Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart) seed extract protects against maternal vascular dysfunction, hypertension, and fetal growth restriction in experimental preeclampsia.

Objective: To investigate whether Euterpe oleracea Mart. (açaí) seed extract (ASE) prevents maternal cardiovascular changes and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in experimental preeclampsia (PE).Methods: ASE administration (200 mg/kg/day) during mid to late pregnancy in a rat model of L-NAME-induced PE.Results: ASE impaired the maternal hypertension and microalbuminuria as well as the lower fetal and placental weight in experimental PE. ASE also prevented the maternal vascular dysfunction and lipoperoxidation in this model.Conclusion: ASE protected against maternal cardiovascular changes and IUGR in the L-NAME-induced PE. The protective effect of ASE may be partly explained by its antioxidant property.

Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) Seed Extract Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Human Lung Carcinoma Cells.

Açai fruit has been studied for its antioxidant properties, with positive feedback against many diseases, including cancer. Although açai seeds are not edible, their composition has been studied in order to find new applications and reduce garbage generation. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects and impacts on the cell cycle and apoptosis of açai seed extract (ASE) on human lung carcinoma cell line (A549). Antioxidant activity of açai seed extract (ASE) was measured by DPPH assay, Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (ABTS/TEAC), Ferric Reducing Ability (FRAP) and Oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays. Human lung carcinoma cell viability (A549) was monitored by MTT assay method and the effects on cell cycle and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry. The results indicate high antioxidant activity in ASE and high values of total phenolic compounds (37.08 ± 8.56 g gallic acid/100 g). The MTT assay showed a maximum decrease (72.07%) in the viability of A549 cells after 48 h treatment with ASE (200 µg/mL). Flow cytometer analysis revealed that ASE increased the percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase and promoted a high increase of apoptotic cells when compared to the untreated cells. The present study suggests that ASE has a high antioxidant capacity and may have a protective effect against lung cancer.

ACTIVITY OF ORBIGNYA PHALERATA AND EUTERPE EDULES IN THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF PEPTIC ULCER IN RATS.

BACKGROUND: Peptic ulcer is considered a public health problem associated with loss of quality of life. Does not exist optimal therapeutic regimen. The search for alternative treatments using foods or plants that may assist in gastric protection may become marked in this population because of their easy access and low cost. AIM: To study the antiulcerogenic activity of extracts of Orbignya phalerata (babaçu) and Euterpe edules (juçara) in Wistar rats after induction of peptic ulcer, compared with Omeprazole. METHOD: Forty Wistar rats were distributed into four groups: group I, II, III, IV (10 rats each) subjected to extract of Orbignya phalerata, Euterpe edules, Omeprazole and ethanol, respectively. Each group of 10 rats was divided into subgroups of five for prophylaxis and therapeutic study. RESULTS: The pre-treatment with juçara extract has provided a significant protection against peptic ulcer induced by ethanol. In the prophylactic subgroup, Omeprazole resulted in protection. In addition to protection against peptic ulcer, inflammation and neocapillarization were also variables with a statistical significance in the prophylaxis subgroups using omeprazole and juçara. In the therapeutic subgroup, omeprazole, juçara and babaçu were statistically different as for protection against the presence of inflammation and the healing of ulcers. CONCLUSION: The extracts of juçara and babaçu behaved as the omeprazole, evidencing the therapeutic activity of these extracts.

Activity of orbignya phalerata and euterpe edules in the prevention and treatment of peptic ulcer in rats / Atividade de orbignya phalerata e euterpe edules na prevenção e tratamento da úlcera péptica em ratos

