Antileishmanial activity of the essential oil from Tetradenia riparia obtained in different seasons

The herbaceous shrub Tetradenia riparia has been traditionally used to treat inflammatory and infectious diseases. Recently, a study showed that T. riparia essential oil (TrEO) obtained in summer has antileishmanial effects, although these results could be influenced by seasonal variation. This study evaluated the activity of the TrEO obtained in different seasons against Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis, in vitro and in vivo. The compounds in the TrEO were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; terpenoids were present and oxygenated sesquiterpenes were the majority compounds (55.28%). The cytotoxicity and nitric oxide (NO) production were also tested after TrEO treatment. The TrEO from all seasons showed a 50% growth inhibitory concentration for promastigotes of about 15 ng/mL; at 30 ng/mL and 3 ng/mL, the TrEO reduced intracellular amastigote infection, independently of season. The TrEO from plants harvested in summer had the highest 50% cytotoxic concentration, 1,476 ng/mL for J774.A1 macrophages, and in spring (90.94 ng/mL) for murine macrophages. NO production did not change in samples of the TrEO from different seasons. The antileishmanial effect in vivo consisted of a reduction of the parasite load in the spleen. These results suggest that the TrEO has potential effects on L. (L.) amazonensis, consonant with its traditional use to treat parasitic diseases.

In vitro biological screening of the anticholinesterase and antiproliferative activities of medicinal plants belonging to Annonaceae

The aim of this research was to investigate the antiproliferative and anticholinesterase activities of 11 extracts from 5 Annonaceae species in vitro. Antiproliferative activity was assessed using 10 human cancer cell lines. Thin-layer chromatography and a microplate assay were used to screen the extracts for acetylcholinesterase (AchE) inhibitors using Ellman's reagent. The chemical compositions of the active extracts were investigated using high performance liquid chromatography. Eleven extracts obtained from five Annonaceae plant species were active and were particularly effective against the UA251, NCI-470 lung, HT-29, NCI/ADR, and K-562 cell lines with growth inhibition (GI50) values of 0.04-0.06, 0.02-0.50, 0.01-0.12, 0.10-0.27, and 0.02-0.04 µg/mL, respectively. In addition, the Annona crassiflora and A. coriacea seed extracts were the most active among the tested extracts and the most effective against the tumor cell lines, with GI50 values below 8.90 µg/mL. The A. cacans extract displayed the lowest activity. Based on the microplate assay, the percent AchE inhibition of the extracts ranged from 12 to 52%, and the A. coriacea seed extract resulted in the greatest inhibition (52%). Caffeic acid, sinapic acid, and rutin were present at higher concentrations in the A. crassiflora seed samples. The A. coriacea seeds contained ferulic and sinapic acid. Overall, the results indicated that A. crassiflora and A. coriacea extracts have antiproliferative and anticholinesterase properties, which opens up new possibilities for alternative pharmacotherapy drugs.

Boys in white: um clássico da pesquisa qualitativa completa cinquenta anos / Boys in white: a classic of qualitative research turns 50

O artigo analisa o livro Boys in white: student culture in medical school, de Howard S. Becker, Blanche Geer, Everett C. Hughes e Anselm Strauss, considerado um dos modelos de pesquisa qualitativa em sociologia. A análise aborda as trajetórias dos autores, do livro, da pesquisa qualitativa e dos estudantes de medicina, enfatizando sua importância nas origens da sociologia médica e da sociologia da educação médica. Na trajetória dos autores são apresentados aspectos biobibliográficos; na da pesquisa qualitativa, o modo como essa metodologia de investigação atravessa a construção do trabalho de campo; e na dos estudantes, sua forma de atravessar os primeiros anos da escola médica e construir sua própria “cultura do estudante”.

