in inflammatory processes. In the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages, empty EDLs and EDLs incorporating diclofenac were able to reduce the levels of important pro-inflammatory cytokines, namely interleukin-6 (IL-6; ≈85% and 77%, respectively) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α; ≈64% and 72%, respectively). Strikingly, cytocompatible concentrations of EDLs presented similar effects to dexamethasone, a potent anti-inflammatory drug, in reducing IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations, demonstrating the EDLs potential to be used as bioactive carriers in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Antioxidant effect of the pequi oil (Caryocar brasiliense) on the hepatic tissue of rats trained by exhaustive swimming exercises / Efeito antioxidante do óleo de pequi (Caryocar brasiliense ) no tecido hepático de ratos treinados por exercícios de natação exaustivos

Abstract Increased oxygen consumption and activation of specific metabolic pathways during or after physical exercise lead to the formation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. An investigation was made into the effects of pequi oil supplementation in protecting liver cells against injury resulting from oxidative stress. The experiments involved 20 male adult Wistar rats ( Rattus norvegicus). The animals were divided into four experimental groups: Group 1: sedentary control group; Group 2: exercise control group; Group 3: supplemented sedentary group; and Group 4: supplemented exercise group. Supplementation consisted of pequi oil administered by oral gavage (400 mg). The animals of the exercised groups were subjected to 20 swimming sessions for 5 weeks (with progressive increase of 10 minutes until exhaustion). Samples were collected from the right hepatic lobe for histopathological analysis and determination of malondialdehyde levels. The histopathological analyses revealed that the animals of the exercised control group had moderate liver damage, while the animals of the supplemented exercised group had slight tissue damage, and the sedentary control and sedentary supplemented groups showed no tissue damage. The malondialdehyde levels showed higher and statistically significant in exercise control group when compared to the other evaluated groups (p<0.05). In conclusion the supplementation with pequi oil had a protective effect on liver cells against damage caused by oxygen free radicals during strenuous exercise, as demonstrated by the indicator of lipid peroxidation.

Resumo Aumento do consumo de oxigênio e ativação de vias metabólicas específicas durante ou após a atividade física conduz para formação de espécies reativas de oxigênio e nitrogênio. Uma investigação foi realizada sobre os efeitos da suplementação com óleo de pequi na proteção das células hepáticas contra lesões resultantes do estresse oxidativo. Na realização dos experimentos foram utilizados 20 ratos machos adultos da linhagem Wistar (Rattus novergicus ). Os animais foram divididos em quatro grupos experimentais: grupo 1: grupo sedentário controle; grupo 2: grupo treinado controle; grupo 3: grupo sedentário suplementado e grupo 4: grupo treinado suplementado. Na suplementação foi utilizado o óleo de pequi ministrado por gavagem oral (400 mg). Os animais dos grupos treinados foram submetidos a 20 sessões de natação por um período de 5 semanas (com aumento progressivo de 10 minutos até a exaustão). Foram retiradas amostras do lobo hepático direito para análises histopatológicas, e dosagem de malondialdeído. As análises histopatológicas revelaram que os animais do grupo treinado controle tiveram danos hepáticos moderados; já os animais do grupo treinado suplementado tiveram danos teciduais leves; os grupos sedentário controle e sedentário suplementado não apresentaram injúrias teciduais. Os níveis de malondialdeído mostraram-se maiores e estatisticamente significativos no grupo treinado controle quando comparados aos outros grupos avaliados (p<0,05). Podemos concluir que a suplementação com óleo de pequi teve efeito protetor nas células hepáticas contra os danos causados pelos radicais livres de oxigênio durante os exercícios exaustivos, conforme demonstrado pelo indicador de peroxidação lipídica.

Antioxidant effect of the pequi oil (Caryocar brasiliense) on the hepatic tissue of rats trained by exhaustive swimming exercises.

