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Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc. In this work, 13 thiosemicarbazones (1a - m) and 16 thiazoles (2a - p) were obtained, which were properly characterized by spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques. The pharmacokinetic properties obtained in silico revealed that the derivatives are in accordance with the parameters established by lipinski and veber, showing that such compounds have good bioavailability or permeability when administered orally. In assays of antioxidant activity, thiosemicarbazones showed moderate to high antioxidant potential when compared to thiazoles. In addition, they were able to interact with albumin and DNA. Screening assays to assess the toxicity of compounds to mammalian cells revealed that thiosemicarbazones were less toxic when compared to thiazoles. In relation to in vitro antiparasitic activity, thiosemicarbazones and thiazoles showed cytotoxic potential against the parasites Leishmania amazonensis and Trypanosoma cruzi. Among the compounds, 1b, 1j and 2l stood out, showing inhibition potential for the amastigote forms of the two parasites. As for the in vitro antimalarial activity, thiosemicarbazones did not inhibit Plasmodium falciparum growth. In contrast, thiazoles promoted growth inhibition. This study shows in a preliminary way that the synthesized compounds have antiparasitic potential in vitro. publishersversion published

Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V. The Amazon rainforest is considered the largest tropical timber reserve in the world. The management of native forests in the Amazon is one of the most sensitive geopolitical issues today, given its national and international dimension. In this work, we obtained and characterized physicochemical lignins extracted from branches and leaves of Protium puncticulatum and Scleronema micranthum. In addition, we evaluated in vitro its potential as an antioxidant, cytotoxic agent against animal cells and antiparasitic against promastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis, trypomastigotes of T. cruzi and against Plasmodium falciparum parasites sensitive and resistant to chloroquine. The results showed that the lignins obtained are of the GSH type and have higher levels of guaiacyl units. However, they show structural differences as shown by spectroscopic analysis and radar charts. As for biological activities, they showed antioxidant potential and low cytotoxicity against animal cells. Antileishmanial/trypanocidal assays have shown that lignins can inhibit the growth of promastigotes and trypomastigotes in vitro. The lignins in this study showed low anti-Plasmodium falciparum activity against susceptible strains of Plasmodium falciparum and were able to inhibit the growth of the chloroquine-resistant strain. And were not able to inhibit the growth of Schistosoma mansoni parasites. Finally, lignins proved to be promising excipients in the release of benznidazole. These findings show the potential of these lignins not yet studied to promote different biological activities. publishersversion published

This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and toxicity potential of the hydroalcoholic extract of the leaves of L. racemosa (EHALr) a mangrove plant. The results showed that the extract was able to promote moderate antioxidant activity. In acute toxicity assays, EHA-Lr showed low toxicity, with no significant changes in animal and organ weights and in biochemical and hematological parameters. In the evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity, the 200 mg/kg dose of EHA-Lr was most effective in reducing leukocyte migration in the paw edema model and in the LPS-induced acute lung inflammation model the 50 mg/kg dose was most effective in reducing plantar volume. The antimicrobial potential of the hydroalcoholic extract was observed against Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcencens, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis strains, proving to be effective. However, the extract was most active against the Micrococcus luteus strain (0.93mg/mL). The hydroalcoholic extract of L. racemosa leaves showed anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities, with low toxicity, which makes it a strong promise to be applied or combined in clinical therapy.

In this work, we investigated in vitro the antioxidant, cytotoxic and anti-leishmanial activities of a lignin extracted from the leaves of Morinda citrifolia. Initially, an analysis of the composition of the sheets was performed, then the lignin was obtained by alkaline delignification and characterized by different techniques: elemental analysis, FT-R, UV–vis, HSQC-NMR, thermal analysis, Py-GC/MS and by GPC. The results showed that the leaves had in their composition cellulose (31.29%), hemicellulose (25.01%), lignin (18.34%), extractives (14.39%) and ash (10.03%). The lignin extraction yield was 89.8%. The lignin obtained is of the GSH type with the following contents 79.39%, 13.58% and 7.03% respectively. Furthermore, it is low molecular weight and thermally stable. It had a phenolic content of 93.3 mg GAE/g and low antioxidant activity. In macrophage cytotoxicity assays, it presented a CC50 of 31.0 μg/mL, showing less toxicity than amphotericin B. In assays against the promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis, lignin presented an IC50 of 29.56 μg/mL, a less effective concentration than amphotericin B (IC50 = 0.14 μg/mL). However, it was able to promote inhibition of the parasites, a fact confirmed by structural changes. These findings reinforce that M. citrifolia lignin is a promising macromolecule for use as an antiparasitic and antioxidant agent.