ABSTRACT Background: Peptic ulcer is considered a public health problem associated with loss of quality of life. Does not exist optimal therapeutic regimen. The search for alternative treatments using foods or plants that may assist in gastric protection may become marked in this population because of their easy access and low cost. Aim: To study the antiulcerogenic activity of extracts of Orbignya phalerata (babaçu) and Euterpe edules (juçara) in Wistar rats after induction of peptic ulcer, compared with Omeprazole. Method: Forty Wistar rats were distributed into four groups: group I, II, III, IV (10 rats each) subjected to extract of Orbignya phalerata, Euterpe edules, Omeprazole and ethanol, respectively. Each group of 10 rats was divided into subgroups of five for prophylaxis and therapeutic study. Results: The pre-treatment with juçara extract has provided a significant protection against peptic ulcer induced by ethanol. In the prophylactic subgroup, Omeprazole resulted in protection. In addition to protection against peptic ulcer, inflammation and neocapillarization were also variables with a statistical significance in the prophylaxis subgroups using omeprazole and juçara. In the therapeutic subgroup, omeprazole, juçara and babaçu were statistically different as for protection against the presence of inflammation and the healing of ulcers. Conclusion: The extracts of juçara and babaçu behaved as the omeprazole, evidencing the therapeutic activity of these extracts.

RESUMO Racional: A úlcera péptica é considerada problema de saúde pública, associada a perda na qualidade de vida. Não existe esquema terapêutico ideal. A busca de tratamentos alternativos, com uso de alimentos ou plantas que possam ajudar na proteção gástrica, torna-se viável à população, por ser de fácil acesso e baixo custo. Objetivo: Estudar a atividade antiulcerogênica dos extratos de Orbignya phalerata (babaçu) e Euterpe edules (juçara) em ratos Wistar após indução de úlcera péptica e comparar com omeprazol. Método: Quarenta ratos Wistar foram distribuídos em quatro grupos: grupo I, II, III, IV (10 ratos) submetidos ao extrato de Orbignya phalerata, Euterpe edules, omeprazol e álcool etílico, respectivamente. Cada grupo de 10 ratos foi dividido em subgrupos de cinco para estudar a profilaxia e tratamento. Resultados: O pré-tratamento com extrato de juçara forneceu proteção significativa contra a ulceração péptica induzida pelo etanol, assim como o omeprazol. Além da proteção contra úlcera péptica, inflamação e neocaplilarização também foram variáveis com significância estatística nos subgrupos profilaxia do omeprazol e da juçara. No subgrupo terapêutico, o omeprazol, juçara e babaçu teve diferença estatística para proteção contra a presença de inflamação e cicatrização de úlcera. Conclusão: Os extratos de juçara e babaçu se comportaram como omeprazol, evidenciando o poder terapêutico desses extratos.

Effects of Euterpe oleracea Mart. (AÇAÍ) extract in acute lung inflammation induced by cigarette smoke in the mouse.

Short term inhalation of cigarette smoke (CS) induces significant lung inflammation due to an imbalance of oxidant/antioxidant mechanisms. Açai fruit (Euterpe oleracea) has significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. The present study aimed to determine whether oral administration of an açai stone extract (ASE) could reduce lung inflammation induced by CS. Thirty C57BL/6 mice were assigned to three groups (n=10 each): the Control+A group was exposed to ambient air and treated orally with ASE 300 mg/kg/day; the CS group was exposed to smoke from 6 cigarettes per day for 5 days; and the CS+A group was exposed to smoke from 6 cigarettes per day for 5 days and treated orally with ASE (300 mg/kg/day). On day 6, all mice were sacrificed. After bronchoalveolar lavage, the lungs were removed for histological and biochemical analyses. The CS group exhibited increases in alveolar macrophage (AMs) and neutrophil numbers (PMNs), myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase activities (GPx), TNF-α expression, and nitrites levels in lung tissue when compared with the control ones (p<0.001 for all parameters). The AMs, PMNs, MPO, SOD, CAT, GPx and nitrite were significantly reduced by oral administration of ASE when compared with CS group (p<0.001 for all parameters, with exception of AMs p<0.01). The present results suggested that systemic administration of an ASE extract could reduce the inflammatory and oxidant actions of CS. Thus, the results of this study in mice should stimulate future studies on ASE as a potential agent to protect against CS-induced inflammation in humans.

