Estudo fitoquímico e atividade antimicrobiana in vitro do extrato das sementes de passiflora edulis sims e formulações farmacêuticas

Passiflora edulis Sims (Passion fruit) belongs to Passifloraceae family which has about 16 genera and 600 species. The Passiflora genus is considered the most representative, with 135 plant species. This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical profile, and the in vitro antimicrobial activity of extract from the seed of Passiflora edulis Sims, and to develop pharmaceutical formulations. It was observed in phytochemical screening, the presence of phenols, such as flavonoids, condensed tannins, and coumarins, also saponins and alkaloids. Quantification of total polyphenols and flavonoids were held totaling 480 ± 4,833 (mgGA)/g e 12,4 ± 0,014 (mgQE)/g, respectively. It was found in the Thin Layer Chromatography Analysis, the suggestive appearance of fixed oil in hexane fraction revealed, with iodine vapor, and presence of phenolic compounds in the dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions by using the mobile phase of hexane and ethyl acetate (Hex:AcOEt) when revealed using FeCl3. The LC-MSn analysis provided the fragmentation profile of the phenolic compound (PC) confirming the existence of a new Isoflavone organic molecule. The extract showed potential antioxidant fifteen times greater when compared to standard trolox (mg/g). It was used diffusion in agar and microdilution techniques, with the extract and pharmaceutical formulations developed: 5% gel, 1% solution, and 5% intimate soap with its stability checked for three days, also with the evaluation of the microbiological quality control. The extract has shown greater inhibition potential on Gram-positive bacteria for the clinical isolate of Enterococcus faecalis (10.50 mm), and formulations have not shown activity by agar method. Quantitative analysis has confirmed better bactericidal potential of extract on Enterococcus faecalis MBC (0.6mg/mL), and the gel has shown better activity on Corynebacterium diphtheriae ATCC 27010 MBC (0.017mg/mL). The extract has shown better effect on 042 EAEC serotype (11.33 mm) of all Gram-negative bacteria studied by the technique in agar. The response of the extract with better bactericidal effect on quantitative analysis was on Morganella morganii (0.6mg/mL). In this study, the best responses were observed on clinical isolates of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and Candida glabrata, wherein the extract and the formulations showed strong antifungal potential. There was resistance from Candida parapsilosis on the extract, and the pharmaceutical formulations. Only 1% of the solution haven’t showed activity on the microorganisms analyzed by the techniques described.O Passiflora edulis Sims (maracujá-amarelo) pertence à família Passifloraceae que possui cerca de 16 gêneros e 600 espécies. O gênero Passiflora é considerado o mais representativo, com 135 espécies vegetais. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o perfil fitoquímico e a atividade antimicrobiana in vitro do extrato das sementes de Passiflora edulis Sims e desenvolver formulações farmacêuticas. Observou-se na triagem fitoquímica a presença de fenóis como flavonoides, taninos condensados e cumarinas além de saponinas e alcaloides. A quantificação de polifenóis totais e flavonoides foram realizadas totalizando 480 ± 4,833 (mgGA)/g e 12,4 ± 0,014 (mgQE)/g respectivamente. Foram identificadas nas análises de CCD o aparecimento sugestivo de óleo fixo na fração hexânica revelada com vapores de iodo e presença de compostos fenólicos nas frações diclorometano e acetato de etila utilizando fase móvel hexano e acetato de etila (Hex:AcOEt) quando revelada com FeCl3. As análises por LC-MSn forneceram os perfis de fragmentação do composto fenólico (CF) confirmando a existência de uma nova molécula orgânica Isoflavona. O extrato apresentou quinze vezes maior potencial antioxidante quando comparado ao padrão trolox (mg/g). Utilizou-se as técnicas de perfuração em ágar e macrodiluição com o extrato e as formulações farmacêuticas desenvolvidas: gel 5%, solução 1% e sabonete íntimo 5% com suas estabilidades verificadas por três dias, além da avaliação do controle de qualidade microbiológico. O extrato apresentou maior potencial de inibição contra bactérias Gram-positivas para o isolado clínico de Enterococcus faecalis (10,50 mm) e as formulações não manifestaram atividade pela técnica em ágar. As análises quantitativas confirmaram melhor potencial bactericida do extrato contra Enterococcus faecalis CBM (0,6 mg/mL) e o gel apresentou melhor atividade contra Corynebacterium diphtheriae ATCC 27010 CBM (0,017 mg/mL). A melhor ação do extrato foi contra o sorotipo EAEC 042 (11,33 mm) de todas as bactérias Gram-negativas estudas pela técnica em ágar. A resposta do extrato com melhor ação bactericida nas análises quantitativas foi contra Morganella morganii (0,6 mg/mL). Neste estudo as melhores respostas observadas foram contra os isolados clínicos de Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis e Candida glabrata, onde o extrato e as formulações apresentaram forte potencial antifúngico. Houve resistência de Candida parapsilosis sobre o extrato e as formulações farmacêuticas. E apenas a solução 1% não apresentou nenhuma atividade sobre os micro-organismos analisados pelas técnicas descritas

