Well-Established and Traditional Use of Vegetal Extracts as an Approach to the "Deep Roots" of Cough.

Cough is a common presenting symptom for patients in a primary care setting and significantly impacts a patient's quality of life. Cough involves a complex reflex arc beginning with the stimulation of sensory nerves that function as cough receptors that stimulate the cough center in the brain. This "cough center" functions to receive these impulses and produce a cough by activating efferent nervous pathways to the diaphragm and laryngeal, thoracic, and abdominal musculature. Drugs that suppress the neural activity of cough are non-specific as those treatments are not directed toward pathogenic causes such as inflammation and oxidative stress. Moreover, they block a reflex called the watchdog of the lung and have a defense mechanism. Acute respiratory infections of the upper and lower airways most commonly cause acute cough. In contrast, the most common causes of chronic cough are upper airway cough syndrome, asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, all associated with an inflammatory reaction at the level of the cough receptors. The use of natural compounds or herbal drugs such as carob syrup, dry blackcurrant extract, dry extract of caraway fruit, dry extract of ginger rhizome, dry extract of marshmallow root, and dry extract of ivy leaves, to name a few, not only have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, but also act as antimicrobials, bronchial muscle relaxants, and increase gastric motility and empty. For these reasons, these natural substances are widely used to control cough at its deep roots (i.e., contrasting its causes and not inhibiting the arch reflex). With this approach, the lung watchdog is not put to sleep, as with peripheral or central inhibition of the cough reflex, and by contrasting the causes, we may control cough that viruses use at self-advantage to increase transmission.

Agave angustifolia Haw. Leaves as a Potential Source of Bioactive Compounds: Extraction Optimization and Extract Characterization.

The leaves of Agave angustifolia Haw. are the main agro-waste generated by the mezcal industry and are becoming an important source of bioactive compounds, such as phenolic compounds, that could be used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Therefore, the extraction and identification of these phytochemicals would revalorize these leaf by-products. Herein, maceration and supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) extractions were optimized to maximize the phenolic and flavonoid contents and the antioxidant capacity of vegetal extracts of A. angustifolia Haw. In the maceration process, the optimal extraction condition was a water-ethanol mixture (63:37% v/v), which yielded a total phenolic and flavonoid content of 27.92 ± 0.90 mg EAG/g DL and 12.85 ± 0.53 µg QE/g DL, respectively, and an antioxidant capacity of 32.67 ± 0.91 (ABTS assay), 17.30 ± 0.36 (DPPH assay), and 13.92 ± 0.78 (FRAP assay) µM TE/g DL. Using supercritical extraction, the optimal conditions for polyphenol recovery were 60 °C, 320 bar, and 10% v/v. It was also observed that lower proportions of cosolvent decreased the polyphenol extraction more than pressure and temperature. In both optimized extracts, a total of 29 glycosylated flavonoid derivatives were identified using LC-ESI-QTof/MS. In addition, another eight novel compounds were identified in the supercritical extracts, showing the efficiency of the cosolvent for recovering new flavonoid derivatives.

Bioactive Compounds for Combating Oxidative Stress in Dermatology.

There are extensive studies that confirm the harmful and strong influence of oxidative stress on the skin. The body's response to oxidative stress can vary depending on the type of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and their metabolites, the duration of exposure to oxidative stress and the antioxidant capacity at each tissue level. Numerous skin diseases and pathologies are associated with the excessive production and accumulation of free radicals. title altered Both categories have advantages and disadvantages in terms of skin structures, tolerability, therapeutic performance, ease of application or formulation and economic efficiency. The effect of long-term treatment with antioxidants is evaluated through studies investigating their protective effect and the improvement of some phenomena caused by oxidative stress. This article summarizes the available information on the presence of compounds used in dermatology to combat oxidative stress in the skin. It aims to provide an overview of all the considerations for choosing an antioxidant agent, the topics for further research and the answers sought in order to optimize therapeutic performance.

Exploring the potential of eco-friendly silver nanoparticles to inhibit azole-resistant clinical isolates of Candida spp.

The antimicrobial activity and biological efficiency of silver nanoparticles (AgNps) have been widely described and can be modeled through stabilizing and reducing agents, especially if they exhibit biocidal properties, which can enhance bioactivity against pathogens. The selective action of AgNps remains a major concern. In this regard, the use of plant extracts for the green synthesis of nanoparticles offers advantages because it improves the toxicity of Nps for microorganisms and is harmless to normal cells. However, biological evaluations of the activity of AgNps synthesized using different reducing agents are determined independently, and comparisons are frequently overlooked. Thus, we investigated and compared the antifungal and cytotoxic effects of two ecological AgNps synthesized from Moringa oleifera aqueous leaf extract (AgNp-M) and glucose (AgNp-G) against azole-resistant clinical isolates of Candida spp. and nontumor mammalian cells. Synthesized AgNps exhibited an antifungal effect on planktonic cells of drug-resistant C. albicans and C. tropicalis (MIC 0.21-52.6 µg/mL). The toxicity was influenced by size. However, the use of M. oleifera extracts allows us to obtain AgNps that are highly selective and nongenotoxic to Vero cells due to modifications of the shape and surface. Therefore, these results suggest that AgNp-M has antimicrobial potential and deserves further investigation for biomedical applications.

The Polyphenolic Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Five Vegetal Extracts with Hepatoprotective Potential.

