Antiulcerogenic and healing activity of hecogenin acetate in rodents.

Peptic ulcers are lesions in the gastric and duodenal mucosa generated by an imbalance between protective factors (gastroduodenal mucus secretion, bicarbonate production, adequate blood flow) and harmful factors (excess pepsin or hydrochloric acid). Some drugs used in peptic ulcer therapy are associated with adverse effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiulcerogenic and healing activity of hecogenin acetate (HA) in acute and chronic models of gastric lesions in rodents. The antiulcerogenic activity of HA was evaluated in models of gastric lesions induced by absolute ethanol and in acidified ethanol with HA (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg). For the model of gastric lesions induced by ischemia and reperfusion, rats were pre-treated with HA (5, 10, 20 mg/kg). After that, they were submitted to 30 min of ischemia, followed by 1 h of reperfusion. To evaluate the healing activity was induced gastric ulcer using acetic acid (80%) in rats. After 24 h, they were treated for 7 consecutive days with HA (10 and 20 mg/kg). They were evaluated the possible signs of toxicity, measurement of the lesions, collagen deposition, and histological analysis. HA significantly reduced the area of the lesion in models of gastric lesions induced by absolute and acidified ethanol, ischemia-induced gastric lesions and reperfusion, and regarding healing. In the collagen deposition, the presence and increase of collagen demonstrate the healing effect. The AH has antiulcerogenic and healing potential demonstrated by the decrease in gastric injury and presence of collagen fibers, respectively.

Pharmacological and biotechnological advances with Rosmarinus officinalis L.

INTRODUCTION: Rosmarinus officinalis L. is an aromatic plant with a number of biological properties. Recently, has been studied regarding its therapeutic potential. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review on R. officinalis essential oil for its pharmacological properties and biotechnological applications. AREAS COVERED: The databases were searched for articles (Science Direct, Pub Med and Web of Science) and patents (INPI, WIPO and EPO) with publications on R. officinalis and associations with essential oil (EO-Ro), cardiovascular system, hypertension and cyclodextrin. We selected 305 articles on EO-Ro in the most diverse subjects and six articles with of R. officinalis associated with hypertension. 59 patents were analyzed. The results demonstrate how extensive the studies are on the biological activities with the extract and EO-Ro. These have shown effects antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and other. The properties exhibited by EO-Ro reinforce the use of this plant as a phytotherapeutic agent. EXPERT OPINION: Although there are several pharmacological properties, studies on the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular diseases with EO-Ro are scarce, especially to evaluate the antihypertensive activity of EO-Ro. It has also become clear that EO-Ro can be exploited in different commercial products as supplement, cosmetics and new formulations.

Avaliação in vitro da adsorção de aflatoxina B1 por produtos comerciais utilizados na alimentação animal / In vitro evaluation of aflatoxin B1 adsorption by commercial products used in animal feed

The aim of this study was to evaluate the aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) adsorption capacity, in vitro, by commercial products used in animal feed. Many studies are being conducted for the decontamination of aflatoxins in feed. The commercial products destined to fish feed that are available as probiotics and are formed by strains of bacteria and yeasts used in most mycotoxins adsorption assays. Three commercial products were studied: A, consisting of Bacillus subtilis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacillus acidophilus; B, consisting of dry yeast of Saccharomyces cerevisiae from brewery; and C, consisting of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus pumilus. Five suspensions of the maximum dose recommended by the manufacturer of each product (0; 25; 50; 75 and 100%) were tested against AFB1 (1000 ng.mL-1) in microtubes to determine the adsorption capacity. To simulate the pH of the stomach and intestine of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), phosphate buffered saline solutions (PBS) at pH 1.5 and 7.5, respectively, were formulated. Microtubes were introduced into a centrifuge with mechanical agitation at 37ºC for 1 h and then centrifuged for 10 min at 14.000 rpm; the supernatants were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. The commercial products in the maximum concentration were capable of adsorbing AFB1 in amounts from 45.01 to 129.59; from 123.90 to 215.59; and from 209.98 to 370.73 (ng.mL-1), respectively. It was concluded that all commercial products, which are added to animal feed, adsorbed AFB1 under simulated gastrointestinal pH conditions and are potential candidates for AFB1 adsorption for future in vivo studies.

