Antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of medicinal plants of the Brazilian cerrado, using Brazilian cachaca as extractor liquid

Ethnopharmacological importance: Many species of plants in the Brazilian cerrado (savanna) are widely used in ethnomedicine. However, the safety and effectiveness of medicinal plants used in communities with little or no access to manufactured drugs should be evaluated. Aim of the study: Evaluate the antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of extracts from eight plant species, obtained using Brazilian cachaca as the extractor liquid. Materials and methods: The extracts were tested against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis, and poliovirus. In addition, cytotoxic activity was assayed in Vero cells and in human erythrocytes. Results: The plant species Curatella americana, Sclerolobium aureum, and Plathymenia reticulata showed the best activity against yeasts, especially the crude extract of C. americana and its ethyl-acetate fraction. Kielmeyera lathrophyton showed a minimum inhibitory concentration of 250 mu g/ml against S. aureus, and was inactive against Gram-negative bacteria. The extract obtained from Annona coriacea showed the best activity against the promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis (IC(50) = 175 mu g/ml). Only C. americana showed potential for antipoliovirus activity. The concentrations of the crude extracts that showed toxicity to VERO cells had CC(50) between 31 and 470 mu g/ml, and the lyophilized Brazilian cachaca showed a CC(50) of 307 mu g/ml. None of the extracts showed toxicity against human erythrocytes. Conclusions: Among the plant species studied. C americana proved to be effective against microorganisms, especially as an antifungal. The results will help in the search for alternative drugs to be used in pharmacotherapy, and will contribute to establish safe and effective use of phytomedicines in the treatment of infectious diseases. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Serosurvey Of Selected Avian Pathogens In Brazilian Commercial Rheas (Rhea americana) And Ostriches (Struthio camelus)

Ratite farming of has expanded worldwide. Due to the intensive farming methods used by ratite producers, preventive medicine practices should be established. In this context, the surveillance and control of some avian pathogens are essential for the success of the ratite industry; however, little is known on the health status of ratites in Brazil. Therefore, the prevalence of antibodies against Newcastle Disease virus, Chlamydophila psittaci, Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma synoviae, and Salmonella Pullorum were evaluated in 100 serum samples collected from commercial ostriches and in 80 serum samples from commercial rheas reared in Brazil. All sampled animals were clinically healthy. The results showed that all ostriches and rheas were serologically negative to Newcastle disease virus, Chlamydophila psittaci, Myco plasma gallisepticum, and Myco plasma synoviae. Positive antibody responses against Salmonella Pullorum antigen were not detected in ostrich sera, but were detected in two rhea serum samples. These results can be considered as a warning as to the presence of Salmonella spp. in ratite farms. Therefore, the implementation of good health management and surveillance programs in ratite farms may contribute to improve not only animal production, but also public health conditions.

Evaluation of post-surgical healing in rats using a topical preparation based on extract of Musa sapientum L., Musaceae, epicarp

Considering that oral preparations made with peel green bananas (e.g. flour and extracts) demonstrated healing effects on mucous membranes and skin, this study evaluated the healing and the antimicrobial property of a topical preparation based on extract of Musa sapientum L., Musaceae, (apple banana) in surgically induced wounds in the skin of male Wistar rats, 100 g. The extract was obtained by decoction, the presence of tannins was detected by phytochemical screening and 10% of the extract was incorporated into the carbopol gel (CMS gel). The processes of healing and bacterial isolation were evaluated in the following experimental groups: control (no treatment), treatment with placebo or with the CMS gel. The healing of surgical wounds treated with the CMS gel was faster when compared with the control and placebo groups and the treatment with CMS gel also inhibited the growth of pyogenic bacteria and enterobacteria in the wounds. The results indicate that the extract of Musa sapientum epicarp has healing and antimicrobial properties (in vivo), probably, due to tannins.

