Açaí seed extract (ASE) rich in proanthocyanidins improves cardiovascular remodeling by increasing antioxidant response in obese high-fat diet-fed mice.

Obesity is recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and is an important contributor to cardiac mortality. Açaí seed extract (ASE), rich in proanthocyanidins, has been shown to have potential anti-obesity effects. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of ASE in cardiovascular remodeling associated with obesity and compare it with that of rosuvastatin. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet or a standard diet for 12 weeks. The ASE (300 mg/kg/day) and rosuvastatin (20 mg/kg/day) treatments started in the 8th week until the 12th week, totaling 4 weeks of treatment. Our data showed that treatment with ASE and rosuvastatin reduced body weight, ameliorated lipid profile, and improved cardiovascular remodeling. Treatment with ASE but not rosuvastatin reduced hyperglycemia and oxidative stress by reducing immunostaining of 8-isoprostane and increasing SOD-1 and GPx expression in HFD mice. ASE and rosuvastatin reduced NOX4 expression, increased SIRT-1 and Nrf2 expression and catalase and GPx activities, and improved vascular and cardiac remodeling in HFD mice. The therapeutic effect of ASE was similar to that of rosuvastatin in reducing dyslipidemia and cardiovascular remodeling but was superior in reducing oxidative damage and hyperglycemia, suggesting that ASE was a promising natural product for the treatment of cardiovascular alterations associated with obesity.

Ethnopharmacological investigations of the leaves of Cecropia pachystachya Trécul (Urticaceae): A native Brazilian tree species.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cecropia pachystachya Trécul (Urticaceae) is a medicinal plant popularly known as 'embaúba'. In Brazil, the leaves of this species are used for the treatment of various kidney and cardiovascular diseases. However, there are no detailed studies on the renal and cardiovascular activities of this species. No studies on the anatomy or the quality control of this herbal drug is available thus far. AIM: This study was aimed to investigate the ethnopharmacological properties of the leaves of C. pachystachya. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The leaves of C. pachystachya were analyzed by light and scanning electron microscopy for pharmacobotanical and anatomical characterization. The ethanol-soluble fraction of C. pachystachya leaf extract (ESCP) was characterized by high-performance liquid chromatograph equipped with diode array detector and mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS). The acute oral toxicity of ESCP on female Wistar rats was assessed. The acute and prolonged diuresis and antioxidant effects of ESCP (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg) were evaluated in male Wistar rats. In addition, the hypotensive effects of the ESCP as well as the vasodilatory activity in isolated and perfused mesenteric vascular beds were investigated. RESULTS: The anatomical markers obtained in this study can help in the identification of C. pachystachya, as well as to distinguish it from the other 'embaúbas'. The metabolites found in the ESCP were phenolic compounds, mainly C- and O-glycosylated flavonoids. The ESCP did not exhibit any toxic effects at a dose of 2000 mg/kg. Significant diuretic activities were observed at the doses of 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg. In addition, a significant modulating activity of the tissue redox state was observed after prolonged treatment. On the other hand, no hypotensive or vasodilator activity was observed. CONCLUSION: The key findings of the present study can contribute to the taxonomy, species identification and quality control of C. pachystachya. Chemical studies have shown the presence of glycosylated flavonoids, phenylpropanoid derivative and proanthocyanidins. The pharmacological studies showed significant diuretic and antioxidant effects of C. pachystachya leaf extract, indicating a possible validation of its popular medicinal use.

Effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin B2 pretreatment on oxidative stress and renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis after renal ischemia reperfusion in mice.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin B2 (GSPB2) preconditioning on oxidative stress and apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells in mice after renal ischemia-reperfusion (RIR). METHODS: Forty male ICR mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: Group A: mice were treated with right nephrectomy. Group B: right kidney was resected and the left renal vessel was clamped for 45 minutes. Group C: mice were intraperitoneally injected with GSPB2 before RIR established. Group D: mice were intraperitoneally injected with GSPB2 plus brusatol before RIR established. Creatinine and urea nitrogen of mice were determined. Pathological and morphological changes of kidney were checked. Expressions of Nrf-2, HO-1, cleaved-caspase3 were detected by Western-blot. RESULTS: Compared to Group B, morphology and pathological damages of renal tissue were less serious in Group C. Western-blot showed that expressions of Nrf-2 and HO-1 in Group C were obviously higher than those in Group B. The expression of cleaved-caspase3 in Group C was significantly lower than that in Group B. CONCLUSION: GSPB2 preconditioning could attenuate renal oxidative stress injury and renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis by up-regulating expressions of Nrf-2 and HO-1 and down-regulating the expression of cleaved-caspase-3, but the protective effect could be reversed by brusatol.

Clinical parameters of goats infected with gastrointestinal nematodes and treated with condensed tannin / Parâmetros clínicos de caprinos infectados por nematoides gastrintestinais e tratados com tanino condensado

Small ruminants are affected by gastrointestinal nematodes that cause great economic losses in sheep and goat farming. Alternatives have been studied to control these parasites, such as the use of taniniferous plants; however, few studies have reported the effects of condensed tannins on blood parameters. This study aimed to verify the effect of condensed tannin for the treatment of goats infected by gastrointestinal nematodes on hematological, biochemical, and serum protein parameters. Blood samples were collected weekly from 24 six-month-old male Boer goats experimentally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes weighing 15 ± 2.5 kg live weight and reared in a feedlot system for 28 days. The animals were divided into four groups of six animals, one group was treated with Mimosa caesalpiniifolia condensed tannin (CT), the second group was treated with CT and polyethylene glycol (CT + PEG), the third group was treated with 5 mg kg-1 BW-1 monepantel (positive control), and the fourth group did not receive any treatment (negative control). The results obtained for erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and total plasma protein showed no statistically significant differences among the groups, and neither did the biochemical variables alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, urea, creatinine, glucose, iron, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Proteinogram data were evaluated, including total protein, albumin, ceruloplasmin, transferrin, haptoglobin, and α1-acid glycoprotein. There was no statistically significant difference among the groups for ceruloplasmin, transferrin, haptoglobin, and α1-acid glycoprotein. Therefore, the treatment of goats infected by gastrointestinal nematodes with M. caesalpiniifolia CT did not interfere in hematological, biochemical, and serum protein parameters.(AU)

Os pequenos ruminantes são acometidos por nematoides gastrintestinais que causam grandes prejuízos econômicos na ovinocaprinocultura. Alternativas têm sido estudadas para controle desses parasitas, como o uso de plantas taniníferas. Poucas pesquisas relatam os efeitos causados pelos taninos condensados sobre aspectos sanguíneos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar o efeito do tanino condensado no tratamento de caprinos infectados por nematoides gastrintestinais sobre os parâmetros hematológicos, bioquímicos e proteinograma sérico. Foram coletadas amostras sanguíneas semanalmente de 24 caprinos mestiços da raça Boer, experimentalmente infectados com nematoides gastrintestinais, com seis meses de idade e pesando 15 ± 2,5 Kg de peso vivo (PV), criados em sistema de confinamento, durante 28 dias. Os animais foram divididos em quatro grupos de seis animais, sendo um grupo tratado com tanino condensado (TC) da Mimosa caesalpinifolia, o segundo grupo tratado com Tanino Condensado e Polietilenoglicol (TC+PEG), o terceiro grupo com monepantel (5mg kg-1/PV) (controle positivo) e o quarto grupo que não recebeu nenhum tipo de tratamento (controle negativo). Os resultados obtidos com eritrócitos, hemoglobina, hematócrito e proteína plasmática total não apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas, bem como as variáveis bioquímicas fosfatase alcalina, aspartato aminotransferase, ureia, creatinina, glicose, ferro, cálcio, fósforo e magnésio. Foram avaliados dados de proteinograma, como proteína total, albumina, ceruloplasmina, transferrina, haptoglobina e α1-glicoproteína ácida. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos para ceruloplasmina, transferrina, haptoglobina e α1-glicoproteína ácida. Conclui-se que o tratamento de caprinos infectados por nematoides gastrintestinais com M. caesalpinifolia não interferiu nos parâmetros hematológicos, bioquímicos e proteinograma sérico.(AU)

