Mentha aquatica L. extract effects on mitochondrial bioenergetics

Mentha aquatica (water mint) extracts are regularly used in food flavoring and pharmacology. In the present study, the possible effects of an ethanolic extract from leaves of M. aquatica L. on rat liver mitochondria bioenergetics were evaluated. The plant extract (25 μg·mg protein−1) but not the vehicle, inhibited the mitochondrial oxidative system, as seen by a depression of respiration (state 3, respiratory control ratio (RCR), FCCP stimulated respiration) and lower generation of the transmembrane electric potential using glutamate+malate and succinate as respiratory substrates. The depressing effects in oxidative phosphorylation can probably be related with the polyphenolic composition of the extract (mainly eriodictyol-7-O-rutinoside, luteolin-7-O-rutinoside, naringenin- 7-O-rutinoside, hesperitin-7-O-rutinoside and rosmarinic acid) that can interact with membrane and change the inner mitochondrial membrane lipidic moiety. Despite decreasing the RCR, the presence of M. aquatica extract did not affect the mitochondrial phosphorylative capacity, as estimated by the ADP/O ratio. No significant increase in inner mitochondrial membrane permeability was observed and induction of mitochondrial permeability transition pore was not altered in the range of concentrations tested (up to 25 μg·mg protein−1) either. For the highest concentrations tested (25 μg·mg protein−1 or higher) the inhibition observed on the mitochondrial respiratory chain, as reflected by FCCP-stimulated respiration, revealed that M. aquatica ethanolic extract is toxic for mitochondrial bioenergetics. In conclusion, the presente study suggests that a high daily consumption of an ethanolic extract of M. aquatica leaves should be regarded as hazardous

Development of a cosmos solid emulsion

Natural products are becoming a trend in the cosmetic market, due to a growing awareness and concern with the origin of these products. The certification of natural products, especially organic ones under the COSMOS signature preserves the integrity of the constituents, in an environmentally appropriate and safe for human health, expanding the concept of "green chemistry”, guaranteeing the origin, and processing of the products, storage, manufacturing, packaging, etc. The objective of this study was to develop a moisturizing cosmetic emulsion in the solid format according to COSMOS certification, with guarantee the quality of the product in a new concept of solid cosmetic. 59 tests were carried out to optimise this emulsion, with the best possible hydration level. The different tests included variations in components and their amounts, following be evaluation of sensory aspects for each formulation. The final cosmetic emulsion formulation (Figure 1) contains components of Portuguese origin such as grape seeds oil from Douro Valley, olive oil and extract of by-products of acorn (Quercus Ilex L.) and essential oils of mandarin, geranium, coriander and cinnamon. The formulation has undergone accelerated stability tests with temperatures (40 ºC /-12 ºC). The pH, density and organoleptic characteristics were evaluate. The phenolic profile of acorn by-product (Quercus ilex L.) was performe by UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS2. A questionnaire was applying to evaluate the acceptance after use of the moisturizing cosmetic emulsion. In stability tests, overall the formulation showed small color variations and less aroma intensity, maintaining hydration and solid state. The pH changes were from 4.68 ± 0.006 to 4.78 ± 0.05 and the density was maintaining at 0.73 kg/m3 . The polar extract of acorn by-product have as major compounds trigalloyl-HHDP-glucose, valoneic acid dilactone and gallic acid, known as antioxidants compounds. The essential oils bring beneficial properties to the skin and the aroma. In the post use of solid emulsion survey applied shown that “aroma” was the second point most valorised (47.6%), after “hydration” (90.5%). The results shown that the majority of participants (81.0%) were “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the solid emulsion indicating the intention to use it if it is on the market (76.2%). This study highlights the research in reformulations from liquid to solid products, and the potential of using Portuguese raw materials such as acorn.Thanks to FCT (Portugal) and the ERDF under the PT2020 Program for financial support to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020) and LAQVREQUIMTE (UIDB/50006/2020). SMC acknowledges the research contract (project AgroForWealth, CENTRO-01-0145- FEDER000001).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Polyphenols characterization and toxicological evaluation of pterospartum tridentatum leaf water extracts

Pterospartum tridentatum Willk. (prickled broom) is an autochthonous and common plant in Portugal. Leaves and stems are normally used in cooking, to flavour rice, roast meat or hunting animals. Leaves are also used as a condiment in fresh salads and, despite of its traditional use, no toxicological evaluation has been performed. P. tridentatum leaves aqueous extract ESI-MS spectrum revealed the presence of several luteolin and isorhamnetin derived phenolic compounds, which can be associated to the health benefits claimed for this plant species. Still, P. tridentatum leaves extract (up to 100 µg plant extract.mg-1 protein) stimulated state 4 and FCCP-stimulated liver mitochondria respiratory rates and inhibited the state 3 respiratory rate. Respiratory control ratio was diminished, indicating a decrease in phosphorylative efficiency due to inner mitochondrial membrane induced by P. tridentatum leaves extract. Nevertheless, previous results, cytotoxicity evaluation by MTT assay (50 and 125 µg plant extract) showed no significant decrease on HepG2 cell viability. Overall, the present study suggests that the consumption of P. tridentatum leaves should be regarded as safe

