Recovery of mutans streptococci on MSB, SB-20 and SB-20M agar media

Objective: The recovery of mutans streptococci in saliva and dental biofilm samples depends, in part, on the culture medium used. In this study, we compared (i) the culture media Sucrose-Bacitracin agar (SB-20), Modified SB-20 (SB-20M) and Mitis Salivarius Bacitracin agar (MSB) in the count of colony forming units (cfu) of mutans streptococci and (ii) in the morphological and biochemical differentiation between Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. Design: Samples of non-stimulated saliva from 20 children were plated on SB-20, SB-20M and MSB, and incubated in microaerophilia at 37 °C for 72 h. Identification of microorganisms was based on analysis of colony morphology under stereomicroscopy. The biochemical identification of colonies was done by biochemical tests using sugar fermentation, resistance to bacitracin and hydrogen peroxide production. Results: There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the number of cfu of mutans streptococci recovered on SB-20 and SB-20M agar. Comparing the media, SB-20 and SB-20M yielded a larger number of mutans streptococci colonies (p < 0.05) and were more effective than MSB in the identification of S. sobrinus (p < 0.05), but not of S. mutans (p > 0.05). Conclusion: There was no significant difference between SB-20 and SB-20M culture media in the count of mutans streptococci, demonstrating that the replacement of sucrose by coarse granular cane sugar did not alter the efficacy of the medium. Compared with MSB, SB-20 and SB-20M allowed counting a larger number of mutans streptococci colonies and a more effective morphological identification of S. sobrinus. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Pharmacokinetic Profile of A New Diclofenac Prodrug without Gastroulcerogenic Effect

Gastrotoxicity is a major problem for long-term therapy with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). DICCIC (1-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)indolin-2-one) is a new diclofenac prodrug, which has proven anti-inflammatory activity without gastroulcerogenic effect. The aim of this work was to compare the pharmacokinetic profiles of diclofenac from DICCIC (7.6 mg/kg equivalent to 8.1 mg/kg diclofenac) and diclofenac (8.1 mg/kg) administration in Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g (n=20). The doses were calculated by interspecific allometric scaling based on the 2 mg/kg from diary human dose of diclofenac. Blood samples were collected in heparinized tubes via the femoral artery through the implanted catheter. The plasma was separated and quantitation was made in a HPLC system with a UV-Vis detector. The confidence limits of the bioanalytical method were appropriate for its application in a preclinical pharmacokinetic study. The AUC of diclofenac from DICCIC (53.7± 5.8 ug/mL.min) was significantly less (Mann Whitney test, p<0.05) than that of diclofenac from diclofenac administration (885.9 ± 124,8 ug/mL.min). Terminal half-life of diclofenac from DICCIC (50.1 ± 17.2 min) was significantly less (Mann Whitney test, p<0.05) than that of diclofenac from diclofenac administration (247.4 ± 100.9 min). Still the parameters clearance and distribution volume were calculated for diclofenac from diclofenac, whose results were 9.2 ±1.2 mL/min.kg and 3.3 ±1.2 L/kg, respectively. The results of DICCIC from DICCIC administration were 108.9 ± 19.6 mL/min.kg and 7.8 ± 2.4 L/kg for clearance and distribution volume, respectively. The pharmacokinetic profile demonstrated that there was an increase in diclofenac elimination and a lower exposure to diclofenac with administration of DICCIC compared to diclofenac. © 2013 Bentham Science Publishers.

Development of an analytical method for the quantification of pfaffic acid in Brazilian ginseng (Hebanthe eriantha)

Hebanthe eriantha (Poir.) Pedersen (Amaranthaceae), which is known as Brazilian ginseng is widely used in folk medicine as an aphrodisiac and antidiabetic tonic. The anti-tumor activity, attributed to the pfaffic acid present in roots of H. eriantha, is responsible for the great interest in the commercialization of this species. In Brazil, the species H. eriantha is mainly used in commercial preparations, although other plants of the genus Pfaffia and Hebanthe have been marketed as Pfaffia paniculata or Brazilian ginseng. The pfaffic acid present in the roots is mainly conjugated with sugars (pfaffosides) and can be used as an active marker of H. eriantha, which helps to differentiate this species from others marketed as Brazilian ginseng. The main objective of this study was to develop and validate a liquid chromatographic method to quantify pfaffic acid in the roots of H. eriantha. The extraction and hydrolysis conditions were optimized using an univariate and experimental design, respectively, and the quantification of pfaffic acid by high performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) was validated. This method was used to evaluate the pfaffic acid content in 30 different genotypes of the species from a germplasm collection. The content of pfaffic acid ranged from 0.97 to 4.29% (w/w) on a dry weight basis. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Mechanism and effect of esculetin in an experimental animal model of inflammatory bowel disease

