Assessment of the antiproliferative and antigenotoxic activity and phytochemical screening of aqueous extracts of Sambucus australis Cham. & Schltdl. (ADOXACEAE).

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antiproliferative and antigenotoxic activity of Sambucus australis Cham. & Schltdl. aqueous extracts on the cell cycle of Allium cepa L. as well as determine the phenolic compounds in such extracts. S. australis inflorescences and leaves of two accessions were used for aqueous extract preparation at concentrations: 0.003 g/ml and 0.012 g/ml. A. cepa bulbs were rooted in distilled water and, subsequently, placed in treatments for 24 hours. Rootlets were collected and fixed in modified Carnoy's solution for 24 hours and kept. The squash technique was performed for slide preparation. Root tips were smashed and stained with 2% acetic orcein, and a total of 4000 cells per treatment were analyzed. The phenolic compounds were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography and data was analyzed using the Scott-Knott test. The results show that S. australis aqueous extracts have antiproliferative potential. Besides, the extracts prepared from S. australis leaves of both accessions at a concentration of 0.012 g/ml have shown antigenotoxic activity. The phytochemical analysis allowed us to determine the presence of flavonoids and phenolic acids, of which kaempferol and chrologenic acid were the most predominant compounds in the extracts from the inflorescences and leaves, respectively.

Blanching influences the phenolics composition, antioxidant activity, and inhibitory effect of Adansonia digitata leaves extract on α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and aldose reductase.

Adansonia digitata (A. digitata) leaves serve as food and has several medicinal uses in many parts of the world. This study evaluated the influence of blanching on the phenolics composition, antioxidant activity, and inhibitory effect of methanol extract of A. digitata leaves on the activities of some key enzymes (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and aldose reductase) implicated in type 2 diabetes (T2D) in vitro. Reverse-phase HPLC analysis revealed that the leaves had appreciable levels of flavonoids and phenolic acids, including catechin, epicatechin, rutin, quercitrin, quercetin, kaempferol, and luteolin (flavonoids); gallic, chlorogenic, caffeic, and ellagic acids (phenolic acids). Blanching caused significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the flavonoids and phenolic acids contents; DPPH* (2,2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical) and ABTS*+ [2,2-azinobis (3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation] scavenging ability; reducing power; and Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation inhibitory capacity of the extract. Similarly, the inhibitory effect of the extract on the activities of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and aldose reductase was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced due to blanching. Thus, A. digitata leaves extract could be effective for the management of T2D due to its flavonoids and phenolic acids content, antioxidant properties, and inhibitory potency on the activities of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and aldose reductase. However, blanching militated against the levels of these functional attributes of the leaves and, therefore, may not be recommended for their optimal retention.

Phytochemical profile, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of extracts obtained from erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis) fruit using compressed propane and supercritical CO2.

Traditionally, Ilex paraguariensis leaves are consumed in tea form or as typical drinks like mate and terere, while the fruits are discarded processing and has no commercial value. The aim of this work to evaluate phytochemical properties, total phenolic compounds, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of extracts of Ilex paraguariensis fruits obtained from supercritical CO2 and compressed propane extraction. The extraction with compressed propane yielded 2.72 wt%, whereas with supercritical CO2 1.51 wt% was obtained. The compound extracted in larger amount by the two extraction solvents was caffeine, 163.28 and 54.17 mg/g by supercritical CO2 and pressurized propane, respectively. The antioxidant activity was more pronounced for the supercritical CO2 extract, with no difference found in terms of minimum inhibitory concentration for Staphylococcus aureus for the two extracts and better results observed for Escherichia coli when using supercritical CO2.

Phenolic composition and medicinal usage of Psidium guajava Linn.: Antifungal activity or inhibition of virulence?

Psidium guajava is a Myrtaceae plant whose medicinal properties are recognized in several locations. The use of teas and tinctures prepared from their leaves has been used to combat infections caused by fungi of the genus Candida. In this study, aqueous extracts of leaves and hydroethanolic were tested to verify the antifungal potential and its chemical composition has been investigated. The microbiological assays were performed by broth microdilution to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and from these the minimum fungicidal concentration was performed (MFC) by subculturing on solid media. A cell viability curve was obtained for demonstration of inhibition of fungal growth of strains of Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. Tests to check morphological changes by the action of the extracts were performed in microcultive cameras depleted environment at concentrations of MIC/2, MIC and MIC × 2. Extracts analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography demonstrated flavonoids and phenolic acids. The extracts showed fungistatic effect and no fungicide with MIC >8192 µg/mL, MFC above 8192 µg/mL. The IC50 was calculated ranging from 1803.02 to 5623.41 µg/mL. It has been found that the extracts affect the morphological transition capability, preventing the formation of pseudohyphae and hyphae. Teas and tinctures, therefore, have the potential antifungal, by direct contact, causing inhibition of fungal multiplication and its virulence factor, the cell dimorphism, preventing tissue invasion. Further studies are needed to elucidate the biochemical pathways and genes assets involved in these processes.

Assessment of the antiproliferative and antigenotoxic activity and phytochemical screening of aqueous extracts of Sambucus australis Cham. & Schltdl. (ADOXACEAE)

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antiproliferative and antigenotoxic activity of Sambucus australis Cham. & Schltdl. aqueous extracts on the cell cycle of Allium cepa L. as well as determine the phenolic compounds in such extracts. S. australis inflorescences and leaves of two accessions were used for aqueous extract preparation at concentrations: 0.003 g/ml and 0.012 g/ml. A. cepa bulbs were rooted in distilled water and, subsequently, placed in treatments for 24 hours. Rootlets were collected and fixed in modified Carnoy's solution for 24 hours and kept. The squash technique was performed for slide preparation. Root tips were smashed and stained with 2% acetic orcein, and a total of 4000 cells per treatment were analyzed. The phenolic compounds were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography and data was analyzed using the Scott-Knott test. The results show that S. australis aqueous extracts have antiproliferative potential. Besides, the extracts prepared from S. australis leaves of both accessions at a concentration of 0.012 g/ml have shown antigenotoxic activity. The phytochemical analysis allowed us to determine the presence of flavonoids and phenolic acids, of which kaempferol and chrologenic acid were the most predominant compounds in the extracts from the inflorescences and leaves, respectively.

Potentiation of antibiotic activity of aminoglycosides by natural products from Cordia verbenacea DC.

Medicinal plants are often the only therapeutic resource for many communities and ethnic groups. Cordia verbenacea DC., "Erva-baleeira," is one of the species of plants currently used to produce a phytotherapeutic product extracted from its leaves. The present study aimed to establish its chemical profile, antibacterial activity and resistance-modulating potential. The C. verbenacea extracts were prepared from fresh leaves using solvents as methanol and hexane. Ethyl Acetate was used for the preparation of the fraction. Phytochemical screening was carried out using HPLC-DAD for determination and quantification of the secondary metabolites present in the fractions. Antibacterial and resistance-modulation assays were performed to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using a microdilution assay. The data were subjected to statistical analysis with two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni posttests. Results of phytochemical prospecting and HPLC analysis of the fractions were in agreement with the literature. The natural products presented moderate antibacterial activity when considering the clinical relevance of a MIC of 256 µg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 512 µg/mL against P. aeruginosa. However, when the fractions were combined with antibiotics we observed a synergic effect, as natural products enhanced the antibacterial effect of aminoglycosides, significantly decreasing the MIC of antibiotics at 12.5%-98.4%. We believe that the data obtained from phytochemical analysis and from antibacterial and resistance modulation assays of C. verbenacea extracts new can open perspectives in the search for new alternatives for the treatment of bacterial infections and stimulate the renewed use of antibiotics with reduced effectiveness due to resistance.

Evaluation of genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Euphorbia tirucalli (Euphorbiaceae) in cell cultures of human leukocytes.

