Identification of Coumarins and Antimicrobial Potential of Ethanolic Extracts of Dipteryx odorata and Dipteryx punctata.

Dipteryx odorata and Dipteryx punctata are species native to the Amazonian, traded by extractivists to obtain coumarin. We aimed to analyze the presence of coumarin in the ethanolic extracts of leaves, branches and fruits of D. odorata and D. punctata and to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of these extracts against phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria of clinical interest. Chemical analyses were performed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). For the antifungal assays, the fungi used were Cercospora longissima, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, two isolates of Fusarium spp. and Sclerotium rolfsii, and the antibacterial assay was performed using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test with Burkholderia cepacia, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. In D. odorata seed extracts and in D. punctata husks, endocarps, and seeds, we identified 1,2-benzopyrone. D. odorata endocarp extracts and D. punctata seeds provided the greatest decrease in mycelial growth of the evaluated phytopathogens, showing promise as an alternative control. The husk and endocarp extracts of both species had a weak effect on E. coli. This research is the first to compare the different parts of species of the genus Dipteryx and to evaluate the use of husks and endocarps of D. punctata fruits to obtain coumarin. Chemical analyses used to quantify the compounds existing in the extracts, and tests with phytopathogens in vitro and in vivo are currently being carried out.

Immune status, well-being and gut microbiota in military supplemented with synbiotic ice cream and submitted to field training: a randomised clinical trial.

Strenuous physical activity, sleep deprivation and psychological stress are common features of military field training. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplementation with a synbiotic ice cream on salivary IgA, gastrointestinal symptoms, well-being indicators and gut microbiota in young military participants undergoing field training. Sixty-five military completed the study: one group was supplemented for 30 d with synbiotic ice cream containing: 2·1 × 108 CFU/g for Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 and 2·7 × 109 CFU/g for Bifidobacterium animalis BB-12 and 2·3 g of inulin in the 60 g of ice cream at manufacture, and the other with a placebo ice cream. Volunteers were evaluated at pre-supplementation (baseline), post-supplementation and after a 5-d military training. Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus genera were measured in stool samples and both showed a higher differential abundance post-supplementation and training. Salivary IgA and gastrointestinal symptoms decreased at post-training in both groups (P < 0·05; main effect of time); however, supplementation with synbiotic did not mitigate this effect. Tenseness and sleepiness were decreased in the synbiotic-treated group, but not in the placebo group at post-military training (P = 0·01 and 0·009, respectively; group × time effect). The other well-being indicators were not affected by the synbiotic supplementation. In conclusion, 30 d of synbiotic ice cream supplementation containing inulin, L. acidophilus LA-5 and B. animalis BB-12 favourably modulated gut microbiota and improved tenseness and sleepiness in healthy young military undergoing a 5-d field training. These improvements may be relevant to this population as they may influence the decision-making process in an environment of high physical and psychological stress.

Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects of Zingiber officinale mouthwash on patients with fixed orthodontic appliances.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to assess the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects of mouthwashes with 0.12% chlorhexidine (CLX) and 0.5% Zingiber officinale essential oil (ZOEO). METHODS: The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of ZOEO was developed, and the mouthwash was prepared. Thirty-one adult subjects of both sexes with fixed orthodontic appliances were selected. For 7 days, the mouthwashes with CLX, ZOEO, and flavored sterile water placebo were used randomly, with a 15-day interval between each solution. Saliva was collected before the first mouthwash, 1 minute and 15 minutes after it, and on the seventh day. The patients were subjected to clinical examinations of the bonded bracket index proposed by Ciancio, bleeding on probing, and sensory analysis (flavor). Generalized linear models were used to assess in vitro cell viability. The GENMOD procedure was used to assess the changes of bleeding on probing, and Friedman and Wilcoxon tests were used for data on colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL), bonded bracket index, and flavor, at the 5% significance level. RESULTS: In the microbiologic analysis, the ZOEO mouthwash presented antimicrobial effectiveness for Streptococcus mutans as well as the CLX mouthwash, but it did not show the same substantivity. The ZOEO was efficient in controlling dental biofilm and reducing gingival bleeding. The sensory analyses showed that the flavor for ZOEO and CLX solutions presented low acceptability. CONCLUSIONS: The ZOEO mouthwash has an anti-inflammatory property with an effect on reducing gingival bleeding. However, it requires adjustments to the formulation to improve flavor quality.

