Effectiveness of aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of Acanthospermum australe (Loefl) Kuntze against diarrhea-inducing bacteria / Eficácia de extratos aquosos e hidroalcoólicos de Acanthospermum australe (Loefl) Kuntze contra bactérias indutoras de diarreia

Abstract Leaves and roots of Acanthospermum australe (Asteraceae) have been used in Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of various ailments including diarrhea, skin diseases, blennorrhagia, dyspepsia, parasitic worms and malaria. The aim of study was to characterize the chemical profiles of the aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of leaves and roots of A. australe, and to evaluate their antimicrobial activities against diarrhea-inducing bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis, Shigella dysenteriae and Yersinia enterocolitica), as well as their cytotoxic properties. Aqueous leaf extracts were obtained by infusion, while aqueous root extracts were obtained by decoction. The hydroalcoholic leaf and root extracts were prepared by maceration in 90% ethanol for 3 days. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using standard techniques and cytotoxicity was evaluated using Chinese hamster ovary cells CHO-K1. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, saponins and phenolic compounds in the extracts. Although root extracts were not effective against E. faecalis, leaf extracts at concentrations of 20 mg/mL exhibited bactericidal activities against this microorganism. The hydroalcoholic root extract was unique in presenting a bactericidal effect against S. dysenteriae. None of the extracts showed bacteriostatic or bactericidal activities against Y. enterocolitica. The results presented herein demonstrate that the Gram-positive E. faecalis and the Gram-negative S. dysenteriae were susceptible to A. australe extracts, although bacteriostatic/bactericidal activities were only observed at concentrations considered too high for clinical application. Our results support the ethnopharmacological use of A. australe in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, particularly diarrhea caused by infectious bacteria, although further studies are required to determine the anti-diarrhea effects and the toxicities of the extracts in vivo.

Resumo Folhas e raízes de Acanthospermum australe (Asteraceae) têm sido usadas na medicina popular brasileira para o tratamento de várias doenças, incluindo diarreia, doenças de pele, blenorragia, dispepsia, vermes parasitas e malária. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar os perfis químicos dos extratos aquosos e hidroalcoólicos das raízes e folhas de A. australe, e avaliar as suas atividades antimicrobianas contra as bactérias indutoras de diarreia (Enterococcus faecalis, Shigella dysenteriae e Yersinia enterocolitica), bem como sua citotoxicidade. Os extratos aquosos de folhas foram obtidos por infusão, enquanto que os extratos aquosos de raízes foram obtidos por decocção. Os extratos hidroalcoólicos de folhas e raízes foram preparados por maceração em etanol a 90% durante 3 dias. A atividade antimicrobiana foi avaliada utilizando técnicas padrão e a citotoxicidade foi avaliada utilizando células de ovário de hamster chinês CHO-K1. A análise química revelou a presença de taninos, flavonóides, saponinas e compostos fenólicos nos extratos. Apesar de extratos de raiz não foram eficazes contra E. faecalis, extratos de folhas em concentrações de 20 mg/mL apresentaram atividades bactericidas contra este microrganismo. O extrato hidroalcoólico de raiz foi o único a apresentar um efeito bactericida contra S. dysenteriae. Nenhum dos extratos apresentaram atividades bacteriostáticas ou bactericidas contra Y. enterocolitica. Os resultados apresentados demonstram que a bactéria Gram-positiva E. faecalis e a Gram-negativa S. dysenteriae foram suscetíveis aos extratos de A. australe, embora as atividades bacteriostáticos/bactericidas tenham sido apenas observados em concentrações consideradas elevadas para aplicação clínica. Os nossos resultados apoiam a utilização de etnofarmacológica de A. australe no tratamento de perturbações gastrointestinais, especialmente diarreia causadas por bactérias infecciosas, embora sejam necessários mais estudos para determinar os efeitos anti-diarreia e as toxicidades dos extratos in vivo.

Effectiveness of aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of Acanthospermum australe (Loefl.) Kuntze against diarrhea-inducing bacteria.

