Cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity of scutellarein and carajurone-enriched fraction obtained from the hydroethanolic extract of the leaves of Fridericia chica (Bonpl.) L.G. Lohmann.

The hydroethanolic extract obtained from the dry leaves of Fridericia chica (HEFc) underwent several fractionations by different chromatographic techniques. The ethyl acetate and dichloromethane fraction were subjected to phytochemical analysis, resulting in the identification and isolation of scutellarein (1) and in a fraction rich in carajurone (2). They were tested for cytotoxicity in CHO-K1 and the antibacterial activity and mode of action by in vitro assays. The HEFc and scutellarein (1) presented no cytotoxicity. The results showed good antibacterial effect of HEFc against Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus and moderate activity for Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhimurium. The fraction containing the compound carajurone (2) showed good activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis and moderate activity against Streptococcus pyogenes. Scutellarein (1) showed no activity against the bacteria tested. HEFc antibacterial mode of action appeared to be associated with changes in the permeability of bacterial membranes and nucleotide leakage.

Anti-inflammatory activity of 4',6,7-trihydroxy-5-methoxyflavone from Fridericia chica (Bonpl.) L.G.Lohmann.

Fridericia chica, Bignoniaceae, is a tropical tree-creeper used as a traditional remedy for a number of diseases, highlighting inflammation. Our objective was to corroborate the popular anti-inflammatory use of the hydroethanolic extract from the leaves (HEFc) and of its isolated 4',6,7-trihydroxy-5-methoxyflavone (5-O-methylscutellarein) [1], described here for the first time. Quantitative analysis indicated 8.77 ± 0.23 mg/g of this compound in the extract. Neither HEFc nor [1] was cytotoxic in vitro. In LPS-induced peritonitis in mice, oral pre-treatment with HEFc or [1] led to decreased leukocyte migration to the peritoneal cavity and a reduction in the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFα and IL-1ß). Also, the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was enhanced following treatment with [1]. Overall, these results validate the traditional use of Fridericia chica as anti-inflammatory, and indicate that the compound 5-O-methylscutellarein may participate in this effect.

Avaliação da qualea grandiflora mart no processo de cicatrização alveolar em ratos com alveolite dentária induzida / Evaluation of qualea grandiflora mart in the healing of dry socket in rats

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a ação da Qualea grandiflora Mart na cicatrização do alvéolo de ratos submetidos à alveolite dentária induzida pelo Staphylococcus aureus. Materiais e Método: Foram realizadas exodontias do dente incisivo superior direito de 75 ratos (Rattus novergicus albinus, Wistar), machos, com peso médio de 250g. Os animais foram distribuídos em 5 grupos: Grupo I- controle (sem indução da alveolite/ ausência de tratamento); Grupo II- alveolite induzida/tratamento: pasta da Qualea grandiflora Mart; Grupo III- alveolite induzida/ tratamento: Alveolex; Grupo IV: alveolite induzida/ausência de tratamento; Grupo V: alveolite induzida/ tratamento: pasta base. Os animais foram eutanasiados aos 7, 14 e 28 dias pós- -operatório. Os espécimes foram submetidos à avaliação histológica e histomorfométrica. Resultados: Em todos os grupos experimentais, observou-se aumento de osso neoformado no alvéolo dentário, no decorrer dos períodos avaliados, sendo que nos grupos IV e V, a formação óssea foi deficiente em todos os períodos. Nos grupos de animais com alvéolos dentários contaminados, os grupos II e III apresentaram melhores resultados com proporção semelhante de osso neoformado. Conclusão: Para que a Qualea grandiflora Mart seja considerada uma nova alternativa terapêutica para o tratamento da alveolite dentária, se faz necessário a realização de novos estudos.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of Qualea grandiflora Mart on the induced dry socket by Staphylococcus aureus in vivo. Materials and methods: The upper right incisor teeth were extracted in 75 male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus Albinus), weighing approximately 250g. The animals were divided into 5 groups: GI-control group (no procedures), GII- induced dry socket /treatment: Qualea grandiflora Mart, GIII- induced dry socket /treatment: Alveolex, GIV- induced dry socket /no treatment, GV- induced dry socket /treatment: ointment formulation. The animals were euthanatized at 7, 14 and 28 days postoperatively. The samples collected were subjected to histomorphological and histomorphometric analysis. Results: In all the experimental groups, increased bone formation in the dental alveolus over the observed periods was noted. The animals of the groups GII and GIII presented the best results with similar proportion of new bone formation. Conclusion: So, that the Qualea grandiflora Mart crude extract may be considered a new alternative treatment for dry socket, it is necessary to conduct further studies.