Minas-type fresh cheese developed from buffalo milk with addition of L. acidophilus

Effective incorporation of a probiotic into foods requires the culture to remain viable all along processing and storage, without adverse alterations to sensory characteristics. The objective of this work was developing Minas-type fresh cheese with probiotic properties from buffalo milk. Four batches of Minas-type fresh cheese were prepared using buffalo milk: batch T1 in which neither culture nor lactic acid added; batch T3 in which only lactic acid added; batches T2 and T4 , both added of Lactobacillus acidophilus LAC 4, but T4 was also acidified. Resulting cheeses were evaluated for probiotic culture stability, texture profile, sensory acceptance, and changes in pH. The T4 probiotic cheese presented hardness, gumminess, and chewiness significantly lower than the other treatments. However, values for springiness and cohesiveness did not differ between all cheeses, and no sensory differences (p > 0.05) were found between treatments for texture, taste, and overall acceptance. The addition of probiotic to the acidified cheese (T4) yielded best aroma. The populations of L. acidophilus were greater than 10(6) CFU g-1 after 28 days of storage all products. Minas-type fresh cheese from buffalo milk is a suitable food for the delivery of L. acidophilus, since the culture remained viable during the shelf life of the products and did not negative affect analysed parameters.

Phylogenetic analyses of Cladophora vagabunda (L.) C. Hoek (Cladophorales, Chlorophyta) from Brazil based on SSU rDNA sequences

The complete SSU rDNA was sequenced for 10 individuals of Cladophora vagabunda collected along the coast of Brazil. For C. rupestris (L.) Kütz. a partial SSU rDNA sequence (1634 bp) was obtained. Phylogenetic trees indicate that Cladophora is paraphyletic, but the section Glomeratae sensu lato including C. vagabunda from Brazil, Japan and France, C. albida (Nees) Kütz., C. sericea (Hudson) Kütz., and C. glomerata (L.) Kütz. is monophyletic. Within this group C. vagabunda is paraphyletic. The sequence identity for the SSU rDNA varied from 98.9% to 100% for the Brazilian C. vagabunda, and from 98.3% to 99.7% comparing the Brazilian individuals to the ones from France and Japan. Sequence identity of the Brazilian C. vagabunda to C. albida and C. sericea vary from 98.0% to 98.6%. The SSU rDNA phylogeny support partially the morphological characteristics presented by Brazilian populations of C. vagabunda. On the other hand, C. rupestris from Brazil does not group with C. rupestris from France, both sequences presenting only 96.9% of identity. The inclusion of sequences of individuals from Brazil reinforces the need of taxonomical revision for the genus Cladophora and for the complex C. vagabunda.

Differentiation of Melipona quadrifasciata L. (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini) subspecies using cytochrome b PCR-RFLP patterns

Melipona quadrifasciata quadrifasciata and M. quadrifasciata anthidioides are subspecies of M. quadrifasciata, a stingless bee species common in coastal Brazil. These subspecies are discriminated by the yellow stripe pattern of the abdominal tergites. We found Vsp I restriction patterns in the cytochrome b region closely associated to each subspecies in 155 M. quadrifasciata colonies of different geographical origin. This mitochondrial DNA molecular marker facilitates diagnosis of M. quadrifasciata subspecies matrilines and can be used to establish their natural distribution and identify hybrid colonies.

Sildenafil preserves diastolic relaxation after reduction by L-NAME and increases phosphodiesterase-5 in the intercalated discs of cardiac myocytes and arterioles

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the influence of sildenafil on cardiac contractility and diastolic relaxation and examined the distribution of phosphodiesterase-5 in the hearts of hypertensive rats that were treated with by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). METHODS: Male Wistar rats were treated with L-NAME and/or sildenafil for eight weeks. The Langendorff method was used to examine the effects of sildenafil on cardiac contractility and diastolic relaxation. The presence and location of phosphodiesterase-5 and phosphodiesterase-3 were assessed by immunohistochemistry, and cGMP plasma levels were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: In isolated hearts, sildenafil prevented the reduction of diastolic relaxation (dP/dt) that was induced by L-NAME. In addition, phosphodiesterase-5 immunoreactivity was localized in the intercalated discs between the myocardial cells. The staining intensity was reduced by L-NAME, and sildenafil treatment abolished this reduction. Consistent with these results, the plasma levels of cGMP were decreased in the L-NAME-treated rats but not in rats that were treated with L-NAME + sildenafil. CONCLUSION: The sildenafil-induced attenuation of the deleterious hemodynamic and cardiac morphological effects of L-NAME in cardiac myocytes is mediated (at least in part) by the inhibition of phosphodiesterase-5.