Endophytic fungi from Passiflora incarnata: an antioxidant compound source.

Endophytes are considered one of the most important microbial resources for obtaining biomolecules of therapeutic use. Passiflora incarnata, widely employed by the pharmaceutical industry, shows therapeutic effects on anxiety, nervousness, constipation, dyspepsia and insomnia based on their antioxidant compounds. In this study, from 315 endophytic fungi isolated from P. incarnata leaves, 60 were selected to determinate presence of chemical constituents related with antioxidant activity, based on their production of soluble pigments. The promising fungi were evaluated specifically on their potential to produce phenolic compounds, flavonoids and for antioxidant activity. Five isolates significantly produced flavonoids and phenolic compounds in the ethyl acetate and n-Butanol extracts, also saponins and high antioxidant activity against the DPPH (2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical. A strain of Aspergillus nidulans var. dentatus (former Emericella dentata) was able to produce tannins as well; its butanolic extract was very similar than the BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) (94.3% × 94.32%) and Rutin (95.8%) reference substances in the DPPH radical scavenging. Similarly, a Chaetomium strain exhibited 93.6% and 94.7% of antioxidant activity in their ethyl acetate and butanolic fractions, respectively. The chromatographic analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction from the Aspergillus strain revealed the production of orcinol (3.19%). Four-methoxymethylphenol (4.79%), sorbicillin (33.59%) and ergosterol (23.08%) was produced by Trichoderma longibrachiatum and isopropenyl-1,4-dimethyl-1,2,3,3a,4,5,6,7-octahydroazulene were found in two Fusarium oxysporum strains. The phytochemical screening showed that all analyzed fungi were able to produce a kind of secondary metabolite (phenols, flavonoids, tannins and/or saponins). The study shows a great underexplored potential for industrial application of P. incarnata endophytes.

Undecane production by cold-adapted bacteria from Antarctica.

In the last decades, efforts to reduce the use of fossil fuels have increased the search for alternative sustainable sources of renewable energy. In this scenario, hydrocarbons derived from fatty acids are among the compounds that have been drawing attention. The intracellular production of hydrocarbons by bacteria derived from cold environments such as the Antarctic continent is currently poorly investigated, as extremophilic microorganisms provide a great range of metabolic capabilities and may represent a key tool in the production of biofuels. The aim of this study was to explore the ability of bacterial cells derived from extreme environments to produce hydrocarbons with potential for further use as biofuels. Seven bacteria isolated from Antarctic samples were evaluated for hydrocarbon production using GC-MS approaches. Two isolates, identified as Arthrobacter livingstonensis 593 and Pseudoalteromonas arctica 628, were able to produce the hydrocarbon undecane (CH3-(CH2)9-CH3) in concentrations of 1.39 mg L-1 and 1.81 mg L-1, respectively. Results from the present work encourage further research focusing on the optimization of hydrocarbon production by the isolates identified as producers, which may be used in further aircraft biofuel production. This is the first report on the production of the undecane compound by bacteria isolated from waterlogged soil and sponge from Antarctica.

Modulation of the intestinal microbiota and the metabolites produced by the administration of ice cream and a dietary supplement containing the same probiotics.

The aim of the present work was to compare the capacity to modulate the intestinal microbiota and the production of metabolites after 14 d administration of a commercial dietary supplement and a manufactured ice cream, both containing the same quantity of inulin and the same viable counts of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 and Bifidobacterium animalis BB-12, using the Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME®) model. Samples of the colonic contents were evaluated microbiologically by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and next-generation sequencing and chemically by the production of SCFA (acetate, propionate and butyrate) and ammonium ions ($\text{NH}_4^ + $). Statistical analyses were carried out for all the variables using the two-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey multiple comparisons test (P < 0·05) for metabolite production, qRT-PCR and the bioinformatics analysis for microbiota diversity. Dietary supplement and ice cream were able to deliver the probiotic L. acidophilus and B. animalis to the simulated colon and modulate the microbiota, increasing beneficial micro-organisms such as Bifidobacterium spp., Bacteroides spp. and Faecalibacterium spp. for dietary supplement administration, and Lactobacillus spp. for ice cream supplementation. However, the ice cream matrix was probably more favourable for the maintenance of the metabolic activity of the probiotics in the SHIME® model, due to the larger amounts of acetate, propionate, butyrate and ammonium ions obtained after 14 d of supplementation. In conclusion, both ways of probiotic supplementation could be efficient, each with its own particularities.

