Extract from Arrabidaea chica (Fridericia chica) leaves show preventive action for the mitigation of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity / [Extrato das folhas de Arrabidaea chica (Fridericia chica) mostrou potencial ação no combate à cardiotoxicidade induzida pela doxorrubicina]

A doxorrubicina (dox) é um medicamento antineoplásico que induz cardiotoxicidade por estresse oxidativo. Os flavonoides são antioxidantes extraídos de plantas como Camellia sinensis e Arrabidaea chica (Fridericia chica). Esta pesquisa objetivou avaliar efeitos protetores do extrato de A. chica (AC), comparado ao de C. sinensis (CS), frente ao estresse oxidativo induzido pela dox, no coração. Cardiomiócitos e células neoplásicas MDA-MB 231 foram incubados com AC e CS. Depois, adicionou-se dox e avaliaram-se taxas de viabilidade e morte celular. A citometria de fluxo para o ensaio de iodeto de propídeo (IP) em cardiomiócitos mostrou as seguintes taxas de morte celular: controle 53%; dox 78% (maior que controle, P=0,015); AC_12,5µg/mL + dox 65% (menor que dox, P=0,031); AC_25µg/mL + dox 62% (menor que dox, P=0,028); AC_50µg/mL + dox 63% (menor que dox, P=0,030); CS_12,5µg/mL + dox 71% (menor que dox, P=0,040); CS_25µg/ml + dox 69% (menor que dox, P=0,037); CS_50µg/mL + dox 74% (menor que dox, P=0,044). Resultados das células MDA-MB 231 mostraram que nenhum extrato interferiu na atividade antitumoral da dox. Os dados de IP foram corroborados pelos de MTT. Este estudo reporta promissora utilização de A. chica na prevenção da cardiotoxicidade induzida pela dox.(AU)

Hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of Arrabidaea brachypoda (DC. ) Bureau present antispasmodic activity mediated through calcium influx blockage

Aim: Since other species of the Bignoniaceae Family presented of antispasmodic activity, it was decided, by chemotaxonomic criterion, to determine the antispasmodic activity of the leaves of Arrabidaea brachypoda. Methodology: the segments of the rat jejunum were suspended in glass vats containing specific saline solution, at an appropriate temperature, and after stabilization period, were stimulated by a contractile agent to observe the inhibitory or relaxing effect of EH-FAB. Results: EH-FAB showed the presence of 10 compounds, mainly rutin and it has an antispasmodic activity as it inhibits the phasic component and relaxes the tonic component of the contraction in isolated rat jejunum. To assess the mechanism of antispasmodic action, cumulative curves to the CCh were performed in which a non-competitive antagonism was observed, due to a displacement of the control curve to the right and reduction of the maximum contraction effect (Emax). Afterward, the participation of the calcium and/or potassium channels was evaluated by increasing the extracellular potassium, and it was observed that the EH-FAB relaxed the rat jejunum, suggesting the participation of the Ca2+ channels. To corroborate that hypothesis, the EH-FAB was tested against cumulative curves to Ca2+ in a free depolarizing solution of Ca2+, and it was observed that there was a shift of the curve to the right with a reduction in Emax. Conclusions: EH-FAB presents antispasmodic activity in isolated rat jejunum and it is suggested to block the influx of Ca2+ through voltage-gated calcium channels, signaling the therapeutic potential for the treatment of colic and/or diarrhea.(AU)

Effect of Arrabidaea chica extract against chemically induced breast cancer in animal model

Abstract Purpose: To examine the effects of Arrabidaa chica (Bignoniacea) extract, a native plant of the Amazon known as crajiru, on a 7,12-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA)-induced breast cancer model in Wistar rats. Methods: We compared the response of breast cancer to the oral administration of A. chica extract (ACE) for 16 weeks, associated or not with vincristine. Groups: normal control; DMBA (50mg/kg v.o,) without treatment; DMBA+ACE (300 mg/kg); DMBA+vincristine. 500μg/kg injected i.p; DMBA+ACE+Vincristine 250μg/kg i.p. Imaging by microPET and fluorescence, biochemistry, oxidative stress, hematology and histopathology were used to validate the treatments. Results: All animals survived. A gradual weight gain in all groups was observed, with no significant difference (p>0.05). The oral administration of ACE and ACE+vincristine 50% significantly reduced breast tumors incidence examined with PET-18FDG and fluorescence (p<0.001). Significant reduction of serum transaminases, oxidative stress and hematological toxicity were observed in these groups. Antioxidant enzyme levels in breast tissue were significantly higher compared to the DMBA and DMBA+vincristine groups. Conclusion: These results demonstrate for the first time that ACE positively influences the treatment of DMBA-induced breast cancer in animal model, inducing a reduction in oxidative stress and chemotherapy toxicity, meaning that ACE may have clinical implication in further studies.

