ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have reported that buriti (Mauritia flexuosa L. f.) is a typical fruit from the Brazilian cerrado ecosystem and an important food source for low-income populations. Its composition is rich in carotenoid polyphenols, monounsaturated fatty acids, and ascorbic acid. However, studies on the biological effects resulting from the consumption of this fruit are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a diet supplemented with buriti (Mauritia flexuosa L. f.) on kidney and liver functions in growing rats. METHODS: Determination of centesimal composition, carotenoids, and fatty acids content for buriti pulp, standard chow, and butiti-supplemented chow were performed. Then, Wistar rats of both sexes were fed a standard diet or supplemented with buriti pulp. Blood samples were collected at the end of the experiment to determine biochemical parameters. The unpaired t-test was applied, and differences were considered significant when p<0.05. RESULTS: A diet enriched with buriti pulp did not interfere with kidney function and most markers of liver function in animals. Alkaline phosphatase showed significantly higher plasma concentration in female rats, and albumin and uric acid showed lower concentrations in male rats in both experimental groups. CONCLUSION: The changes observed in biochemical markers did not provide evidence of adverse effects of buriti pulp supplementation on liver function. Thus, the intake of buriti pulp can be encouraged as it is a low-cost food source for the general population.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Female , Rats , Rodentia , Diet , Fruit/metabolism , Kidney , Liver , BrazilABSTRACT
Este estudio tuvo como objetivo caracterizar las propiedades químicas, antioxidantes y antimicrobianas del aceite de pulpa de Mauritia flexuosa L. f. (Arecaceae). La identificación química se realizó por cromatografía de gases acoplada a espectrometría de masas. Se caracterizaron las propiedades fisicoquímicas. La capacidad antioxidante se ha verificado eliminando los radicales libres, reduciendo y quelando el hierro. La actividad antimicrobiana se evaluó mediante la concentración inhibitoria mínima y la acción moduladora de los antibióticos. Los principales ácidos grasos identificados fueron ácido esteárico, ácido palmítico y ácido oleico. La acidez y el índice de saponificación están dentro de los límites establecidos por la Agencia Nacional de Vigilancia Sanitaria. El aceite mostró actividad antioxidante moderada y actividad antimicrobiana contra las cepas de Candida. También mostró efectos sinérgicos, especialmente acerca de cefotaxima contra Bacillus cereus. Los resultados sugieren el potencial de la especie como antioxidante y en terapia antimicrobiana.
This study aimed to characterize the chemical, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the pulp oil of Mauritia flexuosa L. f. (Arecaceae). Chemical identification was performed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The physicochemical properties were characterized. Antioxidant capacity has been verified by eliminating of free radicals, reducing and chelation of iron. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the minimum inhibitory concentration and the modulatory action of antibiotics. The major fatty acids identified were stearic acid, palmitic acid and oleic acid. The acidity and the saponification index are within the limits established by the National Sanitary Surveillance Agency. The oil showed moderate antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity against Candida strains. It also showed synergistic effects, especially on cefotaxime against Bacillus cereus. The results suggest the potential of the species as an antioxidant and in antimicrobial therapy.
Subject(s)
Arecaceae/chemistry , Anti-Infective Agents , Antioxidants , Mass Spectrometry , Candida , Chromatography, GasABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Samburá is the botanical pollen nectar agglutinated by salivary secretions of bees. Stingless bee pollen samples were collected in three periods of the year in Monsenhor Gil town, PI, Brazil, for extraction of volatile constituents by different techniques, analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and the palynological analysis used to identify the dominant pollen. Among the volatile compounds identified, kaur-16-ene, methyl and ethyl hexadecanoate, methyl linoleate and heneicosane were identified more frequently in the studied parameters: period of sample collection and extraction techniques used. The palynological analysis identified the pollen of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth. as the dominant pollen in all samples studied.
Subject(s)
Bees/classification , Volatile Organic Compounds/pharmacology , Pollen/metabolism , Mimosa/classification , Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/instrumentationABSTRACT
The total phenol and flavonoid content, in addition to the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities, of extracts and fractions of Piptadenia moniliformis was determined. This honey plant species is commonly known as "catanduba" or "angico de bezerro". The aqueous fraction derived from the peels of the fruits exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, remaining comparable to the standard value, and there was a general correlation between this activity and the phenol and flavonoid content. The antioxidant potential of this species provides a basis for future developments in herbal medicines and cosmetics. Only the hydro alcoholic extract, the dichloromethane fractions and the ethyl acetate fractions showed moderate cytotoxicity.
Foram determinados o teor de fenóis e flavonoides, as atividades antioxidante e citotóxica dos extratos e frações de Piptadenia moniliformis. Essa é uma espécie melitófila comumente conhecida como "catanduba" ou "angico de bezerro". Das frações testadas, a fração aquosa das cascas dos frutos apresentou a maior atividade antioxidante, com valor comparável ao padrão, e no geral houve correlação do teor de fenóis e flavonoides com essa atividade. Os resultados do potencial antioxidante para essa espécie fornecem subsídios para futuros trabalhos que visem o desenvolvimento de fitoterápicos e cosméticos. Quanto à atividade citotóxica apenas o extrato hidroalcoólico e as frações diclorometano e acetato de etila demonstraram moderada citotoxicidade.
