Polyalthic Acid from Copaifera lucens Demonstrates Anticariogenic and Antiparasitic Properties for Safe Use.

This study aimed at evaluating the potential of Copaifera lucens, specifically its oleoresin (CLO), extract (CECL), and the compound ent-polyalthic acid (PA), in combating caries and toxoplasmosis, while also assessing its toxicity. The study involved multiple assessments, including determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against cariogenic bacteria. CLO and PA exhibited MIC and MBC values ranging from 25 to 50 µg/mL, whereas CECL showed values equal to or exceeding 400 µg/mL. PA also displayed antibiofilm activity with minimum inhibitory concentration of biofilm (MICB50) values spanning from 62.5 to 1000 µg/mL. Moreover, PA effectively hindered the intracellular proliferation of Toxoplasma gondii at 64 µg/mL, even after 24 h without treatment. Toxicological evaluations included in vitro tests on V79 cells, where concentrations ranged from 78.1 to 1250 µg/mL of PA reduced colony formation. Additionally, using the Caenorhabditis elegans model, the lethal concentration (LC50) of PA was determined as 1000 µg/mL after 48 h of incubation. Notably, no significant differences in micronucleus induction and the NDI were observed in cultures treated with 10, 20, or 40 µg/mL of CLO. These findings underscore the safety profile of CLO and PA, highlighting their potential as alternative treatments for caries and toxoplasmosis.

Antimelanoma effect of manool in 2D cell cultures and reconstructed human skin models.

Melanoma is the most aggressive and lethal type of skin cancer, characterized by therapeutic resistance. In this context, the present study aimed to investigate the cytotoxic potential of manool, a diterpene from Salvia officinalis L., in human (A375) and murine (B16F10) melanoma cell lines. The analysis of cytotoxicity using the XTT assay showed the lowest IC50 after 48 h of treatment with the manool, being 17.6 and 18.2 µg/ml for A375 and B16F10, respectively. A selective antiproliferative effect of manool was observed on the A375 cells based on the colony formation assay, showing an IC50 equivalent to 5.6 µg/ml. The manool treatments led to 43.5% inhibition of the A375 cell migration at a concentration of 5.0 µg/ml. However, it did not affect cell migration in the B16F10 cells. Cell cycle analysis revealed that the manool interfered in the cell cycle of the A375 cells, blocking the G2/M phase. No changes in the cell cycle were observed in the B16F10 cells. Interestingly, manool did not induce apoptosis in the A375 cells, but apoptosis was observed after treatment of the B16F10 cells. Additionally, manool showed an antimelanoma effect in a reconstructed human skin model. Furthermore, in silico studies, showed that manool is stabilized in the active sites of the tubulin dimer with comparable energy concerning taxol, indicating that both structures can inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells. Altogether, it is concluded that manool, through the modulation of the cell cycle, presents a selective antiproliferative activity and a potential antimelanoma effect.

Brazilian Red Propolis Presents Promising Anti-H. pylori Activity in In Vitro and In Vivo Assays with the Ability to Modulate the Immune Response.

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative, microaerophilic, curved-rod, flagellated bacterium commonly found in the stomach mucosa and associated with different gastrointestinal diseases. With high levels of prevalence worldwide, it has developed resistance to the antibiotics used in its therapy. Brazilian red propolis has been studied due to its biological properties, and in the literature, it has shown promising antibacterial activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate anti-H. pylori from the crude hydroalcoholic extract of Brazilian red propolis (CHEBRP). For this, in vitro determination of the minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentration (MIC/MBC) and synergistic activity and in vivo, microbiological, and histopathological analyses using Wistar rats were carried out using CHEBRP against H. pylori strains (ATCC 46523 and clinical isolate). CHEBRP presented MIC/MBC of 50 and 100 µg/mL against H. pylori strains (ATCC 43526 and clinical isolate, respectively) and tetracycline MIC/MBC of 0.74 µg/mL. The association of CHEBRP with tetracycline had an indifferent effect. In the stomach mucosa of rats, all treatments performed significantly decreased the number of H. pylori, and a concentration of 300 mg/kg was able to modulate the inflammatory response in the tissue. Therefore, CHEBRP showed promising anti-H. pylori in in vitro and in vivo assays.