Funding Information: The study was funded by Foundation for the State of Pernambuco (Process - FACE-04.03/19 ), AP Researcher Research Grant - FACEPE (Process BFP-0038-0 ) and National Council for Scientific and Technological Development grant - CNPq (Process 306865/2020-3 ). This research was also funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through the GHTM ( UID/04413/2020 ). Thanks to MR4, who provided us with the Plasmodium falciparum strains that we used in the assays. We also thank the Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance of the Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology (Federal University of Alagoas- UFAL) for the analysis of NMR. In addition to these, we would also like to thank Mil Madeiras Preciosas, a subsidiary of the Swiss group Precious Woods ( http://preciouswoods.com.br/ ) for providing samples of branches and leaves of Buchenavia viridiflora. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 In this work, we investigated in vitro different biological activities of alkaline lignins extracted from the species Buchenavia viridiflora, a tree from the Amazon rainforest used as a wood product. The chemical composition results for the twig and leaves were, respectively (%): cellulose (30.88 and 24. 28), hemicellulose (21.62 and 23.03), lignin (29.93 and 25.46), extractives (13.06 and 20.52), and ash (4.51 and 6.72). The yield was higher for the lignin of the branches (67.9 %) when compared to the leaves (60.2 %). Lignins are of the GSH type, low molecular weight and thermally stable. They promoted moderate to low antioxidant activity, highlighting the lignin of the branches, which presented an IC50 of 884.56 μg/mL for the DPPH assay and an IC50 of 14.08 μg/mL for ABTS. In the cytotoxicity assays, they showed low toxicity against macrophage cells (IC50 28.47 and 22.58 μg/mL). In addition, they were not cytotoxic against splenocytes and erythrocytes at concentrations ranging from 100 to 6.25 μg/mL. These were able to promote splenocyte proliferation and induce the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines. And inhibit the growth of tumor cells with IC50 ranging from 12.63 to values >100 μg/mL and microbial at a concentration of 512 μg/mL. Finally, they showed antiparasitic activity by inhibiting the growth of chloroquine-sensitive and resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains. These findings reinforce that the lignins in this study are promising for potential pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. publishersversion published

In this article, a series of 20 new thiosemicarbazone derivatives containing indole were synthesized and evaluated for their anti-inflammatory potential. The compounds were obtained through a synthetic route of only two steps, with yields that varied between 33.6 and 90.4%, and characterized by spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques. An initial screening through the lymphoproliferation assay revealed that compounds LT76, LT81, and LT87 were able to inhibit lymphocyte proliferation, with CC50 of 0.56 ± 0.036, 0.9 ± 0.01 and 0.5 ± 0.07 µM, respectively, better results than indomethacin (CC50 > 12 µM). In addition, these compounds were able to suppress the in-vitro production of TNF-α and NO, in addition to stimulating the production of IL-4. Reinforcing in-vitro assays, the compounds were able to inhibit COX-2 similar to Celecoxib showing greater selectivity for this isoform (LT81 SI: 23.06 versus Celecoxib SI: 11.88). Animal studies showed that compounds LT76 (64.8% inhibition after 6 h), LT81 (89% inhibition after 6 h) and LT87 (100% inhibition after 4 h) were able to suppress edema in mice after inoculation carrageenan with greater potency than indomethacin, and immunohistochemistry revealed that the groups treated with LT76, LT81 and LT87 reduced the expression of COX-2, similar or better results when compared to indomethacin. Complementarily, in-silico studies have shown that these compounds have a good pharmacokinetic profile, for respecting the parameters of Lipinski and Veber, showing their good bioavailability. These results demonstrate the potency of thiosemicarbazone derivatives containing indole and confirm their importance as scaffolds of molecules with notorious anti-inflammatory activity.