The use of multiple correspondence analysis to explore associations between categories of qualitative variables in healthy ageing

In pressPopulation studies are often characterized by a plethora of data that includes quantitative to qualitative variables. The main focus of this study was to illustrate the applicability of multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) in detecting and representing underlying structures in large datasets used to investigate cognitive ageing. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to obtain main cognitive dimensions (based on the continuous neurocognitive test variables) and MCA to detect and explore relationships of cognitive, clinical, physical and lifestyle categorical variables across the low-dimensional space. Altogether the technique allows to not only simplify complex data, providing a detailed description of the data and yielding a simple and exhaustive analysis, but also to handle a large and diverse dataset comprised of quantitative, qualitative, objective and subjective data. Two PCA dimensions were identified (general cognition/executive function and memory) and two main MCA dimensions were retained. As expected, poorer cognitive performance was associated with older age, less school years, unhealthier lifestyle indicators and presence of pathology. Interestingly, the first MCA dimension indicated the clustering of general/executive function and lifestyle indicators and education, while the second association between memory and clinical parameters and age. The clustering analysis with object scores method was used to identify groups sharing similar characteristics within each of the identified dimensions. Following MCA findings, the weaker cognitive clusters in terms of memory and executive function comprised individuals with characteristics contributing to a higher MCA dimensional mean score (age, less education and presence of indicators of unhealthier lifestyle habits and/or clinical pathologies). MCA provided a powerful tool to explore complex ageing data, covering multiple and diverse variables, showing not only if a relationship exists between variables but also how they are related, offering at the same time statistical results can be seen both analytically and visually.EC -European Commissio

Adult body height is a good predictor of different dimensions of cognitive function in aged individuals: a cross-sectional study

Background: Adult height, weight, and adiposity measures have been suggested by some studies to be predictors of depression, cognitive impairment, and dementia. However, the presence of confounding factors and the lack of a thorough neuropsychological evaluation in many of these studies have precluded a definitive conclusion about the influence of anthropometric measures in cognition and depression. In this study we aimed to assess the value of height, weight, and abdominal perimeter to predict cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms in aged individuals. Methods and Findings: Cross-sectional study performed between 2010 and 2012 in the Portuguese general community. A total of 1050 participants were included in the study and randomly selected from local area health authority registries. The cohort was representative of the general Portuguese population with respect to age (above 50 years of age) and gender. Cognitive function was assessed using a battery of tests grouped in two dimensions: general executive function and memory. Two-step hierarchical multiple linear regression models were conducted to determine the predictive value of anthropometric measures in cognitive performance and mood before and after correction for possible confounding factors (gender, age, school years, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking habits). We found single associations of weight, height, body mass index, abdominal perimeter, and age with executive function, memory and depressive symptoms. However, when included in a predictive model adjusted for gender, age, school years, and lifestyle factors only height prevailed as a significant predictor of general executive function (beta, = 0.139; p < 0.001) and memory (beta = 0.099; p 0.05). No relation was found between mood and any of the anthropometric measures studied. Conclusions and Relevance: Height is an independent predictor of cognitive function in late-life and its effects on the general and executive function and memory are independent of age, weight, education level, gender, and lifestyle factors. Altogether, our data suggests that modulators of adult height during childhood may irreversibly contribute to cognitive function in adult life and that height should be used in models to predict cognitive performance.European Commission (FP7) “SwitchBox” (Contract HEALTH-F2-2010-259772) project and co-financed by the Portuguese North Regional Operational Program (ON.2—O Novo Norte) under the National Strategic Reference Framework (QREN), through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), and by Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian—Inovar em Saúde (“Envelhecimento cognitivo saudável—proporcionar saúde mental no processo biológico do envelhecimento,” Contract P-139977). NCS is supported by a SwitchBox post-doctoral fellowshi

