Antiproliferative effect of Canavalia brasiliensis lectin on B16F10 cells.

Lectins are proteins or glycoproteins with the ability to link to carbohydrates at the cell surface in a specific and reversible manner. Studies have showed that lectins are demonstrate immunomodulatory and antitumor agents. This study aims to evaluate the effect of lectin extracted from the seeds of Canavalia brasiliensis (ConBr) on murine melanoma B16F10 cells by analyzing cell viability, apoptosis index, cell migration, production of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO). Results showed that ConBr was able to reduce cell viability and thwart apoptosis, which could be observed by decrease in cell migration. ConBr also induced NO and IL-12 synthesis. Altogether, these data demonstrate the potential of ConBr as a therapeutic agent for melanoma.

Evaluation of antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and cytotoxic action of fractions from Eugenia uniflora L. and Eugenia malaccensis L.: correlation with polyphenol and flavanoid content.

An increasing number of biological activities presented by medicinal plants has been investigated over the years, and they are used in the search for new substances with lower side effects. Eugenia uniflora L. and Eugenia malaccensis L. (Myrtaceae) have many folk uses in various countries. This current study was designed to quantify the polyphenols and flavonoids contents and evaluate the immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and cytotoxic potentials of fractions from E. uniflora L. and E. malaccensis L. It was observed that the polyphenol content was higher in ethyl acetate fractions. These fractions have high antioxidant potential. E. malaccensis L. seeds showed the largest DPPH radical scavenger capacity (EC50 = 22.62). The fractions of E. malaccensis L. leaves showed lower antioxidant capacity. The samples did not alter the profile of proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide release. The results indicate that species of the family Myrtaceae are rich in compounds with antioxidant capacity, which can help reduce the inflammatory response.

Detecção de entero parasitas em hortaliças comercializadas em feiras Livres do município de Caruaru PE / Detection of intestinal parasites in green vegetable comerce in public street markets in Caruaru PE

O desenvolvimento de infecções parasitárias é causado pela precariedadesanitária e por maus hábitos de higiene. O objetivo deste estudo foi pesquisar a ocorrênciade enteroparasitas de interesse para a saúde em hortaliças comercializadas na feira livrede Caruaru PE. Foram colhidas 144 amostras de hortaliças, no período de outubro/2006 a junho 2007 e analisadas pelo método de sedimentação espontânea e método de Fauste cols. Observou-se que 15,27% das amostras estavam contaminadas por enteroparasitas:Alface Lactuca sativa 23,8%, Brócolis Brassica oleracea var. italica10,5%, CebolinhaAllium fistolosum 40,9%, Coentro Coriandrum sativum 19,0% e Couve Brassica oleracea9,5%. Os enteroparasitas encontrados nas amostras de hortaliças contaminadas foram:Ancilostomidae sp. 10,7%, Ascaris lumbricoides 28,5%, Entamoeba coli 10,7%, Fasciolahepatica 3,5% e Strongyloides stercoralis 46,4%. Foi observado ainda que 27,27% dasamostras contaminadas apresentaram mais de uma forma parasitária. Conclui-se que ashortaliças comercializadas nas feiras de Caruaru PE podem veicular parasitas resistentes àscondições ambientais e que, quando não devidamente higienizadas e consumidas cruas, têmpapel fundamental na disseminação de enteroparasitoses.

The objective of this study was to verify the presence of intestinal parasites of healthinterest in green vegetables in Caruarus PE public street markets. From October 2006 to June 2007, one hundred and fortyfour vegetable samples were collected and analyzed by spontaneoussedimentation and by the Faustïs method. It was observed that 15,27% of the samples werecontaminated by enteroparasite forms: Lactuca sativa 23,8%, Brassica oleracea italic variety10,5%, Allium fistolosum 40,9%, Coriandrum sativum 19,0% and Brassica oleracea 9,5%.The enteroparasites species found in contaminated vegetables were: Ancilostomidae sp. 10,7%, Ascaris lumbricoides 28,5%, Entamoeba coli 10,7%, Fasciola hepatica 3,5% and Strongyloidesstercoralis 46,4%. It was also observed that 27,27% of the contaminated samples presentedmore than one parasite species. It may be concluded that green vegetables sold at Caruaru's streetmarkets may be a medium for parasites resistant to environment and if not hygienized properlyor eaten uncooked, play a fundamental role in the dissemination of intestinal parasites.