Distinctive prokaryotic microbiomes in sympatric plant roots from a Yucatan cenote.

OBJECTIVE: Cenotes are flooded caves in Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. Many cenotes are interconnected in an underground network of pools and streams forming a vast belowground aquifer across most of the peninsula. Many plants in the peninsula grow roots that reach the cenotes water and live submerged in conditions similar to hydroponics. Our objective was to study the microbial community associated with these submerged roots of the Sac Actun cenote. We accomplished this objective by profiling the root prokaryotic community using 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing. RESULTS: We identified plant species by DNA barcoding the total genomic DNA of each root. We found a distinctive composition of the root and water bacterial and archaeal communities. Prokaryotic diversity was higher in all plant roots than in the surrounding freshwater, suggesting that plants in the cenotes may attract and select microorganisms from soil and freshwater, and may also harbor vertically transmitted lineages. The reported data are of interest for studies targeting biodiversity in general and root-microbial ecological interactions specifically.

Physiological traits and antioxidant metabolism of leaves of tropical woody species challenged with cement dust.

Tropical woody species occurring in limestone outcrops are frequently exposed to particulate material from cement factories. The effects of 60-day cement dust exposure on physiological traits and enzymatic antioxidant system of young plant leaves of Guazuma ulmifolia Lam., Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão and Trichilia hirta L. were investigated. Cement dust (2.5 or 5mgcm-2) was applied to the leaf surface or soil or both (leaf plus soil) and plants were maintained at greenhouse. Cement dust barely affected the mineral nutrient levels, except for iron whose content was decreased in leaves/leaflets of all species studied. The incident light was partly blocked in cement dust-treated leaves, regardless of the plant species, causing a decrease in the photosynthetic pigments in M. urundeuva. The chlorophyll b content, however, increased in G. ulmifolia and T. hirta leaves upon cement dust treatment. The potential quantum yield of photosystem II in challenged leaves of G. ulmifolia was 3.8% lower than that of control plants, while such trait remained unaffected in the leaves of the other species. No changes in leaf stomatal conductance and antioxidant enzymes activities were observed, except for M. urundeuva, which experienced a 31% increment in the superoxide dismutase activity upon 5mgcm-2 cement dust (leaf plus soil treatment), when compared with control plants. Overall, the mild changes caused by cement dust in the in physiological and biochemical traits of the species studied indicate that such species might be eligible for further studies of revegetation in fields impacted by cement factories.

Leaf structural traits of tropical woody species resistant to cement dust.

Cement industries located nearby limestone outcrops in Brazil have contributed to the coating of cement dust over native plant species. However, little is known about the extent of the response of tropical woody plants to such environmental pollutant particularly during the first stages of plant development and establishment. This work focused on the investigation of possible alterations in leaf structural and ultrastructural traits of 5-month-old Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. (Malvaceae), 6-month-old Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão (Anacardiaceae), and 9-month-old Trichilia hirta L. (Meliaceae) challenged superficially with cement dust during new leaf development. Leaf surface of plants, the soil or both (leaf plus soil), were treated (or not) for 60 days, under controlled conditions, with cement dust at 2.5 or 5.0 mg cm(-2). After exposure, no significant structural changes were observed in plant leaves. Also, no plant death was recorded by the end of the experiment. There was also some evidence of localized leaf necrosis in G. ulmifolia and T. hirta, leaf curling in M. urundeuva and T. hirta, and bulges formation on epidermal surface of T. hirta, after cement dust contact with plant shoots. All species studied exhibited stomata obliteration while T. hirta, in particular, presented early leaf abscission, changes in cellular relief, and organization and content of midrib cells. No significant ultrastructural alterations were detected under the experimental conditions studied. Indeed, mesophyll cells presented plastids with intact membrane systems. The high plant survival rates, together with mild morphoanatomic traits alterations in leaves, indicate that G. ulmifolia is more resistant to cement dust pollutant, followed by M. urundeuva and T. hirta. Thus, the three plant species are promising for being used to revegetate areas impacted by cement industries activities.

Actividad citotóxica de extractos acuosos de hojas de Trichilia hirta sobre células tumorales humanas / Cytotoxic activity of water extracts of Trichilia hirta leaves on human tumor cells

La planta Trichilia hirta L. (Meliaceae) es utilizada tradicionalmente por pacientes con cáncer como recurso antitumoral. Por ello, los objetivos de este estudio fueron evaluar la actividad citotóxica de extractos acuosos de hojas de Trichilia hirta sobre células tumorales e identificar mediante un tamizaje fitoquímico las principales familias de fitocomponentes presentes en éstos. La actividad citotóxica de los extractos se evaluó sobre células de melanoma humano (SK-mel-3) y adenocarcinoma humano de mama (T-47D). Las células epiteliales de riñón de mono verde Cercopithecus aethiops (Vero) fueron utilizadas como control de células no tumorales. Los resultados mostraron la presencia de triterpenos/esteroides, saponinas, cumarinas, azúcares reductores, fenoles y taninos, flavonoides y carbohidratos/glicósidos en los extractos. Los extractos acuosos de hojas mostraron actividad citotóxica fundamentalmente sobre las células tumorales, lo cual contribuye a explicar la mejoría referida por pacientes con cáncer que consumen estos extractos de forma tradicional

Trichilia hirta L. (Meliaceae) is traditionally used by patients suffering from cancer as an antitumoral resource. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of water extracts of Trichilia hirta leaves on tumour cells and identify through a phytochemical screening the principal families of phytocomponents contained in these extracts. The cytotoxic activity of these extracts was also evaluated on human melanoma cells (SK-mel-3) and human breast carcinoma (T-47D). The African green monkey kidney (AGMK) cells Cercopithecus aethiops (Vero) were used as a non-tumour cells control. The results showed the presence of triterpenes/steroids, saponins, coumarins, reductor sugars, phenols and tannins, flavonoids and carbohydrates/glycosides in the extracts. The water leaf extracts showed cytotoxic activity mainly on tumour cells, which contributes to explain the referred recovery by patients suffering form cancer that traditionally consume these extracts

Ethnopharmacological evaluation of Trichilia hirta L. as anticancer source in traditional medicine of Santiago de Cuba / Evaluación etnofarmacológica de Trichilia hirta como una fuente anticancer en la medicina tradicional de Santiago de Cuba

Trichilia hirta L. (Meliaceae) is traditionally used as antitumor source in Santiago de Cuba. Therefore, the aim of this study was to document and analyze the traditional medicinal use of this plant by cancer patients in Santiago de Cuba and to evaluate its antiproliferative activity on human normal and cancer cells. Cancer patients consuming Trichilia hirta extracts (Jubabán) were randomly selected and interviewed. The antiproliferative activity of a polysaccharide-rich fraction from leaves was evaluated against normal (MRC-5) and cancer cells (A-549, HeLa and Hep-2) by MTT assay. The study revealed that Trichilia hirta extracts are mainly used as anticancer source (46 percent. Moreover, the majority of cancer patients consuming Trichilia hirta extracts had carcinoma (86 percent). In particular, the most frequent were lung (26 percent) and prostate (18 percent) carcinoma. The majority (90 percent) of patients were consuming the extracts simultaneously, or after the chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. The polysaccharide-rich fraction showed antiproliferative activity against human lung cancer cells (A-549) and human cervix carcinoma (HeLa) cancer cells. However, no toxicity was observed in human normal fibroblasts (MRC-5). These results suggest that polysaccharide-rich fraction from Trichilia hirta contribute to the antitumor properties of this specie.

Trichilia hirta L. (Meliaceae) es tradicionalmente usada como recurso antitumoral en Santiago de Cuba. Por lo que, el objetivo de este estudio fue documentar y analizar el uso tradicional de esta planta por pacientes con cáncer en Santiago de Cuba y evaluar su actividad antiproliferativa sobre células humanas normales y tumorales. Pacientes con cáncer consumiendo los extractos de Trichilia hirta (jubabán) fueron aleatoriamente seleccionados y entrevistados. La actividad antiproliferativa de la fracción rica en polisacáridos de hojas fue evaluada en células normales (MRC-5) y en células tumorales (A-549, HeLa y Hep-2) a través del ensayo con MTT. El estudio reveló que los extractos de Trichilia hirta eran usados mayoritariamente como recurso antitumoral (46 por ciento). Además, la mayoría de los pacientes consumiendo extractos de Trichilia hirta presentaron carcinoma (86 por ciento). En particular, los más frecuentes fueron carcinomas de pulmón (26 por ciento) y próstata (18 por ciento). También la mayoría de los pacientes (90 por ciento) consumieron los extractos simultáneamente o después de tratamientos con quimioterapia y radioterapia. La fracción rica en polisacáridos mostró actividad antiproliferativa contra las células de cáncer de pulmón humano (A-549) y carcinoma de cerviz humano (HeLa). Sin embargo, no se observó toxicidad en fibroblastos humanos normales (MRC-5). Estos resultados sugieren que la fracción rica en polisacáridos de hojas de Trichilia hirta contribuye a la actividad antitumoral de esta especie.

Ethnopharmacological evaluation of Trichilia hirta L. as anticancer source in traditional medicine of Santiago de Cuba

Trichilia hirta L. (Meliaceae) is traditionally used as antitumor source in Santiago de Cuba. Therefore, the aim of this study was to document and analyze the traditional medicinal use of this plant by cancer patients in Santiago de Cuba and to evaluate its antiproliferative activity on human normal and cancer cells. Cancer patients consuming Trichilia hirta extracts (Jubabán) were randomly selected and interviewed. The antiproliferative activity of a polysaccharide-rich fraction from leaves was evaluated against normal (MRC-5) and cancer cells (A-549, HeLa and Hep-2) by MTT assay. The study revealed that Trichilia hirta extracts are mainly used as anticancer source (46 percent). Moreover, the majority of cancer patients consuming Trichilia hirta extracts had carcinoma (86 percent). In particular, the most frequent were lung (26 percent) and prostate (18 percent) carcinoma. The majority (90 percent) of patients were consuming the extracts simultaneously, or after the chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. The polysaccharide-rich fraction showed antiproliferative activity against human lung cancer cells (A-549) and human cervix carcinoma (HeLa) cancer cells. However, no toxicity was observed in human normal fibroblasts (MRC-5). These results suggest that polysaccharide-rich fraction from Trichilia hirta contribute to the antitumor properties of this specie(AU)

Trichilia hirta L. (Meliaceae) es tradicionalmente usada como recurso antitumoral en Santiago de Cuba. Por lo que, el objetivo de este estudio fue documentar y analizar el uso tradicional de esta planta por pacientes con cáncer en Santiago de Cuba y evaluar su actividad antiproliferativa sobre células humanas normales y tumorales. Pacientes con cáncer consumiendo los extractos de Trichilia hirta (jubabán) fueron aleatoriamente seleccionados y entrevistados. La actividad antiproliferativa de la fracción rica en polisacáridos de hojas fue evaluada en células normales (MRC-5) y en células tumorales (A-549, HeLa y Hep-2) a través del ensayo con MTT. El estudio reveló que los extractos de Trichilia hirta eran usados mayoritariamente como recurso antitumoral (46 por ciento). Además, la mayoría de los pacientes consumiendo extractos de Trichilia hirta presentaron carcinoma (86 por ciento). En particular, los más frecuentes fueron carcinomas de pulmón (26 por ciento) y próstata (18 por ciento). También la mayoría de los pacientes (90 por ciento) consumieron los extractos simultáneamente o después de tratamientos con quimioterapia y radioterapia. La fracción rica en polisacáridos mostró actividad antiproliferativa contra las células de cáncer de pulmón humano (A-549) y carcinoma de cerviz humano (HeLa). Sin embargo, no se observó toxicidad en fibroblastos humanos normales (MRC-5). Estos resultados sugieren que la fracción rica en polisacáridos de hojas de Trichilia hirta contribuye a la actividad antitumoral de esta especie

Actividad citotóxica de extractos acuosos de hojas de Trichilia hirta sobre células tumorales humanas / Cytotoxic activity of water extracts of Trichilia hirta leaves on human tumor cells

La planta Trichilia hirta L. (Meliaceae) es utilizada tradicionalmente por pacientes con cáncer como recurso antitumoral. Por ello, los objetivos de este estudio fueron evaluar la actividad citotóxica de extractos acuosos de hojas de Trichilia hirta sobre células tumorales e identificar mediante un tamizaje fitoquímico las principales familias de fitocomponentes presentes en éstos. La actividad citotóxica de los extractos se evaluó sobre células de melanoma humano (SK-mel-3) y adenocarcinoma humano de mama (T-47D). Las células epiteliales de riñón de mono verde Cercopithecus aethiops (Vero) fueron utilizadas como control de células no tumorales. Los resultados mostraron la presencia de triterpenos/esteroides, saponinas, cumarinas, azúcares reductores, fenoles y taninos, flavonoides y carbohidratos/glicósidos en los extractos. Los extractos acuosos de hojas mostraron actividad citotóxica fundamentalmente sobre las células tumorales, lo cual contribuye a explicar la mejoría referida por pacientes con cáncer que consumen estos extractos de forma tradicional(AU)

Trichilia hirta L. (Meliaceae) is traditionally used by patients suffering from cancer as an antitumoral resource. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of water extracts of Trichilia hirta leaves on tumour cells and identify through a phytochemical screening the principal families of phytocomponents contained in these extracts. The cytotoxic activity of these extracts was also evaluated on human melanoma cells (SK-mel-3) and human breast carcinoma (T-47D). The African green monkey kidney (AGMK) cells Cercopithecus aethiops (Vero) were used as a non-tumour cells control. The results showed the presence of triterpenes/steroids, saponins, coumarins, reductor sugars, phenols and tannins, flavonoids and carbohydrates/glycosides in the extracts. The water leaf extracts showed cytotoxic activity mainly on tumour cells, which contributes to explain the referred recovery by patients suffering form cancer that traditionally consume these extracts(AU)

Actividad larvicida de extractos etanólicos de Tabernaemontana cymosa y Trichilia hirta sobre larvas de estadio III y IV de Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) / Larvicidal activity of ethanol extracts of Tabernaemontana cymosa and Trichilia hirta against III and IV stage larvae of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

Introducción: el mosquito Aedes aegypti es el principal vector de los virus del dengue y la fiebre amarilla. Una de las formas actuales para combatir estas enfermedades es el control del vector. Sin embargo, los problemas causados por los insecticidas sintéticos y la resistencia adquirida por los mosquitos, hacen cada vez más difícil esta lucha. Las plantas constituyen una fuente alternativa al uso de insecticidas sintéticos. Objetivos: evaluar la actividad larvicida para el mosquito Aedes aegypti, de los extractos etanólicos y fracciones activas, de diferentes órganos vegetales de las especies Trichilia hirta L. y Tabernaemontana cymosa Jacq. Métodos: en este estudio se utilizaron larvas de Aedes aegypti en estadios III y IV. Los extractos etanólicos totales se obtuvieron por maceración del material vegetal seco y molido, durante una semana y posterior secado a presión reducida con un rotoevaporador. La obtención de fracciones y subfracciones, se realizó por cromatografía de columna abierta, usando solventes de diferentes polaridades. La actividad larvicida se evaluó bajo protocolos recomendados por la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Resultados: los extractos etanólicos de corteza de Trichilia hirta y flores, corteza y hojas de Tabernaemontana cymosa, no mostraron actividad larvicida. El extracto de semillas de Trichilia hirta mostró una actividad moderada con una CL50 y CL90 de 219,2 y 331,4 mg/L respectivamente. El extracto etanólico de semillas de Tabernaemontana cymosa, la fracción F008 y la subfracción F011, mostraron una buena actividad larvicida con CL50 de 35,1; 20,9, y 14,98 mg/L, respectivamente. Conclusiones: según los resultados, se consideró como promisorio el extracto de semillas de Tabernaemontana cymosa para la obtención de metabolitos secundarios con actividad larvicida.

Introduction: Aedes aegypti is the main vector of dengue and yellow fever. One way to combat these diseases today is the vector control. However, the problems caused by synthetic insecticides and the acquired resistance by mosquitoes, turn this control into a more difficult struggle every day. The plants offer an alternative source to the use of synthetic insecticides. Objectives: the objective of this study was to evaluate the larvicidal activity of the ethanol extracts and active fractions of different organs of Trichilia hirta L. and Tabernaemontana cymosa Jacq. Methods: in this study, Aedes aegypti larvae in III and IV stages were used. The total ethanol extracts were obtained by maceration of dried and ground plant material for a week and then dried at reduced pressure. The fractionation was performed by open column chromatography with the use of different polarity solvents. The larvicidal activity was assessed following protocols recommended by the World Health Organization. Results: the ethanol extracts from Trichilia hirta bark and flowers, and Tabernaemontana cymosa bark and leaves showed no larvicidal activity. The Trichilia hirta seed extract showed a moderate activity with an LC50 and LC90 of 219.2 and 331.4 mg/L respectively. The ethanol extract from Tabernaemontana cymosa seeds, the fraction F008 and the subfraction F011, showed good larvicidal activity with LC50 of 35.1, 20.9, and 14.98 mg/L, respectively. Conclusions: according to the results obtained in this study, the extract from Tabernaemontana cymosa seeds could be considered as a potential source of secondary metabolites with larvicidal activity.

Immunorestorative in immunosuppressed Balb/c mice and cytotoxic activity of water extract from Trichilia hirta root / Actividad inmunorestauradora en ratones Balb/c inmunodeprimidos y citotóxica del extracto acuoso de raíz de Trichilia hirta

Patients receiving chemotherapy treatment in Santiago de Cuba traditionally use water extracts from Trichilia hirta roots. The study aim was to evaluate the immunorestorative and cytotoxic activity of water extracts from Trichilia hirta root. Administration of root water extract increased the total and differential leukocyte counts in inmunosupressed Balb/c mice. Thymus weight recovered significantly as well as bone marrow cellularity. Moreover, water extract (125 ug/mL) showed selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells T-47D and SK-mel-3 in comparison with non-cancer cells (Vero). The results indicate that Trichilia hirta has significant immunorestorative effects in vivo and selective cytotoxicity in vitro. Therefore, it might be a promising alternative for cancer therapy.

Pacientes bajo tratamiento quimioterapéutico tradicionalmente usan extractos acuosos de raíz de Trichilia hirta en Santiago de Cuba. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la actividad inmunorestauradora y citotóxica de extractos acuosos de raíz de Trichilia hirta. La administración del extracto acuoso de raíz incrementó los conteos globales y diferenciales de leucocitos en ratones inmunodeprimidos. El peso del timo, así como, la celularidad de la médula ósea se recuperaron significativamente. Además, el extracto acuoso (125 ug/mL) mostró citotoxicidad selectiva contra las células tumorales T-47D y SK-mel-3 en comparación con la línea no tumoral (Vero). Los resultados indican que Trichilia hirta posee significativos efectos inmunorestauradores in vivo y citotoxicidad selectiva, por lo cual podría ser una promisoria alternativa para la terapia del cáncer.

Immunorestorative in immunosuppressed Balb/c mice and cytotoxic activity of water extract from Trichilia hirta root

Patients receiving chemotherapy treatment in Santiago de Cuba traditionally use water extracts from Trichilia hirta roots. The study aim was to evaluate the immunorestorative and cytotoxic activity of water extracts from Trichilia hirta root. Administration of root water extract increased the total and differential leukocyte counts in inmunosupressed Balb/c mice. Thymus weight recovered significantly as well as bone marrow cellularity. Moreover, water extract (125 ug/mL) showed selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells T-47D and SK-mel-3 in comparison with non-cancer cells (Vero). The results indicate that Trichilia hirta has significant immunorestorative effects in vivo and selective cytotoxicity in vitro. Therefore, it might be a promising alternative for cancer therapy(AU)

Pacientes bajo tratamiento quimioterpéutico tradicionalmente usan extractos acuosos de raíz de Trichilia hirta en Santiago de Cuba. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la actividad inmunorestauradora y citotóxica de extractos acuosos de raíz de Trichilia hirta. La administración del extracto acuoso de raíz incrementó los conteos globales y diferenciales de leucocitos en ratones inmunodeprimidos. El peso del timo, así como, la celularidad de la médula ósea se recuperaron significativamente. Además, el extracto acuoso (125 ug/mL) mostró citotoxicidad selectiva contra las células tumorales T-47D y SK-mel-3 en comparación con la línea no tumoral (Vero). Los resultados indican que Trichilia hirta posee significativos efectos inmunorestauradores in vivo y citotoxicidad selectiva, por lo cual podría ser una promisoria alternativa para la terapia del cáncer(AU)