Biological activities of organic extracts and specialized metabolites from different parts of Cryptomeria japonica (Cupressaceae) - A critical review.

Forest operations and wood industry generate large amounts of residues that are discarded in the field and cause environmental pollution. However, these biomass residues are still raw materials to obtain value-added products, such as essential oils, organic/aqueous extracts and resins that are among the great natural sources of bioactive metabolites. Thus, in recent years, the scientific community is giving special attention to their valorization. To date, different uses of biomass residues have been proposed, such as a source of renewable energy, fertilizers, animal feed and bioactive molecules. In this context, Cryptomeria japonica biomass residues (e.g., bark and its exudate, heartwood, sapwood, leaves, cones and roots) represent a source of diverse specialized metabolites (e.g., sesqui-, di-, tri- and sesquarterpenes, flavonoids, lignans and norlignans) with potential application in different fields, particularly in the agrochemical, food, cosmeceutical, pharmaceutical, phytomedicine and esthetic, due to their valuable multi-bioactivities determined over the last decades. Thus, this review provides an overview of the reported biological activities of organic extracts/fractions and their specialized metabolites obtained from different parts of C. japonica, in order to encourage the alternative uses of C. japonica wastes/byproducts, and implement a sustainable and circular bioeconomy.

O paciente somos nós: um estudo de caso sobre experiências e produção do cuidado em um contexto de práticas integrativas e complementares de saúde / We are the patient: a case study on care experiences and production in a context of integrative and complementary health practices

Introdução: As práticas integrativas e complementares de saúde (PICS) vem apresentando um crescimento na oferta e na demanda dos serviços de saúde. Apesar dessa expansão, ainda há pouco conhecimento científico sobre os contextos em que ocorre a experiência de implementação dessas práticas de cuidado, as quais fogem à lógica das terapêuticas ofertadas pela medicina convencional. Objetivo: Compreender as práticas e as experiências de cuidado de usuários e profissionais em um ambulatório de práticas integrativas e complementares de saúde. Método: Estudo qualitativo, de abordagem etnográfica, no qual foram utilizados elementos da antropologia médica com referencial interpretativo. Participaram do estudo 19 informantes, sendo 10 profissionais que atuam no local e 9 usuários que recebem cuidado no ambulatório. A coleta de dados foi realizada em um ambulatório social na cidade de São Paulo no período de setembro de 2017 a dezembro de 2018, mediante observação participante e entrevista semi-estruturada. Os dados foram submetidos à análise indutiva temática. Resultados: Três temas emergiram: Itinerário terapêutico até às PICS, Experiências de cuidado com as PICS e Pontos de vista em relação ao cuidado. Os resultados revelaram que as práticas de cuidado no contexto priorizaram as relações intersubjetivas, o estabelecimento de laços de confiança e o cuidar focado no colocar-se no lugar do outro. O cuidado foi significado pelos participantes como oportunidades de inter-relações e entrosamento, as quais influenciam os sujeitos culturalmente e conferem eficácia simbólica ao ato profissional. A experiência dos sujeitos tornou-se um referencial para reinterpretação e compreensão do processo saúde-doença. Considerações ao final do estudo: Os dados apresentados neste estudo permitiram contribuir para maior exploração do tema, o que pode proporcionar maior expansão, visibilidade e legitimação das PICS entre profissionais e a população em geral. Refletir sobre práticas de saúde holística pode fomentar a integração de outras formas de cuidado no cotidiano da assistência à saúde nos diversos contextos da rede de serviços de saúde.

