Polyphenols, Antioxidants, and Wound Healing of Lecythis pisonis Seed Coats.

To better use the Lecythis pisonis Cambess. biomass, this study investigates whether Sapucaia seed coats present wound healing properties. We analyzed the antibacterial, antioxidant, and wound healing-promoting potentials, plus cytotoxicity and stimulation of vascular endothelial growth factor-A. The chemical composition was analyzed by positive ion mode electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. A total of 19 compounds were identified, such as proanthocyanidin A1, procyanidins A1, B2, and C1, epigallocatechin, and kaempferol (p-coumaroyl) glycoside. Potent antioxidant strength/index was verified for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (IC50 = 0.99 µg/mL) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (IC50 = 1.09 µg/mL). The extract did not present cytotoxicity and promoted significant cell migration and/or proliferation of fibroblasts (p < 0.05). Vascular endothelial growth factor-A was stimulated dose-dependently at 6 µg/mL (167.13 ± 8.30 pg/mL), 12.5 µg/mL (210.3 ± 14.2 pg/mL), and 25 µg/mL (411.6 ± 29.4 pg/mL). Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) (0.002 µg/mL) was stimulated at 215.98 pg/mL. Staphylococcus aureus was susceptible to the extract, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 31.25 µg/mL. The identified compounds benefit the antioxidant activity, promoting hemostasis for the wound healing process, indicating that this extract has the potential for use in dermatological cosmetics.

In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity and chemical composition of Renealmia petasites Gagnep.

The study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and the anti-inflammatory activity of the hydroethanolic rhizomes, stems, and leaf extracts of Renealmia petasites using in vitro and in vivo assays. The chemical composition of the extracts was characterized in a linear iron trap mass spectrometer. Total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin content were determined by spectrophotometry analyses. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity was investigated in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages evaluating the influence on the production of superoxide anion (O2-), nitric oxide (NO), and the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). In vivo effects were determined using the air pouch model in which were inoculated carrageenan and thereafter treated with 50 mg/kg of the hydroethanolic extracts of R. petasites. After 4 and 24 h, the cellular influx, protein exudation, cytokines, and nitric oxide were evaluated. Eight compounds were tentatively identified in the R. petasites extracts, suggesting five diarylheptanoids, one flavonoid, and two fatty alcohols. The in vitro results showed that the extracts were capable of blocking free radicals and/or inhibiting their intracellular actions by inhibiting the production of important mediators of the inflammatory process, such as NO, O2-, TNF-α, and IL-6. In vivo, R. petasites significantly decrease the influx of leukocytes, mainly neutrophils, protein exudation, NO, TNF-α, and IL-6 concentration in the air pouch model. The results evidenced that R. petasites can be considered a promising alternative therapy for the treatment and management of osteoarthritis and other inflammatory diseases.

Stability and Cytotoxicity of a Cosmetic Cream Containing Oil from Lecythis pisonis Cambess (Sapucaia) Nuts.

Lecythis pisonis nuts are rich in tocopherols, polyphenols, and fatty acids, and hence, the quality of oil was analyzed for use in the elaboration of skin cream. Nut oil was extracted with hexane in a Soxhlet apparatus. The quality and safety of the oil were tested by using established protocols from Adolf Lutz Institute. Three concentrations, 1%, 5%, and 10%, of oil were incorporated into a formulated cream. The oil formulations were evaluated for their stability, organoleptic characteristics, pH, viscosity, spreadability, challenge test, cellular viability, and their response to microbial contamination, as recommended by the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA). Quality analysis demonstrated the high quality of the obtained oil, with no traces of heavy metals and no toxic effects on ingestion. The cream containing L. pisonis nut oil is stable, has an effective preservative system, and is considered safe for use because it presented no toxicity in human cells. A stabilizer is required to maintain the pH in the range suitable for a body cream. Of the formulations tested, the cream containing 5% nut oil was the most stable and had presented the best organoleptic characteristics.