Objetivou-se avaliar a capacidade de adsorção in vitro de aflatoxina B1 (AFB1) por produtos comerciais utilizados na alimentação animal. Muitas pesquisas estão sendo realizadas para a descontaminação de AFB1 em alimentos. Os produtos comerciais utilizados frequentemente na alimentação de peixes, disponíveis na forma de probióticos, são formados por cepas de bactérias e leveduras utilizadas na maioria dos ensaios de adsorção de micotoxinas. Foram utilizados três produtos comerciais: A, composto por Bacillus subtilis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Enterococcus faecium e Lactobacillus acidophilus; B, por leveduras secas de Saccharomyces cerevisiae provenientes de cervejaria; e C, por Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis e Bacillus pumilus. Cinco suspensões da dose máxima recomendada pelo fabricante de cada produto (0; 25; 50; 75 e 100%) foram testadas contra AFB1 (1000 ng.mL-1) em microtubos para determinação da capacidade de adsorção. Para simular o pH do estômago e do intestino de tilápias do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) foram formuladas soluções tampão fosfato salino (PBS), com pH 1,5 e 7,5; respectivamente. Os microtubos foram introduzidos em uma centrífuga com agitação mecânica, a 37ºC por 1 h e depois centrifugados por 10 min a 14.000 rpm; os sobrenadantes foram quantificados por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. Os produtos comerciais, nas concentrações máximas, foram capazes de adsorver AFB1 em quantidades de 45,01 a 129,59; 123,90 a 215,59 e 209,98 a 370,73 ng.mL-1, respectivamente. Concluiu-se que todos os produtos comerciais analisados adsorvem AFB1 em condições simuladas de pH gastrointestinal e são candidatos potenciais para adsorção de AFB1 para futuros ensaios in vivo.

Avaliação in vitro da adsorção de aflatoxina B1 por produtos comerciais utilizados na alimentação animal / In vitro evaluation of aflatoxin B1 adsorption by commercial products used in animal feed

Objetivou-se avaliar a capacidade de adsorção in vitro de aflatoxina B1 (AFB1) por produtos comerciais utilizados na alimentação animal. Muitas pesquisas estão sendo realizadas para a descontaminação de AFB1 em alimentos. Os produtos comerciais utilizados frequentemente na alimentação de peixes, disponíveis na forma de probióticos, são formados por cepas de bactérias e leveduras utilizadas na maioria dos ensaios de adsorção de micotoxinas. Foram utilizados três produtos comerciais: A, composto por Bacillus subtilis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Enterococcus faecium e Lactobacillus acidophilus; B, por leveduras secas de Saccharomyces cerevisiae provenientes de cervejaria; e C, por Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis e Bacillus pumilus. Cinco suspensões da dose máxima recomendada pelo fabricante de cada produto (0; 25; 50; 75 e 100%) foram testadas contra AFB1 (1000 ng.mL-1) em microtubos para determinação da capacidade de adsorção. Para simular o pH do estômago e do intestino de tilápias do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) foram formuladas soluções tampão fosfato salino (PBS), com pH 1,5 e 7,5; respectivamente. Os microtubos foram introduzidos em uma centrífuga com agitação mecânica, a 37ºC por 1 h e depois centrifugados por 10 min a 14.000 rpm; os sobrenadantes foram quantificados por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. Os produtos comerciais, nas concentrações máximas, foram capazes de adsorver AFB1 em quantidades de 45,01 a 129,59; 123,90 a 215,59 e 209,98 a 370,73 ng.mL-1, respectivamente. Concluiu-se que todos os produtos comerciais analisados adsorvem AFB1 em condições simuladas de pH gastrointestinal e são candidatos potenciais para adsorção de AFB1 para futuros ensaios in vivo.(AU)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) adsorption capacity, in vitro, by commercial products used in animal feed. Many studies are being conducted for the decontamination of aflatoxins in feed. The commercial products destined to fish feed that are available as probiotics and are formed by strains of bacteria and yeasts used in most mycotoxins adsorption assays. Three commercial products were studied: A, consisting of Bacillus subtilis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacillus acidophilus; B, consisting of dry yeast of Saccharomyces cerevisiae from brewery; and C, consisting of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus pumilus. Five suspensions of the maximum dose recommended by the manufacturer of each product (0; 25; 50; 75 and 100%) were tested against AFB1 (1000 ng.mL-1) in microtubes to determine the adsorption capacity. To simulate the pH of the stomach and intestine of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), phosphate buffered saline solutions (PBS) at pH 1.5 and 7.5, respectively, were formulated. Microtubes were introduced into a centrifuge with mechanical agitation at 37ºC for 1 h and then centrifuged for 10 min at 14.000 rpm; the supernatants were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. The commercial products in the maximum concentration were capable of adsorbing AFB1 in amounts from 45.01 to 129.59; from 123.90 to 215.59; and from 209.98 to 370.73 (ng.mL-1), respectively. It was concluded that all commercial products, which are added to animal feed, adsorbed AFB1 under simulated gastrointestinal pH conditions and are potential candidates for AFB1 adsorption for future in vivo studies.(AU)