Clinical parameters of goats infected with gastrointestinal nematodes and treated with condensed tannin / Parâmetros clínicos de caprinos infectados por nematoides gastrintestinais e tratados com tanino condensado

Small ruminants are affected by gastrointestinal nematodes that cause great economic losses in sheep and goat farming. Alternatives have been studied to control these parasites, such as the use of taniniferous plants; however, few studies have reported the effects of condensed tannins on blood parameters. This study aimed to verify the effect of condensed tannin for the treatment of goats infected by gastrointestinal nematodes on hematological, biochemical, and serum protein parameters. Blood samples were collected weekly from 24 six-month-old male Boer goats experimentally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes weighing 15 ± 2.5 kg live weight and reared in a feedlot system for 28 days. The animals were divided into four groups of six animals, one group was treated with Mimosa caesalpiniifolia condensed tannin (CT), the second group was treated with CT and polyethylene glycol (CT + PEG), the third group was treated with 5 mg kg-1 BW-1 monepantel (positive control), and the fourth group did not receive any treatment (negative control). The results obtained for erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and total plasma protein showed no statistically significant differences among the groups, and neither did the biochemical variables alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, urea, creatinine, glucose, iron, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Proteinogram data were evaluated, including total protein, albumin, ceruloplasmin, transferrin, haptoglobin, and α1-acid glycoprotein. There was no statistically significant difference among the groups for ceruloplasmin, transferrin, haptoglobin, and α1-acid glycoprotein. Therefore, the treatment of goats infected by gastrointestinal nematodes with M. caesalpiniifolia CT did not interfere in hematological, biochemical, and serum protein parameters.

Os pequenos ruminantes são acometidos por nematoides gastrintestinais que causam grandes prejuízos econômicos na ovinocaprinocultura. Alternativas têm sido estudadas para controle desses parasitas, como o uso de plantas taniníferas. Poucas pesquisas relatam os efeitos causados pelos taninos condensados sobre aspectos sanguíneos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar o efeito do tanino condensado no tratamento de caprinos infectados por nematoides gastrintestinais sobre os parâmetros hematológicos, bioquímicos e proteinograma sérico. Foram coletadas amostras sanguíneas semanalmente de 24 caprinos mestiços da raça Boer, experimentalmente infectados com nematoides gastrintestinais, com seis meses de idade e pesando 15 ± 2,5 Kg de peso vivo (PV), criados em sistema de confinamento, durante 28 dias. Os animais foram divididos em quatro grupos de seis animais, sendo um grupo tratado com tanino condensado (TC) da Mimosa caesalpinifolia, o segundo grupo tratado com Tanino Condensado e Polietilenoglicol (TC+PEG), o terceiro grupo com monepantel (5mg kg-1/PV) (controle positivo) e o quarto grupo que não recebeu nenhum tipo de tratamento (controle negativo). Os resultados obtidos com eritrócitos, hemoglobina, hematócrito e proteína plasmática total não apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas, bem como as variáveis bioquímicas fosfatase alcalina, aspartato aminotransferase, ureia, creatinina, glicose, ferro, cálcio, fósforo e magnésio. Foram avaliados dados de proteinograma, como proteína total, albumina, ceruloplasmina, transferrina, haptoglobina e α1-glicoproteína ácida. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos para ceruloplasmina, transferrina, haptoglobina e α1-glicoproteína ácida. Conclui-se que o tratamento de caprinos infectados por nematoides gastrintestinais com M. caesalpinifolia não interferiu nos parâmetros hematológicos, bioquímicos e proteinograma sérico.

Effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin B2 pretreatment on oxidative stress and renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis after renal ischemia reperfusion in mice

Purpose To investigate the effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin B2 (GSPB2) preconditioning on oxidative stress and apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells in mice after renal ischemia-reperfusion (RIR). Methods Forty male ICR mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: Group A: mice were treated with right nephrectomy. Group B: right kidney was resected and the left renal vessel was clamped for 45 minutes. Group C: mice were intraperitoneally injected with GSPB2 before RIR established. Group D: mice were intraperitoneally injected with GSPB2 plus brusatol before RIR established. Creatinine and urea nitrogen of mice were determined. Pathological and morphological changes of kidney were checked. Expressions of Nrf-2, HO-1, cleaved-caspase3 were detected by Western-blot. Results Compared to Group B, morphology and pathological damages of renal tissue were less serious in Group C. Western-blot showed that expressions of Nrf-2 and HO-1 in Group C were obviously higher than those in Group B. The expression of cleaved-caspase3 in Group C was significantly lower than that in Group B. Conclusion GSPB2 preconditioning could attenuate renal oxidative stress injury and renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis by up-regulating expressions of Nrf-2 and HO-1 and down-regulating the expression of cleaved-caspase-3, but the protective effect could be reversed by brusatol.(AU)

Effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin B2 pretreatment on oxidative stress and renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis after renal ischemia reperfusion in mice

Abstract Purpose To investigate the effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin B2 (GSPB2) preconditioning on oxidative stress and apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells in mice after renal ischemia-reperfusion (RIR). Methods Forty male ICR mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: Group A: mice were treated with right nephrectomy. Group B: right kidney was resected and the left renal vessel was clamped for 45 minutes. Group C: mice were intraperitoneally injected with GSPB2 before RIR established. Group D: mice were intraperitoneally injected with GSPB2 plus brusatol before RIR established. Creatinine and urea nitrogen of mice were determined. Pathological and morphological changes of kidney were checked. Expressions of Nrf-2, HO-1, cleaved-caspase3 were detected by Western-blot. Results Compared to Group B, morphology and pathological damages of renal tissue were less serious in Group C. Western-blot showed that expressions of Nrf-2 and HO-1 in Group C were obviously higher than those in Group B. The expression of cleaved-caspase3 in Group C was significantly lower than that in Group B. Conclusion GSPB2 preconditioning could attenuate renal oxidative stress injury and renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis by up-regulating expressions of Nrf-2 and HO-1 and down-regulating the expression of cleaved-caspase-3, but the protective effect could be reversed by brusatol.

Are Grapes Able to Mitigate the Noxious Effects Induced by Cadmium Exposure in Different Tissues and/or Organs? A Mini Review.

Grapes are fruits that grow in clusters and can be crimson, black, dark blue, yellow, green, orange, and pink. Cadmium is a non-essential metal toxic to living organisms and the environment. Recently, health professionals, food scientists, and consumers have paid much attention to grapes for their health-promoting effects. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reviews describing the ability of grapes to mitigate the toxic effects induced by cadmium exposure in different tissues and/or organs. Herein, the aim of this review is to present the effects of grapes following cadmium exposure on the number of papers published in the scientific literature. The results showed that grapes are able to mitigate the harmful activities induced by exposure to cadmium in several tissues and organs. The main actions are closely related to tissue regeneration as a result of the reestablishment of morphology and antioxidant activity. However, further studies are welcomed in order to elucidate new biological pathways regarding the outcomes promoted by grapes in this context, specially related to inflammation, tissue regeneration and cellular death.

Therapeutic effects of proanthocyanidin and coenzyme Q10 on nitrogen mustard-induced ocular injury.