Evaluation of cytogenotoxicity, antioxidant and hypoglycemiant activities of isolate compounds from Mansoa hirsuta D.C. (Bignoniaceae)

ABSTRACT Mansoa hirsuta (Bignoniaceae) is a native plant from caatinga in Brazilian semiarid. This plant has been locally used as antimicrobial and hypoglycemiant agents, but their action mechanisms and toxicity remain largely unknown. Therefore, we evaluated the composition and antioxidant, cytoprotective and hypoglycemiant effects of raw extract, fractions and compounds from leaves of M. hirsuta. The cytogenotoxic effects of ursolic and oleanolic acids, the main phytotherapic components of this plant, were assessed. The raw extract and fractions presented steroids, saponins, flavonols, flavanonols, flavanones, xanthones, phenols, tannins, anthocyanins, anthocyanidins and flavonoids. The ethyl acetate fraction inhibited efficiently the cascade of lipid peroxidation while the hydroalcoholic fraction was richer in total phenols and more efficient in capturing 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (·DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS·+) radicals. The isolated fraction of M. hirsuta also inhibited the α-amylase activity. Cytotoxic effects were absent in both raw extract and fractions while ursolic+oleanolic acids were efficient in protecting cells after exposure to hydrogen peroxide. Moreover, this mixture of acid shad no significant interference on the mitotic index and frequency of nuclear and/or chromosomal abnormalities in Allium cepa test. Therefore, M. hirsuta represents a potential source of phytochemicals against inflammatory and oxidative pathologies, including diabetes.

In vitro antioxidant capacity and free radical scavenging evaluation of active metabolite constituents of Newbouldia laevis ethanolic leaf extract

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging capacity of bioactive metabolites present in Newbouldia laevis leaf extract. RESULTS: Chromatographic and spectrophotometric methods were used in the study and modified where necessary in the study. Bioactivity of the extract was determined at 10 µg/ml, 50 µg/ml, 100 µg/ml, 200 µg/ml and 400 µg/ml concentrations expressed in % inhibition. The yield of the ethanolic leaf extract of N.laevis was 30.3 g (9.93%). Evaluation of bioactive metabolic constituents gave high levels of ascorbic acid (515.53 ± 12 IU/100 g [25.7 mg/100 g]), vitamin E (26.46 ± 1.08 IU/100 g), saponins (6.2 ± 0.10), alkaloids (2.20 ± 0.03), cardiac glycosides(1.48 ± 0.22), amino acids and steroids (8.01 ± 0.04) measured in mg/100 g dry weight; moderate levels of vitamin A (188.28 ± 6.19 IU/100 g), tannins (0.09 ± 0.30), terpenoids (3.42 ± 0.67); low level of flavonoids (1.01 ± 0.34 mg/100 g) and absence of cyanogenic glycosides, carboxylic acids and aldehydes/ketones. The extracts percentage inhibition of DPPH, hydroxyl radical (OH.), superoxide anion (O2 .-), iron chelating, nitric oxide radical (NO), peroxynitrite (ONOO-), singlet oxygen (1O2), hypochlorous acid (HOCl), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and FRAP showed a concentration-dependent antioxidant activity with no significant difference with the controls. Though, IC50 of the extract showed significant difference only in singlet oxygen (1O2) and iron chelating activity when compared with the controls. CONCLUSIONS: The extract is a potential source of antioxidants/free radical scavengers having important metabolites which maybe linked to its ethno-medicinal use.

Actividad antibacteriana de extractos de frutos de nanchi (Byrsonima crassifolia (L.) Kunth), arrayán (Psidium sartorianum (O. Berg) Nied.) y ayale (Crescentia alata Kunth) / Antibacterial activity of extracts obtained from the nanchi (Byrsonima crassifolia (L.) Kunth), arrayan (Psidium sartorianum (O. Berg) Nied.) and ayale (Crescentia alata Kunth) fruits

Nanchi (Byrsonima crassifolia), arrayan (Psidium sartorianum) and ayale (Crescentia alata) are wild and under-utilized plants from Mexico; their fruits have been used as food and as Mexican traditional remedies against human bacterial infections (e.g. bacillary dysentery). However, scientific reports which support such uses or promote their consumption are scarce. In this work, the antibacterial activities of fruit extracts (i.e. hexanic, HE; chloroformic, CE; and methanolic, ME) were determined by the micro-dilution assay, establishing the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericide Concentration (MBC) against 21 human pathogenic bacteria. The HE of arrayan and ayale showed the highest activity against enterobacteria (E. coli, Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp.) (MIC 0.25-2 mg/mL; MBC 0.5-16 mg/mL). The arrayan ME was the most active against the Gram-positive bacteria, showing Staphylococcus aureus the highest sensitivity (MIC 2 mg/mL; MBC 2-4 mg/mL). The presented results support the traditional uses of these plant materials for treating bacterial infectious diseases.

