Bio-availability, anticancer potential, and chemical data of lycopene: an overview and technological prospecting

The purpose of this review was to collect relevant chemical data about lycopene and its isomers, which can be extracted using different non-polar or polar aprotic solvents by SC-CO2 or biosynthesis as a friendly technique. Lycopene and other carotenoids can be identified and quantified by UV–Vis and HPLC using a C18 or C30 column, while their characterization is possible by UV–Vis, Fluorescence, FTIR, MS, NMR, and DSC assays. Among these techniques, the last four can compare lycopene isomers and identify cis or all-trans-lycopene. FTIR, MS, and NMR techniques are more suitable for the verification of the purity of lycopene extracts due to the signal complexity generated for each isomer, which enables identification by subtle differences. Additionally, some biological activities of lycopene isolated from red vegetables have already been confirmed, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activity against cancer cells, probably by activating several pathways. The encapsulation of lycopene in nanoparticles demonstrated an improvement in oral delivery, and ex vivo assessments determined that these nanoparticles had better permeation and low cytotoxicity against human cells with enhanced permeation. These data suggest that lycopene has the potential to be applied in the food and pharmaceutical industries, as well as in cosmetic products.Coordenação de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior | Ref. 99999.004236/2014-0

Peptide isolated from Cry1Ab16 toxin present in Bacillus thuringiensis: Synthesis and morphology data for layer-by-layer films studied by atomic force microscopy

The peptide PcL342-354C was obtained from the Cry1Ab16 toxin present in Bacillus thuringiensis (“Computational Modeling Deduced Three Dimensional Structure of Cry1Ab16 Toxin from B. thuringiensis AC11” (Kashyap, 2012) [1]). In this data article, we report the synthesis and characterization of the PcL342-354C peptide by MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. In addition, the preparation of layer-by-layer films is shown based on interspersion of this peptide with both polyethylenimine (PEI) and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS), self-assembled on ITO (indium tin oxide) electrodes. The morphology of the ITO/PEI/PSS/PcL342-354C film was analyzed using atomic force microscopy (AFM). We also evaluated the effect of the number of bilayers in ITO/PEI/(PSS/PcL342-354C)n on the morphology of the film using AFM amplitude images. Further details about this study were published elsewhere, “Layer-by-layer films containing peptides of the Cry1Ab16 toxin from B. thuringiensis for potential biotechnological applications,” (Plácido et al., 2016) [2]. Keywords: Cry1Ab16 toxin, Bacillus thuringiensis, Layer-by-layer films, Atomic force microscopy, GMO׳

Perspectives on the Therapeutic Effects of Pelvic Floor Electrical Stimulation: A Systematic Review

Pelvic, perineal, and nervous lesions, which derive principally from pregnancy and childbirth, may lead to pelvic floor dysfunctions, such as organ prolapses and lesions in the nerves and muscles due to muscle expansion and physiology. It is estimated that 70% of women affected by this clinical picture have symptoms that do not respond to the classical treatments with antimuscarinic and anticholinergic drugs. Therefore, resorting to efficient alternatives and less invasive methods is necessary to assist this public health problem that predominantly affects the female population, which is more susceptible to the risk factors. This study aimed to perform an updated and comprehensive literature review focused on the effects of pelvic floor electrical stimulation, considering new perspectives such as a correlation between electric current and site of intervention and other molecular aspects, different from the present reviews that predominantly evaluate urodynamic aspects. For that purpose, PubMed and ScienceDirect databases were used to perform the search, and the Methodi ordinatio method was applied. With well-researched therapeutic effects, electrical stimulation induced promising results in histological, nervous, and molecular evaluations and spinal processes, which showed beneficial results and revealed new perspectives on ways to evoke responses in the lower urinary tract in a non-invasive way. Thus, it is possible to conclude that this type of intervention may be a non-invasive alternative to treat pelvic and perineal dysfunctions

Cry1A(b)16 toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis: Theoretical refinement of three-dimensional structure and prediction of peptides as molecular markers for detection of genetically modified organisms