Leaves and roots of Acanthospermum australe (Asteraceae) have been used in Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of various ailments including diarrhea, skin diseases, blennorrhagia, dyspepsia, parasitic worms and malaria. The aim of study was to characterize the chemical profiles of the aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of leaves and roots of A. australe, and to evaluate their antimicrobial activities against diarrhea-inducing bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis, Shigella dysenteriae and Yersinia enterocolitica), as well as their cytotoxic properties. Aqueous leaf extracts were obtained by infusion, while aqueous root extracts were obtained by decoction. The hydroalcoholic leaf and root extracts were prepared by maceration in 90% ethanol for 3 days. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using standard techniques and cytotoxicity was evaluated using Chinese hamster ovary cells CHO-K1. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, saponins and phenolic compounds in the extracts. Although root extracts were not effective against E. faecalis, leaf extracts at concentrations of 20 mg/mL exhibited bactericidal activities against this microorganism. The hydroalcoholic root extract was unique in presenting a bactericidal effect against S. dysenteriae. None of the extracts showed bacteriostatic or bactericidal activities against Y. enterocolitica. The results presented herein demonstrate that the Gram-positive E. faecalis and the Gram-negative S. dysenteriae were susceptible to A. australe extracts, although bacteriostatic/bactericidal activities were only observed at concentrations considered too high for clinical application. Our results support the ethnopharmacological use of A. australe in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, particularly diarrhea caused by infectious bacteria, although further studies are required to determine the anti-diarrhea effects and the toxicities of the extracts in vivo.

Effectiveness of aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of Acanthospermum australe (Loefl.) Kuntze against diarrhea-inducing bacteria

Abstract Leaves and roots of Acanthospermum australe (Asteraceae) have been used in Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of various ailments including diarrhea, skin diseases, blennorrhagia, dyspepsia, parasitic worms and malaria. The aim of study was to characterize the chemical profiles of the aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of leaves and roots of A. australe, and to evaluate their antimicrobial activities against diarrhea-inducing bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis, Shigella dysenteriae and Yersinia enterocolitica), as well as their cytotoxic properties. Aqueous leaf extracts were obtained by infusion, while aqueous root extracts were obtained by decoction. The hydroalcoholic leaf and root extracts were prepared by maceration in 90% ethanol for 3 days. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using standard techniques and cytotoxicity was evaluated using Chinese hamster ovary cells CHO-K1. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, saponins and phenolic compounds in the extracts. Although root extracts were not effective against E. faecalis, leaf extracts at concentrations of 20 mg/mL exhibited bactericidal activities against this microorganism. The hydroalcoholic root extract was unique in presenting a bactericidal effect against S. dysenteriae. None of the extracts showed bacteriostatic or bactericidal activities against Y. enterocolitica. The results presented herein demonstrate that the Gram-positive E. faecalis and the Gram-negative S. dysenteriae were susceptible to A. australe extracts, although bacteriostatic/bactericidal activities were only observed at concentrations considered too high for clinical application. Our results support the ethnopharmacological use of A. australe in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, particularly diarrhea caused by infectious bacteria, although further studies are required to determine the anti-diarrhea effects and the toxicities of the extracts in vivo.

Resumo Folhas e raízes de Acanthospermum australe (Asteraceae) têm sido usadas na medicina popular brasileira para o tratamento de várias doenças, incluindo diarreia, doenças de pele, blenorragia, dispepsia, vermes parasitas e malária. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar os perfis químicos dos extratos aquosos e hidroalcoólicos das raízes e folhas de A. australe, e avaliar as suas atividades antimicrobianas contra as bactérias indutoras de diarreia (Enterococcus faecalis, Shigella dysenteriae e Yersinia enterocolitica), bem como sua citotoxicidade. Os extratos aquosos de folhas foram obtidos por infusão, enquanto que os extratos aquosos de raízes foram obtidos por decocção. Os extratos hidroalcoólicos de folhas e raízes foram preparados por maceração em etanol a 90% durante 3 dias. A atividade antimicrobiana foi avaliada utilizando técnicas padrão e a citotoxicidade foi avaliada utilizando células de ovário de hamster chinês CHO-K1. A análise química revelou a presença de taninos, flavonóides, saponinas e compostos fenólicos nos extratos. Apesar de extratos de raiz não foram eficazes contra E. faecalis, extratos de folhas em concentrações de 20 mg/mL apresentaram atividades bactericidas contra este microrganismo. O extrato hidroalcoólico de raiz foi o único a apresentar um efeito bactericida contra S. dysenteriae. Nenhum dos extratos apresentaram atividades bacteriostáticas ou bactericidas contra Y. enterocolitica. Os resultados apresentados demonstram que a bactéria Gram-positiva E. faecalis e a Gram-negativa S. dysenteriae foram suscetíveis aos extratos de A. australe, embora as atividades bacteriostáticos/bactericidas tenham sido apenas observados em concentrações consideradas elevadas para aplicação clínica. Os nossos resultados apoiam a utilização de etnofarmacológica de A. australe no tratamento de perturbações gastrointestinais, especialmente diarreia causadas por bactérias infecciosas, embora sejam necessários mais estudos para determinar os efeitos anti-diarreia e as toxicidades dos extratos in vivo.