This article analyzes Boys in white: student culture in medical schoolby Howard S. Becker, Blanche Geer, Everett C. Hughes and Anselm Strauss, considered a model of qualitative research in sociology. The analysis investigates the trajectories of the authors, the book, qualitative analysis, and the medical students, emphasizing their importance in the origins of medical sociology and the sociology of medical education. In the trajectory of the authors, bibliographical information is given. The trajectory of qualitative research focuses on how this methodology influences the construction of the field. The investigation of the students’ trajectory shows how they progress through their first years at medical school to build their own student culture.

Physicochemical Properties and Interfacial Adaptation of Root Canal Sealers

This study compared the physicochemical properties and interfacial adaptation to canal walls of Endo-CPM-Sealer, Sealapex and Activ GP with the well-established AH Plus sealer. The following analyses were performed: radiopacity, pH variation and solubility using samples of each material and scanning electron microscopy of root-filled bovine incisors to evaluate the interfacial adaptation. Data were analyzed by the parametric and no-parametric tests (α=0.05). All materials were in accordance with the ANSI/ADA requirements for radiopacity. Endo-CPM-Sealer presented the lowest radiopacity values and AH Plus was the most radiopaque sealer (p=0.0001). Except for ActiV GP, which was acidic, all other sealers had basic chemical nature and released hydroxyl ions. Regarding solubility, all materials met the ANSI/ADA recommendations, with no statistically significant difference between the sealers (p=0.0834). AH Plus presented the best adaptation to canal walls in the middle (p=0.0023) and apical (p=0.0012) thirds, while the sealers Activ GP and Endo-CPM-Sealer had poor adaptation to the canal walls. All sealers, except for ActiV GP, were alkaline and all of them fulfilled the ANSI/ADA requirements for radiopacity and solubility. Regarding the interfacial adaptation, AH Plus was superior to the others considering the adaptation to the bovine root canal walls.

Este estudo comparou as propriedades físico-químicas e a adaptação interfacial às paredes do canal dos cimentos Endo-CPM-Sealer, Sealapex e Activ GP com o bem estabelecido cimento AH Plus. As seguintes análises foram realizadas: radiopacidade, variação de pH e de solubilidade utilizando amostras de cada material, e microscopia eletrônica de varredura utilizando incisivos bovinos obturados para avaliar a adaptação interfacial. Os dados foram analisados utilizando testes paramétricos e não-paramétricos (α=0,05). Todos os materiais estavam de acordo com os requerimentos da ANSI/ADA para radiopacidade, sendo que o Endo-CPM-Sealer apresentou os menores valores de radiopacidade e o AH Plus foi o cimento mais radiopaco (p=0,0001). Exceto o Activ GP, que foi ácido, todos os outros cimentos apresentaram natureza química básica e liberaram íons hidroxila. Com relação à solubilidade, todos os materiais estavam de acordo com as recomendações da ANSI /ADA, sem diferença significante entre os cimentos (p=0,0834). O AH Plus apresentou a melhor adaptação às paredes do canal nos terços médio (p=0,0023) e apical (p=0,0012), enquanto que os cimentos Activ GP e Endo-CPM-Sealer apresentaram uma pobre adaptação às paredes do canal. Em conclusão, todos os cimentos, exceto o Activ GP, foram alcalinos e todos preencheram os requerimentos da ANSI/ADA para radiopacidade e solubilidade. Com relação à adaptação interfacial, o AH Plus foi superior aos demais para adaptação às paredes do canal radicular de incisivos bovinos.

Methanol extract from Vietnamese Caesalpinia sappan induces apoptosis in HeLa cells

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the cytotoxic activity of extracts from Caesalpinia sappan heartwood against multiple cancer cell lines using an MTT cell viability assay. The cell death though induction of apoptosis was as indicated by DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 enzyme activation. RESULTS: A methanol extract from C. sappan (MECS) showed cytotoxic activity against several of the cancer cell lines. The most potent activity exhibited by the MECS was against HeLa cells with an IC50 value of 26.5 ± 3.2 µg/mL. Treatment of HeLa cells with various MECS concentrations resulted in growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis, as indicated by DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 enzyme activation. CONCLUSION: This study is the first report of the anticancer properties of the heartwood of C. sappan native to Vietnam. Our findings demonstrate that C. sappan heartwood may have beneficial applications in the field of anticancer drug discovery.