Euphorbia tirucalli (L.), commonly known as aveloz, has been indiscriminately used in popular medicine to treat various illnesses. However, some components can have devastating consequences. Injury to a cell's genetic material can cause mutations, cancer, and cell death. Our main goal in this work was to evaluate the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of E. tirucalli extract on human leukocytes. For this purpose, we performed a phytochemical analysis to evaluate the plant's components. In the second step, we treated cultured human leukocytes with different concentrations of the dry extract of the plant and then evaluated the oxidative and genotoxic profiles of these leukocytes. We found that at 1% and 10% concentrations, the aveloz extract acted as a genotoxic agent that could damage DNA and increase oxidative damage. We conclude that despite its popular use, aveloz can act as a genotoxic agent, especially when it contains phorbol ester. Aveloz's indiscriminate use might actually promote tumors and therefore carry a considerable genetic risk for its users.

Inhibitory effect of Scutia buxifolia extracts, fractions, and ursolic acid on Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity in vitro in membranes purified from rat hearts.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Scutia buxifolia is a tree native to South America and is used as a cardiotonic agent; however, this property has not been associated with a clear mechanism or a specific compound. AIM OF THE STUDY: Given the importance of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase as a drug target in the treatment of heart failure, this study aimed to investigate the possible inhibitory effect of S. buxifolia crude extract and fractions (dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and butanolic fractions), and identified compounds with effects on the activity of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: First, we characterized the crude extract and fractions by high-performance liquid chromatography, and then monitored their effects on the activity of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase obtained from heart muscle and brain membranes of adult male Wistar rats. RESULTS: We identified gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, rutin, quercitrin, quercetin, and ursolic acid in S. buxifolia stem bark and leaves; quercitrin and ursolic acid were the main compounds in the ethyl acetate and dichloromethane fractions from leaves and stem bark. The crude extract (3 and 30mg/ml), and the ethyl acetate and dichloromethane fractions (0.1 and 1mg/ml) of both the stem bark and leaves inhibited Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity in heart and brain samples. We found that, of the identified compounds, only ursolic acid (0.1mg/ml) was able to diminish Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity in heart and brain samples. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicated that the cardiotonic effects of S. buxifolia may be due to the inhibition of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity in heart muscle, supporting the popular use of this plant as a treatment for heart failure.

Acute and sub-chronic (28 days) oral toxicity evaluation of tincture Baccharis trimera (Less) Backer in male and female rodent animals.

The infusion of Baccharis trimera (Less) DC, popularly known as "carqueja" (broom), is popularly used in the treatment of hepatic and digestive problems. In this study, we evaluated the acute and sub-chronic oral toxicities of B. trimera tincture on male and female Wistar rats according to Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD, guidelines 423 e 407, respectively). The B. trimera tincture was administered by oral gavage in a single dose (2000 mg/kg) in doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg daily for 28 days. Blood was collected to analyze hematological and biochemical parameters. Kidneys and liver were homogenized to determine lipid peroxidation and δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities. In acute treatment, tincture did not induce any signs of toxicity or mortality. Daily oral administration produced no significant changes in the hematological and biochemical parameters, except for the hepatic enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) and aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) that showed a reduction in both sexes. Moreover, the B. trimera tincture did not increase lipid peroxidation or affected ALA-D and CAT activities. In conclusion, the tincture of B. trimera may be considered relatively safe in this protocol.

Phenolic Extract from Moringa oleifera Leaves Inhibits Key Enzymes Linked to Erectile Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress in Rats' Penile Tissues.

