Casearin X, Its Degradation Product and Other Clerodane Diterpenes from Leaves of Casearia sylvestris: Evaluation of Cytotoxicity against Normal and Tumor Human Cells

An EtOH extract of the leaves of Casearia sylvestris afforded new clerodane diterpene, casearin X, together with the known compounds casearins B, D, L, and O, and caseargrewiin F Casearin X degraded to the corresponding dialdehyde when stored in CDCl(3). The diterpenes isolated were cytotoxic to human cancer cell lines, with caseargrewiin F being the most active and the new clerodane, casearin X, the second active compound with IC(50) values comparable to the positive control doxorubicin. All isolated diterpenes showed lower activities against normal human cells than against cancer cell lines, which might indicate a possible selective action on cancer cells. Casearin X dialdehyde was not cytotoxic to cancer cells indicating that the occurrence of these CO groups at C(18) and C(19) is incompatible with the cytotoxic activity.

Alchornea glandulosa Ethyl Acetate Fraction Exhibits Antiangiogenic Activity: Preliminary Findings from In Vitro Assays Using Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of mineral trioxide aggregate and regular and white Portland cements on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in vitro

Objective. Recently, mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Portland cement have been used in dentistry as root-end-filling materials. However, the reported results concerning the biocompatibility of these materials are inconsistent. The goal of this study was to examine the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of MTA and Portland cements in vitro by the single-cell gel (comet) assay and trypan blue exclusion test.Study design. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were exposed to MTA and regular and white Portland cements at final concentration ranging from 1 to 1000 mu g/mL for 1 h at 37 degrees C.Results. All compounds tested did not show genotoxic effects in all concentrations evaluated. No significant differences (P > .05) in cytotoxicity were observed for all compounds tested.Conclusions. Taken together, our results suggest that MTA and Portland cements are not genotoxins and are not able to induce cellular death.

Cytotoxicity of denture base acrylic resins: A literature review

Acrylic resins are widely used in the fabrication of denture bases and have been shown to be cytotoxic as a result of substances that leach from the resin. The primary eluate is residual monomer. Numerous reports suggest that residual monomer may be responsible for mucosal irritation and sensitization of tissues. This information is important, not only to assess the biologic effects of such materials, but also to enable a comparison among the different polymerization methods, thus assisting the clinician in selecting a material with minimal cytotoxicity. This article reviews the literature published from 1973 to 2000, selected by use of a Medline search, associated with cytotoxic effects usually ascribed to acrylic denture base materials.

Analysis of pesticides in food and environmental samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are the most extensively studied types of immunoassay and their application in pesticide residue monitoring is an area with enormous potential for growth. In comparison with classical analytical methods, ELISA methods offer the possibility of highly sensitive, relatively rapid, and cost-effective measurements. This review introduces the general ELISA formats used, focusing on their use in pesticide analysis. Identifying and studying the effects of interferences in immunoassays is an active area of research and we discuss the matrix effects observed in several studies involving e.g. food, crop and environmental samples. The procedures to eliminate the matrix interferences are briefly discussed. (C) 1998 Elsevier B.V. B.V.

Mutagenic and cytotoxic activity of an isocoumarin (Paepalantine) isolated from Paepalanthus vellozioides

A new isocoumarin with antimicrobial activity was isolated from Paepalanthus vellozioides (a native Brazilian plant) and called paepalantine. This study was carried out to assess the mutagenic activity of this new agent in assays with Salmonella typhimurium TA100, TA98, and TA102 and in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell cultures, as well as cytotoxicity to McCoy cells. Paepalantine caused a significant dose-dependent increase in the frequency of revertants in the three strains used in the assay, both with and without S9 mix, in concentrations varying from 2 to 128 mu g/ plate. The mutagenicity was confirmed in assays with CHO cells treated in the G(1), S, and G(2) phases of the cell cycle. There was an increase in the chromosomal aberration frequency, mainly in the G(2) phase. Furthermore, the mitotic index of the treated cultures (40,80, and 160 mu g/ml) was significantly lower, indicating cytotoxicity. The midpoint cytotoxicity values to McCoy cells by the neutral red (NR) and microculture tetrazolium (MTT) techniques resulted in a NR50, and MTT50 of 30 and 38 mu g/ml, respectively. Alterations to the paepalantine structure are suggested to reduce its mutagenic and cytotoxic activity in investigations for its antineoplasic potential (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Thermal Characterization and Cytotoxicity of Complexes Formed by Papain and Cyclodextrin

Papain is a proteolytic enzyme with restricted applications due to its limited stability. Cyclodextrins are widely used in pharmaceutical formulations once they are able to form complexes with other molecules, improving their stability and bioavailability. The purpose of the present paper was to analyze complexes formed by papain/hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin and papain/beta-cyclodextrin by thermal analysis and cytotoxicity tests to verify their possible interactions and toxicological behavior. Complex solutions were prepared at different molar ratios and collected as a function of time to be lyophilized and analyzed. Results showed changes in endothermic events and cytotoxicity profiles. A complex formation for both complexes is observed; nevertheless, beta-cyclodextrin was able to change the enzyme characteristics more efficiently.