Screening the antifungal activity of essential oils against decay fungi from palmyrah leaf handicrafts

BACKGROUND: The whitish tender leaves of Palmyrah are used for making handicrafts. The problem with these articles is discolouration with time and become more brittle due to fungal attack. This could be prevented by some protective coating. Instead of expensive and harmful chemicals we decided to test natural plant essential oils to control fungal attack. Palmyrah leaf article decay fungi were isolated from two different sites of Jaffna peninsula. In this investigation Antifungal Activity of different plant essential oils from neem (Azadirachta indica), castor (Ricinus communis), citronella (Cymbopogon sp) and camphor (Cinnamomum camphora) obtained from local market have been evaluated against isolated fungi. For screening of Antifungal activity, tests and controls were set to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Percentage of Growth Inhibition. RESULTS: Morphologically three different types of Palmyrah leaf decay fungi were isolated and characterized asAspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium sp. Neem and castor oils have recorded no significant (0.05 > P) antifungal activity while citronella and camphor oils showed significantly different antifungal activity compared with control. Camphor oil and Citronella oil showed 100, 58.13% of average growth inhibition for A. niger. 96.38, 51.32% for A.flavus and 84.99, 72.76% forPenicillium sp respectively. Camphor oil showed highest percentage of growth inhibition at lowest minimum inhibitory concentration compared with citronella oil. Camphor oil was found to be highly antifungal and most effective against A niger, and A. flavus, compared with Penicillium sp and gave 100 percentage of growth inhibitions at 5, 1 and 15 ml/dl minimum inhibitory concentration respectively. CONCLUSION: Significantly higher broad-spectrum of antifungal activity was observed in camphor oil than other tested oils because it showed highest percentage of growth inhibition at lowest inhibitory concentration. Therefore it could be used for the development of new environmental friendly antifungal agent for the preservation of leafy handicrafts. Further formulation, field experiments are necessary to achieve this target.

Tumor growth reduction is regulated at the gene level in Walker 256 tumor-bearing rats supplemented with fish oil rich in EPA and DHA

We investigated the effect of fish oil (FO) supplementation on tumor growth, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), and RelA gene and protein expression in Walker 256 tumor-bearing rats. Male Wistar rats (70 days old) were fed with regular chow (group W) or chow supplemented with 1 g/kg body weight FO daily (group WFO) until they reached 100 days of age. Both groups were then inoculated with a suspension of Walker 256 ascitic tumor cells (3×107 cells/mL). After 14 days the rats were killed, total RNA was isolated from the tumor tissue, and relative mRNA expression was measured using the 2-ΔΔCT method. FO significantly decreased tumor growth (W=13.18±1.58 vs WFO=5.40±0.88 g, P<0.05). FO supplementation also resulted in a significant decrease in COX-2 (W=100.1±1.62 vs WFO=59.39±5.53, P<0.001) and PPARγ (W=100.4±1.04 vs WFO=88.22±1.46, P<0.05) protein expression. Relative mRNA expression was W=1.06±0.022 vs WFO=0.31±0.04 (P<0.001) for COX-2, W=1.08±0.02 vs WFO=0.52±0.08 (P<0.001) for PPARγ, and W=1.04±0.02 vs WFO=0.82±0.04 (P<0.05) for RelA. FO reduced tumor growth by attenuating inflammatory gene expression associated with carcinogenesis.

