Efeito da curcumina na angiogênese em modelo experimental de câncer de mama

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

Avaliação das propriedades antioxidantes da Curcumina em sistemas-modelo in vitro

A curcumina, um pigmento natural extraído do rizoma da Curcuma longa L. é utilizada em alimentos, principalmente aqueles condimentados com curry e açafrão. Vários estudos demonstram seu efeito benéfico em diversas doenças, tais como: diabetes, hepatopatias, câncer, entre outras. Uma de suas propriedades é a atividade antioxidante, pois em pequenas quantidades é capaz de inibir ou retardar processos oxidativos. Para substanciar o estudo desta propriedade, comparou-se a capacidade de captura de espécies reativas radicalares e não radicalares pela curcumina, com padrões (biomol��culas, exceto o trolox) antioxidantes: ascorbato, crocina, glutationa, quercetina, rutina, trolox e urato, em sistemas-modelo in vitro, sobre a captura dos radicais: 2-2'-azino-bis (3-etilbenzotiazolina-6-ácido sulfônico) (ABTS●+ ); 2,2-difenil-1 picril-hidrazila (DPPH● ); ânion radical superóxido (O2 ●-); HOCl/OCl- e H2O2. Investigou-se também seu efeito inibitório na geração do HOCl no sistema, mieloperoxidase (MPO)/H2O2/Cl- (via clorinante) e na inibição da oxidação do guaiacol MPO/H2O2/Guaiacol (via peroxidativa). A curcumina nos ensaios com ABTS●+ ou O2 ●-, apresentou o 3° menor IC50, 4,93 e 99,66 µmol/L, respectivamente; com o DPPH● apresentou o 6° menor IC50, 24,70 µmol/L; com o HOCl/OCl- apresentou o menor IC50, 1,12µmol/L e no ensaio com o H2O2 não atingiu o IC50. No ensaio com o sistema MPO/H2O2/Cl-, observou-se alteração da banda de absorção (bleaching) da curcumina (420 nm), al��m disso, nos ensaios com a via clorinante (MPO/H2O2/Cl-) e revelados com 3, 3’, 5, 5’- tetrametilbenzidina (TMB) e iodeto de potássio em meio ácido, observou-se aumento da absorbância (650 nm), o que impossibilitou o estudo de sua inibição nesta via. Entretanto, na via peroxidativa, observou-se uma diminuição significativa da absorbância do produto de oxidação... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)

Stability at different temperatures of turmeric oleoresin encapsulated in maltodextrin/gelatin matrices by freeze-drying

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), which has been used for long time as a spice, food preservative and coloring agent, is a rich source of beneficial phenolic compounds identified as curcuminoids. These phenolic compounds are known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimutagenic properties, among others. On the other hand, they are very susceptible to oxidation, requiring protection against oxygen, light and heat. This protection can be achieved by microencapsulation. In this work, the characteristics and the stability of turmeric oleoresin encapsulated by freeze-drying using mixtures of maltodextrin and gelatin as wall materials were studied. Encapsulated turmeric oleoresin was stored at –20, 25 and 60 °C, in the absence of light, and analyzed over a period of 35 days for curcumin and total phenolic contents and color. Results showed that the samples produced with 26% maltodextrin/0.6% gelatin and 22% maltodextrin/3% gelatin presented good encapsulation efficiencies and solubility. In general, the method of encapsulation employed originated products with satisfactory thermal stability, although the encapsulated materials with a higher proportion of maltodextrin in relation to gelatin had better stabilities, especially at –20 and 25 °C temperatures.