Exploring the factor structure of neurocognitive measures in older individuals

Here we focus on factor analysis from a best practices point of view, by investigating the factor structure of neuropsychological tests and using the results obtained to illustrate on choosing a reasonable solution. The sample (n=1051 individuals) was randomly divided into two groups: one for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and principal component analysis (PCA), to investigate the number of factors underlying the neurocognitive variables; the second to test the "best fit" model via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). For the exploratory step, three extraction (maximum likelihood, principal axis factoring and principal components) and two rotation (orthogonal and oblique) methods were used. The analysis methodology allowed exploring how different cognitive/psychological tests correlated/discriminated between dimensions, indicating that to capture latent structures in similar sample sizes and measures, with approximately normal data distribution, reflective models with oblimin rotation might prove the most adequate.The study is integrated in the ‘‘Maintaining health in old age through homeostasis (SWITCHBOX)’’ (http://www.switchbox-online.eu/) collaborative project funded by the European Commission FP7 initiative (grant HEALTH-F2-2010-259772) and co-financed by the Portuguese North Regional Operational Program (ON.2 – O Novo Norte) under the National Strategic Reference Framework (QREN), through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER). NCS is supported by a SwitchBox post-doctoral fellowship, LA and PSM are supported by "MyHealth” project (Contract DoIT-13853)" doctoral fellowships

Avaliação do consumo de plantas medicinais por pacientes em tratamento oncológico / Evaluation of consumption of medicinal plants by patients undergoing câncer treatment

A procura por terapias alternativas pelos pacientes que fazem tratamento quimioterápico tem sido cada vez mais comum nos ambulatórios oncológicos e as plantas medicinais têm sido frequentemente apontadas por estes pacientes, com intuito de tratar ou amenizar sintomas adversos. Objetivo: avaliar o consumo de plantas medicinais em associação aos quimioterápicos por pacientes oncológicos. Método: revisão integrativa de literatura realizada através dos bancos de dados: U. S. National Library of Medicine (PubMed) e Google Scholar (Google acadêmico) utilizando os DECS (Descritores em Ciência da Saúde). Foram selecionados os artigos completos disponíveis nos idiomas português, inglês ou espanhol, sem recorte temporal, excluindo-se os duplicados e os que não responderam diretamente à pergunta norteadora, totalizando 15 artigos. Resultados: os anos com maior número de publicações entre os artigos selecionados foi referente a 2019 e 2020 (n=5; 33,33%). Quanto ao idioma, observou-se o predomínio do inglês, com 53,33% (n=8). Estudos mais aprofundados sobre o tema são de origem Oriental (n=3, 20%). As plantas medicinais mais citadas nas pesquisas com relação a atividade antineoplásica foram:  Curcuma longa, (n=3; 20%), Centella asiática (n=2; 13,33%) e Panax ginseng (n=2, 13,33%). Além disso, a maioria dos artigos (n=8; 53,33%) discutiram que o potencial anticarcinogênico das plantas medicinais têm relação com os metabólitos secundários do grupo dos flavonoides. Os estudos relatam (n=4; 26,6%) a prevalência do uso de plantas medicinais em associação com a quimioterapia, principalmente, por idosos que se encontram em tratamento oncológico. Conclusão: as plantas medicinais em sua grande maioria, são vistas como produtos seguros por esses pacientes, e quando utilizadas de forma inadequada, produzem reações adversas e interações medicamentosas atrapalhando o segmento proposto pelo médico para esses pacientes e como consequência, o comprometimento do sucesso do tratamento contra o câncer. Por isso faz se necessário novas investigações através de testes clínicos com maiores evidências a respeito de mecanismos de ação in vitro e in vivo das plantas medicinais com atividade antineoplásica

Avaliação do consumo de suplementos nutricionais em praticantes de atividade física: revisão integrativa / Evaluation of the consumption of nutritional supplements in physical activity practitioners: an integrative review

Objetivo: avaliar o consumo de suplementos nutricionais em praticantes de atividade física. Método: revisão integrativa da literatura, realizada no Scielo, PubMed e Google Acadêmico, utilizando para a base de dados trabalhos entre 2013 e 2020. Foram selecionados os artigos completos disponíveis nos idiomas português, inglês e espanhol, excluindo-se os duplicados e os que não corresponderam à pergunta norteadora, totalizando 20 artigos. Resultados: O ano com maior número de publicações foi o de 2017, que apresentou 13 trabalhos (n=13; 65%). Observou-se o predomínio de estudos em português, com 90% (n=18). Os suplementos nutricionais mais consumidos foram os de origem proteica Whey Protein em 65% dos artigos (n=13). Ainda, 55% dos trabalhos (n=11) realizaram a pesquisa em academias. Entretanto, apenas 4 artigos (n=4, 20%) abordam os efeitos adversos do uso indiscriminado de suplementos alimentares. Em relação à prescrição da suplementação alimentar, apontados em 50% dos trabalhos inclusos (n=10), a maioria desses (n=50%) concluiu que o educador físico é o profissional que mais indica esse consumo, seguido da auto suplementação (n=4, 40%). Nenhum trabalho (n=0) inseriu o médico como o profissional que prescreveu o suplemento nutricional para o praticante de atividade física e somente 15% dos artigos incluídos (n=3) citaram o tempo de utilização desses suplementos. Conclusão: Aumento do consumo de suplementos nutricionais entre os praticantes de atividade física em especial por praticantes de musculação e, na maioria dos casos, sem orientação adequada