Hypokalemic salt-losing tubulopathy with chronic renal failure and sensorineural deafness.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize a rare inherited hypokalemic salt-losing tubulopathy with linkage to chromosome 1p31. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the clinical data for 7 patients in whom cosegregation of the disease with chromosome 1p31 had been demonstrated. In addition, in 1 kindred, prenatal diagnosis in the second child was established, allowing a prospective clinical evaluation. RESULTS: Clinical presentation of the patients was homogeneous and included premature birth attributable to polyhydramnios, severe renal salt loss, normotensive hyperreninemia, hypokalemic alkalosis, and excessive hyperprostaglandin E-uria, which suggested the diagnosis of hyperprostaglandin E syndrome/antenatal Bartter syndrome. However, the response to indomethacin was only poor, accounting for a more severe variant of the disease. The patients invariably developed chronic renal failure. The majority had extreme growth retardation, and motor development was markedly delayed. In addition, all patients turned out to be deaf. CONCLUSION: The hypokalemic salt-losing tubulopathy with chronic renal failure and sensorineural deafness represents not only genetically but also clinically a disease entity distinct from hyperprostaglandin E syndrome/antenatal Bartter syndrome. A pleiotropic effect of a single gene defect is most likely causative for syndromic hearing loss.

[Bardet-Biedl syndrome: aspects of nephro-urology and human genetics]. / Bardet-Biedl-Syndrom: nephrourologische und humangenetische Aspekte.

Bardet-Biedl syndrome is a genetically heterogeneous autosomal recessive complex of features in which five gene loci have been described up to now. The diagnosis of this rare syndrome is based on the main manifestations hypogonadism, age-dependent increasing obesity and reduction of renal function, age-dependent progressive retinal degeneration with blindness as well as postaxial polydactyly and mental retardation. The life expectancy is short. Problems of early diagnostics, secondary hyperparathyroidism as well as surgical reconstruction of the genitals and kidney replacement therapy are discussed.

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome and hexadactyly in two brothers.

Familial idiopathic nephrotic syndrome is rare. Only about 3% of patients have affected siblings. The association of familial nephrotic syndrome with congenital abnormalities is even more uncommon. To our knowledge this is the first report of the association of steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome and postaxial hexadactyly in two brothers born to consanguineous parents.

Normal fibrinolytic responses to 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin in patients with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus caused by mutations in the aquaporin 2 gene.

Three patients with autosomal-recessive nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI), homozygous for mutations in the aquaporin 2 gene (AQP2), were tested for their fibrinolytic and hemodynamic responses to intravenous administration of 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP). They all showed an increase of tissue-type plasminogen activator antigen, facial flushing, an increase of heart rate and a decrease of diastolic blood pressure. These results confirm the hypothesis that NDI patients with an AQP2 defect can be discriminated from NDI patients with a vasopressin type 2 receptor defect by their normal extrarenal responses to DDAVP.

Lich-Gregoir anti-reflux procedure; indications and results with 283 vesicoureteral units.

