Modulation of eosinophil generation and migration by Mangifera indica L. extract (Vimang (R))

The effects of Vimang((R)), an aqueous extract of the stem bark of Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaccae), on cell migration in an experimental model of asthma was investigated. In vivo treatment of Toxocara canis-infected BALB/c mice for 18 days with 50 mg/kg Vimang((R)) reduced eosinophil migration into the bronchoalveolar space and peritoneal cavity. Also, eosinophil generation in bone marrow and blood eosinophilia were inhibited in infected mice treated with Vimang((R)). This reduction was associated with inhibition of IL-5 production in serum and eotaxin in lung homogenates. In all these cases the effects of Vimang((R)) were more selective than those observed with dexamethasone. Moreover, Virnang((R)) treatment is not toxic for the animals, as demonstrated by the normal body weight increase during infection. These data confirm the potent anti-inflammatory effect of Vimang R and support its potential use as an alternative therapeutic drug to the treatment of eosinophilic disorders including those caused by nematodes and allergic diseases. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Temperature and water content influence on thermophysical properties of coffee extract

Specific heat, thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and density of coffee extract were experimentally determined in the range of 0.49 to 0.90 (wet basis) water content and at temperatures varying from 30 to 82 degreesC. Thermal conductivity and specific heat were measured by means of the same apparatus- a cell constituted of two concentric cylinders - operating at steady and unsteady state, respectively. The thermal diffusivity was measured by the well-known Dickerson's method and density was determined by picnometry. The results obtained were used to derive mathematical models for predicting these properties as a function of concentration and temperature.

Preliminary studies of Mammea americana L. (Guttiferae) bark/latex extract point to an effective antiulcer effect on gastric ulcer models in mice

Plant extracts are some of the most attractive sources of new drugs and have shown promising results for the treatment of gastric ulcers. Several folk medicinal plants and herbs have been used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, including gastric ulcers. Mammea americana L. (Guttiferae) fruit is very common in the diet of the population of northern South America. Our research interest in this plant arose because of its potential medicinal value as a tonic and against stomachache, as used in folk medicine. In this paper we evaluated three different extracts (ethanolic/EtOH, methanolic/MeOH and dichloromethane/DCM) obtained from M. americana L., for their ability to protect the gastric mucosa against injuries caused by necrotizing agents (0.3 M HCI/60% EtOH), hypothermic restraint stress, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID, indomethacin) and pylorus ligation. In the HCI/EtOH-induced gastriculcer model, EtOH and DCM extracts demonstrated significant inhibition of the ulcerative lesion index by 54% (12.0 +/- 2.6 mm) and 86% (3.7 +/- 1.8 mm), respectively, in relation to the control value (26.0 +/- 1.4 mm) (p < 0.000 1). In the NSAID/cholinomimetic-induced lesion model, both EtOH and DCM extracts showed antiulcerogenic effects with significant reduction in the damage to these gastric lesions of 36% (8.3 +/- 2.0 mm) and 42% (7.5 +/- 1.4 mm), respectively, as compared to the control group (13.0 +/- 0.9 mm) (p < 0.0001). In the gastric ulcer induced by hypothermic-restraint stress, both extracts also showed significant activity, and inhibited the gastric lesion index by 58% and 75%, respectively. The EtOH and DCM extracts also changed gastric juice parameters as well as those of cimetidine, decreased gastric acid secretion significantly (p < 0.0001), increased pH values and promoted reduced acid output (p < 0.0001). In all gastric-ulcer-induced models, MeOH extract did not show any significant antiulcerogenic activity, nor did it change gastric-juice parameters (p > 0.05). The results suggest that EtOH and DCM extracts obtained from M. americana possess excellent antisecretory and/or gastrotective effect in all gastric ulcer models. These results suggest that the antiulcerogenic compound(s) present in M. americana may be clustered in the apolar fraction, which will be investigated by our group for the probable mechanisms of action. (c) 2004 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Solid-phase extraction of sugar cane soot extract for analysis by gas chromatography with flame ionisation and mass spectrometric detection

The incomplete combustion of biomass is one of the most important sources of emissions of organic compounds into the atmosphere, like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which show genotoxic activity. Since environmental samples generally contain interferents and trace amounts of PAHs of interest, concentration and clean-up procedures are usually required prior to the final chromatographic analysis. This paper discusses the performance of Sep-Pak cartridges (silica gel and RP18) on clean-up of sugar cane soot extract. The best results were obtained with a silica Sep-Pak cartridge. The recoveries ranged from 79% (benzo[b]fluoranthene) to 113% (benzo[e]pyrene). (C) 2000 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

