Salicylic Acid and Water Stress: Effects on Morphophysiology and Essential Oil Profile of Eryngium foetidum.

The exogenous application of bioregulators, such as salicylic acid (SA), has exhibited promising outcomes in alleviating drought stress. Nevertheless, its impact on culantro (Eryngium foetidum L.) remains unexplored. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess how SA impacts the growth, morphophysiology, and essential oil composition of culantro when subjected to drought. To achieve this, culantro plants were grown under three different watering regimes: well-watered, drought-stressed, and re-watered. Additionally, they were either treated with SA (100 µM) or left untreated, with water serving as the control. SA application did not mitigate the effects of drought in biomass production but increased biomass, leaf number, leaf area, and photosynthetic pigments under well-irrigated and re-watered conditions. After a drought period followed by re-watering, plants recovered membrane integrity independently of SA application. Water stress and the exogenous application of SA also modulated the profile of essential oils. This is the first report about SA and drought affecting growth and essential oil composition in culantro.

Water stress modulates terpene biosynthesis and morphophysiology at different ploidal levels in Lippia alba (Mill.) N. E. Brown (Verbenaceae).

Monoterpenes are the main component in essential oils of Lippia alba. In this species, the chemical composition of essential oils varies with genome size: citral (geraniol and neral) is dominant in diploids and tetraploids, and linalool in triploids. Because environmental stress impacts various metabolic pathways, we hypothesized that stress responses in L. alba could alter the relationship between genome size and essential oil composition. Water stress affects the flowering, production, and reproduction of plants. Here, we evaluated the effect of water stress on morphophysiology, essential oil production, and the expression of genes related to monoterpene synthesis in diploid, triploid, and tetraploid accessions of L. alba cultivated in vitro for 40 days. First, using transcriptome data, we performed de novo gene assembly and identified orthologous genes using phylogenetic and clustering-based approaches. The expression of candidate genes related to terpene biosynthesis was estimated by real-time quantitative PCR. Next, we assessed the expression of these genes under water stress conditions, whereby 1% PEG-4000 was added to MS medium. Water stress modulated L. alba morphophysiology at all ploidal levels. Gene expression and essential oil production were affected in triploid accessions. Polyploid accessions showed greater growth and metabolic tolerance under stress compared to diploids. These results confirm the complex regulation of metabolic pathways such as the production of essential oils in polyploid genomes. In addition, they highlight aspects of genotype and environment interactions, which may be important for the conservation of tropical biodiversity.

Can strontium replace calcium in bioactive materials for dental applications?

The substitution of calcium with strontium in bioactive materials has been promising but there has been some concern over the material instability and possible toxicity. The aim of this research was the synthesis and characterization of calcium and strontium substituted bioactive materials and assessment of interactions with local tissues and peripheral elemental migration in an animal model. A bioactive glass, hydroxyapatite and hydraulic calcium silicate with 50% or 100% calcium substitution with strontium were developed and the set materials were characterized immediately after setting and after 30 and 180-days in solution. Following subcutaneous implantation, the local (tissue histology, elemental migration) and systemic effects (elemental deposition after organ digestion) were assessed. The strontium-replaced silicate cements resulted in the synthesis of partially substituted phases and strontium leaching at all-time points. The strontium silicate implanted in the animal model could not be retrieved in over half of the specimens showing the high rate of material digestion. Tissue histology showed that all materials caused inflammation after 30 days of implantation however this subsided and angiogenesis occurred after 180 days. Strontium was not detected in the local tissues or the peripheral organs while all calcium containing materials caused calcium deposition in the kidneys. The tricalcium silicate caused elemental migration of calcium and silicon in the local tissues shown by the elemental mapping but no deposition of calcium was identified in the peripheral organs verified by the assessment of the digested tissues. Strontium can substitute calcium in bioactive materials without adverse local or systemic effects.

Aneuploids and its increment on diversity of Lippia alba polyploid complex: genetic aspects and origin.