Increased oxygen consumption and activation of specific metabolic pathways during or after physical exercise lead to the formation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. An investigation was made into the effects of pequi oil supplementation in protecting liver cells against injury resulting from oxidative stress. The experiments involved 20 male adult Wistar rats ( Rattus norvegicus). The animals were divided into four experimental groups: Group 1: sedentary control group; Group 2: exercise control group; Group 3: supplemented sedentary group; and Group 4: supplemented exercise group. Supplementation consisted of pequi oil administered by oral gavage (400 mg). The animals of the exercised groups were subjected to 20 swimming sessions for 5 weeks (with progressive increase of 10 minutes until exhaustion). Samples were collected from the right hepatic lobe for histopathological analysis and determination of malondialdehyde levels. The histopathological analyses revealed that the animals of the exercised control group had moderate liver damage, while the animals of the supplemented exercised group had slight tissue damage, and the sedentary control and sedentary supplemented groups showed no tissue damage. The malondialdehyde levels showed higher and statistically significant in exercise control group when compared to the other evaluated groups (p<0.05). In conclusion the supplementation with pequi oil had a protective effect on liver cells against damage caused by oxygen free radicals during strenuous exercise, as demonstrated by the indicator of lipid peroxidation.

Evaluation of cytotoxic, apoptotic, mutagenic, and chemopreventive activities of semi-synthetic esters of gallic acid.

Gallic acid and its derivatives are phenolic compounds widely used as food supplements in the form of capsules, liquid extracts, and ointments owing to their good antioxidant properties. Besides, these compounds are potent inhibitors of fungi, bacteria, and some viruses and possess strong antiproliferative and chemopreventive activities. However, gallic acid derivatives are also known to exert harmful effects like mutagenicity and cytotoxicity. The present study aimed to understand and explore the toxicological risks of these compounds. For this, a series of alkyl gallates with side chains varying from five to eight carbons (pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, and octyl gallates) were evaluated for their cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic potential. In addition, the genotoxic effects of alkyl gallates were measured in HepG2 cells using the single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE)/comet assay and the cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus (CBMN) test. In both the tests, the substances did not induce any significant differences when compared to the control group. In addition, alkyl gallates exhibited a chemopreventive effect, thereby considerably reducing the mutagenicity caused by H2O2. In conclusion, our results suggest that alkyl gallates are non-genotoxic, non-mutagenic, and pro-apoptotic agents, which may serve as suitable and promising candidates for preventing chemically-induced chromosomal damage.

Effect of the addition of ß-mannanase on the performance, metabolizable energy, amino acid digestibility coefficients, and immune functions of broilers fed different nutritional levels.

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of ß-mannanase BM: supplementation on the performance, metabolizable energy, amino acid digestibility, and immune function of broilers. A total of 1,600 broilers were randomly distributed in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement (4 nutritional levels × 0 or 500 g/ton BM), with 10 replicates and 20 broilers per pen. The same design was used in the energy and digestibility experiments with 8 and 6 replicates, respectively, and 6 broilers per pen. The nutritional levels : NL : were formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of broilers : NL1 : ; reductions of 100 kcal metabolizable energy : NL2 : ; 3% of the total amino acids (NL3); and 100 kcal metabolizable energy and 3% total amino acids (NL4) from NL1. The serum immunoglobulin (Ig) concentration was determined in two broilers per pen, and these broilers were slaughtered to determine the relative weight of spleen, thymus, and bursa of Fabricius. Throughout the experiment, the lower nutritional levels reduced (P < 0.05) body weight gain : BWG : and increased (P < 0.05) feed conversion : FCR : for the NL4 treatment. The BM increased (P < 0.05) the BWG values and improved (P < 0.05) the FCR of the broilers. The apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen balance (AMEn) values were reduced (P < 0.05) for NL2 and NL3. The BM increased (P < 0.05) the AMEn values and reduced (P < 0.05) the excreted nitrogen. NL3 and NL4 reduced (P < 0.05) the true ileal digestibility coefficients (TIDc) of the amino acids cystine and glycine, and BM increased (P < 0.05) the TIDc for all amino acids. The addition of BM reduced (P < 0.05) the relative weights of the spleen and bursa. NL2 increased (P < 0.05) the Ig values, whereas BM reduced (P < 0.05) the serum IgA, IgG, and IgM values of the broilers. This study indicates that using suboptimal nutrient levels leads to losses in production parameters, whereas BM-supplemented diets were effective in improving performance, energy values, and TIDc levels of amino acids and immune response of broilers.

Kaolin exogenous application boosts antioxidant capacity and phenolic content in berries and leaves of grapevine under summer stress.