The economic growth of the textile sector in Brazil has contributed to the generation of new jobs, qualification of the workforce and better living conditions for the population. However, due to the high activity of the sector, large volumes of toxic effluents have been generated which, if improperly disposed of, cause serious environmental damage. Therefore, alternatives in the treatment of effluents are interesting to increase the availability of this resource. A technique that has stood out, for being efficient, easy to operate and economical, is adsorption, a passive capture process where pollutants are deposited on the surface of materials. Thus, the work aimed to carry out a comparative study of the influence of pH in the removal of the dyes Remazol Black (RB), Remazol Red (RR) and Remazol Yellow (RGY) using different mixed adsorbents constituted by the fungus Aspergillus niger grown in orange peel in two different culture media. Six types of adsorbents (three for each culture medium) were produced and were treated with acid, base and without treatment. These were subjected to adsorption tests at different pHs (2, 7 and 9), using a solution (25 mg.L-1) volume of 100 mL, 0.5 g of biomass, rotation 150 rpm, 30 oC. The results showed that the adsorbents produced were able to adsorb the dyes RB, RGY, RR at different pHs. The best adsorption condition was obtained at pH 2 and the adsorbents were treated with acid, showing a promising alternative for the treatment of textile effluents.

Studies have shown that Caesalpinia pulcherrima extracts promote antioxidant, healing, immunomodulating and antiparasitic activities and its polysaccharides can be used as functional food. In this sense, this work had as objective the isolation and characterization of a polysaccharide-like pectin, extracted from the C. pulcherrima leaves and its possible applications as an antioxidant and immunomodulator agent. The molecule was characterized by high performance liquid chromatography, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Its antioxidant potential was evaluated through the methods of phosphomolybdenum, ABTS radical scavenging [2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid], DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and nitric oxide radical. The immunostimulating effects of pectin were tested in splenocytes to evaluate its toxic, proliferative and cell activator and immunomodulatory potential. The polysaccharide obtained has structural characteristics similar to pectins. Pectin showed high in vitro antioxidant activity for ABTS radical scavenging, moderate activity for phosphomolybdenum and low activity for DPPH and nitric oxide. In vitro immunomodulation assays showed that pectin obtained did not promote a cytotoxic effect (viability > 90%). The increase in cytosolic ROS levels indicates a possible mechanism of cell activation without causing damage. Immunophenotyping showed that pectin increased a subpopulation of CD8+ T lymphocytes and monocytes. In addition, it promoted a mostly pro-inflammatory response confirmed by the production of cytokines IL-2, -4, -6, IFN-γ and TNF-α. These results reinforce the ethnopharmacological use of C. pulcherrima leaves and expand the use of this plant for future applications as herbal medicines.

The leaves of P. edulis were subjected to physicochemical analysis, such as ion content, extractives, and structural molecules. The hexanic, ethanolic and ethyl acetate extracts were submitted to phytochemical analyzes by GC-MS, HPLC-MS, and spectrophotometry. In addition, antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS and TAA methods) potential, antimicrobial (MIC method) action, cytotoxicity and immunostimulant activity (flow cytometry analysis) were performed. The extracts showed a moderate antioxidant capacity and revealed the presence of several metabolites, mainly phenols, such as caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid and luteolin. The ethyl acetate and ethanolic extracts showed antifungal activity. In addition, the extracts did not affect splenocytes viability at 12.5 μg/mL and promoted the production of IL-6, IL-10, IL-17 and TNF-α cytokines. P. edulis extracts showed antifungal and antioxidant activity and were able to induce immunostimulatory action in splenocyte cultures in vitro.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the ability to remove the Remazol Red dye, from a synthetic aqueous solution, using mixed biomass of Aspergillus niger and Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum), under different temperature conditions (30, 40 and 50 ± 2 ºC), in concentrations ranging from 25 to 105 mg/L and time from 0 to 200 min. The kinetic study was characterized by the pseudo-second order model. The Langmuir isotherm model presented the best fit to the linearization technique and presented 3.42mg g -1 adsorption capacity for the model. The spontaneity of the adsorption reaction was obtained by Gibbs free energy. The thermodynamic study indicated that the adsorption was favorable and spontaneous, and that the increase in temperature causes a reduction in the adsorptive capacity., O descarte de efluentes têxteis não tratados nos meios aquosos pode ocasionar em um rápido esgotamento do oxigênio dissolvido, o que resulta em um desequilíbrio noecossistema. São vários os métodos utilizados na remoção de cor, e, dentre eles, a adsorção vem se mostrando como um método de tratamento simples, barato e eficiente. O objetivo deste trabalho consiste em avaliar a habilidade da biomassa mista de Aspergillus niger e capim elefante (Penissetum purpureum Schum) na remoção do corante Remazol Vermelho de uma solução aquosa sintética sob difrentes condições de temperatura (30, 40 e 50 °C), concentrações variando entre 25 e 105 mg/L, tempo de adsorção de 0 a 200 minutos e pH 2.0. O estudo cinético foi caracterizado pelo modelo de pseudo-segunda ordem. Já o modelo de Langmuir se mostrou o melhor ajuste linear das isotermas de adsorção, apresentando uma capacidade de adsorção de 3,42 mg g-1. A esponteneidade da reação de adsorção foi avaliada através daenergia lvire de Gibbs. O estudo termodinâmico indicou que a adsorção é favorável e espontânea, além de que o aumento da temperatura ocasiona em uma redução na capacidade de adsorção. Estes resultados obtidos em efluentes sintéticosdemonstram que o adsorvente misto produzido neste estudo é uma alternativa promissora no tratamento de efluentes contaminados com Remazol Vermelho.