Evaluation of mutagenic and antimicrobial properties of brown propolis essential oil from the Brazilian Cerrado biome.

Biological, and particularly antimicrobial, activities have been demonstrated for the essential oil of propolis samples worlwide, yet their mutagenic effects remain unknown. To correlate antimicrobial effects with mutagenic risks, the present study evaluated the antifungal and antibacterial activities of the essential oil obtained from brown propolis collected from the Cerrado biome in Midwest Brazil (EOP), testing it against nine pathogenic microorganisms. Evaluation of mutagenic potential was based on the somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) performed on wing cells of standard (ST) and high-bioactivation (HB) crosses of Drosophila melanogaster. EOP was extracted by hydrodistillation, and sesquiterpenes were characterized by GCâ¿¿MS as its major constituents. The crude oil proved active against Cryptococcus neoformans and Enterococcus faecalis, as did two of its major constituents, spathulenol and (E)-nerolidol â¿¿ the latter being also active against Staphylococcus aureus â¿¿ isolated using chromatographic procedures. No significant increase in the number of somatic mutations was observed in the offspring of ST or HB crosses â¿¿ the latter exhibiting enhanced levels of metabolizing enzymes of the cytochrome P450 type â¿¿ treated with 0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.2% EOP. These findings revealed no mutagenic activity of EOP, even when tested against the HB strain, and demonstrated that its antimicrobial activities are not associated with DNA damage induction (investigated with SMART), suggesting the potential of EOP as a natural preservative.

Avaliação in vitro da atividade fotoprotetora de extratos vegetais do cerrado de Mato Grosso / In vitro sunscreen activity evaluation of plants Iextracts from Mato Grosso cerrado

O cerrado brasileiro é um bioma detentor de grande diversidade biológica. No entanto, são escassas as pesquisas de espécies vegetais, especialmente do cerrado mato-grossense, com potencial para serem utilizadas como filtros solares naturais. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi estudar o potencial fotoprotetor de espécies de diferentes famílias (Apocynaceae, Lythraceae, Oxalidaceae) do cerrado da região do Rio Manso, Chapada dos Guimarães - MT. A absorbância dos extratos etanólicos secos foram medidas em diferentes concentrações entre os comprimentos de onda de 260 a 400nm para verificar a absorção nas regiões ultravioleta A e B (UVA e UVB). As plantas que apresentaram absorbância na região estudada foram submetidas a uma análise fitoquímica qualitativa preliminar para determinar a presença de polifenóis e alcalóides, constituintes característicos de plantas que absorvem a radiação UV. Os extratos etanólicos secos que apresentaram absorção em UVB foram submetidos ao teste de determinação in vitro do Fator de Proteção Solar (FPS) desenvolvido por Mansur. M. Velame apresentou absorção na região UVB com absorbância máxima em 318nm, enquanto que a L. pacari e O. hirsutissima apresentaram absorbância na região UVA. Na concentração utilizada e padronizada, nenhuma das espécies apresentou FPS >2, sendo assim não podem ser consideradas plantas com potencial fotoprotetor.

The Brazilian savanna is a holding biome of large biological diversity. However, the researches of plants species are scarce, especially at the Mato Grosso's savanna; which have potential to be used as natural sunscreen. The objective of this research was to study the photoprotector potential of several species (Apocynaceae, Lythraceae, Oxalidaceae) from the savanna's region at the Manso River, Chapada dos Guimarães - MT. The absorbance of dry ethanolic extracts were measured in different concentrations, between waves from 260nm until 400 nm in length. Just to check the absorption in the A and B ultraviolet regions (UVA and UVB). The plants that presented absorbance by the studied area were submitted to a preliminary qualitative phytochemical analysis to determine if there are polyphenols and alkaloids inside, because they are typical constituents of plants that absorber the UV radiation. The dry ethanolic extracts, that presented absorption in UVB, were submitted to a in vitro Sun Protection Factor (SPF) determination test, developed by Mansur. M.velame presented absorption in the UVB region with maximal absorbance at 318 nm, while L. pacari and O. hirsutissima presented absorbance in the UVA region. At the used and standardized concentration, no species presented SPF > 2, so they cannot be considered plants with photoprotector potential.