Gastrointestinal effects of Mentha aquatica L. essential oil.

Found in humid regions and waterways and popularly used to treat gastrointestinal problems among other applications, the present study evaluated the M. aquatica essential oil (OEMa) as a therapeutic alternative to treat gastrointestinal disorders. Produced by steam distillation, chemical composition of OEMa was determined by GC-MS analysis. The ethanol-induced ulcer and the dose-repeated acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)-induced gastrointestinal lesions models in rats evaluated, respectively, the prophylactic and curative effects of EOMa on peptic ulcers. The EOMa's effect on gastric secretion, gastric mucus and gastrointestinal motility were evaluated in in vivo models. The curative effect of EOMa on acute colitis was evaluated using the DSS-induced colitis model in mice. Obtained in 0.17% yield (w/w), with carvone (54.82 ± 1.39 g/100 g oil) as the main constituent, EOMa (at 75 mg/kg) showed potent gastroprotective effect (> 90%) mediated by non-protein sulfhydryl compounds (NPSH) and nitric oxide (NO) modulation alongside reduction in gastric secretion volume and total acidity. EOMa did not affect gastric mucus production and gastrointestinal motility. In dose-repeated ASA-induced gastrointestinal lesions model, EOMa (at 25 mg/kg) promoted the inflammatory process resolution both in gastric and duodenal walls by modulating NPSH, NO and myeloperoxidase levels. Despite delaying in 2 days the clinical symptoms worsening, EOMa (at 25 mg/kg) was not able to protect colon tissues from DSS-induced acute colitis as evidenced by macroscopic, biochemical, and histopathological parameters. This is the first report of Mentha aquatica essential oil as a promising herbal medicine for peptic ulcers treatment together with an adjuvant effect in IBD.

Effects of nanocapsules of poly-ε-caprolactone containing artemisinin on zebrafish early-life stages and adults.

Artemisinin extracted from Artemisia annua L. plants has a range of properties that qualifies it to treat several diseases, such as malaria and cancer. However, it has short half-life, which requires making continuous use of it, which has motivated the association of artemisinin (ART) with polymeric nanoparticles to increase its therapeutic efficiency. However, the ecotoxicological safety of this association has been questioned, given the scarcity of studies in this area. Thus, in this work the toxicity of Poly (ε-Caprolactone) nanocapsules added with ART (ART-NANO) in zebrafish (Danio rerio), embryos and adults was studied. Different endpoints were analyzed in organisms exposed to ART-NANO, including those predictive of embryotoxicity and histopatoxicity. Embryotoxicity was analyzed based on Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) test guideline (236) for fish embryo acute toxicity applied to zebrafish (Danio rerio) at 96 hpf under five nominal logarithmic concentrations (0.125 to 2.0 mg/ L). Our results demonstrate, mainly, that fertilized eggs presented increased coagulation, lack of heart rate, vitelline sac displacement and lack of somite formation. On the other hand, adult individuals (exposed to the same concentrations and evaluated after 24 and 96 h of exposure) have shown increased pericarditis. Therefore, the treatment based on ART, poly (ε-caprolactone) nanocapsules and on their combination at different concentrations have shown toxic effects on zebrafish embryos and adult individuals.

Antiproliferative Effects of Pterodon pubescens Extract and Isolated Diterpenes in HaCaT Cells.

