Comparing the wound healing potential of natural rubber latex serum and F1-protein: An in vivo approach.

Chronic wounds pose significant health concerns. Current treatment options include natural compounds like natural rubber latex (NRL) from Hevea brasiliensis. NRL, particularly the F1 protein fraction, has demonstrated bioactivity, biocompatibility, and angiogenic effects. So far, there is no study comparing F1 protein with total NRL serum, and the necessity of downstream processing remains unknown. Here, we evaluated the angiogenic potential of F1 protein compared to total NRL serum and the need for downstream processing. For that, ion exchange chromatography (DEAE-Sepharose), antioxidant activity, physicochemical characterization, cell culture in McCoy fibroblasts, and wound healing in Balb-C mice were performed. Also, the evaluation of histology and collagen content and the levels of inflammatory mediators were quantified. McCoy fibroblast cell assay showed that F1 protein (0.01 %) and total NRL serum (0.01 %) significantly increased cell proliferation by 47.1 ± 11.3 % and 25.5 ± 2.5 %, respectively. However, the AA of F1 protein (78.9 ± 0.8 %) did not show a significant difference compared to NRL serum (77.0 ± 1.1 %). F1 protein and NRL serum were more effective in wound management in rodents. Histopathological analysis confirmed accelerated healing and advanced tissue repair. Similarly, the F1 protein (0.01 %) increased collagen, showing that this fraction can stimulate the synthesis of collagen by fibroblastic cells. Regarding cytokines production (IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ), F1 protein and NRL serum did not exert an impact on the synthesis of these cytokines. Furthermore, we did not observe statistically significant changes in dosages of enzymes (MPO and EPO) among the groups. Nevertheless, Nitric Oxide dosage was reduced drastically when the F1 protein (0.01 %) protein was applied topically. These findings contribute to the understanding of F1 protein and NRL serum properties and provide insights into cost-effectiveness and practical applications in medicine and biotechnology. Therefore, further research is needed to assess the economic feasibility of downstream processing for NRL-based herbal medicine derived from Hevea brasiliensis.

In vitro antifungal activity of Morinda citrifolia (noni) extract against Candida albicans.

INTRODUCTION: Candida albicans is the main agent of the most common fungal infection, Candidiasis. It is an opportunistic and dangerous pathogen, especially in immunosuppressed patients. The biological properties of Morinda citrifolia (noni) make it a potent antifungal. In this study, antifungal effect of M. citrifolia was evaluated to verify its effect on human cells. METHODOLOGY: Extract of M. citrifolia was used against strains of C. albicans (cEC 1291). Glucose consumption in C. albicans biofilm was determined at different concentrations of M. citrifolia, and germ tube formation was evaluated in the presence and absence of M. citrifolia. Fungicidal activity was determined by the kinetics of fungal cell death. THP-1 and HeLa cells were used for cell viability and apoptosis, and cell proliferation assays, respectively. RESULTS: Cells treated with M. citrifolia maintained higher concentration of glucose than the control group (p < 0.05). Germ tube formation was inhibited in cells treated with M. citrifolia (p < 0.05). M. citrifolia exerted a cytotoxic effect on C. albicans cells with 99.99% lethality after 6.82 h (1:1 and 1:2), and reduced the viability of THP-1 cells by 25% and 67% after 12 and 36 h, respectively. Annexin V expression in THP-1 increased in groups that received higher concentrations of M. citrifolia (p < 0.05), reducing the proliferation of THP-1 and HeLa cells (2.8-fold). A greater cytotoxic effect was observed in fungal cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that M. citrifolia exerts biological activity against C. albicans and reduces the viability and proliferation of human cells.

Application of physical exercise therapies in breast cancer survivors and their effects on the inflammatory profile: A narrative review.

