Anti-inflammatory activity and possible mechanism of extract from Mikania laevigata in carrageenan-induced peritonitis

Objectives The aim was to test the potential use of an extract of Mikania laevigata (popularly known in Brazil as guaco), made from leaves harvested in different months of the year, oil neutrophil migration after all inflammatory Stimulus and investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods We examined the effect of guaco on vascular permeability and leucocyte function in carrageenan-induced peritonitis in mice. Key findings Our results demonstrated that guaco extract administered subcutaneously (3 mg/kg) decreased the vascular permeability and also leucocyte rolling and adhesion to the inflamed tissues by a mechanism dependent on nitric oxide. Specifically, inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase remarkably abrogated the guaco extract-mediated suppression of neutrophil migration to the inflammatory site. In addition, guaco extract-mediated suppression of neutrophil migration appeared to be dependent on the production of the cytokines interleukin-1 beta and tumour necrosis factor-alpha. One of the major constituents of the guaco extract, coumarin, was able to inhibit the neutrophil migration towards the inflammatory focus. Conclusions In conclusion the anti-inflammatory effect induced by guaco extract may be by inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine production at the inflammatory site.

Antimicrobial Activities of Ethanol Extract and Coumestans from Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk (Asteraceae)

Ethanol extract and fractions from aerial parts of Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk (Asteraceae) were screened for the antibacterial and antifungal activities against different species of human pathogenic bacterial ATCC, antibiotic-resistant clinical isolates and strains of the dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum (wild and mutant for TruMDR2 gene) using a microdilution method. Demethylwedelolactone/wedelolactone (DWL/WL) and only wedelolactone (WL), both in a high homogeneity degree, were efficient to inhibit the ATCC strains of Staphylococus aureus (Minimal Inhibitory Concentration MIC = 75 mu g/mL), Staphylococcus epidemidis (MIC = 125 mu g/mL) and Escherichia coli (MIC = 125 mu g/mL) as well as antibiotic-resistant clinical isolates of Enterococcus spp (MIC = 250 mu g/mL) and S. aureus (MIC = 125 mu g/mL). Ethanol extract was more effective than the purified fractions against Trichophyton rubrum strains (MIC = 125 mu g/mL), suggesting that anti-fungal activity is not only related to demethylwedelolactone and wedelolactone, but also to a synergistic action between these coumestans and other compounds found in that extract. Thus, this work suggests that E. alba possesses a significant antimicrobial activity, including that against multi-drug resistant microorganisms, which could be of relevance for the treatment of infectious diseases.

Protective effect of Calendula officinalis extract against UVB-induced oxidative stress in skin: Evaluation of reduced glutathione levels and matrix metalloproteinase secretion

Background and purpose: Calendula officinalis flowers have long been employed time in folk therapy, and more than 35 properties have been attributed to decoctions and tinctures from the flowers. The main uses are as remedies for burns (including sunburns), bruises and cutaneous and internal inflammatory diseases of several origins. The recommended doses are a function both of the type and severity of the condition to be treated and the individual condition of each patient. Therefore, the present study investigated the potential use of Calendula officinalis extract to prevent UV irradiation-induced oxidative stress in skin. Methods: Firstly, the physico-chemical composition of marigold extract(ME) (hydroalcoholic extract)was assessed and the in vitro antioxidant efficacy was determined using different methodologies. Secondly, the cytotoxicity was evaluated in L929 and HepG2 cells with the MTT assay. Finally, the in vivo protective effect of ME against UVB-induced oxidative stress in the skin of hairless mice was evaluated by determining reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and monitoring the secretion/activity of metalloproteinases. Results and conclusions: The polyphenol, flavonoid, rutin and narcissin contents found in ME were 28.6 mg/g, 18.8 mg/g, 1.6 mg/g and 12.2 mg/g, respectively and evaluation of the in vitro antioxidant activity demonstrated a dose-dependent effect of ME against different radicals. Cytoxicity experiments demonstrated that ME was not cytotoxic for L929 and HepG2 cells at concentrations less than or equal to of 15 mg/mL However, concentrations greater than or equal to 30 mg/mL, toxic effects were observed. Finally, oral treatment of hairless mice with 150 and 300 mg/kg of ME maintained GSH levels close to non-irradiated control mice. In addition, this extract affects the activity/secretion of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP-2 and -9) stimulated by exposure to UVB irradiation. However, additional studies are required to have a complete understanding of the protective effects of ME for skin. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ethanolic extract of Casearia sylvestris and its clerodane diterpen (caseargrewiin F) protect against DNA damage at low concentrations and cause DNA damage at high concentrations in mice`s blood cells

