Isolamento e avaliação da atividade biológica dos alcalóides majoritários de Tabernaemontana angulata Mart. ex Müll. Arg., Apocynaceae

"Isolation and evaluation of the biological activity related to the major alkaloids in Tabernaemontana angulata Mart. ex Mull Arg., Apocynaceae." Introducing-new chemotherapeutic agents is a, great demand. in the control of infections diseases.' Brazil is one of the richest countries in biodiversity and the Laboratorio de Extracao at UNIP has been collecting plants from. the Amazon and Atlantic Rain Forests with the aim of screening for new antibacterial and antitumor plant extracts. Previous studies demonstrated that the ethanol fraction obtained from the crude extract of Tabernaemontana angulata stems showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538 in the microdilution broth assay. Two alkaloids were the major compounds in the active fraction, verified by thin layer chromatography analysis. In the present study, the total alkaloids were obtained from the crude extract and were fractionated by preparative thin layer chromatography for the isolation of the main components. The isolated. compounds were identified by GC/MS and (1)H-NMR as coronaridine,e and voacangine. The alkaloid fractions obtained from the isolation procedure were tested for antibacterial activity, but no activity was detected.

Proteins of Leishmania (Viannia) shawi confer protection associated with Th1 immune response and memory generation

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

Ovarian response to superovulation in Nelore cows (Bostaurusindicus L.)

Superovulation was induced in 15 Nelore cows with porcine follicle stimulating hormone (FSH-P) or pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG), and embryos were collected to compare the response of this breed of cattle to these hormones. FSH-P was given in 30-and 40-mg doses for 5 d as a single daily injection or fractionated into two daily injections. PMSG was given in doses of 1000 and 2000 IU. The animals were killed immediately after embryo collection and the ovaries and genitalia were examined clinically. PMSG proved to be more effective in inducing superovulation than FSH-P, probably because PMSG caused no stress since it was administered as a single dose. No differences were observed between the 30-and 40-mg dose of FSH-P or between the application as a single or fractionated dose. Differences did occur, however, between the number of ovulations and embryos obtained at each collection. On the basis of postmortem analysis, we concluded that lack of egg uptake by the infundibulum had occurred in cases of increased ovulation, with excessive increase in volume of the ovary. We also recommend using smaller doses of FSH-P and suggest that avoiding stress in handling is essential for a good response to hormonal stimulation by Zebu cattle. © 1986.

EFEITOS DA INFUSAO CONTINUA DO PROPOFOL SOBRE A FUNCAO RENAL DO CAO. ESTUDO COMPARATIVO COM O PENTOBARBITAL SODICO

Little research has been done with propofol in relation to renal function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the continuous infusion of propofol on renal function in dogs. Sixteen dogs, previously anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium (30 mg.kg-1) for surgical preparation, catheterism and monitoring, were studied. The dogs were mechanically ventilated with air and received alcuronium (0.2 mg.kg-1 in bolus and 0.06 mg.kg-1 - maintenance). The following parameters were studied: heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous pressure (CVP), aortic blood flow (A(o)BF - by electromagnetic flowmeter installed in the ascending aortic), aortic vascular resistance index (A(o)VRI), renal plasma flow (ERPF - by para-aminohipurate clearance), glomerular filtration rate (GFR - by creatinine clearance), effective renal blood flow (ERBF = ERPF/1 - hematocrit), urinary volume (UV), renal vascular resistance (RVR = MAP.80/ERBF.10-3), urinary sodium excretion (UE(Na)), fractionated sodium excretion (FE(Na)), osmolar clearance (C(osm)) and free water clearance (C(H2O)). These parameters were studied at 15 (M1), 30 (M2), 45 (M3) and 60 (M4) min after beginning pentobarbital sodium infusion (5 mg.kg-1.h-1). The dogs were allocated into two groups of eight animals each: G1 (control-pentobarbital sodium) and G2 (propofol). In G1, pentobarbital was given at the four times studied. G2 dogs received the same treatment as G1 dogs at M1 and M2; infusion of pentobarbital was substituted by propofol (3 mg.kg-1 bolus, followed by 12 mg.kg-1.h-1 continuous infusion) at M3 and M4. Profile Analysis was used to analyze the results statistically. In G1 (pentobarbital), there was a significant increase in RVR (M1 < M4) and a decrease in ERPF and ERBF (M1 > M4). In G2 (propofol) there was only a significant increase in A(o)BF (M1 < M2 = M3). In comparison among groups, these was a significant alteration of FE(Na) at M3 (pentobarbital > propofol). It was observed that the continuous infusion of propofol in dogs, at the given doses, did not alter the basic variables of renal function and hemodynamics studied. We concluded that propofol can be one of the drugs of choice to provide base anesthesia in studies of renal function in dogs.

