Atividade fungitóxica de Momordica charantia L. no controle de Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc.

O fungo Sclerotium rolfsii causa grandes perdas em algumas culturas econômicas. Por produzir estruturas de resistência (escleródios), este fungo é de difícil controle. Há escassez de novos ingredientes ativos eficientes para o controle deste patógeno. Assim, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi verificar se existe atividade fungitóxica na planta Momordica charantia (melão-de-sãocaetano), com potencial futuro para ser estudado no controle de S. rolfsii. Para isso, dois ensaios foram realizados, um in vitro (laboratório) e outro in vivo (câmara de crescimento). em in vitro, escleródios do patógeno ficaram em contato com extratos hidroetanólico e aquoso de folhas e ramos de M. charantia e sem extrato por 7, 14, 21 e 28 dias. A sobrevivência dos escleródios foi avaliada em meio de cultura específico, após cada tempo. em in vivo, testou-se a ação dos mesmos extratos de maneira preventiva e curativa (aplicação aos 6 e 3 dias antes do plantio; no dia do plantio; e aos 3 e 6 dias após o plantio) e no tratamento de semente, no patossistema feijoeiro cv. Carioquinha versus S. rolfsii. A eficiência da ação dos extratos foi avaliada por meio da severidade da doença. Os extratos hidroetanólico e aquoso, in vitro, de forma semelhante, controlaram 100% os escleródios, num período de 0 a 7 dias. No ensaio in vivo, o extrato hidroetanólico, aplicado tanto em 6 ou 3 dias, antes do plantio, de forma preventiva, diminuiu a severidade da doença em 74%. Há atividade fungitóxica na parte aérea da planta de melão-de-são-caetano, com potencial futuro de estudo para controlar S. rolfsii, preferencialmente, de maneira preventiva.

Standardized plant extract, method for preparing an extract from plants of the Sclerolobium Genus, cosmetic composition, pharmaceutical composition and use of said extract

Extracts of plants of the Sclerolobium genus are disclosed, as well as methods for preparing same and cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations containing these extracts. These extracts can be obtained by polar and/or apolar extraction, each fraction containing different anti-oxidants, all of which are useful for topical treatment. Also disclosed is the use of this extract in cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations for topical use.

A nested-PCR assay for detection of Xylella fastidiosa in citrus plants and sharpshooter leafhoppers

Aims: Detection of Xylella fastidiosa in citrus plants and insect vectors.Methods and Results: Chelex 100 resin matrix was successfully standardized allowing a fast DNA extraction of X. fastidiosa. An amplicon of 500 bp was observed in samples of citrus leaf and citrus xylem extract, with and without symptoms of citrus variegated chlorosis, using PCR with a specific primer set indicating the presence of X. fastidiosa. The addition of insoluble acid-washed polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVPP) prior to DNA extraction of insect samples using Chelex 100 resin together with nested-PCR permitted the detection of X. fastidiosa within sharpshooter heads with great sensitivity. It was possible to detect up to two bacteria per reaction. From 250 sharpshooter samples comprising four species (Dilobopterus costalimai, Oncometopia facialis, Bucephalogonia xanthopis and Acrogonia sp.), 87 individuals showed positive results for X. fastidiosa in a nested-PCR assay.Conclusions: the use of Chelex 100 resin allowed a fast and efficient DNA extraction to be used in the detection of X. fastidiosa in citrus plants and insect vectors by PCR and nested-PCR assays, respectively.Significance and Impact of the study: the employment of efficient and sensitive methods to detect X. fastidiosa in citrus plants and insect vectors will greatly assist epidemiological studies.

Involvement of nitric oxide in the gastroprotective effects of an aqueous extract of Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng) Pedersen, Amaranthaceae, in rats

The plants belonging to Pfaffia genus are used in folk medicine to treat gastric disturbances. This study examined the effects of an aqueous extract of Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng) Pedersen (AEP) on the gastrointestinal tract. Wistar rats were pretreated orally (p.o.) with the AEP (125, 250, 500 and 1000 mg.kg(-1)) before induction of ulcers by hypothermic restraint stress (HRS, 3 h restraint stress at 4 degreesC), ethanol (ET, 70%; 0.5 ml/animal; p.o.) or indomethacin (IND, 20 mg.kg(-1); s.c.). Control animals received water (C) or ranitidine (60 mg.kg(-1)) p.o. The AEP protected rats against HRS and ET-induced ulcers, but was not able to protect the gastric mucosa against IND-induced ulcers. When injected into the duodenal lumen, the AEP reduced total acidity and both basal and histamine-stimulated acid secretion in pylorus-ligated rats. In addition, gastric secretion from AEP-treated animals exhibited increased concentrations of nitrite and nitrate. Treatment of animals with L-NAME (120 mg.kg(-1), p.o.) prevented both the reduction of total acidity and the increase in NO, levels promoted by AEP treatment. In conclusion, AEP effectively protected the gastric mucosa and inhibited gastric acid secretion in rats, probably by involving the histaminergic pathway and an enhanced production of nitric oxide in the stomach. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Free radical scavenging profile and myeloperoxidase inhibition of extracts from antidiabetic plants: Bauhinia forficata and Cissus sicyoides