This study evaluates the removal of textile dyes using mixed adsorbents prepared by the growth of Aspergillus niger in orange peels. The highest azo dye removal efficiency was obtained at pH 2, solid: liquid ratio (1: 4 g·mL-1) and time of equilibrium of 250 minutes for each dye. The concentrations of Remazol Black B (RB) and Remazol Red (RR) in both synthetic textile effluents were between 25 mg·L-1 and 100 mg·L-1. The mixed adsorbent was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), spectroscopy infrared region (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated that there was a 100% removal of RB and 94.85% of RR at the concentration of 25 mg·L-1. At the concentration of 100 mg·L-1, the percentages of removal reached 98.87% for RB and 96.37% for RR, respectively. The proposed mixed adsorbent was able to remove the textile dyes, presenting adsorptive capacities of 20.77 mg·g-1 and 19.28 mg·g-1 for the dyes RB and RR. Regarding the adsorption kinetics, the experimental data showed that the pseudo second order model was the one that best explained the adsorptive process. For the equilibrium results, the Langmuir model and the Langmuir-Freundlich model were the ones that best fit the experimental data of RB and RR, respectively. The mixed adsorbent produced is a promising alternative for the treatment of textile effluents.

Effluents from textile processes, when discarded of inappropriately, have been shown to be a major environmental concern. In this way, different methods can be used, among them adsorption is an economical and efficient technique in the removal of dyes. Therefore, we propose to analyze the adsorptive capacity of bacterial cellulose (CB) against effluents containing the dye Remazol Black B (RBB). CB was produced by the bacterium Gluconacetobacter hansenii and characterized by the techniques of FTIR, DRX, TGA / DTG and pH (PCZ). The RBB removal tests were initially performed at different pHs. From the best experimental condition, new tests were performed at temperatures of 30, 40, 60 and 100 ± 2 °C, 150 rpm, pH 3.5, using 0.5 g of adsorbent in the concentrations of dye from 25 to 65 mg·L-1. The kinetic study showed that the system balance was achieved in 80 minutes. The experimental data were better described by the pseudo-second order model. The equilibrium results showed that the experimental data fit the Langmuir model (qmax 17.513 mg·g-1). The thermodynamic parameters of adsorption showed that the process is exothermic, not spontaneous and also presented low system randomness. The activation energy (Ea) was 23.8 kJ·mol-1 characterizing physical adsorption. The residual water was not toxic to animal or microbial cells. Bacterial cellulose proved to be a good low-cost adsorbent, easy to acquire and which can be used in the adsorption process.

Lignins are phenolic macromolecules that have several applications. In this work, we examine some biological activities of a lignin-like macromolecule isolated from the Crataeva tapia leaves, not yet studied to evaluate its potential applications in medicinal and cosmetic formulations. Lignin was obtained by alkaline delignification and its physical-chemical characterization was made by means of FT-IR, UV–Vis, NMR spectroscopy, elementary analysis, molecular mass determination and thermal analysis. Lignin is of the GSH type, with levels of hydrogen (5.10%), oxygen (27.18%), carbon (67.60%), nitrogen (0.12%) and phenolic content of 189.6 ± 9.6 mg GAE/g. In addition, it is a thermally stable macromolecule with low antioxidant activity. Cytotoxicity and cytokine production were assessed by flow cytometry. The photoprotective activity was evaluated by adding different concentrations of lignin to a commercial cream. Lignin was not cytotoxic, it stimulated the production of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 and did not promote a significant change in nitric oxide levels. In addition, this macromolecule was able to promote increased absorption of ultraviolet light from a commercial cream. These results reinforce the ethnopharmacological use of C. tapia leaves and suggest the need for further studies to determine the potential medicinal and cosmetic applications (sunscreen) of lignin from C. tapia leaves.