Heat waves, high light intensities and water deficit are becoming important threats in many important viticultural areas worldwide, so the implementation of efficient and cost-effective mitigation strategies is crucial for the production of premium wines while maintaining productivity. In this context, the foliar application of kaolin, a chemically inert mineral with excellent reflective properties, is being developed and experimented as a strategy to reduce the impact of heat and drought in Douro vineyards (Northern Portugal), already revealing promising results. In the present study we investigated if an improved antioxidant capacity is part of the beneficial effects of kaolin, by studying changes in the enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant system in leaves and berries (cv Touriga Nacional). Results showed that mature grape berries contained higher amounts of total phenols (40%), flavonoids (24%), anthocyanins (32%) and vitamin C (12%) than fruits from control vines, and important changes were also measured in leaves. In parallel, kaolin application improved the antioxidant capacity in berries, which was correlated with the observed increased content in secondary metabolites. Kaolin application also regulated secondary metabolism at the transcriptional level through the increase in the transcript abundance of genes encoding phenylalanine ammonia lyase and chalcone synthase.

Efeito do extrato etanólico bruto e das frações da Hyptidendron canum (Pohl ex Benth. ) Harley em brânquias de Oreochromis niloticus L / Effect of the crude ethanol extract and fractions of Hyptidendron canum (Pohl ex Benth. ) Harley on the gills of Oreochromis niloticus L

Alguns problemas relacionados à criação intensiva de peixes estão mais evidentes devido ao aumento da aquicultura em todo o mundo, destacando-se os distúrbios nutricionais e o aumento de doenças nos sistemas de produção. Com isso as pesquisas envolvendo produtos derivados de plantas vem ganhando espaço nessa área. A Hyptidendron canum é uma planta utilizada na medicina popular como antimalárica, anti-inflamatória, antiulcerativa e anti-hepatotóxica. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, avaliar os efeitos celulares e teciduais do extrato etanólico bruto e das frações hexano, clorofórmio e acetato de etila da H. canum nas brânquias de Oreochromis niloticus L. Para isso, o extrato etanólico e as frações foram administrados no peixe através da ração. Após 24 horas da ingestão da ração, os peixes foram sacrificados e o segundo arco branquial de cada um foi processado histologicamente e corado com tricômico de Masson e Hematoxilina e Eosina (HE). Pela análise qualitativa das brânquias ao microscópio de luz, observou-se que o extrato bruto e as três frações promoveram, em diferentes intensidades nas lamelas, descamação e destacamento do epitélio respiratório, alteração da curvatura, desorganização do eixo, hiperplasia celular do tecido epitelial interlamelar e vasodilatação nas lamelas e no vaso central do filamento. Os resultados deste experimento mostraram que o extrato etanólico bruto e as três frações de H. canum promoveram processos inflamatórios e/ou lesões sistêmicas, dose dependente para O. niloticus.

Some problems related to intensive fish farming are more evident because of the increased aquaculture worldwide, and we highlight the nutritional disorders and the increase of diseases in the production systems. Thus, research involving plant-derived products has been increasing in this area. The Hyptidendron canum is a plant used in folk medicine as an antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and antihepatotoxic agent. This study proposes to evaluate the cellular and tissue effects of the crude ethanol extract and the hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions of H. canum on the gills of Oreochromis niloticus L. The ethanol extract and fractions were administered through the feed of the fish. Twenty-four hours later, the fish were sacrificed and their second gill arch dissected. Histological analyses were performed using Masson's trichrome and Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E). The qualitative analysis of the material showed that the crude extract and the three fractions caused varying degrees of peeling and detachment of the lamellar respiratory epithelium, alterations in the curvature and axis of the gill, cell hyperplasia in the interlamellar epithelium and lamellar vasodilation, as well as vasodilation in the central vessel of the filament. The results of this experiment showed that the crude ethanol extract and the three fractions of H. canum promoted inflammation and/or systemic lesions, dose dependent, for O. niloticus.

Preparation and characterisation of a sol-gel process α-Al2O3 polycrystalline detector.