Specific components found in circulating immune complexes (CIC) in paracoccidioidomycosis

Circulating immune complexes (CIC) from 15 paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) patient sera and from 20 healthy control sera were analysed. After CIC precipitation, solubilization and acid treatment, only a little reactivity to P. brasiliensis antigens was found in the free antibodies from PCM-CIC. This result has suggested that there were antibodies with a high affinity bound to fungus components. Dissociated CIC were fractionated in a column of Sephacryl S300 and the fractions that probably contained antigens were pooled and applied to an affinity column, prepared with mouse anti-gp43 monoclonal antibody. Using ECL-Western blotting assay two polypeptide with apparent mass of 43 and 62 kDa were found.

Separation of flavonoids and naphthopyrones from four Brazilian Paepalanthus species by droplet countercurrent chromatography

A general procedure was developed for the simultaneous separation of flavonoids and naphthopyrones from the polar extracts of the capitula from Brazilian everlasting plants is described. The ethanolic extracts of several species from the Paepalanthus genus (Eriocaulaceae) were fractionated by droplet countercurrent chromatography followed by column chromatography on pvp and sephadex LH-20. The isolated compounds were identified by spectrometric analysis and comparison with literature data. This approach led to the isolation of 9-O-β-D-glucopyranosylpaepalantine (1), 9-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl (1→6)allopyranosylpaepalantine (2), along with the flavonoids 6-methoxykaempferol (3), 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-6-methoxykaempferol (4), patuletin (5), 3-Oβ-D-rutinosylpatuletin (6), 7-O-β-D-glucopyranosylquercetagetin (7), 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-6,3'-dimethoxyflavone (8) and 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-6,3'-dimethoxyflavonol (9).

Cromatografia em contra-corrente de gotejamento na separação de substâncias fenólicas de Neuropogon aurantiaco-ater

This work reports the separation of phenolic compounds present in the metabolic extract of the lichen Neuropogon aurantiaco-ater (Usniaceae). The crude extract was fractionated by droplet counter-current chromatography using a solvent mixture of high polarity (chloroform:methanol:water at 43:37:20, in ascending mode). The separation resulted in the isolation of usnic and protocetratic acid, which were identified by TLC, HPLC, and NMR tests.

Toxicity of Cipadessa fruticosa to the leaf-cutting ants Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and their symbiotic fungus

Crude extracts from fruits, branches and leaves of Cipadessa fruticosa were assayed on Atta sexdens rubropilosa workers and their symbiotic fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus. The results showed that the majority of the extract tested reduced significantly (p < 0.05) the survival of the workers comparable to the neem oil. In addition, the dichloromethane extract from fruits and the hexane extract from branches of C. fruticosa inhibited in 80% the development of the symbiotic fungus. The hexane and dichloromethane extracts from fruits of C. fruticosa were fractionated and their fractions were subjected to new bioassays. Several fractions showed relevant activity on ants, but none of them inhibited significantly the fungal growth. The possibility of controlling leaf-cutting ants in the future using C. fruticosa is discussed.