Oxidative stress is among the major triggers for many important human functional disorders, which often lead to various metabolic or tissue diseases. The aim of the study is to obtain five standardized vegetal extracts (Cynarae extractum-CE, Rosmarini extractum-RE, Taraxaci extractum-TE, Cichorii extractum-CHE, and Agrimoniae extractum-AE) that contain active principles with an essential role in protecting liver cells against free radicals and quantify their antioxidant actions. The compounds of therapeutic interest from the analyzed extracts were identified and quantified using the UHPLC-HRMS/MS technique. Thus, the resulting identified compounds were 28 compounds in CE, 48 compounds in RE, 39 compounds in TE, 43 compounds in CHE, and 31 compounds in AE. These compounds belong to the class of flavonoids, isoflavones, phenolic acids and dicarboxylic acids, depsides, diterpenes, triterpenes, sesquiterpenes, proanthocyanidins, or coumarin derivatives. From the major polyphenolic compounds quantified in all the extracts analyzed by UHPLC-HRMS/MS, considerable amounts have been found for chlorogenic acid (619.8 µg/g extract for TE-2032.4 µg/g extract for AE), rutoside (105.1 µg/g extract for RE-1724.7 µg/g extract for AE), kaempferol (243 µg/g extract for CHE-2028.4 µg/g extract for CE), and for naringenin (383 µg/g extract for CHE-1375.8 µg/g extract for AE). The quantitative chemical analysis showed the highest content of total phenolic acids for AE (24.1528 ± 1.1936 g chlorogenic acid/100 g dry extract), the highest concentration of flavones for RE (6.0847 ± 0.3025 g rutoside/100 g dry extract), and the richest extract in total polyphenols with 31.7017 ± 1.2211 g tannic acid equivalent/100 g dry extract for AE. Several methods (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP) have been used to determine the in vitro total antioxidant activity of the extracts to evaluate their free radical scavenging ability, influenced by the identified compounds. As a result, the correlation between the content of the polyphenolic compounds and the antioxidant effect of the extracts has been demonstrated. Statistically significant differences were found when comparing the antiradical capacity within the study groups. Although all the analyzed extracts showed good IC50 values, which may explain their antihepatotoxic effects, the highest antioxidant activity was obtained for Agrimoniae extractum (IC50ABTS = 0.0147 mg/mL) and the lowest antioxidant activity was obtained for Cynarae extractum (IC50ABTS = 0.1588 mg/mL). Furthermore, the hepatoprotective potential was evaluated in silico by predicting the interactions between the determined phytochemicals and key molecular targets relevant to liver disease pathophysiology. Finally, the evaluation of the pharmacognostic and phytochemical properties of the studied extracts validates their use as adjuvants in phytotherapy, as they reduce oxidative stress and toxin accumulation and thus exert a hepatoprotective effect at the cellular level.

An Insight into the Structural Diversity and Clinical Applicability of Polyurethanes in Biomedicine.

Due to their mechanical properties, ranging from flexible to hard materials, polyurethanes (PUs) have been widely used in many industrial and biomedical applications. PUs' characteristics, along with their biocompatibility, make them successful biomaterials for short and medium-duration applications. The morphology of PUs includes two structural phases: hard and soft segments. Their high mechanical resistance featuresare determined by the hard segment, while the elastomeric behaviour is established by the soft segment. The most important biomedical applications of PUs include antibacterial surfaces and catheters, blood oxygenators, dialysis devices, stents, cardiac valves, vascular prostheses, bioadhesives/surgical dressings/pressure-sensitive adhesives, drug delivery systems, tissue engineering scaffolds and electrospinning, nerve generation, pacemaker lead insulation and coatings for breast implants. The diversity of polyurethane properties, due to the ease of bulk and surface modification, plays a vital role in their applications.

Brazilian red pepper leaves essential oil (Schinus terebinthifolius) in diets for feedlot lambs / Óleo essencial das folhas de aroeira (Schinus terebinthifolius) em dietas para cordeiros confinados

Essential oil (EO) from Brazilian red pepper leaves contains antimicrobial compounds that control Gram-positive bacteria in the rumen content, improving the efficiency of ruminal fermentation. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects of the Brazilian red pepper leaves EO (Schinus terebinthifolius) as a substitute for monensin on performance, occurrence of coccidiosis by Eimeria ssp., carcass characteristics and meat composition of feedlot lambs. Forty-four lambs, 16 males (12 ½ Dorper × ½ Santa Inês and 4 Santa Inês) and 28 females (16 ½ Dorper × ½ Santa Inês and 12 Santa Inês), with 21.4 ± 1.05 kg of initial body weight (BW), were used in a randomized complete block design. The experiment lasted 56 days, divided into 2 periods of 28 days each. The treatments were defined by the inclusion of 8 ppm of monensin (MON), and the doses 0.14% (14EO), 0.28% (28EO) and 0.42% (42EO) of red pepper leaves essential oil (EO). At the end of 56 days, 32 lambs were slaughtered for the measurement of carcass parameters and meat composition. There was no interaction among treatments and periods for average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI), feed efficiency (FE) and oocyst of Eimeria ssp. in feces. The treatments did not affect the ADG, DMI and FE; however, the monensin inclusion decreased the oocyst of Eimeria ssp. (P = 0.01). There was a tendency (P = 0.06) of increase in hot carcass yield for lambs fed 28EO compared to 14EO. In addition, the cold carcass yield was higher (P = 0.02) in the animals fed 28EO and 42EO. The subcutaneous fat thickness was not affected by the experimental diets; however, there was a tendency for lambs from 28EO and 42EO treatments to present higher body wall thickness (P = 0.07) and Longissimus muscle area (P = 0.07) when compared to MON. The higher doses of red pepper leaves EO increased the percentage of crude protein (P < 0.01) and mineral matter (P = 0.02) in the chemical composition of meat. Although the performance of lambs did not change, the inclusion of 0.28 and 0.42% red pepper leaves EO improve the carcass characteristics and change the meat composition, demonstrating the potential of the use of this additive in confined lamb diets. However, the monensin has greater potential to control coccidiosis in feedlot lambs compared with red pepper leaves EO.(AU)