There is abundant evidence that reactive oxygen species are implicated in several physiological and pathological processes. To protect biological targets from oxidative damage. antioxidants must react with radicals and other reactive species faster than biological substrates do. The aim of the present study was to determine the in vitro antioxidant activity of aqueous extracts from leaves of Bauhinia forficata Link (Fabaceae - Caesalpinioideae) and Cissus sicyoides L. (Vitaceae) (two medicinal plants used popularly in the control of diabetes mellitus), using several different assay systems, namely, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) decolorization. superoxide anion radical (O-2 center dot-) scavenging and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. In the ABTS assay for total antioxidant activity, B. forficata showed IC50 8.00 +/- 0.07 mu g/mL, while C. sicyoides showed IC50 13.0 +/- 0.2 mu g/mL. However, the extract of C. sicyoides had a stronger effect on O-2 center dot- (IC50 60.0 +/- 2.3 mu p/mL) than the extract of B. forficata (IC50 90.0 +/- 4.4 mu g/mL). B. forficata also had a stronger inhibitory effect on MPO activity, as measured by guaiacol oxidation, than C. sicyoides. These results indicate that aqueous extracts of leaves of B. forficata and C. sicyoides are a potential source of natural antioxidants and may be helpful in the prevention of diabetic complications associated with oxidative stress.

In vitro and in vivo safety evaluation of Dipteryx alata Vogel extract

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

Mutagenicity of the Musa paradisiaca (Musaceae) fruit peel extract in mouse peripheral blood cells in vivo

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effect of Psidium cattleianum leaf extract on Streptococcus mutans viability, protein expression and acid production

Plants naturally produce secondary metabolites that can be used as antimicrobials. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of Psidium cattleianum leaf extract on Streptococcus mutans. The extract (100%) was obtained by decoction of 100 g of leaves in 600 ml of deionized water. To assess killing, S. mutans biofilms were treated with water (negative control) or various extract dilutions [ 100, 50, 25% (v/v) in water] for 5 or 60 min. To evaluate the effect on protein expression, biofilms were exposed to water or 1.6% (v/v) extract for 120 min, proteins were extracted and submitted to 2-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis. Differentially expressed proteins were identified by mass spectrometry. The effect of 1.6% (v/v) extract on acid production was determined by pH measurements and compared to a water control. Viability was similar after 5 min of treatment with the 100% extract or 60 min with the 50% extract (about 0.03% survival). There were no differences in viability between the biofilms exposed to the 25 or 50% extract after 60 min of treatment (about 0.02% survival). Treatment with the 1.6% extract significantly changed protein expression. The abundance of 24 spots was decreased compared to water (p < 0.05). The extract significantly inhibited acid production (p < 0.05). It is concluded that P. cattleianum leaf extract kills S. mutans grown in biofilms when applied at high concentrations. At low concentrations it inhibits S. mutans acid production and reduces the expression of proteins involved in general metabolism, glycolysis and lactic acid production. Copyright (C) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Effects of the hydromethanolic extract of Austroplenckia populnea (Celastraceae) on reproductive parameters of male rats

Austroplenckia populnea (Reiss.) Lundell. was selected for this study because it has been shown that some plants from the Celastraceae family have antifertility effects. Twelve adult male rats were treated with hydromethanolic extract made from the leaves, 500 mg/kg/day, orally, for 70 days. Distilled water was administered to the control animals (n = 10). At the end of the experiment, and before killing the rats, their sexual behavior was evaluated. The number of intromissions, latencies to first mount and ejaculation, and first intromission after ejaculation were significantly reduced in the treated group, but the total number of ejaculations did not differ from the control group. The weight and histology of the reproductive organs, sperm production, spermatogenesis, prostate fructose content, cauda epidydimides duct diameter, and sperm morphology were not affected. Sperm concentration in cauda epidydimides was significantly decreased. The results showed that A. populnea has effects on male rat reproduction, affecting the sexual behavior and epididymal sperm concentration. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Synergism between plant extract and antimicrobial drugs used on Staphylococcus aureus diseases

