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AbstractThe first harvest of Humulus lupulus(var. Cascade) in Brazil in 2016 originated as an aromatic hop that nowadays is gaining attention from the brewery industry. However, the chemical composition and the properties of this hop have not been well documented to date. In this study, the chemical profile of the phenolic compounds and essential oils of Cascade hops produced in Brazil (BH) and the USA (UH) was determined. The major phenolic compounds identified by LC-ESI-MS-MS in BH and UH were protocatechuic acid, isoquercitrin, and ferulic acid (4.18–11.39; 2.44–4.90; and 1.45–4.48 mg 100 g−1, respectively). The profile of essential oils was shown to differ between the two samples. The compounds trans-β-farnesene (20.60%), β-selinene (18.78%), myrcene (16.57%), and α-selinene (16.22%) were the main compounds in the BH essential oil, while the essential oil of UH showed a high content of α-humulene (35.35%), myrcene (22.35%), β-caryophyllene (12.81%), and trans-β-farnesene (10.59%). A higher antioxidant activity (by DPPH and ABTS) was observed for hop extracts when compared to the essential oils. The results indicated that the Brazilian hop sample analyzed had higher radical scavenging when compared to an American hop sample (associated with its bioactive compound composition). The Cascade hop from Brazil appears to be a high-quality raw material showing significant potential for future industrial applications.

Chemical investigations of the ethanolic extracts from the flowers and leaves of Hymenaea stigonocarpaMart. ex Hayne afforded one new ent-halimane diterpenoid, 18-hydroxy-ent-halima-1(10),13-(E)-dien-15-oic acid (1), together with five known compounds (2–6). The structural elucidation was performed by means of NMR (COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY) and MS analyses. Complete 1H and 13C NMR data assignments are also reported for labd-13-en-8β-ol-15-oic (2) and labd-7,13-dien-15-oic (3) acids. The absolute configurations of 1and 2were established by comparison of experimental and calculated Raman optical activity spectra.

The synthesis and localization of endothelin-1 were studied in human and rabbit bladder. In addition, the effects of endothelin-1 on smooth muscle tone and cholinergic neurotransmission were investigated in rabbit bladder. Endothelin-like immunoreactivity was localized in the transitional epithelium, serosal mesothelium, and vascular endothelium; smooth muscle of the bladder (non-vascular) and that of blood vessels; and fibroblasts. With in situ hybridization, transcripts of endothelin messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) were localized with the same cellular distribution as endothelin-like immunoreactivity, in bladder tissue. Northern blot analysis of bladder RNA confirmed the expression of preproendothelin-1 mRNA. Rabbit bladder strips in organ chambers contracted when exposed to endothelin-1 and this response was partially attenuated by calcium channel blockers or by removal of extracellular calcium. Transmural electrical stimulation of rabbit bladder strips elicited contractions that were greatly reduced by atropine. The remaining atropine resistant component was blocked by α,β-methylene ATP, which desensitizes purinergic receptors. Endothelin-1 caused a small but consistent attenuation of the atropine sensitive component of the neurogenic contraction, while it had no effect on the atropine resistant component. The localization of endothelin synthesis in epithelia, smooth muscle, and fibroblasts suggests that endothelin may act as an autocrine hormone in the regulation of the bladder wall structure and smooth muscle tone. In addition, endothelin-1 may regulate cholinergic neurotransmission by a paracrine mechanism.

To assess the quality of life of hospitalized pregnant women with preeclampsia (PE), and compare with a group of healthy pregnant women (HP).