Caesalpinia pulcherrima is a shrub with worldwide distribution used as an ornamental plant. In this study, we extracted a lignin from the C. pulcherrima leaves and investigated its biological functions. The lignin was characterized by FT-IR, UV–Vis, GPC, TGA and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H and 13C). The antioxidant activity was evaluated using phosphomolybdenum complexation methods (TAA), sequestration of DPPH and ABTS radicals, reducing power, formation of nitrite radical and iron chelating activity (Fe2 +). Antifungal activity was made using Candida spp., Aspergillus spp. and Cryptococcus neoformans strains. Cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and cytokine production were performed using mouse splenocytes. The lignin showed maximal UV–Vis at ~280 nm, 22.27 L/g·cm of absorptivity and, 2,503 kDa of molecular weight. Phenolic compounds (41.33 ± 0.65 mg GAE/g) and indications of a guaiacyl-syringyl-hydroxyphenyl (GSH)-type composition were found. Antioxidant activities of lignin to TAA (40±1.2%) and to DPPH (16.9±0.2%) was high and showed antifungal potential, especially against Candida spp. (IC50 = 31.3 μg/mL) and C. neoformans (15.6 μg/mL). In mouse splenocytes, the lignin was not cytotoxic and stimulated the cell proliferation and cytokine release. These results indicate that C. pulcherrima lignin has the potential to be used as antifungal and immunostimulant compound.

Pectins are complex heteropolysaccharides made up of a linear main chain of repeated units of galacturonic acid that can promote different biological activities. This work aimed to isolate and elucidate the chemical structure of a polysaccharide similar to pectin, obtained from C. erectus leaves. Furthermore, we evaluate the antioxidant and immunomodulatory potential promoted by this macromolecule. The physical-chemical analyzes showed that the pectin obtained showed low degree of esterification and low molecular weight. In addition, it presented in its structure galacturonic acid, glucose, xylose, rhamnose and arabinose. In antioxidant assays in vitro the pectin expressed high activity for the DPPH and ABTS methods. In addition, the pectin obtained was able to promote the growth of probiotic microorganisms in vitro. Immunological tests have shown that pectin was able to stimulate immune cells through the oxidative stress mechanism, promoting lymphocyte proliferation and activation TCD4+ and inhibit lymphocyte activation TCD8+ and stimulate its effector mechanisms through the production of cytokines and nitric oxide, mainly producing a pro-inflammatory immune response, without causing damage to cells. These results highlight the potential use of pectin extracted from C. erectus leaves as an antioxidant, prebiotic and immunomodulatory agent.

The consumption of probiotic microorganisms in fermented products has been used for centuries. Lactobacillus spp. is one of the main species studied due to its various beneficial effects on health. This species has a great ability to adapt to hostile environments, produces antimicrobial substances capable of destroying or inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria, and is involved in the digestion of complex carbohydrates not digested by the host. However, there are still some uncertainties and disagreements about the precise biochemical metabolism of lactobacilli. The aim of this article is to review the metabolism and physiological characteristics of lactobacilli for a better understanding of the benefits that these bacteria promote in the host and for the development of strains and probiotic products with higher health benefits.

