Dose-dependent in vitro inhibition of rabbit corneal matrix metalloproteinases by an extract of Pothomorphe umbellata after alkali injury

The in vitro ability of Pothomorphe umbellata ethanolic crude extract to inhibit matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) in normal cornea and in cornea after alkali injury was demonstrated. Corneas of albino rabbits were injured with 1 N NaOH for 20 s. After 48 h the corneas were excised, homogenized and analyzed for MMP-9 (92 kDa), pro-MMP-2 (72 kDa) and MMP-2 (67 kDa) activity by gelatin zymography. The activity was also measured in untreated corneas. After electrophoresis of 20 µg protein, gels were incubated with 50, 100, or 250 µg/mL lyophilized hydroethanolic (1:1) root crude extract of P. umbellata standardized for 4-nerolidylcatechol (7.09%). The activity of the enzymes was compared with that of untreated gel. At 48 h after injury, the activity of all MMPs was increased compared with untreated eyes. When the gels were incubated with P. umbellata extract the activity of MMP-2, pro-MMP-2 and MMP-9 decreased in a dose-dependent manner. MMP-9 activity decreased by approximately 50% after incubation with 50 µg/mL and was completely abolished at 100 and 250 µg/mL of the extract. After incubation with 50 µg/mL the activity of pro-MMP-2 and MMP-2 also decreased by 50%. The activity of pro-MMP-2 was almost completely abolished after incubation with 250 µg/mL of the extract. For MMP-2 the incubation with 100 or 250 µg/mL of the extract of P. umbellata promoted a 10-fold decrease in activity. In conclusion, P. umbellata root crude extract can be useful as an alternative therapy to control MMP activity after corneal injury

Antioxidant activity of the microalga Spirulina maxima

Spirulina maxima, which is used as a food additive, is a microalga rich in protein and other essential nutrients. Spirulina contains phenolic acids, tocopherols and ß-carotene which are known to exhibit antioxidant properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of a Spirulina extract. The antioxidant activity of a methanolic extract of Spirulina was determined in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro antioxidant capacity was tested on a brain homogenate incubated with and without the extract at 37oC. The IC50 (concentration which causes a 50% reduction of oxidation) of the extract in this system was 0.18 mg/ml. The in vivo antioxidant capacity was evaluated in plasma and liver of animals receiving a daily dose of 5 mg for 2 and 7 weeks. Plasma antioxidant capacity was measured in brain homogenate incubated for 1 h at 37oC. The production of oxidized compounds in liver after 2 h of incubation at 37oC was measured in terms of thiobarbituric acid reactant substances (TBARS) in control and experimental groups. Upon treatment, the antioxidant capacity of plasma was 71% for the experimental group and 54% for the control group. Data from liver spontaneous peroxidation studies were not significantly different between groups. The amounts of phenolic acids, <FONT FACE="Symbol">a</FONT>-tocopherol and ß-carotene were determined in Spirulina extracts. The results obtained indicate that Spirulina provides some antioxidant protection for both in vitro and in vivo systems

Produtividade da couve-flor em função da idade de transplantio das mudas e tamanhos de células na bandeja Cauliflower production depending on age of seedling and cell size of the trays