O óleo essencial das folhas da aroeira possui compostos antimicrobianos que controlam a população de bactérias gram-positivas presentes no conteúdo ruminal, melhorando a eficiência do processo de fermentação. Os objetivos do presente estudo foram avaliar os efeitos do óleo essencial das folhas da aroeira (Schinus terebinthifolius) em substituição a monensina sobre o desempenho, ocorrência de coccidiose por Eimeria ssp., características de carcaça e da carne de cordeiros confinados. Quarenta e quatro cordeiros, 16 machos (12 ½ Dorper × ½ Santa Inês e 4 Santa Inês) e 28 fêmeas (16 ½ Dorper × ½ Santa Inês e 12 Santa Inês), com 21,4 ± 1,05 kg de peso inicial, foram utilizados em delineamento de blocos completos ao acaso. O experimento teve duração de 56 dias, divididos em 2 períodos de 28 dias cada. Os tratamentos foram definidos pela inclusão de 8 ppm de monensina sódica (MON) e as doses 0,14% (14OE), 0,28% (28OE) e 0,42% (42OE) do óleo essencial (OE) das folhas da aroeira. Ao final dos 56 dias, 32 animais foram abatidos para a mensuração dos parâmetros de carcaça e análise química da carne. Não houve interação entre tratamento e período experimental para ganho médio diário (GMD), consumo de matéria seca (CMS), eficiência alimentar (EA) e ocorrência de coccidiose. Não houve efeito das dietas experimentais sobre GMD, CMS e EA, entretanto, a inclusão de monensina reduziu o número de oocistos de Eimeria ssp. (P = 0,01). Houve tendência de aumento no rendimento de carcaça quente (P = 0,06) para os cordeiros alimentados com 28OE comparados com o tratamento 14OE. Além disso, o rendimento de carcaça fria foi maior (P = 0,02) para os animais alimentados com 28OE e 42OE. A espessura de gordura subcutânea não foi afetada pelas dietas experimentais, entretanto, houve tendência dos cordeiros dos tratamentos 28OE e 42OE apresentarem maior espessura de parede corporal (P = 0,07) e área de olho de lombo (P = 0,07) quando comparados a MON. As maiores doses de OE das folhas de aroeira aumentaram a porcentagem de proteína bruta (P < 0,01) e matéria mineral (P = 0,02) na composição química da carne dos cordeiros. Apesar de não alterar o desempenho dos cordeiros, a inclusão de 0,28 e 0,42% de OE das folhas de aroeira foi capaz de alterar as características de carcaça e composição química da carne, demonstrando o potencial de utilização desse aditivo em dietas para cordeiros confinados. Entretanto, a monensina possui maior capacidade de controlar a coccidiose em cordeiros confinados quando comparado ao OE das folhas da aroeira.(AU)

Brazilian red pepper fruit essential oil (Schinus terebinthifolius) may replace monensin in high concentrate diets for feedlot lambs / Óleo essencial dos frutos de aroeira (Schinus terebinthifolius) pode substituir a monensina em dietas com elevado teor de concentrado para cordeiros confinados

Essential oil (EO) from Brazilian red pepper fruit contains compounds with antimicrobial activity, and could be possible substitutes for the antibiotics commonly used in ruminant nutrition. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects of the Brazilian red pepper fruit EO (Schinus terebinthifolius) as a substitute for monensin on performance, carcass characteristics and meat of lambs fed high concentrate diets. Forty-eight lambs were used, 24 males (20 ½ Dorper × ½ Santa Inês and 4 Santa Inês) and 24 females (24 ½ Dorper × ½ Santa Inês), with 21.54 ± 0.88 kg of initial body weight (BW) and 78 ± 2.4 days of age, in a randomized complete block design. The experiment lasted 56 days, divided into 2 periods of 28 days each. The treatments were defined by the inclusion in diets of 8 ppm of monensin (MON), and the doses 0.14% (14EO), 0.28% (28EO) and 0.42% (42EO) of red pepper fruit EO. The additives were included in a base diet with a 10:90 of forage to concentrate ratio. At the end of 56 days, 32 animals were slaughtered for the measurement of carcass parameters and meat composition. There was no interaction among treatments and periods for average daily gain (P = 0.08), DM intake (P = 0.36), feed efficiency (P = 0.24) and oocyst of Eimeria ssp. in feces (P = 0.46). The treatments did not affect (P > 0.05) the average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI) and feed efficiency. Lambs fed diets containing monensin had less (P < 0.01) oocyst/g compared with the diet 14EO. There was no effect of diets on carcass characteristics. The treatments with higher doses of the Brazilian red pepper fruit EO had reduced mineral content of meat compared to monensin. The red pepper fruit EO demonstrated the potential to replace monensin in feedlot lambs fed high concentrate diets, maintaining performance and carcass characteristics. However, the monensin has greater capacity to control coccidiosis in feedlot lambs.

