Are structurally modified galactomannan derivatives biologically active?

Galactomannans are versatile macromolecules with broad industrial potential. The influence of changes in the chemical structures and respective bioactivities of these polysaccharides have been extensively studied. The derivatives obtained by sulfation, complexation, and phosphorylation are the most studied biological properties in galactomannans. The derivatives obtained have shown several pharmacological activities such as antiviral, antimicrobial, anticoagulant, fibrinolytic, chemopreventive, anticancer, antioxidant, chondroprotective, analgesic, immunomodulatory, and antileishmanial. Considering the relevance of these studies, we aim to provide an overview of studies that apply galactomannan modification or derivatization strategies to improve their properties for applications in the biomedical area. We identified the success of most modified galactomannans for pharmacological purposes. However, some studies found loss of bioactivity of the original polysaccharide after chemical changes to its original structures.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Chia seed mucilage (Salvia hispanica L.): An emerging biopolymer for industrial application

Biopolymers are widely distributed in nature and have a wide variety of biological properties and applications. Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) is an herbaceous plant that belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which when in contact with water exude the fraction of soluble fiber in the form of mucilage. In view of the above, this study aims to provide an overview of the characteristics and applications of chia mucilage that make it a biopolymer of industrial interest. The data collection was carried out in the databases: SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online), Science Direct, MDPI, Wiley Online Library, Springer and Periodical capes using the following descriptors: “Chia Seed Mucilage”, “Technological Properties”, “Biological Activities”, and “Applications” in alone and in association. After the critical analysis of the selected articles, it was possible to conclude that the chia mucilage has numerous and unique physical-chemical, chemical and technological properties. Applications in the food field are among the most used in view of the industrial perspective. However, the infinite potential that this biomaterial has for the pharmaceutical and agricultural industries is undeniable

Improvement of in vivo anticancer and antiangiogenic potential of thalidomide derivatives

AbstractThe strategy of antiangiogenic drugs is based on inhibiting formation of new blood vessels as alternative to limit cancer progression. In this work, we investigated the antitumor and antiangiogenic potential of eight thalidomide derivatives. Most of the molecules was not cytotoxic but 2a, 2d and 3d revealed weak antiproliferative activity on HL-60, Sarcoma 180 (S180) and normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Thalidomide, 2a and 2b were able to inhibit tumor growth (53.5%, 67.9% and 67.4%, respectively) in S180-bearing mice and presented moderate and reversible toxicity on liver, kidneys and spleens. Both analogs (2a and 2b) inhibited cell migration of endothelial (HUVEC) and melanoma cells (MDA/MB-435) at 50μg/mL. Immunohistochemistry labeling assays with CD-31 (PECAM-1) antibody showed microvascular density (MVD) was significantly reduced in thalidomide, 2a and 2b groups (30±4.9, 64.6±1.8 and 46.5±19.5%, respectively) (p<0.05). Neovascularization evaluated by Chorioallantoic Membrane Assay (CAM) with compounds 2a and 2b showed reduction of vessels’ number (12. 9±2.3 and 14.8±3.3%), neovascularization area (13.1±1.7 and 14.3±1.7%) and total length of vessels (9.2±1.5 and 9.9±1.9%). On the other hand, thalidomide did not alter vascularization parameters. Consequently, addition of thiosemicarbazone pharmacophore group into the phthalimidic ring improved the in vivo antitumor and antiangiogenic potential of the analogs 2a and 2b

Atividade Hipoglicemiante da trans-desidrocrotonina extraída do Croton cajucara encapsulada em microesferas de copolímero de ácido láctico e glicólico

O objetivo deste trabalho foi obter microesferas de PLGA contendo trans-desidrocrotonina, caracterizá-las físico-quimicamente, avaliar seu perfil de liberação in vitro e atividade hipoglicêmica in vivo. As microesferas de PLGA foram obtidas pelo método de emulsão múltipla seguido da evaporação do solvente. A morfologia das microesferas foi avaliada por microscopia óptica e microscopia eletrônica de varredura. O doseamento químico da DCTN encapsulada nas microesferas de PLGA foi quantificado por espectrofotometria de ultra-violeta (UV). A cinética de liberação in vitro das microesferas foi realizada através da dissolução em tampão fosfato pH 7,4, simulando as condições fisiológicas do organismo. Em intervalos de tempo predeterminado as amostras foram coletadas , filtradas e armazenadas para posterior análise do conteúdo da DCTN. A avaliação in vivo foi realizada em camundongos albinos Swiss normais e diabéticos, induziu-se a diabetes com estreptozotocina; a DCTN (50 mg.Kg 1) foi administrada pela via oral durante 7 dias e a glicemia avaliada diariamente. Os resultados demonstraram que a eficiência da encapsulação foi de 85,46 ± 3,87 %. As partículas apresentaram forma esférica e tamanho médio de 3,11 ± 0,56 &#956;m. A cinética in vitro mostrou um perfil de liberação gradual que atingiu aproximadamente 60 % em 3 dias. A DCTN encapsulada apresentou uma melhoria na biodisponibilidade, reduzindo a glicemia de animais normais, no entanto nenhum resultado estatisticamente significativo foi obtido nos animais acometidos pela diabetes nesta dose durante uma semana. Microesferas contendo DCTN possuem um uso potencial no controle de alguns estados hiperglicêmico

Biopolymer from water kefir as a potential clean-label ingredient for health applications: evaluation of new properties

The present work aimed to characterize the exopolysaccharide obtained from water kefir grains (EPSwk), a symbiotic association of probiotic microorganisms. New findings of the technological, mechanical, and biological properties of the sample were studied. The EPSwk polymer presented an Mw of 6.35 x 10(5) Da. The biopolymer also showed microcrystalline structure and characteristic thermal stability with maximum thermal degradation at 250 degrees C. The analysis of the monosaccharides of the EPSwk by gas chromatography demonstrated that the material is composed of glucose units (98 mol%). Additionally, EPSwk exhibited excellent emulsifying properties, film-forming ability, a low photodegradation rate (3.8%), and good mucoadhesive properties (adhesion Fmax of 1.065 N). EPSwk presented cytocompatibility and antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The results of this study expand the potential application of the exopolysaccharide from water kefir as a potential clean-label raw material for pharmaceutical, biomedical, and cosmetic applications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio