Search

Background/Objectives: Brazilian red propolis has attracted attention for its pharmacological properties. However, signs of toxicity were recently observed in long-term studies using the hydroalcoholic extract of red propolis (RPHE), likely due to polyprenylated benzophenones. This study aimed to develop a benzophenone-free red propolis extract (BFRP) and validate an HPLC-PDA method to quantify its main constituents: isoliquiritigenin, vestitol, neovestitol, medicarpine, and 7-O-methylvestitol. Methods: BFRP’s toxicity was assessed in zebrafish larvae through a vibrational startle response assay (VSRA) and morphological analysis. Genotoxicity was evaluated using the micronucleus test in rodents, and the extract’s effects on chemically induced preneoplastic lesions in rat colon were studied. An HPLC-PDA method was used to quantify BFRP’s main compounds. Results: BFRP primarily contained vestitol (128.24 ± 1.01 μg/mL) along with isoliquiritigenin, medicarpin, neovestitol, and 7-O-methylvestitol. Zebrafish larvae exposed to 40 µg/mL of BFRP exhibited toxicity, higher than the 10 µg/mL for RPHE, though no morphological differences were found. Fluorescent staining in the notochord, branchial arches, and mouth was observed in larvae treated with both BFRP and RPHE. No genotoxic or cytotoxic effects were observed up to 2000 mg/kg in rodents, with no impact on hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity markers. Chemoprevention studies showed a 41.6% reduction in preneoplastic lesions in rats treated with 6 mg/kg of BFRP. Conclusions: These findings indicate that BFRP is a safe, effective propolis-based extract with potential applications for human health, demonstrating reduced toxicity and chemopreventive properties.

Background: Solanum cernuum Vell. (Solanaceae) is a native plant from Brazil traditionally used for treating ulcers, liver damage, skin infections, gonorrhea, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Objective: To evaluate the impact of hydroalcoholic extract and cernumidine obtained from S. cernuum Vell. leaves against prostate primary smooth muscle cell culture and assess their potential effect in inducing apoptosis (annexin V assay by flow cytometry). Methods: The hydroethanolic extract of S. cernuum was obtained by macerating powdered dried leaves followed by fractionation, furnishing 4.8 % w/w of cernumidine alkaloid as established by high performance liquid chromatographic analysis. Primary BPH smooth muscle cell culture was used in cell proliferation and apoptosis assays, whereby prostate smooth muscle cells were subjected to 0.125-5.0 mg/mL of hydroethanolic extract and 0.025-1.0 mg/mL of cernumidine for 48, 72, and 96 h. Results: Hydroethanolic extract (2 mg/mL) and cernumidine (1 mg/mL [3.3 × 10-6 M]) inhibited the cell growth by 60 % and 62 % at 96 h, respectively, and eventually led to cell death by apoptosis. On the other hand, only cernumidine (1 mg/mL) induced significant death by necrosis compared to control. Conclusion: The obtained findings corroborate the use of S. cernuum in native medicine and indicate that cernumidine is a promising candidate for further studies focusing on BPH treatment.

Background/Objectives: Leishmaniasis, a neglected disease caused by Leishmania spp. including L. amazonensis, urgently requires new treatments. Polyalthic acid (PA), a natural diterpene from Copaifera spp., has previously demonstrated significant antiparasitic potential. This study evaluated the leishmanicidal effects of polyalthic acid (PA), alone and with amphotericin B (AmpB), on L. amazonensis promastigote and amastigote forms. Results: PA showed significant activity against promastigotes, with 50% effective concentration (EC50) values of 2.01 μM at 24 h and an EC50 of 3.22 μM against amastigotes after 48 h. The PA and AmpB combination exhibited a synergistic effect on both forms without inducing cytotoxicity or hemolysis. Morphological changes in promastigotes, including vacuole formation and cell rounding, were more pronounced with the combination. Conclusions: These findings suggest that PA and AmpB together could form a promising new treatment strategy against Leishmania infections, offering enhanced efficacy without added toxicity.