Os óleos essenciais (OE) dos frutos de aroeira possuem compostos com atividade antimicrobiana, sendo possíveis substitutos aos antibióticos comumente utilizados na nutrição de ruminantes. Os objetivos do presente estudo foram avaliar os efeitos da inclusão do óleo essencial de aroeira fruta (Schinus terebinthifolius) como substituto da monensina sobre o desempenho, características de carcaça e da carne de cordeiros alimentados com dietas contendo elevado teor de concentrado. Foram utilizados 48 cordeiros, 24 machos (20 ½ Dorper × ½ Santa Inês e 4 Santa Inês) e 24 fêmeas (24 ½ Dorper × ½ Santa Inês), com peso inicial de 21,54 ± 0,88 kg e 78 ± 2,4 dias de idade, em delineamento de blocos completos casualizados. O experimento teve duração de 56 dias, divididos em 2 períodos de 28 dias cada. Os tratamentos foram definidos pela inclusão na dieta de 8 ppm de monensina sódica (MON) e as doses de 0,14% (14EO), 0,28% (28EO) e 0,42% (42EO) de óleo essencial dos frutos da aroeira. As dietas experimentais foram compostas por 10% de volumoso e 90% de concentrado. Ao final dos 56 dias, 32 animais foram abatidos para a mensuração dos parâmetros de carcaça e análise química da carne. Não houve interação entre tratamento e período para o ganho médio diário (P = 0,08), consumo de MS (P = 0,36), eficiência alimentar (P = 0,24) e contagem de oocistos de Eimeria ssp. (P = 0,46). Não houve efeito (P > 0,05) dos tratamentos no ganho de peso médio diário (GMD), consumo de matéria seca (CMS) e eficiência alimentar (EA). Cordeiros alimentados com dietas contendo monensina tiveram menor (P < 0,01) contagem de oocistos/g de fezes comparado com a dieta 14OE. Não houve efeito das dietas sobre as características de carcaça. A inclusão de 0,28 e 0,42% de OE de aroeira fruto reduziram a concentração de matéria mineral da carne dos cordeiros comparados ao tratamento MON. O OE dos frutos da aroeira demonstrou capacidade de substituir a monensina, apresentando resultados similares com relação ao desempenho e características de carcaça. Entretanto, a monensina apresentou maior capacidade no controle de coccidiose

EVALUATION OF ANTICANCER POTENTIAL OF EIGHT VEGETAL SPECIES FROM THE STATE OF OAXACA.

BACKGROUND: Eight plant species from Oaxaca, some of them used in traditional medicine, were subjected to screening of several biological activities to provide data regarding their anticancer potential, although no scientific information is available about their pharmacological effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Methanol extracts from stems or roots of the eight plants were tested for antioxidant activity by the DPPH- method. Antimicrobial activity was determined using the agar diffusion method and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was obtained by broth dilution method. Antitopoisomerase activity was assessed using mutant strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae JN362a, JN394, JN394t-1, JN394t2.4 and JN394t2-5. The mutagenic activity was evaluated using the Ames test (Salmonella typhimurium TA1535). RESULTS: No extract showed significant antioxidant activity. The best antimicrobial activity was observed for Salpianthus arenarius (MIC 56.25 µg/mL) and Lantana achyranthifolia (MIC 78.12 µg/mL) against Staphylococcus aureus. Extracts of Acalypha cuspidata, Alloispermum integrifolium and L. achyranthifolia stems showed antitopoisomerase II activity with JN394t-1 growth of -30.88±0.0%, -38.11±4.95%, and -70.97±12.02% respectively. Galium mexicanum stem extract showed antitopoisomerase I activity with growth of 35.31±6.36% on the same mutant strain. All plant extracts were non-mutagenic. Fractionation of A. cuspidata extract led to identification of two subfractions with antitopoisomerase I and II activity at 154µg/mL (Positive controls 50 and 100µg/mL). CONCLUSION: Methanol extracts of A. cuspidata, A. integrifolium, G. mexicanum, and L. achyranthifolia stems showed antitopoisomerase and non-mutagenic activities, and consequently could be promising as a source of anticancer drugs.

Efecto de los extractos vegetales de Jatropha curcas y Anonna muricata sobre teleoginas de la garrapata común del ganado Ripichephalus (Boophilus) microplus bajo condiciones de laboratorio / Effect of plant extracts of jatropha curcas and Anonna muricata on engorged females of common cattle tick Ripichephalus (Boophilus) microplus under laboratory conditions / Efeito de extractos de plantas de Jatropha curcas e Anonna muricata em teleogines do carrapato gado comum Ripichephalus (Boophilus) microplus sob condições de laboratório

Resumen La garrapata común (Rhipicephalus (B.) microplus) del ganado es considerada el ectoparásito más importante en la ganadería. El uso repetitivo y tradicional de acaricidas comerciales se ha convertido en un serio problema en cuanto a la resistencia adquirida por esta garrapata. Por esta razón, el control biológico ha surgido como una alternativa prometedora en el control de este ectoparásito. En este estudio se evalúa el efecto de los extractos vegetales de dos plantas, J. curcas y A. muricata, sobre el índice de producción de huevos y la eficiencia reproductiva de R (B.) microplus bajo condiciones de laboratorio. Cada extracto fue evaluado a cinco concentraciones (entre 0.1 y 5%), usando controles negativo y positivo para su comparación. Ambas plantas mostraron actividad biológica, sin embargo, A. muricata tuvo un efecto mayor comparado con J. curcas, inclusive a concentraciones bajas (0,5 y 1 %). Por el contrario, J. curcas mostró solo un efecto moderado en concentraciones altas (5%). En conclusión, los resultados obtenidos en laboratorio indican que los extractos de A. muricata son promisorios para controlar la garrapata común del ganado.

Abstract Rhipicephalus (B.) microplus or common cattle tick is considered the most important ectoparasite of livestock. Traditional and repetitive control of this tick through the use of conventional products has become a serious problem regarding tick's resistance. For this reason, biological control has emerged as a very promising alternative to control this tick. In the present study, an experiment was designed to assess the effect of plant extracts of J. curcas y A. muricata on Production eggs Index (IPH) and estimated reproduction (ER) of R (B) microplus under laboratory conditions. Each plant extract was assessed in five different concentrations (between 0.1 and 5%); a positive and negative control was used for comparison. Both plants showed biological activity, however, A. muricata showed significantly effect on engorged females of the cattle tick compared with J. curcas, even at lower concentrations (0.5, and 1 %). In conclusion, the results obtained indicate that A. muricata's seed extracts are promissory to biocontrol the common cattle tick under laboratory conditions.