Biomarcadores de função endotelial em doenças cardiovasculares: hipertensão / Biomarkers of endothelial function in cardiovascular diseases: hypertension

Resumo A incidência de hipertensão arterial sistêmica está aumentando mundialmente. Sua prevenção baseia-se na identificação dos hipertensos. Atualmente, biomarcadores são utilizados com fins de diagnosticar, estratificar e prognosticar doenças. Neste estudo, objetivou-se revisar artigos dos últimos cinco anos relacionados a biomarcadores nas doenças cardiovasculares. Pesquisaram-se dados de PubMed, SciELO, Science Direct e MEDLINE, mediante as palavras-chave: hipertensão arterial, biomarcadores cardiovasculares, óxido nítrico, função endotelial e dimetilarginina assimétrica. Os estudos levantados mostram que as doenças cardiovasculares possuem uma etiologia complexa. Neste artigo, evidenciaram-se interações entre o óxido nítrico e a dimetilarginina assimétrica na regulação, no metabolismo e na determinação dos níveis intracelulares, e reviram-se outros biomarcadores relacionados à hipertensão. Alguns estudos indicam os biomarcadores como uma ferramenta útil na predição de eventos cardíacos, e outros reportam que eles contribuem pouco para a avaliação. A seleção e combinação desses pode ser uma alternativa para validar o uso dos biomarcadores devido à pouca especificidade existente para diagnosticar a hipertensão.

Abstract The incidence of systemic arterial hypertension is increasing worldwide. The foundation of prevention is identification of people with hypertension. Nowadays, biomarkers are used to diagnose and stratify diseases and estimates prognosis. The objective of this study was to review articles published over the last 5 years on the subject of biomarkers of cardiovascular diseases. The PubMed, SciELO, Science Direct and MEDLINE databases were searched using the keywords: arterial hypertension, cardiovascular biomarkers, nitric oxide, endothelial function and asymmetric dimethylarginine. The studies reviewed show that cardiovascular diseases have complex etiologies. This article describes evidence demonstrating interactions between nitric oxide and asymmetric dimethylarginine that are involved in regulation, in metabolism, and in determination of intracellular levels, and also discusses other biomarkers related to hypertension. Some studies indicate that biomarkers are useful tools for prediction of cardiac events, whereas others state that they have little to contribute to assessments. Careful selection of tests and combinations of tests may be the key to validating use of biomarkers, in view of their low specificity for diagnosing hypertension.

