Pharmacological perspectives from Brazilian Salvia officinalis (Lamiaceae): antioxidant, and antitumor in mammalian cells.

Salvia officinalis (Lamiaceae) has been used in south of Brazil as a diary homemade, in food condiment and tea-beverage used for the treatment of several disorders. The objective of this study was to characterize chemical compounds in the hydroalcoholic (ExtHS) and aqueous (ExtAS) extract from Salvia officinalis (L.) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and by high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-QTOF MS/MS), evaluate in vitro ability to scavenge the free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•+), catalase (CAT-like) and superoxide dismutase (SOD-like) activity, moreover cytotoxic by MTT assay, alterations on cell morphology by giemsa and apoptotic-induced mechanism for annexin V/propidium iodide. Chemical identification sage extracts revealed the presence of acids and phenolic compounds. In vitro antioxidant analysis for both extracts indicated promising activities. The cytotoxic assays using tumor (Hep-2, HeLa, A-549, HT-29 and A-375) and in non-tumor (HEK-293 and MRC-5), showed selectivity for tumor cell lines. Immunocytochemistry presenting a majority of tumor cells at late stages of the apoptotic process and necrosis. Given the results presented here, Brazilian Salvia officinalis (L.) used as condiment and tea, may protect the body against some disease, in particularly those where oxidative stress is involved, like neurodegenerative disorders, inflammation and cancer.

Resveratrol and ascorbic acid prevent DNA damage induced by cryopreservation in human semen.

Cryopreservation of human semen can cause DNA damages, which compromise the fertilization and normal embryo development. The present study showed that the antioxidant resveratrol prevents these damages both in fertile and infertile men. The addition of ascorbic acid before cryopreservation can reduce DNA damages only in infertile men. Although further studies are needed, the present work showed that resveratrol could be considered in human cryopreservation procedures to avoid/minimize DNA damages and preserve sperm integrity.

Modulation of Mitochondrial and Epigenetic Targets by Polyphenols-rich Extract from Araucaria angustifolia in Larynx Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Araucaria angustifolia extract (AAE) is a polyphenol-rich extract that has gained interest as a natural anticancer agent. Recent work suggests that AAE induces oxidative damage and apoptosis through its action on decreasing complex I activity of the mitochondrial Electron Transport Chain (ETC). AIMS AND METHODS: In the present study, we aimed to further examine the specific targets by which AAE exerts proapoptotic effects in HEp-2 cancer cells. Specifically, the effect of AAE on the: 1) levels of pyruvate dehydrogenase was assessed by ELISA assay; 2) levels of mitochondrial ETC complexes, focusing on complex I at the gene transcript and protein level relevant to ROS generation was evaluated by multiplex ELISA followed by qRT-PCR and immunoblotting; 3) mitochondrial network distribution analysis was assessed by MitoTracker Red CMXRos; and 4) chemical variations on DNA was evaluated by dot-blotting in HEp-2 cells. RESULTS: Results demonstrated that AAE increased protein levels of PDH, switching energy metabolism to oxidative metabolism. Protein expression levels of complex I and III were found decreased in AAE-treated HEp-2 cells. Analyzing the subunits of complex I, changes in protein and gene transcript levels of NDUFS7 and NDUFV2 were found. Mitochondria staining after AAE incubation revealed changes in the mitochondrial network distribution. AAE was able to induce DNA hypomethylation and decreased DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 1 activity. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate for the first time that AAE alters expression of NDUFS7 and NDUFV2 mitochondrial subunits and induce epigenetic changes in HEp-2 cancer cells leading to a possible suppression of oncogenes.

Antioxidant and Antigenotoxic Activities of the Brazilian Pine Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Kuntze.

