Evaluation of antiulcer activity of the main phenolic acids found in Brazilian Green Propolis

Aim of the study: In a previous study, our group described the gastric protective effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Brazilian green propolis. The main compounds found in Brazilian green propolis include phenolic acids, such as: caffeic, ferulic, p-coumaric and cinnamic acids. This study was therefore carried out to evaluate the antiulcerogenic property of the main phenolic acids found in Brazilian Green Propolis.Material and methods: The anti-ulcer assays were performed using the following protocols: nonsteroidal-antinflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced ulcer, ethanol-induced ulcer, and stress-induced ulcer. The effects of the phenolic acids on gastric content volume, pH and total acidity, using the pylorus ligated model, were also evaluated.Results: It was observed that treatment using doses of 50 and 250 mg/kg of caffeic, ferulic, p-coumaric and cinnamic acids and positive controls (omeprazol or cimetidine) significantly diminished the lesion index, the total area of the lesion and the percentage of lesion in comparison with the negative control groups. In addition, the percentage of ulcer inhibition was significantly higher in the groups treated with the different phenolic acids, cimetidine or omeprazol, in all the protocols used, compared with the negative control groups. In the model to determine gastric secretion, using ligated pylorus, treatment with phenolic acids and cimetidine reduced the volume of gastricjuice and total acidity and significantly increased the gastric pH (p < 0.05), compared with the control group, with the exception of the group treated with 50 mg/kg of p-coumaric acid, in which no significant difference was observed, compared with the control. In relation to the acute toxicity, none sign of toxicity was observed when phenolic acids, used in this study, were administered for rats in dose of 2000 mg/kg.Conclusions: In conclusion, the results of this study show that caffeic, ferulic, p-coumaric and cinnamic acids display antiulcer activity. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of the genotoxic potential of Austroplenckia populnea (Reiss) Lundell chloroform fraction from barkwood extract in rodent cells in vivo

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

Involvement of GABA(A)-benzodiazepine receptor in the anxiolytic effect induced by hexanic fraction of Rubus brasiliensis

To investigate the ability of hexanic ethanolic fraction of Rubus brasiliensis Martius (Roseceae), to induce anxiolytic effect and also the possible involvement of the GABA(A)-benzodiazepine receptor complex, male Wistar rats and Swiss mice behaviour were tested in the elevated plus maze (EPM). All the doses of the extract, 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg, administered per gavage (vo), 30 min before the behavioural evaluation, induced an anxiolytic effect expressed by: increased number of entries in and time spent in the open arms and percentage of open arm entries: and decreased number of entries and time spent in the closed arms. The treatment of mice with flumazenil (Ro 15-1788), 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg/kg, i.p., 15-min before the administration of hexanic fraction, 100 mg/kg, vo, blocked the hexanic fraction-induced anxiolytic effect. The LD50 for the hexanic fraction was 1512 mg/kg. In conclusion, it was shown that the hexanic fraction of R. brasiliensis induced an anxiolytic effect in rats and mice. This effect can be attributed to a liposoluble principle with low toxicity which may be acting as an agonist on GABA(A)-benzodiazepine receptor complex. (C) 1998 Elsevier B.V. Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Polysaccharide fraction of Agaricus brasiliensis avoids tumor-induced IL-10 production and changes the microenvironment of subcutaneous Ehrlich adenocarcinoma

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

Fraction of work-related accidents attributable to occupational noise in the city of Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil

Background: Noise is the most common agent of occupational exposure. It may induce both auditory and extraauditory dysfunction and increase the risk of work accidents. The purpose of this study was to estimate the fraction of accidents attributable to noise occupational exposure in a mid-size city located in southeastern Brazil. Materials and Methods: In this population case-control study, which included 108 cases and 324 controls, the incidence rate ratio of work accidents controlled for several covariables was obtained by classifying occupational noise exposure into three levels, as well as determining the prevalence in each level. Results: Based on these data, the attributable fraction was estimated as 0.6391 (95 CI = 0.2341-0.3676), i.e., 63 of the work accidents that took place in the study site were statistically associated with occupational noise exposure. Discussion: The causes of this association as well as its implications in the prevention of work accidents are discussed.

The volumetric fraction of inorganic particles and the flexural strength of composites for posterior teeth

Objective. To evaluate the content of inorganic particles and the flexural strength of new condensable composites for posterior teeth in comparison to hybrid conventional composites.Method. The determination of the content of inorganic particles was performed by mass weighing of a polymerized composite before and after the elimination of the organic phase. The volumetric particle content was determined by a practical method based on Archimedes' principle, which calculates the volume of the composite and their particles by differential mass measured in the air and in water. The flexural. strength of three points was evaluated according to the norm ISO 4049:1988.Results. The results showed the following filter content: Alert, 67.26%; Z-100, 65.27%; Filtek P 60, 62.34%; Ariston pHc, 64.07%; Tetric Ceram, 57.22%; Definite, 54.42%; Solitaire, 47.76%. In the flexural strength test, the materials presented the following decreasing order of resistance: Filtek P 60 (170.02 MPa) > Z-100 (151.34 MPa) > Tetric Ceram (126.14 MPa) = Alert (124.89 MPa) > Ariston pHc (102.00 MPa) = Definite (93.63 MPa) > Solitaire (56.71 MPa).Conclusion. New condensable composites for posterior teeth present a concentration of inorganic particles similar to those of hybrid composites but do not necessarily present higher flexural strength. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. Alt rights reserved.

Peroxidase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activities, phenolic acid contents, and allelochemicals-inhibited root growth of soybean

The influence of the allelochemicals ferulic (FA) and vanillic (VA) acids on peroxidase (POD, EC 1.11.1.7) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL, EC 4.3.1.5) activities and their relationships with phenolic acid (PhAs) contents and root growth of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) were examined. Three-day-old seedlings were cultivated in nutrient solution containing FA or VA (0.1 to 1 mM) for 48 h. Both compounds (at 0.5 and 1 mM) decreased root length (RL), fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW) and increased PhAs contents. At 0.5 and 1 mM, FA increased soluble POD activity (18% and 47%, respectively) and cell wall (CW)-bound POD activity (61% and 34%), while VA increased soluble POD activity (33% and 17%) but did not affect CW-bound POD activity. At I mM, FA increased (82%) while VA reduced (32%) PAL activities. The results are discussed on the basis of the role of these compounds on phenylpropanoid metabolism and root growth and suggest that the effects caused on POD and PAL activities are some of the many mechanisms by which allelochemicals influence plant growth.

Relationship Among Phenolic Contents, Seed Predation, and Physical Seed Traits in Mimosa bimucronata Plants

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Antioxidative action of methanolic extract and buthanolic fraction of Vochysia tucanorum Mart. in the gastroprotection

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

Byrsonima fagifolia: An integrative study to validate the gastroprotective, healing, antidiarrheal, antimicrobial and mutagenic action

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

Mouriri elliptica: Validation of gastroprotective, healing and anti-Helicobacter pylori effects

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

Can a Strychnos species be used as antiulcer agent? Ulcer healing action from alkaloid fraction of Strychnos pseudoquina St. Hil. (Loganiaceae)

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