Curcumina: de especiaria à nutracêutico

A ideia de uma nutrição que, al��m de suprir as necessidades nutricionais básicas do organismo também tem como objetivo a prevenção de doenças, ganha cada vez mais ênfase sobre a égide dos alimentos funcionais e dos nutracêuticos. Nesse contexto a curcumina, um pigmento amarelo-alaranjado extraído do rizoma da planta Curcuma longa L. se destaca como um promissor nutracêutico, apresentando um amplo potencial terapêutico e a cada dia encontra maior embasamento científico com a elucidação de seus mecanismos de ação sobre vários alvos moleculares importantes para a fisiopatologia de diversas doenças. A curcumina é bastante conhecida e explorada pela medicina asiática tradicional, principalmente pelas medicinas Ayurvédica e Chinesa. Utilizando o Pubmed e o Scielo como banco de dados para a pesquisa de trabalhos científicos, foi elaborada uma revisão bibliográfica com a compilação de estudos com diversos enfoques em relação à curcumina, a saber: i) características físico-químicas da curcumina; ii) propriedades anti-inflamatória, antioxidante, antidiabética, antitumoral, antiviral, antibacteriana, antiparasitária e antifúngica; iii) estratégias recentemente utilizadas para melhorar sua biodisponibilidade, tais como co-admnistração da piperina, síntese de análogos moleculares e sistemas inovadores de entrega como os sistemas coloidais (lipossomas e nanopartículas) e a complexação com ciclodextrina.

Metabolismo de proteínas na musculatura esquel��tica de animais diabéticos tratados com iogurte enriquecido com curcumina

A perda de massa muscular observada no diabetes mellitus (DM) tipo 1 é consequência da combinação entre redução na velocidade de síntese proteica e aumento na velocidade de proteólise. A curcumina, pigmento amarelo extraído dos rizomas de Curcuma longa L., promove diversos benefícios no metabolismo de carboidratos e lipídeos no DM. Deste modo, buscamos avaliar o efeito do tratamento de ratos diabéticos com curcumina incorporada em iogurte sobre o metabolismo proteico muscular. Ratos Wistar machos (150±10 g) receberam estreptozotocina (40 mg/kg, i.v.) para indução do DM e foram divididos nos grupos (n=8): diabético tratado com iogurte (DIOG), 90 mg/kg de curcumina (DC90), 4U de insulina (DINS) e ratos normais, não diabéticos, tratados com iogurte (NIOG). Após 35 dias de tratamento, os animais foram eutanasiados e os músculos esquel��ticos soleus e extensor digitorium longus (EDL) foram retirados e utilizados para a determinação das atividades proteol��ticas de caspase-3, calpaína e proteassoma (atividade quimiotripsina-like). O tratamento de animais diabéticos com curcumina incorporada em iogurte reduziu a glicemia, os níveis de ureia urinária e promoveu um maior ganho de peso corporal em relação aos animais diabéticos tratados somente com iogurte (DIOG). Animais DIOG apresentaram um aumento nas atividades de calpaína e proteassoma em músculos soleus e EDL em relação aos valores encontrados em músculos de animais NIOG; já o tratamento com curcumina reduziu as atividades de calpaína e proteassoma em EDL de ratos diabéticos, o que explica, pelo menos em parte, a menor perda de massa deste músculo em ratos DC90. Houve uma redução na atividade de caspase-3 em músculos de animais DIOG em comparação aos grupos...

Metabolismo de proteínas na musculatura esquel��tica de animais diabéticos tratados com iogurte enriquecido com curcumina

A perda de massa muscular observada no diabetes mellitus (DM) tipo 1 é consequência da combinação entre redução na velocidade de síntese proteica e aumento na velocidade de proteólise. A curcumina, pigmento amarelo extraído dos rizomas de Curcuma longa L., promove diversos benefícios no metabolismo de carboidratos e lipídeos no DM. Deste modo, buscamos avaliar o efeito do tratamento de ratos diabéticos com curcumina incorporada em iogurte sobre o metabolismo proteico muscular. Ratos Wistar machos (150±10 g) receberam estreptozotocina (40 mg/kg, i.v.) para indução do DM e foram divididos nos grupos (n=8): diabético tratado com iogurte (DIOG), 90 mg/kg de curcumina (DC90), 4U de insulina (DINS) e ratos normais, não diabéticos, tratados com iogurte (NIOG). Após 35 dias de tratamento, os animais foram eutanasiados e os músculos esquel��ticos soleus e extensor digitorium longus (EDL) foram retirados e utilizados para a determinação das atividades proteol��ticas de caspase-3, calpaína e proteassoma (atividade quimiotripsina-like). O tratamento de animais diabéticos com curcumina incorporada em iogurte reduziu a glicemia, os níveis de ureia urinária e promoveu um maior ganho de peso corporal em relação aos animais diabéticos tratados somente com iogurte (DIOG). Animais DIOG apresentaram um aumento nas atividades de calpaína e proteassoma em músculos soleus e EDL em relação aos valores encontrados em músculos de animais NIOG; já o tratamento com curcumina reduziu as atividades de calpaína e proteassoma em EDL de ratos diabéticos, o que explica, pelo menos em parte, a menor perda de massa deste músculo em ratos DC90. Houve uma redução na atividade de caspase-3 em músculos de animais DIOG em comparação aos grupos...