Effects of Artemisia annua alcohol extract on physiological and innate immunity of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) to improve health status.

Plants are a potential source of active molecules and are environmentally safer and cheaper than synthetic antibiotics. Bioactive compounds of Artemisia annua have shown pharmacological activities and are used globally as a supplement. The present study tested whether dietary supplementation with alcohol extract of the plant A. annua (ae-Aa; patent BR10201902707) improves the health status of juvenile Nile tilapia and increases resistance to diseases when fish are challenged with the bacteria Aeromonas hydrophila. The experimental design was completely randomized with four experimental groups (0.0, 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5% ae-Aa in the diets) with five repetitions (12 fish per repetition/experimental unit). We assessed serum glucose and cortisol levels in plasma, leukocyte respiratory activity, total plasma protein, serum lysozyme levels, as well as the number of circulating red blood cells and fish leukocytes at the end of the 30 days of feeding (phase I) and 24h after exposure to bacteria (phase II). The levels of lipid peroxidation, catalase activity and glutathione S-transferase of fish were also analyzed. The supplementation of 0.5% of ae-Aa was sufficient to increase the respiratory burst of leukocyte and lysozyme activity, total plasma protein, blood thrombocytes, neutrophils and monocytes after bacterial challenge (P < 0.05), and minimized stress response with decreases in plasmatic glucose and cortisol, and reduction in lipid peroxidation levels (P < 0.05). Results of the present study suggest that ae-Aa as a dietary supplement has benefits, including supplementation with 0.5% A. annua extract for 30 days to minimize the stress response and modulate innate immunity in Nile tilapia, providing fish with greater resistance and disease protection.

Leishmanicidal activity of Piper marginatum Jacq. from Santarém-PA against Leishmania amazonensis.

Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease that has high endemicity and is among the six parasitic diseases of higher occurrence in the world. The current treatments are limited due to their toxicity, treatment resistance and high cost which have increased the search for new substances of natural origin for its therapy. Based on this, an in vitro biological and chemical investigation was carried out to evaluate the potential of Piper marginatum against Leishmania amazonesis. P. marginatum leaves were collected to obtain the essential oil (EO) and the ethanolic extract (CE). The chemical profile of the CE and fractions was obtained by 1H NMR. The analysis of the EO chemical composition was performed by GC-MS. EO, CE and fractions were submitted to antileishmanial and cytotoxicity assays against macrophages. The chromatographic profiles of EO, CE and fractions showed the presence of phenolic compounds and terpenoids, having 3,4-Methylenedioxypropiophenone as a major compound. All P. marginatum samples showed low toxicity to macrophages. The CE and the methanolic, hexane and ethyl acetate fractions had low cytotoxicity when compared to Pentamidine. All tested samples inhibited growth of L. amazonensis promastigotes. The antileishmanial activity of EO, CE and fractions were evaluated in macrophages infected with L. (L.) amazonensis and treated with the concentrations 1, 10 and 100 µg/mL for 48 h. All samples were active, but EO and CE showed superior activity against amastigote forms when compared to the promastigote forms of L. amazonensis. This work describes for the first time the antileishmanial activity of the species P. marginatum and its cytotoxicity against macrophages, suggesting that it can be an alternative source of natural products in the phytotherapeutic treatment of leishmaniasis.

Exploring the genetic potential of a fosmid metagenomic library from an oil-impacted mangrove sediment for metabolism of aromatic compounds.