Epidemiologia da leishmaniose tegumentar americana no Estado do Acre, Amazônia brasileira

Efetuou-se estudo estatístico descritivo em 8.516 casos de leishmaniose tegumentar americana no Estado do Acre, Brasil, no período de 2001 a 2006 (segundo período), comparando-se com os resultados de publicação anterior com dados no mesmo estado entre 1992 e 1997 (primeiro período). A prevalência no estado mais que dobrou entre os dois momentos (55,7/10 mil habitantes de 1992 a 1997 e 128,5/10 mil habitantes entre 2001 e 2006. O sexo masculino foi o mais acometido (68,8%, n = 5.860) no segundo período. A média das idades foi de 26,3 anos, valor discretamente menor do que o do primeiro período. Pacientes com baixa escolaridade foram os mais acometidos pela doença. As demais variáveis avaliadas foram zona de residência, ocupação, critério de diagnóstico, forma clínica, tratamento, recidiva, tempo para procurar tratamento e evolução da doença. Conclui-se que houve piora nos indicadores epidemiológicos da leishmaniose tegumentar americana avaliados no estado entre os períodos estudados.

Multivariate analysis of the effects of soil parameters and environmental factors on the flavonoid content of leaves of Passiflora incarnata L., Passifloraceae

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of soil characteristics (pH, macro- and micro-nutrients), environmental factors (temperature, humidity, period of the year and time of day of collection) and meteorological conditions (rain, sun, cloud and cloud/rain) on the flavonoid content of leaves of Passiflora incarnata L., Passifloraceae. The total flavonoid contents of leaf samples harvested from plants cultivated or collected under different conditions were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV/PAD). Chemometric treatment of the data by principal component (PCA) and hierarchic cluster analyses (HCA) showed that the samples did not present a specific classification in relation to the environmental and soil variables studied, and that the environmental variables were not significant in describing the data set. However, the levels of the elements Fe, B and Cu present in the soil showed an inverse correlation with the total flavonoid contents of the leaves of P. incarnata.

HPLC microfractionation of flavones and antioxidant (radical scavenging) activity of Saccharum officinarum L.

The antioxidant activity of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) juice towards DPPH reagent was determined (EC50) and the main compounds with radical scavenging activity in juice and leaves extracts were identified by HPLC-UV/PAD analysis combined with HPLC microfractionation monitored by TLC using β-carotene and DPPH as the detection reagents. In sugarcane leaves, luteolin-8-C-(rhamnosylglucoside) (1) was the most important compound with radical scavenging activity; in sugarcane juice, the flavones diosmetin-8-C-glucoside (2), vitexin (3) schaftoside (9), isoschaftoside (10) and 4',5'-dimethyl-luteolin-8-C-glucoside (11) were the most relevant compounds. The content of juice flavonoids (0.241 ± 0.001 mg total flavonoids/mL juice), comparable to other food sources of flavonoids, suggest the potential of sugarcane as a dietary source of natural antioxidants. However, the low antioxidant ability of sugarcane juice (EC50 = 100.2 ± 2.6 g L-1) also points to the need for further studies about the dietary intake of sugarcane flavonoids and its effects on human health.

