Evaluation of antitumor potential of cashew gum extracted from Anacardium occidentale Linn.

This study aims to determine the antitumor potential of cashew gum in vitro and in vivo. The cashew gum (CG) structure is similar to already showed in literature. The cytotoxicity effect of CG was performed by MTT assay, and B16-F10 melanoma model was used to evaluate antitumor effect. The tumor inhibition was calculated based on tumor weight. Hematological, histopathological, FTIR, oxidative stress and Western Blot analysis were performed to elucidate the mechanism of inhibition and toxic effects. As results, CG did not demonstrate cytotoxicity in vitro, however showed a significant tumor inhibition in vivo, with about 36.9 to 43% of reduction in tumor mass, with no toxicity to organs. Animals treated with CG did not show toxicity in normal tissues, FTIR spectrum and oxidative stress analysis of the tumor tissue indicated that CG cause tumor inhibition with the presence of apoptosis morphotype cells, without alterations in the levels of antioxidants components. In addition, it was observed that CG reduced the expression of γH2AX without changing the expression of caspase-3. With this, we can suggest that this polymer can assist in the anticancer activity and/or decrease the side effects of standard drugs used in treatment of cancer.

Assessment of the antibacterial, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of Morus nigra L. (Moraceae) / Avaliação das atividades antibacteriana, citotóxica e antioxidante de Morus nigra L. (Moraceae)

Abstract This study was carried out to assess the antibacterial, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of extracts of Morus nigra L. HPLC was used to determine the fingerprint chromatogram of the crude ethanolic extract (Mn-EtOH). The antibacterial effect was assessed through the method of microdilution. The cytotoxicity was tested against human tumour cell lines using the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also assessed through the Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods, respectively. Antioxidant activities of the extracts were evaluated by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) radical scavenging and β-carotene-linoleic acid bleaching methods. The presence of phenolic compounds in Mn-EtOH was confirmed using HPLC. The extracts showed activity against most microorganisms tested. The extracts did not show any expressive antiproliferative effect in the assessment of cytotoxicity. The most significant total phenolic content was 153.00 ± 11.34 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g to the ethyl acetate extract (AcOEt). The total flavonoid content was 292.50 ± 70.34 mg of catechin equivalent/g to the AcOEt extract, which presented the best antioxidant activity (IC50 50.40 ± 1.16 μg/mL) for DPPH scavenging. We can conclude that this species shows strong antibacterial and antioxidant activities, as well as weak cytotoxic effects.

Resumo Este estudo foi realizado para avaliar as atividades antibacteriana, citotóxica e antioxidante de extratos de Morus nigra L. HPLC foi utilizado para determinar o perfil de compostos fenólicos do extrato etanólico bruto (Mn-EtOH). O efeito antibacteriano foi avaliado através do método de microdiluição. A citotoxicidade foi testada contra linhagens celulares de tumores humanos utilizando o ensaio do brometo de 3-(4,5-dimetil-2-tiazolil)-2,5-difenil-2H-tetrazólio (MTT). O conteúdo total de compostos fenólicos e flavonoides também foi avaliado por meio dos métodos de Folin-Ciocalteu e cloreto de alumínio, respectivamente. A atividade antioxidante dos extratos foi avaliada por meio do sequestro do radical livre 2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidrazil (DPPH) e co-oxidação do sistema β-caroteno-ácido linoleico. A presença de compostos fenólicos em Mn-EtOH foi confirmada utilizando HPLC. Os extratos mostraram atividade contra a maioria dos microrganismos testados. Os extratos não mostraram qualquer efeito antiproliferativo expressivo na avaliação da citotoxicidade. O conteúdo fenólico total mais significativo foi de 153,00 ± 11,34 mg de equivalente de ácido gálico/g para o extrato acetato de etila (AcOEt). O conteúdo de flavonoides totais foi de 292,50 ± 70,34 mg de equivalente de catequina/g para o extrato AcOEt, que apresentou a melhor atividade antioxidante (IC50 50,40 ± 1,16 mg/mL) para o sequestro do DPPH. Podemos concluir que esta espécie apresenta forte atividade antibacteriana e antioxidante, bem como fraca atividade citotóxica.

Assessment of the antibacterial, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of Morus nigra L. (Moraceae).

This study was carried out to assess the antibacterial, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of extracts of Morus nigra L. HPLC was used to determine the fingerprint chromatogram of the crude ethanolic extract (Mn-EtOH). The antibacterial effect was assessed through the method of microdilution. The cytotoxicity was tested against human tumour cell lines using the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also assessed through the Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods, respectively. Antioxidant activities of the extracts were evaluated by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) radical scavenging and ß-carotene-linoleic acid bleaching methods. The presence of phenolic compounds in Mn-EtOH was confirmed using HPLC. The extracts showed activity against most microorganisms tested. The extracts did not show any expressive antiproliferative effect in the assessment of cytotoxicity. The most significant total phenolic content was 153.00 ± 11.34 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g to the ethyl acetate extract (AcOEt). The total flavonoid content was 292.50 ± 70.34 mg of catechin equivalent/g to the AcOEt extract, which presented the best antioxidant activity (IC50 50.40 ± 1.16 µg/mL) for DPPH scavenging. We can conclude that this species shows strong antibacterial and antioxidant activities, as well as weak cytotoxic effects.

Cytogenetic evaluation of tannery workers in the city of Teresina, northeastern Brazil.