Metallothionein 3 attenuated the apoptosis of neurons in the CA1 region of the hippocampus in the senescence-accelerated mouse/PRONE8 (SAMP8) / Metalotioneina 3 atenuou a apoptose dos neurônios da região CA1 do hipocampo em camundongos PRONE8 com envelhecimento acelerado (SAMP8)

OBJECTIVE: Metallothionein 3 (MT-3) has been shown to protect against apoptotic neuronal death in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Zinc is a potent inhibitor of caspase-3 and its deficiency was found to promote apoptosis. Here, we measured the zinc and copper content in the brains of senescence-accelerated mouse/PRONE8 (SAMP8) and sought to investigate the effect of MT-3 on the apoptosis of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region of these mice. METHOD: The zinc and copper content in the brain samples of SAMP8 and normal control SAMR1 mice were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The mice were administered intraperitoneally for four weeks with MT-3 or MT1 and thereafter apoptosis was measured using the TUNEL method and the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and proapoptotic protein Bax was examined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with that in SMAR1 mice, the content of zinc in the brains of SAMP8 mice was significantly reduced (P<0.05). Moreover, significant levels of apoptosis of neurons were observed in the hippocampus of SAMP8 mice, which, compared with those in SMAR1 mice, also showed significantly lower levels of Bcl-2 and higher levels of Bax (P<0.05). MT-3 increased zinc concentration in the hippocampus of SAMP8 mice and also significantly decreased apoptosis in these neurons dose-dependently and increased the levels of Bcl-2 and decreased the levels of Bax. CONCLUSION: MT-3 could attenuate apoptotic neuron death in the hippocampus of SAMP8, suggesting that the protein may lessen the development of neurodegeneration.

OBJETIVO: Metalotioneína 3 (MT-3) tem mostrado proteção contra a apoptose neuronal em cérebros de pacientes com doença de Alzheimer. Zinco é um potente inibidor da caspase-3, e sua deficiência pode promover a apoptose. No presente trabalho, foram dosados os níveis de zinco e cobre nos cérebros de camundongos PRONE8 com envelhecimento acelerado (SAMP8), visando investigar o efeito da MT-3 na apoptse dos neurônios da região hipocampal CA1 destes camundongos. MÉTODO: Os níveis de zinco e cobre em amostras cerebrais de camundongos SAMP8 e de controles normais SAMR1 foram determinados por absorção atômica em espectrofotometria. Foram administradas MT-3 ou MT-1 intraperitoneais durante quatro semanas, sendo em seguida avaliada a apoptose pelo método TUNEL , enquanto a expressão da proteína anti-apoptótica Bcl-2 e a proteína pró-apoptótica Bax foram avaliadas por imunohistoquímica. RESULTADOS: Em comparação aos camundongos SMAR1, o nível de zinco nas amostras cerebrais dos camundongos SAMP8 estava significativamente diminuído (P<0.05). Além disto, níveis significativos de apoptose foram observados no hipocampo dos camundongos SAMP8, o que, em comparação com os níveis em camundongos SMAR1, também mostrava níveis significativamente mais baixos de Bcl-2 e níveis mais altos de Bax (P<0.05). MT-3 aumentou a concentração de zinco no hipocampo dos camundongos SAMP8, além de diminuir significativamente a apoptose destes neurônios, de uma forma dose-dependente, ao mesmo tempo que aumentou níveis de Bcl-2 e diminuiu níveis de Bax. CONCLUSÃO: MT-3 pode atenuar a morte neuronal apoptótica no hipocampo de SAMP8, o que sugere que esta proteína possa diminuir a neurodegeneração.

Growth inhibitory effect and Chk1-dependent signaling involved in G2/M arrest on human gastric cancer cells induced by diallyl disulfide

Diallyl disulfide (DADS) inhibits growth and induces cell cycle G2/M arrest in human gastric cancer MGC803 cells. In this study, 15 mg/L DADS exerted similar effects on growth and cell cycle arrest in human gastric cancer BGC823 cells. Due to the importance of cell cycle redistribution in DADS-mediated anti-carcinogenic effects, we investigated the role of checkpoint kinases (Chk1 and Chk2) during DADS-induced cell cycle arrest. We hypothesized that DADS could mediate G2/M phase arrest through either Chk1 or Chk2 signal transduction pathways. We demonstrated that DADS induced the accumulation of phosphorylated Chk1, but not of Chk2, and that DADS down-regulated Cdc25C and cyclin B1. The expression of mRNA and total protein for Chkl and Chk2 was unchanged. Chk1 is specifically phosphorylated by ATR (ATM-RAD3-related gene). Western blot analysis showed that phospho-ATR was activated by DADS. Taken together, these data suggest that cell cycle G2/M arrest, which was associated with accumulation of the phosphorylated forms of Chk1, but not of Chk2, was involved in the growth inhibition induced by DADS in the human gastric cancer cell line BGC823. Furthermore, the DADS-induced G2/M checkpoint response is mediated by Chk1 signaling through ATR/Chk1/Cdc25C/cyclin B1, and is independent of Chk2.