Resumo O carrapato comum (Rhipicephalus (B.) microplus) do gado é considerado o ectoparasita mais importante da pecuária. O uso repetitivo e tradicional de inseticidas comerciais se converteu em um sério problema quanto a resisitência adquirida por esse carrapato. Por essa razão, o controle biológico surgiu como uma alternativa promissora no controle deste ectoparasita. Esse estudo avalia o efeito dos extratos vegetais das plantas,J. curcas e A. muricata,sobre o índice de produção de ovos e a eficiência reprodutiva deR (B.) microplussegundo condições de laboratório. Cada extrato foi avaliado em 5 concentrações (entre 0,1 e 5%), usando controles negativo e positivo para sua comparação. Ambas as plantas mostraram atividade biológica, porém,A. muricatateve um efeito maior comparado comJ. curcas,inclusive as concentrações baixas (0,5 y 1 %). Pelo contrário,J. curcasmostrou só um efeito moderado nas concentrações altas (5%). Em conclusão, os resultados obtidos no laboratório indicam que os extratos deA. muricatasão promissores para controlar o carrapato comum do gado.

Assessment of the potential health benefits of certain total extracts from Vitis vinifera, Aesculus hyppocastanum and Curcuma longa.

A number of recent studies have illustrated the active role of food/natural components in the prevention of chronic diseases and in the improvement of the quality of life. In the present study, we aimed to obtain and characterize certain extracts from Vitis vinifera L., Aesculus hippocastanum L. and Curcuma longa L., focusing on their antioxidant effects in vitro. Three vegetal extracts were obtained for each plant: in water, 50% water-alcohol and in 96% ethanol. These extracts were then analyzed for their qualitative composition by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) and total phenolic content by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV-VIS). The antioxidant activity of the extracts was assessed in vitro by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay; the effects of lipid peroxidation on the cell membrane were evaluated using Jurkat cells in two experimental models: normoglycemic and hyperglycemic medium, in order for the results to be able to be translated into clinical practice. In addition, the resistance of the extracts to acid and alkaline hydrolysis was investigated. The obtained extracts had 0.4-39 µg phenolics/mg total extract. The largest amount of phenolics was found in the Cucurma longa extracts, while the lowest was found in the Aesculus hippocastanum extacts. HPTLC analysis identified the main phenolic compounds in the extracts which were ferulic acid, gallic acid, caffeic acid and coumaric acid, as well as quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin, curcumin, luteolin and esculetin. The Aesculus hippocastanum extracts had a low antioxidant efficacy, while both the Curcuma longa and Vitis vinifera extracts had a high antioxidant activity; the products resulting from alkaline hydrolisis were significantly more efficient in scavenging DPPH radicals compared to the products resulting from acid hydrolisis. The antioxidant effects of the Curcuma longa extracts exerted on the membranes of Jurkat cells were the most prominent under both normal and hyperglycemic conditions. The results of the present study may be translated into clinical practice and demonstrate that Curcuma longa extracts may be effective in both the prevention of diabetes mellitus and in attenuating the development of complications associated with the disease.

In vitro evaluation of anti-adherence activity of the Ocimum basilicum l. ( basil) extract and of the Coriandrum sativum l. ( coriander) in acrylic surface of removable orthodontic appliances

AIM: The aim of this study is evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the Ocimum basilicum L. (basil) extract and of the Coriandrum sativum L. (coriander) extract in biofilm of Streptococcus mutans colonized in specimens confectioned in acrylic used to confection removable orthodontic appliances. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To perform this work, specimens were confectioned (spherical discs in sterile acrylic) which were immersed in extracts pure and in series dilutions (1:2 a 1:128) by 24, 48 and 72 hours. For each time of exposition, the disintegration of bacterial films was performed by sonication in saline solution. RESULTS: The results obtained were satisfactory for the extracts studied on the inhibition of biofilm formation. CONCLUSION: We conclude that polyphenols present in the extracts interfered on the glucan synthesis engine, possibly inhibiting the enzymes (glucosyl- and fructosyl transferase) which synthesize the extracellular polymers, also acting as antioxidant, and therewith they presented antimicrobial activity.

Plant species used in dental diseases: ethnopharmacology aspects and antimicrobial activity evaluation.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ethnopharmacological surveys show that several plant species are used empirically by the population, in oral diseases. However, it is necessary to check the properties of these plant species. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate in vitro antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans from plant species selected in a previous ethnopharmacology study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An ethnopharmacological survey was conducted with users of a dental clinic school services, located in Sao Luis, Maranhão, Brazil, aiming to identify plant species used in oral diseases treatment. From the ethnopharmacological survey, species were selected for in vitro antimicrobial activity evaluation against Streptococcus mutans, by agar diffusion method and determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy one people participated in the research: 55.7% reported the use of plants for medicinal purposes, 29.5% of which have knowledge and/or use plants for some type of oral disease. Thirty four species belonging to 24 (twenty four) botanical families were reported, being Aloe vera L., Anacardium occidentale L., Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, Chenopodium ambrosioides L. and Punica granatum L. the most cited. The most commonly reported indications were healing after tooth extraction, followed by toothache, inflammation and bleeding gums., The determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) demonstrated that Punica granatum L., Psidium guajava L. and Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi showed similar activity to 0.12% chlorhexidine, used as positive control. CONCLUSION: That result is important to follow up the study of these species in the search for new anticariogenic agents originated by plants.