Aromatic hydrocarbons (AH) are widely distributed in nature, and many of them have been reported as relevant environmental pollutants and valuable carbon sources for different microorganisms. In this work, high-throughput sequencing of a metagenomic fosmid library was carried out to evaluate the functional and taxonomic diversity of genes involved in aromatic compounds degradation in oil-impacted mangrove sediments. In addition, activity-based approach and gas chromatography were used to assess the degradation potential of fosmid clones. Results indicated that AH degradation genes, such as monooxygenases and dioxygenases, were grouped into the following categories: anaerobic degradation of aromatic compounds (20.34%), metabolism of central aromatic intermediates (35.40%) and peripheral pathways for catabolism of aromatic compounds (22.56%). Taxonomic affiliation of genes related to aromatic compounds metabolism revealed the prevalence of the classes Alphaproteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria and Deltaproteobacteria. Aromatic hydrocarbons (phenol, naphthalene, phenanthrene, pyrene and benzopyrene) were used as the only carbon source to screen clones with degradation potential. Of the 2500 clones tested, 48 showed some respiratory activity in at least one of the five carbon sources used. The hydrocarbon degradation ability of the top ten fosmid clones was confirmed by GC-MS. Further, annotation of assembled metagenomic fragments revealed ORFs corresponding to proteins and functional domains directly or indirectly involved in the aromatic compound metabolism, such as catechol 2,3-dioxygenase and ferredoxin oxidoreductase. Finally, these data suggest that the indigenous mangrove sediment microbiota developed essential mechanisms towards ecosystem remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon impact.

In Vitro Calli Production Resulted in Different Profiles of Plant-Derived Medicinal Compounds in Phyllanthus amarus.

The efficient production of plant-derived medicinal compounds (PDMCs) from in vitro plants requires improvements in knowledge about control of plant or organ development and factors affecting the biosynthesis pathway of specific PDMCs under in vitro conditions, leading to a realistic large-scale tool for in vitro secondary metabolite production. Thus, this study aimed to develop an in vitro technique, through the induction and proliferation of calli, for production of plant fresh weight, and to compare the PDMC profile obtained from the plants versus in vitro calli of Phyllanthus amarus. It was successfully possible to obtain and proliferate two types of calli, one with a beige color and a friable appearance, obtained in the dark using Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium plus 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), and a second type with a green color, rigid consistency, and nonfriable appearance obtained under light conditions and MS medium plus 6-benzyladenine (6-BA). In vitro micropropagated plants that gave rise to calli were also acclimatized in a greenhouse and cultivated until obtaining the mass for PDMC analysis and used as a control. While the micropropagated-derived plants concentrated the lignans niranthin, nirtetralin, and phyllanthin, the Phyllanthus amarus calli proliferated in vitro concentrated a completely different biochemical profile and synthesis of compounds, such as betulone, squalene, stigmasterol, and ß-sitosterol, in addition to others not identified by GC-MS database. These results demonstrate the possibility of applying the calli in vitro from Phyllanthus amarus for production of important PDMCs unlike those obtained in cultures of differentiated tissues from field plants.

Heterotrophic nitrifying/aerobic denitrifying bacteria: Ammonium removal under different physical-chemical conditions and molecular characterization.

Biological ammonium removal via heterotrophic nitrification/aerobic denitrification (HN/AD) was characterized for two isolates from a wastewater treatment station (WWTS). They were identified as Pseudomonas balearica UFV3 and Gordonia amicalis UFV4. Their ability to remove ammonium via NH/DA was validated by chromatography, and the influence of different physical-chemical factors on removal was evaluated. The presence of genes involved in conventional nitrification and denitrification processes was investigated via PCR and comparative genomics. Both isolates removed 100% of the ammonium in a medium containing citrate as its carbon source with a C/N ratio of 8, 3% salt, pH 7 and 30 °C. Nitrogen balance showed that approximately 55% of the ammonium removed was lost as N2(g), and 45% was assimilated. Molecular characterization revealed the absence of genes involved in autotrophic nitrification in the genome of the two isolates and the presence of genes involved in anaerobic denitrification only in P. balearica UFV3, suggesting the involvement of other genes in the HN/AD process. This was the first report of G. amicalis and P. balearica with the capability for HN/AD.

Stability of immobilized laccase on Luffa Cylindrica fibers and assessment of synthetic hormone degradation.