FTY720 in combination with cyclosporine - an analysis of skin allograft survival and renal function

Acute and chronic nephrotoxicity caused by CsA Continuous administration impair kidney allograft survival. Several clinical and experimental protocols have shown benefits to the kidney after decreasing CsA dose, withdrawing the drug or delaying its introduction after transplantation.FTY720 is a new Compound that has immunosuppressive characteristics and increase allograft survival in animal models without causing the side effects of calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs). FTY720 described mechanism of action that consists to alter the lymphocyte migration pattern without impairment of the immune system response against pathogens.In our mice model, FTY720 administered alone or in combination with CsA during 21 days increased skin allograft survival in a fully mismatched strain combination and did not cause significant changes in renal function. Moreover, renal structure was normal in all groups suggesting that at low doses (10 mg/kg/day) CsA can be associated during short-term period to other immunosuppressive drugs, i.e. FTY720 without affecting the kidney.Combination of immunosuppressive compounds with FTY720 and/or delayed introduction of low cyclosporine dose Could prevent graft rejection and avoid nephrotoxicity. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Angiogenesis and skin carcinomas with skull base invasion: A case-control study

Background. Some skin carcinomas may be very aggressive. Intensity of angiogenesis, measured by intratumoral vessel density using expression of CD34, has been associated with tumor aggressiveness. In this study, the expression of CD34 in basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) with skull base invasion was compared with that in tumors with good outcome.Methods. Expression of CD34 was graded as mild, moderate, and intense, in 24 BCCs and 11 SCCs with skull base invasion. The control group included 23 BCCs and 10 SCCs.Results. Intense expression of CD34 was noted in 25.00% of BCCs with skull base invasion, compared with 4.35% in the control group (p =.058). Regarding SCCs, intense expression of CD34 was found in 54.55% of aggressive tumors, compared with 10.00% in the control group (p = 133).Conclusions. A trend toward denser microvascular angiogenesis was observed in both BCCs and SCCs with skull base invasion compared with less aggressive controls. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Anticlastogenic activity of aqueous extract of Agaricus blazei in drug-metabolizing cells (HTCs) during cell cycle

The mushroom Agaricus blazei has been extensively investigated because of evidence of its antimutagenic, antitumor, and anticarcinogenic activities. This study investigated the clastogenic and/or anticlastogenic activity of aqueous extract of Agaricus blazei (10% w/v) in drug-metabolizing rat hepatoma tissue cells (HTCs), with continuous treatment and treatment during different phases of the cell cycle. DNA damage was induced utilizing two directacting agents-methyl methane sulfonate and ethyl methane sulfonate-and two indirect-acting agents-2-aminoanthracene and cyclophosphamide. The aqueous extract of A. blazei with either continuous treatment or treatment during different phases of the cell cycle showed clastogenic activity. The results with continuous treatment showed that A. blazei does not protect against DNA damage-inducing agents that are direct acting. Meanwhile, when combined with indirect-acting agents, a protective effect was demonstrated. A protective effect was also found during different phases of the cell cycle when cells were treated with indirect-acting agents. The protective effects against indirect-acting agents (continuous treatment and during the different phases of the cell cycle) suggest that A. blazei may provide some health benefits to the public when used as a functional food.

Water sorption enthalpy-entropy compensation based on isotherms of plum skin and pulp

The net isosteric heat and entropy of water sorption were calculated for plum, based on sorption isotherms obtained by the static gravimetric method at different temperatures (20 to 70 degrees C). The Guggenheim-Anderson-deBoer model was applied to the experimental data giving a good agreement between experimental and calculated values. The net isosteric heat of water sorption, estimated by applying Claussius-Clapeyron equation to sorption isotherms, was found to be different for plum skin and pulp, mainly at low moisture contents, and could be well adjusted by an empirical exponential relationship. Plots of enthalpy in contrast to entropy provided the isokinetic temperatures for skin and pulp, indicating an enthalpy-controlled sorption process. Thermodynamic data on water sorption for plums are not found in literature, as opposed to prunes for which the data are abundant.