Evaluation of the extract of Zeyheria tuberculosa with a view to products for wound healing / Avaliação do extrato da Zeyheria tuberculosa na perspectiva de um produto para cicatrização de feridas / Evaluación del extracto de la Zeyheria tuberculosa en la perspectiva de un producto para cicatrización de heridas

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the antimicrobial, cytotoxic and healing activities of the ethanolic extract of the stems of Z. tuberculosa via topical use and/or oral ingestion. METHOD: antimicrobial assays in vitro using the disk diffusion method, the Artemia salina toxicity test, and in vivo assays with Wistar rats. From these was collected clinical, histological and biochemical data for evaluating the healing process. RESULTS: in vitro antimicrobial testing showed activity in relation to Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, with zones of inhibition of 18, 14 and 10 mm, respectively. The best minimum inhibitory concentration was 62.5 µg/ml for S. aureus, this bacteria being chosen for the in vitro assays. Animals treated with the ointments with the extract of Z. tuberculosa showed the best results in the reduction of the wound diameter, data confirmed by the presence of re-epithelialization in the histological samples. CONCLUSION: the extract was shown to be promising for the continuation of studies which may identify the active ingredients responsible for the pharmacological activity and its mechanism of action in the process of wound healing, so as to develop a product which may be used as an alternate means in the repair of infected cutaneous wounds. .

OBJETIVOS: avaliar as atividades antimicrobiana, citotóxica e cicatrizante do extrato etanólico do caule da Z. tuberculosa por via tópica e/ou ingestão oral. MÉTODO: ensaios antimicrobianos in vitro pelo método de difusão em disco, teste de toxicidade da Artemia salina e ensaios in vivo com ratos Wistar. Nesses foram coletados dados clínicos, histológicos e bioquímicos para avaliação do processo de cicatrização. RESULTADOS: ensaios antimicrobianos in vitro mostraram atividade frente à Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus e Staphylococcus epidermidis, com halos de inibição de 18, 14 e 10mm, respectivamente. A melhor concentração inibitória mínima foi 62,5µg/mL para S. aureus, sendo essa bactéria escolhida para os ensaios in vivo. Animais tratados com as pomadas do extrato da Z. tuberculosa apresentaram melhores resultados na redução do diâmetro da ferida, dado confirmado pela presença de reepitelização nos cortes histológicos. CONCLUSÃO: o extrato mostrou-se promissor para a continuação de estudos que identifiquem os princípios ativos responsáveis pela atividade farmacológica e seu mecanismo de ação no processo de cicatrização de feridas, a fim de desenvolver um produto que possa ser utilizado de forma alternativa no reparo de feridas cutâneas infectadas. .

OBJETIVOS: evaluar las actividades antimicrobianas, citotóxicas y cicatrizantes del extracto etanólico del tallo de la Z. tuberculosa por vía tópica y/o ingestión oral. MÉTODO: ensayos antimicrobianos in vitro por el método de difusión en disco, prueba de toxicidad de la Artemia salina y ensayos in vivo con ratones Wistar. En estos fueron recolectados datos clínicos, histológicos y bioquímicos para evaluación del proceso de cicatrización. RESULTADOS: los ensayos antimicrobianos in vitro mostraron actividad frente a la Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus y Staphylococcus epidermidis, con halos de inhibición de 18, 14 y 10 mm, respectivamente. La mejor concentración inhibitoria mínima fue 62,5 µg/mL para S. aureus, siendo esta bacteria escogida para los ensayos in vivo. Animales tratados con las pomadas del extracto de la Z. tuberculosa presentaron mejores resultados en la reducción del diámetro de la herida, dato confirmado por la presencia de reepitelización en los cortes histológicos. CONCLUSIÓN: el extracto se mostró promisor para la continuación de estudios que identifiquen los principios activos responsables por la actividad farmacológica y su mecanismo de acción en el proceso de cicatrización de heridas, con la finalidad de desarrollar un producto que pueda ser utilizado de forma alternativa en la reparación de heridas cutáneas infectadas. .

Actividad insecticida de extractos vegetales sobre larvas de Aedes aegypti, Diptera: Culicidae / Insecticidal activity of vegetal extracts against Aedes aegypti larvae, Diptera: Culicidae

Introducción: ante la aparición cada vez más frecuente de resistencia de Aedes aegypti a los insecticidas tradicionales, se hace necesario el estudio de extractos vegetales que puedan ser usados como alternativas de control. Objetivo: determinar la actividad insecticida de extractos metanólicos de Gliricidia sepium, Sapindus saponaria y Annona muricata sobre larvas de tercer estadío de Ae. aegypti. Materiales y métodos: mediante percolación metanólica de macerados de las especies vegetales se obtuvieron extractos totales y mediante diluciones de cada extracto se realizaron bioensayos sobre larvas de tercer estadio de Ae. aegypti, cepas Rockefeller y Silvestre. Se realizó análisis PROBIT para la determinar la concentración letal media (LC50) de los extractos evaluados. Resultados: los valores de LC50 hallados para cada uno de los extractos vegetales fueron: A.muricata, 6,48 ppm (IC 95 %: 5,88-7,27); S.saponaria, 601,81 ppm (IC 95 %: 498,41- 690,74); G. sepium, 1328,91 ppm (IC 95 %: 1 201,45-1 448,70), para la cepa Rockefeller. A. muricata, 7,26 ppm (IC 95 %: 6,65-8,05); S. saponaria, 658,64 ppm (IC 95 %: 591,48-730,05); G. sepium, 1 532,89 ppm (IC 95 %: 1 408,15-1 660,70), para la cepa silvestre. Conclusión: Los resultados obtenidos son promisorios para el control de estadios inmaduros de Ae. aegypt.