Effects of light-curing time on the cytotoxicity of a restorative resin composite applied to an immortalized odontoblast-cell line

This in vitro study evaluated the cytotoxic effects of a restorative resin composite applied to an immortalized odontoblast-cell line (MDPC-23). Seventy-two round resin discs (2-mm thick and 4 mm in diameter) were light-cured for 20 or 40 seconds and rinsed, or not, with PBS and culture medium. The resin discs were divided into four experimental groups: Group 1: Z-100/20 seconds; Group 2: Z-100/20 seconds/rinsed; Group 3: Z100/40 seconds; Group 4: Z-100/40 seconds/rinsed. Circular filter paper was used as a control material (Group 5). The round resin discs and filter papers were placed in the bottom of wells of four 24-well dishes (18 wells for each experimental and control group). MDPC-23 cells (30,000 cells/cm(2)) were plated in the wells and allowed to incubate for 72 hours. The zone of inhibition around the resin discs was measured under inverted light microscopy; the MTT assay was carried out for mitochondrial respiration and cell morphology was measured under SEM. The scores obtained from inhibition zone and MTT assay were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis followed by Dunnett tests. In Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, the thickness of the inhibition zone was 1,593 +/- 12.82 mum, 403 +/- 15.49 mum, 1,516 +/- 9.81 mum and 313 +/- 13.56 mum, respectively. There was statistically significant difference among the experimental and control groups at the 0.05 level of significance. The MTT assay demonstrated that the resin discs of the experimental groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 reduced the cell metabolism by 83%, 40.1%, 75.5% and 24.5%. Only between the Groups 2 and 4 was there no statistically significant difference for mitochondrial respiration. Close to the resin discs, the MDPC-23 cells exhibited rounded shapes, with only a few cellular processes keeping the cells attached to the substrate or, even disruption of plasma membrane. Adjacent to the inhibition zone, the cultured cells exhibited multiple fine cellular processes on the cytoplasmic membrane organized in epithelioid nodules, similar to the morphology observed to the control group. Based on the results, the authors may conclude that the Z-100 resin composite light cured for 20 seconds was more cytopathic to MDPC-23 cells than Z-100 light cured for 40 seconds. The cytotoxic effects of the resin discs decreased after rinsing them with PBS and culture medium. This was confirmed by MTT assay and upon evaluation of the inhibition zone, which was narrower following rinsing of the resin discs.

Cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and antimutagenicity of hexane extracts of Agaricus blazei determined in vitro by the comet assay and CHO/HGPRT gene mutation assay

Agaricus blazei Murrill ss. Heinem, known as the sun mushroom or himematsutake, is a basidiomycete native to Brazil, which is popular for its medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to test hexane extracts (one fraction and its four sub-fractions) of A. blazei for bioactivity in cultured mammalian cells (CHO-K1). The comet assay, the colony forming assay (CFA) and CHO/HGPRT gene mutation assay were used respectively to determine genotoxicity, cytotoxicity and antimutagenicity of these extracts at different concentrations. The cells were incubated in culture medium and treated for 3 h according to the standard protocol for each assay. The DNA damage-inducing agent ethylmethane sulfonate (EMS) was utilized as the positive control and also in combination with extracts to test for a protective effect. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test. A relationship between cytotoxicity and genotoxicity could be established and two extracts EH6B and EH6D showed a protective tendency, while the others did not, with the primary extract EH6 causing the most substantial damage to genetic material. These findings warrant more in-depth studies of the active principles of this mushroom. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparison of two immunochromatographic assays and the indirect immunofluorscence antibody test for diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in dogs in south central Louisiana

Two rapid tests evaluated in dogs considered to be of high risk of Infection with the Chagas parasite Trypanosoma cruzi using two immunochromatographic assays. Trypanosoma Detect (TM) for canine, InBios, Seattle, WA and CHAGAS STAT-PAK (TM) assay, Chembio Diagnostic Systems, Medford, NY, in south central Louisiana. For this purpose a serological survey was carried out in a total of 122 dogs and a serum bank was created. These 122 animals were first tested by IFAT that was used as the standard test From the serum bank 50 samples were tested using the two rapid Chagas assays and results compared to the standard test IFAT The serological survey using IFAT showed it prevalence of T cruzi infection in 22.1% of the tested dogs. In the immunochromatographic assays. 13 and 11 animals were positive on rapid assay Trypanosoma Detect (TM) for canine, InBios and CHAGAS STAT-PAK (TM), Chembio Diagnostic Systems, respectively compared to 11 positive by IFAT. These two immunochromatographic tests have shown high susceptibility and specificity compared to our standard method IFAT. The rapid, easy and accurate screening assays used in conjunction with confirmatory tests, would be an excellent tool for veterinarians to diagnose T cruzi infection. Early detection of T cruzi infection may prevent complications through an effective treatment. Greater awareness by veterinarians of the risk. clinical findings, history along with diagnostic methods will contribute greatly to an understanding of the true prevalence of Chagas disease in dogs in Louisiana. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Palladium(II) Complexes with Thiosemicarbazones. Syntheses, Characterization and Cytotoxicity against Breast Cancer Cells and Anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis Activity

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Genotoxicity and mutagenicity of water samples from the Monjolinho River (Brazil) after receiving untreated effluents

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)