Abstract Bacterial and viral infections are serious public health issue. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial, antibiofilm and antiviral potential of the Brazilian Red Propolis (BRP) crude hydroalcoholic extract, fractions, and isolated compounds, as well as their in vivo toxicity. The antibacterial activity was evaluated by determining the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration and the antibiofilm activity by determining the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of Biofilm (MICB50). The viable bacteria count (Log10 UFC/mL) was also obtained. The antiviral assays were performed by infecting BHK-21 cells with Chikungunya (CHIKV) nanoluc. The toxicity of the BRP was evaluated in the Caenorhabditis elegans animal model. The MIC values for the crude hydroalcoholic extract sample ranged from 3.12 to 100 μg/mL, while fractions and isolated compounds the MIC values ranged from 1.56 to 400 μg/mL.The BRP crude hydroalcoholic extract, oblongifolin B, and gutiferone E presented MICB50 values ranging from 1.56 to 100 μg/mL against monospecies and multispecies biofilms. Neovestitol and vestitol inhibited CHIKV infection by 93.5 and 96.7%, respectively. The tests to evaluate toxicity in C. elegans demonstrated that the BRP was not toxic below the concentrations 750 μg/mL. The results constitute an alternative approach for treating various infectious diseases.

The demand for organic and functional food continues to increase yearly. Among the available functional foods, propolis is a bee product that has various beneficial properties, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, it generally is only available in ethanol solution, which has poor bioavailability, as it is relatively insoluble in water. The use of such ethanol extracts is often objectionable because of the alcohol content and because they have a strong and striking taste. Development of alternatives that can efficiently and safely increase solubility in water, and that meet organic production specifications, has been a challenge. To address these concerns, microcapsules were developed using spray-dryer technology from an emulsion based on EPP-AF® propolis and gum arabic (i-CAPS). These propolis-loaded microcapsules were characterized using FT-IR, SEM, TGA, HPLC, and spectrophotometric techniques, along with determination of antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antihypercholesterolemic activities, as well as permeability in in vitro models. The production system resulted in microcapsules with a spherical shape and an encapsulation efficiency of 93.7 ± 0.7%. They had IC50s of 2.654 ± 0.062 and 7.342 ± 0.058 µg/mL by FRAP and DPPH antioxidant methods, respectively. The EPP-AF® i-CAPS also had superior antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Antitumor activity was calculated based on the concentration that inhibited 50% of growth of AGS, Caco-2, and MCF-7 cell strains, giving results of 154.0 ± 1.0, 117 ± 1.0, and 271.0 ± 25 µg/mL, respectively. The microcapsule presentation reduced the permeation of cholesterol by 53.7%, demonstrating antihypercholesterolemic activity, and it improved the permeability of p-coumaric acid and artepillin C. The IC50 for NO production in RAW 264.7 cells was 59.0 ± 0.1 µg/mL. These findings demonstrate the potential of this new propolis product as a food and pharmaceutical ingredient, though additional studies are recommended to validate the safety of proposed dosages.

The conventional treatment of congenital toxoplasmosis is mainly based on the combination of sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine. However, therapy with these drugs is associated with severe side effects and resistance, requiring the study of new therapeutic strategies. There are currently many studies with natural products, including Copaifera oleoresin, showing actions against some pathogens, as Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the leaf hydroalcoholic extract and oleoresin from Copaifera multijuga against Toxoplasma gondii in human villous (BeWo) and extravillous (HTR8/SVneo) trophoblast cells, as well as in human villous explants from third-trimester pregnancy. For this purpose, both cells and villous explants were infected or not with T. gondii, treated with hydroalcoholic extract or oleoresin from C. multijuga and analyzed for toxicity, parasite proliferation, cytokine and ROS production. In parallel, both cells were infected by tachyzoites pretreated with hydroalcoholic extract or oleoresin, and adhesion, invasion and replication of the parasite were observed. Our results showed that the extract and oleoresin did not trigger toxicity in small concentrations and were able to reduce the T. gondii intracellular proliferation in cells previously infected. Also, the hydroalcoholic extract and oleoresin demonstrated an irreversible antiparasitic action in BeWo and HTR8/SVneo cells. Next, adhesion, invasion and replication of T. gondii were dampened when BeWo or HTR8/SVneo cells were infected with pretreated tachyzoites. Finally, infected and treated BeWo cells upregulated IL-6 and downmodulated IL-8, while HTR8/SVneo cells did not change significantly these cytokines when infected and treated. Finally, both the extract and oleoresin reduced the T. gondii proliferation in human explants, and no significant changes were observed in relation to cytokine production. Thus, compounds from C. multijuga presented different antiparasitic activities that were dependent on the experimental model, being the direct action on tachyzoites a common mechanism operating in both cells and villi. Considering all these parameters, the hydroalcoholic extract and oleoresin from C. multijuga can be a target for the establishment of new therapeutic strategy for congenital toxoplasmosis.

Abstract Brown propolis from permanent preservation and reforestation areas of southern Brazil have attracted international commercial interest and have a unique composition, although little is known about their botanical origins, which are the plant resins used by bee foragers to produce propolis. Hence, the volatile profiles of organic and non-organic brown propolis and resins of suspected botanical origins—Araucaria angustifolia, Pinus elliott and Pinus taeda—were determined using static headspace gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (SHS-GCMS) and compared. Nighty nine volatiles were tentatively identified, and monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes were the most abundant classes. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed similarity between organic propolis and A. angustifolia volatile profiles (p

Polyalthic acid (PA) is a diterpene found in copaiba oil. As a continuation of our work with PA, we synthesized PA analogs and investigated their antibacterial effects on preformed biofilms of Staphylococcus epidermidis and determined the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the best analogs against planktonic bacterial cells. There was no difference in activity between the amides 2a and 2b and their corresponding amines 3a and 3b regarding their ability to eradicate biofilm. PA analogs 2a and 3a were able to significantly eradicate the preformed biofilm of S. epidermidis and were active against all the Gram-positive bacteria tested (Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, S. epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus), with different MIC depending on the microorganism. Therefore, PA analogs 2a and 3a are of interest for further in vitro and in vivo testing to develop formulations for antibiotic drugs against Gram-positive bacteria.

Propolis is known for its immunomodulatory properties. We investigated the effects of three recently developed propolis extract formulations: polar propolis fraction (PPF), soluble propolis dry extract (PSDE), and microencapsulated propolis extract (MPE), and some of their components, on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production in a macrophage model. Bone marrow cell-derived macrophages (BMDM) in cell culture were E. coli lipopolysaccharide (500 ng/mL) stimulated for two hours and subsequently incubated for 20 hours with one of the three propolis extract formulations (1, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 300 µg/mL) or with isolated propolis components (caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, artepillin C, or baccharin) (10, 25, 50 and 100 µg/mL) to determine how they affected secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α, and the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10. PPF increased IL-6 and IL-10 levels. PSDE increased IL-6 and IL-10 at lower concentrations, while at higher concentrations it increased TNF-α and decreased IL-10. MPE increased IL-10. Caffeic acid and PPF increased both IL-6 and IL-10. Artepillin C and PSDE decreased IL-10. Baccharin and MPE increased IL-10. Baccharin also decreased IL-6. p-coumaric acid did not affect secretion of these cytokines. Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production by the different propolis extracts differed; however, all three propolis extract formulations have potential as immunomodulatory agents in food supplement and pharmaceutical products.