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

Antifungal applications of Ag-decorated hydroxyapatite nanoparticles

Pure hydroxyapatite (HA) and hydroxyapatite decorated with silver (HA@Ag) nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized. The antifungal effect of HA@Ag nanoparticles in a distilled water solution was evaluated against Candida albicans. The origin of the antifungal activity of the HA@Ag is also discussed. The results obtained showed that the HA nanorod morphology remained the same with Ag ions decorations on the HA structure which were deposited in the form of nanospheres. Interaction where occurred between the structure and its defect density variation in the interfacial HA@Ag and intrafacial HA region with the fungal medium resulted in antifungal activity. The reaction mechanisms involved oxygen and water adsorption which formed an active complex cluster. The decomposition and desorption of the final products as well as the electron/hole recombination process have an important role in fungicidal effects. © 2013 C. A. Zamperini et al.

Propolis and its constituent caffeic acid suppress LPS-stimulated pro-inflammatory response by blocking NF-κB and MAPK activation in macrophages

Ethnopharmacological relevance Propolis is a bee product with numerous biological and pharmacological properties, such as immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities. It has been used in folk medicine as a healthy drink and in food to improve health and prevent inflammatory diseases. However, little is known about its mechanism of action. Thus, the goal of this study was to verify the antioxidant activity and to explore the anti-inflammatory properties of propolis by addressing its intracellular mechanism of action. Caffeic acid was investigated as a possible compound responsible for propolis action. Materials and methods The antioxidant properties of propolis and caffeic acid were evaluated by using the 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH) scavenging method. To analyze the anti-inflammatory activity, Raw 264.7 macrophages were treated with different concentrations of propolis or caffeic acid, and nitric oxide (NO) production, a strong pro-inflammatory mediator, was evaluated by the Griess reaction. The concentrations of propolis and caffeic acid that inhibited NO production were evaluated on intracellular signaling pathways triggered during inflammation, namely p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK1/2), the transcription nuclear factor (NF)-κB and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), through Western blot using specific antibodies. A possible effect of propolis on the cytotoxicity of hepatocytes was also evaluated, since this product can be used in human diets. Results Caffeic acid showed a higher antioxidant activity than propolis extract. Propolis and caffeic acid inhibited NO production in macrophages, at concentrations without cytotoxicity. Furthermore, both propolis and caffeic acid suppressed LPS-induced signaling pathways, namely p38 MAPK, JNK1/2 and NF-κB. ERK1/2 was not affected by propolis extract and caffeic acid. In addition, propolis and caffeic acid did not induce hepatotoxicity at concentrations with strong anti-inflammatory potential. Conclusions Propolis exerted an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action and caffeic acid may be involved in its inhibitory effects on NO production and intracellular signaling cascades, suggesting its use as a natural source of safe anti-inflammatory drugs. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Avaliação dos efeitos fisiológicos e bioquímicos do tratamento com curcumina incorporada ao iogurte no diabetes experimental

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Caracterização e propriedades funcionais de óleos extraídos de castanhas e nozes

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Atividade antibacteriana de óleos essenciais de especiarias em alimentos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Terapêutica medicamentosa em odontologia: antibióticos

Pós-graduação em Odontologia - FOA

Avaliação da atividade da fibra alimentar de Typha angustifolia L. e des seus efeitos sinérgicos com a prednisolona no modelo de colite ulcerativa induzida por ácido trinitrobenzenosulfônico em ratos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação da atividade preventiva da dieta enriquecida com banana verde (banana 'Nanica' Musa sp AAA) e de seus efeitos sinérgicos com a prednisolona no modelo de colite ulcerativa induzida por ácido trinitrobenzenosulfônico em ratos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeitos do extrato de Baccharis dracunculifolia DC em diferentes mediadores da inflamação intestinal induzida por TNBS em ratos

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Farmacologia) - IBB

Perfil morfo-anatômico e histoquímico (fenólico e lipofílico) das fases do desenvolvimento foliar de Schinus terebinthifolius RADDI (Anacardiaceae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Quantificação do ácido lático na fermentação etanólica como parâmetro de monitoramento do processo

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)