BACKGROUND: One of the adverse effects of cancer treatments is the exacerbation of inflammation, which generates numerous limitations and contributes to the development of several comorbidities and the recurrence of cancer itself. Physical exercise (PE) has been proposed as an efficient complementary strategy to combat the inflammatory effects of oncological treatments and to prevent the development of comorbidities, but its adequate application in breast cancer survivors (BCS) requires the establishment of consensuses and practical recommendations. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to review the randomized controlled trials that evaluated the influence of PE in the inflammatory profile of BCS. METHODS: The search for articles published between 1999 and 2020 was done in PsycINFO, PubMed, Cochrane, Science Direct, and Scopus databases. RESULTS: Current knowledge reveals the effectiveness of PE in the functional independence and health of BCS. Evidence of the capacity of PE to improve the inflammatory profile and the immune response in BCS has also been described. However, the heterogeneity of the studies regarding structural training variables, types of exercise, stages of intervention, and severity of the disease, still do not allow the establishment of precise guidelines for the prescription and progression of exercise to improve the inflammatory process in BCS. DISCUSSION: . This review suggests a possible strategy to be used in the assessment, training prescription, and rehabilitation of BCS, to support the development of new studies and the work of exercise professionals in the prescription and application of physical training to improve health and inflammatory status in BCS.

Effects of combined and resistance training on the inflammatory profile in breast cancer survivors: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The present systematic review aimed to verify the effect of resistance and combined training on the inflammatory profile of breast cancer survivors. DESIGN: The searches were made on the platforms PsycINFO, PubMed, Cochrane, Science Direct and Scopus, from 1996 to 2017, using the keywords: cancer survivors, cancer treatment, cancer patients, breast cancer, inflammation, inflammatory profile, immune function, resistance training, strength training, weight training, physical activity, concurrent training and combined training. References of selected articles were also considered. Seven studies fulfilled the criteria adopted for analysis. RESULTS: None of these studies have shown reduced inflammatory markers in breast cancer survivors undergoing combined or isolated resistance training. CONCLUSIONS: It is not yet possible to conclude which resistance and/or combination training protocol is capable of improving the short-term inflammatory profile in this population. Future studies should seek to establish how structural training variables (intensity, volume, density, intra- and inter-series recovery, among others) act on anti-inflammatory processes in breast cancer survivors.

Morinda citrifolia (Noni) Fruit Juice Reduces Inflammatory Cytokines Expression and Contributes to the Maintenance of Intestinal Mucosal Integrity in DSS Experimental Colitis.

Morinda citrifolia L. (noni) has been shown to treat different disorders. However, data concerning its role in the treatment of intestinal inflammation still require clarification. In the current study, we investigated the effects of noni fruit juice (NFJ) in the treatment of C57BL/6 mice, which were continuously exposed to dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 9 consecutive days. NFJ consumption had no impact on the reduction of the clinical signs of the disease or on weight loss. Nonetheless, when a dilution of 1 : 10 was used, the intestinal architecture of the mice was preserved, accompanied by a reduction in the inflammatory infiltrate. Regardless of the concentration of NFJ, a decrease in both the activity of myeloperoxidase and the key inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IFN-γ, was also observed in the intestine. Furthermore, when NFJ was diluted 1 : 10 and 1 : 100, a reduction in the production of nitric oxide and IL-17 was detected in gut homogenates. Overall, the treatment with NFJ was effective in different aspects associated with disease progression and worsening. These results may point to noni fruit as an important source of anti-inflammatory molecules with a great potential to inhibit the progression of inflammatory diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease.

Potential effects of medicinal plants and secondary metabolites on acute lung injury.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a life-threatening syndrome that causes high morbidity and mortality worldwide. ALI is characterized by increased permeability of the alveolar-capillary membrane, edema, uncontrolled neutrophils migration to the lung, and diffuse alveolar damage, leading to acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. Although corticosteroids remain the mainstay of ALI treatment, they cause significant side effects. Agents of natural origin, such as medicinal plants and their secondary metabolites, mainly those with very few side effects, could be excellent alternatives for ALI treatment. Several studies, including our own, have demonstrated that plant extracts and/or secondary metabolites isolated from them reduce most ALI phenotypes in experimental animal models, including neutrophil recruitment to the lung, the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, edema, and vascular permeability. In this review, we summarized these studies and described the anti-inflammatory activity of various plant extracts, such as Ginkgo biloba and Punica granatum, and such secondary metabolites as epigallocatechin-3-gallate and ellagic acid. In addition, we highlight the medical potential of these extracts and plant-derived compounds for treating of ALI.