This article presents the dosimetric characteristics of α-Al2O3 detectors prepared through the sol-gel process, disc pressing and sintering in a highly reducing atmosphere. Comparative tests between the sol-gel process α-Al2O3 polycrystalline and anion-defective α-Al2O3:C single-crystal detectors indicate that the ones prepared through this approach present good dosimetric characteristics similar to those found in single-crystal detectors, such as a simple glow curve with the main peak at ∼198 °C (2 °C s(-1)), high sensitivity, a detection threshold of 1.7 µGy, linearity of response, low fading, relatively low photon energy dependence, reusability without annealing and good reproducibility. However, the undesirable feature of heating rate dependence of the thermoluminescence (TL) output in α-Al2O3:C single crystal is practically non-existent in the sol-gel process α-Al2O3 polycrystalline detector. This characteristic renders it useful for the routine processing of large numbers of personal and environmental dosemeters at higher heating rates and also when it comes to the proposal for new approaches to thermal quenching investigation.

Determinação de parâmetros farmacognósticos para as folhas de Erythroxylum suberosum A. St.-Hilaire (Erythroxylaceae) coletadas no município de Goiânia, GO. / Determination of pharmacognostic parameters for the leaves of Erythroxylum suberosum A. St.-Hilaire (Erythroxylaceae) collected in the city of Goiania, GO

RESUMO As plantas medicinais representam um dos principais recursos terapêuticos utilizado pelo homem para a cura e prevenção de doenças, no entanto, para que o tratamento seja seguro e eficaz é necessário conhecer seus componentes químicos. Dessa forma, o intuito deste trabalho foi determinar os parâmetros farmacognosticos para o estabelecimento do controle de qualidade da droga vegetal composta pelas folhas de Erythroxylum suberosum A. St.-Hil., pertencentes à família Erythroxylaceae ocorrente no Cerrado. Para tanto, foram coletadas folhas adultas nas proximidades da Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia-GO. Foram determinados o teor de umidade por meio de balança com irradiação de raios infravermelho e o teor de cinzas totais. Na prospecção fitoquímica foram pesquisadas as classes de metabólitos secundários e realizou-se o doseamento de fenóis totais, flavonoides e taninos totais. Os resultados dos testes de pureza realizados, teor de umidade e teor de cinzas totais, estão de acordo com os limites estabelecidos pelas especificações farmacopeicas. As análises fitoquímicas evidenciaram a presença de flavonoides, taninos, cumarinas, saponinas e resinas. No doseamento de fenóis totais, taninos e flavonoides presentes nas folhas de E. suberosum A. St.-Hil. obteve-se respectivamente 17,97%, 6,31%, 3,87%. Estes resultados confirmam os dados da literatura quanto à presença destes compostos em Erythroxylaceae, pois de acordo com nas folhas de E. tortuosum obteve-se valores de 10%, 8,4% e 0,064% de Fenóis, Taninos e flavonoides, respectivamente e nas folhas de E. deciduum foram encontrados 12,04% de fenóis totais, 0,87% de taninos e 1,37% de flavonoides. Os resultados encontrados no presente trabalho também se tornam relevantes quando comparadas as quantidades desses metabólitos com espécies clássicas na biossíntese de compostos fenólicos como o teor de taninos de Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville e em Eugenia uniflora L. foi de 29,9% e 2,96%, respectivamente. Teores de flavonóides que variaram entre 0,65% a 0,79% na Calendula officinalis L. e Ginkgo bilobaL. 0,59%, 0,75% e 0,79%. Sendo assim, a quantidade considerável de compostos fenólicos obtida em E. suberosum A. St.-Hil. sugere que a espécie possua um importante potencial terapêutico e quem sabe potencial antioxidante, a ser explorado em estudos posteriores.

ABSTRACT Medicinal plants represent a major therapeutic resources used by man for the cure and prevention of diseases, however, that the treatment be safe and effective it is necessary to know their chemical components. Thus, the aim of this work was to determine the pharmacognostic parameters for the establishment of the plant drug quality control made by the leaves of Erythroxylum suberosum A. St.-Hil., belonging to the family Erythroxylaceae occurring in the Cerrado. To this end, adult leaves were collected near the Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia-GO. It was determined the moisture content through scale radiating infrared rays and the content of total ash. The phytochemical screening of secondary metabolites classes were surveyed and performed the determination of total phenols, flavonoids and total tannins. The results of the purity tests, moisture content and total ash content, are in accordance with the limits established by the pharmacopeic specifications. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, saponins and resins. The determination of total phenols, tannins and flavonoids quantities present in the leaves of E. suberosum A. St.-Hil. were obtained respectively as 17.97%, 6.31%, 3.87%. These results confirm the literature data for the presence of these compounds in Erythroxylaceae, since according to the leaves of E. tortuosum yielded values of 10%, 8.4% and 0.064% of phenols, tannins and flavonoids, respectively. On the E. deciduum leaves were found 12.04% of total phenols, tannins 0.87% and 1.37% of flavonoids. The results of this work also become relevant when comparing the amounts of these metabolites with classic species in the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds such as tannins content in barbatimão and pitanga was 29.9% and 2.96%, respectively. Flavonoid contents ranging from 0.65% to 0.79% in calendula and ginkgo 0.59%, 0.75% and 0.79%. Thus, considerable amount of phenolic compounds obtained in E. suberosum. A. St. Hil. It suggests that the species has an important therapeutic potential and who knows antioxidant potential to be explored in further studies.

