Produ̧ão de mudas de lamiaceae para o cultivo hidropnico: Qualidade de enraizamento

Apex and basal cuttings of Lamiaceae plants (Mentha crispa L., Mentha piperita L. and Salvia officinalis L.) were submitted to rooting assay. The effects of water, H3BO3, KH2PO4, ZnSO 4 and KNO3 solutions on the formation of adventitious roots were studied in greenhouse conditions. The root morphology parameters were determined after the rooting processes. Salvia officinalis did not produce adventitious roots under the experimental conditions. Apex or basal cuttings showed similar rooting development. The root volume and length were more influencied by KNO3 and H3BO3 solutions than diameter and root surface area.

Atividade antibacteriana de óleos essenciais de especiarias em alimentos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Medicinal plants - prophylactic and therapeutic options for gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases in calves and piglets? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases in calves and piglets lead to significant economic losses in livestock husbandry. A high morbidity has been reported for diarrhea (calves ≤ 35 %; piglets ≤ 50 %) and for respiratory diseases (calves ≤ 80 %; piglets ≤ 40 %). Despite a highly diverse etiology and pathophysiology of these diseases, treatment with antimicrobials is often the first-line therapy. Multi-antimicrobial resistance in pathogens results in international accordance to strengthen the research in novel treatment options. Medicinal plants bear a potential as alternative or additional treatment. Based on the versatile effects of their plant specific multi-component-compositions, medicinal plants can potentially act as 'multi-target drugs'. Regarding the plurality of medicinal plants, the aim of this systematic review was to identify potential medicinal plant species for prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases and for modulation of the immune system and inflammation in calves and piglets. RESULTS Based on nine initial sources including standard textbooks and European ethnoveterinary studies, a total of 223 medicinal plant species related to the treatment of gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases was identified. A defined search strategy was established using the PRISMA statement to evaluate 30 medicinal plant species starting from 20'000 peer-reviewed articles published in the last 20 years (1994-2014). This strategy led to 418 references (257 in vitro, 84 in vivo and 77 clinical trials, thereof 48 clinical trials in veterinary medicine) to evaluate effects of medicinal plants and their efficacy in detail. The findings indicate that the most promising candidates for gastrointestinal diseases are Allium sativum L., Mentha x piperita L. and Salvia officinalis L.; for diseases of the respiratory tract Echinacea purpurea (L.) MOENCH, Thymus vulgaris L. and Althea officinalis L. were found most promising, and Echinacea purpurea (L.) MOENCH, Camellia sinensis (L.) KUNTZE, Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and Origanum vulgare L. were identified as best candidates for modulation of the immune system and inflammation. CONCLUSIONS Several medicinal plants bear a potential for novel treatment strategies for young livestock. There is a need for further research focused on gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases in calves and piglets, and the findings of this review provide a basis on plant selection for future studies.

Meios de transporte de dentes avulsionados

A avulsão dentária é um dos mais severos traumatismos dento-alveolares, caracterizado pela desinserção completa do dente do seu ambiente natural, o alvéolo. O prognóstico desta condição traumática depende em grande escala da atitude adoptada no momento do acidente. No entanto, quando o reposicionamento dentário imediato não é possível, factores como o tempo que o dente permaneceu no meio extra-oral e o meio de transporte utilizado influenciam consideravelmente o prognóstico da peça dentária avulsionada. A elaboração deste trabalho tem como objectivo verificar o estado actual da investigação científica relativamente aos meios de transporte de dentes avulsionados, nomeadamente, indagar sobre os potenciais meios de transporte actualmente em estudo. Foi efectuada uma pesquisa bibliográfica digital, na base de dados PUBMED, com os seguintes termos de pesquisa: “tooth avulsion”, “storage media”, “tooth reimplantation” e “delayed reimplantation” isoladamente ou em combinação. Para a selecção dos artigos foram estipulados critérios de inclusão e exclusão na pesquisa bibliográfica. Existem soluções especificamente concebidas para a conservação e preservação de células humanas, que idealmente deveriam ser sempre utilizadas como meios de transporte de dentes avulsionados, tais como: solução balanceada de Hank, Viaspan®, Eurocollins® e determinados meios de cultura. São soluções que apresentam propriedades biofísico-químicas que os levam a ser considerados meios de transporte de eleição. No entanto, a sua escassa disponibilidade no momento da avulsão desperta a necessidade pela investigação de outros meios, nomeadamente, soluções que apresentem nesse contexto maior disponibilidade. O leite, a saliva, a solução salina e o Gatorade® continuam a representar meios alternativos para o transporte de dentes avulsionados, porém, outras soluções emergentes apresentam características biológicas que as remetem para meios de transporte promissores como por exemplo: solução de propólis, o chá verde, o extracto de aloe Vera, água de côco, clara de ovo, extracto de amora, sumo de romã, salvia officinalis e Ricetral®. Evidencia-se, com este trabalho, a necessidade de estudos futuros nesta área de modo a que meios de transporte que actualmente pensa-se poderem ser extremamente efectivos na manutenção da viabilidade célular e com ampla disponibilidade, possam ser utilizados de forma segura e vantajosa para o paciente, nomeadamente, garantindo melhores prognósticos em situações de reimplantação dentária.