This study was designed to determine the antioxidant properties and inhibitory effects of extract from Moringa oleifera leaves on angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) and arginase activities in vitro. The extract was prepared and phenolic (total phenols and flavonoid) contents, radical (nitric oxide (NO), hydroxyl (OH)) scavenging abilities, and Fe(2+)-chelating ability were assessed. Characterization of the phenolic constituents was done via high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) analysis. Furthermore, the effects of the extract on Fe(2+)-induced MDA production in rats' penile tissue homogenate as well as its action on ACE and arginase activities were also determined. The extract scavenged NO (∗) , OH (∗) , chelated Fe(2+), and inhibited MDA production in a dose-dependent pattern with IC50 values of 1.36, 0.52, and 0.38 mg/mL and 194.23 µg/mL, respectively. Gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol were the most abundant phenolic compounds identified in the leaf extract. The extract also inhibited ACE and arginase activities in a dose-dependent pattern and their IC50 values were 303.03 and 159.59 µg/mL, respectively. The phenolic contents, inhibition of ACE, arginase, and Fe(2+)-induced MDA production, and radical (OH (∗) , NO (∗) ) scavenging and Fe(2+)-chelating abilities could be some of the possible mechanisms by which M. oleifera leaves could be used in the treatment and/or management of erectile dysfunction.

Dietary supplementation with fermented legumes modulate hyperglycemia and acetylcholinesterase activities in Streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

The study investigated the hypoglycemic and anticholinesterase activities of some fermented legumes (bambara groundnut and locust bean) in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The rats were made diabetic by intraperitoneal administration of STZ (35mg/kg b.w.) and were fed diets containing fermented legumes (10% inclusion) for 14 days. The effect of the diets on blood glucose, pancreatic glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, α-amylase, intestinal α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase activities were studied. Significant (P<0.05) increase in blood glucose, pancreatic MDA, α-amylase, intestinal α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase activities with concomitant decrease in pancreatic GPx and GSH contents were observed in diabetic rats. However, this trend was reversed in rats fed fermented legumes supplemented diets for 14 days. The HPLC-DAD finger printing revealed the presence of gallic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, epicatechin, rutin, isoquercitrin, quercitrin, quercetin and kaempferol as the dominant phenolic compounds of the fermented legumes. However, possible contributing role of some bioactive peptides could not be ruled out. Hence, the hypoglycemic and antiacetylcholinesterase activities of the fermented legume condiments could be attributed to their constituent phytochemicals.

Hypotensive and diuretic effect of the butanolic soluble fraction of the hydroethanolic extract of bark of Scutia buxifolia Reissek in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Scutia buxifolia, a native tree popularly known as "coronilha", is widely used in Brazilian folk medicine for diuretic and anti-hypertensive purposes. AIM OF THE STUDY: We investigated the effects of a butanolic (BuOH) soluble fraction of the hydroethanolic extract (HESB) of bark of Scutia buxifolia on both blood pressure and urinary excretion of rats. The involvement of the nitric oxide/guanylate cyclase pathway in the hypotensive effect found was also explored. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We tested the effect of the BuOH soluble fraction of HESB on the mean arterial pressure (MAP) of anesthetized rats. The fraction was administered at doses of 1, 3 and 10mg/kg (i.v.) in normotensive rats during continuous infusion of vehicle (10 µl/min), or phenylephrine (4 µg/kg/min), or l-NAME (7 mg/kg/min), two approaches able to induce a sustained hypertensive state. In some experiments, a bolus injection of ODQ (2mg/kg) was administered in animals infused with phenylephrine before the administration of the BuOH soluble fraction of HESB. We also measured the effects of the BuOH soluble fraction on the MAP of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Separate groups of rats were treated orally with either HESB (10, 30 or 100mg/kg), or its BuOH soluble fraction (3, 10 or 30 mg/kg), and were subjected to measurement of diuresis and blood pressure. RESULTS: The BuOH soluble fraction of HESB (10mg/kg, i.v.) reduced the MAP of both phenylephrine-infused and SHR rats by 20.6 ± 6.0 and 41.8 ± 8.3 mm Hg, respectively. However, no hypotensive effect was found in normotensive animals infused with l-NAME, a non-selective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, or animals previously treated with the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ. The urinary excretion was increased by 70% at 6-8h after a single oral administration of the BuOH soluble fraction of HESB (10mg/kg), without change in urinary density, pH, or Na(+) and K(+) concentrations. In addition, MAP was lower 3h after the acute oral treatment with the BuOH soluble fraction (82.1 ± 3.8 mm Hg), compared with MAP of animals from the control group (97 ± 3.2 mm Hg). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the BuOH soluble fraction of the hydroethanolic bark of Scutia buxifolia, which has its bark used in folk medicine for the treatment of hypertension mainly by its presumed diuretic properties, possesses both diuretic and hypotensive effects in rats, and that at least the hypotensive effect is fully dependent on activation of the nitric oxide/guanylate cyclase pathway.