BACKGROUND: Aneuploidy is associated with add or lack of individual chromosomes. The knowledge regarding aneuploidy is still rare in wild and tropical populations. Lippia alba is a tropical polyploid complex naturally formed, with 2x, 3x, 4x, 6x, and aneuploid individuals. The species presents pharmacological and medicinal importance, due to its essential oil compounds, which are related to the ploidal level. Considering the singularity of aneuploids emergence and stability, we proposed to investigate putative cytotypes involved in the aneuploids formation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Molecular, cytogenetic, reproductive, and chemical approaches were adopted. The results showed that the aneuploids possibly have independent origin considering the genetic, chemical and karyotypical profiles. The chemical composition of aneuploids is related to genetic similarity. The aneuploid origin may involve 2x and 3x cytotypes being possible to rise four scenarios of crosses to explain that. CONCLUSIONS: The results, in general, contribute to the comprehension of the origin of aneuploids and highlight the genetic profile of these accessions as a key element on the understanding of the chemical profile of L. alba accessions.

Evaluation of copaiba oil as enhancer of ibuprofen skin permeation

Abstract The administration of medications on the skin through transcutaneous routes is a practice that has been used by mankind for millennia. Some studies have been reporting the use of terpenes and natural oils rich in terpenes as an enhancer of cutaneous penetration. Copaiba oil, due to its rich content of terpenes, presents itself as a great choice of penetration enhancer for drugs administered on the skin. In this study, we developed two cream formulations containing 5% of ibuprofen (IBU) and copaiba oil: IBCO5 and IBCO10 with 5% and 10% of copaiba oil respectively. Ex vivo cutaneous penetration/permeation studies of IBU were performed using pig ear skin as biological membrane in the Franz-type diffusion cells. The steady-state flux of IBU samples, IBCO5 (35.72 ± 6.35) and IBCO10 (29.78 ± 2.41) were significantly higher when compared with control without copaiba oil (10.32 ±1.52) and with a commercial product (14.44 ± 2.39). In the penetration analysis, the amount of IBU found in the samples IBCO5 and IBCO10 was markedly higher in the dermis than epidermis. Our results showed that copaiba oil possesses attracting properties in promoting skin penetration and permeation of IBU when added into cream formulations.

Anticancer and antileishmanial in vitro activity of gold(I) complexes with 1,3,4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-thione ligands derived from δ-D-gluconolactone.

Four gold(I) complexes conceived as anticancer agents were synthesized by reacting [Au(PEt3 )Cl] and [Au(PPh3 )Cl] with ligands derived from δ-d-gluconolactone. The ligands' structure was designed to combine desired biological properties previously reported for each group. Ligands were synthesized from δ-d-gluconolactone via ketal protection and hydrazide formation followed by cyclization with CS2 to produce the novel oxadiazolidine-2-thione 7 and 8. Increasing of the ligands' lipophilicity via ketal protection proved useful since all four gold(I) complexes showed anticancer and antileishmanial properties. The IC50 values are at low micromolar range, varying from 2 to 3 µm for the most active compounds. The free D-gluconate 1,3,4 oxadiazole-derived ligands were neither toxic nor presented anticancer or antileishmanial properties. Triethylphosphine-derived compounds 9 and 10 were more selective against B16-F10 melanoma cell line. Although similar in vitro antileishmanial activity was observed for the gold(I) precursors themselves and their derived complexes, the latter were three times less toxic for human THP-1 macrophage cell line; this result is attributed to an isomeric variation of the D-gluconate ligand and the oxadiazole portion, which was one of the key concepts behind this work. These findings should encourage further research on gold(I) complexes to develop novel compounds with potential application in cancer and leishmaniasis chemotherapy.

Differentiation of aromatic, bittering and dual-purpose commercial hops from their terpenic profiles: An approach involving batch extraction, GC-MS and multivariate analysis.