A mathematical model of calcium and phosphorus metabolism in two forms of hyperparathyroidism.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) plays a critical role in calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Interestingly, in two forms of hyperparathyroidism (excessive amount of PTH in the serum), the metabolic disturbances in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) significantly differ from those with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP). Since an intuitive understanding of these PTH-linked regulatory mechanisms are hardly possible, we developed a mathematical model using clinical data (1586 CKD and 40 PHP patients). The model was composed of a set of ordinary differential equations, in which the regulatory mechanism of PTH together with other key factors such as 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) and calcium was described in the tissues including bone, the kidney, the serum, and the parathyroid glands. In this model, an increase in PTH was induced by its autonomous production in PHP, while PTH in CKD was elevated by a decrease in feedback inhibition of 1,25(OH)2D in the serum, as well as an increase in stimulation by phosphorus in the serum. The model-based analysis revealed characteristic differences in the outcomes of hyperparathyroidism in CKD and PHP. The calcium exchange in bone, for instance, was predicted significantly higher in PHP than CKD. Furthermore, we evaluated the observed and predicted responses to the administration of calcimimetics, a recently developed synthetic drug that modulated efficacy of calcium-sensing receptors. The results herein support the notion that the described model would enable us to pose testable hypotheses about the actions of PTH, providing a quantitative analytical tool for evaluating treatment strategies of PHP and CKD.

Modulatory effects of Duguetia furfuracea (A. St. Hil) Benth. and Hook. f. in Drosophila melanogaster somatic and germinative cells.

Mutagenic and antimutagenic activities of the medicinal plant Duguetia furfuracea were assessed using SMART/wing and ring-X-loss tests. For the ring-X-loss test, 2- to 3-day-old Drosophila melanogaster ring-X-lineage males and virgin ywsn³ females received D. furfuracea infusion at doses of 0.085, 0.042, or 0.014 g/mL for 24 h. We found that D. furfuracea did not produce any mutagenic effects in D. melanogaster germinative cells. The somatic cells of D. melanogaster were analyzed using the SMART/wing test involving three lineages - mwh, flr³, and ORR - and the same doses of D. furfuracea infusion employed in the ring-X-loss test, as well as 20 mM urethane. The results of both standard (ST) and high bioactivation (HB) crosses showed absence of mutagenic activity of D. furfuracea. In contrast, in both ST and HB crosses, we observed a modulatory effect of D. furfuracea against the genotoxic activity of urethane.

Modulatory effect of Palicourea coriacea (Rubiaceae) against damage induced by doxorubicin in somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster.

Palicourea coriacea, popularly known as "douradinha", is a medicinal plant from the Brazilian Cerrado region used in folk medicine to treat kidney and urethral stones and kidney inflammation. We evaluated the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and possible antigenotoxic activities of an aqueous extract of P. coriacea on somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster, using the somatic mutation and recombination test. We used third-stage larvae of D. melanogaster from a standard cross and a high bioactivation cross and tested 10 different doses of P. coriacea aqueous extract (5, 15, 25, 35, 50, 65, 80, 95, 110, and 125 mg/mL). Doxorubicin (0.125 mg/mL) was used as a positive control and distilled water as a negative control. None of the doses was lethal to the larvae.There was no genotoxic effect at 5, 10, or 15 mg extract/mL. However, a significant decrease in the frequency of spots induced by doxorubicin was observed when administered with P. coriacea aqueous extract at these same doses. We conclude that P. coriacea aqueous extract is not cytotoxic or genotoxic at these doses, but it does protect against the genotoxic action of doxorubicin.

