Therapeutic effects of a lipid transfer protein isolated from Morinda citrifolia L. (noni) seeds on irinotecan-induced intestinal mucositis in mice.

This work aimed to evaluate the activity of a lipid transfer protein isolated from Morinda citrifolia L. seeds, McLTP1, on the development of intestinal mucositis following irinotecan administration. McLTP1 (0.5, 2, and 8 mg/kg, i.v.) was injected into mice 1h before irinotecan administration (75 mg/kg, i.p.; 4 days), and then for additional 6 days. Seven days after the first dose of irinotecan, diarrhea was assessed, and the intestine was removed for histological evaluation, assessment of intestinal over-contractility, measurement of myeloperoxidase (MPO), proinflammatory cytokines and chemokine (IL-1, IL-6, and KC levels - a murine homolog of human IL-8 chemokine), analysis of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. At the two highest doses, McLTP1 administration decreased mortality and diarrhea. McLTP1 (8 mg/kg, i.v.) significantly prevented irinotecan-induced intestinal damage and led to a reduction in over-contractility of the intestinal muscle (p < 0.05). Moreover, McLTP1 decreased the MPO, IL-1ß, IL-6, and KC levels by 74.7%, 42%, 92.9%, and 95.9%, respectively. Also, the expression of COX-2, NF-κB, and iNOS was reduced. Our study provides a potential new therapeutic for preventing irinotecan-induced mucositis, improved clinical parameters, and reduced inflammation.

The Protein-Rich Fraction from Spirulina platensis Exerts Neuroprotection in Hemiparkinsonian Rats by Decreasing Brain Inflammatory-Related Enzymes and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Expressions.

Spirulina platensis is a cyanobacterium with high protein content and presenting neuroprotective effects. Now, we studied a protein-enriched fraction (SPF), on behavior, neurochemical and immunohistochemical (IHC) assays in hemiparkinsonian rats, distributed into the groups: SO (sham-operated), 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), and 6-OHDA (treated with SPF, 5 and 10 mg/kg, p.o., 15 days). Afterward, animals were subjected to behavioral tests and euthanized, and brain areas used for neurochemical and IHC assays. SPF partly reversed the changes in the apomorphine-induced rotations, open field and forced swim tests, and also the decrease in striatal dopamine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid contents seen in hemiparkinsonian rats. Furthermore, SPF reduced brain oxidative stress and increased striatal expressions of tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine transporter and significantly reduced hippocampal inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2 and glial fibrillary acidic protein expressions. The data suggest that the protein fraction from S. platensis, through its brain anti-inflammatory and antioxidative actions, exerts neuroprotective effects that could benefit patients affected by neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinson's disease.

Toxicity of the essential oil of basil cultivars and hybrids and its repellent effect on stored grain pests / Toxicidade do óleo essencial de cultivares e híbridos de manjericão e seu efeito repelente sobre pragas de grãos armazenados

Essential oils have emerged as an alternative to synthetic insecticides in the control of stored grain pests. The toxicity and repellency of the essential oils of four basil cultivars and three basil hybrids and the monoterpenes linalool, citral, and (E)-methyl cinnamate were evaluated in the stored grain pests Callosobruchus maculatus and Sitophillus zeamais. The essential oils of the cultivar Genovese and the hybrid 'Genovese' x 'Maria Bonita' were more toxic to C. maculatus. Conversely, the essential oils of the cultivar Sweet Dani and the hybrid 'Cinnamom' x 'Maria Bonita' were more toxic to S. zeamais. Among the monoterpenes, (E)-methyl cinnamate was the most toxic to both pests, taking 0.14 and 0.34 µ L.mL-1 to kill 50% of the C. maculatus and S. zeamais populations, respectively. All essential oils from cultivars, hybrids, and monoterpenes were repellent to S. zeamais, except for (E)-methyl cinnamate. For C. maculatus, this effect was lower, being citral the most repellent compound. Results demonstrate the insecticidal potential of the essential oil of O. basilicum and its monoterpenes in the control of stored grain pests.