Transgenic maize produced by the insertion of the Cry transgene into its genome became the second most cultivated crop worldwide. Cry gene from Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki expresses protein derivatives of crystalline endotoxins which confer insect resistance onto the maize crop. Mandatory labeling of processed food containing or made by genetically modified organisms is in force in many countries, so, it is very urgent to develop fast and practical methods for GMO identification, for example, biosensors. In the absence of an available empirical structure of Cry1A(b)16 protein, a theoretical model was effectively generated, in this work, by homology modeling and molecular dynamics simulations based on two available homologous protein structures. Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to refine the selected model, and an analysis of its global structure was performed. The refined models of Cry1A(b)16 showed a standard fold and structural characteristics similar to those seen in Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1A(a) insecticidal toxin and Bacillus thuringiensis serovar kurstaki Cry1A(c) toxin. After in silico analysis of Cry1A(b)16, two immunoreactive candidate peptides were selected and specific polyclonal antibodies were produced resulting in antibody–peptide interaction. Biosensing devices are expected to be developed for detection of the Cry1A(b) protein as a marker of transgenic maize in food. Proteins 2017; 85:1248–1257.Fil: Plácido, Alexandra. Instituto Politécnico do Porto; PortugalFil: Coelho, Andreia. Instituto Politécnico do Porto; PortugalFil: Nascimento, Lucas Abreu. Universidade Federal do Piauí; BrasilFil: Vasconcelos, Andreanne Gomes. Universidade Federal do Piauí; BrasilFil: Barroso, María Fátima. Instituto Politécnico do Porto; PortugalFil: Ramos Jesús, Joilson. Universidade Federal do Piauí; BrasilFil: Costa, Vladimir. Instituto de Doenças Tropicais Natan Portela; BrasilFil: Lima, Francisco das Chagas Alves. Universidade Estadual do Piauí; BrasilFil: Delerue Matos, Cristina. Instituto Politécnico do Porto; PortugalFil: Ramos, Ricardo Martins. Universidade Estadual do Piauí; Brasil. Instituto Federal do Piauí; BrasilFil: Marani, Mariela Mirta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales; ArgentinaFil: Leite, José Roberto de Souza Almeida. Universidade de Brasília; Brasi

Antibacterial application of natural and carboxymethylated cashew gum-based silver nanoparticles produced by microwave-assisted synthesis

© 2019 Published by Elsevier Ltd.This study presents a green synthesis route to silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) stabilized with cashew gum (CG) or carboxymethylated cashew gum (CCG) using microwave-assisted synthesis and evaluates their antibacterial activity. The antimicrobial activity was measured by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) with Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. In both cases of the presence of CG and CCG, it was found that higher pH lead to more efficient conversion of silver nitrate to AgNPs with well dispersed, spherical and stable particles as well as low crystallinity. CCG-capped AgNPs were slightly smaller (137.0 and 96.3 nm) than those coated with non-modified gum (144.7 and 100.9 nm). The samples presented promising antibacterial activity, especially on Gram-negative bacteria, resulting in significant membrane damage on treated bacteria in comparison to the untreated control, observed by atomic force microscopy. Thus, a quick and efficient synthesis route was applied to produce CGAgNPs and CCGAgNPs with antimicrobial potential.The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from CAPES and FAPEPI; ACM are grateful to FAPESP (2014/02282-6 AND 2016/18023-5). YPM is grateful to CAPES (AUX-PERM-705/2009). The authors also acknowledge the CNPq and Capes for scholarship and financial aid. The authors are grateful to Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (MCTES funds) and European Union (European Social Fund and European Regional Development Fund), for financial support through project UID/QUI/50006/2013–POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007265 (LAQV-REQUIMTE), in the context of the COMPETE program from QREN, project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000011, in the context of the NORTE 2020 program, and fellowships SFRH/BD/97995/2013 (AP) and SFRH/BD/95983/2013 (MPdA), in the context of the POCH program, both from Portugal 2020 partnership agreement.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Structure-function studies of BPP-BrachyNH2 and synthetic analogues thereof with angiotensin I-converting enzyme

The vasoactive proline-rich oligopeptide termed BPP-BrachyNH2 (H-WPPPKVSP-NH2) induces in vitro inhibitory activity of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) in rat blood serum. In the present study, the removal of N-terminal tryptophan or C-terminal proline from BPP-BrachyNH2 was investigated in order to predict which structural components are important or required for interaction with ACE. Furthermore, the toxicological profile was assessed by in silico prediction and in vitro MTT assay. Two BPP-BrachyNH2 analogues (des-Trp(1)-BPP-BrachyNH2 and des-Pro(8)-BPP-BrachyNH2) were synthesized, and in vitro and in silico ACE inhibitory activity and toxicological profile were assessed. The des-Trp(1)-BPP-BrachyNH2 and des-Pro(8)-BPP-BrachyNH2 were respectively 3.2- and 29.5-fold less active than the BPP-BrachyNH2-induced ACE inhibitory activity. Molecular Dynamic and Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area simulations (MM-PBSA) demonstrated that the ACE/BBP-BrachyNH2 complex showed lower binding and van der Wall energies than the ACE/des-Pro(8)-BPP-BrachyNH2 complex, therefore having better stability. The removal of the N-terminal tryptophan increased the in silico predicted toxicological effects and cytotoxicity when compared with BPP-BrachyNH2 or des-Pro(8)-BPP-BrachyNH2. Otherwise, des-Pro(8)-BPP-BrachyNH2 was 190-fold less cytotoxic than BPP-BrachyNH2. Thus, the removal of C-terminal proline residue was able to markedly decrease both the BPP-BrachyNH2-induced ACE inhibitory and cytotoxic effects assessed by in vitro and in silico approaches. In conclusion, the aminoacid sequence of BPP-BrachyNH2 is essential for its ACE inhibitory activity and associated with an acceptable toxicological profile. The perspective of the interactions of BPP-BrachyNH2 with ACE found in the present study can be used for development of drugs with differential therapeutic profile than current ACE inhibitors

BR-bombesin: a novel bombesin-related peptide from the skin secretion of the Chaco tree frog (Boana raniceps) with physiological gastric effects

Bombesin mediates several biological activities in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and central nervous system in mammals, including smooth muscle contraction, secretion of GI hormones and regulation of homeostatic mechanisms. Here, we report a novel bombesin-like peptide isolated from Boana raniceps. Its amino acid sequence, GGNQWAIGHFM-NH2, was identified and structurally confirmed by HPLC, MS/MS and 454-pyrosequencing; the peptide was named BR-bombesin. The effect of BR-bombesin on smooth muscle contraction was assessed in ileum and esophagus, and its anti-secretory activity was investigated in the stomach. BR-bombesin exerted significant contractile activity with a concentration–response curve similar to that of commercially available bombesin in ileum strips of Wistar rats. In esophageal strips, BR-bombesin acted as an agonist, as many other bombesin-related peptides act, although with different behavior compared to the muscarinic agonist carbachol. Moreover, BR-bombesin inhibited stomach secretion by approximately 50% compared to the untreated control group. This novel peptide has 80% and 70% similarity with the 10-residue C-terminal domain of human neuromedin B (NMB) and human gastrin releasing peptide (GRP10), respectively. Molecular docking analysis revealed that the GRP receptor had a binding energy equal to − 7.3 kcal.mol−1 and − 8.5 kcal.mol−1 when interacting with bombesin and BR-bombesin, respectively. Taken together, our data open an avenue to investigate BR-bombesin in disorders that involve gastrointestinal tract motility and acid gastric secretion.Fil: de Sousa, Nayara Alves. Universidade Estadual do Ceará; BrasilFil: Marani, Mariela Mirta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales; ArgentinaFil: Fernandes Lopes, André Luís. Universidade Federal do Delta do Parnaíba; BrasilFil: Morais Silva, Emanuelle. Universidade Federal do Delta do Parnaíba; Brasil. Universidade Federal do Piaui; BrasilFil: Alves Barbosa, Eder. Universidade do Brasília; BrasilFil: Gomes Vasconcelos, Andreanne. Universidade do Brasília; BrasilFil: Kuzniewski, Felipe T. B.. Universidade do Brasília; BrasilFil: Sousa Lustosa, Suellen. Universidade Federal do Delta do Parnaíba; BrasilFil: Pereira Gomes, Karina. Universidade Federal de Goiás; BrasilFil: Basile Colugnati, Diego. Universidade Federal de Goiás; BrasilFil: Rocha, Jefferson A.. Universidade Federal do Maranhão; BrasilFil: Santos, Lucianna Helene. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; BrasilFil: Benquerer, Marcelo P.. Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia; BrasilFil: Quelemes, Patrick. Universidade Federal do Delta do Parnaíba; Brasil. Universidade Federal do Piaui; BrasilFil: Véras, Leiz. Universidade Federal do Delta do Parnaíba; BrasilFil: Moreira, Daniela. Universidade do Brasília; BrasilFil: Lima Gadelha, Kalinne Kelly. Universidade Estadual do Ceará; BrasilFil: Caldas Magalhães, Pedro Jorge. Universidade Estadual do Ceará; BrasilFil: Plácido, Alexandra. Universidad de Porto; PortugalFil: Eaton, Peter. Universidad de Porto; PortugalFil: Nicolau, Lucas. Universidade Federal do Delta do Parnaíba; BrasilFil: Medeiros, Jand Venes R.. Universidade Federal do Delta do Parnaíba; BrasilFil: Leite, José R. S. A.. Universidade do Brasília; Brasi