Polyphenols are natural products with recognized potential in drug discovery and development. We aimed to evaluate the polyphenolic profile of Araucaria angustifolia bracts, and their ability to scavenge reactive species. The antioxidant and antigenotoxic effects of A. angustifolia polyphenols in MRC5 human lung fibroblast cells were also explored. The total polyphenol extract of A. angustifolia was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and the chemical composition was confirmed by HPLC. Reactive oxygen species' scavenging ability was investigated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method and superoxide dismutase- and catalase-like activities. The protective effect of the extract in MRC5 cells was carried out by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide method and the determination of oxidative lipids, protein, and DNA (alkaline and enzymatic comet assay) damage. Total phenolic content of the A. angustifolia extract was 1586 ± 14.53 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g of bracts. Catechin, epicatechin, quercetin, and apigenin were the major polyphenols. The extract was able to scavenge DPPH radicals and exhibited potent superoxide dismutase and catalase-like activities. Moreover, A. angustifolia extract significantly protected MRC5 cells against H2O2-induced mortality and oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA. Therefore, A. angustifolia has potential as a source of bioactive chemical compounds.

Infusion, decoction and hydroalcoholic extracts of leaves from artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. subsp. cardunculus) are effective scavengers of physiologically relevant ROS and RNS.

The globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. subsp. cardunculus) is a perennial plant cultivated in the Mediterranean region and Americas for its edible young flower heads and as an interesting source of bioactive compounds. The present study was undertaken to evaluate scavenging capacity against the most physiologically relevant reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) of three different extracts from artichoke leaves (infusion, decoction and hydroalcoholic) using different solvents, commonly accepted for human consumption (water and a mixture of ethanol/water). Additionally, the phenolic compounds in each extract were identified and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array and mass spectrometer detectors (HPLC-DAD-MS/MS). Chlorogenic acid was the major phenolic compound identified in all extracts, followed by 1,3-dicaffeoylquinic acid (cynarin), luteolin-7-rutinoside and the infusion extract presented the highest phenolic content (108mg/g extract, dry basis). In general, the extracts of artichoke leaves presented a remarkable capacity to scavenge ROS and RNS with IC50 values in a low µg/mL range (3.4-43µg/mL). These findings suggest that artichoke could be a potential source of natural antioxidants and has an undeniable nutraceutical value.

Antioxidant Effect of Lippia alba (Miller) N. E. Brown.

Lippia alba is a shrub found in all regions of Brazil and other countries in South and Central America. L. alba exhibits variability among its different accessions, showing differences in morphology and in the composition of its essential oil. This study evaluated the phenolic profiles and the antioxidant activities of seven different accessions of L. alba. The seven accessions of L. alba studied exhibited an important phenolic content, and all accessions demonstrated antioxidant activity with different efficacies. The main flavonoids in all accessions were apigenin, luteolin, naringin and rutin. The Santa Vitória do Palmar accession exhibited higher naringin and total phenolic content. This extract was able to reduce hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage in tissue homogenates of cerebellum, cerebral cortex, hippocampus and liver of Wistar rats.

Organic and Conventional Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil) Improves Metabolic Redox Status of Liver and Serum in Wistar Rats.

Organic and conventional yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is widely used in South America to prepare nonalcoholic drinks rich in polyphenols. These compounds are able to prevent the generation of reactive species, thus minimizing the incidence of several diseases. In this perspective, we hypothesized that yerba mate may have protective effects against pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced oxidative damage in liver and serum of rats. Animals (n = 42) received distilled water (control) or yerba mate (organic or conventional) for fifteen days. Then, half of the rats of each group received 60 mg/kg PTZ intraperitoneally or saline solution. After 30 min the animals were euthanized and the liver and blood were collected. The results showed that organic and conventional yerba mate avoided PTZ-induced oxidative damage and nitric oxide production in the liver and serum of the rats. Moreover, both kinds of yerba mate prevented the decrease in enzymatic (superoxide dismutase and catalase) and non-enzymatic (sulfhydryl protein content) defenses in the liver and serum. In addition, histopathologic analysis of the liver showed that yerba mate reduced PTZ-induced cell damage. These findings indicate that yerba mate provides hepatoprotection and improves antioxidant status in the serum, which may contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies using nutraceuticals drinks.