Introduction: Given the increasingly frequent occurrence of resistance of Ae. aegypti to conventional insecticides, it becomes necessary to study plant extracts that can be used as alternative for control. Objective: To establish the insecticidal activity of metanolic extracts of Gliricidia sepium, Sapindus saponaria and Annona muricata against third instar Ae. aegypti larvae. Materials and methods: A percolation with methanol of macerated plant species to obtain total extracts was performed and then using dilutions of each extract was proceeded to perform bioassays on third stage larvae of Ae. aegypti, strains Rockefeller and wildtype. PROBIT analysis was performed to determine the median lethal concentration (LC50) of the extracts tested. Results: LC50 values found for each of extract are: A. muricata, 6,48 ppm (CI 95 %: 5,88 - 7,27); S. saponaria, 601,81 ppm (CI 95 %: 498,41 - 690,74); G. sepium, 1 328,91 ppm (CI 95 %: 1 201,45 - 1 448,70), Rockefeller strain. A. muricata, 7,26 ppm (CI 95 %: 6,65 - 8,05); S. saponaria, 658,64 ppm (CI 95 %: 591,48 -730,05); G. sepium, 1 532,89 ppm (CI 95 %: 1 408,15 - 1 660,70), for wildtype strain. Conclusion: The results are promising for the control of immature stages of Ae. aegypti.

Extratos de Moringa oleifera e Vernonia sp. sobre Candida albicans e Microsporum canis isolados de cães e gatos e análise da toxicidade em Artemia sp. / Moringa oleifera and Vernonia sp. extracts against Candida albicans and Microsporum canis isolates from dogs and cats and analysis of toxicity to Artemia sp.

O aumento da incidência das infecções fúngicas, bem como o registro crescente de resistência e falha terapêutica, têm impulsionado a realização de estudos de prospecção de fitoquímicos com propriedades antifúngicas. Diante do exposto, o presente estudo investigou o potencial antifúngico de extratos de Baccharis ligustrina, B. schultzii, Croton jacobinensis, Licania rigida, Moringa oleifera, Vernonia sp. e V. brasiliana, e de óleos essenciais de Lippia alba (Quimiotipos 1, 2, 3 e 4) e Ocimum gratissimum. Inicialmente, foi realizada uma avaliação qualitativa da atividade antifúngica de cada amostra por meio do método de difusão em ágar, frente a cepas de Candida albicans e Microsporum canis, mostrando que apenas os extratos de M. oleifera (MLF-C) e Vernonia sp. (TVS-H) apresentaram atividade frente a C. albicans e M. canis, com halos de inibição =10mm. Também foram determinadas a concentração inibitória mínima (CIM), frente a 12 cepas de C. albicans e M. canis, e a toxicidade aguda de MLF-C e TVS-H, através de protocolos do Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) e ensaio com Artemia sp., respectivamente. A CIM (80 por cento) de MLF-C e TVS-H variou de 0,156 a 2,5mg mL-1 frente C. albicans e de 0,039 a 1,25 e 0,039 a 0,625mg mL-1 para M. canis, respectivamente. A CIM (100 por cento) de MLF-C e TVS-H variou de 0,625 a 2,5mg mL-1 frente C. albicans é de 0,039 a 2,5 e 0,078 a 1,25mg mL-1 para M. canis, respectivamente. As doses letais (DL50) para o MLF-C e TVS-H foram de 201,09 e 204,17mg mL-1, respectivamente, sendo, portanto, demonstrada a baixa toxicidade desses extratos. Os extratos de M. oileifera e Vernonia sp. apresentaram atividade antifúngica frente cepas de C. albicans e M. canis, abrindo a perspectiva de estudos para caracterização dos seus componentes bioativos.

The increase in the incidence of fungal infections and the frequent report of resistance and therapeutic failure has promoted the performance of phytochemical screening for compounds with antifungal properties. Based on this, the present study investigated the antifungal potential of extracts of Baccharis ligustrina, B. schultzii, Croton jacobinensis, Licania rigida, Moringa oleifera, Vernonia sp. and V. brasiliana and of essential oils of Lippia alba (Chemotypes 1, 2, 3 and 4) and Ocimum gratissimum. Initially, a qualitative evaluation of the antifungal activity of each vegetal sample against strains of Candida albicans and Microsporum canis, through the agar diffusion method, was performed. Extracts of M. oleifera (MLF-C) and Vernonia sp. (TVS-H) presented activity against C. albicans and M. canis with inhibition halos =10mm. Then, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for MLF-C and TVS-H against 12 strains of C. albicans and M. canis were determined through the methodology established by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), and acute toxicity tests against Artemia sp. were performed for both extracts. MICs (80 percent) for MLF-C and TVS-H varied from 0.156 to 2.5mg mL-1 against C. albicans and from 0.039 to 1.25mg mL-1 and 0.039 to 0.625mg mL-1 against M. canis, respectively. MICs (100 percent) for MLF-C and TVS-H varied from 0.625 to 2.5mg mL-1 for C. albicans and from 0.039 to 2.5mg mL-1 and 0.078 to 1.25mg mL-1 against M. canis, respectively. Lethal doses (DL50) of MLF-C and TVS-H were 201.09 and 204.17mg mL-1, respectively, being, therefore, demonstrated the low toxicity of these extracts. M. oleifera and Vernonia sp. extracts presented in vitro antifungal activity against C. albicans and M. canis, creating perspectives for the development of studies on the characterizations of their bioactive components.