Toxicological evaluation of pterospartum tridentatum flower water

Pterospartum tridentatum Willk. (prickled broom) is an autochthonous plant, common in Portuguese territory. The yellow flowers are widely used in traditional medicine, as a potential cure for all body illnesses, mainly for throat irritation treatment or for diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia therapy. Despite its wide traditional use, no toxicological assessment of this plant has been performed, as far as we know. The major goal of this work was the P. tridentatum water extracts safety assessment. Methodology: Chemical characterization of MS analysis of P. tridentatum flower extract was performed by ESI-MS spectroscopy; phenols and quercetins content were also determined. Antioxidant activity was evaluated through -carotene bleaching test and ABTS radical-scavenging activity. Oxygen consumption of isolated mitochondria was determined polarographically with a Clark oxygen electrode and mitochondrial respiratory rates evaluated accordingly to Chance and Williams (1956) and mitochondrial swelling was evaluated the apparent absorbance changes at 520 nm. Results and discussion: A high antioxidant activity of P. tridentatum flower water extract was assessed in good agreement with its ESI-MS spectrum that revealed the presence of several flavonoids, as luteolin-O-(O-acetyl)-glucuronide, luteolin-Oglucuronide or isorhamnetin-O-hexoside. Mitocondrial respiratory rates (state 4, state 3 and FCCP-stimulated respiration) and respiratory indexes (respiratory control and P/O ratios) showed no consistent decrease of respiratory and phosphorylative efficiencies for the concentrations tested (up to 500 μg.mL-1). In conclusion, for the concentration range commonly used P. tridentatum flowers usage can be regarded as harmless and trustworthy and due to its great antioxidant properties it is useful to counteract diabetes mellitus associated diseases

Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Modulation by a New Spider Toxin Ssp1a Isolated From an Australian Theraphosid

Given the important role of voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channel-modulating spider toxins in elucidating the function, pharmacology, and mechanism of action of therapeutically relevant NaV channels, we screened the venom from Australian theraphosid species against the human pain target hNaV1.7. Using assay-guided fractionation, we isolated a 33-residue inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) peptide (Ssp1a) belonging to the NaSpTx1 family. Recombinant Ssp1a (rSsp1a) inhibited neuronal hNaV subtypes with a rank order of potency hNaV1.7 > 1.6 > 1.2 > 1.3 > 1.1. rSsp1a inhibited hNaV1.7, hNaV1.2 and hNaV1.3 without significantly altering the voltage-dependence of activation, inactivation, or delay in recovery from inactivation. However, rSsp1a demonstrated voltage-dependent inhibition at hNaV1.7 and rSsp1a-bound hNaV1.7 opened at extreme depolarizations, suggesting rSsp1a likely interacted with voltage-sensing domain II (VSD II) of hNaV1.7 to trap the channel in its resting state. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed key structural features of Ssp1a, including an amphipathic surface with hydrophobic and charged patches shown by docking studies to comprise the interacting surface. This study provides the basis for future structure-function studies to guide the development of subtype selective inhibitors

Anatomy and imaging of rat prostate: practical monitoring in experimental cancer-induced protocols

The rat has been frequently used as a model to study several human diseases, including cancer. In many research protocols using cancer models, researchers find it difficult to perform several of the most commonly used techniques and to compare their results. Although the protocols for the study of carcinogenesis are based on the macroscopic and microscopic anatomy of organs, few studies focus on the use of imaging. The use of imaging modalities to monitor the development of cancer avoids the need for intermediate sacrifice to assess the status of induced lesions, thus reducing the number of animals used in experiments. Our work intends to provide a complete and systematic overview of rat prostate anatomy and imaging, facilitating the monitoring of prostate cancer development through different imaging modalities, such as ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).publishe

Sexualidade e género no discurso dos media : um projecto de investigação no CIDTFF

Neste poster será apresentado um projecto de investigação em curso no Centro de Investigação Didáctica e Tecnologia na Formação de Formadores – CIDTFF da Universidade de Aveiro, que tem por objectivos: i) analisar o repertório das representações de sexualidade e de género simbolizado no discurso dos media enquanto estratégia de constituição de identidades e subjectividades culturais; ii) integrar nas competências profissionais dos(as) professores(as) a abordagem didáctica de novos suportes, conteúdos e linguagens dos media que as crianças e jovens usam no seu quotidiano; iii) avaliar o impacte de dispositivos metodológicos de questionamento do currículo cultural desenhado pelos media na qualidade da formação inicial e contínua de professores(as)

Sexualidade e género nas revistas juvenis : o caso da Bravo

Publicado em "Sexualidade e educação sexual : políticas educativas, investigação e práticas", ISBN 978-972-8746-91-9CIDTFF-Universidade de Aveir