Bebida mista à base de goiaba (Psidium guajava L.) e palma forrageira (Opuntia fícus-indica): desenvolvimento e aceitabilidade / Mixed drink consisting of guava (Psidium guajava. L) and forrageira palm (Opuntia fícus-indica): development and acceptability

Atualmente, na indústria de bebidas, uma alternativa para aumentar o valor nutritivo ou mesmo desenvolver novos sabores tem sido a mistura de produtos na formulação de bebidas mistas. Este trabalho teve como objetivo o desenvolvimento de uma bebida mista de palma forrageira e goiaba. Foram avaliadas quatro formulações com diferentes concentrações de palma e de sólidos solúveis, mantendo-se constante a concentração de goiaba. As formulações foram submetidas à caracterização química (pH, sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável, vitamina C), avaliação sensorial (sabor, cor, corpo e aceitação global) e análises microbiológicas (coliformes totais e termotolerantes, Salmonella e Estaphylococcus aureus). Todas as formulações foram bem aceitas sensorialmente e não apresentaram diferença significativa (p<0,5) entre elas, estando o nível de aceitação entre "gostei ligeiramente" e "gostei moderadamente" para todos os atributos avaliados. A bebida mista formulada apresentou-se dentro dos parâmetros químicos e microbiológicos fixados pela legislação brasileira, exceto para o pH, o qual se apresentou acima do ideal para produtos industrializados. Em relação às análises microbiológicas, nenhuma das formulações apresentou presença de microrganismos. Os resultados mostraram que o produto elaborado encontra-se de acordo com os padrões de identidade e qualidade para bebidas e com uma boa aceitação sensorial, tornando-se um produto com potencial para industrialização.

Nowadays, in the beverage industry, the mixture of products became an alternative to increase the nutritional value or even to develop new flavors in the formulation of mixed drinks. The objective of this work was to develop a mixed drink of forrageira palm with guava. Four formulations with different palm concentrations and soluble solids were evaluated, keeping the concentration of guava stable. The products were submitted to chemical characterization (pH, soluble solids, titratable acidity, vitamin C) sensory evaluation (flavor, color, body and global acceptance) and microbiological analysis (total coliforms and thermotolerants, Salmonella and Estaphylococcus aureus). All the samples were well accepted in the sensory aspect and did not present any significant difference (p<0,5) among them. And the level of acceptance ranged from "I liked it slightly." to "I liked it moderately." for all the evaluated features. The formulated mixed drink was according to the chemical and microbiological patterns set by Brazilian laws, except for the pH that was above the ideal level for industrialized products. In respect of the microbiological analysis, none of the formulations presented microorganisms. The results showed that the elaborated product is in accordance with the identity and quality standards established for beverages. It also has a good sensory acceptance, which makes it a product with high potential for industrialization.

[Mixed drink consisting of guava (Psidium guajava. L) and forrageira palm (Opuntia fícus-indica): development and acceptability]. / Bebida mista à base de goiaba (Psidium guajava L.) e palma forrageira (Opuntia fícus-indica): desenvolvimento e aceitabilidade.

Nowadays, in the beverage industry, the mixture of products became an alternative to increase the nutritional value or even to develop new flavors in the formulation of mixed drinks. The objective of this work was to develop a mixed drink of forrageira palm with guava. Four formulations with different palm concentrations and soluble solids were evaluated, keeping the concentration of guava stable. The products were submitted to chemical characterization (pH, soluble solids, titratable acidity, vitamin C) sensory evaluation (flavor, color, body and global acceptance) and microbiological analysis (total coliforms and thermotolerants, Salmonella and Estaphylococcus aureus). All the samples were well accepted in the sensory aspect and did not present any significant difference (p < 0.5) among them. And the level of acceptance ranged from "I liked it slightly." to "I liked it moderately." for all the evaluated features. The formulated mixed drink was according to the chemical and microbiological patterns set by Brazilian laws, except for the pH that was above the ideal level for industrialized products. In respect of the microbiological analysis, none of the formulations presented microorganisms. The results showed that the elaborated product is in accordance with the identity and quality standards established for beverages. It also has a good sensory acceptance, which makes it a product with high potential for industrialization.