The technologies used to produce the different dosage forms of propolis can selectively affect the original propolis compounds and their biological activities. The most common type of propolis extract is hydroethanolic. However, there is considerable demand for ethanol-free propolis presentations, including stable powder forms. Three propolis extract formulations were developed and investigated for chemical composition and antioxidant and antimicrobial activity: polar propolis fraction (PPF), soluble propolis dry extract (PSDE), and microencapsulated propolis extract (MPE). The different technologies used to produce the extracts affected their physical appearance, chemical profile, and biological activity. PPF was found to contain mainly caffeic and p-Coumaric acid, while PSDE and MPE showed a chemical fingerprint closer to the original green propolis hydroalcoholic extract used. MPE, a fine powder (40% propolis in gum Arabic), was readily dispersible in water, and had less intense flavor, taste, and color than PSDE. PSDE, a fine powder (80% propolis) in maltodextrin as a carrier, was perfectly water-soluble and could be used in liquid formulations; it is transparent and has a strong bitter taste. PPF, a purified solid with large amounts of caffeic and p-Coumaric acids, had the highest antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, and therefore merits further study. PSDE and MPE had antioxidant and antimicrobial properties and could be used in products tailored to specific needs.

Abstract Invasion of periodontal tissues by Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans can be associated with aggressive forms of periodontitis. Oleoresins from different copaifera species and their compounds display various pharmacological properties. The present study evaluates the antibacterial and antivirulence activity of oleoresins obtained from different copaifera species and of ten isolated compounds against two causative agents of periodontitis. The following assays were performed: determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), determination of the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and determination of the antibiofilm activity by inhibition of biofilm formation and biofilm eradication tests. The antivirulence activity was assessed by hemagglutination, P. gingivalis Arg-X and Lis-X cysteine protease inhibition assay, and A. actinomycetemcomitans leukotoxin inhibition assay. The MIC and MBC of the oleoresins and isolated compounds 1, 2, and 3 ranged from 1.59 to 50 μg/mL against P. gingivalis (ATCC 33277) and clinical isolates and from 6.25 to 400 μg/mL against A. actinomycetemcomitans (ATCC 43717) and clinical isolates. About the antibiofilm activity, the oleoresins and isolated compounds 1, 2, and 3 inhibited biofilm formation by at least 50% and eradicated pre-formed P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans biofilms in the monospecies and multispecies modes. A promising activity concerning cysteine protease and leucotoxin inhibition was also evident. In addition, molecular docking analysis was performed. The investigated oleoresins and their compounds may play an important role in the search for novel sources of agents that can act against periodontal pathogens.

Skin wound healing is a complex process that requires the mutual work of cellular and molecular agents to promote tissue restoration. In order to improve such a process, especially in cases of impaired healing (e.g., diabetic ulcer, chronic wounds), there is a search for substances with healing properties and low toxicity: two features that some natural products—such as the bee product named propolis—exhibit. Propolis is a resinous substance obtained from plant resins and exudates with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumoral activities, among other biological ones. Based on the previously reported healing actions of different types of propolis, the Brazilian red propolis (BRP) was tested for this matter. A skin wound excision model in male Wistar rats was performed using two topical formulations with 1% red propolis as treatments: hydroalcoholic extract and Paste. Macroscopical, histological and immunohistochemical analysis were performed, revealing that red propolis enhanced wound contraction, epithelialization, reduced crust formation, and modulated the distribution of healing associated factors, mainly collagen I, collagen III, MMP-9, TGF-β3 and VEGF. Biochemical analysis with the antioxidants SOD, MPO, GSH and GR showed that propolis acts similarly to the positive control, collagenase, increasing these molecules’ activity. These results suggest that BRP promotes enhanced wound healing by modulating growth factors and antioxidant molecules related to cutaneous wound healing.

