Phytochemical, Antioxidant and Anticancer Activities of Extracts of Seven Fruits Found in the Southern Brazilian Flora.

Methanol extracts of seven edible fruits found in southern Brazil: Garcinia achachairu, Rubus imperialis, Rubus rosaefolius, Solanum quitoense, Solanum sessiliflorun, Diospyros inconstans and Plinia glomerata, were evaluated for their total phenol content and antioxidant activity in different in vitro free radical scavenging models. In addition, studies were performed on cell viability of extracts of the seeds of G. achachairu against murine melanoma cells. The fruits peel and seeds of G. achachairu were very promising in terms of total phenol content (data in gallic acid equivalent per gram), as assessed by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, with values of 9.70±3.2 and 8.40±1.1, respectively. On the other hand, antioxidant activity using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging assay showed that the fruit pulp and peel of P. glomerata presented the best profile, with values of the 16.3±1.8 and 15.9±2.4 µg/ml, respectively. Regarding the cytotoxic effect of methanol extract and guttiferone A from G. achachairu, we have observed that both inhibit the growth of B16F10 tumor cells, with calculated IC50 values of 49.6±2.1 mg/ml and 48.6±5.4 mM, respectively.

Stability and change in personality across the life span: behavioral-genetic versus evolutionary approaches.

Recent findings and theoretical models of behavioral-genetic and evolutionary approaches to personality development across the life span are presented. Theoretical and empirical strengths and weaknesses of these approaches regarding the issue of stability and change are outlined. Although these "biological" models may appear disparate as often as they appear similar, they share the common assumption that most personality phenomena are products of environmental contingencies. However, they differ with regard to the level at which they analyze and incorporate environmental influences into their interpretations of stability and change. Genetic influences are also examined. A theoretical integration of the recent findings and of the models of genetic and environmental influences on personality via evolutionary and behavioral-genetic approaches is intended to fill in the gaps and stimulate research on the study of personality development across the life span.