Vaccinium corymbosum L. Derived Phytochemicals against Diarrhea

Phytochemicals from Vaccinium corymbosum L.plant extract are traditionally used to cure diarrhea. It is caused by Escherichia coli. Molecular docking method applied using “Biovia Discovery Studio”. “High positive values of -CDOCKER energy and -CDOCKER interaction energy” suggested that cafferic acid can effectively deactivate the shikimate dehydrogenase thereby interrupting the life cycle of the organism

Concentrations of cytokinin and the use of agricultural residues in the in vitro propagation media of highbush blueberry / Concentrações de citocinina e uso de resíduos agrícolas no meio de multiplicação in vitro de mirtileiro

ABSTRACT: The objective of the research was to evaluate cytokinin concentrations and agricultural residues as physical structuring agents of the culture medium in the in vitro propagation of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum 'Duke'). To that end, three different concentrations of 2-isopentenyladenine (2iP) (0, 5, and 10 mg L-1)in woody plant medium (WPM) and five structuring agents (in natura rice husks, carbonized rice husks, coconut fiber, S-10 Beifort®, and agar)were tested. After 60days of culture, the following parameters were evaluated: survival (%),sprout and shoot lengths (cm),propagation rate, number of sprouts, and shoot dry mass (g). The substrates used as structuring agents were analyzed in terms of pH and electrical conductivity. The in natura rice husk, S-10 Beifort®, and carbonized rice husk did not differ from the agar in terms of the sprout length. The shoots were longer (1.64 cm) in cultures within natura rice husk than in other treatments. In the absence of 2iP, S-10 Beifort® resulted in the highest propagation rate (2.97). Concerning the number of sprouts, S-10 Beifort®, in natura rice husks, and carbonized rice husks did not differ from agar. However, when the regulator was added, the agar performed better in comparison to the other residues. Thus, in natura rice husks, carbonized rice husks, and S-10 Beifort®are potential physical structuring agents of the culture medium that can be used without 2iP.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar concentrações de citocinina e resíduos agrícolas como agentes físicos de estruturação do meio na multiplicação in vitro de mirtileiro (Vaccinium corymbosum) 'Duke'. Para isso, foram testadas três concentrações de 2-isopenteniladenina (2iP) (0; 5 e 10 mg L-1) no meio WPM (Wood Plant Media); e cinco agentes estruturantes (casca de arroz in natura, casca de arroz carbonizada, fibra de coco, S-10 Beifort® e ágar). Após 60 dias foram avaliados: sobrevivência (%); comprimento de brotações e de parte aérea (cm); taxa de multiplicação; número de brotações e massa seca de parte aérea (g). Analisou-se os substratos utilizados como agentes estruturantes quanto ao pH e condutividade elétrica. A casca de arroz in natura, o S-10 Beifort®, e a casca de arroz carbonizada não diferiram do ágar quanto ao comprimento de brotações. Na casca de arroz in natura obteve-se o maior comprimento de parte aérea (1,64 cm), diferindo dos demais tratamentos. Na ausência de 2iP o S-10 Beifort® apresentou a maior taxa de multiplicação (2,97). Para o número de brotações o S-10 Beifort®, a casca de arroz in natura e carbonizada não diferiram do ágar. Entretanto, quando acrescido de regulador, o ágar apresenta um desempenho maior em relação aos resíduos. Sendo assim, a casca de arroz in natura, a casca de arroz carbonizada, e o S-10 Beifort® apresentam-se como potencias estruturadores físicos do meio de cultura, podendo ser utilizados sem o uso de 2iP.

Evaluación de los arándanos como radioprotectores potenciales / Evaluation of blueberries as potential radioprotectors

Antecedentes: numerosos estudios han analizado la capacidad antioxidante de los arándanos. Considerando la citotoxicidad de las radiaciones ionizantes, mediada por radicales libres, es imperativo el análisis de fitocompuestos con efecto mitigante potencial. Objetivo: evaluar las propiedades radio-protectoras de de los arándanos, en relación con el daño genético inducido por rayos X. Materiales y métodos: el diseño experimental tuvo dos etapas: primero se ejecutó ensayo in vitro con diez muestras de sangre periférica de mujeres jóvenes no fumadoras. Cada muestra fue analizada mediante Ensayo Cometa en el siguiente grupo de tratamientos: control negativo, tratamiento con arándanos (0,232 mG/mL), irradiación con 4 Gy y tratamiento simultáneo arándanos/irradiación. Se contabilizaron 800 células/individuo, 200 por tratamiento, considerando su repetición. Posteriormente, se realizó ensayo in vivo con sangre periférica de dos mujeres, de condiciones similares a las anteriores, sometidas al consumo de extracto seco de arándanos durante 15 días consecutivos. El muestreo se realizó antes y después del tratamiento y se implementó el Cometa analizando 800 células/individuo, correspondientes al control negativo e irradiación con 4 Gy. Resultados: en ambas etapas, el tratamiento con arándanos demostró una reducción significativa (p<0,01) del daño genómico referido a las muestras irradiadas. Conclusiones: la suplementación dietaria con arándanos podría disminuir los efectos secundarios de la radioterapia, optimizando la calidad de vida del paciente oncológico.

Introduction: Numerous studies have analyzed the antioxidant capacity of blueberries. Considering the ionizing radiation cytotoxicity mediated by free radicals is imperative phytocompounds analysis with potential mitigating effect. Objective: To evaluate radio-protective properties of this fruit in relation to genetic damage induced by x-rays. Materials and methods: Experimental design had two stages. First an in vitro assay using 10 samples of peripheral blood of young and nonsmokers female. Each sample was analyzed by comet assay in the next set of treatments: negative control, treatment with blueberries (0,232 mG / mL), irradiation 4Gy and simultaneous blueberry/ irradiation treatment. Were counted 800 cells/individual, 200 per treatment, considering its repetition. Subsequently, an in vivo assay with peripheral blood of two women, of similar conditions and subject to the consumption of dried extract of blueberries for 15 consecutive days was performed. Sampling was performed before and after treatment and Comet was implemented by analyzing 800 cells / individual, corresponding to the negative control and irradiation with 4 Gy. Results: In both stages, treatment with blueberries showed a significant reduction (p <0.01) of genomic damage relative to irradiated samples. Conclusions: Dietary supplementation with blueberries may decrease the side effects of radiation therapy, optimizing the quality of life of cancer patients.

Evaluation of the in vivo mutagenic potential of hydroalcoholic extracts of the northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L. Ericales, Ericaceae) on peripheral blood cells of Swiss mice (Mus musculus Rodentia, Muridae)

The northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L. Ericales, Ericaceae) is very rich in anthocyanins, natural pigments which have strong antioxidant properties and potential health benefits, resulting in the worldwide use the blueberry as a medicinal plant. We investigated the mutagenic potential of simple hydroalcoholic extracts of V. corymbosum acutely administrated by gavage to Swiss mice at doses of 1 g kg-1, 1.5 g kg-1 and 2 g kg-1. Peripheral blood cells were collected 4 h and 24 h post-gavage and assessed by the alkaline comet assay, with further blood samples being collected at 48 h and 72 h for assessment using the micronucleus (MN) assay. Our results show that the V. corymbosum extracts did not induce any statistically significant increase in the average amount of DNA damage in peripheral blood leukocytes. However, we did record a significant increase in the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes at the three doses tested.