Copaifera langsdorffii is a Brazilian native plant that is used for wound healing or as an anti-inflammatory agent. Non-healing wounds are an important health problem, particularly in horses, because they can cause the animal invalidity or even lead to death. In addition, horses respond to skin wounds with chronic inflammatory response and intense wound granulation, thereby delaying the healing process. By this way, our aim was to evaluate the healing potential of Copaifera langsdorffii hydroalcoholic extract (HE) and oil-resin creams (OR) in horse skin wounds. Four wounds were performed bilaterally in the lumbar region of six horses with a 2 cm punch and treated daily with the respective treatments: saline solution, vehicle, 10% HE creams or 10% OR cream. Daily planimetry analyses were performed to measure the wound area and clinical parameters. In four different experimental periods (3, 7, 14 and 21 d), wound biopsies were removed and used for microscopic analyses. SS wounds presented a significant small area at day 3 and 7, OR wounds presented significant small area in comparison with HE at 14 d, and no significant difference was observed between treatments at 21 d. A better microscopic and clinical healing activity of HE and OR was identified in comparison with the controls. The OR group showed better healing quality, specifically after 7 d of treatment. Therefore, Copaifera langsdorffii formulations demonstrated their wound healing potential in horse skin lesions, exhibiting an improvement of the macro- and microscopic parameters.

Aim: This paper reports on the antimycobacterial activity of the oleoresins and extracts obtained from Copaifera spp. Materials & methods: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and fractional inhibitory concentration index techniques helped to evaluate the effect of these oleoresins and extracts against six strains of mycobacteria that cause tuberculosis. Results & conclusion: Among the assayed oleoresins and plant extracts, the Copaifera langsdorffii, Copaifera duckei, Copaifera reticulata and Copaifera trapezifolia oleoresins provided the lowest MIC values against some of the tested strains. The combination of Copaifera spp. samples with isoniazid did not evidence any synergistic action. Some Copaifera spp. oleoresins may represent a future source for the discovery of new antimycobacterial drugs due to their low MIC values.

Abstract Background Patients submitted to hemodialysis therapy are more susceptible to infection, especially to infection by Gram-positive bacteria. Various research works have attempted to discover new antimicrobial agents from plant extracts and other natural products. Methods The present study aimed to assess the antibacterial activities of Copaifera duckei, C. reticulata, and C. oblongifolia oleoresins; sodium hypochlorite; and peracetic acid against clinical and environmental isolates recovered from a Hemodialysis Unit. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration and the Fractionated Inhibitory Concentration Index were determined; the ability of the tested compounds/extracts to inhibit biofilm formation was evaluated by calculating the MICB50 and IC50. Results C. duckei was the most efficient among the assayed Copaifera species, and its oleoresin was more effective than peracetic acid and sodium hypochlorite. Copaifera oleoresins and disinfectants did not act synergistically at any of the tested combinations. Certain of C. duckei oleoresin, peracetic acid, and sodium hypochlorite concentrations inhibited biofilm formation and eradicated 50% of the biofilm population. Conclusion C. duckei oleoresin is a potential candidate for disinfectant formulations. Based on these results and given the high incidence of multi-resistant bacteria in hemodialysis patients, it is imperative that new potential antibacterial agents like C. duckei oleoresin, which is active against Staphylococcus, be included in disinfectant formulations.

Context: Inflammatory disorders are common in modern life, and medicinal plants provide an interesting source for new compounds bearing anti-inflammatory properties. In this regard, Brazilian medicinal plants are considered to be a promising supply of such compounds due to their great biodiversity. Objectives: To undertake a review on Brazilian medicinal plants with corroborated anti-inflammatory activities by selecting data from the literature reporting the efficacy of plants used in folk medicine as anti-inflammatory, including the mechanisms of action of their extracts and isolated compounds. Methods: A search in the literature was undertaken by using the following Web tools: Web of Science, SciFinder, Pub-Med and Science Direct. The terms ‘anti-inflammatory’ and ‘Brazilian medicinal plants’ were used as keywords in search engine. Tropicos and Reflora websites were used to verify the origin of the plants, and only the native plants of Brazil were included in this review. The publications reporting the use of well-accepted scientific protocols to corroborate the anti-inflammatory activities of Brazilian medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory potential were considered. Results: We selected 70 Brazilian medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory activity. The plants were grouped according to their anti-inflammatory mechanisms of action. The main mechanisms involved inflammatory mediators, such as interleukins (ILs), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), cyclooxygenase (COX) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Conclusions: The collected data on Brazilian medicinal plants, in the form of crude extract and/or isolated compounds, showed significant anti-inflammatory activities involving different mechanisms of action, indicating Brazilian plants as an important source of anti-inflammatory compounds.