In vitro growth-inhibitory effect of Brazilian plants extracts against Paenibacillus larvae and toxicity in bees.

American foulbrood (AFB) is a serious worldwide spreading disease in bees caused by Paenibacillus larvae. Plants extracts are known to decrease or inhibit the growth of these bacteria. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Calendula. officinalis, Cariniana domestica, and Nasturtium officinale extracts against the P. larvae and to evaluate the toxicity of the extracts in bees. In vitro activity against P. larvae of the extracts was evaluated by micro dilution method and the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were also determined. The concentrations used in the toxicity test were established based on the MIC values and by the spraying application method. The P. larvae was susceptible to the evaluated crude extract of C. officinalis and N. officinale. To C. domestica, only the ethyl acetate (EtAc) fraction and n-butanol (BuOH) fractions had activity against P. larvae. Toxicity analysis in bees showed no toxicity for N. officinale crude extract and for C. domestica BuOH fraction during 15 days of treatment, however, some deaths of bees occurred during the first three days of treatment with C. officinalis and C. domestica EtAc fraction. The results with these species were firstly described and showed that N. officinale crude extract and C. domestica BuOH fraction both presented not toxic effects in the concentration tested by the spraying application method, and can be a useful alternative for treatment or prevention of AFB.

Effect of Uncaria tomentosa extract on purinergic enzyme activities in lymphocytes of rats submitted to experimental adjuvant arthritis model.

BACKGROUND: Considering that adjuvant arthritis is an experimental model of arthritis widely used for preclinical testing of numerous anti-arthritic agents, which were taken by a large number of patients worldwide, it is of great interest to investigate the therapeutic action of compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, such as Uncaria tomentosa extract. Moreover, there are no studies demonstrating the effect of U. tomentosa on the metabolism of adenine nucleotides published so far. Thus, the purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of U. tomentosa extract on E-NTPDase and E-ADA activities in lymphocytes of Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) arthritis induced rats. METHODS: To evaluate the effect of U. tomentosa extract on the activity of E-NTPDase and ADA in lymphocytes, the rats were submitted to an experimental adjuvant arthritis model. Peripheral lymphocytes were isolated and E-NTPDase and E-ADA activities were determined. Data were analyzed by a one- or two-way ANOVA. Post hoc analyses were carried out by the Student-Newman-Keuls (SNK) Multiple Comparison Test. RESULTS: E-NTPDase activity was increased in arthritic untreated. Arthritic rats which received U. tomentosa extract, presented similar results to the control group. However, results obtained for adenosine hydrolysis by E-ADA were not altered in arthritic rats. U. tomentosa extract did not alter E-NTPDase and E-ADA activity in healthy animals. CONCLUSIONS: The present investigation supports the hypothesis that the increased E-NTPDase activity verified in arthritic rats might be an attempt to maintain basal levels of ATP and ADP in the extracellular medium, since the arthritis induction causes tissue damage and, consequently, large amounts of ATP are released into this milieu. Also, it highlights the possibility to use U. tomentosa extract as an adjuvant to treat arthritis.