Virola oleifera-capped gold nanoparticles showing radical-scavenging activity and low cytotoxicity.

The development of effective nanoparticle therapeutics has been hindered by their surface characteristics, such as hydrophobicity and charge. Therefore, the success of biomedical applications with nanoparticles is governed by the control of these characteristics. In this article, we report an efficient green capping method for gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by a reduction with sodium citrate and capping with Virola oleifera (Vo), which is a green exudate rich in polyphenols and flavonoids. The Vo-capped AuNPs were characterized by UV, DLS, FTIR, Raman, TEM, DPPH, FRAP and their cytotoxicity was evaluated on the viability of Murine macrophage cell. The AuNPs had an average particle size of 15 nm and were stable over a long time, as indicated by their unchanged SPR and zeta potential values. These nanoparticles were assessed for their antioxidant potential using DPPH and FRAP and demonstrated the highest antioxidant activities and low cytotoxicity. We propose that the Virola oleifera-capped AuNPs have potential biomedical applications.

Gastroprotective activity of the resin from Virola oleifera.

CONTEXT: The resin from the trunk wood of Virola oleifera (Schott) A. C. Smith (Myristicaceae) is used in folk medicine to hasten wound repair and to treat pain and inflammatory conditions, and our previous report indicated the anti-oxidative properties in other oxidative stress model. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects of resin from V. oleifera in two experimental models of gastric ulcer oxidative-stress dependent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plant material was collected and the resin was subjected to partitioning with organic solvents. The buthanol fraction was subjected to chromatographic and spectrometric methods for isolation and structural elucidation. The resin was quantified for polyphenols and flavonoids by colorimetric methods. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of resin was determined by three different methods. The ulcers were induced acutely in Swiss male mice with ethanol/HCl and indomethacin using single-doses of 10 and 100 mg/kg. The gastroprotection of the experimental groups was comparable to reference control lansoprazole (3 mg/kg). RESULTS: The high content of polyphenols (∼82%) and the presence of epicatechin and eriodictyol were determined. The LD50 was estimated at 2500 mg/kg. At minimum (10 mg/kg) and maximum (100 mg/kg) dosage of resin, both in ethanol/HCl as indomethacin ulcer induction models demonstrate reduction of lesions (minimum: ∼97% and ∼66%; maximum: ∼95% and ∼59%). DISCUSSION: The gastroprotection might be related to tannins, phenolic acids and flavonoids present in the resin by antioxidant properties. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that this resin has gastroprotective activity probably associated with the presence of phenolic antioxidant substances.

Resin from Virola oleifera Protects Against Radiocontrast-Induced Nephropathy in Mice.

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is an iatrogenic medical event for which there is not yet a successful therapy. Increasing evidence in rodents has suggested that this disease is associated with renal tubular and vascular injury that is triggered directly by oxidative stress. In the present study, we evaluated whether the antioxidant resin from Virola oleifera (RV) could attenuate renal damage in an experimental mouse model of CIN. Adult male Swiss mice were divided into six groups and pre-treated orally with RV (10, 100 and 300 mg/kg), N-acetylcysteine (200 mg/kg) or vehicle for 5 days before the induction of CIN and Control group. Renal function was assessed by measuring plasma creatinine and urea levels. Additionally, renal oxidative stress and apoptosis/cell viability were determined with flow cytometry. Finally, kidney tissues were sectioned for histopathological examination. In this CIN model, pre-treatment with RV improved renal function, lowered the mortality rate, and reduced oxidative stress and apoptosis in both the medulla and cortex renal cells in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the RV treatment had beneficial effects on kidney histopathology that were superior to the standard treatment with N-acetylcysteine. These data suggest that because of its antioxidative and antiapoptotic effects and its ability to preserve renal function, resin from Virola oleifera may have potential as a new therapeutic approach for preventing CIN.