Propolis is a natural product produced by bees that is primarily used in complementary and alternative medicine and has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antitumoral biological properties. Some studies have reported the beneficial effects of propolis in models of allergic asthma. In a previous study, our group showed that green propolis treatment reduced airway inflammation and mucus secretion in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma model and resulted in increased regulatory T cells (Treg) and polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSC) frequencies in the lungs, two leukocyte populations that have immunosuppressive functions. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of artepillin C (ArtC), the major compound of green propolis, in the context of allergic airway inflammation. Our results show that ArtC induces in vitro differentiation of Treg cells and monocytic MDSC (M-MDSC). Furthermore, in an OVA-induced asthma model, ArtC treatment reduced pulmonary inflammation, eosinophil influx to the airways, mucus and IL-5 secretion along with increased frequency of M-MDSC, but not Treg cells, in the lungs. Using an adoptive transfer model, we confirmed that the effect of ArtC in the reduction in airway inflammation was dependent on M-MDSC. Altogether, our data show that ArtC exhibits an anti-inflammatory effect and might be an adjuvant therapy for allergic asthma.

The skin is the biggest organ of human body which acts as a protective barrier against deleterious agents. When this barrier is damaged, the organism promotes the healing process with several molecular and cellular mechanisms, in order to restore the physiological structure of the skin. The physiological control of wound healing depends on the correct balance among its different mechanisms. Any disruption in the balance of these mechanisms can lead to problems and delay in wound healing. The impairment of wound healing is linked to underlying factors as well as aging, nutrition, hypoxia, stress, infections, drugs, genetics, and chronic diseases. Over the years, numerous studies have been conducted to discover the correct approach and best therapies for wound healing, including surgical procedures and non-surgical treatments such as topical formulations, dressings, or skin substitutes. Thus, this general approach is necessary to facilitate the direction of further studies. This work provides updated concepts of physiological mechanisms, the factors that can interfere, and updated treatments used in skin wound healing.

Plants belonging to the genus Copaifera are widely used in Brazil due to their antimicrobial properties, among others. The re-emergence of classic fungal diseases as a consequence of antifungal resistance to available drugs has stimulated the search for plant-based compounds with antifungal activity, especially against Candida. The Candida-infected Caenorhabditis elegans model was used to evaluate the in vitro antifungal potential of Copaifera leaf extracts and trunk oleoresins against Candida species. The Copaifera leaf extracts exhibited good antifungal activity against all Candida species, with MIC values ranging from 5.86 to 93.75 µg/mL. Both the Copaifera paupera and Copaifera reticulata leaf extracts at 46.87 µg/mL inhibited Candida glabrata biofilm formation and showed no toxicity to C. elegans. The survival of C. glabrata-infected nematodes increased at all the tested extract concentrations. Exposure to Copaifera leaf extracts markedly increased C. glabrata cell vacuolization and cell membrane damage. Therefore, Copaifera leaf extracts are potential candidates for the development of new and safe antifungal agents.