Syzygium cumini seed extract ameliorates adenosine deaminase activity and biochemical parameters but does not alter insulin sensitivity and pancreas architecture in a short-term model of diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The effects of the aqueous seed extract of Syzygium cumini (ASc) in a short-term model of diabetes in rats are little explored. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of the ASc on adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity and on biochemical and histopathological parameters in diabetic rats. METHODS: ASc (100 mg/kg) was administered for 21 days in control and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced (60 mg/kg) diabetic rats. ADA activity, lipoperoxidation (cerebral cortex, kidney, liver and pancreas) and biochemical (serum) and histopathological (pancreas) parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: The main findings in this short-term model of Diabetes mellitus (DM) were that the ASc (i) significantly reverted the increase of ADA activity in serum and kidney; (ii) ameliorated the lipoperoxidation in the cerebral cortex and pancreas of the diabetic group; (iii) demonstrated hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic properties and recovered the liver glycogen; and iv) prevented the HOMA-IR index increase in the diabetic group. Therefore, the ASc can be a positive factor for increasing the availability of substrates with significant protective actions, such as adenosine. Moreover, by maintaining glycogen and HOMA-IR levels, the extract could modulate the hyperglycemic state through the direct peripheral glucose uptake. CONCLUSIONS: Our data revealed that the short-term treatment with ASc has an important protective role under pathophysiological conditions caused by the early stage of DM. These results enhance our understanding of the effect of the ASc on the purinergic system in DM.

Analysis of bioactivities and chemical composition of Ziziphus joazeiro Mart. using HPLC-DAD.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical profile and antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiparasitic activities of the hydroalcoholic extract of the leaves of Ziziphus joazeiro Mart. (HELZJ). The antioxidant DPPH and FRAP assays and chemical profile were determined by colorimetric methods and HPLC/DAD. The antiparasitic, antibiotic and antibiotic-modifying activity were evaluated by microdilution assays. The HPLC-DAD assay showed the presence of mostly tannins and flavonoids, such as caffeic acid and quercetin. The levels of polyphenols and flavonoids were 183.136 mg/g extract and 7.37 mg/g extract, respectively. DPPH and FRAP showed low antioxidant activity for the extract. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were not of clinical relevance, showing MIC>1024 µg/mL. However, synergism was observed between HELZJ and the antibiotics amikacin and gentamicin, which resulted in decreased bacterial drug resistance. EHFZJ showed low toxicity in fibroblasts in vitro, while antiparasitic results against Trypnosoma cruzi, Leishmania braziliensis and Leishmania infantum were not clinically relevant. Thus, our results indicate that Z. joazeiro Mart. (HELZJ) could be a source of plant-derived natural products that could lead to the development of promising new antibiotic compounds for infectious diseases.

Chemical composition and evaluation of acute toxicological, antimicrobial and modulatory resistance of the extract of Murraya paniculata.

CONTEXT: Murraya paniculata (Linn) JACK (Rutaceae) is used in traditional medicine in the treatment of diabetes, inflammation, and microbial disorders. OBJECTIVE: This study determined the polyphenol composition and antimicrobial and acute toxicological activity of the hydroethanolic extract of M. paniculata leaves (EEMp). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chemical composition was evaluated by the Folin-Ciocalteu and AlCl3 assays and by HPLC-DAD. Antibacterial and modulatory activity was determined by the microdilution method. Toxicity was assessed with a single dose of EEMp administered orally at doses of 2000 and 5000 mg/kg body weight/day in male and female Swiss mice. RESULTS: Total phenolic content of the EEMp samples varied from 66.5 to 396.8 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of extract and flavonoid content varied from 0.3 to 31.1 mg quercetin equivalent/g of extract. The principal component identified by HPLC-DAD assay was ellagic acid. The results of oral acute toxicity showed no mortality, changes in hematological parameters, or CNS and ANS toxicities in rats. Biochemical analysis showed a significant increase in glucose and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase activity and reduction in triglycerides and cholesterol for 5000 and 2000 mg/kg doses, respectively, when compared with the control group. Histopathological evaluation showed no significant microscopic changes. EEMp showed essentially no antimicrobial activity, but when aminoglycosides were combined with EEMp their MIC was reduced. CONCLUSIONS: Significant effects were observed in the acute toxicity assay, but they had no clinical relevance. The results suggest that M. paniculata could be used as a source of natural products with antibacterial resistance-modifying activity, with lower toxicity.

Chemical profile and antioxidant capacity verification of Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae) fruits at different stages of maturation.

Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae), a common plant in Cariri region, Ceara, Brazil, as well as in various parts of the world, contains high concentrations of bioactive compounds and in many communities its parts are used for therapeutic purposes. Studies describe antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-diarrheal actions from extracts obtained from leaves, but information about the activities of the fruits and comparison of these at different maturity stages (immature, partially mature and mature) are scarce. This study aims to evaluate the antioxidant properties by quantifying the levels of phenolic and flavonoid compounds, carotenoids and vitamin C of P. guajava fruits at different stages of maturation. The content of phenolic compounds for the immature fruit, partially mature and mature were: 22.41; 34.61 and 32.92 mg of AG/g fraction. The flavonoid content for immature fruits, intermediate and mature were: 2.83; 5.10 and 5.65 mg RUT/g fraction, respectively. Following the same standards of maturation stages, the ascorbic acid content was determined with values of 0.48; 0.38 and 0.21 mg AA/g fraction, respectively. HPLC analysis identified and quantified the presence of gallic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, epicatechin, rutin, quercitrin, isoquercitrin, quercetin, kaempferol, glycosylated campeferol, tocopherol, ß-carotene and lycopene. The antioxidant activity carried out by DPPH method showed the mature fruits bearing the best results, whereas chelation of Fe2+ ions showed higher percentage for the immature fruit. The results obtained by lipidic peroxidation were not satisfactory.

Effect of the treatment with Achyrocline satureioides (free and nanocapsules essential oil) and diminazene aceturate on hematological and biochemical parameters in rats infected by Trypanosoma evansi.

This study aimed to verify the effect of the treatment with A. satureioides essential oil (free and nanoencapsulated forms) and diminazene aceturate on hematological and biochemical variables in rats infected by Trypanosoma evansi. The 56 rats were divided into seven groups with eight rats each. Groups A, C and D were composed by uninfected animals, and groups B, E, F and G were formed by infected rats with T. evansi. Rats from groups A and B were used as negative and positive control, respectively. Rats from the groups C and E were treated with A. satureioides essential oil, and groups D and F were treated with A. satureioides nanoencapsulated essential oil. Groups C, D, E and F received one dose of oil (1.5 mL kg(-1)) during five consecutive days orally. Group G was treated with diminazene aceturate (D.A.) in therapeutic dose (3.5 mg kg(-1)) in an only dose. The blood samples were collected on day 5 PI for analyses of hematological (erythrocytes and leukocytes count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, mean corpuscular and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) and biochemical (glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin, urea and creatinine) variables. A. satureioides administered was able to maintain low parasitemia, mainly the nanoencapsulated form, on 5 days post infection. On the infected animals with T. evansi treated with A. satureioides essential oil (free and nanocapsules) the number of total leucocytes, lymphocytes and monocytes present was similar to uninfected rats, and different from infected and not-treated animals (leukocytosis). Treatment with A. satureioides in free form elevated levels of ALT and AST, demonstrating liver damage; however, treatment with nanoencapsulated form did not cause elevation of these enzymes. Finally, treatments inhibited the increase in creatinine levels caused by infection for T. evansi. In summary, the nanoencapsulated form showed better activity on the trypanosome; it did not cause liver toxicity and prevented renal damage.

Scutia buxifolia Reissek essential oil: in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.

The volatile oil from the stem bark of Scutia buxifolia (Rhamnaceae) has been obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-MS. Twenty-one components were identified representing 99.93 % of the total oil composition, spathulenol (35.87%), ß-cubebene (17.26%), germacrene D (6.43%), linalool (5.19%), carvacrol (4.05%) were the main components of S. buxifolia essential oil. Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the essential oil were evaluated by free radical scavenging (DPPH) assay and micro broth dilution method, respectively. S. buxifolia essential oil presented interesting radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 15.03 ± 0.11 µg/mL). The antibacterial assay showed that S. buxifolia stem bark essential oil was moderately active against the Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus sp. (MIC = 500 µg/mL) and Escherichia coli (250 µg/mL). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of essential oil from the S. buxifolia collected from Brazil.