In this work were studied the pH, thermal, and storage stability of free and immobilized laccases. Enzymes were produced by Pleurotus ostreatus on potato dextrose (PD) broth and potato dextrose modified (PDM) broth, and immobilized using Luffa cylindrica fibers as support. Both free and immobilized enzymes were assessed on their respective enzymatic activities and for 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) degradation. The optimum pH conditions concerning laccase activity ranged from 3.6 to 4.6, while temperature ranged between 30 °C and 50 °C for both free and immobilized enzyme. Laccase produced using PD broth presented greater storage stability and thermal stability than that of PDM. Best EE2 removals were of 79.22% and 75.00% for the free and immobilized enzymes, respectively. Removal rates were assessed during 8 h at pH 5. The removal of 17α-ethinylestradiol was stabilized in the fourth cycle of use. Results imply that immobilization promoted stability towards pH and temperature variations, although media played a decisive role in the enzymatic activity. Both free and immobilized laccases of P. ostreatus were able to degrade EE2, whereas immobilized laccase in PDM medium presented possible reuse applicability, albeit removal was not optimal when compared to other reports.

Cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum) residue and its potential application in the bioremediation of 17-Α-ethinylestradiol as a Pycnoporus sanguineus laccase inducer.

Bioremediation is a strategy to mitigate environmental impacts of hazardous pollutants from anthropogenic sources. Natural byproducts, including agroindustrial wastes (AW) can be used to induce enzyme biosynthesis, leading up to enhancement of pollutants degradation process. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the use of cupuaçu, Theobroma grandiflorum AW as Pycnoporus sanguineus Laccase (Lac) inducer in order to promote 17-α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) bioremediation. The macro and micro-nutrients levels of cupuaçu AWs were evaluated in order to establish further correlations with enzymatic biosynthesis induction. The fungus was cultivated for 7 days in temperature of 28 ± 2 °C and agitation of 150 rpm. For bioremediation, Lac enzymatic extract was added to EE2 solution (10 µg mL-1) and the percentage of removal was evaluated by HPLC after 1-24 hr of reaction. At optimized conditions, the enzyme extract production was remarkably enhanced by adding only 1% (w/v) of cupuaçu AW. Lac activity reached 1642 U mL-1 on the 6th day of culture, which was higher than positive control (511 U mL-1). 86% of EE2 removal was reached after 4 hr, and after 8 hr of reaction, 96.5% was removed. Analysis by direct infusion in MS-ESI-TOF exhibited intermediary compounds formed by radical hydroxilation.

Action of essential oils from Brazilian native and exotic medicinal species on oral biofilms.

BACKGROUND: Essential oils (EO) obtained from twenty medicinal and aromatic plants were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against the oral pathogens Candida albicans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Streptococcus sanguis and Streptococcus mitis. METHODS: The antimicrobial activity of the EO was evaluates by microdilution method determining Minimal Inhibitory Concentration. Chemical analysis of the oils compounds was performed by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (CG-MS). The most active EO were also investigated as to their actions on the biolfilm formation. RESULTS: The most of the essential oils (EO) presented moderate to strong antimicrobial activity against the oral pathogens (MIC--Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations values between 0.007 and 1.00 mg/mL). The essential oil from Coriandrum sativum inhibited all oral species with MIC values from 0.007 to 0.250 mg/mL, and MBC/MFC (Minimal Bactericidal/Fungicidal Concentrations) from 0.015 to 0.500 mg/mL. On the other hand the essential oil of C. articulatus inhibited 63.96% of S. sanguis biofilm formation. Through Scanning Eletronic Microscopy (SEM) images no changes were observed in cell morphology, despite a decrease in biofilm formation and changes on biofilm structure. Chemical analysis by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) of the C. sativum essential oil revealed major compounds derivatives from alcohols and aldehydes, while Cyperus articulatus and Aloysia gratissima (EOs) presented mono and sesquiterpenes. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the crude oil from C. articulatus exhibited the best results of antimicrobial activity e ability to control biofilm formation. The chemical analysis showed the presence of terpenes and monoterpenes such as a-pinene, a-bulnesene and copaene. The reduction of biofilms formation was confirmed from SEM images. The results of this research shows a great potential from the plants studied as new antimicrobial sources.

Pseudomonas flavocrustae sp. nov., an endophyte with plant growth promoting traits isolated from Passiflora incarnata.