Introduction: Integrative and complementary health practices (PICS) have been showing a growth in the supply and demand of health services. Despite this expansion, there is still little scientific knowledge about the contexts in which the experience of implementing these care practices occurs, which is beyond the logic of the therapies offered by conventional medicine. Objective: To understand the practices and care experiences of users and professionals in an outpatient clinic of integrative and complementary health practices. Method: Qualitative study with ethnographic approach, in which elements of medical anthropology with interpretative framework were used. Nineteen informants participated in the study, being 10 professionals who work at the site and 9 clients who receive care at the outpatient clinic. Data collection was performed at a social outpatient clinic in the city of São Paulo from September 2017 to December 2018, through participant observation and half-structured interview. Data were submitted to inductive thematic analysis. Results: Three themes emerged: Therapeutic Itinerary to PICS, PICS Care Experiences and Views regarding caring. The results revealed that the care practices in the context prioritized the intersubjective relationships, the establishment of bonds of trust and the care focused on putting oneself in the other's place. The care was meant by the participants as opportunities for interrelationships and interaction, which influence the subjects culturally and confer symbolic effectiveness to the professional act. The subjects' experience became a reference for reinterpretation and understanding of the health-disease process. Final considerations: The data presented in this study allowed to contribute to further exploration of the theme, which can provide greater expansion, visibility and legitimation of PICS between professionals and the general population. Reflecting on holistic health practices can foster the integration of other forms of care in daily health care in the various contexts of the health service network.

O paciente somos nós: um estudo de caso sobre experiências e produção do cuidado em um contexto de práticas integrativas e complementares de saúde / We are the patient: a case study on care experiences and production in a context of integrative and complementary health practices

Introdução: As práticas integrativas e complementares de saúde (PICS) vem apresentando um crescimento na oferta e na demanda dos serviços de saúde. Apesar dessa expansão, ainda há pouco conhecimento científico sobre os contextos em que ocorre a experiência de implementação dessas práticas de cuidado, as quais fogem à lógica das terapêuticas ofertadas pela medicina convencional. Objetivo: Compreender as práticas e as experiências de cuidado de usuários e profissionais em um ambulatório de práticas integrativas e complementares de saúde. Método: Estudo qualitativo, de abordagem etnográfica, no qual foram utilizados elementos da antropologia médica com referencial interpretativo. Participaram do estudo 19 informantes, sendo 10 profissionais que atuam no local e 9 usuários que recebem cuidado no ambulatório. A coleta de dados foi realizada em um ambulatório social na cidade de São Paulo no período de setembro de 2017 a dezembro de 2018, mediante observação participante e entrevista semi-estruturada. Os dados foram submetidos à análise indutiva temática. Resultados: Três temas emergiram: Itinerário terapêutico até às PICS, Experiências de cuidado com as PICS e Pontos de vista em relação ao cuidado. Os resultados revelaram que as práticas de cuidado no contexto priorizaram as relações intersubjetivas, o estabelecimento de laços de confiança e o cuidar focado no colocar-se no lugar do outro. O cuidado foi significado pelos participantes como oportunidades de inter-relações e entrosamento, as quais influenciam os sujeitos culturalmente e conferem eficácia simbólica ao ato profissional. A experiência dos sujeitos tornou-se um referencial para reinterpretação e compreensão do processo saúde-doença. Considerações ao final do estudo: Os dados apresentados neste estudo permitiram contribuir para maior exploração do tema, o que pode proporcionar maior expansão, visibilidade e legitimação das PICS entre profissionais e a população em geral. Refletir sobre práticas de saúde holística pode fomentar a integração de outras formas de cuidado no cotidiano da assistência à saúde nos diversos contextos da rede de serviços de saúde

Introduction: Integrative and complementary health practices (PICS) have been showing a growth in the supply and demand of health services. Despite this expansion, there is still little scientific knowledge about the contexts in which the experience of implementing these care practices occurs, which is beyond the logic of the therapies offered by conventional medicine. Objective: To understand the practices and care experiences of users and professionals in an outpatient clinic of integrative and complementary health practices. Method: Qualitative study with ethnographic approach, in which elements of medical anthropology with interpretative framework were used. Nineteen informants participated in the study, being 10 professionals who work at the site and 9 clients who receive care at the outpatient clinic. Data collection was performed at a social outpatient clinic in the city of São Paulo from September 2017 to December 2018, through participant observation and half-structured interview. Data were submitted to inductive thematic analysis. Results: Three themes emerged: Therapeutic Itinerary to PICS, PICS Care Experiences and Views regarding caring. The results revealed that the care practices in the context prioritized the intersubjective relationships, the establishment of bonds of trust and the care focused on putting oneself in the other's place. The care was meant by the participants as opportunities for interrelationships and interaction, which influence the subjects culturally and confer symbolic effectiveness to the professional act. The subjects' experience became a reference for reinterpretation and understanding of the health-disease process. Final considerations: The data presented in this study allowed to contribute to further exploration of the theme, which can provide greater expansion, visibility and legitimation of PICS between professionals and the general population. Reflecting on holistic health practices can foster the integration of other forms of care in daily health care in the various contexts of the health service network

Seasonal Variability of the Biochemical Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Fucus spiralis at Two Azorean Islands.

This study evaluates, for the first time, the seasonal (winter and summer) and geographical (São Miguel⁻SMG and Santa Maria⁻SMA Islands) variability of Fucus spiralis (Fs) biochemical composition (dry weight basis) and antioxidant properties. Protein and carbohydrates presented higher values in Fs-SMGwinter, lipids, total dietary fiber, and energy value in Fs-SMAsummer, and ash and soluble dietary fiber/insoluble dietary fiber ratio in Fs-SMAwinter. The fatty acid (FA) profiles showed a lower SFA in Fs-SMGsummer, whereas MUFA and PUFA presented higher values in Fs-SMGsummer and Fs-SMGwinter, respectively. Excellent dietary ratios of n6/n3 PUFA and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic FA were found, with lower values in Fs-SMAwinter and higher in Fs-SMGsummer, respectively. The highest total phenolics was found in Fs-SMAsummer acetone:water extract and total flavonoids showed the higher value in Fs-SMGwinter methanol extract. The best free radical-scavenging activity was observed in the Fs-SMAwinter methanol (EC50 = 0.045 mg/mL) and acetone:water (EC50 = 0.059 mg/mL) extracts. The ferric-reducing antioxidant power showed the best results in Fs-SMAwinter methanol extract (EC50 = 0.016 mg/mL) and Fs-SMAsummer acetone:water extract (EC50 = 0.017 mg/mL). The best ferrous ion-chelating activity was found in Fs-SMGwinter acetone:water extract. Overall, results revealed that F. spiralis nutritional and functional bioactivity values have geographical and seasonal variations and that its regular consumption may add benefits to human health.

Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitory Activity, Antioxidant Properties, Phenolic Content and Amino Acid Profiles of Fucus spiralis L. Protein Hydrolysate Fractions.

Food protein-derived hydrolysates with multi-bioactivities such as antihypertensive and antioxidant properties have recently received special attention since both activities can play significant roles in preventing cardiovascular diseases. This study reports, for the first time, the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibition and antioxidant properties of ultrafiltrate fractions (UF) with different molecular weight ranges (<1, 1-3 and ≥3 kDa) obtained from Fucus spiralis protein hydrolysate (FSPH) digested with cellulase-bromelain. The amino acids profile, recovery yield, protein, peptide and total phenolic contents of these FSPH-UF, and the in vitro digestibility of F. spiralis crude protein were also investigated. FSPH-UF ≥3 kDa presented remarkably higher ACE-inhibition, yield, peptide and polyphenolic (phlorotannins) contents. Antioxidant analysis showed that FSPH-UF <1 kDa and ≥3 kDa exhibited significantly higher scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical and ferrous ion-chelating (FIC) activity. FSPH-UF ≥3 kDa had also notably higher ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Strong correlations were observed between ACE-inhibition and antioxidant activities (FIC and FRAP). The results suggest that ACE-inhibition and antioxidant properties of FSPH-UF may be due to the bioactive peptides and polyphenols released during the enzymatic hydrolysis. In conclusion, this study shows the potential use of defined size FSPH-UF for the prevention/treatment of hypertension and/or oxidative stress-related diseases.

