Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of the crude extracts from stem bark of Bauhinia guianensis

Methylene chloride, ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts front the stem bark of Bauhinia guianensis (Leguminosae, Caesalpinoideae) were obtained. These extracts were evaluated for antiinflammatory activity which was conducted using carrageenin, dextran and histamine-induced paw edema in rats. The extracts of B. guianensis were also assessed for analgesic activity which was conducted using the writhing test in mouse. The different animal groups were treated with these extracts (100 mg/kg i.p. and p.o, IC50) 30 min prior to the application of stimuli. The methanolic extract demonstrated significant inhibition in the carrageenin-induced edema model. In the dextran-induced edema model, all three extracts inhibited the inflammatory process significantly with the methanolic extract being the most active. The ethyl acetate extract was the only one shown to be effective in the histamine-induced edema model. Finally all extracts inhibited effectively the algogenic process in the writhing test induced by acetic acid.

Influence of different extraction methods on the yield and linalool content of the extracts of Eugenia uniflora L.

This work has been developed using a sylvestral fruit tree, native to the Brazilian forest, the Eugenia uniflora L., one of the Mirtaceae family. The main goal of the analytical study was focused on extraction methods themselves. The method development pointed to the Clevenger extraction as the best yield in relation to SFE and Soxhlet. The SFE method presented a good yield but showed a big amount of components in the final extract, demonstrating low selectivity. The essential oil extracted was analyzed by GC/FID showing a large range of polarity and boiling point compounds, where linalool, a widely used compound, was identified. Furthermore, an analytical solid phase extraction method was used to clean it up and obtain separated classes of compounds that were fractionated and studied by GC/FlD and GUMS. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Action of auxins and/or boron, in the process of formation of roots in cuttings of coffee (Coffea-Arabica L CV Mundo-Novo)

The objective of present research was to verify the IBA and/or NAA effects with boron, on rooting of coffee (Coffea arabica L. cv 'Mundo Novo') stem cuttings. Therefore it were used stem cuttings from semi-hardwood orthotropous branches, having two nodes, with aproximately 10 cm of lenght. The cuttings were treateds during 24 hours with IBA and/or NAA plus boron solutions. The treatments' effect was observed trough the following observation, 90 days after planting: rooting percentage and number of cuttings with ''callus''. Trough the resultS obtained, it was concluded that, for obtaining more rooting of cuttings, the best treatment was NAA at 200 ppm plus boron or, the combination of IBA and NAA at 200 ppm plus boron.

Temperature and water content influence on thermophysical properties of coffee extract

Specific heat, thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and density of coffee extract were experimentally determined in the range of 0.49 to 0.90 (wet basis) water content and at temperatures varying from 30 to 82 degreesC. Thermal conductivity and specific heat were measured by means of the same apparatus- a cell constituted of two concentric cylinders - operating at steady and unsteady state, respectively. The thermal diffusivity was measured by the well-known Dickerson's method and density was determined by picnometry. The results obtained were used to derive mathematical models for predicting these properties as a function of concentration and temperature.

Boron translocation in coffee trees

Boron deficiency in coffee trees ( Coffea arabica) is widespread, however, responses to B fertilizer have been erratic, depending on the year, method, and time of application. A better understanding of B uptake, distribution, and remobilization within the plant is important in developing a rational fertilization program. Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted to study B distribution and remobilization in coffee trees. Boron was provided either in the nutrient solution or sprayed on the leaves of trees grown under adequate or transient B deficiency. There was clear evidence for B translocation via symplast ( remobilization) to coffee grains, even in well-nourished plants. When 10 B was present in the nutrient solution during most part of fruit filling, from 33 to 40% of the B found in coffee fruits was absorbed during this period, depending on the timing and duration of the B deficiency treatment. In the field, when B was sprayed once on the leaves, around 4% of the fruit B was derived from the foliar fertilizer. Boron remobilization within coffee trees is limited in well nourished plants, but it can be significant during periods of temporary B deficiency in plants otherwise well nourished with B. The implications of these findings for B fertilization practice, are discussed.