Vasodilator activity of extracts of field Alpinia purpurata (Vieill) K: Schum and A. zerumbet (Pers.) Burtt et Smith cultured in vitro / Vasodilatador de extratos de Alpinia purpurata campo (Vieill) K. Schum e A. zerumbet (Pers.) Burtt et Smith cultivadas in vitro

Nowadays, the high blood pressure is one of the main causes of death and cardiovascular diseases. Vasodilator drugs are frequently used to treat arterial hypertension. Experiments were undertaken to determine whether hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from leaves of field-grown Alpinia purpurata and A. zerumbet cultured in vitro under different plant growth regulators induce a vasodilator effect on Wistar rat mesenteric vascular bed pre-contracted with norepinephrine. Plant extracts were able to induce a long-lasting endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Efficiency on activity of A. purpurata reached 87 percent at concentration of 60 μg. The extract of A. zerumbet maintained in medium containing IAA, induced the relaxation (17.4 percent) at 90 μg, as compared to the control (MS0) that showed a better vasodilator effect (60 percent). These results are in agreement with the quantification of phenolic compounds in the extracts, which were 50 percent lower for those plants cultured in IAA. A. purpurata was assayed for the first time in relation to its vasodilator activity. This paper showed a strong probability of correlation between the pharmacological activities of A. purpurata with their content in phenolic compounds.

Atualmente, a hipertensão arterial é uma das maiores causas de morte e de doenças cardiovasculares. Os vasodilatadores são freqüentemente utilizados no tratamento da hipertensão. Extratos hidroalcoólicos de Alpinia purpurata de campo e de A. zerumbet cultivada in vitro sob diferentes reguladores de crescimento vegetal foram ensaiados no leito mesentérico de ratos Wistar. Os extratos de A. purpurata e A. zerumbet produziram efeito vasodilatador com padrão de resposta dose-dependente de duração prolongada. Extratos da espécie A. purpurata tiveram efeito vasodilatador de 87 por cento na dose de 60 μg. O extrato obtido de folhas de A. zerumbet oriundas das culturas mantidas em meio contendo AIA (ácido indol acético) inibiu o relaxamento (17,4 por cento) na dose de 90 μg em relação ao controle (MS0), com o qual foi verificado melhor efeito vasodilatador (60 por cento). Estes resultados estão de acordo com a concentração de fenóis totais que foi 50 por cento menor para os extratos de plantas cultivadas in vitro em AIA. A espécie A. purpurata foi pela primeira vez ensaiada quanto à atividade vasodilatadora. Os resultados obtidos indicaram a presença de substâncias fenólicas provavelmente correlacionadas à ação terapêutica de A. purpurata.

Involvement of nitric oxide in acute lung inflammation induced by cigarette smoke in the mouse.

Short-term exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) leads to acute lung inflammation (ALI) by disturbing oxidant/antioxidant balance. Both CS exposure and lung inflammation are important risk factors in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Nitric oxide (NO) is an oxidant both present in CS and produced in the inflammatory response, but its role in the effects of CS exposure is unclear. Our aim was to study involvement of NO in a model of CS exposure. Groups of mice (male C57BL/6) exposed to CS (six cigarettes per day over five days) were simultaneously subjected to treatment with vehicle (CS), 60mg/kg/day omega-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (CS+l-NAME), 20mg/kg/day nitroglycerine (CS+NTG), or 120mg/kg/day l-arginine (CS+l-arg). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was then aspirated to perform cell counts, and malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrite, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels were measured in lung homogenates. Macrophage and neutrophil counts were increased in the CS (p<0.001) and CS+l-NAME groups (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively); the CS+NTG and CS+l-arg groups showed no differences from the control group. MDA was increased in the CS (p<0.05) and CS+l-NAME (p<0.01) groups when compared to the control group. Nitrite levels were decreased in the CS and CS+l-NAME groups (p<0.001) and increased in the CS+NTG (p<0.001) and CS+l-arg (p<0.01) groups when compared to the control. CAT, SOD and GPx activities in the CS and CS+l-NAME groups were all significantly increased compared to the control group. Our results suggest that administration of NO donors or substrates may be a useful therapy in the treatment of ALI caused by CS.