Os óleos essenciais surgem como alternativa aos inseticidas sintéticos no controle das pragas de grãos armazenados. A toxicidade e a repelência dos óleos essenciais de quatro cultivares e três híbridos de manjericão e dos monoterpenos linalol, citral e (E)-cinamato de metila foram avaliadas nas pragas de grãos armazenados Callosobruchus maculatus e Sitophillus zeamais. Os óleos essenciais da cultivar Genovese e do híbrido 'Genovese' x 'Maria Bonita' foram mais tóxicos para C. maculatus. Já para S. zeamais, os óleos essenciais das cultivar Sweet Dani e do híbrido 'Cinnamom' x 'Maria Bonita' apresentaram maior toxicidade. Dentre os monoterpenos, o (E)-cinamato de metila foi o mais tóxico para ambas as pragas. Foram necessários 0,14 e 0,34 µ L.mL-1 para matar 50% da população de C. maculatus e S. zeamais. Todos os óleos essenciais das cultivares, dos híbridos e dos monoterpenos foram repelentes a S. zeamais, com exceção do (E)-cinamato de metila. Já para C. maculatus, este efeito foi reduzido, sendo o citral o composto mais repelente. Nos resultados demonstram o potencial inseticida dos óleos essenciais de O. basilicum e seus monoterpenos para o controle de pragas de grãos armazenados.

In vitro conservation and acclimatization of epidendroideae (Orchidaceae) from Sergipe, Brazil / Conservação in vitro e aclimatização de Epidendroideae (Orchidaceae) de Sergipe, Brasil

Orchids are known for the beauty, exuberance, and color of their flowers and therefore represent one of the most coveted ornamental plants. Due to their high commercial value, several illegal practices of removal and commercialization have led to the verge of extinction. This study aimed to develop protocols for in vitro conservation under slow growth and acclimatization of species of the subfamily Epidendroideae (Orchidaceae), from the state of Sergipe, Brazil. Two experiments were conducted: the first one tested four concentrations of MS (MURASHIGE and SKOOG, 1962) (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%), three orchid species (Catasetum macrocarpum, Oeceoclades maculata, and Polystachya estrellensis), and two temperatures (18 and 25ºC); the second one tested three combinations of carbon sources and osmotic regulators (20 g L-1 sucrose; 10 g L-1 sucrose + 5 g L-1 de mannitol; 10 g L-1 sucrose + 5 g L-1 sorbitol) and the same three species and two temperatures. For the in vitro conservation of C. macrocarpum, O. maculata, and P. estrellensis over 450 days, the use of 25% of MS salts or 20 g.L-1 sucrose at 25ºC is recommended. C. macrocarpum seedlings were acclimatized using sand + shredded pine bark + worm castings at a ratio of 2:2:1 (w:w:w). The use of sand alone is recommended for the acclimatization of O. maculata

As orquídeas são conhecidas pela beleza, exuberância e cores de suas flores e por isso representam uma das plantas ornamentais mais cobiçadas. Devido ao alto valor comercial, muitas são as práticas ilegais de retirada e comercialização de orquídeas, o que leva as espécies à beira de extinção. O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver protocolos para a conservação in vitro sob crescimento lento e aclimatação de espécies da subfamília Epidendroideae (Orchidaceae) do Estado de Sergipe, Brasil. Dois experimentos foram realizados: o primeiro ensaio testou quatro concentrações dos sais MS (MURASHIGE e SKOOG, 1962) (25, 50, 75 e 100%), três espécies (Catasetum macrocarpum, Oeceocladesmaculata e Polystachya estrellensis) e duas temperaturas (18 e 25ºC); o segundo ensaio testou três combinações de fontes de carbono e reguladores osmóticos (20 g L-1 de sacarose; 10 g L-1 de sacarose + 5 g L-1 manitol; 10 g L-1 de sacarose + 5 g L-1 sorbitol), três espécies (C. macrocarpum, O. maculata e P. estrellensis) e duas temperaturas (18 e 25ºC). Para executar a aclimatação, oito substratos foram testados para as espécies C. macrocarpum e O. maculata. Para realizar a conservação in vitro de C. macrocarpum, O. maculata e P.estrellensis ao longo de 450 dias, recomenda-se a utilização 25% dos sais de MS ede 20 g L-1 de sacarose a 25°C. Mudas de C. macrocarpum foram aclimatizadas utilizando areia + casca de pinus + húmus de minhoca (2:2:1). Recomenda-se a utilização de areia para aclimatização de O. maculata.

Chemical diversity in basil (Ocimum sp.) germplasm.