Inmunosupresión para receptores de trasplante renal: estrategias actuales / Immunosuppression for kidney transplant recipients: current strategies

Immunosuppressive therapy aims to protect transplanted organs from host responses. The success achieved during the last two decades in patient and graft survival is mainly related to the development and clinical use of efficacious immunosuppressive drugs. Nevertheless, the challenge of achieving a balance of adequate graft protection while minimizing the adverse consequences of excessive immunosuppression in the long-term continues. Current maintenance immunosuppression for renal transplant recipients generally consists of a calcineurin inhibitor plus an adjunctive antiproliferative agent, and steroids. The addition of induction therapy with a variety of monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies provides a more potent immunosuppression and its use is more relevant in patients with a high immunological risk. More recently, mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors have been incorporated in different schemes proven its efficacy in a number of protocols. The incidence of acute rejection is now in its lower historical percentage and excellent results are reported from many transplant centers all over the world due mainly to a judicious combination of these drugs evaluated through many clinical studies. However, long-term use of immunosuppressive drugs convey inherent risks which translate in an increase of cancers and infections, among others. Ongoing investigations and clinical protocols involving new immunosuppressive drugs and biological agents are yielding important information on how to obtain tolerance or the nearest to this goal. Furthermore, there should be a continuous improvement in patient and graft survival, as the use of different immunosuppressive agents for induction and maintenance are individualized (adapted to each patient).

La terapia inmunosupresora empleada en receptores de trasplante tiene el objetivo de proteger el injerto de la respuesta inmunoloógica generada por parte del huésped. El éxito logrado en el transcurso de las últimas dos décadas en la supervivencia de receptores e injertos, ha dependido en gran medida del desarrollo y uso clínico de fármacos inmunosupresores de probada eficacia. Empero el enorme beneficio que han representado, el reto continúa para mantener un balance adecuado entre la protección inmunológica del injerto y la minimización de las consecuencias adversas derivadas de su indispensable utilización a largo plazo. La terapia inmunosupresora actual de mantenimiento en receptores de trasplante renal consiste habitualmente en la administración de un inhibidor de calcineurina, un agente antiproliferativo, como adyuvante, y esteroides. La adición de terapia de inducción, con modalidades biológicas de anticuerpos mono o policlonales, proveen un mayor grado de inmunosupresión y su empleo adquiere gran relevancia en pacientes con mayor riesgo inmunológico. En una etapa más reciente, los inhibidores del blanco de rapamicina han sido introducidos en varios esquemas después de probar su eficacia en múltiples protocolos. La incidencia de rechazo agudo ha alcanzado sus más bajos índices históricos y los resultados alcanzados en muchos centros de trasplante del mundo son excelentes, derivados en gran medida de la combinación juiciosa de estos fármacos, evaluados en una gran variedad de estudios. El empleo crónico de estos fármacos conlleva riesgos inherentes que se traducen en riesgos incrementados para el desarrollo de infecciones y neoplasias, entre otros. Así, mientras esperamos nuevos avances derivados de una gran profusión de estudios de investigación y protocolos clínicos con nuevas drogas inmunosupresoras y compuestos biológicos, encaminados a obtener tolerancia o lo más cercano a este propósito, deberemos ser capaces de continuar mejorando la vida funcional de la mayoría de los injertos y, desde luego, de sus receptores, "individualizando" (de acuerdo con los riesgos de cada paciente) el empleo de los agentes inmunosupresores disponibles para inducción y mantenimiento.