Toxicity and Teratogenic Potential of Piplartine from <i>Piper tuberculatum</i> Jacq. during Embryonic Development in Mice (<i>Mus musculus</i>)

Piplartine, also known as piperlongumine, is a natural and biologically active amide alkaloid found in various Piper species within the Piperaceae family. It possesses numerous beneficial properties that can be leveraged in the development of nanotechnological and pharmaceutical products. However, information on the effects of piplartine on mammalian embryonic development is scarce. This study aims to assess the general toxicity and teratogenic potential of piplartine during the embryonic development of mice. Pregnant mice received daily treatments of 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg of piplartine via gavage from the sixth day of gestation (implantation) to the eighteenth. On the eighteenth day, the mice were euthanized, and whole organs, blood samples (for hematological and biochemical analyses), and bone marrow cells (for DNA fragmentation and cell cycle assays) were collected. The uterus was examined for implantation sites and embryo resorptions. Additionally, fetuses were collected to assess for fetal anomalies. Piplartine did not result in maternal or embryo-fetal toxicity, induce fetal anomalies, cause hematological and biochemical alterations, or lead to DNA fragmentation. The oral administration of piplartine is safe and does not exhibit toxicity or teratogenic effects in mice. This finding opens avenues for the development of piplartine-based biotechnological products for therapeutic interventions in disease treatment

Molecular modeling of BPP-BrachyNH₂ and human ACE and <i>in silico</i> docking studies.

<p>(A) Theoretical model of BPP-BrachyNH₂ showing the structure with lower energy system; (B) theoretical model of ACE showing the structure with lower energy system; (C) Docking between BPP-BrachyNH₂/ACE; (D) binary complex relationship with zoom in and detailed interactions; and (E) interactions between the substrate and the catalytic triad His³⁸³, His³⁸⁷ and Glu⁴¹¹, indicating a probable block of the catalytic activity.</p

Acetylated cashew gum and fucan for incorporation of lycopene rich extract from red guava (Psidium guajava L.) in nanostructured systems: antioxidant and antitumor capacity

Industrial application of lycopene is limited due to its chemical instability and low bioavailability. This study proposes the development of fucan-coated acetylated cashew gum nanoparticles (NFGa) and acetylated cashew gum nanoparticles (NGa) for incorporation of the lycopene-rich extract from red guava (LEG). Size, polydispersity, zeta potential, nanoparticles concentration, encapsulation efficiency, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize nanoparticles. The antioxidant activity was determinated and cell viability was evaluated in the human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and human keratinocytes (HaCaT) by MTT assay. The toxic effect was evaluated by hemolysis test and by Galleria mellonella model. NFGa showed higher stability than NGa, having a size of 162.10 ± 3.21 nm, polydispersity of 0.348 ± 0.019, zeta potential -30.70 ± 0.53 mV, concentration of 6.4 × 109 nanoparticles/mL and 60% LEG encapsulation. Microscopic analysis revealed a spherical and smooth shape of NFGa. NFGa showed antioxidant capacity by ABTS method and ORAC assay. The NFGa presented significant cytotoxicity against MCF-7 from the lowest concentration tested (6.25-200 μg/mL) and did not affect the cell viability of the HaCaT. NFGa showed non-toxic effect in the in vitro and in vivo models. Therefore, NFGa may have a promising application in LEG stabilization for antioxidant and antitumor purposes.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio