ABSTRACT
Several plants have been studied for their medicinal properties, especially concerning the management of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, aiming at a more accessible form of treatment. In this context, the aim of this study was to characterize plant proteins used in folk medicine as hypoglycemic agents for the treatment of diabetes, namely "abajerú" (Chrysobalanus icaco) and "cow's paw" (Bauhinia forficata and Bauhinia variegata). The species were differentiated by proteome characterization. Proteins were in-solution digested using trypsin by the filter-assisted sample preparation (FASP) method. Peptides were then analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for protein characterization. In total, 131 proteins were identified. The main biological functions of these proteins were cellular respiration, transport, metabolism and photosynthesis. Insulin-like proteins were not detected, but proteins involved in controlling glucose levels were. The results are of value in the proteomic characterization of phytotherapeutic plants, and may serve as baseline for the assessed species in Brazil, where a lack of knowledge in this regard is observed.
Subject(s)
Bauhinia/metabolism , Chrysobalanaceae/metabolism , Diabetes Mellitus/drug therapy , Hypoglycemic Agents/pharmacology , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Proteome , Brazil , Chromatography, Liquid , Geography , Hypoglycemic Agents/chemistry , Medicine, Traditional , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Plant Leaves/metabolism , Plants, Medicinal , Proteomics , Tandem Mass SpectrometryABSTRACT
Abstract Great response variability caused by genetic and/or environmental factors has been observed among organisms exposed to hazardous chemicals. This subject has been a topic of intense discussion in the USA since President Obama announced support for an “era of precision medicine”, which consists in the inclusion of genetic data of patients in the treatment design, imposing a new approach to risk assessment. Personalized evaluation must consider the phenotypic factors of an individual. Among the markers that have been developed to evaluate any alteration in the structure or function of organisms, biomarkers of susceptibility are of great importance because they indicate the natural characteristics of a given organism which make it more sensitive to a specific adverse effect or disease, or more responsive to exposure to a specific chemical/drug. The ‘-omics’ technologies provide an insight into the relationship between chemical effects and molecular mechanisms of action. These technologies are the pillars for a personalized toxicology and precision medicine. Predictive toxicology requires a more comprehensive knowledge on specific individual factors or susceptibilities predisposing to diseases, enabling personalized risk assessment and adequate medical treatment.
Resumo Há uma grande variabilidade nas respostas observadas entre os organismos expostos a uma substância química perigosa. Essa variabilidade é causada por causas genéticas e / ou ambientais. Esse assunto tem sido intensamente discutido, mesmo nos Estados Unidos, desde que o presidente Obama anunciou o apoio a uma “era da medicina de precisão”, a qual consiste na inclusão de dados genéticos do paciente no projeto do tratamento, impondo uma nova abordagem para avaliação de risco. A avaliação personalizada deve considerar fatores fenotípicos de um indivíduo. Entre os biomarcadores que foram desenvolvidos para avaliar qualquer alteração da estrutura ou função do organismo, os biomarcadores de susceptibilidade têm uma grande importância, uma vez que indicam as características naturais de um dado organismo, que o tornam mais sensíveis a um efeito ou doença adversa específica ou em resposta a uma determinada exposição. As tecnologias “ômicas” permitem a compreensão da relação entre os efeitos químicos e dos mecanismos moleculares de ação. Essas tecnologias “ômicas” são os pilares para a toxicologia personalizada e para a medicina de precisão. Toxicologia preditiva exige uma melhor compreensão dos fatores ou susceptibilidades individuais específicas predisponentes a doenças, permitindo uma avaliação de riscos personalizada e um tratamento médico adequado.