O experimento foi realizado de novembro de 2000 a abril de 2001, na UNESP em São Manuel (SP). Estudou-se o efeito do tamanho da célula da bandeja de poliestireno expandido e a idade de transplantio das mudas sobre a produção de couve-flor, híbrido Shiromaru II. Usaram-se bandejas com 128 e 288 células, correspondentes a 34,6 e 9,7 cm³/célula, respectivamente, e mudas transplantadas aos 27, 34, 41 e 48 dias após a semeadura. Os tratamentos foram arranjados como fatorial 2 x 4, dispostos no delineamento de blocos casualizados, com cinco repetições. Foram avaliados, por ocasião do transplantio, o número de folhas, peso fresco, peso seco e área foliar das mudas. A parcela experimental no campo foi constituída por dez plantas. Nas colheitas, avaliaram-se a porcentagem de plantas com cabeça comercial e nestas, o número de folhas, peso fresco e diâmetro da cabeça. A produção total por parcela foi obtida com a soma do peso fresco de todas as cabeças consideradas comerciais. A produção de mudas em bandejas com 128 células proporcionou maior porcentagem de plantas comerciais (64%) relativamente às bandejas com 288 células (45%), maior peso médio de cabeça (337 g na bandeja com 128 e 247 g na bandeja com 288 células) e maior produção de plantas comerciais (36,9 t/ha em bandeja de 128 células e 19,9 t/ha em bandeja de 288 células). As mudas transplantadas com 32 dias apresentaram maior peso médio de cabeça (319 g). Concluiu-se ser recomendável produzir mudas de couve-flor em bandejas com 128 células.<br>The experiment was carried out from November/2000 to April/2001, in São Manuel, São Paulo State, Brazil. The effect of cell size of two polyestyrene trays and age of seedling at transplanting date was observed, on the production of cauliflower, hybrid Shiromaru II. Trays with 128 and 288 cells, corresponding to 34.6 and 9.7 cm³/cell, respectively, were used with seedlings transplanted at 27; 34; 41 and 48 days after sowing date. The treatments were arranged in a factorial 2 x 4, in a randomized block design, with five replication. Leaf number and area, fresh and dry weight of the seedlings at transplanting date was evaluated. The experimental plot was represented by ten plants. The commercial curd production (%), leaf number, curd weight and diameter were evaluated after harvest. Total yield represents the sum of the fresh weight of all commercial curds. Seedlings produced in 128 cells tray resulted in greater commercial curd percentage (64%) when compared to trays with 288 cells (45%), greater curd weight (337 g and 247 g when produced in trays with 128 or 288 cells, respectively) and greater total commercial curds (36.9 t/ha and 19.9 t/ha when produced in 128 or 288 cells trays). Seedlings transplanted 32 days after planting date resulted in plants with the greatest curd weight (319 g). Based on the obtained results, it is recommended to produce cauliflower seedlings in trays with 128 cells

Onion seedling production in styrofoam trays under controlled environment, as summer-planted onions Plantas de cebola produzidas em bandejas sob cultivo protegido, no verão

Summer-planted onion (Allium cepa L.) can increase grower profits, but the production of seedlings for transplant is difficult. This experiment was carried out in Piracicaba, SP, Brazil, with the objective of studying the behavior of the short-day onion hybrid Mercedes, in its initial stage, under controlled greenhouse environment, as summer-planted onions. Four formulated substrates, two different numbers of plants per cell were tested, and 288-cell styrofoam trays used. Trials were set up in split-plot design (n=3). Substrate and number of plants per cell represented main plots, and N application (2 and 3 times a week) the subplots. The number of three plants per cell decrease the earlier onset of bulbing and increase plant height; substrates did not show differences; and the N application 3 times a week increased plant height and leaf dry weight, but did not result in earlier onset of bulbing.<br>Uma das dificuldades do cultivo do verão da cebola (Allium cepa L.), que permite maior lucro pois esta é a época de entressafra, é a produção de plantas para o transplante. Com o objetivo de verificar o comportamento na fase de muda do híbrido Mercedes, sob cultivo protegido como cultura de verão, o experimento foi instalado em estufa, em Piracicaba, SP com bandejas de isopor de 288 células. Foram testados quatro substratos. e dois números de plantas por células (3 e 4 plantas/célula), sendo sub-plot a suplementação mineral com nitrogênio 2 e 3 vezes por semana com nitrato de cálcio + nitrato de potássio. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com fatorial 4 x 2 em parcelas subdivididas, e três repetições. A densidade de três plantas por célula apresentou menor taxa de bulbificação precoce e maior altura da planta; não houve diferença quanto aos substratos e que a aplicação de nitrogênio três vezes por semana apresentou os maiores valores de altura da planta e peso da matéria seca da parte aérea, não apresentando bulbificação precoce das plantas