Searches for substances with antimicrobial activity are frequent, and medicinal plants have been considered interesting by some researchers since they are frequently used in popular medicine as remedies for many infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to verify the synergism between 13 antimicrobial drugs and 8 plant extracts - guaco (Mikania glomerata), guava (Psidium guajava), clove (Syzygium aromaticum), garlic (Allium sativum), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), ginger (Zingiber officinale), carqueja (Baccharis trimera), and mint (Mentha piperita) - against Staphylococcus aureus strains, and for this purpose, the disk method was the antimicrobial susceptibility test performed. Petri dishes were prepared with or without dilution of plant extracts at sub-inhibitory concentrations in Mueller-Hinton Agar (MHA), and the inhibitory zones were recorded in millimeters. In vitro anti-Staphylococcus aureus activities of the extracts were confirmed, and synergism was verified for all the extracts; clove, guava, and lemongrass presented the highest synergism rate with antimicrobial drugs, while ginger and garlic showed limited synergistic capacity.

Antimicrobial activity and phytochemical analysis of crude extracts and essential oils from medicinal plants

We aimed to establish a phytochemical analysis of the crude extracts and performed GC-MS of the essential oils (EOs) of Eugenia uniflora L. (Myrtaceae) and Asteraceae species Baccharis dracunculifolia DC, Matricaria chamomilla L. and Vernonia polyanthes Less, as well as determining their antimicrobial activity. Establishment of the minimal inhibitory concentrations of the crude extracts and EOs against 16 Staphylococcus aureus and 16 Escherichia coli strains from human specimens was carried out using the dilution method in Mueller-Hinton agar. Some phenolic compounds with antimicrobial properties were established, and all EOs had a higher antimicrobial activity than the extracts. Matricaria chamomilla extract and E. uniflora EO were efficient against S. aureus strains, while E. uniflora and V. polyanthes extracts and V. polyanthes EO showed the best antimicrobial activity against E. coli strains. Staphylococcus aureus strains were more susceptible to the tested plant products than E. coli, but all natural products promoted antimicrobial growth inhibition.

Maternal exposure to aqueous extract of Jacaranda decurrens: Effects on reproductive system in male rats

Context: Jacaranda decurrens subsp. symmetrifoliolata Farias & Proenca (Bignoniaceae) is a species widely used for their medicinal properties. At least to our known, no study has been conducted concerning its toxicological profile after gestational and lactational exposure.Objective: The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of J. decurrens on development of the reproductive system in male rats.Materials and methods: Pregnant rats were treated daily (gavage) with 250 or 500 mg/kg/day of aqueous extract of J. decurrens or vehicle, from day 12 of pregnancy to day 21 of lactation.Results and Discussion: Both doses of J. decurrens significantly anticipated (p < 0.05) the age of testicular descent to the scrotum, a parameter indicative of puberty initiation. Furthermore, at puberty, there was a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in testicular and epididymis weights in the offspring exposed to the higher dose of extract, without effect on sperm production and the histology of reproductive organs. on the other hand, at adulthood, the reproductive parameters analyzed did not differ among groups.Conclusions: J. decurrens, in this experimental model, interfered with the initial development of the reproductive system, but without lasting effects on sperm production in adulthood.

Antiviral activities of plants occurring in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil: Part 2. Screening Bignoniaceae species

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Salacia campestris root bark extract: peroxidase inhibition, antioxidant and antiradical profile

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

Screening of Brazilian plants for antimicrobial and dnadamaging activities: I. Atlantic rain forest . Ecological station juréia-itatins

(Triagem de plantas nativas do Brasil para atividades antimicrobiana e de Danos no DNA I. Mata Atlântica . Estação Ecológica Juréia-Itatins). Oitenta e oito espécies nativas do estado de São Paulo foram coletadas numa região de Mata Atlântica e ensaiadas quanto a sua atividade antimicrobiana e capacidade de causar danos no DNA. Dos 114 extratos submetidos aos ensaios para atividade antibacteriana, apenas os extratos de folhas e galhos de Aspidosperma ramiflorum (Apocynaceae) apresentaram uma atividade fraca contra Escherichia coli. No ensaio antifúngico com Candida albicans, não foram observados extratos ativos. Por outro lado, no ensaio de bioautografia com Cladosporium sphaerospermum e C. cladosporioides 12% dos extratos apresentaram atividade. Contudo, nesse ensaio, somente o extrato dos ramos de Psychotria mapoureoides (Rubiaceae) inibiu fortemente o crescimento de ambas espécies do fungo. O ensaio para danos no DNA com cepas mutantes de Saccharomyces cerevisiae apresentou 17.5 % de extratos ativos. A maioria dos extratos ativos (55 %) apresentou resultados seletivos para danos dependentes da topoisomerase II como mecanismo de reparo do DNA e somente 20 % foram seletivos para o mecanismo da topoisomerase I.