PURPOSE: Nitrogen mustard (NM) is a devastating casualty agent in chemical warfare. There is no effective antidote to treat NM-induced ocular injury. We aimed to assess the effects of proanthocyanidin (PAC) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on NM-induced ocular injury. METHODS: Eighteen male rats were divided into the following 4 groups: NM, NM + PAC, NM + CoQ10, and control. The 3 NM groups received a single dose of NM (0.02 mg/µL) on the right eye to induce ocular injury. The control group received saline only. Thirty minutes after the application of NM, the NM + PAC group received PAC (100 mg/kg) via gastric gavage, while the NM + CoQ10 group received CoQ10 (10 mg/kg) via intraperitoneal injection. PAC and CoQ10 were administered once a day for 5 consecutive days. The rats were then sacrificed. Macroscopic images of the eyes were examined and eye tissues were collected for histology. RESULTS: The treatment groups were compared to the control group with regard to both corneal opacity and lid injury scores. The findings were not significantly different for both the NM + PAC and NM + CoQ10 groups. In both the NM + PAC and NM + CoQ10 groups, the histological changes seen in the NM group demonstrated improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that PAC and CoQ10 treatments have therapeutic effects on NM-induced ocular injury in a rat model. PAC and CoQ10 may be novel options in patients with NM-induced ocular injury.

Therapeutic effects of proanthocyanidin and coenzyme Q10 on nitrogen mustard-induced ocular injury / Efeitos terapêuticos da proantocianidina e da coenzima q10 em lesão ocular induzida por mostarda de nitrogênio

ABSTRACT Purpose: Nitrogen mustard (NM) is a devastating casualty agent in chemical warfare. There is no effective antidote to treat NM-induced ocular injury. We aimed to assess the effects of proanthocyanidin (PAC) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on NM-induced ocular injury. Methods: Eighteen male rats were divided into the following 4 groups: NM, NM + PAC, NM + CoQ10, and control. The 3 NM groups received a single dose of NM (0.02 mg/μL) on the right eye to induce ocular injury. The control group received saline only. Thirty minutes after the application of NM, the NM + PAC group received PAC (100 mg/kg) via gastric gavage, while the NM + CoQ10 group received CoQ10 (10 mg/kg) via intraperitoneal injection. PAC and CoQ10 were administered once a day for 5 consecutive days. The rats were then sacrificed. Macroscopic images of the eyes were examined and eye tissues were collected for histology. Results: The treatment groups were compared to the control group with regard to both corneal opacity and lid injury scores. The findings were not significantly different for both the NM + PAC and NM + CoQ10 groups. In both the NM + PAC and NM + CoQ10 groups, the histological changes seen in the NM group demonstrated improvement. Conclusions: Our results indicate that PAC and CoQ10 treatments have therapeutic effects on NM-induced ocular injury in a rat model. PAC and CoQ10 may be novel options in patients with NM-induced ocular injury.

RESUMO Objetivo: A mostarda de nitrogênio (MN) é um agente de guerra química devastador. Não existe um antídoto eficaz para tratar lesões oculares induzidas por MN. Nosso objetivo foi avaliar os efeitos da proantocianidina (PAC) e da coenzima Q10 (CoQ10) na lesão ocular induzida por MN. Métodos: Dezoito ratos machos foram divididos em 4 grupos: MN, MN + PAC, MN + CoQ10 e Controle. Três grupos receberam uma dose única de MN (0,02 mg/μL) destilada no olho direito para gerar lesão ocular. Os animais do grupo controle receberam apenas solução salina. Trinta minutos após a aplicação de MN nos animais, o grupo MN + PAC recebeu PAC (100 mg/kg) por gavagem gástrica, enquanto a CoQ10 (10 mg/kg) foi administrada ao grupo MN + CoQ10 por meio de injeção intraperitoneal. A administração de PAC e de CoQ10 foi realizada uma vez por dia, durante 5 dias consecutivos. Os ratos foram, então, sacrificados. Imagens macroscópicas dos olhos foram examinadas e tecidos oculares foram coletados para histologia. Resultados: Os grupos de tratamento foram comparados ao grupo de controle quanto à opacidade da córnea e quanto aos escores de lesão da cobertura da córnea. Os resultados foram insignificantes para ambos os grupos. Ambos, o grupo MN+PAC e o grupo MN+CoQ10, apresentaram melhoras das alterações histológicas observadas no grupo MN. Conclusões: Nossos resultados indicam que os tratamentos com PAC e com CoQ10 têm efeitos terapêuticos sobre lesões oculares induzidas por MN em um modelo em ratos. A proantocianidina e a CoQ10 podem ser uma nova opção nesses casos.