Processing of Rosmarinus officinalis Linne extract on spray and spouted bed dryers

This article presents an investigation of the potential of spray and spouted bed technology for the production of dried extracts of Rosmarinus officinalis Linne, popularly known as rosemary. The extractive solution was characterized by loss on drying, extractable matter and total phenolic and flavonoid compounds (chemical markers). The product was characterized by determination of loss on drying, size distribution, morphology, flow properties and thermal degradation and thermal behavior. The spray and spouted bed dryer performance were assessed through estimation of thermal efficiency, product accumulation and product recovery. The parameters studied were the inlet temperature of the spouting gas (80 and 150 degrees C) and the feed mass flow rate of concentrated extract relative to the evaporation capacity of the dryer, W-s/W-max (15 to 75%). The atomizing air flow rate was maintained at 20 l/min with a pressure of 196.1 kPa. The spouting gas flow rate used in the drying runs was 40% higher than the gas flow under the condition of minimum spouting. The spray drying gas flow rate was fixed at 0.0118 kg/s. Under the conditions studied, performance in the spray and spouted bed drying of rosemary extract was poor, causing high degradation of the marker compounds (mainly the phenolic compounds). Thus, process improvements are required before use on an industrial scale.

REPETIDO_A new extract of the plant calendula officinalis produces a dual in vitro effect: cytotoxic anti-tumor activity and lymphocyte activation

BACKGROUND Phytopharmacological studies of different Calendula extracts have shown anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-genotoxic properties of therapeutic interest. In this study, we evaluated the in vitro cytotoxic anti-tumor and immunomodulatory activities and in vivo anti-tumor effect of Laser Activated Calendula Extract (LACE), a novel extract of the plant Calendula Officinalis (Asteraceae). METHODS An aqueous extract of Calendula Officinalis was obtained by a novel extraction method in order to measure its anti-tumor and immunomodulatory activities in vitro. Tumor cell lines derived from leukemias, melanomas, fibrosarcomas and cancers of breast, prostate, cervix, lung, pancreas and colorectal were used and tumor cell proliferation in vitro was measured by BrdU incorporation and viable cell count. Effect of LACE on human peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) proliferation in vitro was also analyzed. Studies of cell cycle and apoptosis were performed in LACE-treated cells. In vivo anti-tumor activity was evaluated in nude mice bearing subcutaneously human Ando-2 melanoma cells. RESULTS The LACE extract showed a potent in vitro inhibition of tumor cell proliferation when tested on a wide variety of human and murine tumor cell lines. The inhibition ranged from 70 to 100%. Mechanisms of inhibition were identified as cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase and Caspase-3-induced apoptosis. Interestingly, the same extract showed an opposite effect when tested on PBLs and NKL cell line, in which in vitro induction of proliferation and activation of these cells was observed. The intraperitoneal injection or oral administration of LACE extract in nude mice inhibits in vivo tumor growth of Ando-2 melanoma cells and prolongs the survival day of the mice. CONCLUSION These results indicate that LACE aqueous extract has two complementary activities in vitro with potential anti-tumor therapeutic effect: cytotoxic tumor cell activity and lymphocyte activation. The LACE extract presented in vivo anti-tumoral activity in nude mice against tumor growth of Ando-2 melanoma cells.

A new extract of the plant Calendula officinalis produces a dual in vitro effect: cytotoxic anti-tumor activity and lymphocyte activation