Modulatory effect of Byrsonima verbascifolia (Malpighiaceae) against damage induced by doxorubicin in somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster.

Byrsonima verbascifolia, popularly known in Brazil as murici, is a medicinal plant widely used in the treatment of bacterial and viral infections, Chagas's disease, diarrhea, bronchitis, cough and fever, as well as for protection of the intestinal mucosa. Since chemotherapy and radiotherapy, broadly employed in the treatment of cancer, can have undesirable side effects, such as inducing DNA damage in normal cells, it would be useful to investigate compounds that inhibit or reduce these effects. A lyophilized water extract of murici, used at three different concentrations (25, 50, and 100 mg/mL), was tested to determine if it could reduce damage induced by the antineoplastic compound doxorubicin in somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster, analyzed by SMART/wing. The frequency of mutant spots in descendants from standard and high bioactivation crosses was significantly reduced by treatment with murici extract. Further studies are needed using other experimental models, to determine if murici has the potential to be employed by cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Endothelium-dependent vasodilation induced by Hancornia speciosa in rat superior mesenteric artery.

The vasodilator effect of the ethanolic extract of leaves from Hancornia speciosa Gomes (HSE) was evaluated in superior mesenteric artery rings. HSE produced a concentration-dependent vasodilation (IC50 = 10.8 +/- 4.0 microg/mL) in arterial rings pre-contracted with phenylephrine, which was completely abolished in endothelium-denuded vessels. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation induced by HSE was strongly reduced by L-NAME (100 microM), a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, but neither by atropine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist (1 microM), nor by indomethacin (10 microM), a cyclooxygenase inhibitor. In rings pre-contracted with 80 mM KCl, the vasodilator effect of HSE was shifted to the right and was completely abolished in the presence of L-NAME (100 microM). Similar effects were obtained in mesenteric rings pre-contracted with phenylephrine in the presence of KCl 25 mM alone or in addition to 100 microM L-NAME. In addition, BaCl2 (1 mM) dramatically reduced the vasodilation induced by HSE. Together, these findings led us to conclude that HSE induces an endothelium-dependent vasodilation in rat mesenteric artery, by a mechanism dependent on NO, on the activation of potassium channels and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor release. Rutin, identified as a major peak in the HPLC fingerprint obtained for HSE, might contribute for the observed vasodilator effect, since it was able to induce an endothelium-dependent vasodilation in rat superior mesenteric arteries.

Caracterização farmacognóstica de folhas de Davilla elliptica St.-Hil. (Dilleniaceae) / Pharmacognostic characterization of the leaves of Davilla elliptica St.-Hil. (Dilleniaceae)

Davilla elliptica St.-Hil. é empregada popularmente no tratamento de hemorróidas, diarréias e ferimentos. O propósito deste trabalho foi realizar o estudo farmacognóstico de folhas de D. elliptica de dois locais do Estado de Goiás. Cortes paradérmicos e transversais foram submetidos a técnicas usuais de microscopia óptica. As folhas de D. elliptica são hipoestomáticas, sendo os estômatos predominantemente paracíticos. Na epiderme observam-se tricomas unicelulares em ambas faces. O mesofilo é isobilateral e apresenta idioblastos cristalíferos. O sistema vascular na nervura principal é constituído por três feixes vasculares, formando uma estrutura circular. No pecíolo o sistema vascular apresenta uma estrutura circular formada, provavelmente, pela união de vários feixes vasculares. O material pulverizado foi submetido a testes de prospecção fitoquímica, de pureza e quantitativo. Foi constatada a presença de taninos, cumarinas, resinas, flavonóides, saponinas, esteróides e triterpenóides. Os teores de cinzas totais foram de 10,32 por cento e 12,26 por cento; os de cinzas insolúveis em ácido, 7,46 por cento e 9,68 por cento; e os de umidade, 9,92 por cento e 9,50 por cento. Os teores de flavonóides totais foram de 1,20 por cento e 1,48 por cento, e os de taninos 9,89 por cento e 13,96 por cento. Devido ao número reduzido de amostras, não é possível afirmar, através deste estudo, que o perfil farmacognóstico de D. elliptica seja influenciado por fatores abióticos.

