Antimicrobial properties of the medicinal plant Cardiospermum halicacabum L: new evidence and future perspectives.

The emergence and rapid spread of multidrug-resistance in human pathogenic microorganisms urgently require the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of infectious diseases. From this perspective, the antimicrobial properties of the natural plant-derived products may represent an important alternative therapeutic option to synthetic drugs. Among medicinal plants, the Cardiospermum halicacabum L. (C. halicacabum), belonging to Sapindaceae family, could be a very promising candidate for its antimicrobial activity against a wide range of microorganisms, including both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungal pathogens. Although the antimicrobial properties of C. halicacabum have been intensively studied, the mechanism/s by which it exerts the inhibitory activity towards the pathogenic microbes have not yet been completely understood. This review focuses on the main antimicrobial activities displayed in vitro by the plant extract, with particular attention on our recent advances. We demonstrated that C. halicacabum is able to exert in vitro a dose-dependent fungistatic effect against Trychophyton rubrum (T. rubrum) through molecular interaction with the fungal heat shock protein (Hsp)-90 chaperone. These findings are supported by a growing body of research indicating the crucial role played by the Hsp90 in the virulence of the pathogenic microorganisms, including fungal pathogens. The possible future use of C. halicacabum for treating a wide range of infectious diseases is also discussed.

Fraqueza muscular esquelética e intolerância ao exercício em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica / Skeletal muscle weakness and exercise intolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a capacidade funcional e o desempenho da musculatura respiratória e periférica e relacioná-los com o estado nutricional e volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF1). MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 12 pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) moderada a grave (70±7 anos, VEF1 de 52±17 por cento previsto, índice de massa corpórea (IMC) de 23±4kg/m²) e sete indivíduos saudáveis (69±8 anos, VEF1 de 127±12 por cento previsto, IMC de 27±3kg/m²). Todos realizaram análise da composição corporal, medida da força muscular respiratória (pressão inspiratória máxima, PImax, e pressão expiratória máxima, PEmax), teste de exercício cardiorrespiratório (TECR), avaliação da força de preensão palmar, pico de torque e trabalho total ou endurance do quadríceps femoral. RESULTADOS: Os pacientes com DPOC tiveram valores reduzidos do índice de massa magra corpórea (IMMC) (18±1 versus 21±1kg/m², p<0,05), da carga máxima atingida no TECR (60±20 versus 102±18watts, p<0,01), da PImax (58±19 versus 87±21cmH2O, p<0,05), da força de preensão palmar (38±6 versus 47±5kg, p<0,05), do pico de torque (103±21 versus 138±18Nm, p<0,05) e do trabalho total do quadríceps femoral (1570±395 versus 2333±568J, p<0,05) quando comparado com o grupo controle (teste t de Student não pareado). Não houve correlação entre VEF1 e as variáveis estudadas; o IMMC correlacionou-se com o trabalho total do quadríceps (Pearson, r=0,6290, p<0,05). CONCLUSÕES: Estes resultados indicam que os pacientes com DPOC apresentam fraqueza muscular inspiratória e periférica e menor capacidade funcional, quando comparados com o grupo saudável. Além disso, sugere que o grau de obstrução ao fluxo aéreo não é um bom preditor para quantificar as debilidades nutricionais e musculares dos pacientes com DPOC.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional capacity and the performance of respiratory and quadriceps muscles in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and relate them to nutritional status and forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1). METHODS: Twelve patients with moderate COPD (70±7 years, FEV1 52±17 percent predicted, body mass index (BMI) 23±4kg/m²) and seven healthy volunteers (69±8 years, FEV1 127±12 percent predicted, BMI 27±3kg/m²) were evaluated. All of them underwent body composition analysis, measurement of respiratory muscle strength (maximum inspiratory pressure, MIP, and maximum expiratory pressure, MEP), cardiorespiratory exercise test (CET) and evaluation of palm grip strength, peak torque and total work or endurance of the quadriceps femoris. RESULTS: The patients with COPD had lower values for the free-fat mass (FFM) index (18±1 versus 21±1kg/m², p<0.05), maximum load attained in the CET (60±20 versus 102±18 watts, p<0.01), MIP (58±19 versus 87±21cmH2O, p<0.05), palm grip strength (38±6 versus 47±5kg, p<0.05), peak torque (103±21 versus 138±18Nm, p<0.05) and total work of the quadriceps femoris (1570±395 versus 2333±568J, p<0.05) when compared with the control group (independent Student's t test). There was no correlation between FEV1 and the variables studied, while the FFM correlated with the total work of the quadriceps (Pearson, r=0.6290, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that patients with COPD show weakness of the inspiratory and quadriceps muscles and lower functional capacity, when compared with a healthy group. Moreover, they suggest that the degree of airflow obstruction is not a good predictor for quantifying the nutritional and muscle impairments in patients with COPD.

The phytoestrogen alpha-zearalenol reverses endothelial dysfunction induced by oophorectomy in rats.

It has been shown recently that alpha-zearalenol, a resorcyclic acid lactone, prevents bone loss in a rat model of postmenopausal bone loss. We have therefore investigated the effects of this phytoestrogen on endothelial dysfunction induced by estrogen deficiency in rats. Female mature Sprague-Dawley rats underwent a bilateral oophorectomy (OVX rats). Sham-operated animals (sham OVX rats) were used as controls. Three weeks after surgery, animals were randomized to the following treatments: alpha-zearalenol (1 mg/kg/day, i.m., for 4 weeks), 17beta-estradiol (20 microg/kg/day, i.m., for 4 weeks), or their vehicle (100 microl, i.m., of cottonseed oil). Two other groups of rats were treated with alpha-zearalenol or 17beta-estradiol plus the pure estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182780 (2.5 mg/kg/day, i.m., for 4 weeks). Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), total plasma cholesterol, plasma estradiol, and plasma alpha-zearalenol were studied. We also investigated endothelial-dependent (acetylcholine, 10 nM to 10 microM) and endothelial-independent (sodium nitroprusside, 15 nM to 30 nM) relaxation of aortic rings, as well as N(G)-methyl-L-arginine (L-NMA: 10 to 100 microM)-induced vasoconstriction and calcium-dependent nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) activity in homogenates of lungs taken from both sham OVX rats and OVX rats. Untreated OVX rats had, compared with sham OVX animals, unchanged body weight, MAP, HR, and plasma cholesterol. In contrast oophorectomy reduced plasma estradiol levels (OVX, 2 +/- 0.5 pg/ml; sham OVX, 35 +/- 6 pg/ml), impaired endothelial-dependent relaxation and blunted L-NMA-induced contraction (L-NMA 100 microM: sham OVX, 2.7 +/- 0.3 g/mg tissue; OVX, 1.3 +/- 0.1 g/mg tissue). Moreover OVX rats showed a reduced calcium-dependent NO synthase (cNOS) activity. Treatment with alpha-zearalenol or with 17beta-estradiol reverted the endothelial dysfunction and increased cNOS activity in lung homogenates. These effects were abolished by the pure estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182780. Our data suggest that alpha-zearalenol improves endothelial-dependent relaxation in OVX rats through an estrogen receptor-mediated effect.

Evaluation of Pluronic Polyol F127 as a vehicle for petroleum hydrocarbons in the Salmonella/microsomal assay.

Complex hydrocarbon mixtures have proven difficult to evaluate in in vitro mutagenicity assays owing to their insolubility in aqueous environments. Pluronic Polyol F127 (BASF Wyandotte, Parsippany, NJ), prepared as a 50% (w/w) solution in absolute ethanol, proved effective in emulsifying various petroleum hydrocarbon fractions. Its effectiveness in the Salmonella/microsomal assay was evaluated using model solutions each comprising a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) dissolved in mineral oil. The PAHs used were benzo(a)pyrene, 3-methylcholanthrene, and 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene. Model solutions were evaluated neat and as emulsions with the Pluronic F127 solution or Tween 80. Similar levels of each PAH were prepared in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for comparison. Cytotoxicity and mutagenesis were evaluated in the preincubation technique using strain TA97. Little or no cytotoxicity or mutagenesis was evident for model solutions tested neat. However, emulsification of these PAH-laden mixtures with the Pluronic F127 solution yielded cytotoxic and mutagenic responses similar to, or greater than, those observed for PAHs delivered in DMSO. Model mixtures emulsified with Tween 80 were less active. Study results demonstrate that Pluronic F127, prepared as a 50% (w/w) solution in absolute ethanol, is an effective vehicle for evaluating the mutagenic potential of complex hydrocarbon mixtures containing PAHs in the Salmonella/microsomal assay. Since PAHs are a class of insoluble hydrocarbons, the results also suggest the potential usefulness of the Pluronic F127 solution to detect the mutagenicity of other insoluble hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon mixtures.

Nutritional concerns during adolescence.

Adolescent food habits often run counter to the special nutritional needs of this age group. Suggestions for nutrient supplements are offered, with particular emphasis on fulfilling the unique needs of the obese, athletic, or pregnant teenager.

PIP: Selected aspects of adolescent nutrition are reviewed. Focus is on adolescent nutrient requirements, food habits, and the special nutritional needs of obese, athletic, or pregnant teenagers. The nutritional implications of alcohol abuse, oral contraceptive (OC) use, and acne during the adolescent period are discussed. Although the critical role of nutrition in pubertal growth and development actually begins before adolescence--during childhood, total nutrient needs are higher during adolescence than at any other time in the life cycle. A failure to consume an adequate diet at this time can potentially retard growth and delay sexual maturity. The weight gain of both adolescent males and females is appreciable, but the rate, amount, and composition of tissue generated differs between the 2 sexes. Based on nutrient needs for growth, recommended dietary allowances have been made for adolescents by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council. The recommendations for protein and all vitamins and minerals, presented here in table form, include a safety factor so that the needs of "practically all healthy" adolescents are met. The skipping of meals is a common phenomenon among adolescents. Because of busy schedules during and after school, the teenager may eat sparingly of poor quality foods and then "catch up" on food intake during the late evening. Snacking is definitely part of adolescent food behavior. 1 health concern is the prevalence of adolescent obesity and its associated problems. Supportive dietary counseling is mandatory in a weight reduction program for the adolescent. A program of physical activity is another component of any successful weight reduction program.