Placenta humana. I - Descriçäo de um modelo experimental para estudo da circulaçäo fetoplacentária / Human placenta. I - An experimental model for placental circulation

Faz-se breve discussäo sobre modelos experimentais para estudo da placenta humana. Descreve-se um modelo desenvolvido cujas características permitem reproduzir aspectos fisiológicos, farmacológicos e bioquímicos da circulaçäo fetoplacentária humana

Placenta humana. II - Influência da variaçäo do pH na resposta pressora induzida pela angiotensina II na circulaçäo fetoplacentária humana - Estudo experimental / Human placenta. II - Effects of variations on the pressor reponse induced by angiotensin II injections - Perfusion in vitro

Trinta e seis placentas humanas obtidas de gestaçöes a termo foram perfundidas in vitro, com o objetivo de se estudar a influência da variaçäo do pH na resposta pressora induzida pela angiotensina II. As placentas foram perfundidas com soluçäo de Krebs modificada utilizando-se uma bomba pulsátil (fluxo constante) e a pressäo de perfusäo registrada em polígrafo Hewlett-Packard. Curvas doses-respostas de angiotensina foramconstruídas antes e após o pH da soluçäo nutridora ser modificado de 7,4 para valores entre 6,4 e 7,8. O pH da soluçäo nutridora foi alterado pela adiçäo de HCL 1N ou NaOH 1N. Nossos resultados mostraram que as respostas da angiotensina II tendem a resuzir-se quando se acidifica a soluçäo nutridora e a potencializar-se quando de sua alcalinizaçäo

Placenta humana IV: correlaçao arteriovenosa do pH na circulação feto-placentária humana: estudo experimental / Human placenta IV: correlation between the pH the arterial (affluent) solution and venous (effluent) solution in isolated human foetal placenta

Trinta e seis placentas humanas obtidas de gestaçoes a termo perfundidas, in vitro, com o objetivo de se estudar a correlaçao entre o pH arterial (afluente) e o venoso (efluente). As placentas foram perfundidas com soluçao de Krebs modoficada utilizando-se de uma bomba pulsátil (fluxo constante). O pH da soluçao nutridora foi modificado de 7,4 para valores entre 6,4 e 7,8 pela adiçao de HCl lN ou NaOh IN. O pH da soluçao efluente (venoso) foi medido antes e após a modificaçao o pH da soluçao arterial (afluente) por meio de um potenciômetro. Os resultados mostraram que alteraçoes do pH arterial de 7,0 a 7,8 praticamente nao modificaram o pH venoso, mostrando grande capacidade tamponadora da placenta nesta faixa de pH arterial. Todavia, quando o pH é reduzido para níveis entre 7,0 e 6,4, o pH venoso tende a acompanhá-lo, provável consequência do esgotamento deste mecanismo tamponador face aos níveis extremos do pH arterial

Placenta humana III: influência da variaçäo do pH na pressäo de perfusäo fetoplacentária humana - Estudo experimental / Effect of pH variations on the perfusion pressure of the isolated human fetal placenta - Experimental study

Trinta e seis placentas humanas obtidas de gestaçöes a termo foram perfundidas, in vitro, com o objetivo de se estudar a influência da variaçäo do pH na pressäo de perfusäo feto-placentária (PPFP). As placentas foram perfundidas com soluçäo de Krebs modificada (soluçäo nutridora) utilizando-se uma bomba pulsátil (fluxo constante) e a pressäo d perfusäo registrada em polígrafo Hewlet Packard. A PPFP foi aferida antes e após o pH da soluçäo nutridora ser modificada de 7,4 para valores entre 6,4 e 7,0. O ph da soluçäo efluente (venosa) foi medido antes e após a modificaçäo do ph da soluçäo arterial (afluente) por meio de um potenciômetro. O ph da soluçäo nutridora foi alterado pela adiçäo de HCl 1N ou NaOH 1N. Nossos resultados mostraram que a PPFP näo se alterou quando o pH da soluçäo nutridora foi modificado para 7,2 e 7,4, valores compatíveis com a higidez fetal. A acidificaçäo do líquido nutridor tende a reduzir a PPFP, de maneira näo significativa, quando o pH arterial é alterado até 6,8. Todavia, significante reduçäo é observada quando o pH arterial é acidificado para 6,6 e 6,4. A alcalinizaçäo da soluçäo nutridora praticamente näo modifica a pressäo de perfusäo fetoplacentária, apesar de ocorrer uma tendência, näo significativa, para aumento da resistência vascular fetoplacentária quando o pH é alterado para 7,8