The Brazilian red propolis (BRP) constitutes an important commercial asset for northeast Brazilian beekeepers. The role of Dalbergia ecastaphyllum (L.) Taub. (Fabaceae) as the main botanical source of this propolis has been previously confirmed. However, in addition to isoflavonoids and other phenolics, which are present in the resin of D. ecastaphyllum, samples of BRP are reported to contain substantial amounts of polyprenylated benzophenones, whose botanical source was unknown. Therefore, field surveys, phytochemical and chromatographic analyses were undertaken to confirm the botanical sources of the red propolis produced in apiaries located in Canavieiras, Bahia, Brazil. The results confirmed D. ecastaphyllum as the botanical source of liquiritigenin (1), isoliquiritigenin (2), formononetin (3), vestitol (4), neovestitol (5), medicarpin (6), and 7-O-neovestitol (7), while Symphonia globulifera L.f. (Clusiaceae) is herein reported for the first time as the botanical source of polyprenylated benzophenones, mainly guttiferone E (8) and oblongifolin B (9), as well as the triterpenoids β-amyrin (10) and glutinol (11). The chemotaxonomic and economic significance of the occurrence of polyprenylated benzophenones in red propolis is discussed.

Baccharis dracunculifolia is a plant native from Brazil, commonly known as ‘Alecrim-do-campo’ and ‘Vassoura’ and used in alternative medicine for the treatment of inflammation, hepatic disorders and stomach ulcers. Previous studies reported that artepillin C (ArtC, 3-{4-hydroxy-3,5-di(3-methyl-2-butenyl)phenyl}-2(E)-propenoic acid), is the main compound of interest in the leaves. This study was undertaken to assess the mutagenic effect of the ethyl acetate extract of B. dracunculifolia leaves (Bd-EAE: 11.4–182.8 µg/plate) and ArtC (0.69–10.99 µg/plate) by the Ames test using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA97a, TA100 and TA102, and to compare the protective effects of Bd-EAE and ArtC against the mutagenicity of a variety of direct and indirect acting mutagens such as 4-nitro-O-phenylenediamine, sodium azide, mitomycin C, benzo[a]pyrene, aflatoxin B1, 2-aminoanthracene and 2-aminofluorene.The mutagenicity test showed that Bd-EAE and ArtC did not induce an increase in the number of revertant colonies indicating absence of mutagenic activity. ArtC showed a similar antimutagenic effect to that of Bd-EAE in some strains of S. typhimurium, demonstrating that the antimutagenic activity of Bd-EAE can be partially attributed to ArtC. The present results showed that the protective effect of whole plant extracts is due to the combined and synergistic effects of a complex mixture of phytochemicals, the total activity of which may result in health benefits.

This experimental and dose-response curve study aimed to carry out the quality control of the Chamomilla recutita sample, as well as to estimate the ideal dose, for anti-inflammatory effect, of the extract of its capitula, in patients with phlebitis due to peripheral intravenous infusion of antineoplastic chemotherapy and to evaluate the toxicity of this extract in human beings. The therapeutic efficacy, concerning the anti-inflammatory potential, of different doses of Chamomilla recutita extract were analyzed and compared in 25 patients. The time of regression of phlebitis was shorter for groups with 2.5% concentration (mean=29.2h, standard deviation = 8.98) and 5% concentration (mean = 38.8h, standard deviation = 17.47). Local toxicity was almost not observed. This research contributes to the innovation of the nursing clinical practice, since it suggests an alternative for the treatment of phlebitis through the clinical use of phytotherapeutic drugs.En este estudio, se buscó realizar el control de calidad de la muestra de Chamomilla recutita, así como estimar la dosis ideal, para efecto antiinflamatorio, de la infusión de sus inflorescencias, en pacientes con flebitis proveniente de introducción intravenosa periférica de quimioterapia antineoplásica y evaluar la toxicidad de esta infusión en los seres humanos. Se trata de estudio experimental, del tipo curva dosis-respuesta, en el cual fue analizada y comparada la eficacia terapéutica, en cuanto al potencial antiinflamatorio, de diferentes dosis de la infusión de la Chamomilla recutita en 25 pacientes. El tiempo de regresión de la flebitis fue menor para los grupos con concentración 2,5% (promedio = 29,2h, desviación estándar = 8,98) y 5% (promedio = 38,8h, desviación estándar = 17,47) y prácticamente no se observó toxicidad local. Esta investigación contribuye para la innovación de la práctica clínica en enfermería, una vez que sugiere una alternativa para el tratamiento de la flebitis por medio de la utilización clínica de fitoterapéuticos.Neste estudo, buscou-se realizar o controle de qualidade da amostra de Chamomilla recutita, bem como estimar a dose ideal, para efeito anti-inflamatório, do infuso dos seus capítulos florais, em pacientes com flebite, decorrente de infusão intravenosa periférica de quimioterapia antineoplásica, e avaliar a toxicidade desse infuso em seres humanos. Trata-se de estudo experimental, do tipo curva dose-resposta, no qual foi analisada e comparada a eficácia terapêutica, quanto ao potencial anti-inflamatório, de diferentes doses do infuso da Chamomilla recutita, em 25 pacientes. O tempo de regressão da flebite foi menor para os grupos com concentração 2,5% (média=29,2h, desvio padrão=8,98) e 5% (média=38,8h, desvio padrão=17,47) e praticamente não se observou toxicidade local. Esta pesquisa contribui para a inovação da prática clínica em enfermagem, uma vez que sugere alternativa para o tratamento de flebites, por meio da utilização clínica de fitoterápicos.