A polyphasic approach was applied to characterize taxonomically a novel endophytic bacterial strain, designated as EP178T, which was previously isolated from Passiflora incarnata leaves and characterized as plant-growth promoter. The strain EP178T forms Gram stain-negative and rod-shaped cells, and circular and yellow-pigmented colonies. Its growth occurs at 10-37 °C, at pH 6.0-8.0, and tolerates up to 7% (w/v) NaCl. The major cellular fatty acids found were summed feature 8 (C18:1 ω7c), summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω6c /C16:1 ω7c), and C16:0, and the predominant ubiquinone was Q-9. The phylogenetic and nucleotide-similarity analysis with 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain EP178T belongs to Pseudomonas genus. The genomic-based G + C content was 65.5%. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strains EP178T and the closest type strain, P. oryzihabitans DSM 6835T, were 92.6% and 52.2%, respectively. Various genes associated with plant-growth promoting mechanisms were annotated from genome sequences. Based on the phenotypic, genomic, phylogeny and chemotaxonomic data, strain EP178T represents a new species of the genus Pseudomonas, for which the name Pseudomonas flavocrustae sp. nov. was proposed. The type strain is EP178T (= CBMAI 2609T = ICMP 24844T = MUM 23.01T).

Exploring the Association between Citrus Nutraceutical Eriocitrin and Metformin for Improving Pre-Diabetes in a Dynamic Microbiome Model.

Pre-diabetes is recognized as an altered metabolic state, which precedes type 2 diabetes, and it is associated with great dysfunction of the intestinal microbiota, known as dysbiosis. Natural compounds, capable of reducing blood glucose without side effects and with a beneficial effect on the microbiota, have been studied as substitutes or adjuvants to conventional hypoglycemic agents, such as metformin. In this work, the effect of the nutraceutical Eriomin®, a mixture of citrus flavonoids (eriocitrin, hesperidin, naringin, and didymin), which reduces glycemia and increases glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in pre-diabetic patients, was tested in the Simulator of Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME®), inoculated with pre-diabetic microbiota. After treatment with Eriomin® plus metformin, a significant increase in acetate and butyrate production was observed. Furthermore, sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene of the microorganisms showed that Eriomin® plus metformin stimulated the growth of Bacteroides and Subdoligranulum genera. Bacteroides are the largest fraction of the intestinal microbiota and are potential colonizers of the colon, with some species producing acetic and propionic fatty acids. In addition, Subdoligranulum species are associated with better host glycemic metabolism. In conclusion, Eriomin® associated with metformin improved the composition and metabolism of the intestinal microbiota, suggesting a potential use in pre-diabetes therapy.

The impact of antimicrobial food additives and sweeteners on the growth and metabolite production of gut bacteria.

Metabolic disorders caused by the imbalance of gut microbiota have been associated with the consumption of processed foods. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of antimicrobial food additives (benzoate, sorbate, nitrite, and bisulfite) and sweeteners (saccharin, stevia, sucralose, aspartame, and cyclamate) on the growth and metabolism of some gut and potentially probiotic bacterial species. The effects on the growth of Bifidobacterium longum, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis cultures were investigated using a turbidimetric test and by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). To evaluate the metabolic activity, the cultures were exposed to compounds with the highest antimicrobial activity, subjected to cultivation with inulin (1.5%), and analyzed by liquid chromatography for the production of short-chain fatty acids (acetate, propionate, and butyrate). The results showed that potassium sorbate (25 mg/mL), sodium bisulfite (0.7 mg/mL), sodium benzoate, and saccharin (5 mg/mL) presented greater antimicrobial activity against the studied species. L. lactis and L. acidophilus bacteria had reduced short-chain fatty acid production after exposure to saccharin and sorbate, and B. longum after exposure to sorbate, in comparison to controls (acetic acid reduction 1387 µg/mL and propionic 23 µg/mL p < 0.05).

Exploring the Potential of Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175 as Promising Psychobiotics Using SHIME.

