Neuroprotective effects of açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) against diabetic retinopathy.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus describes a metabolic disorder of multiple etiologies, characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, which induces a series of molecular events capable of leading to microvascular damage, affecting the blood vessels of the retina, causing diabetic retinopathy. Studies indicate that oxidative stress plays a central role in complications involving diabetes. Açaí (Euterpe oleracea) has attracted much attention given its antioxidant capacity and potential associated health benefits in preventing oxidative stress, one of the causes of diabetic retinopathy. The objective of this work was to evaluate the possible protective effect of açaí (E. oleracea) on the retinal function of mice with induced diabetes, based on full field electroretinogram (ffERG). Methods: We opted for mouse models with induced diabetes by administration of a 2% alloxan aqueous solution and treatment with feed enriched with açaí pulp. The animals were divided into 4 groups: CTR (received commercial ration), DM (received commercial ration), DM + açaí (E. oleracea-enriched ration) and CTR + açaí (E. oleracea-enriched ration). The ffERG was recorded three times, 30, 45 and 60 days after diabetes induction, under scotopic and photopic conditions to access rod, mixed and cone responses, in addition to monitoring the weight and blood glucose of the animals during the study period. Statistical analysis was performed using the two-way ANOVA test with Tukey's post-test. Results: Our work obtained satisfactory results with the ffERG responses in diabetic animals treated with açaí, where it was observed that there was no significant decrease in the b wave ffERG amplitude of this group over time when compared to the results of the Diabetic group not treated with açaí, which showed a significant reduction of this ffERG component. Discussion: The results of the present study show, for the first time, that treatment with an açaí-enriched diet is effective against the decrease in the amplitude of visual electrophysiological responses in animals with induced diabetes, which opens a new horizon for the prevention of retinal damage in diabetic individuals from treatment with açaí base. However, it is worth mentioning that our findings consist of a preliminary study and further researches and clinical trials are needed to examine açaí potential as an alternative therapy for diabetic retinopathy.

Extending Shelf-Life and Quality of Minimally Processed Golden Delicious Apples with Three Bioactive Coatings Combined with Cinnamon Essential Oil.

The application of coatings with essential oils for food preservation is an alternative way to keep minimally processed apple slices fresh, nutritious, safe, sensory palatable, and accessible for consumers. In the present study, the effect of three bioactive coatings on quality variables of minimally processed Golden Delicious apple slices for 25-days at 4 °C was evaluated. The coatings were CT1-chitosan-based, CT2-guar gum-based, and CT3-composite guar gum-starch-based; all three coatings contained cinnamon essential oil and were compared with UCT0-uncoated apple slices. The quality variables evaluated were weight-loss, firmness, browning index, total phenolic content, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, respiration rate, microbial analysis, and sensory evaluation. All coatings improved the preservation and sensorial quality variables of Golden Delicious apples; however, although the CT1-chitosan-based coating was capable of extending the shelf-life of minimally processed apple, it demonstrated less sensorially favorable scores for flavor, odor, and overall acceptance attributes.

Phytochemical Screening by LC-ESI-MS/MS and Effect of the Ethyl Acetate Fraction from Leaves and Stems of Jatropha macrantha Müll Arg. on Ketamine-Induced Erectile Dysfunction in Rats.

Jatropha macrantha Müll Arg. L is also known as "huanarpo macho" and used in the Peruvian traditional medicine as an aphrodisiac and erectile dysfunction (ED). The aim of this study was to determine the phytochemical constituents in leaves and stems ethyl acetate fraction (LEAF and SEAF) of J. macrantha and to compare the antioxidant activity and the ameliorative effect on ketamine-induced erectile dysfunction in rats. The phytochemical constituents were determined by LC-ESI-MS/MS, the total phenolic compounds and total flavonoids (TPC and TF) by Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride, respectively. The antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. Experimental groups were divided as follows: I: negative control; II: positive control (ketamine at 50 mg/ kg/d); III: sildenafil 5 mg/kg; IV, V, VI: LEAF at 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively, and VII, VIII, IX: SEAF at 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, respectively. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence mainly of coumarins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenes. TPC of LEAF and SEAF were 359 ± 5.21 mg GAE/g and 306 ± 1.93 mg GAE/g, respectively; TF in LEAF and SEAF were 23.7 ± 0.80 mg EQ/g, and 101 ± 1.42 mg EQ/g, respectively. The DPPH, ABTS, FRAP in SEAF were 647 ± 3.27; 668 ± 2.30; and 575 ± 2.86 µmol TE/g, respectively, whilst LEAF showed 796 ± 3.15; 679 ± 0.85; and 806 ± 3.42 µmol TE/g, respectively. Regarding sexual behavior, LEAF showed a better effect in mount frequency, intromission frequency, ejaculation frequency, mount latency, intromission latency, ejaculatory latency, and post ejaculatory latency than SEAF. As conclusion, LEAF of J. macrantha at 50 mg/kg showed a better effect on sexual behavior in male rats with erectile dysfunction than SEAF but not higher than sildenafil.

Sodium Thiosulfate for Recovery of Bond Strength to Dentin Treated with Sodium Hypochlorite.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of sodium thiosulfate (Na2S2O3) for restoring adhesion to pulp chamber dentin treated with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and EDTA. METHODS: Sixty-three crowns of bovine incisors were cut to expose the dentin pulp chamber. The specimens were polished and randomly distributed into 9 groups (n = 7) according to the following protocols used: 0.9% sodium chloride for 30 minutes (negative control), 5.25% NaOCl for 30 minutes, 17% EDTA for 3 minutes, and 5.25% NaOCl for 1 minute (positive control). The other groups, after treatments with NaOCl and EDTA, were immersed in 0.5% or 5% Na2S2O3 for 1, 5, and 10 minutes or just immersed in an inert solution for 10 minutes (0.9% sodium chloride). After drying the specimens, Scotchbond Multi-Purpose (3M ESPE, St Paul, MN) was applied to the pulp chamber dentin followed by Filtek Z250 composite (3M ESPE). Six rectangular slabs were obtained from each specimen, and the dentin/resin interface was tested by using a universal testing machine. The resulting data were submitted to 1-way analysis of variance and the Duncan test (P = .05). RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in bond strength regarding NaOCl and EDTA (P < .05). When 5% Na2S2O3 was used for 10 minutes, the bond strength was found to be statistically equal to the negative control and higher than the positive control (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of Na2S2O3 can significantly increase the bond strength of composite resin to NaOCl/EDTA-treated dentin, allowing adhesive restorations to be immediately applied after endodontic treatment.

Composição química e atividade antibacteriana do óleo essencial de Hyptis leucocephala / Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oil of Hyptis leucocephala

The paper reports chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Hyptis leucocephala Mart ex Benth, Lamiaceae, isolated by hydrodistillation from leaves of plants collected in Casa Nova, semi-arid region of Northeastern Brazil. A total of ten compounds were identified, of which carvacrol as the main component (average 52.82%). This essential oil was also characterized by high level of biogenetic precursor of the phenols: p-cimene (18.13%) and y-terpinene (10.72%), and by E-cariophyllene, were the most abundant sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. Bioassay revealed a significant antibacterial activity of the essential oil against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus schleiferi, S. aureus, Salmonella typhi, E. coli, Bacillus pumillus, Burkholderia cepacia, Klebsiella pneumoniae with varying magnitudes. The minimal inhibition concentrations values extended from 50 to 250 µg mL-1. The essential oil showed high antioxidant activity. The free radical scavenging capacity of the oil was determined with an EC50 value of 3.41 mg mL-1. The data herein obtained show the relevant potential of H. leucocephala as a source of potent bioactivity compounds.

O artigo relata composição química e atividade antimicrobiana do óleo essencial de Hyptis leucocephala Mart ex Benth, Lamiaceae, extraído pelo método de hidrodestilação das folhas, coletadas em Casa Nova, região de Caatinga do semi-árida do Nordeste do Brasil. Foram identificados dez compostos majoritários, dos quais carvacrol como o componente principal (média 52,82%). O óleo essencial também foi caracterizado por apresentar níveis elevados de precursores biogenéticos dos fenóis: p-cimeno (18,13%) e y-terpineno (10,72%), e por E-cariophyllene, como os mais abundantes hidrocarbonetos sesquiterpeno. Os ensaios biológicos revelaram que os compostos presentes neste óleo essencial apresentaram elevada atividade antibacteriana com valores da concentração inibitória mínima entre 50 a 250 g mL-1 , principalmente contras as linhagens Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus schleiferi, S. aureus, Salmonella typhi, E. coli, Bacillus pumillus, Burkholderia cepacia, Klebsiella pneumoniae. Os constituintes do óleo essencial apresentaram alta eficiência na captura dos radicais livres, com elevada atividade antioxidante, com um valor de EC50 de 3,41 mg mL-1 . Os dados expostos reforçam o potencial biotecnológico do óleo essencial de H. Leucocephala, uma fonte alternativa para novos bioativos.

Composição química e atividade antibacteriana do óleo essencial de Hyptis leucocephala / Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oil of Hyptis leucocephala

The paper reports chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Hyptis leucocephala Mart ex Benth, Lamiaceae, isolated by hydrodistillation from leaves of plants collected in Casa Nova, semi-arid region of Northeastern Brazil. A total of ten compounds were identified, of which carvacrol as the main component (average 52.82%). This essential oil was also characterized by high level of biogenetic precursor of the phenols: p-cimene (18.13%) and y-terpinene (10.72%), and by E-cariophyllene, were the most abundant sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. Bioassay revealed a significant antibacterial activity of the essential oil against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus schleiferi, S. aureus, Salmonella typhi, E. coli, Bacillus pumillus, Burkholderia cepacia, Klebsiella pneumoniae with varying magnitudes. The minimal inhibition concentrations values extended from 50 to 250 µg mL-1. The essential oil showed high antioxidant activity. The free radical scavenging capacity of the oil was determined with an EC50 value of 3.41 mg mL-1. The data herein obtained show the relevant potential of H. leucocephala as a source of potent bioactivity compounds.(AU)

O artigo relata composição química e atividade antimicrobiana do óleo essencial de Hyptis leucocephala Mart ex Benth, Lamiaceae, extraído pelo método de hidrodestilação das folhas, coletadas em Casa Nova, região de Caatinga do semi-árida do Nordeste do Brasil. Foram identificados dez compostos majoritários, dos quais carvacrol como o componente principal (média 52,82%). O óleo essencial também foi caracterizado por apresentar níveis elevados de precursores biogenéticos dos fenóis: p-cimeno (18,13%) e y-terpineno (10,72%), e por E-cariophyllene, como os mais abundantes hidrocarbonetos sesquiterpeno. Os ensaios biológicos revelaram que os compostos presentes neste óleo essencial apresentaram elevada atividade antibacteriana com valores da concentração inibitória mínima entre 50 a 250 g mL-1 , principalmente contras as linhagens Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus schleiferi, S. aureus, Salmonella typhi, E. coli, Bacillus pumillus, Burkholderia cepacia, Klebsiella pneumoniae. Os constituintes do óleo essencial apresentaram alta eficiência na captura dos radicais livres, com elevada atividade antioxidante, com um valor de EC50 de 3,41 mg mL-1 . Os dados expostos reforçam o potencial biotecnológico do óleo essencial de H. Leucocephala, uma fonte alternativa para novos bioativos.(AU)