Influência do número kappa, dos ácidos hexenurônicos e da lignina no desempenho da deslignificação com oxigênio

This study aimed at determining the effect of kappa number, lignin and hexenuronic acid contents on oxygen stage performance. Industrial brown pulps produced by the ITC and KobudoMARI cooking technologies, of kappa number and HexA's contents varying in the range of 10-21.7 and 23.2-56.7 mmol/kg, respectively, were collected in a period of 6 months and delignified with oxygen under fixed conditions. Kappa number was fractionated into lignin and hexenuronic acid and each fraction correlated with oxygen stage performance. It was concluded that O-stage efficiency, selectivity and yield does not correlate significantly with kappa number, lignin or hexenuronic acid contents for the ITC and KobudoMARI pulps at 5% of significance.

Identification of ellagic acid derivatives in methanolic extracts from Qualea species

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

Estudo fitoquímico preliminar e bioensaio toxicológico frente a larvas de Artemia salina Leach. de extrato obtido de frutos de Solanum lycocarpum A. St.-Hill (Solanaceae)

The phytochemical profile of ethanolic extract of Solanum lycocarpum fruits was analyzed and preliminary toxicity tests were performed against brine shrimp larvae. The extract was subjected to preliminary phytochemical analysis to identify the main classes of secondary metabolites and tested against the larvae of A. salina to obtain the median lethal concentrations (LC50%). The phytochemical tests showed the presence of phenols, tannins, saponins, alkaloids and free steroids. The extract was fractionated with various solvents for toxicity testing against the larvae and the hydroalcoholic fraction showed considerable cytotoxicity (CL50% = 285.546 g/mL).

Baccharis dracunculifolia, the main source of green propolis, exhibits potent antioxidant activity and prevents oxidative mitochondrial damage

Baccharis dracunculifolia DC (Asteraceae) is the main botanical source used by honeybees to produce Brazilian green propolis whose hepatoprotective properties have been already described. In this work we investigated the protective effects of the glycolic extract of B. dracunculifolia (GEBd) against oxidative stress in isolated rat liver mitochondria (RLM). The GEBd was prepared by fractionated percolation using propylene glycol as solvent. The total phenols and flavonoids, which are substances with recognized antioxidant action, were quantified in GEBd and the phytochemical analysis was carried out by HPLC. GEBd exhibited significant scavenger activity towards DPPH radicals and superoxide anions in a concentration-dependent manner, and also a Fe 2+ chelating activity. GEBd decreased the basal H 2O 2 generation and the Fe 2+- or t-BuOOH-induced ROS production in isolated mitochondria. Lipid oxidation of mitochondrial membranes, protein thiol groups and GSH oxidation were also prevented by GEBd. This shows that B. dracunculifolia exhibit potent antioxidant activity protecting liver mitochondria against oxidative damage and such action probably contribute to the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of green propolis. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.

Cover crops and no-till effects on physical fractions of soil organic matter

Physical fractions (free light fraction, intra-aggregate light fraction and heavy fraction) of soil organic matter (SOM) are good indicators of soil quality for sustainable land use. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of cover crops on total organic carbon (TOC) and physical fractions of soil organic matter in soil under a no-tillage system (NTS) and a conventional tillage system (CTS, one plowing and two disking). A three-year field experiment was carried out as a cover crop-rice (Oryza sativa)-cover crop-rice rotation. Treatments included cover crops (Panicum maximum, Brachiaria ruziziensis, Brachiaria brizantha, and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), fallow, till or no till. The SOM was physically fractionated in free light fraction (FLF), intra-aggregates light fraction (IALF) and heavy fraction (HF). The levels of C in whole soil were also evaluated, as well as C in the light fractions (FLF+IALF) and in the HF. Results indicated that concentrations of C in the FLF and IALF in surface soils (0-0.05m) were much higher (10.8 and 1.95gkg-1, respectively) than that in the 0.05-0.1m soil depth (7.68 and 1.54gkg-1, respectively) and in the 0.1-0.2m soil depth (4.98 and 1.24gkg-1, respectively). The NTS resulted in higher levels of FLF (12.2gkg-1) and IALF (2.19gkg-1) than with CTS (1.37-7.30gkg-1). Millet had the highest C (19.5gkg-1) and N (1.1gkg-1) concentrations in soil. There was an accumulation of TOC and total N in the surface soil with cover crops, and concentrations of TOC were higher in the HF (79.0%) than in the light fractions (21.0%). Although SOM changed little during the two years of this experiment, the various C fractions were significantly affected by the tillage treatments. We conclude that SOM physical fractionation allowed seeing significant differences caused by the soil management in the organic matter dynamics in a short period of time. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