Pterodon pubescens fruits are popularly used because of their analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions, which are attributed to the isolated compounds with a vouacapan skeleton. This work aimed to evaluate the antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory effects of a P. pubescens fruit dichloromethane extract and the vouacapan diterpene furan isomer's mixture (1 : 1) (6α-hydroxy-7ß-acetoxy-vouacapan-17ß-oate methyl ester and 6α-acetoxy-7ß-hydroxy-vouacapan-17ß-oate methyl ester isomers) in HaCaT cells using the cell migration and the BrDU incorporation assay. Levels of IL-8 were measured by ELISA after TNF-α stimulation. HPLC/DAD analysis of the extract revealed the expressive presence of vouacapan diterpene furan isomer's mixture. P. pubescens extract (1.5625 - 25 µg/mL) and vouacapan diterpene furan isomer's mixture (3.125 - 50 µM) inhibited cell proliferation as indicated by a decreased BrdU-incorporation. For the evaluation of cell migration, time-lapse microscopy was used. P. pubescens presented inhibition on cell migration at all concentrations tested (3.125 - 12.5 µg/mL), whereas for the VDFI mixture, the inhibition was only observed at the highest concentrations (12.5 and 25 µM) tested. Furthermore P. pubescens extract and vouacapan diterpene furan isomer's mixture significantly decreased IL-8 levels. Our results showed antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory effects on HaCaT cells treated with the extract and the vouacapan isomer's mixture, without affecting cell viability. These activities could be attributed to the voucapan molecular structures. In conclusion, topical products developed of P. pubescens extract or the voucapan isomer's mixture should be further studied as a potential product for local treatment against hyperproliferative lesions as in psoriasis vulgaris, representing an alternative treatment approach.

Electrospun PCL-based nanofibers Arrabidaea chica Verlot - Pterodon pubescens Benth loaded: synergic effect in fibroblast formation.

The guided tissue regeneration (GTR) technique can be applied in dentistry and other medical specializations, such as orthopedics. In modern dentistry, GTR has been used in periodontics and implantology to treat periodontal defects, to reconstruct lost, damaged and atrophied bone tissue in dental implant procedures, and to preserve alveolar bases after tooth extraction. In order to create and improve new therapies and to develop new biomaterials that restore, improve and prevent aggravation of compromised tissue function, poly (ϵ-caprolactone) (PCL) polymer membranes were obtained by the electrospinning process and were associated with two plant extracts: Pterodon pubescens Benth (P. pubescens) and Arrabidaea chica Verlot (A. chica) which are characterized by their pharmacological activities of anti-inflammatory and healing actions, respectively. Fiber morphology was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), where fiber average diameter was measured from SEM images. Contact angle measurements were performed in order to evaluate the hydrophilicity of electrospun membranes containing vegetal extract. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to evaluate the ability to release active ingredients. Cytotoxicity and cell proliferation assays were performed in vitro on NIH-3T3 cells for 1, 3 and 7 d. Electrospun PCL membranes associated with plant extracts P. pubescens and/or A. chica presented a controlled release profile of the active compounds induced fibroblast formation, suggesting that they are promising and suitable for applications in GTR.

Polyphenol-enriched extract of Arrabidaea chica used as a dentin pretreatment or incorporated into a total-etching adhesive system: Effects on bonding stability and physical characterization.

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the physical properties and the long-term bond strength of a 2.5% polyphenol-enriched extract of Arrabidaea chica (AC) incorporated into both the phosphoric acid and the primer of a three-step total-etch adhesive, or into an aqueous solution as a dentin pretreatment. Fifty dentin surfaces received the treatments (n = 10): CON (control) - application of the three-step adhesive system (Adper Scotchbond Multipurpose, 3M ESPE); WAT - distilled water used as a pretreatment after dentin etching and before application of the adhesive system; ACPA - AC incorporated into the phosphoric acid; ACW - dentin pre-treatment with AC incorporated into an aqueous solution after etching; ACP - AC incorporated into the primer. Microtensile bond strength tests were performed after 24 h, 6 and 12 months of storage. Slices from the resin-dentin interface were obtained for scanning electron microscopy analysis of the hybrid layer. Degree of conversion of AC incorporated into the primer was evaluated. The particle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential of all the solutions prepared by incorporating AC (phosphoric acid, primer and distilled water) were measured by dynamic light scattering, which brought about changes after incorporation. Degree of conversion of the primer was not affected after incorporating AC. ACP showed lower microtensile bond strength values than the other groups. Bond strength decreased after 6 months of storage, stabilizing at the 12-month evaluation. Therefore, use of AC incorporated into the primer led to lower bond strength values, since AC modified the physical properties (particle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential) of the primer, but did not change the degree of conversion. Application of AC as a dentin pretreatment did not affect bond strength or the micromorphological characteristics of the hybrid layer.

Chemical composition and antiproliferative activity of Croton campestris A.St.-Hil. essential oil.