BACKGROUND Phytopharmacological studies of different Calendula extracts have shown anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-genotoxic properties of therapeutic interest. In this study, we evaluated the in vitro cytotoxic anti-tumor and immunomodulatory activities and in vivo anti-tumor effect of Laser Activated Calendula Extract (LACE), a novel extract of the plant Calendula Officinalis (Asteraceae). METHODS An aqueous extract of Calendula Officinalis was obtained by a novel extraction method in order to measure its anti-tumor and immunomodulatory activities in vitro. Tumor cell lines derived from leukemias, melanomas, fibrosarcomas and cancers of breast, prostate, cervix, lung, pancreas and colorectal were used and tumor cell proliferation in vitro was measured by BrdU incorporation and viable cell count. Effect of LACE on human peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) proliferation in vitro was also analyzed. Studies of cell cycle and apoptosis were performed in LACE-treated cells. In vivo anti-tumor activity was evaluated in nude mice bearing subcutaneously human Ando-2 melanoma cells. RESULTS The LACE extract showed a potent in vitro inhibition of tumor cell proliferation when tested on a wide variety of human and murine tumor cell lines. The inhibition ranged from 70 to 100%. Mechanisms of inhibition were identified as cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase and Caspase-3-induced apoptosis. Interestingly, the same extract showed an opposite effect when tested on PBLs and NKL cell line, in which in vitro induction of proliferation and activation of these cells was observed. The intraperitoneal injection or oral administration of LACE extract in nude mice inhibits in vivo tumor growth of Ando-2 melanoma cells and prolongs the survival day of the mice. CONCLUSION These results indicate that LACE aqueous extract has two complementary activities in vitro with potential anti-tumor therapeutic effect: cytotoxic tumor cell activity and lymphocyte activation. The LACE extract presented in vivo anti-tumoral activity in nude mice against tumor growth of Ando-2 melanoma cells.

Investigating the Biological Effects of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) Extract on Skeletal Muscle Glucose Uptake

Skeletal muscle (SKM) is the most important tissue in maintaining glucose homeostasis and impairments in this tissue leads to insulin resistance (IR). Activation of 5’ AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) is viewed as a targeted approach to counteract IR. Rosemary extract (RE) has been reported to decrease blood glucose levels but its effects on SKM are not known. We hypothesized that RE acts directly on SKM to increase glucose uptake (GU). We found an increase in GU (184±5.07% of control, p<0.001) in L6 myotubes by RE to levels similar to insulin and metformin. Carnosic acid (CA) and rosmarinic acid (RA), major polyphenols found in RE, increased GU. RE, CA, and RA significantly increased AMPK phosphorylation and their effects on GU was reduced by an AMPK inhibitor. Our study is the first to show a direct effect of RE, CA and RA on SKM GU by a mechanism that involves AMPK activation.

Investigation of the Biological Effects of Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis L.) Extract in Human Lung Cancer Cells

Cancer cells display enhanced growth rates and a resistance to apoptosis. Lung cancer accounts for the most cancer related deaths and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents an aggressive form of lung cancer, accounting for almost 80% of all lung cancer cases. The phytochemical rosemary extract (RE) has been reported to have anticancer effects in vitro and in vivo however, limited evidence exists regarding the effects of RE and its polyphenolic constituents carnosic acid (CA) and rosmarinic acid (RA) in lung cancer. The present study shows RE, CA and RA inhibit lung cancer cell proliferation and survival in various NSCLC cell lines and that CA and RA interact synergistically to inhibit cell proliferation. Moreover RE, CA and RA are capable of altering activation and/or expression of Akt, ERK and AMPK, signaling molecules which regulate cell proliferation and survival. RE shows potential as an anticancer agent and should be further investigated.

Study of the embryotoxic effects of an extract of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L)

Extracts of rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis L., have been used in folk medicine as a diuretic, an emenagogue, an antispasmodic and its aqueous extract does not present toxicity to man, presenting, however, abortive effects. In order to evaluate if this plant induces abortion and/or interferes with the normal development of the concepts, doses of 26 mg of a 30% (w/v) R. officinalis aqueous extract (13 mg solids/ml) made with leaves, flowers and stem were administered daily by gavage during two different periods of Wistar rat pregnancy. One group of animals (N = 12) received the extract from days 1 to 6 of pregnancy (preimplantation period) and another group (N = 14) received the same extract from days 6 to 15 of pregnancy (organogenic period). Control groups (N = 12) received saline in the same volume and during the same periods as their respective experimental groups. The animals were sacrificed at term. The treatment of the darns during either the preimplantation or the organogenic period did not cause significant changes in the postimplantation loss or in the number of anomalies or malformations of the term fetuses, which also showed a similar degree of development when compared with the respective controls. The percent of preimplantation loss in the group treated before embryo implantation increased, although the difference was not significant compared to the control. This result suggests that rosemary extract may present an anti-implantation effect without interfering with the normal development of the concept after implantation.