Supplementation with dry Mimosa caesalpiniifolia leaves can reduce the Haemonchus contortus worm burden of goats.

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) cause considerable economic losses in grazing goat herds. At present, GIN control cannot rely on conventional anthelmintic (AH) drugs because parasites have developed resistance against such drugs. Thus, alternative control methods are being sought to reduce the dependence on AH. Many tannin-rich plants exhibit AH activity and may be used as alternatives for GIN control. Mimosa caesalpiniifolia is a tannin-rich shrub consumed by small ruminants in Brazil. This study evaluated the in vivo AH effect of M. caesalpiniifolia leaf powder supplementation on GIN egg fecal excretion and worm burden in goats. Plant leaves were harvested, dried and ground to obtain a powder. Twenty-four castrated male goats, aged six to eight months, with a mean body weight of 15.0 ±â€¯2.5 kg were used in the experiment. Animals were infected orally with 16,000 larvae comprising 50% Haemonchus spp., 41% Trichostrongylus spp. and 9% Oesophagostomum spp. Once the infection was patent, the goats were distributed into four groups of six animals. The control group received concentrate without condensed tannins (CTs) and did not receive any drench against GINs. The monepantel group received concentrate without CTs and were drenched once with monepantel. The other two groups received the M. caesalpiniifolia leaf powder in two periods of seven consecutive days (days 1-7 and 14-21), with one of the groups also receiving 10 g of polyethyleneglycol (PEG)/day. The animals were weighed weekly, and individual fecal eggs counts (FECs) were performed daily. After 28 days, the animals were humanly slaughtered, and the worm burden was estimated. Although live weight gain and FECs did not differ among the groups (P > 0.05), post-mortem worm counts showed a reduction in Haemonchus contortus adult worm burden (57.7%) in goats of the CT group compared to control goats (P < 0.05). The addition of PEG did not diminish AH activity in the CT + PEG group (66.9% reduction compared to the control). No AH effect against other GIN species was found. The result for the addition of PEG suggested that the observed AH activity was associated with plant secondary compounds, as opposed to CTs. As expected, no AH effect against Oesophagostomum columbianum was found for the monepantel group showed. Thus, feeding dry leaves of M. caesalpiniifolia represent a promising alternative for the control of GIN infections in goats.

Effects of proanthocyanidin on oxidative stress biomarkers and adipokines in army cadets: a placebo-controlled, double-blind study.

PURPOSE: The relatively recent advent of polyphenol supplement for exercise studies has been tested in a variety of forms and doses. However, the dose-response on adipokines and oxidative stress biomarker effect remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of intense, long-duration (48-h) exercise, and a single dose of proanthocyanidin, on plasma leptin, adiponectin, and electronegative low-density lipoprotein (LDL(-)) concentrations. METHODS: Fifty-four healthy male army cadets (22 ± 2 years) participated in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study and were distributed between control (CG; n = 27) and supplemented groups (SG; n = 27). Immediately before the start of the exercise, both CG and SG groups received a capsule containing starch (200 mg) or proanthocyanidin (dry Vitis vinifera extract, 200 mg), respectively. Following a 12-h fasting period, the plasma adiponectin, leptin, and LDL(-) concentrations were measured prior to the start of the exercise after 24 and 48 h of military training, and after 24 h of rest. The effects of the proanthocyanidin (supplement), exercise (time), and their interaction were investigated using factorial two-way ANOVA. RESULTS: Plasma leptin concentration was only influenced by exercise (p = 0.001). Plasma adiponectin concentration was influenced by exercise (p = 0.037), and by the exercise x supplement interaction (p = 0.033). LDL(-) was influenced by the supplement (p = 0.001), exercise (p = 0.001), and their interaction (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of proanthocyanidin (200 mg) was able to reduce LDL(-) concentration and increase plasma adiponectin concentration after 24 h of rest in SG group, indicating its potential protective action.