Psychobiotics are probiotics that have the characteristics of modulating central nervous system (CNS) functions or reconciled actions by the gut-brain axis (GBA) through neural, humoral and metabolic pathways to improve gastrointestinal activity as well as anxiolytic and even antidepressant abilities. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175 on the gut microbiota of mildly anxious adults using SHIME®. The protocol included a one-week control period and two weeks of treatment with L. helveticus R0052 and B. longum R0175. Ammonia (NH4+), short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), cytokines and microbiota composition were determined. Probiotic strains decreased significantly throughout the gastric phase. The highest survival rates were exhibited by L. helveticus R0052 (81.58%; 77.22%) after the gastric and intestinal phase when compared to B. longum (68.80%; 64.64%). At the genus level, a taxonomic assignment performed in the ascending colon in the SHIME® model showed that probiotics (7 and 14 days) significantly (p < 0.005) increased the abundance of Lactobacillus and Olsenella and significantly decreased Lachnospira and Escheria-Shigella. The probiotic treatment (7 and 14 days) decreased (p < 0.001) NH4+ production when compared to the control period. For SCFAs, we observed after probiotic treatment (14 days) an increase (p < 0.001) in acetic acid production and total SCFAs when compared to the control period. Probiotic treatment increased (p < 0.001) the secretion of anti-inflammatory (IL-6 and IL-10) and decreased (p < 0.001) pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha) when compared to the control period. The gut-brain axis plays an important role in the gut microbiota, producing SCFAs and GABA, stimulating the production of anti-anxiety homeostasis. The signature of the microbiota in anxiety disorders provides a promising direction for the prevention of mental illness and opens a new perspective for using the psychobiotic as a main actor of therapeutic targets.

Chemical composition and anti-proliferative activity of essential oils from some medicinal plants from Cachicadán, Región La Libertad, Perú.

This study evaluated the chemical composition and anti-proliferative activity of essential oils (EOs) obtained by hydrodistillation from seven medicinal plants from Cachicadán, La Libertad Región, Perú. Limonene (0.64 to 44.43%) and linalool (0.36 to 2.12%) were identified in all EOs by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry analysis. The major components (relative intensity ≥ 10%) were cis-dihydro carvone, carvone, and cis-piperitone epoxide for Minthostachys mollis leaves; ß-pinene, limonene, and ledol for Lepechinia heteromorpha leaves; limonene, neral, and geranial for Aloysia citriodora, both leaves and flowers; α-pinene, and limonene for Myrcianthes myrsinoides leaves; and α-pinene, ß-myrcene, and (E)-ß-Ocimene for Dalea carthagenensis leaves. Constituted by (Z)-ß-ocimene, dihydrotagetone, (Z)-tagetone, and car-3-en-2-one, EO of Tagetes minuta leaves induced an irreversible cytostatic effect against MCF-7 human breast tumor cells. Further in vivo studies must be carried out to establish the safe and efficient dose of T. minuta EO as adjuvant treatment in oncological therapies.

Antiplasmodial Activity of Hydroalcoholic Extract from Jucá (Libidibia ferrea) Pods.

Malaria is an infectious and parasitic disease caused by protozoa of the genus Plasmodium, which affects millions of people in tropical and subtropical areas. Recently, there have been multiple reports of drug resistance in Plasmodium populations, leading to the search for potential new active compounds against the parasite. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the in vitro antiplasmodial activity and cytotoxicity of the hydroalcoholic extract of Jucá (Libidibia ferrea) in serial concentrations. Jucá was used in the form of a freeze-dried hydroalcoholic extract. For the cytotoxicity assay, the(3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method with the WI-26VA4 human cell line was used. For the antiplasmodial activity, Plasmodium falciparum synchronized cultures were treated with serial concentrations (0.2 to 50 µg/mL) of the Jucá extract. In terms of the chemical composition of the Jucá extract, gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry measurements revealed the main compounds as ellagic acid, valoneic acid dilactone, gallotannin, and gallic acid. The Jucá hydroalcoholic extract did not show cytotoxic activity per MTT, with an IC50 value greater than 100 µg/mL. Regarding the antiplasmodial activity, the Jucá extract presented an IC50 of 11.10 µg/mL with a selective index of nine. Because of its antiplasmodial activity at the tested concentrations and low toxicity, the Jucá extract is presented as a candidate for herbal medicine in the treatment of malaria. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of antiplasmodial activity in Jucá.