Assessments of chromosomal integrity and structure enable the prevention of diseases associated with the work environment, with the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei often being used as markers in biomonitoring. Owing to their routine manipulation of potentially toxic chemicals, tannery workers as a group merit a more thorough evaluation and discussion. This study investigated chromosomal damage in 30 workers from a tannery in the city of Teresina, the state capital of Piauí, northeast Brazil, and a control group consisting of 30 employees from a nearby accounting firm. The frequencies of chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and binucleated cell micronuclei (MN) were assessed as a measure of damage. Means were compared using the Student t-test and ANOVA-Dunnett test. Our results indicated a higher number of CAs in exposed individuals compared to the control group, including dicentric (P < 0.0001) and tricentric chromosomes (P < 0.001), and those in ring (P < 0.0001) and acentric ring forms (P < 0.001). Assessment of MN frequency demonstrated a similar trend (exposed vs control, P < 0.0001). It was concluded that the tannery workers in this study exhibited a higher incidence of genetic damage than comparable unexposed individuals. However, further research on this subject is needed, particularly in regard to potentially clastogenic agents used in the tanning process.

An open-label efficacy pilot study with pimecrolimus cream 1% in adults with facial seborrhoeic dermatitis infected with HIV.

BACKGROUND: Seborrhoeic dermatitis (SD) is a common dermatosis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients, many of whom do not respond satisfactorily to conventional topical treatments such as corticosteroids and antifungals. OBJECTIVE: A pilot study to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of pimecrolimus cream 1% in HIV-positive patients with facial SD. METHODS: In a single-centre study, 21 HIV-infected patients with mild to severe SD were treated twice daily with pimecrolimus cream 1% for 14 days. Thereafter, treatment was discontinued and patients followed up for 5 weeks. Skin involvement at baseline and on days 7, 14, 21, 35 and 49 was assessed using a four-point clinical score and digital photography. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Efficacy and safety of pimecrolimus cream 1% treatment and incidence of relapse in the follow-up phase. Results Marked improvement was seen in clinical parameters at day 7, with >or= 90% patients clear of symptoms at day 14. Relapse was observed at day 35 but signs were milder than at baseline. All patients responded to therapy, despite their immunological status. Pimecrolimus did not alter CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell counts or viral load during the treatment period. CONCLUSION: Pimecrolimus cream represents a new, effective therapeutic option for facial SD in HIV patients.

Tumor necrosis factor accounts for the neutrophil emigration activity released by cultured malignant fibrous histiocytoma cells.

Cultured malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) cells obtained from a spontaneous and transplantable rat tumor were studied for their ability to release tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and a factor which induces neutrophil migration in vivo. MFH cells obtained from 7-day cultures spontaneously released both activities into the supernatant (TNF: 36 +/- 9 IU TNF/ml supernatant, N = 3; neutrophil chemoattractant factor: control, Medium ip: 6 +/- 1 x 10(6); MFH supernatant: 18 +/- 1 x 10(6) neutrophils/cavity, N = 5). These releases were enhanced by treating MFH cells with LPS (TNF: 61%; neutrophil chemoattractant factor: 46%) and were abolished by the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (TNF: 68%; neutrophil chemoattractant factor: 100%). Anti-TNF antiserum abolished the neutrophil chemoattractant activity of the supernatants (95%). The release of TNF or neutrophil chemoattractant activity was reduced in cells obtained from older cultures (14 and 21 days) (TNF: 7-day culture, 36 +/- 9; 14-day culture, 19 +/- 2; 21-day culture, 19 +/- 1 IU of TNF/ml; neutrophil chemoattractant activity: 7-day culture, 18 +/- 1.6; 14-day culture, 13 +/- 3; 28-day culture, 8 +/- 1 x 10(6) neutrophils/cavity). The predominant cells present in 7-day cultures of MFH were histiocyte-like cells as determined by nonspecific esterase methods. The number of these cells decreased as the cultures aged (7-day culture, 71%; 14-day culture, 5%; 21-day culture, 0%). In conclusion, our results show a strong association between the intensity of the neutrophil chemoattractant activity and TNF concentration in the supernatants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Tumor necrosis factor accounts for the neutrophil emigration activity released by cultured malignant fibrous histiocytoma cells

Cultured malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) cells obtained from a spontaneous and transplantable rat tumor were studied for their ability to release tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and a factor which induces neutrophil migration in vivo. MFH cells obtained from 7-day cultures spontaneously released both activities into the supernatant (TNF: 36 ñ 9 iu tnf/ml supernatant, N = 3; neutrophil chemoattractant factor: control, Medium ip: 6 ñ 1 x 10**6; MFH supernatant: 18 ñ 1 x 106 neutrophils/cavity, H = 5). these releases were enhanced by treating MFH cells with LPS (TNF; 61 percent; neutrophil chemoattractant factor: 46 percent) and were abolished by the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (TNF: 68 percent; neutrophil chemoattractant factor: 100 percent). Anti-TNF antiserum abolished the neutrophil chemoattractant activity of the supernatants (95 percent). The release of TNF or neutrophil chemoattractant activity was reduced in cells obtained from older cultures (14 and 21 days) (TNF: 7-day culture, 36 ñ 9;14-day culture, 19ñ2;21-day culture, 19ñ 1 IU of TNF/ml; neutrophil chemoattractant activity: 7-day culture, 18 ñ 1.6; 14-day culture, 13 ñ 3;28-day culture, 8 ñ 1 x 10**6 neutrophils/cavity). The predominant cells present in 7-day cultures of MFH were histiocyte-like cells as determined by nonspecific esterase methods. The number of these cells decreased as the cultures aged (7-day culture, 71 percent; 14-day culture, 5 percent; 21-day culture, 0 percent)...