Davilla elliptica St.-Hil. is popularly used in the treatment of hemorrhoid, diarrhea and wounds. The aim of this work was to characterize pharmacognosticaly two leaves samples of D. elliptica. Paradermal and transversal sections had been submitted the usual techniques of optical microscopy. The leaves of D. elliptica are hypostomatics, and the stomata predominantly paracytic. In both epidermis were observed unicellular non-glandular trichomes. The mesophyll is isolateral and shows idioblasts with crystals in raphide. The vascular system in the midrib is constituted by three vascular bundles, forming a circular structure. The petiole shows a circular structure probably formed by union of many vascular bundles localized in the central region. The powdered plant material was submitted to tests of phytochemical prospection, of purity and quantitative. There had been evidenced the presence of tannins, coumarins, resins, flavonoids, saponins and steroids. The content of total ashes was of 10,32 percent and 12,26 percent, insoluble in acid of 7,46 percent and 9,68 percent; the humidity of 9,92 percent and 9,50 percent. The flavonoids contents was of 1,20 percent and 1,48 percent; the tannins contents was of 9,89 percent and 13,96 percent. Because of the reduced number of samples, it was not possible to affirm through this study that the pharmacognostic profile de D. elliptica is influenced by abiotics factors.

Anti-inflammatory effect of Solanum lycocarpum fruits.

The croton oil-induced mouse ear oedema test, acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, and carrageenan-induced peritonitis were used to study the anti-inflammatory effects of the crude ethanol extract and its alkaloid fraction from Solanum lycocarpum fruits. The alkaloid fraction induced a dose-dependent reduction in ear oedema formation and leukocyte migration, suggesting that S. lycocarpum fruits may contain steroidal alkaloids accounting for the anti-inflammatory effect of the crude ethanol extract.

Estudo farmacognóstico das raízes de Jacaranda decurrens Cham. (carobinha)

Este trabalho estabelece parâmetros farmacognósticos para as raízes de Jacaranda decurrens Cham., Bignoniaceae, conhecida na medicina popular como carobinha. Características morfológicas e histológicas, prospecção fitoquímica, teor de cinzas e de açúcares redutores são descritos. Encontrou-se presença de esteróides/triterpenos, açúcares redutores, amido, mucilagem e saponinas. O teor de cinzas totais foi de 2,21 por cento, e insolúveis em ácido de 0,63 por cento; a umidade, de 6,42 por cento e o teor de açúcares redutores foi de 2,77 por cento.

This work stablishes pharmacognostic parameters to Jacaranda decurrens Cham. roots, Bignoniaceae, known in the folk medicine as carobinha. Morphological and histological characteristics, phytochemical tests, ash and reducing sugars contents are descripted. The results showed steroids/triterpenes, sugars reducers, starch, mucilage and saponinas presence; the tenor of total ashes was of 2,21 percent, and insoluble in acid of 0,63 percent; the humidity of 6,42 percent and the tenor of sugars reducers was of 2,77 percent.

Molluscicidal activity against Biomphalaria glabrata of Brazilian Cerrado medicinal plants.

Alcoholic extracts of six Brazilian Cerrado medicinal plants were evaluated for their molluscicidal activity against Biomphalaria glabrata, intermediate host of schistosomiasis. Stryphnodendron polyphyllum bark extract, rich in condensed tannins, was the most promising as molluscicide.

Echinococcus granulosus: Cloning and Functional in Vitro Characterization of an Actin Filament Fragmenting Protein.

We report the isolation and characterization of an Echinococcus granulosus gene that codes for a protein with actin filament fragmenting and nucleating activities (EgAFFP). The genomic region corresponding to the EgAFFP gene presents a coding sequence of 1110 bp that is interrupted by eight introns. The EgAFFP deduced amino acid sequence is about 40% homologous to those of several members of the gelsolin family, such as Physarum polycephalum fragmin, Dictyostelium discoideum severin, and Lumbricus terrestris actin modulator. As do other proteins of the same family, EgAFFP presents three repeated domains, each one characterized by internal conserved amino acid motifs. Assays with fluorescence-labeled actin showed that the full-length recombinant EgAFFP effectively binds actin monomers in both a calcium-dependent and calcium-independent manner and also presents actin nucleating and severing activities.