Determination of Cd(II) and Cd-metallothioneins in biological extracts using baker's yeast and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

The use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a sorbent material to separate Cd(II) and Cd-metallothionein complex (Cd-MT) has been explored. Solid-liquid phase extractions were carried out in batch mode and the main parameters of the process (pH, temperature, time of incubation, amount of biomass and analyte) were evaluated. Under optimized conditions, the yeast quantitatively retain (94 +/- 5%) the Cd(II) while 97 +/- 2% of the Cd-MT remain in the supernatant. on base of the findings of this study, a simple method is proposed to determine Cd(II) and Cd-MT in cytosols extracted from mouse kidney and crab hepatopancreas. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry was used to quantify the analytes in solid and liquid phase. Determination of Cd in the solid phase was carried out by introducing a slurry of the yeast (0.0625 g/10 mL) directly to the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer. Mixed standards solutions, which also have been submitted to the extraction procedure, were used to quantify the analytes in the samples. Thus, matrix effects due to nebulization of the slurry were overcame. Limits of detection (3 sigma) for Cd(II) and Cd-MT were 1.5 and 1.2 mu g L-1, respectively. Relative standard deviations of signals were 4.2% for measurements in the slurry of solid phase and 2.1% for measurements in the liquid phase. Recoveries of the analytes in cytosol samples were between 76 and 114%. The concentrations of Cd(II) (2.4 +/- 0.5 mu g L-1) and Cd-MT (3.0 +/- 0.5 mu g L-1) found by using the proposed approach were close to those found by tangential-flow ultrafiltration technique (2.6 +/- 0.7 mu g L-1 for Cd(II) and 3.7 +/- 1.7 mu g L-1 for Cd-MT).

Effect of Mouriri pusa extracts on experimentally induced gastric lesions in rodents: Role of endogenous sulfhydryls compounds and nitric oxide in gastroprotection

Several plants are used in folk medicine to treat gastrointestinal disorders. Mouriri pusa Gardn. (Melastomataceae) is a medicinal plant commonly used in the central region of Brazil against gastric ulcer. Two organic extracts methanolic (MeOH) and dichloromethane (DCM) obtained by sequential extraction from the leaves of Mouriri pusa were evaluated for their ability to protect the gastric mucosa against injuries caused by necrotizing agents (0.3 M HCl/60% EtOH, absolute ethanol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, stress and pylorus ligature) in mice and rats. The best results were obtained after pretreatment with MeOH extract whereas the DCM extract did not show the same significant antiulcerogenic activity. No acute toxicity was observed in animals treated with 5 g/kg, p.o. of MeOH extract. The mechanism involving the antiulcerogenic action of MeOH extract seemed to be related to NO generation and also suggested the effective participation of endogenous sulfhydryl group in the gastroprotective action. Phytochemical investigation of the MeOH extract of Mouriri pusa yielded tannins, flavonoids and (-)-epicatechin. The presence of these phenolic compounds probably would explain the antiulcerogenic effect of the polar extract of Mouriri pusa leaves. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V.. All rights reserved.

PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF THE INHIBITORY EFFECT OF EXTRACTS FROM ANCHIETIA-SALUTARIS ON THE HISTAMINE-RELEASE INDUCED IN THE RAT AND THE GUINEA-PIG

The tea made with leaves and stems of plant Anchietia salutaris is traditionally used in Brazil to treat allergies. We examined the effects of a crude aqueous extract and of purified fractions of this plant on the histamine release induced in rat and guinea pig tissues. The crude extract (3-10 mu g/ml) inhibits the histamine release induced by compound 48/80 (0.5 mu g/ml) and antigen in rat peritoneal mast cells. The inhibition is significant after 10 s of preincubation and is completed after 3 min. The crude extract dissolved in the perfusion fluid (1-30 mu g/ml) also inhibits the histamine release induced in guinea pig heart by cardiac anaphylaxis and in hearts from pretreated animals (10-100 mg/kg i.p.). In pretreated animals, the effect manifests after 3 h, is maximum after 12 h and disappears after 48 h. The histamine release induced in isolated guinea pig heart by ionophore A23187 is inhibited by similar doses as in antigen-induced histamine release. Extraction with solvents concentrated the active principle (s) in the hexane fractions, as demonstrated by the inhibition of the histamine release induced by antigen in isolated cells from guinea pig heart dispersed with collagenase. In subfractions produced by the fractionation of the hexane fraction, the active principle(s) concentrated in the subfractions obtained by extraction with hexane and ethyl acetate, which shows the low polarity of the compound(s). The same subfractions that inhibit the histamine release induced by antigen in cells from guinea pig heart also inhibit pulmonary cells. Our result show that A. salutaris contains low-polarity compound(s) that inhibit the histamine release induced by three different mechanisms in mast cells from two animal species. These facts suggest that the active principle(s) of A, salutaris could be useful in the treatment of allergies and/or as a tool for the study of mast cell secretions.