Herein, the antiproliferative potential of the essential oil obtained from fresh leaves of Croton campestris against human tumour cell lines was investigated for the first time. Furthermore, the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation had the composition determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Ten major components were identified that comprised 91.59% of the total content, with 23.8% consisting of (Z)-caryophyllene and 16.08% consisting of γ-elemene as main components. The cytotoxic activity was observed mainly for breast (MCF-7) and colon (HT-29) human tumour cell lines, with GI50 (50% growth inhibition) concentration of 8.61 and 9.94 µg/mL, respectively. The results of this study showed that the essential oil obtained from Croton campestris A.St.-Hil. represents a potential source for the search of new antitumour agents.

Different cell death responses induced by eupomatenoid-5 in MCF-7 and 786-0 tumor cell lines.

Natural products remain an important source of new drugs, including anticancer drugs. Recently, our group reported the anticancer activity of eupomatenoid-5 (eup-5), a neolignan isolated from Piper regnellii (Miq.) C. DC. var. regnellii leaves. In vitro studies demonstrated that MCF-7 (breast) and 786-0 (kidney) were among the cancer cell lines most sensitive to eup-5 treatment. The current results demonstrate that mitochondrial membrane depolarization and generation of reactive oxygen species are implicated in eup-5-mediated cytotoxic effects on these cancer cells lines. In MCF-7 cells, eup-5 led to phosphatidylserine externalization and caspase activation, whereas the same did not occur in 786-0 cells. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a reduction of microvilli density, as well as cell morphology alterations. Moreover, treated MCF-7 cells exhibited well-characterized apoptosis alterations, while treated 786-0 cells exhibited characteristics of programmed necroptosis process. These findings support the possibility that different mechanisms may be targeted by eup-5 in cell death response.

Evaluation of wound healing properties of Arrabidaea chica Verlot extract.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Arrabidaea chica Verlot. (Bignoniaceae), popularly known as Crajiru, has been traditionally used as wound healing agent. AIM OF THE STUDY: Investigate in vitro and in vivo healing properties of Arrabidaea chica leaves extract (AC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: AC was evaluated in vitro in fibroblast growth stimulation (0.25-250 microg/mL) and collagen production stimulation (250 microg/mL) assays. Allantoin (0.25-250 microg/mL) and vitamin C (25 microg/mL) were used as controls respectively. DPPH and Folin-Ciocalteau assays were used for antioxidant evaluation, using trolox (0.25-250 microg/mL) as reference antioxidant. To study wound healing properties in rats, AC (100mg/mL, 200 microL/wound/day) was topically administered during 10 days and wound area was evaluated every day. Allantoin (100mg/mL, 200 microL/wound/day) was used as standard drug. After treatment, wound sites were removed for histopathological analysis and total collagen determination. RESULTS: AC stimulated fibroblast growth in a concentration dependent way (EC50=30 microg/mL), increased in vitro collagen production and demonstrated moderate antioxidant capacity. In vivo, AC reduced wound size in 96%, whereas saline group showed only 36% wound healing. CONCLUSION: AC efficiency seems to involve fibroblast growing stimulus and collagen synthesis both in vitro and in vivo, beyond moderate scavenging activity, corroborating Crajiru folk use.

Antiproliferative properties of polyketides isolated from Virola sebifera leaves.

An activity-guided fractionation of Virola sebifera Aubl. methylene chloride-soluble fraction provided novel 3,5-dihydro-2-(1'-oxo-3'-hexadecenyl)-2-cyclohexen-1-one (3), two known lignans (1, 2) and dehydro hexadecanoyl resorcinol (4). Isolation and purification were conducted with the application of column chromatography and structures were assigned by spetral analysis (1D and 2D NMR, HREIMS). Compounds 1-4 were evaluated for cytotoxic activities against human tumour cell lines UACC62 (melanoma), MCF-7 (breast), NCI 460 (lung, non-small cells), OVCAR03 (ovarian), PC-03 (prostate), HT-29 (colon), 786-0 (renal) and NCI-ADR (breast expressing phenotype multiple drugs resistance) in vitro. The new polyketide (3) showed selectivity against human OVCAR03 and NCI-ADR cell lines, ranging from 2 to 4 microg/mL.