Antibacterial activity of vegetal extracts against serovars of Salmonella / Atividade antibacteriana de extratos vegetais sobre sorovares de Salmonella

in vitro antibacterial activity of 21 hydroethanolic vegetal extracts was assessed against 20 serovars of Salmonella. Regarding the tested extracts, 85.7 percent of them presented antibacterial activity. The six active extracts which showed activity on the largest number of serovars and the extract of Eucalyptus sp. were submitted to the determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC). Of these, six extracts showed bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity with MIC and MBC for Punica granatum (pomegranate) from 20 and 60mg mL-1, for Eugenia jambolana (rose apple) from 40 and 240mg mL-1, Eugenia uniflora (surinam cherry) from 80 and 240mg mL-1, Caryophyllus aromaticus (clove) from 10 and 60mg mL-1, Psidium araca from 30 and 320mg mL-1 and Eucalyptus sp. from 40 and 160mg mL-1. Achyrocline satureioides (macela) presented only bacteriostatic potential and MIC from 160mg mL-1. Caryophyllus aromaticus, Eucalyptus sp., and Psidium araca presented the best results for bactericidal activity, inhibiting, respectively, 84.2 percent, 42.1 percent, and 17.6 percent of Salmonella's serovars. The activity of each extract varied for different serovars; S. London presented resistance to the six extracts in MBC, while S. Pullorum was the most susceptible serovar.

A atividade antibacteriana de 21 extratos hidroetanólicos vegetais foi avaliada in vitro frente a 20 sorovares de Salmonella. Dos extratos testados, 85,7 por cento apresentaram atividade antibacteriana. Os seis extratos que evidenciaram atividade sobre o maior número de sorovares e Eucalyptus sp. foram submetidos à determinação da Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM) e Concentração Bactericida Mínima (CBM). Destes, seis extratos apresentaram atividade bacteriostática e bactericida com MIC para Punica granatum (romã) a partir de 20 e 60mg mL-1, Eugenia jambolana (jambolão) de 40 e 240mg mL-1, Eugenia uniflora (pitanga) de 80 e 240mg mL-1, Caryophyllus aromaticus (cravo) de 10 e 60mg mL-1, Psidium araca (araçá) 30 e 320mg mL-1 e Eucalyptus sp. (eucalipto) de 40 e 160mg mL-1. Achyrocline satureioides (macela) apresentou apenas atividade bacteriostática e MIC a partir de 160mg mL-1. Caryophyllus aromaticus, Eucalyptus sp. e Psidium araca apresentaram os melhores resultados para a atividade bactericida, inativando, respectivamente, 84,21 por cento, 42,1 por cento e 17,64 por cento dos sorovares de Salmonella. A atividade de cada extrato variou para diferentes sorovares. Nenhum dos seis extratos avaliados evidenciou atividade bactericida frente a S. London, enquanto S. Pullorum foi o sorovar mais sensível.

Fingerprint of volatiles from plant extracts based on SPME-GC-MS

The Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Products has an ex situ collection of extracts from organisms of the biodiversity aiming at bioprospecting. Nowadays the collection has about 4000 extracts from 1000 different species. Extracts are used to identify new bioactive compounds that could be useful for developing new drugs against neglected diseases like leishmaniosis, Chagas disease, malaria and tuberculosis. After biologic assays, the bioactive extracts need to be prepared in larger quantity to allow isolation and characterization of the bioactive component. At this time, it is important to not only confirm the bioactivity of new extract but also check if its composition is similar to the old one. It was evaluated the ability of Solid Phase Microextraction and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis (SPME-GC-MS). It was used the AMDIS (Automatic Mass Spectral Deconvolution and Identification System) software as tools to collect and to compare the chromatographic profiles of each extract (fingerprint). Forty six samples were analyzed, it was possible to infer from the composition of each sample and common compounds. Nine groups of samples, collected at different time, were analyzed and seasonal modifications between then could be elucidated. The results showed that this methodology can be used to monitor the composition of extracts, allowing to monitor chemical changes that may occur during storage periods and to investigate the occurrence of a determined component in different extracts.

O Laboratório de Química de Produtos Naturais (LQPN) possui uma coleção ex situ de pequenas quantidades de extratos obtidos de componentes da biodiversidade para fins de bioprospecção. Esta coleção conta atualmente com cerca de 4000 extratos de mais de 1000 espécies distintas. Os extratos são usados na identificação de novos compostos bioativos que possam servir para o desenvolvimento de novas drogas contra as doenças negligenciadas como leishmanioses, doença de Chagas, malária e tuberculose. Após serem submetidos aos ensaios biológicos, os extratos que apresentaram atividade precisam ser preparados em uma quantidade maior a partir de recoletas dos vegetais, para permitir o isolamento dos seus componentes ativos. Neste ponto, o desenvolvimento de metodologias padronizadas que permitam comparar a composição dos extratos recém obtidos com a dos extratos originais são importantes para confirmação da identidade dos mesmos. Avaliou-se a metodologia de Micro-Extração em Fase Sólida, seguida de análise por Cromatografia Gasosa e Espectrometria de Massa (MEFS-CG-EM). Foi usado o software AMDIS (Automatic Mass Spectral Deconvolution and Identification System) para armazenar e comparar os perfis gerados (fingerprint). Quarenta e seis amostras foram analisadas, onde foi possível inferir sobre os constituintes de cada amostra e traçar um perfil de composição e de componentes comuns. Foram analisados nove grupos de amostras, coletadas em diferentes períodos onde se estudou as variações sazonais ocorridas entre elas. Os resultados mostraram a viabilidade do uso desta ferramenta para monitorar a composição de extratos, permitindo avaliar alterações químicas durante a estocagem, a comparação entre extratos oriundos de coletas distintas, e na ocorrência de alguns componentes em diferentes extratos.