Casearia sylvestris is used in Brazil as a popular medicine to treat ulcer, inflammation and tumour. Caseargrewiin F is a clerodane diterpene isolated from the ethanolic leaf extract of C.sylvestris. The aim of the study was to assess the capacity of the ethanolic extract of C.sylvestris leaves and caseargrewiin F to protect DNA and verify if both the compounds cause some DNA damage, using the micronucleus (MN) test and comet assay in mice. Balb-C mice were treated with the extract [3.13, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)] and caseargrewiin F (0.16, 0.32, 0.63, 1.3, 2.5 and 3.8 mg/kg b.w.) for 14 days. On day 15, DNA damage was induced by intra-peritoneal (i.p.) injection of cyclophosphamide (CP) (i.p.) at 50 mg/kg b.w. after the MN test and comet assay were performed. A protective effect of ethanolic extract was observed in MN test (6.25 and 12.5 mg/kg b.w.) and the comet assay (3.13 and 6.25, 12.5 and 25 mg/kg b.w.). Caseargrewiin F showed protective effect at 0.63, 1.3 and 2.5 mg/kg b.w. only in comet assay. We also tested the ability of compounds of C.sylvestris to induce MN and to increase the comet assay tail moment. The experimental design was similar to the DNA protection assay except that in test groups we omitted the CP challenge. We observed increased damage at 50 and 75 mg/kg b.w. of ethanolic extract of C.sylvestris and caseargrewiin F at 3.18 mg/kg b.w. in both the MN test and comet assay. We conclude that ethanolic extract of C. sylvestris and caseargrewiin F can protect cells against DNA damage induced by CP at low concentrations, but at high concentrations these compounds also induce DNA damage.

Genotoxic effect of Physalis angulata L. (Solanaceae) extract on human lymphocytes treated in vitro

Physalis angulata L (Solanaceae) is a medicinal plant from North of Brazil, whose different extracts and infusions are commonly used in the popular medicine for the treatment of malaria, asthma, hepatitis, dermatitis and rheumatism. However, the genotoxic effects of P. angulata on human cells is not well known. The main purpose of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro genotoxic effects of aqueous extract of P angulata using the comet assay and the micronucleus assay in human lymphocytes provided from 6 healthy donors. Treatments with P angulata extracts were performed in vitro in order to access the extent of DNA damage. The comet assay has shown that treatments with P angulata at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 6.0 mu g/mL in Culture medium were genotoxic. Lymphocytes treated with P angulata at the concentrations of 3.0 and 6.0 mu g/mL in culture medium showed a statistically significant increase in the frequency of micronucleus (p<0.05), however, the cytokinesis blocked proliferation index (CBPI) was not decreased after P angulata treatment. In conclusion, the present work demonstrated the genotoxic effects of P angulata extract on human lymphocytes in vitro.

Efficacy of Marigold Extract-Loaded Formulations Against UV-induced Oxidative Stress

The present study investigated the potential use of topical formulations containing marigold extract (ME) (Calendula officinalis extract) against ultraviolet (UV) B irradiation-induced skin damage. The physical and functional stabilities, as well as the skin penetration capacity, of the different topical formulations developed were evaluated. In addition, the in vivo capacity to prevent/treat the UVB irradiation-induced skin damage, in hairless mice, of the formulation with better skin penetration capacity was investigated. All of the formulations were physically and functionally stable. The gel formulation [Formulation 3 (F3)] was the most effective for the topical delivery of ME, which was detected as 0.21 mu g/cm(2) of narcissin and as 0.07 mu g/cm(2) of the rutin in the viable epidermis. This formulation was able to maintain glutathione reduced levels close to those of nonirradiated animals, but did not affect the gelatinase-9 and myeloperoxidase activities increased by exposure to UVB irradiation. In addition, F3 reduced the histological skin changes induced by UVB irradiation that appear as modifications of collagen fibrils. Therefore, the photoprotective effect in hairless mice achieved with the topical application of ME in gel formulation is most likely associated with a possible improvement in the collagen synthesis in the subepidermal connective tissue. (C) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 100:2182-2193, 2011

Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activity of Fruit Extract from Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity of the ethanolic extract of S. cumini according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute reference method (with modifications), determining the minimal inhibitory and lethal concentration. Activity against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis), Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and yeast of Candida sp and Cryptococcus neoformans was evaluated. The effects of the fruit extract were examined in hamster cells ovaries in concentrations ranging from 1250.0 a 4.9 mu g/ml, measuring the reduction of the tetrazolium salt 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulphophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium. The extract showed both bactericidal and fungicidal activity among the various microorganisms tested and the MIC ranging from 7.8 to 250 mu g/ml. The MIC, MBC and MFC should values that were similar for all the microorganisms. Cytotoxicity index of the dried extract corresponded to the concentration of 400 mu g/ml. The extract could potentially be used in topical antimicrobial products. Thus, the activity of extract was potent to bacteria and mainly to non-albicans species and C. neoformans.