Terpenes are one of the main classes of compounds in hops (Humulus lupulus, L). They play an important role in brewing due to their central function, which is related to beer aroma. A screening of terpenes in several commercial hop varieties was carried out by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry after employing a simple, straightforward and high throughput extraction method. A single batch extraction, using hexane as solvent, was employed to obtain the terpenic fraction of the hop samples. Nineteen terpenes were identified in analyzed samples with ß-myrcene (2.22-45.30%), α-humulene (20.20-67.64%), and ß-caryophyllene (9.97-24.62%) being the major terpenes in all samples. The studied system was multivariate modeled by principal component analysis. Based on the proposed approach, it was possible to correlate the terpenic hop profiles to their specific purpose in the brewing industry and to distinguish aromatic hops (high α-humulene content), bittering hops (high ß-myrcene content), and dual-purpose hops (more complex and intermediate terpenic profile) among the samples.

Influence of colorful light-emitting diodes on growth, biochemistry, and production of volatile organic compounds in vitro of Lippia filifolia (Verbenaceae).

Lippia filifolia Mart. & Schauer belongs to the Verbenaceae family and it is endemic from the rupestrian fields of the Espinhaço mountain range, located in Minas Gerais, Brazil. It is an aromatic species with medicinal potential due to the production of volatile compounds that constitute its essential oil. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of light quality using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) over the growth of L. filifolia grown in vitro after 45 days of culture, analyzing its volatile organic compounds (VOCs), biochemical, and biometric traits. This study had four treatments according to the wavelength of LED lamps: (i) white (control), (ii) blue, (iii) red, and (iv) a combination of red + blue (mix). The light quality influenced the growth, metabolism, and VOCs production of plantlets. The specimens showed higher height under red and white treatments and higher biomass accumulation, nodal segments, and shoot numbers under the mix treatment. Higher total carbohydrate content was also observed on the mix treatment, while the white LED provided higher chlorophylls and carotenoids contents. In addition, the lipid peroxidation was more pronounced in mix and white LEDs treatments, and it was also observed significant but not quite changes in VOCs profiles due to light quality. Eucalyptol was the compound found in a higher concentration among the VOCs of L. filifolia grown in vitro at all light quality treatments studied.

Induction of Synthetic Polyploids and Assessment of Genomic Stability in Lippia alba.

Polyploidy is widely recognized as a major evolutionary force in plants and has been reported in the genus Lippia (Verbenaceae). Lippia alba, the most studied species, has been documented as a polyploid complex involving at least four ploidal levels. L. alba presents remarkable chemical and genetic variation and represents a model for understanding genome organization. Although the economic and medicinal importance of the species has been widely described, no established polyploid induction protocol has been reported so far. Here, we describe the production of synthetic polyploid plants of L. alba using colchicine. The ploidal levels were estimated by flow cytometry and chromosome counting. In addition, FISH and molecular markers approaches were used to confirm the stability of the synthetic polyploids. The major component of the essential oils was estimated by GCMS to compare with the natural individuals. Tetraploids and triploids were produced providing new opportunities for investigating medicinal, pharmacological, and economic applications as well as addressing intrinsic questions involved in the polyploidization process in tropical plants.

Desenvolvimento e estabilidade de formulação cosmética obtida com corante natural azul / Development and stability of cosmetic formulation obtained with natural blue dye

Introdução: Dentre os corantes de fontes naturais disponíveis no mercado, os mais comuns são aquelas capazes de conferir as cores vermelha, roxa, laranja e amarela, sendo a coloração azul relativamente escassa. A espécie Ravenala madagascariensis, também conhecida como árvore dos viajantes, é uma planta oriunda da Ilha de Madagascar, África do Sul, característica por sementes recobertas por arilos fibrosos de coloração azul intensa. Objetivo: Descrever uma metodologia capaz de extrair e incorporar os corantes azuis presentes nos arilos em uma formulação dermocosmética estável. Metodologia: Foi realizado screening com distintos líquidos extratores para a obtenção do extrato dos arilos. O extrato em ciclometicone foi incorporado em preparações cosméticas empregando-se as bases Polawax® e Cold cream. Após a avaliação dos aspectos sensoriais, a formulação preparada com Polawax foi direcionada para avaliação de estabilidade acelerada (15 dias) de acordo com o protocolo definido pela ANVISA. Resultados: O melhor processo extrativo foi obtido pela utilização do ciclometicone, que é um excipiente compatível com o preparo de formulações cosméticas. O produto contendo 1% do extrato dos arilos em ciclometicone, incorporado à base Polawax, foi avaliado em relação às variáveis aspecto, cor (azul), odor, sensação ao tato e pH (5,5) e não apresentou alterações no ensaio de estabilidade acelerado. Conclusão: Com a metodologia apresentada, foi possível extrair e preparar uma formulação dermocosmética estável com nova proposta de corante azul, aplicável como excipiente para formulações.

Introduction: Among the dyes from natural sources available in the market, the most common are those capable of giving the colors red, purple, orange and yellow, being the blue coloration relatively scarce. The Ravenala madagascariensis species, also known as the traveler's tree, is a plant from Madagascar Island, South Africa, characterized by seeds covered by intense blue colored fibrous aryls. Objective: To describe a methodology capable of extracting and incorporating the blue dyes present in aryls in a stable dermocosmetic formulation. Methodology:Screening with different extracting liquids was performed to obtain the extract of the arils. The cyclomethicone extract was incorporated into cosmetic preparations using the Polawax® and Cold cream bases. After evaluation of sensory aspects, the formulation prepared with Polawax was directed to accelerated stability evaluation (15 days) according to the protocol defined by ANVISA. Results: The best extraction process was obtained by the use of cyclomethicone, which is an excipient compatible with the preparation of cosmetic formulations. The product containing 1% of the cyclomethicone aryl extract, incorporated into the Polawax base, was evaluated in relation to the variables appearance, color (blue), odor, touch sensation and pH (5.5) and showed no changes in the stability test accelerated. Conclusion:With the methodology presented, it was possible to extract and prepare a stable dermocosmetic formulation with new blue dye proposal, applicable as an excipient for formulations.

Resonant Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction determines markers for iron-rich atmospheric particulate matter in urban region.

Particulate matter driven health problems are strongly associated with its chemical composition. Despite the benefits of using source apportionment models for air quality management, limitations such as collinearity effects, restrict their application or compromise the accurate separation of sources, particularly for particulate matter with similar chemical profiles. Receptors models also depend on the operator expertise to appropriately classified sources, a subjective process that can lead to biased results. For highly correlated sources, the identification of specific markers is still the best way to achieve proper source apportionment. In this study, Resonant Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction has been applied to the analysis of atmospheric particles to determine markers for industrial and vehicular sources in the Region of Greater Vitória, Brazil. Total suspended particulate matter, PM10, and PM2.5 samples were analyzed by Resonant Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction showing high levels of iron-based crystalline phases. In comparison to the use of chemical elemental species, the identification of the crystalline phases provided an enhanced approach to classify specific iron-based source markers. For this study, α-Fe2O3 was identified with iron-based sources such as iron ore, pelletizing, and sintering; metallic Fe was inferred with blast furnaces and steelmaking; FeS2 was correlated with coal deposits; and K2Fe2O4 was associated to sintering emissions. Elemental carbon with different X-ray diffraction patterns enabled the differentiation of industrial and vehicular sources. The attribution of crystal rather than elemental composition in the identification of sources improves the accuracy of source apportionment studies.

Isolation, spectral characterization, molecular docking, and cytotoxic activity of alkaloids from Erythroxylum pungens O. E. Shulz.

