Effect of Mouriri pusa tannins and flavonoids on prevention and treatment against experimental gastric ulcer

Aim of the study: Mouriri pusa, popularly known as manapuca or jaboticaba do mato, is a plant from Brazilian cerrado that has been found to be commonly used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disturbs in its native region. The present work was carried out to investigate the effect of tannins (TF) and flavonoids (FF) fractions from Mouriri pusa leaves methanolic extract on the prevention and cicatrisation process of gastric ulcers, and also evaluate possible toxic effects.Materials and methods: The following protocols were taken in rats: acute assay, in which ulcers were induced by oral ethanol after pre-treatment with the fractions; and 14 days treatment assay, in which ulcers were treated for 14 days after induction by local injection of acetic acid.Results: In the acute model, treatment with either, TF (25 mg/kg) or FF (50 mg/kg), was able to reduce lesion area, showing gastroprotective effect. In addition, FF proved itself anti-inflammatory by reducing COX-2 levels. In acetic acid model, both fractions exhibited larger ulcers' regenerative mucosa, indicating cicatrisation enhancement. FF group also showed augmented cell proliferation, anti-inflammatory action and enhanced angiogenesis as well as increased mucus secretion. Moreover, concerning the toxicity parameters analyzed, no alteration in the fractions groups was observed.Conclusions: Tannins and flavonoids from Mouriri pusa provide beneficial effects against gastric ulcers with relative safety. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Anti-inflammatory effects and acute toxicity of hydroethanolic extract of Jacaranda decurrens roots in adult male rats

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

The anthelmintic effect of plant extracts on Haemonchus contortus and Strongyloides venezuelensis

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

Determination of the antimutagenicity of an aqueous extract of Rhizophora mangle L. (Rhizophoraceae), using in vivo and in vitro test systems

An aqueous extract of Rhizophora mangle L. bark is used as raw material in pottery making in the State of Espirito Santo, Brazil. This extract presents large quantities of tannins, compounds possessing antioxidant properties. Tannin antioxidant activity, as a plant chemical defense mechanism in the process of stabilizing free radicals, has been an incentive to studies on anti-mutagenicity. The present work aimed to evaluate possible antimutagenic activity of a R. mangle aqueous extract, using the Allium cepa test-system and micronuclear (MN) assay with blockage of cytokinesis in Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1). The Allium cepa test-system indicated antimutagenic activity against the damage induced by the mutagenic agent methyl methanesulfonate. A reduction in both MN cell frequency and chromosome breaks occurred in both the pre and post-treatment protocols. The MN testing of CHO-K1 cells revealed anti-mutagenic activity of the R. mangle extract against methyl methanesulfonate and doxorubicin in pre, simultaneous and post-treatment protocols. These results suggest the presence of phyto-constituents in the extract presenting demutagenic and bio-antimutagenic activities. Since the chemical constitution of Rhizophora mangle species presents elevated tannin content, it is highly probable that these compounds are the antimutagenic promoters themselves.

Acaricidal activity of ethanolic extract from aerial parts of Tagetes patula L. (Asteraceae) against larvae and engorged adult females of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806)

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

Inhibitory Action of Neem Aqueous Extract (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) on the Vitellogenesis of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae) Ticks

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

Short-term changes caused by fire and mowing in Brazilian Campos grasslands with different long-term fire histories

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Soil profile, relief features and their relation to structure and distribution of Brazilian Atlantic rain forest trees

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

Bird attributes, plant characteristics, and seed dispersal of Pera glabrata (Schott, 1858), (Euphorbiaceae) in a disturbed cerrado area

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

Effect of grape pre-drying and static pomace contact on physicochemical properties and sensory acceptance of Brazilian (Bordo and Isabel) red wines

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Updated Brazilian database on food carotenoids: Factors affecting carotenoid composition

This article updates the Brazilian database on food carotenoids. Emphasis is on carotenoids that have been demonstrated important to human health: alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin. The sampling and sample preparation strategies and the analytical methodology are presented. Possible sources of analytical errors, as well as the measures taken to avoid them, are discussed. Compositional variation due to such factors as variety/cultivar, stage of maturity, part of the plant utilized, climate or season and production technique are demonstrated. The effects of post-harvest handling, preparation, processing and storage of food on the carotenoid composition are also discussed. The importance of biodiversity is manifested by the variety of carotenoid sources and the higher levels of carotenoids in native, uncultivated or semi-cultivated fruits and vegetables in comparison to commercially produced crops. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Completion of the Nucleotide Sequence of a Brazilian Isolate of Southern bean mosaic virus

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

Ultrasound efficiency in relation to sodium hypochlorite and filtration adsorption in microbial elimination in a water treatment plant

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)

In vitro efficacy of plant extracts and synthesized substances on Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) Microplus (Acari: Ixodidae)

Herbal drugs have been widely evaluated as an alternative method of parasite control, aiming to slow development of resistance and obtain low-cost biodegradable parasiticides. This study evaluated the in vitro efficacy on Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus of extracts from Carapa guianensis seed oil, Cymbopogon martinii and Cymbopogon schoenanthus leaf essential oil, and Piper tuberculatum leaf crude extract and similar synthesized substances. In the immersion test, engorged females were evaluated in five dilutions ranging from 10% to 0.030625% concentration. In the larval test on impregnated filter paper, the concentration ranged from 10% to 0.02%. The treatments and controls were done in three replicates. Chemical analysis of the oils was performed by gas chromatography. The main compounds were oleic acid (46.8%) for C. guianensis and geraniol for C. martinii (81.4%), and C. schoenanthus (62.5%). The isolated and synthesized substances showed no significant effect on larvae and adult. C. martinii and P. tuberculatum showed the best efficacy on the engorged females. The LC50 and LC90 were 2.93% and 6.66% and 3.76% and 25.03%, respectively. In the larval test, the LC50 and LC90 obtained for C. martinii, P. tuberculatum, and C. schoenanthus were 0.47% and 0.63%, 0.41% and 0.79%, 0.57% and 0.96%, respectively. The fact that geraniol is present in greater quantities in C. martinii explains its higher activity in relation to C. shoenanthus. It is necessary to validate the in vivo use of safe and effective phytoparasiticidal substances. Efforts should be focused on developing formulations that enhance the efficacy in vivo and lengthen the residual period.