The present study aimed to chemically characterize 31 accessions and seven cultivars of basil. The percentage composition of the essential oils of the accessions and cultivars was based on the 14 most abundant constituents: 1,8-cineole, linalool, methyl chavicol, neral, nerol, geraniol, geranial, methyl cinnamate, ß-bourbonene, methyl eugenol, α-trans-bergamotene, germacrene-D, epi-α-cadinol, and δ-cadinene. The genetic materials were classified into eight clusters according to the chemical composition of the essential oils: Cluster 1--mostly linalool and 1,8-cineole; Cluster 2--mostly linalool, geraniol, and α-trans-bergamotene; Cluster 3--mostly linalool, methyl chavicol, methyl cinnamate, and ß-bourbonene; Cluster 4--mostly linalool, methyl chavicol, epi-α-cadinol, and α-trans-bergamotene; Cluster 5--mainly linalool, methyl eugenol, α-trans-bergamotene, and epi-α-cadinol; Cluster 6--mainly linalool, geraniol, and epi-α-cadinol; Cluster 7--mostly linalool and methyl chavicol; Cluster 8--mainly geranial and neral.

The impact of hybridization on the volatile and sensorial profile of Ocimum basilicum L.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the volatile and sensorial profile of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) by quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) of the essential oil of three hybrids ("Cinnamon" × "Maria Bonita," "Sweet Dani" × "Cinnamon," and "Sweet Dani" × "Maria Bonita"). Twelve descriptive terms were developed by a selected panel that also generated the definition of each term and the reference samples. The data were subjected to ANOVA, Tukey's test, and principal component analysis. The hybrid "Cinnamon" × "Maria Bonita" exhibited a stronger global aroma that was less citric than the other samples. Hybridization favored the generation of novel compounds in the essential oil of the hybrid "Sweet Dani" × "Maria Bonita," such as canfora and (E)-caryophyllene; (E)-caryophyllene also was a novel compound in the hybrid "Sweet Dani" × "Cinnamon"; this compound was not present in the essential oils of the parents.

Indução e análise histológica de calos em explantes foliares de Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae) / Induction and histological analysis of callus leaf explants of Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de BAP e AIB sobre a formação de calos a partir de explantes foliares de Jatropha curcas L. (acesso JCUFS-012), descrever a curva de crescimento e realizar análise histológica dos calos. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 5x4, com cinco concentrações de BAP (0,0; 0,5; 1,0; 2,0 e 3,0 mg.L-1) e quatro de AIB (0,0; 0,5; 0,75 e 1,0 mg.L-1). Durante o experimento, a curva de crescimento dos calos foi acompanhada e mensurada aos 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 dias de cultivo. A análise histológica foi realizada a partir de calos crescidos em meio MS acrescido de 1,0 mg.L-1 de BAP e 0,5 mg.L-1 de AIB, após 60 dias de cultivo. A interação dos reguladores de crescimento BAP e AIB proporcionou a formação de calos compactos e posterior regeneração de brotações. Um maior número médio (6,2) de brotos por calo foi observado quando se adicionou ao meio de cultivo 1,65 mg.L-1 de BAP. A curva de crescimento de calos apresentou cinco fases distintas: lag, exponencial, linear, estacionária e desaceleração. Na análise histológica dos calos de J. curcas fica evidenciado a organogênese indireta pela formação de brotos adventícios, que apresentam conexão cambial com os tecidos dos calos.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of IBA and BAP on callus formation from leaf explants of Jatropha curcas L. (accession JCUFS-012), describing the growth curve and histological analysis of the callus. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 5x4 factorial design with five concentrations of BAP (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 mg. L-1) and four of IBA (0.0, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 mg.L-1). During the experiment, the growth curve of the calli was monitored and measured at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 days of cultivation. Histological analysis was performed from calli grown on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg.L-1 of BAP and 0.5 mg.L-1 of IBA after 60 days of cultivation. The interaction of the growth regulators BAP and IBA provided the formation of compact calli and subsequent regeneration of shoots. A higher number (6.2) of shoots per callus was observed when 1.65 mg.L-1 of BAP was added to the culture medium. The growth curve of calli showed five distinct phases: lag, exponential, linear, stationary and deceleration. On histological analysis of callus J. curcas, indirect organogenesis was evidenced by the formation of adventitious shoots, that presented cambial connection with the callus tissue.