Genistein Supplementation Inhibits Atherosclerosis with Stabilization of the Lesions in Hypercholesterolemic Rabbits

The effect of genistein on aortic atherosclerosis was studied by immunohistochemistry with RAM-11 and HHF-35 antibodies and western blotting for matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in New Zealand White rabbits. After provocation of atherosclerosis with hyperlipidemic diet, the rabbits were divided as hyperlipidemic diet group (HD), normal diet group (ND) and hyperlipidemic plus genistein diet group (HD+genistein) for 4 and half months. The average cross sectional area of atherosclerotic lesion was 0.269 mm2 after provocation. The lesion was progressed by continuous hyperlipidemic diet (10.06 mm2) but was increased mildly by genistein (0.997 mm2), and decreased by normal diet (0.228 mm2). The ratio of macrophages to smooth muscle cells in the lesion was not changed by genistein supplementation. The western blotting showed reduction of MMP-3 expression in HD+genistein and ND groups than HD group. The inhibition of atherogenesis by genistein was might be due to improve the endothelial dysfunction rather than direct action on macrophages and/or smooth muscle cells in the lesion, since endothelial dysfunction by lipid peroxidation was the main atherogenic factor in the hypercholesterolemicrabbits. The genistein supplementation also suggests that it helps the stabilization of the atherosclerotic lesion by inhibition of MMP-3 expression.

Activity of some plant extracts against dermatophytes.

The occurrence of fungal diseases is a serious problem of the present medicine because of the development of drug resistance against the antifungal activities in the pathogen. As compared to antibacterial antibiotics, there are only a few antibiotics which are used against fungal infection besides there is a serious problem of the development of resistance in fungal pathogen against the known antifungals, hence there seems a great demand of some alternative chemotherapeutic agent. The possibility of getting certain active principle in plants are immense, earlier workers have shown the presence of antifungal activity in various plants of varied nature suggest that the search for antifungal of plant origin should continue to explore their potential.

Estudo da atividade de extratos vegetais sobre o desenvolvimento de Trypanosoma cruzi em meio líquido de Warren / On the activity of plant extracts in the development of Trypanosoma cruzi in Warren's medium

Para se verificar a açäo inibitória sobre o desenvolvimento de Trypanosoma cruzi - amostra Y - cultivado em meio de Warren, testaram-se 103 extratos alcoólicos obtidos a partir de raízes, tubérculos, folhas e sumidades florais de exemplares pertencentes a 19 famílias de vegetais. Para tanto, determinaram-se as concentraçöes alcoólicas näo inibitórias do parasita e, a partir destes dados, elaboraram-se as diluiçöes dos extratos. Os testes foram realizados em quintuplicata com séries de tubos contendo cerca de 10.10(6) a 12.10(6) formas de parasita. Na avaliaçäo dos testes utilizaram-se controles com a cultura pura e com o solvente alcoólico, realizando-se as leituras dos tubos no 10§ dia, através da contagem comparativa das variantes. Os resultados demostraram ocorrência de inibiçäo total de crescimento do protozoário em 32 extratos e inibiçäo parcial, em outros 35 extratos

Action of some insect growth regulators on mosquito vectors: Part I--Citronellol based diethers.

New series of compounds starting from common terpenoids (Geraniol, citronellol) have been examined for biological activity on mosquito larvae. Many of these exhibited development disruption on eggs as well larvae. Some also affected adult oviposition behaviour. Developmental disturbances were classified as JH type by inducing typical metamorphosis inhibition in Dysdercus koenigii in the standard Hemipteran JH bioassay. Where indicated simulated field trials were also undertaken. This report describes results of bioevaluation of the citronellol based compounds. The results indicate that these show multifarious activity against mosquitoes but at relatively high doses, suggesting that exploration of further structural variety is needed before truly promising analogues can be obtained.