The fruits of Solanum lycocarpum, known as wolf-fruit, are used in folk medicine, and because of that we have evaluated both the genotoxic potential of its glycoalkaloidic extract (SL) and its influence on the genotoxicity induced by methyl methanesulfonate. Furthermore, the potential blocking effect of SL intake in the initial stage of colon carcinogenesis in Wistar rats was investigated in a short-term (4-week) bioassay using aberrant crypt foci (ACF) as biomarker. The genotoxic potential was evaluated using the Swiss mice peripheral blood micronucleus test. The animals were treated with different doses of SL (15, 30 and 60 mg/kg b.w.) for 14 days, and the peripheral blood samples were collected at 48 h, 7 days and 14 days after starting the treatment. For antigenotoxicity assessment, MMS was administered on the 14th day, and after 24 h the harvesting of bone marrow and liver cells was performed, for the micronucleus and comet assays, respectively. In the ACF assay, male Wistar rats were given four subcutaneous injections of the carcinogen 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH, 40 mg/kg b.w.), twice a week, during two weeks to induce ACF. The treatment with SL (15, 30 and 60 mg/kg b.w.) was given for four weeks during and after carcinogen treatment to investigate the potential beneficial effects of SL on DMH-induced ACF. The results demonstrated that SL was not genotoxic in the mouse micronucleus test. In animals treated with SL and MMS, the frequencies of micronucleus and extensions of DNA damage were significantly reduced in comparison with the animals receiving only MMS. Regarding the ACF assay, SL significantly reduced the frequency of ACF induced by DMH.

Solanum lycocarpum (Solanaceae) is native to the Brazilian Cerrado. Fruits of this species contain the glycoalkaloids solasonine (SN) and solamargine (SM), which display antiparasitic and anticancer properties. A method has been developed for the extraction and HPLC-UV analysis of the SN and SM in different parts of S. lycocarpum, mainly comprising ripe and unripe fruits, leaf, and stem. This analytical method was validated and gave good detection response with linearity over a dynamic range of 0.77–1000.00 μg mL−1 and recovery in the range of 80.92–91.71%, allowing a reliable quantitation of the target compounds. Unripe fruits displayed higher concentrations of glycoalkaloids (1.04% ± 0.01 of SN and 0.69% ± 0.00 of SM) than the ripe fruits (0.83% ± 0.02 of SN and 0.60% ± 0.01 of SM). Quantitation of glycoalkaloids in the alkaloidic extract gave 45.09% ± 1.14 of SN and 44.37% ± 0.60 of SM, respectively.