Nanchi (Byrsonima crassifolia), arrayán (Psidium sartorianum) y ayale (Crescentia alata) son plantas silvestres subutilizadas de México; sus frutos son comestibles y usados como medicamentos tradicionales contra infecciones bacterianas humanas (e.g. disentería bacilar). Sin embargo, los reportes científicos que avalen los usos y promuevan su consumo son escasos. En este trabajo se determinó, ensayo de micro-dilución en caldo, la Concentración Mínima Inhibitoria (CMI) y Concentración Mínima Bactericida (CMB), de los extractos de frutos (hexánico, EH; clorofórmico, EC; y metanólico, EM) contra 21 bacterias patógenas humanas. Los EH de arrayán y ayale mostraron la mayor actividad (CMI 0.25-2 mg/mL; CMB 0.5-16 mg/mL) contra enterobacterias (Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. y Shigella spp.). El EM de arrayán fue el más activo contra bacterias Gram positivas, presentando Staphylococcus aureus la mayor sensibilidad (CMI 2 mg/mL; CMB 2-4 mg/mL). Estos resultados apoyan el uso tradicional de estos materiales en padecimientos asociados al tratamiento de infecciones bacterianas.

Actividad antimicrobiana de extractos de Psidium friedrichsthalianum L., Pterocarpus hayesii L., Tynanthus guatemalensis L. y Spondias purpurea L / Antimicrobial activity of Psidium friedrichsthalianum L., Pterocarpus hayesii L., Tynanthus guatemalensis L. and Spondias purpurea L. extracts

There is not much information on antimicrobial activity presented by several species traditionally used as medicinal plants in Tabasco. Antimicrobial activity of ethanolic and hexanic extracts from leaf and bark of guayaba agria (Psidium friedrichsthalianum L.), palo de sangre (Pterocarpus hayesii L.) chichimecate (Tynanthus guatemalensis L.) and ciruela (Spondias purpurea L.) was evaluated for against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028 and Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778 by the use of agar diffusion method. Results indicate that the hexanic extract of every one of the plant species presented antimicrobial activity on at least one of the evaluated microorganisms meanwhile bark hexanic extracts did not present activity against the three microorganisms tested. The extracts that presented a Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of < 7.50 mg mL-1 against B. cereus were both leaf ethanolic of P. friedrichsthalianum and S. purpurea and the T. guatemalensis leaf hexanic extract as well as P. friedrichsthalianum bark hexánico extract against S. aureus and S. typhimurium.

Existe poca información sobre la actividad antimicrobiana que pueden presentar varias plantas que han sido reportadas con uso medicinal tradicional en el Estado de Tabasco. Se evaluó la actividad antimicrobiana de los extractos etanólico y hexánico de hoja y corteza de cuatro plantas utilizadas como medicinales: guayaba agria (Psidium friedrichsthalianum L.), palo de sangre (Pterocarpus hayesii L.), chichimecate (Tynanthus guatemalensis L.) y ciruela (Spondias purpurea L.). La actividad antimicrobiana se evaluó contra Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028 y Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778 mediante el método de difusión en agar. Los resultados indican que el extracto hexánico de cada una de las plantas presentaron actividad antimicrobiana al menos en uno de los microorganismos evaluados mientras que los extractos hexánicos de corteza no presentaron actividad contra ninguno de los tres microorganismos ensayados. Los extractos que presentaron una Concentración Mínima Inhibitoria (CMI) igual o menor de 7.50 mg mL-1 contra B. cereus fueron los etanólicos de hoja de P. friedrichsthalianum y S. purpurea y el hexánico de hoja de T. guatemalensis así como el extracto hexánico de corteza de P. friedrichsthalianum contra S. aureus y S. typhimurium.