Synthesis and structural characterization of block and random low molecular weight copolymers composed of L-lactic acid and isosorbide succinate moieties

Isosorbide succinate moieties were incorporated into poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) backbone in order to obtain a new class of biodegradable polymer with enhanced properties. This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of four types of low molecular weight copolymers. Copolymer I was obtained from monomer mixtures of L-lactide, isosorbide, and succinic anhydride; II from oligo(L-lactide) (PLLA), isosorbide, and succinic anhydride; III from oligo(isosorbide succinate) (PIS) and L-lactide; and IV from transesterification reactions between PLLA and PIS. MALDI-TOFMS and 13C-NMR analyses gave evidence that co-oligomerization was successfully attained in all cases. The data suggested that the product I is a random co-oligomer and the products II-IV are block co-oligomers.

Massa das sementes de Tecoma stans L. Juss. ex Kunth (Bignoniaceae): efeitos na emergência e desenvolvimento de suas plântulas no sol e na sombra

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Tecoma stans L. Juss. ex Kunth seeds mass on initial emergence, growth and, seedling development under different light conditions. The seeds were separated in four mass classes and sowed in four replicates of 24 seeds for each class, under full sun and canopy shade. Under sun environment was observed a greater percentage of emergence. Heavy seeds presented the greater percentage of emergence under both environments, but a greater rate was observed under canopy shade. One month after the start of experiments, the seedlings at the shade environment presented 100% of mortality. The growth and development seedlings under full sun were noticed for five months. In this period, only in the first three months was possible to observe the effects of Tecoma stans seeds mass on capacity of seedlings to acquire dry mass. The seedlings biomass partitions were similar among the tested mass class. The seedlings of smaller mass tended to a high specific leaf area in relation to the seedlings from large seeds, mainly in the first three months, resulting in a great acquisition of dry mass by these seedlings. In the fourth month, the specific leaf area did not present any tendency. Because the biggest seeds to give rise seedlings with best initial development than smallest seeds can be considered as species reproductive strategy. To produce seeds of different sizes also can be considered as way of species to spread in many microhabitats.

Description of a new species of the genus Leporinus Spix (Characiformes: Anostomidae) from the rio Araguaia, Brazil, with comments on the taxonomy and distribution of L. parae and L. lacustris

A new species of the genus Leporinus is described from the rio Araguaia, in Mato Grosso and Goiás states, Brazil. The new species has the dental formula 4/3, a unique feature within the genus; all other species of Leporinus have dental formulae 3/3, 3/4 or 4/4. In addition, the new species can also be distinguished by the following combination of characters: 36 to 37 scales in the lateral line, 4/4.5 or 4/5 series of scales in the transversal line, 16 circumpeduncular scale series, anal fin surpassing base of lower caudal-fin rays and three blotches along the lateral line. The new species shares with L. parae and L. lacustris a rather deep body, terminal mouth, long anal fin, three small dark blotches on the lateral line, the latter two, particularly the last one, usually fading, and preference for lentic habitats. Comments on the taxonomy and distribution of the species L. parae and L. lacustris are provided.

Analysis of the prevalence of and factors associated with urinary incontinence among elderly people in the Municipality of São Paulo, Brazil: SABE Study (Health, Wellbeing and Aging)

To investigate the prevalence of urinary incontinence among elderly people living in São Paulo, Brazil and their associated risk factors. The Pan-American Health Organization and World Health Organization coordinated a multicenter study named Health, Wellbeing and Aging (SABE Study) in elderly people (over 60 years old) living in seven countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. In Brazil, the study was carried out in São Paulo in the year 2000. The total Brazilian sample included 2,143 people. The prevalence of self reported urinary incontinence was 11.8% among men and 26.2% for women. It was verified that among those reporting urinary incontinence, 37% also reported stroke and 34% depression. It was found that the greater the dependence that the elderly people presented, the greater the prevalence of urinary incontinence. The associated factors found were depression (odds ratio = 2.49), female (2.42), advanced age (2.35), important functional limitation (2.01). Urinary incontinence is a highly prevalent symptom among the elderly population of the municipality of São Paulo, especially among women. The adoption of preventive measures can reduce the negative effects of urinary incontinence.