Formulations of essential oils obtained from plants traditionally used as condiments or traditional medicine active against Staphylococcus aureus isolated from dairy cows with mastitis.

The prophylactic and therapeutic overuse of antimicrobials on the farm has contributed to the emergence of hard-to-fight bacterial strains causing bovine mastitis. Aiming at alternative therapies, this study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of 20 essential oils against clinical Staphylococcus aureus strains. Of them, five with strong activities were selected and evaluated for their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) in culture medium and milk, cytotoxicity against bovine mammary cells (MAC-T), antiadhesive properties, and interactions among themselves and with cefoperazone. The oils remained active on milk, were not cytotoxic, and some concentrations stimulated MAC-T cells growth, suggesting healing potential. Subinhibitory concentrations of Coriandrum sativum, Origanum vulgare, Syzygium aromaticum, and Thymus vulgaris reduced biofilm formation by at least 80%. Several oil and cefoperazone combinations displayed additive interaction, with O. vulgare and C. sativum showing the most promising results. We developed formulations for being used as prophylactic postdipping solutions in the field, containing different concentrations (1% or 3%) of the active oils, alone or in combination, with 3% glycerin, 1% Tween 80, and water. The formulations showed strong antimicrobial activity in milk and enhanced antiadhesive properties, specially when two oils were combined in the formula, indicating promising biotechnological and therapeutical applications.

Hydroalcoholic extract of Remijia ferruginea accelerates the closure of skin wounds by modulating tissue morphology and antioxidant profile: An in vitro and in vivo study.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Remijia ferruginea DC. (Rubiaceae) (syn. Cinchona ferruginea A.St.-Hil.) is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of wounds, fever and malaria. AIM: This study investigated in vitro the proliferative and antioxidant effects of hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of R. ferruginea (HERF) and in vivo the healing effect of ointment based on HERF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The plant extract was characterized by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Cell proliferation assays and in vitro antioxidant activity were performed. In in vivo assays, wound contraction ax was evaluated, as well as histological analyzes such as cellularity, proportion of blood vessels and collagen type I and III index. In addition, analyzes of the antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT and GST were performed. RESULTS: Our results showed in the chromatographic analysis that catechin, rutin and quercetin were the main phenolic compounds in the plant extract and may be responsible for the antioxidant and proliferative effects (p < 0.05). In addition, these compounds were found in higher concentration in leaves collected in spring. The ointment containing HERF was able to modulate tissue morphology, increasing cell proliferation, blood vessels, being able to stimulate the production of collagen fibers type I and III, (p < 0.05) contributing to scar tissue maturation and resistance. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that the three doses of HERF tested (1%, 3% and 5%) can modulate the skin repair process, but the best effects were observed after exposure to the highest dose.

In vitro anticariogenic and antibiofilm activities of toothpastes formulated with essential oils.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the antibacterial and antibiofilm effects of essential oils and herbal toothpastes against bacteria associated with oral diseases. METHODS: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and antibiofilm activity of 13 essential oils against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus lactis, and Enterococcus faecalis. were determined. Toothpastes were formulated with different concentrations of the most active essential oils, alone and in combination, and evaluated for antibacterial and antibiofilm activities. RESULTS: Clove, oregano, thyme, and cinnamon essential oils were effective in inhibiting all bacterial strains. The antibacterial activity of cinnamon essential oil was similar to that of the control (0.12 % chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash). Cinnamon essential oil was a strong inhibitor of S. mutans growth. The antibiofilm activity of clove, oregano, thyme, and cinnamon essential oils at 1, 2, and 4 × MIC against S. mutans did not differ from that of the control. In the hole-plate diffusion assay, 17 out of the 18 tested toothpastes produced an inhibition halo at least half as large as that of the control. Toothpastes containing clove, clove and oregano, or clove, oregano, thyme, and cinnamon essential oils were able to completely disrupt S. mutans biofilms, not differing from the control. Thyme essential oil was found to act synergistically with chlorhexidine against S. mutans. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that clove, oregano, thyme, and cinnamon essential oils may be added to fluoride-free toothpastes to enhance inhibitory effects against bacteria associated with cavities and periodontal disease. Thyme essential oil may increase the efficiency of chlorhexidine-containing dentifrices.

Biometric, histomorphometric, and biochemical profile in atorvastatin calcium treatment of female rats with dexamethasone-induced osteoporosis / Perfil biométrico, histomorfométrico e bioquímico no tratamento com atorvastatina cálcica de ratas com osteoporose induzida com dexametasona