As indústrias têxteis devem tratar seus efluentes antes do descarte em corpos hídricos. Esse tratamento objetiva majoritariamente a remoção de corantes, cuja interação com o meio ambiente pode causar grandes danos a natureza. A Biossorção tem se mostrado muitas vezes uma técnica econômica e eficaz na remoção de boa parte destes corantes. Deste modo propomos aplicar como biossorvente, o Pennisetum purpureum Schumach., 1827 (Poales: Poaceae) (Capim elefante), para tratar efluentes contendo o corante Índigo Carmim. Os ensaios de remoção do corante foram realizados em batelada nas seguintes condições: variando as temperaturas (30, 40, 60 e 100 ± 2 ºC); agitação constante de 150 rpm; pH 5,5; 0,5 g de biossorvente; e em diferentes concentrações de corante, de 25 a 65 mg·L-1. O mecanismo de biossorção foi bem descrito pelo modelo de Langmuir. A capacidade biossortiva máxima foi de 17,51 mg∙g-1. A investigação termodinâmica indicou que a biossorção é um processo favorável e espontâneo em temperaturas até 60 ºC, acima disso o sistema apresentou uma redução da capacidade biossortiva. Deste modo, a utilização de Pennisetum purpureum Schumach., 1827 (Poales: Poaceae) como biossorvente para a remoção do corante índigo carmim de efluentes têxteis se mostrou uma nova alternativa eficaz e econômica

As indústrias do setor têxtil geram no final de seu processo efluentes com elevada carga orgânica, substâncias tóxicas e cor. O lançamento dessas águas residuais nos corpos hídricos, pode causar sérios problemas do ponto de vista ambiental. Dentre as tecnologias destinadas à remoção de cor destaca-se a biossorção, um processo de captação passiva onde os poluentes depositam-se na superfície de materiais de origem biológica (biossorventes). As vantagens da biossorção em relação aos métodos convencionais de tratamento são a alta seletividade e eficiência, baixo custo e regeneração do material. Considerando esse fato, o objetivo desse trabalho foi produzir um biossorvente misto utilizando o fungo Aspergillus niger van Tieghem, 1867 (Ascomycota: Trichocomaceae) crescido em Pennisetum purpureum Schumach., 1827 (Poales: Poaceae) (capim elefante), para a remoção do corante têxtil preto de remazol B pelo processo de biossorção. Para os ensaios de remoção foi aplicado um planejamento fatorial 25 a fim de analisar a influência das variáveis: pH (2,0, 3,5 e 5,0), agitação (150, 200 e 250 rpm), temperatura (30, 40 e 50 oC), concentração de corante (25, 55 e 85 mg L-1) e quantidade de biossorvente misto (0,5, 1,5 e 2,5 g). A melhor condição obtida no planejamento foi pH 2,0, temperatura de 50 oC, agitação de 150 rpm, concentração de biomassa de 0,5 g e concentração de corante de 25 mg L-1, resultando numa remoção de 96,80%. O estudo permitiu verificar que a utilização de biomassa fúngica associada a um vegetal pode se tornar uma nova alternativa barata e eficiente para o tratamento de efluentes têxteis.

Opuntia ficus-indica and Opuntia cochenillifera are species of Cactaceae, found in the arid regions of the planet. They present water, cellulose, hemicellulose, pectins, extractives, ashes and lignins. Here we aimed to study the immunomodulatory action of lignins from these two species against mice splenocytes, since no study for this purpose has yet been reported. The antioxidant activities of these lignins were evaluated by the DPPH, ABTS, NO assays and total antioxidant activity. Cytotoxicity was evaluated through Annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide-PE probs and cell proliferation was determined by CFSE. Immunomodulation studies with Opuntia lignins obtained were performed through investigation of ROS levels, cytosolic calcium release, changes on mitochondrial membrane potential, cytokine production and NO release. Results showed that Opuntia cochenillifera lignin presented more phenolic amount and antioxidant activities than Opuntia ficius-indica. Both lignins showed high cell viability (>96%) and cell proliferation. Activation signal was observed for both lignins with increase of ROS and cytosolic calcium levels, and changes in mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, lignins induced high TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 production and reduced NO release. Therefore, these lignins present great potential to be used as molecules with a proinflammatory profile, being shown as a promising therapeutic agent.