Nutritional and Functional Bioactivity Value of Selected Azorean Macroalgae: Ulva compressa, Ulva rigida, Gelidium microdon, and Pterocladiella capillacea.

This study presents information on the biochemical composition (dry weight basis), nutritional aspects, and angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory properties of selected macroalgae (Ulva compressa, Ulva rigida, Gelidium microdon, and Pterocladiella capillacea) from Azores. Moisture content was very high (83.2% to 90.0% of fresh weight). Total dietary fiber (33.7% to 41.0%) that presented a good balance of both soluble and insoluble fibers (15.5% to 19.2% and 18.2% to 21.8%, respectively) was the most abundant component in these macroalgae. Protein and ash (ranged from 15.7% to 23.4% and 10.7% to 20.7%, respectively) were the 2nd most abundant components in red and green macroalgae, respectively. Moderate soluble carbohydrate contents (14.5% to 19.8%) were found in all species. Lipid contents were low (1.0% to 4.3%), particularly in Ulva species (1.0% to 1.7%), but contained higher unsaturated fatty acids (FAs) (7.5% to 32.9% and 29.6% to 69.2% of total FA for monounsaturated fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid groups, respectively) than saturated fatty acid (23.3% to 46.8% of total FA) contents. All the macroalgal proteins had high digestibility in vitro (82.2% to 89.4%, relatively to sodium caseinate), contained high quantity of essential amino acids (45.3% to 58.1% of total amino acids), but in different proportions, and were rich in aspartic and glutamic acids that together account for 17.2% to 36.2% of the total amino acids. These results suggested that regular consumption of the selected macroalgae may improve human health and revealed that they can be used for producing food supplements for human and animal nutrition and/or pharmaceuticals with potential effect on the regional economy. Furthermore, the ACE-inhibitory IC50 values of 0.095 to 0.695 mg/mL for the <1 kDa protein hydrolysate fraction revealed a potential impact on hypertension disorder.

Health-promoting ingredients from four selected Azorean macroalgae.

This study presents, for the first time, the nutritional and health promoting aspects of four selected Azorean macroalgae (Ulva compressa, Ulva rigida, Gelidium microdon and Pterocladiella capillacea) in terms of total lipids, fatty acids (FA) profile, n6/n3 and hypocholesterolemic (h)/hypercholesterolemic (H) FA ratios, minerals, total essential amino acids (AA), anti-ageing and anti-phenylketonuria AA content, coenzyme Q10, α-tocopherol, total phenolics, antioxidant properties and energy value, on a dry weight basis. The results revealed low lipid content (1.02-4.32%) but significant PUFA content (29.57-69.22% of total FA), suitable FA ratios (0.48-9.49 for n6/n3 and 1.26-4.22 for h/H), balanced macromineral ratios (0.27-1.91 for Na/K and 0.15-1.07 for Ca/Mg), appreciable amount of essential AA (45.27-58.13% of total AA), high amount of anti-ageing AA, low Phe content, coenzyme Q10 (1.25-8.27µg/g), α-tocopherol (2.61-9.14mg/100g), high total phenolic content (27.70-55.07mg of gallic acid equivalents/g extract), significant free radical scavenging activity (29.32-47.73%) and valuable energy content (6.80-9.80kJ/g). A regular consumption of these algae either directly or through food supplements may improve human health or may have a protective effect on some diseases and ageing process. They can also be used for producing pharmaceuticals and cosmeceuticals with potential economic value.

Content of hypericins from plants and in vitro shoots of Hypericum undulatum Schousb. ex Willd.

This study reports the first quantification study of pseudohypericin (PsHyp) and hypericin (Hyp) in Hypericum undulatum Schousb. ex Willd in vitro cultures developed by a Portuguese company. Both compounds were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography and their levels were compared with those in commercial samples of Hypericum perforatum. PsHyp was found to be the major naphthodianthrone of H. undulatum, with an average ratio of 3.73:1 compared to Hyp. Significant statistical differences were found between the content of Hyp and PsHyp in H. undulatum regenerated shoots compared to in vivo samples. The mean concentration of total Hyps varied from 178.41 to 358.93 µg g(-1) dry extract in H. undulatum regenerated shoots, which is on average two to three times less than naphthodianthrone levels found in H. undulatum in vivo and H. perforatum commercial samples. However, none of the analysed samples presented the levels of Hyps required by the European and United States Pharmacopoeias.