While reflux is not the cause of the ascension of microorganisms into the urinary bladder, it enables bacteria to reach the kidney and fosters pyelonephritis, persistent infections and nephropathy with all related consequences. The efficiency of the Lich-Gregoir antireflux procedure must be judged by its results. The criterion of success in operations upon 225 children (283 vesicoureteral units) is the procedure's positive effect on renal growth and physical development of the patients by controlling pyelonephritis and the elimination of recurrent supravesical infections in more than 98 per cent of children operated upon.

Patients with autosomal nephrogenic diabetes insipidus homozygous for mutations in the aquaporin 2 water-channel gene.

Mutations in the X-chromosomal V2 receptor gene are known to cause nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI). Besides the X-linked form, an autosomal mode of inheritance has been described. Recently, mutations in the autosomal gene coding for water-channel aquaporin 2 (AQP2) of the renal collecting duct were reported in an NDI patient. In the present study, missense mutations and a single nucleotide deletion in the aquaporin 2 gene of three NDI patients from consanguineous matings are described. Expression studies in Xenopus oocytes showed that the missense AQP2 proteins are nonfunctional. These results prove that mutations in the AQP2 gene cause autosomal recessive NDI.

Identification of a 7-basepair deletion in the adenine phosphoribosyltransferase gene as a cause of 2,8-dihydroxyadenine urolithiasis.

We describe a family of Turkish origin with adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) deficiency and renal stone disease. The proband had 2,8-dihydroxyadenine urolithiasis but an older sister, who was also deficient in enzyme activity, is so far asymptomatic. The proband was homozygous for a 7-bp deletion in exon 3 of the APRT gene. One allele from each of the parents also contained this deletion. The patient and her father were homozygous for an intragenic TaqI RFLP (1.25-kb fragment) whereas the mother was heterozygous (1.25- and 1.91-kb fragments), indicating that the mutation was present on the allele carrying the 1.25 kb TaqI fragment. The deletion alters the reading frame downstream of codon 93 and would be expected to abolish enzyme activity.

[Comparison of the ferritin and iron concentration in capillary and venous blood serum of children, adolescents and adults]. / Vergleich der Ferritin- und Eisen-Konzentration in Kapillar- und Venenblutserum von Kindern, Jugendlichen und Erwachsenen.

The ferritin and iron concentration were compared in sera from capillary and venous blood (n = 52). Ferritin was determined using a luminescence-enhanced enzyme immunoassay and iron by the ferrozine method. The results showed a very good correlation and a linear relationship for ferritin (r = 0.999) but not for iron (r = 0.855). It is concluded that capillary blood serum can be used only for the determination of ferritin.

[Reflux nephropathy: decreased renal function and osteodystrophy]. / Refluxnephropathie: renale Funktionseinschränkung und Osteodystrophie.

In the early stages of chronic renal failure in childhood renal osteodystrophy is a therapeutic challenge, since in childhood it is mainly growth that is affected. The clinical appearance, pathophysiology and therapy are discussed with reference to an actual case of reflux nephropathy in a child.

[Comparison of free amino acids in capillary and venous blood serum of children and adolescents with phenylketonuria and leucinosis]. / Vergleich der freien Aminosäuren in Kapillar- und Venenblutserum von Kindern und Jugendlichen mit Phenylketonurie und Leucinose.

Concentrations of free amino acids were determined quantitatively by ion exchange column chromatography in serum from capillary and venous blood of children and adolescents with phenylketonuria (n = 38) and leucinosis (n = 3). Serum was deproteinised by 5% sulphosalicylic acid (1:1, v/v). The results showed with exception of aspartic acid, glutamine and glutamic acid a very close correlation. The correlation coefficients ranged from 0.849 to 0.996. It is concluded that serum from capillary blood can be used for screening of amino acid metabolism.

[Comparison of thyrotropin (TSH), thyroxine (TT4) and triiodothyronine (TT3) concentration in capillary and venous blood serum in children and adolescents]. / Vergleich der Thyreotropin (TSH)-, Thyroxin (TT4)- und Trijodthyronin (TT3)-Konzentration in Kapillar- und Venenblutserum von Kindern und Jugendlichen.