Ação fungitóxica do óleo essencial de Tanaecium nocturnum (Barb. Rodr.) Bur. e K. Shum sobre o Aspergillus flavus isolado da castanha-do-Brasil (Bertholletia excelsa) / Fungitoxic action of the essential oil of Tanaecium nocturnum (Barb. Rodr.) Bur. and K. Shum on Aspergillus flavus isolated from the Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa)

Neste trabalho, avaliou-se a capacidade fungitóxica do óleo essencial de folhas frescas de Tanaecium nocturnum sobre o Aspergillus flavus isolado da castanha-do-brasil, por meio das técnicas de contato e fumigação. Pelos resultados dos bioensaios realizados até 10 dias de incubação, verificou-se que a inibição total do crescimento micelial ocorreu quando se utilizou o óleo essencial nas concentrações de 782 ppm (técnica de contato) e 1000 ppm (técnica de fumigação). Em ambas as técnicas, o óleo essencial inibiu a esporulação a partir da concentração de 500 ppm. Observou-se que nos cinco primeiros dias de incubação não houve diferença significativa nos resultados apresentados pelas duas técnicas estudadas, havendo a partir daí uma redução da atividade do óleo essencial nas concentrações inferiores a 1000 ppm pelo teste de fumigação. A ação fungitóxica do óleo essencial sobre o microrganismo estudado pode ser atribuída à presença do benzaldeído (composto majoritário do óleo essencial estudado), em associação com outros compostos também presentes nesse óleo essencial, tais como; álcool benzílico, benzoato de benzila e mandelonitrila.

The present work sought to evaluate the fungitoxic activity of the essential oil from fresh Tanaecium nocturnum fresh leaves on Aspergillus flavus isolated from Brazil nuts, using contact and fumigation techniques. The results of bioassays performed up to 10 days of incubation demonstrated that total inhibition of mycelial growth occurred when using the essential oil at concentrations of 782 ppm (contact technique) and 1000 ppm (fumigation technique). In both techniques, the essential oil inhibited the formation of spores at the concentration of 500 ppm. No significant difference in the results presented by the two techniques was observed in the first five days of incubation. After this period, the essential oil showed a reduction in activity at concentrations lower than 1000 ppm in the fumigation test. The fungitoxic activity of the essential oil on the organism studied can be attributed to the presence of benzaldehyde (major component of the essential oil), in combination with other compounds also present in this oil, such as, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate and mandelonitrila.

The effects of Tynnanthus fasciculatus (Bignoniaceae) infusion on testicular parenchyma of adult Wistar rats

Traditional medicine provides strong guidance for scientific experiments involving plant products used by the Brazilian people. The species "cipó-cravo" (Tynnanthus fasciculatus) is a plant commonly used either to combat indigestion and stomachaches, or as a general stimulant and aphrodisiac. In this study, the effects of "cipó-cravo" infusion were investigated within the testicular parenchyma of adult Wistar rats. Rats were divided into 3 groups: a control (distilled water) and two treated groups, which received the plant infusion (100 and 200mg/animal/day). The 200mg dose promoted a significant increase of the testicular parenchyma weight and of the volume and total length of the seminiferous tubules, as well as in total daily sperm production and sperm production per gram of testis.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of Zeyheria montana (Bignoniaceae) ethanol extract

In this work, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Zeyheria montana Mart. ethanol leaf extract were investigated at doses of 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg body weight. In the analgesic assay, against a chemical stimulus in mice, acetic acid-induced writhes were significantly inhibited by the extract at doses of 75 mg/kg (67.27 percent), 150 mg/kg (49.38 percent) and 300 mg/kg (82.87 percent). Also, a vigorous decrease in hyperalgesia was observed when measured after 2 h and 6 h of lipopolysaccharide stimulation of rats for all doses of extract tested. Z. montana extract, at doses of 75 and 300 mg/kg, caused very slight central analgesia in rats submitted to thermal stimulus, particularly noticeable at 30 min following treatment. The anti-inflammatory activity of Z. montana extract on carrageenan-induced oedema in rats was evaluated. The oedema development, measured at 180 min following carrageenan intraplantar injection, was significantly reduced by all tested doses: 75 mg/kg (33.30 percent), 150 mg/kg (45.80 percent) and 300 mg/kg (75.00 percent). The LD50 value was greater than 2000 mg/kg. These results demonstrated that the ethanol extract from Z. montana leaf possesses anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities, which could be of relevance for the pharmacological control of pain and inflammatory processes.

Determinación de la actividad antiinflamatoria de Crescentia alata HBK (morro) / Determination of the anti-inflammatory activity of Crescentia alata HBK (morro)

El presente estudio fue realizado con el propósito de evaluar la actividad antiinflamatoria de extractos Metanólico, Hexánico, Acuoso, Clorofórmico y Cloroformo-Metanólico de Crescentia alata HBK (morro), como un estudio farmacológico fase II.