Mutagenic and antimutagenic effects of aqueous extract of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) on meristematic cells of Allium cepa

Polyphenolic compounds present in rosemary were found to have antioxidant properties, anticarcinogenic activity, and to increase the detoxification of pro-carcinogens. The aim of the study was to determine the effect the aqueous extract of rosemary (AER) on mutagenicity induced by methylmethane sulfonate in meristematic cells of Allium cepa, as well as to describe its mode of action. Anti-mutagenicity experiments were carried out with 3 different concentrations of AER, which alone showed no mutagenic effects. In antimutagenicity experiments, AER showed chemopreventive activity in cultured meristematic cells of A. cepa against exposure to methylmethane sulfonate. Additionally, post-treatment and simultaneous treatment using pre-incubation protocols were the most effective. Evaluation of different protocols and the percent reduction in DNA indicated bioantimutagenic as well desmutagenic modes of action for AER. AER may be chemopreventive and antimutagenic.

Effects of aqueous extract from Asparagus officinalis L. roots on hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis hormone levels and the number of ovarian follicles in adult rats

Background: Asparagus is a plant with high nutritional, pharmaceutical, and industrial values. Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of asparagus roots on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis hormones and oogenesis in female rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 adult female Wistar rats were divided into five groups, which consist 8 rats. Groups included control, sham and three experimental groups receiving different doses (100, 200, 400 mg/kg/bw) of aqueous extract of asparagus roots. All dosages were administered orally for 28 days. Blood samples were taken from rats to evaluate serum levels of Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinal hormone (LH), estrogen, and progesterone hormones. The ovaries were removed, weighted, sectioned, and studied by light microscope. Results: Dose-dependent aqueous extract of asparagus roots significantly increased serum levels of GnRH, FSH, LH, estrogen, and progestin hormones compared to control and sham groups. Increase in number of ovarian follicles and corpus luteum in groups treated with asparagus root extract was also observed (p<0.05). Conclusion: Asparagus roots extract stimulates secretion of hypothalamic- pituitary- gonadal axis hormones. This also positively affects oogenesis in female rats.

Antimicrobial Activity of Rosmarinus officinalis against Oral Pathogens: Relevance of Carnosic Acid and Carnosol

The in vitro inhibitory activity of crude EtOH/H(2)O extracts from the leaves and stems of Rosmarinus officinalis L. was evaluated against the following microorganisms responsible for initiating dental caries: Streptococcus mutans, salivarius, S. sobrinus, S. mitts 5 sanguinis, and Enterococcus faecalis. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined with the broth microdilution method. The bioassay-guided fractionation of the leaf extract, which displayed the higher antibacterial activity than the stem extract, led to the identification of carnosic acid (2) and carnosol (3) as the major compounds in the fraction displaying the highest activity, as identified by HPLC analysis. Rosmarinic acid (1), detected in another fraction, did not display any activity against the selected microorganisms. HPLC Analysis revealed the presence of low amounts of ursolic acid (4) and oleanolic acid (5) in the obtained fractions. The results suggest that the antimicrobial activity of the extract from the leaves of R. officinalis may be ascribed mainly to the action of 2 and 3.

Determination of rutin and narcissin in marigold extract and topical formulations by liquid chromatography: applicability in skin penetration studies

A chromatographic technique for determination of rutin and narcissin in marigold extract and topical formulations was developed and validated. The method shows linearity over the concentration range of 0.2 - 6.0 μg/mL of rutin (r = 0.9986) and 0.8 - 12.0 μg/mL of narcissin (r = 0.9951). The values obtained for precision and accuracy are in agreement with ICH guidelines. Both the formulation excipients and the porcine ear skin samples did not interfere with the flavonoids determination. The recovery of rutin and narcissin in skin samples added with marigold extract was 81.41% and 83.35%, respectively, which demonstrate the applicability of this method to perform skin penetration studies.

Chemical characterization and antimicrobial activity of essential oils of salvia L. species

In this work, the essential oils of S. officinalis, S. sclarea, S. lavandulifolia and S. triloba were chemically analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometry detector (GC/MSD), and their antimicrobial activity was tested against 10 microorganisms using the disk diffusion method and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) technique. The following major compounds were identified in the essential oils: α - and β-thujone, camphor and 1,8-cineole, except in S. sclarea, where linalool, linalyl acetate and α-terpineol were the major constituents. The antimicrobial activity showed significant differences (p < 0.05) only when obtained by the MIC method. Gram-positive microorganisms presented larger sensitivity for the essential oils. The lowest MIC was observed when Staphylococcus aureus was exposed to 2.31 mg.mL-1 of S. lavandulifolia essential oil, while the highest MIC value was obtained when Shigella flexneri was exposed to 9.25 mg.mL-1 of the same essential oil, thus demonstrating that this essential oil may be effective as a bacteriostatic agent against Gram-positive microorganisms.