Anticlastogenic effect of aqueous extracts of Agaricus blazei on CHO-k1 cells, studying different developmental phases of the mushroom

The Agaricus blazei Murill (ABM) mushroom, known as the sun mushroom, is native to Brazil and has become known for its medicinal properties. This study examined the anticlastogenic effect of Agaricus blazei in Chinese hamster ovary cells, CHO-k1, by means of a chromosome aberration test using methyl methanesulphonate (MMS, 10(-4)M) as the DNA damage inducing agent. Two mushroom lines were used, ABM 99/26 and ABM 97/11, and the latter was used in the young (Y) and sporulating (S) developmental phases. The cells were treated for 12 h with MMS alone or combined with aqueous extracts of A. blazei at a final concentration of 0.15%, which were prepared at three different temperatures: (a) hot (60 degreesC), (b) room temperature (25 degreesC) and (c) chilled (4 degreesC). Mushroom extracts showed a marked anticlastogenic effect against DNA damage, as evidenced by a decrease in the number of cells with breaks, regardless of the line used, or the developmental stage or the temperature at which the extract was prepared. Generally, the extracts were more effective in reducing the isochromatid type breaks. The data obtained suggest that extracts of A. blazei mushroom are anticlastogenic under the conditions tested, mainly during the G1 and S stages of the cell cycle, where chromosome breaks of the isochromatid type are produced by the MMS agent. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cutaneous hypersensitivity induced in rabbits by extracts of the tick Amblyomma cajennense (Acari : Ixodidae)

The cutaneous hypersensitivity test was used to correlate host resistance to ticks and type of reactions elicited by Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius, 1787) tick extract in rabbits. Rabbits were divided into 3 groups of 2 animals each: naive, pre-infested and control. Cutaneous hypersensitivity was induced by intradermal inoculation of 25 mug extract in 0.03 rut of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) in rabbit ears. Control rabbits were inoculated with PBS only. The ear thickness was measured with a Mitutoyo(R) device before and 10 min, 1, 2,4,18, 24,48,72 and 96 h post-inoculation (PI). Pre-infested rabbits showed an immediate type reaction within the 1st 10 min PI (60 % increase in ear thickness) and a delayed reaction (18 h) (85 % increase), whereas the naive rabbits showed only the immediate reaction within the 1st 4 h (60 % increase). PBS induced only mild reactions. These results point out the crucial role of the cellular immune response of rabbits in the expression of resistance to A. cajennense.

Allergenic extracts from Metarhizium anisopliae: Obtainment and characterization

Metarhizium anisopliae is used as a biopesticide for insects that damage agricultural plantations like sugar cane and forage plants. In a previous study the sensitization to this fungus of asthmatic patients coming from sugar cane areas was showed. The aims of this work were: to compare crude extracts obtained with Tris-HCl and Coca liquid from several growth phases of M. anisopliae concerning the total content of proteins and their electrophoretic analysis profile; to evaluate in vivo allergic sensitization in Balb/c mice and allergic patients from a sugar cane area, and to characterize the allergenic fractions in the sera of patients positive for the prick test by means of Western-blotting. The extract obtained with Coca liquid on the 16(th) day was the one that presented the greatest number of proteic fractions, including all those present in the other extracts. Twelve fractions were verified in this extract with approximate molecular weights from 94 to 14 kDa. The allergenicity of the extract obtained on the 16(th) day was proven by the production of IgE antibodies in Balb/c mice, with titres of 200. Prick tests carried out with the extract of the 16(th) day in 79 atopic individuals (from sugar cane area), 35 atopic individuals (from urban area) and 11 non- atopic individuals showed respective positivity of 29%, 9% and 0%. The allergenic characterization in vitro was performed by means of Western blotting, and the fractions that reacted with the positive individuals' sera were those of approximate molecular weights of 67 kDa (95%); 20 kDa (55%); 94 kDa (36%); 34 and 36 kDa (23%); 43 and 48 kDa (14%): 16 kDa (9%) and 54kDa (5%). It was concluded that the crude allergenic extract, obtained with Coca liquid from the 16(th) day growth of Metarhizium anisopliae, contains allergenic fractions and can be used in diagnostic screening tests.

Evaluation of the genetic diversity of Xylella fastidiosa strains from citrus and coffee hosts by single-nucleotide polymorphism markers

The aim of this study was to obtain information about genetic diversity and make some inferences about the relationship of 27 strains of Xylella fastidiosa from different hosts and distinct geographical areas. Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) molecular markers were identified in DNA sequences from 16 distinct regions of the genome of 24 strains of X. fastidiosa from coffee and citrus plants. Among the Brazilian strains, coffee-dependent strains have a greater number of SNPs (10 to 24 SNPs) than the citrus-based strains (2 to 12 SNPs); all the strains were compared with the sequenced strain 9a5c. The identified SNP markers were able to distinguish, for the first time, strains from citrus plants and coffee and showed that strains from coffee present higher genetic diversity than the others. These markers also have proven to be efficient for discriminating strains from the same host obtained from different geographic regions. X. fastidiosa, the causal agent of citrus variegated chlorosis, possesses genetic diversity, and the SNP markers were highly efficient for discriminating genetically close organisms.