Chemical Characterization and Cytotoxic Activity of Blueberry Extracts (cv. Misty) Cultivated in Brazil.

Vaccinium corymbosum (L.) varieties cultivation is relatively recent in Brazil, but its production has been intensified given its good adaptability to the Southern Brazil climate. Blueberries are a rich source of phenolic compounds and contain significant levels of anthocyanins, flavonols, chlorogenic acids, and procyanidins, which lead to different biological activities. Chemical identification of skin and whole hydroalcoholic blueberry extracts (ExtSB and ExtWB) revealed the presence of anthocyanins concentrated in the skin and others chemicals compounds as quercetin glycosides, proanthocyanins dimers, citric, and chlorogenic acid in the pulp. Selectivity for tumor cell lines (Hep-2, HeLa, HT-29) using ExtSB and ExtWB extracts was observed through MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay after 24 h of treatment when compared to nontumor cells (MRC-5). Morphological changes and late stages of apoptotic and necrosis process were seen in HT-29 cell line after ExtWB treatment, compared to nontumor cell line MRC-5. These results are in agreement with other studies that indicate the activity of compounds such as anthocyanins and other molecules found in Southern Highbush blueberry variety, attributed to promote beneficial effects on health that may respond as cytotoxic natural agent and contribute to cancer treatment.

Neuroprotective effect of the proanthocyanidin-rich fraction in experimental model of spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we evaluated the effect of the proanthocyanidins-rich fraction (PRF) obtained from Croton celtidifolius bark in an experimental animal model of spinal cord injury and cell death induced by glutamate. METHODS: Experiments were conducted using adult male Wistar rats (10 weeks old and weighing 270-300g). Experimental groups were randomly allocated into the following groups: spinal cord injury (SCI) + vehicle group: rats were subjected to SCI plus intraperitoneal administration of vehicle (saline 10 ml/kg); SCI + PRF: rats were subjected to SCI plus intraperitoneal administration of PRF (10 mg/kg) at 1 and 6 h after injury and sham operated. KEY FINDINGS: The treatment with the proanthocyanidin-rich fraction significantly improved not only motor recovery and grip force but also H2 O2 or glutamate-induced cell death and reactive oxygen species generation induced by glutamate in dorsal root ganglion cells. In this study we demonstrate that the neuroprotective effect triggered by the proanthocyanidins-rich fraction appears to be mediated in part by the inhibition of N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate receptors. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our results demonstrate that PRF treatment ameliorates spinal cord injury and glutamatergic excitotoxicity and could have a potential therapeutic use.

Proanthocyanidin-rich fraction from Croton celtidifolius Baill confers neuroprotection in the intranasal 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine rat model of Parkinson's disease.

We have recently demonstrated that rodents treated intranasally with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) suffered impairments in olfactory, cognitive and motor functions associated with time-dependent disruption of dopaminergic neurotransmission in different brain structures conceivably analogous to those observed during different stages of Parkinson's disease (PD). On the other hand, the proanthocyanidin-rich fraction (PRF) obtained from the bark of Croton celtidifolius Baill (Euphorbiaceae), a tree frequently found in the Atlantic forest in south Brazil, has been described to have several neurobiological activities including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may be of interest in the treatment of PD. The present data indicated that the pretreatment with PRF (10 mg/kg, i.p.) during five consecutive days was able to prevent mitochondrial complex-I inhibition in the striatum and olfactory bulb, as well as a decrease of the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase expression in the olfactory bulb and substantia nigra of rats infused with a single intranasal administration of MPTP (1 mg/nostril). Moreover, pretreatment with PRF was found to attenuate the short-term social memory deficits, depressive-like behavior and reduction of locomotor activity observed at different periods after intranasal MPTP administration in rats. Altogether, the present findings provide strong evidence that PRF from C. celtidifolius may represent a promising therapeutic tool in PD, thus being able to prevent both motor and non-motor early symptoms of PD, together with its neuroprotective potential.