Stem bark, root bark, and leaf extracts of Erythroxylum pungens were subjected to phytochemical analysis. N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) was isolated and characterized from E. pungens roots. This unprecedented result is remarkable since no indole alkaloid has been previously reported from Erythroxylaceae so far. Eleven known tropane alkaloids were identified by their mass spectra and 3-(2-methylbutyryloxy)tropan-6,7-diol as well as 3-(2-methylbutyryloxy)nortropan-6,7-diol were isolated and characterized based on mass spectrometry, 1H, 13C, COSY, and NOESY NMR analysis. The complete NMR data are reported for the first time. Inverse Structure-based and Ligand-Based virtual screening were carried out to identify possible targets for 3-(2-methylbutyryloxy)tropan-6,7-diol. The level of cytotoxicity of this tropane alkaloid aliphatic ester was discrete with potencies on the order of 0.3-1.0 mg/mL and better results against HeLa (50% cell viability reduction). Otherwise, atropine (0.3 mg/mL), a Solanaceae tropane alkaloid, and DMT (0.5 mg/mL) from E. pungens roots impaired at 50% the cell viability against HeLa, SiHa, PC3, and 786-0. This study stimulates scientific investigation of the impact of edaphoclimatic features in a semi-arid environment on tropane alkaloid biosynthesis.

Novel antitumor adamantane-azole gold(I) complexes as potential inhibitors of thioredoxin reductase.

Gold complexes that could act as antitumor agents have attracted great attention. Heterocyclic compounds and their metal complexes display a broad spectrum of pharmacological properties. The present study reports the preparation and characterization of four novel gold(I) complexes containing tertiary phosphine and new ligands 5-adamantyl-1,3-thiazolidine-2-thione, 3-methyladamantane-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thione. Spectroscopic data suggest that gold is coordinated to the exocyclic sulfur atom in all cases, as confirmed by X-ray crystallographic data obtained for complex (1) and supported by quantum-mechanical calculations. The cytotoxicity of the compounds has been evaluated in comparison to cisplatin and auranofin in three different tumor cell lines, colon cancer (CT26WT), metastatic skin melanoma (B16F10), mammary adenocarcinoma (4T1) and kidney normal cell (BHK-21). The gold complexes were more active than their respective free ligands and able to inhibit the thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) enzyme, even in the presence of albumin. Molecular modeling studies were carried out to understand the interaction between the compounds and the TrxR enzyme, considered as a potential target for new compounds in cancer treatment. The docking results show that the adamantane ring is essential to stabilize the ligand-enzyme complex prior the formation of covalent bond with gold center. The structure of the new gold compounds was established on the basis of spectroscopic data, DFT calculations and X-ray diffraction. TrxR inhibition was evaluated and the results correlated with the assays in tumor cells, suggesting the TrxR as possible target for these compounds.

Volatile organic compounds speciation and their influence on ozone formation potential in an industrialized urban area in Brazil.

Speciation and the influence on the ozone formation potential (OFP) from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been studied between February June 2013 in Vitória, ES, Brazil. Passive samplers were installed at three air-quality monitoring stations and a total of 96 samplings were collected. A total of 78 VOCs were characterized by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. The predominant group was organic acids, followed by alcohols and substituted aromatics and 14 precursor species were quantified. An analysis correlating concentrations with wind direction was conducted to identify possible sources. The OFP was calculated applying the scale of maximum incremental reactivity proposed by Carter.[ 23 ] Ozone precursors with the greatest OFP such as undecane, toluene, ethylbenzene and m, p-xylene compounds were the most abundant with means of 0.855, 0.365, 0.259 and 0.289 µg m(-3), respectively. The benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) group was found below the limits considered harmful to the health of the population living in Vitória. The OFP calculated for the precursors group was 22.55 µg m(-3) for the rainy season and 32.11 µg m(-3) for the dry season. The VOC/NOx ratio in Vitória is approximately 1.71, indicating that the region has a VOC-limiting condition for the production of ozone.

Colonization by Chironomidae larvae in decomposition leaves of Eichhornia azurea in a lentic system in Southeastern Brazil.