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the effects of atorvastatin calcium in the treatment of dexamethasone-induced osteoporosis. Methods: Osteoporosis induction consisted of the administration of an intramuscular dose of 7.5 mg/kg of body weight of dexamethasone, once a week for four weeks, except for the control animals (G1). The animals were divided into the following groups: G1 (control group without osteoporosis), G2 (control group with untreated osteoporosis), G3 (control group with osteoporosis treated with sodium alendronate 0.2 mg/kg) and G4 (group with osteoporosis treated with atorvastatin calcium 1.2 mg/kg). Serum alkaline phosphatase, bone alkaline phosphatase, and biometric and bone histomorphometric assessments were performed after 30 and 60 days of treatment onset. Results: In relation to the biometric and histomorphometric analyses, at 60 days of treatment, G4 presented bone density (Seedor index), bone trabecular density, and cortical thickness of 0.222 ± 0.004 g/cm, 59.167 ± 2.401%, and 387,501 ± 8573 µm, respectively, with a positive and statistically significant difference (p < 0.05), in relation to G2. At 30 and 60 days of treatment, G4 presented statistically significant serum levels of alkaline phosphatase alkaline phosphatase (p < 0.05) that were higher than all groups (7.451 ± 0.173 µg/L and 7.473 ± 0.529 µg/L, respectively). Conclusion: Treatment with atorvastatin calcium demonstrated the ability of this drug to increase osteoblastic activity and bone tissue repair activity, acting differently from alendronate sodium, which demonstrated predominantly antirebsorptive activity.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos da atorvastatina cálcica no tratamento da osteoporose induzida com dexametasona. Métodos: A indução da osteoporose consistiu na administração de dexametasona na dose de 7,5 mg/kg de peso corporal, por via intramuscular, uma vez por semana durante quatro semanas, à exceção dos animais do grupo controle (G1). Os animais foram distribuídos nos seguintes grupos: G1 (grupo controle sem osteoporose), G2 (grupo controle com osteoporose sem tratamento), G3 (grupo controle com osteoporose tratado com alendronato de sódio 0,2 mg/kg) e G4 (grupo com osteoporose tratado com atorvastatina cálcica 1,2 mg/kg). Após 30 e 60 dias do início do tratamento dos animais, foram feitas as dosagens dos níveis séricos de fosfatase alcalina, fosfatase alcalina óssea, avaliação biométrica e histomorfométrica óssea. Resultados: Em relação às análises biométricas e histomorfométricas, aos 60 dias de tratamento o G4 apresentou densidade óssea (índice Seedor), densidade trabecular óssea e espessura da cortical de 0,222 ± 0,004 g/cm, 59,167 ± 2,401% e 387,501 ± 8,573 µm, respectivamente, com diferença positiva, estatisticamente significativa (p < 0,05), em relação ao grupo G2. Aos 30 e 60 dias de tratamento, o G4 apresentou níveis séricos de fosfatase alcalina óssea estatisticamente significativos (p < 0,05) e superiores a todos os grupos (7,451 ± 0,173 µg/L e 7,473 ± 0,529 µg/L, respectivamente). Conclusão: O tratamento com atorvastatina cálcica demonstrou a capacidade desse fármaco de aumentar a atividade osteoblástica e a atividade reparadora tecidual óssea, atuar de forma diferente do alendronato de sódio, que demonstrou atividade preponderantemente antirreabsortiva.

Biometric, histomorphometric, and biochemical profile in atorvastatin calcium treatment of female rats with dexamethasone-induced osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of atorvastatin calcium in the treatment of dexamethasone-induced osteoporosis. METHODS: Osteoporosis induction consisted of the administration of an intramuscular dose of 7.5 mg/kg of body weight of dexamethasone, once a week for four weeks, except for the control animals (G1). The animals were divided into the following groups: G1 (control group without osteoporosis), G2 (control group with untreated osteoporosis), G3 (control group with osteoporosis treated with sodium alendronate 0.2 mg/kg) and G4 (group with osteoporosis treated with atorvastatin calcium 1.2 mg/kg). Serum alkaline phosphatase, bone alkaline phosphatase, and biometric and bone histomorphometric assessments were performed after 30 and 60 days of treatment onset. RESULTS: In relation to the biometric and histomorphometric analyses, at 60 days of treatment, G4 presented bone density (Seedor index), bone trabecular density, and cortical thickness of 0.222 ± 0.004 g/cm, 59.167 ± 2.401%, and 387,501 ± 8573 µm, respectively, with a positive and statistically significant difference (p < 0.05), in relation to G2. At 30 and 60 days of treatment, G4 presented statistically significant serum levels of alkaline phosphatase alkaline phosphatase (p < 0.05) that were higher than all groups (7.451 ± 0.173 µg/L and 7.473 ± 0.529 µg/L, respectively). CONCLUSION: Treatment with atorvastatin calcium demonstrated the ability of this drug to increase osteoblastic activity and bone tissue repair activity, acting differently from alendronate sodium, which demonstrated predominantly antirebsorptive activity.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos da atorvastatina cálcica no tratamento da osteoporose induzida com dexametasona. MÉTODOS: A indução da osteoporose consistiu na administração de dexametasona na dose de 7,5 mg/kg de peso corporal, por via intramuscular, uma vez por semana durante quatro semanas, à exceção dos animais do grupo controle (G1). Os animais foram distribuídos nos seguintes grupos: G1 (grupo controle sem osteoporose), G2 (grupo controle com osteoporose sem tratamento), G3 (grupo controle com osteoporose tratado com alendronato de sódio 0,2 mg/kg) e G4 (grupo com osteoporose tratado com atorvastatina cálcica 1,2 mg/kg). Após 30 e 60 dias do início do tratamento dos animais, foram feitas as dosagens dos níveis séricos de fosfatase alcalina, fosfatase alcalina óssea, avaliação biométrica e histomorfométrica óssea. RESULTADOS: Em relação às análises biométricas e histomorfométricas, aos 60 dias de tratamento o G4 apresentou densidade óssea (índice Seedor), densidade trabecular óssea e espessura da cortical de 0,222 ± 0,004 g/cm, 59,167 ± 2,401% e 387,501 ± 8,573 µm, respectivamente, com diferença positiva, estatisticamente significativa (p < 0,05), em relação ao grupo G2. Aos 30 e 60 dias de tratamento, o G4 apresentou níveis séricos de fosfatase alcalina óssea estatisticamente significativos (p < 0,05) e superiores a todos os grupos (7,451 ± 0,173 µg/L e 7,473 ± 0,529 µg/L, respectivamente). CONCLUSÃO: O tratamento com atorvastatina cálcica demonstrou a capacidade desse fármaco de aumentar a atividade osteoblástica e a atividade reparadora tecidual óssea, atuar de forma diferente do alendronato de sódio, que demonstrou atividade preponderantemente antirreabsortiva.