Cytotoxic effects of butanolic extract from Pfaffia paniculata (Brazilian Ginseng) on cultured human breast cancer cell line MCF-7

Roots of Pfaffia paniculata have been well documented for multifarious therapeutic values and have also been used for cancer therapy in folk medicine. This study has been performed in a human breast tumor cell line, the MCF-7 cells. These are the most commonly used model of estrogen-positive breast cancer, and it has been originally established in 1973 at the Michigan Cancer Foundation from a pleural effusion taken from a woman with metastatic breast cancer. Butanolic extract of the roots of P. paniculata showed cytotoxic effect MCF-7 cell line. as determined with crystal violet assay, cellular death with acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining, and cell proliferation with immunocytochemistry of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). Subcellular alterations were evaluated by electron microscopy. Cells treated With butanolic extract showed degeneration of cytoplasmic components and profound morphological and nuclear alterations. The results show that this butanolic extract indeed presents cytotoxic substances, and its fractions merit further investigations. (C) 2008 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Effect of supplementation of soft drinks with green tea extract on their erosive potential against dentine

Background: Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors reduce dentine erosion. This in vitro study evaluated the effect of the supplementation of soft drinks with green tea extract, a natural inhibitor of MMPs, on their erosive potential against dentine. Methods: For each drink tested (Coca-Cola (TM), Kuat (TM) guarana, Sprite (TM) and light Coca-Cola (TM)), 40 dentine specimens were divided into two subgroups differing with respect to supplementation with green tea extract at 1.2% (OM24 (R), 100% Camellia sinensis leaf extract, containing 30 +/- 3% of catechin; Omnimedica, Switzerland) or not (control). Specimens were subjected to four pH cycles, alternating de-and remineralization in one day. For each cycle, samples were immersed in pure or supplemented drink (10 minutes, 30 mL per block) and in artificial saliva (60 minutes, 30 mL per block) at 37 degrees C, under agitation. Dentine alterations were determined by profilometry (mu m). Data were analysed by two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni`s test (p < 0.05). Results: A significant difference was observed among the drinks tested with Sprite (TM) leading to the highest surface loss and light Coca-Cola (TM) to the lowest. Supplementation with green tea extract reduced the surface loss by 15% to 40% but the difference was significant for Coca-Cola (TM) only. Conclusions: Supplementation of soft drinks with green tea extract might be a viable alternative to reduce their erosive potential against dentine.

Study of the effectiveness of propolis extract as a storage medium for avulsed teeth

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of propolis extract in maintaining the viability of human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells, and to radiographically analyze tooth replantation and the adjacent periodontium in dogs after storage in this extract. Human PDL cells were incubated with the experimental media propolis, milk, saliva, Hank`s balanced salt solution (HBSS), and Dulbecco`s modified Eagles medium (DMEM, positive controls), and distilled water (negative control). Cell viability was determined 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h later by colorimetric MTT assay. Thirty incisors from dogs were divided into two storage time blocks (1 and 3 h) and were maintained in the experimental media. HBSS served as a positive control, and dry teeth (on gauze) as a negative control. The replanted teeth were radiographed once per month for 6 months. The radiographic images were standardized by the shortening/lengthening factor, and were both qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. The in vitro results showed that the efficacy of propolis in maintaining functional viability of PDL cells was similar to that of milk. Propolis and milk were significantly better than controls from the 6-h time period. The in vivo results showed that teeth maintained in propolis medium exhibited replacement resorption with significant reduction in tooth length, similar to teeth maintained in saliva and dried teeth. This resorption was less intense with the 3-h storage time than the 1-h storage time. Conditions close to normal were found in teeth maintained in milk, similar to the HBSS control. Therefore, although propolis was effective in maintaining the viability of human PDL cells, resorption of the tooth replantation in dogs occurred under these experimental conditions.

Genetic structure of a population of Ganoderma boninense on oil palm

Ganoderma boninense (the causal agent of basal stem rot of oil palm in Papua New Guinea) has a tetrapolar mating system with multiple alleles. Investigations into the population structure of G. boninense, using interfertility between isolates as a marker, revealed that the population on oil palm was comprised predominantly of genetically distinct individuals, although a number of isolates were found to share single mating alleles. No direct hereditary relationship was found between isolates on neighbouring or spatially separated diseased palms, indicating that outcrossing had probably occurred over several generations in the founder population prior to colonization of oil palm. In this study, a total of 81 A and 83 B mating type alleles (factors) were detected with 18 allelic repeats at the A locus and 17 at the B locus. Alleles appeared to be randomly dispersed throughout the population in each study block, although there was a significantly (P

Some aromatic compounds from dichloromethane extract of Salicornia ramosissima.

6th Spanish-Portuguese-Japanese Organic Chemistry Symposium, Lisboa, de 18 a 20 de Julho de 2012 (Poster Communication).

Vertex component analysis: a fast algorithm to extract endmembers spectra from hyperspectral data

Chapter in Book Proceedings with Peer Review First Iberian Conference, IbPRIA 2003, Puerto de Andratx, Mallorca, Spain, JUne 4-6, 2003. Proceedings