The reactive surface of Castor leaf [Ricinus communis L.] powder as a green adsorbent for the removal of heavy metals from natural river water

In this study, a green adsorbent was successfully applied to remove toxic metals from aqueous solutions. Dried minced castor leaves were fractionated into 63-μm particles to perform characterization and extraction experiments. Absorption bands in FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) spectra at 1544, 1232 and 1350 cm-1 were assigned to nitrogen-containing groups. Elemental analysis showed high nitrogen and sulfur content: 5.76 and 1.93%, respectively. The adsorption kinetics for Cd(II) and Pb(II) followed a pseudo-second-order model, and no difference between the experimental and calculated Nf values (0.094 and 0.05 mmol g-1 for Cd(II) and Pb(II), respectively) was observed. The Ns values calculated using the modified Langmuir equation, 0.340 and 0.327 mmol g-1 for Cd(II) and Pb(II), respectively, were superior to the results obtained for several materials in the literature. The method proposed in this study was applied to pre-concentrate (45-fold enrichment factor) and used to measure Cd(II) and Pb(II) in freshwater samples from the Paraná River. The method was validated through a comparative analysis with a standard reference material (1643e). © 2013 Elsevier B.V. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Proteinograma do soro lácteo de ovelhas da raça santa inês em diferentes fases de lactação

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of lactation phases on the proteinogram of whey protein in Santa Inês ewes. Ewes were accompanied in a semi-intensive system using the same sanitary and nutritional management evaluated at 15, 30, 60 and 90 days postpartum (end of weaning and lactation). Clinical examination of the mammary gland was carried out through and bacteriological culture. The screening of the material resulted in 44 milk samples of healthy glands concurrent negative by CMT and bacteriological culture exam. For obtaining the whey protein renin solution was used. The whey was fractionated into aliquots and kept in the -80C freezer to later separation of protein fractions. For determination of total protein of whey protein was employed the biuret, observing the linearity of the test. Separation of protein fractions was performed, using polyacrylamide gel containing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS-PAGE). Eigth protein were observed including lactoferrin, serum albumin, IgA, IgG (heavy chain IgG (IgG CP), light chain IgG (IgG CL), ß-lactoglobulin, a-lactalbumin and proteins identified as PM 15000 and PM 29000. No significant difference was observed at different stages of lactation in the following protein: IgA (P>0.3895), lactoferrin (P>0.1611), PM 29000 (P>0.4879), α-lactalbumin (P>0.0799) and PM15000 (P>0.4494). In total protein (P<0.0022), albumin protein (P<0.0377) and IgG (P<0.0354) it was observed a significant variation in the first moments of observations, in the ß-lactoglobulin protein (P<0.0005) there was significant variation with reduction of 15 to 30 days postpartum with progressive elevation until the last stage of lactation (90 days postpartum). The SDS-PAGE technique allowed the quantification of eigth whey proteins in health ewes. The protein fractions identified reflect the profile of whey to ovine species, with influence of stages of lactation in albumin, IgG and ß-lactoglobulin.