Changes of traditional farming systems and their effects on land degradation and socio-economic conditions in the Inle Lake region, Myanmar

At many locations in Myanmar, ongoing changes in land use have negative environmental impacts and threaten natural ecosystems at local, regional and national scales. In particular, the watershed area of Inle Lake in eastern Myanmar is strongly affected by the environmental effects of deforestation and soil erosion caused by agricultural intensification and expansion of agricultural land, which are exacerbated by the increasing population pressure and the growing number of tourists. This thesis, therefore, focuses on land use changes in traditional farming systems and their effects on socio-economic and biophysical factors to improve our understanding of sustainable natural resource management of this wetland ecosystem. The main objectives of this research were to: (1) assess the noticeable land transformations in space and time, (2) identify the typical farming systems as well as the divergent livelihood strategies, and finally, (3) estimate soil erosion risk in the different agro-ecological zones surrounding the Inle Lake watershed area. GIS and remote sensing techniques allowed to identify the dynamic land use and land cover changes (LUCC) during the past 40 years based on historical Corona images (1968) and Landsat images (1989, 2000 and 2009). In this study, 12 land cover classes were identified and a supervised classification was used for the Landsat datasets, whereas a visual interpretation approach was conducted for the Corona images. Within the past 40 years, the main landscape transformation processes were deforestation (- 49%), urbanization (+ 203%), agricultural expansion (+ 34%) with a notably increase of floating gardens (+ 390%), land abandonment (+ 167%), and marshlands losses in wetland area (- 83%) and water bodies (- 16%). The main driving forces of LUCC appeared to be high population growth, urbanization and settlements, a lack of sustainable land use and environmental management policies, wide-spread rural poverty, an open market economy and changes in market prices and access. To identify the diverse livelihood strategies in the Inle Lake watershed area and the diversity of income generating activities, household surveys were conducted (total: 301 households) using a stratified random sampling design in three different agro-ecological zones: floating gardens (FG), lowland cultivation (LL) and upland cultivation (UP). A cluster and discriminant analysis revealed that livelihood strategies and socio-economic situations of local communities differed significantly in the different zones. For all three zones, different livelihood strategies were identified which differed mainly in the amount of on-farm and off-farm income, and the level of income diversification. The gross margin for each household from agricultural production in the floating garden, lowland and upland cultivation was US$ 2108, 892 and 619 ha-1 respectively. Among the typical farming systems in these zones, tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) plantation in the floating gardens yielded the highest net benefits, but caused negative environmental impacts given the overuse of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and spatial analysis within GIS were applied to estimate soil erosion risk in the different agricultural zones and for the main cropping systems of the study region. The results revealed that the average soil losses in year 1989, 2000 and 2009 amounted to 20, 10 and 26 t ha-1, respectively and barren land along the steep slopes had the highest soil erosion risk with 85% of the total soil losses in the study area. Yearly fluctuations were mainly caused by changes in the amount of annual precipitation and the dynamics of LUCC such as deforestation and agriculture extension with inappropriate land use and unsustainable cropping systems. Among the typical cropping systems, upland rainfed rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivation had the highest rate of soil erosion (20 t ha-1yr-1) followed by sebesten (Cordia dichotoma) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) plantation in the UP zone. This study indicated that the hotspot region of soil erosion risk were upland mountain areas, especially in the western part of the Inle lake. Soil conservation practices are thus urgently needed to control soil erosion and lake sedimentation and to conserve the wetland ecosystem. Most farmers have not yet implemented soil conservation measures to reduce soil erosion impacts such as land degradation, sedimentation and water pollution in Inle Lake, which is partly due to the low economic development and poverty in the region. Key challenges of agriculture in the hilly landscapes can be summarized as follows: fostering the sustainable land use of farming systems for the maintenance of ecosystem services and functions while improving the social and economic well-being of the population, integrated natural resources management policies and increasing the diversification of income opportunities to reduce pressure on forest and natural resources.

Inactivation of Aspergillus flavus spores by curcumin-mediated photosensitization

Minimizing fungal infection is essential to the control of mycotoxin contamination of foods and feeds but many potential control methods are not without their own safety concerns for the consumers. Photodynamic inactivation is a novel light-based approach which offers a promising alternative to conventional methods for the control of mycotoxigenic fungi. This study describes the use of curcumin to inactivate spores of Aspergillus flavus, one of the major aflatoxin producing fungi in foods and feeds. Curcumin is a natural polyphenolic compound from the spice turmeric (Curcuma longa). In this study the plant has shown to be an effective photosensitiser when combined with visible light (420 nm). The experiment was conducted in in vitro and in vivo where A. flavus spores were treated with different photosensitiser concentration and light dose both in buffer solution and on maize kernels. Comparison of fungal load from treated and untreated samples was determined, and reductions of fungal spore counts of up to 3 log CFU ml���1 in suspension and 2 log CFU g−1 in maize kernels were obtained using optimal dye concentrations and light dose combinations. The results in this study indicate that curcumin-mediated photosensitization is a potentially effective method to decontaminate A. flavus spores in foods and feeds.

Actin-Curcumin Interaction: Insights into the Mechanism of Actin Polymerization Inhibition

Curcumin, derived from rhizomes of the Curcuma longa plant, is known to possess a wide range of medicinal properties. We have examined the interaction of curcumin with actin and determined their binding and thermodynamic parameters using isothermal titration calorimetry. Curcumin is weakly fluorescent in aqueous solution, and binding to actin enhances fluorescence several fold with a large blue shift in the emission maximum. Curcumin inhibits microfilament formation, which is similar to its role in inhibiting microtubule formation. We synthesized a series of stable curcumin analogues to examine their affinity for actin and their ability to inhibit actin self-assembly. Results show that curcumin is a ligand with two symmetrical halves, each of which possesses no activity individually. Oxazole, pyrazole, and acetyl derivatives are less effective than curcumin at inhibiting actin self-assembly, whereas a benzylidiene derivative is more effective. Cell biology studies suggest that disorganization of the actin network leads to destabilization of filaments in the presence of curcumin. Molecular docking reveals that curcumin binds close to the cytochalasin binding site of actin. Further molecular dynamics studies reveal a possible allosteric effect in which curcumin binding at the barbed end of actin is transmitted to the pointed end, where conformational changes disrupt interactions with the adjacent actin monomer to interrupt filament formation. Finally, the recognition and binding of actin by curcumin is yet another example of its unique ability to target multiple receptors.

Application of capillary zone electrophoresis in the separation and determination of the curcuminoids in urine

The major components of the plant curcuma longa are the curcuminoids that include curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin. It has been reported the curcuminoids have some important activities. A new CZE method with diode array detection has been developed for the separation and determination of the curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin. Three curcuminoids could be readily separated within 7 min with a 15 mM sodium tetraborate buffer containing 10% methanol (v/v) at pH 10.8, 25 kV and 30 degrees C. The method has been validated and shows good performance with respect to selectivity, reproducibility, linearity, limits of detection and recovery. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine the curcuminoids in urine. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Produção de l��pidos estruturados por acidólise de óleo de semente de abóbora

Dissertação de mest., Tecnologia dos Alimentos, Instituto Superior de Engenharia, Univ. do Algarve, 2013

Turmeric extract may improve irritable bowel syndrome symptomology in otherwise healthy adults: a pilot study