The objective of this study was to analyze the colonization of Chironomidae (Diptera) larvae during the decomposition of Eichhornia azurea (Swartz) Kunth (Commelinales: Pontederiaceae) leaves in a lake in southeastern Brazil in two seasons of the year. The experiment was conducted from September to November 2007 and February to April 2008. In each period, 21 litter bags were used, each containing 10 g of dried leaves. Three bags were removed after 2, 5, 8, 12, 25, 45, and 65 days of colonization. The decomposition rate of the E. azurea leaves was rapid in both seasons, with no significant difference between them. The Chironomidae showed higher density than the other invertebrates. Goeldichironomus, Tonytarsus, and Corynoneura were the most abundant genera of Chironomidae. The invertebrate density increased during the experiment, differing within days but not between seasons. The faunal composition differed between the decomposition phases (initial and final), but did not differ between the seasons (dry and wet). The taxa Ablabesmyia, Caladomyia, Chironomus, Goeldichironomus, and Parachironomus were the most closely related to the final days of the experiment. Litter was the main food item found in the gut contents of the organisms of all the genera analyzed, both at the beginning and end of the decomposition. We believe that the feeding activity combined with the high larval density is an important factor contributing to the rapid decomposition of the E. azurea leaves. In conclusion, the succession process along the detritus chain of E. azurea was more important in structuring the assemblage of Chironomidae larvae than seasonal variations.

Platinum(II) complexes containing long-chain hydrophobic N-alkyl-diamine ligands: synthesis, characterization, molecular modeling, and cytotoxic activity.

A series of novel platinum(II) complexes derived from N-alkyl-ethanediamine and N-alkyl-propanediamine ligands were prepared and characterized. These complexes contain a long chain aliphatic diamine where the carbon length is variable and present a hydroxyl group in two different positions. The complexes with the ethanediamine derivatives were prepared from K(2)PtCl(4). Interestingly, the propanediamine derivatives did not react well with this platinum salt under the experimental conditions normally employed and could only be obtained from the more reactive K(2)PtI(4). A theoretical molecular modeling study was performed to understand this difference in reactivity and it showed that the conformation around the diamine plays an important role in the ring closure step of complex formation. The complexes had their cytotoxicity investigated in B16F1, CT26, B16F10, and MDA cell lines. Some of them demonstrated superior activity when compared to cisplatin and carboplatin. We were also able to confirm a structure-activity relationship between cytotoxicity and carbon chain length.

Comparative properties of Amazonian oils obtained by different extraction methods.

Pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.), babaçu (Orbignya phalerata Mart.), buriti (Mauritia flexuosa), and passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) oils were studied to determine their antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities, as well as their total phenol and carotenoid contents. The fatty acid contents were determined by GC-MS. The three types of passion fruit oils studied were refined, cold pressed or extracted from seeds in a Soxhlet apparatus. The oils thus obtained showed differences in antioxidant activity and carotenoid content, but were similar in regard to total phenols. Buriti and pequi had the highest carotenoid contents, while refined and cold pressed passion fruit oil displayed the highest antioxidant activity. Pequi oil was the only oil to display antibacterial and cytotoxic activity.

Alternativas para o controle de emissões odorantes em reatores anaeróbios tratando esgoto doméstico / Alternatives for the control of odorous emissions in anaerobic reactors treating domestic wastewater

Esta nota técnica busca consolidar as principais características, vantagens e desvantagens dos métodos usualmente empregados para o controle de emissões odorantes, discorrendo criticamente acerca da aplicabilidade de cada um dos métodos para o tratamento de odores em estações de tratamento de esgoto doméstico. Verificou-se que vários métodos são sofisticados, de elevado custo e, muitas vezes, não aplicáveis ao tratamento de odores emitidos em reatores anaeróbios tratando esgoto doméstico. Uma análise qualitativa dos vários métodos indica que a combustão direta e os processos bioquímicos são os que reúnem o maior conjunto de vantagens para o tratamento de gases residuais emitidos em reatores anaeróbios.

This technical note aims at consolidating the main characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of the methods usually applied to the control of odorous emissions, with a critical analysis upon the applicability of each method to the treatment of odours in treatment plants of domestic wastewater. It was verified that several methods are sophisticated, present high cost, and are often non-applicable to the treatment of odour emissions from anaerobic reactors treating domestic wastewater. The qualitative analysis of the various methods points out that direct combustion and biochemical processes gather more advantages for the treatment of waste gases produced in anaerobic reactors.