Objective: To evaluate the structural and chemical composition of plant and the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities promoted by hexanic, ethanolic and ethyl acetate fractions obtained from leaves of Conocarpus erectus. Methods: Organic fractions were characterized through UPLC-MS and GC-MS. Antioxidant potential was performed through DPPH and molybdenum phosphate techniques. Antibacterial and antifungal assays were performed in accordance with Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute protocols. Results: The obtained biomass of Conocarpus erectus leaves showed the high presence of glucose (0.45 g/L), cellulose (28.69%), Na (55.126 μg/L) and K (31.163 μg/L). We identified seven compounds in the hexanic and ethyl acetate fractions, and eight compounds in ethanolic fraction. Moreover, phenolic compounds are prevalent in all organic fractions with values of (10.04 ± 0.24), (221.26 ± 1.84), (340.53 ± 0.84) mg/g GAE to hexanic, ethyl acetate and ethanolic fraction, respectively. Antioxidant results showed a high potential in ethyl acetate fraction (71.82 ± 6.87)% and (10.89 ± 0.05)% in DPPH and molybdenum phosphate techniques, respectively. The ethanolic fraction showed moderate bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus and presented a high fungistatic potential for all Candida species tested. Conclusions: Organic fractions obtained from leaves of Conocarpus erectus present antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, and these findings contribute to scientific information for the effectiveness on use of this plant in the development of a phytotherapic compound.

Objective: To evaluate antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of saline extract from Tithonia diversifolia leaves by phytochemical bioprospecting, and investigate its safety against animal cells. Methods: The saline extract was prepared, with NaCl (0.15 M), by constant stirring of the dried and pulverized leaves, followed by volume reduction by lyophilization. The extract was phytochemical characterized using ultra-performance liquid chromatography, and total phenol and flavonoid analysis also was performed. The antioxidant capacity was determined through DPPH· radical, the antimicrobial property was evaluated against standard bacteria and fungi, and the viability assays were performed against mice splenocytes. Results: Fifteen compounds were identified belonging to two main classes terpenoids and phenolics. The extract showed 22.185 mg GAE/g of total phenolic compounds and 3.220 mg QE/g of flavonoid. Moreover, extract showed higher antioxidant ability similar to butylated hydroxytoluene a standard molecule [(3.042±0.019) mg AAE/g and (4.12±0.10) mg AAE/g to saline extract and butylated hydroxytoluene, respectively]. The antimicrobial assays demonstrated that the extract had a significant antifungal potential against Candida species and could be used with safety against mice splenocytes, in concentrations lower than 50 μg/mL, promoting higher proliferation in these cells. Conclusions: Saline extract from Tithonia diversifolia leaves presents potential antioxidant, antifungal properties and induces immunostimulation in mice splenocytes.

O setor textil produz um efluente bastante toxico, com uma grande concentracao de corantes, os quais sao envolvidos no processo de tingimento. Parte deles sao eliminados na natureza causando danos a fauna e a flora. Diante dessa problematica, metodologias tem sido desenvolvidas afim de tratar esses efluentes antes de serem lancados na natureza. Dentre essas esta a biossorcao, tecnologia que utiliza micro-organismos vivos ou mortos para remocao de contaminantes. A biossorcao se torna bastante atrativa devido aos bons resultados e a facil obtencao de micro-organismos, ja que muitos deles sao facilmente isolados e cultivados. Uma especie alvo de pesquisas em diversos processos industriais devido a sua grande producao de enzimas e produtos de interesse industrial e o Aspergillus niger, um fungo filamentoso largamente encontrado no solo, podendo crescer em diversas culturas vegetais. Neste trabalho foi utilizado como biossorvente a biomassa de Aspergillus niger crescida em capim elefante por 72 h. A massa produzida foi autoclavada a 121oC por 30 min, em seguida filtrada lavada e seca a 65oC ate base seca por 72 h. Com as massas produzidas, foi realizado um planejamento fatorial 2 com o objetivo de estudar o efeito das interacoes: pH, agitacao, temperatura, concentracao de corante e biomassa. A taxa de remocao foi obtida como resposta a essas interacoes. Os resultados do estudo permitiram identificar que os fatores principais temperatura e agitacao nao mostraram significância estatistica numa margem de 95% de confianca. Deve-se destacar ainda, que tanto o fator linear pH quanto o da concentracao de biomassa ocasionaram efeitos negativos na biossorcao do corante, mostrando que tanto o aumento da basicidade do meio quanto o aumento da concentracao de biomassa utilizada diminui o processo biossortivo. A melhor condicao obtida no planejamento foi pH igual a 2,0; temperatura de 50 °C; agitacao de 150 rpm; concentracao de biomassa de 0,5 g e concentracao inicial de corante de 25 mg.L, ocasionando uma remocao de 91,78%.O estudo permitiu verificar que utilizacao de biomassa fungica associada com vegetal pode se tornar uma nova metodologia para tratamento de efluentes texteis.