HPLC-UV-ESI-MS analysis of phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties of Hypericum undulatum shoot cultures and wild-growing plants.

LC-UV and LC-MS analysis were used to study the phenolic composition of water extracts of Hypericum undulatum (HU) shoot cultures and wild-growing (WG) plants. Total phenolic content (TPC), determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay, and the antioxidant activity measured by two complementary methods were also performed for each sample. Mass spectrometry revealed several phenolics acids with quinic acid moieties, flavonols, mostly quercetin, luteolin and apigenin glycosides, flavan-3-ols (catechin and epicatechin) and the xanthonoid mangiferin. Differences in phenolic composition profile and TPC were found between the samples. The major phenolic in HU culture-growing (CG) samples is chlorogenic acid, followed by epicatechin, quercitrin and isoquercitrin. The WG plants presents hyperoside as the main phenolic, followed by isoquercitrin, chlorogenic acid and quercetin. The TPC and antioxidant activity were higher in samples from WG plants.

Molluscicidal activity of crude water and hexane extracts of Hypericum species to snails (Radix peregra).

In spite of intense research on both chemical constituency and biological activity of Hypericum species, potential applications of their active components for pest control have been less well investigated. In the present study, Hypericum androsaemum (tutsan), Hypericum foliosum (malfurada), and Hypericum undulatum (wavy St. John's wort) aqueous and hexane extracts were studied for their molluscicidal and ovicidal activities against Radix peregra. The molluscicidal activity of the aqueous extracts was low, except for H. androsaemum infusion (median lethal concentration [LC50](adults) = 317.1 ppm; LC50(juveniles) = 415 ppm), and less important compared with the toxicity of all three hexane extracts tested: H. androsaemum (LC50(adults) = 30.47 ppm; LC50(juveniles) = 73.25 ppm), H. undulatum (LC50(adults) = 30.55 ppm; LC50(juveniles) = 60.54 ppm), and H. foliosum (LC50(adults) = 48.61 ppm; LC50(juveniles) = 38.81 ppm). An ovicidal effect was observed only with H. androsaemum infusion (1.85% of hatching at 500 ppm) and H. foliosum hexane extract (0.0% of hatching at 100 ppm). A preliminary phytochemical investigation of the lipophylic extracts from these Hypericum sp. revealed a different chemical profile and confirmed the presence of ursolic acid only in H. undulatum as the main compound. The present study indicates that products from hexane extracts of the Hypericum sp. analyzed may be used as potential molluscicides to control snails responsible for transmitting fasciolosis.

Comparison of the endemic Azorean Hypericum foliosum with other Hypericum species: antioxidant activity and phenolic profile.

Water extracts of Hypericum foliosum (HF) from five Azorean Islands were analysed for their antioxidant activity and total phenolic contents. The results were compared with those from medicinal Hypericum species (H. perforatum, H. androsaemum and H. undulatum) and also with Azorean green tea. HF exhibited strong scavenging activity (87-91%) and moderate inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation (56-72%), and presented no significant difference to the other studied plants; in contrast, the synthetic antioxidant butylated hydroxyltoluene showed antioxidant activity values of 22% and 88%, respectively. The average value of phenolics in HF was higher than that in the other Hypericum species and lower than that in tea. Additionally, the phenolic profiles of the Hypericum species were compared by reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography/ultraviolet (RP-HPLC/UV). The method presented permits the simultaneous determination of phenolic acids, flavonoids, hypericin and hyperforin within 55 min. The most similar profile was observed between HF and H. androsaemum. This study indicates that HF is a source of bioactive compounds with potential health benefits.