The thyrotropin, thyroxine and triiodothyronine concentration was compared in sera from capillary and venous blood (n = 50) using a luminescence-enhanced enzyme immuno assay. The results showed a good correlation (TSH, r = 0.991, TT4, r = 0.988, TT3, r = 0.975) and a linear relationship. It is concluded that serum of capillary blood can be used for the in vitro diagnosis of thyroid function.

Determination of TNF alpha, interferon alpha, interleukin 2 and reactivity in the leucocyte migration inhibition test in breast cancer patients.

To date, the results concerning the prognostic importance of parameters of cell-mediated immunity in breast cancer patients are very contradictory; moreover, in most of them the results are hardly comparable due to methodological differences and heterogeneous groups of patients. In 123 patients with nonmetastatic breast carcinoma TNF alpha, INF alpha, IL 2 and reactivity in the leucocyte migration inhibition test (LMI-Test) against autologous tumor tissue were determined and the results correlated with the clinical course of the disease up to a maximum of 108 months. In breast cancer patients TNF alpha-serum levels were significantly (p less than 0.05) elevated compared to healthy controls. We also found that patients with progressive disease had higher levels than patients without recurrences. There were no differences concerning the IL-2 and IFN alpha serum levels between cancer patients and controls, nor did we find a correlation with the clinical course of the disease. In 38% of all breast cancer patients examined, a MIF production against tumor tissue could be demonstrated in the LMI-test. There was no difference concerning the LMI-reactivity between the groups of lymph-node negative and positive patients, but the observation that those patients with an unfavourable clinical course respond more frequently with an enhanced macrophage migration and rarely with migration inhibition was considered of notable prognostic significance. According to these results, it is possible that determination of TNF alpha and delayed type hypersensitivity reaction against tumor tissue in the LMI-test is of clinical value for the determination of risk groups.

Determination of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and interleukin 2 (IL 2) in women with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage.

Some recurrent miscarriages may be due to a host versus graft reaction. Elevated Interleukin 2 (IL2) levels have been found during pregnancy and elevated TNF alpha levels during acute rejection crises of allotransplantats and so we determined IL2- and TNF alpha levels in women with recurrent miscarriages. Samples were taken for serum TNF alpha and IL2 radioimmunoassays (IRE Medgenix, Belgium) from 28 healthy non-pregnant women and in 49 women with at least 3 miscarriages between the 6th and 14th week of pregnancy, 38 women having their first or second miscarriage and 42 pregnant women with no complications. In women with recurrent miscarriage an increase in TNF alpha (P less than 0.05) and a decrease in IL2 serum levels (P less than 0.05) was found compared to women with normal pregnancies. These results support the concept that disturbances of immune tolerance of the fetus may account for some cases of recurrent miscarriage.

Investigations into a possible immunological origin of idiopathic non-immune hydrops fetalis and initial results of prophylactic immune treatment of subsequent pregnancies.

The cause of the non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) remains unsettled despite all efforts. From the immunological point of view of pregnancy as a successful course of an allograft, it would seem possible that the idiopathic NIHF can be caused by an immunologic disorder in the meaning of a host-versus-graft reaction. Of 324 cases of prenatally diagnosed NIHF, 49 (15.1%) could be classified after exclusion of all other causes as idiopathic and in 38 patients, as well as in 38 age- and parity-paired controls, a differentiation of HLA-antigens and a determination of lymphocytotoxic antibodies using the NIH Prolonged Incubations and Cold-Complement-Dependent Cytotoxicity Test (CoCoCy Test) were performed. In cases of idiopathic NIHF, the proportion of parents sharing 4 or 5 HLA antigens was increased significantly (p less than 0.05) compared with the control group. In women with idiopathic NIHF, the incidence of lymphocytotoxic antibodies was decreased, due to the test system used; between 28 and 68% in the NIHF group and 24-80% in the control group. The proportion of women without lymphocytotoxic antibodies was increased in the NIHF group by 72% to 52%, whereas in the control group, in none of the patients could a higher cytotoxicity with a lysing rate of more than 75% be detected. In 8 cases of idiopathic NIHF, where an increased paternal histocompatibility and a decreased incidence and percentage of lymphocytotoxic antibodies were determined, an immunotherapy was performed in order to induce maternal blocking antibodies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)