Subject(s)
Antioxidants/chemistry , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Fabaceae/chemistry , Free Radical Scavengers , Phenols/analysis , Flavonoids/analysis , Plant Leaves/chemistryABSTRACT
The pantropical genus Bauhinia, Fabaceae, known popularly as cow's foot, is widely used in folk medicine as antidiabetic. Behavioral effects of the ethanolic extract and ethereal, aqueous and ethyl acetate fractions from B. platypetala Benth. ex Hemsl. leaves were studied in male Swiss mice. The ethanolic extract and fractions were administered intraperitoneally and its effects on spontaneous motor activity (total motility, locomotion, rearing and grooming behavior) were monitored. Anxiolytic-like properties were studied in the elevated plus-maze test and the possible antidepressant-like actions were evaluated in the forced swimming test. The results revealed that only the highest dose of the ethereal fraction (50 mg/kg, i.p.) caused a significant decrease in total motility, locomotion and rearing. Sole dose injected (50 mg/kg) of ethanolic extract and ethereal fractions increased the exploration of the elevated plus-maze open arms in a similar way to that of diazepam (2 mg/kg, i.p.). In the forced swimming test, the ethanolic extract and their fractions (12.5, 25 or 50 mg/kg) was not as effective as paroxetine (10 or 20 mg/kg, i.p.) and imipramine (25 or 50 mg/kg, i.p.) in reducing immobility. These results suggest that some of the components of the ethanolic extract and of the ethereal fraction from B. platypetala, such as p-cymene, phytol, D-lactic acid, hexadecanoic acid, among others, may have anxiolytic-like properties, which deserve further investigation. Furthermore, the results obtained indicate that ethanolic extract from B. platypetala and their fractions do not present antidepressive properties. However, these properties cannot be related to the chemical constituents identified in this specie.
ABSTRACT
The central nervous system (CNS) depressant and anticonvulsant activities of Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck, Rutaceae, essential oil (EO) were investigated in animal models. The EO (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg) injected by oral route (p.o.) in mice caused a significant decrease in the motor activity of animals when compared with the control group, up to thirty days after the administration and the dose of 150 mg/kg significantly reduced the remaining time of the animals on the Rota-rod apparatus. Additionally, C. limon essential oil was also capable to promote an increase of latency for development of convulsions induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). The administration of FLU (10 mg/kg, i.p.), GABA A-benzodiazepine (GABA-BZD) receptor antagonist, antagonized the effect of C. limon essential oil at higher dose. This C. limon essential oil was also capable to promote an increase of latency for development of convulsions induced by picrotoxin (PIC) at higher dose. In the same way, the anticonvulsant effect of the EO was affected by pretreatment with flumazenil, a selective antagonist of benzodiazepine site of GABA A receptor. These results suggest a possible CNS depressant and anticonvulsant activities in mice that needs further investigation.
ABSTRACT
The essential oil from the fresh leaves of Lippia microphylla Cham. was obtained by hydrodistillation and characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Major constituents of the oil were 1.8-cineole (18.12%), ï¢-ocimene (15.20%), bicyclogermacrene (11.63%) and caryophyllene oxide (8.32%). Antimicrobial activity of the oil against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was determined by gel diffusion method. The oil showed good antibacterial activity against Shigella flexneri, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pyogenes and very good antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus.
O óleo essencial das folhas frescas de Lippia microphylla Cham. foi obtido por hidrodestilação e caracterizado por cromatografia gasosa acoplada a espectrometria de massas (CG-EM). O constituinte majoritário do óleo foi 1.8-cineol (18,12%), ï¢-ocimeno (15,20%), bicyclogermacreno (11,63%) e óxido de caryophylleno (8,32%). A atividade antimicrobiana do óleo frente às bactérias Gram-positivas e Gram-negativas foi determinada pelo método de difusão em gel. O óleo apresentou uma boa atividade antibacteriana frente a Shigella flexneri, Escherichia coli e Streptococcus pyogenes sendo o melhor resultado frente a Staphylococcus aureus.
Subject(s)
Staphylococcus , Oils, Volatile , Verbenaceae , Anti-Bacterial AgentsABSTRACT
The essential oil from the fresh leaves of Lippia microphylla Cham. was obtained by hydrodistillation and characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Major constituents of the oil were 1.8-cineole (18.12%), β-ocimene (15.20%), bicyclogermacrene (11.63%) and caryophyllene oxide (8.32%). Antimicrobial activity of the oil against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was determined by gel diffusion method. The oil showed good antibacterial activity against Shigella flexneri, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pyogenes and very good antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus.
The essential oil from the fresh leaves of Lippia microphylla Cham. was obtained by hydrodistillation and characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Major constituents of the oil were 1.8-cineole (18.12%), β-ocimene (15.20%), bicyclogermacrene (11.63%) and caryophyllene oxide (8.32%). Antimicrobial activity of the oil against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was determined by gel diffusion method. The oil showed good antibacterial activity against Shigella flexneri, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pyogenes and very good antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus.