In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant activities of Myrciaria plinioides D. Legrand ethanol leaf extract.

Myrciaria plinioides D. Legrand (Myrtaceae) is a native plant of Southern Brazil, which have potential in the food industry due to its edible fruits. Many plants belonging to this genus have been used for a variety of illnesses, including inflammatory disorders due to antioxidant properties. However, therapeutic uses of M. plinioides have been poorly studied. The aim of study was to assess the anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant activities of the ethanol leaf extract of M. plinioides. In M. plinioides extract-treated RAW 264.7 cells, assessments of cell viability, TNF-α release and p38 MAPK pathway-dependent protein expression were detected. In addition, rat paw edema models were used to analyze the anti-inflammatory effect of the extract. Macrophages cell line treated with M. plinioides extract showed a slight decrease in cell viability. In LPS-stimulated macrophages treated with different concentrations of the extract for 24 h, TNF-α release was inhibited, while modulation of p38 signaling pathway and inhibition of NF-κB p65 protein expression were dose-dependent. In rats, the extract inhibited the formation of paw edema, while an inhibitory effect on trypsin-like enzymes derived from mast cells was seen. Furthermore, the extract presented anticoagulant activity via extrinsic pathway, being able to block specifically factor Xa and thrombin. The study suggests that extract possess potent anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant effects. M. plinioides present great biological potential as a source for the development of anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant drugs. Additional studies can be proposed to better elucidate the mechanism by which M. plinioides exerts its effects.

The importance of genetic research in cases of severe male factor infertility: A case of 46,XX testicular disorder of sex development.

46,XX testicular disorder of sex development is a rare syndrome characterized by an inconsistency between genotype and phenotype. Affected individuals present variant genitalia between male and ambiguous, non-functional testicles, non-obstructive azoospermia, generally accompanied by hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, a condition known for high levels of gonadotrophic hormones. In some cases, disorders of sexual development are diagnosed during puberty. However, a significant number of individuals show physical characteristics common to males that are not clinically suspicious. As a result, patients with the condition may remain undiagnosed. Many individuals with the condition are diagnosed as adults, due to infertility. The present study discusses the case of an individual who underwent karyotyping for sterility and was found to be a 46,XX male. Despite having a female karyotype, the presence of the sex-determining region Y gene explains the manifestation of masculine secondary sex characteristics. This report highlights the importance of genetic evaluation, considering that carriers may present significant complications resulting from the disorder. Based on correct diagnosis, it is possible to improve a carrier's quality of life through multidisciplinary approaches and help them achieve pregnancy through assisted reproductive technology treatments.

Scaffold strategies combined with mesenchymal stem cells in vaginal construction: a review.

Tissue engineering has provided new treatment alternatives for tissue reconstruction. Advances in the tissue engineering field have resulted in mechanical support and biological substitutes to restore, maintain or improve tissue/organs structures and functions. The application of tissue engineering technology in the vaginal reconstruction treatment can not only provide mechanical requirements, but also offer tissue repairing as an alternative to traditional approaches. In this review, we discuss recent advances in cell-based therapy in combination with scaffolds strategies that can potentially be adopted for gynaecological transplantation.

Tissue-engineered solution containing cells and biomaterials-an in vitro study: A perspective as a novel therapeutic application.

Some biomaterial scaffolds can positively interfere with tissue regeneration and are being developed to successfully repair the tissue function. The possibility of using epithelial cells combined with biomaterials appears to be a new option as therapeutic application. This combination emerges as a possibility for patients with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome which requires vaginal repair and can be performed with tissue-engineered solution containing cells and biomaterials. It is expected that tissue-engineered solution containing cells and biomaterials would promote tissue repair in a more efficient, modern, and safe way. This study tested the efficiency of tissue-engineered solution containing human malignant melanoma cell line (HMV-II) and different biomaterials, including Cellprene®, Membracel®, and poly lactic-co-glycolic acid/epoxidized polyisoprene. The cells adhered better on poly lactic-co-glycolic acid/epoxidized polyisoprene, and it was found that tissue-engineered solution may also contain mesenchymal stem cells cultivated on poly lactic-co-glycolic acid/epoxidized polyisoprene. Histological, immunofluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy analyses were performed. These initial in vitro results suggest that tissue-engineered solution containing cells and poly lactic-co-glycolic acid/epoxidized polyisoprene is a potential for tissue reconstruction.

Lymphocyte genotoxicity and protective effect of Calyptranthes tricona (Myrtaceae) against H2O2-induced cell death in MCF-7 cells.

Calyptranthes tricona is a species (Myrtaceae) native to South Brazil. Plants belonging to this family are folkloric used for analgesia, inflammation, and infectious diseases. However, little is known about the toxic potential of C. tricona. The present study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of C. tricona ethanol and hexane leaf extracts, as well as verify their effect on human lymphocytes and MCF-7 cells. The extracts were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity using DPPH and ORAC methods. Genotoxic and mutagenic effects in cultured human lymphocytes were assessed using the comet assay and the micronucleus assay, respectively. In addition, cell viability by MTT assay and fluorometric analysis of mitochondrial potential and caspases-9 activity were performed in order to verify the possible effects of both extracts on H2O2-induced cell death of MCF-7 cells. Our findings revealed that the phenol content and the antioxidant activity were only present in the ethanol extract. Also, the phytochemical screening presented steroids, triterpenoids, condensed tannins, and flavones as the main compounds. However, both extracts were capable of inducing concentration-dependent DNA damage in human lymphocytes. When treating MCF-7 cells with the extracts, both of them inhibited MCF-7 cell death in response to oxidative stress through a decrease of mitochondrial depolarization and caspases-9 activity. Thus, our results need to be considered in future in vitro and in vivo studies of C. tricona effects. In the meanwhile, we recommend caution in the acute/chronic use of this homemade preparation for medicinal purpose.