Objectives: To assess the effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa) extract on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptomology in otherwise healthy adults. Design: Partially blinded, randomized, two-dose, pilot study. Subjects: Five hundred (500) volunteers were screened for IBS using the Rome II criteria. Two hundred and seven (207) suitable volunteers were randomized. Interventions: One or two tablets of a standardized turmeric extract taken daily for 8 weeks. Outcomes measures: IBS prevalence, symptom-related quality of life (IBSQOL) and self-reported effectiveness. Results: IBS prevalence decreased significantly in both groups between screening and baseline (41% and 57%), with a further significant drop of 53% and 60% between baseline and after treatment, in the one- and two-tablet groups respectively (p < 0.001). A post-study analysis revealed abdominal pain/discomfort score reduced significantly by 22% and 25% in the one- and two-tablet group respectively, the difference tending toward significance (p = 0.071). There were significant improvements in all bar one of the IBSQOL scales of between 5% and 36% in both groups, approximately two thirds of all subjects reported an improvement in symptoms after treatment, and there was a favorable shift in self-reported bowel pattern. There were no significant differences between groups. Conclusions: Turmeric may help reduce IBS symptomology. Placebo controlled trials are now warranted to confirm these findings.

Caracterização dos estádios fenol��gicos da cúrcuma, em função da época e densidade de plantio

A cúrcuma é uma espécie, originária da Índia, com grande potencial de utilização nos mercados de corantes, medicinal e alimentício. Este trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar a resposta da planta aos fatores época e densidade de plantio, por meio da caracterização dos estádios fenol��gicos. Verificou-se que o período de crescimento vegetativo caracterizou-se pelas etapas de pré-perfilhamento e perfilhamento. A primeira etapa, de crescimento lento, mostrou-se influenciada significativamente pela época de plantio, havendo maior precocidade no aparecimento de perfilhos com atraso no plantio. A etapa seguinte, de perfilhamento, mostrou acentuado acúmulo de fitomassa, sendo grande a contribuição dos perfilhos. O período de crescimento dos rizomas teve seu início influenciado significativamente pelo fator época de plantio, sendo tanto mais precoce quanto mais tardio foi o plantio. A extensão do período de crescimento foi de 147, 124, 102 e 79 dias para os plantios efetuados em 20 de outubro, 20 de novembro, 20 de dezembro e 20 de janeiro, correspondente a ciclo cultural, respectivamente, de 270, 240, 210 e 180 dias. Somente foi observado efeito significativo do fator densidade de plantio sobre o período de crescimento vegetativo, sendo o comprimento deste inversamente proporcional à densidade utilizada.

Época e densidade de plantio na produção de cúrcuma

Com o objetivo de avaliar a produtividade da cúrcuma em função da época e densidade de plantio, este experimento foi instalado no período de outubro de 1994 a julho de 1995, em campo, na Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), no município de Lavras-MG. Foram avaliados os fatores épocas de plantio (20/out, 20/nov, 20/dez e 20/jan) e espaçamento entre plantas na linha de plantio (0,20; 0,35 e 0,50m), sob delineamento de blocos ao acaso, em parcelas sub-divididas, com três repetições. A produção de rizomas por planta e por área foram influenciados significativamente pela interação dos fatores avaliados. Maiores produtividades por planta (673,13g) e por área (24.678,82kg ha-1) foram obtidas nos plantios de 20 de novembro e espaçamentos entre plantas, respectivamente, de 0,36 e 0,30m.

Cassava and turmeric flour blends as new raw materials to extruded snacks

Short cooking time and ability to blend varieties of food ingredients have made extrusion cooking a medium for low-cost and nutritionally improved food products. The effect of moisture, extrusion temperature and amount of turmeric flour mixed with cassava flour on physical characteristic of puffed snacks was evaluated in this work. Extrusion process was carried out using a single-screw extruder in a factorial central composite design with four factors. Results showed effect of extrusion parameters on dependents variables. High expansion, low browning, low water solubility index, intermediate water absorption index and high crispness desirable characteristics to puffed snacks are obtained in conditions of 12% moisture, 5% turmeric flour, 105º C of temperature and 250 rpm of screw speed. These paper point to the potential still unexplored of the use of flours of cassava and turmeric as raw materials in the development of extruded puffed snacks.