Farmacogenética aplicada à oncologia: terapia personalizada / Pharmacogenetics applied to oncology: personalized therapy

As especulações por terapêuticas seguras e eficazes contra o câncer vêm trazendo bons resultados com o avanço tecnológico, e uma delas é a mais nova área da farmacogenética, a qual visa compreender os diversos fatores que influenciam no tratamento dos pacientes, como a adesão, as sequelas advindas de falhas terapêuticas e possíveis intoxicações, uma vez que cada indivíduo tem uma resposta única a cada medicamento devido as suas características genéticas. O artigo demonstrará as vantagens da farmacogenética na oncologia e na terapia personalizada, por meio de uma revisão sistemática, e evidenciará os possíveis benefícios que o tratamento aliado ao estudo genético proporcionará a população, que preza por métodos terapêuticos mais eficientes e com menos efeitos adversos, ao contrário dos modelos atuais

The use of Bayesian latent class cluster models to classify patterns of cognitive performance in healthy ageing

The main focus of this study is to illustrate the applicability of latent class analysis in the assessment of cognitive performance profiles during ageing. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to detect main cognitive dimensions (based on the neurocognitive test variables) and Bayesian latent class analysis (LCA) models (without constraints) were used to explore patterns of cognitive performance among community-dwelling older individuals. Gender, age and number of school years were explored as variables. Three cognitive dimensions were identified: general cognition (MMSE), memory (MEM) and executive (EXEC) function. Based on these, three latent classes of cognitive performance profiles (LC1 to LC3) were identified among the older adults. These classes corresponded to stronger to weaker performance patterns (LC1>LC2>LC3) across all dimensions; each latent class denoted the same hierarchy in the proportion of males, age and number of school years. Bayesian LCA provided a powerful tool to explore cognitive typologies among healthy cognitive agers.The study is integrated in the "Maintaining health in old age through homeostasis (SWITCHBOX)" collaborative project funded by the European Commission FP7 initiative (grant HEALTH-F2-2010-259772). NS and JAP are main team members of the European consortium SWITCHBOX (http://www.switchbox-online.eu/). NCS is supported by a SwitchBox post-doctoral fellowship. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Mood is a key determinant of cognitive performance in community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional analysis

First Online: 06 October 2012Identification of predictors of cognitive trajectories through the establishment of composite or single-parameter dimensional categories of cognition and mood may facilitate development of strategies to improve quality of life in the elderly. Participants (n = 487, aged 50+ years) were representative of the Portuguese population in terms of age, gender, and educational status. Cognitive and mood profiles were established using a battery of neurocognitive and psychological tests. Data were subjected to principal component analysis to identify core dimensions of cognition and mood, encompassing multiple test variables. Dimensions were correlated with age and with respect to gender, education, and occupational status. Cluster analysis was applied to isolate distinct patterns of cognitive performance and binary logistic regression models to explore interrelationships between aging, cognition, mood, and socio-demographic characteristics. Four main dimensions were identified: memory, executive function, global cognitive status, and mood. Based on these, strong and weak cognitive performers were distinguishable. Cluster analysis revealed further distinction within these two main categories into very good, good, poor, and very poor performers. Mood was the principal factor contributing to the separation between very good and good, as well as poor and very poor, performers. Clustering was also influenced by gender and education, albeit to a lesser extent; notably, however, female gender × lower educational background predicted significantly poorer cognitive performance with increasing age. Mood has a significant impact on the rate of cognitive decline in the elderly. Gender and educational level are early determinants of cognitive performance in later life.This work was funded by the European Commission (FP7) “SwitchBox” (Contract HEALTH-F2-2010-259772). NCS is supported by a SwitchBox post-doctoral fellowship. We are thankful to all study participants. The authors would like to acknowledge all colleagues who assisted with participant recruitment and evaluation

Patterns of Cognitive Performance in Healthy Ageing in Northern Portugal: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Background: The Minho Integrative Neuroscience Database (MIND)-Ageing project aims to identify predictors of healthy cognitive ageing, including socio-demographic factors. In this exploratory analysis we sought to establish baseline cohorts for longitudinal assessment of age-related changes in cognition. Methods: The population sample (472 individuals) was strictly a convenient one, but similar to the Portuguese population in the age profile. Participants older than 55 years of age were included if they did not present defined disabling pathologies or dementia. A standardized clinical interview was conducted to assess medical history and a battery of neuropsychological tests was administered to characterize global cognition (Mini Mental State Examination), memory and executive functions (Selective Reminding Test; Stroop Color and Word Test; and Block Design subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale). Cross-sectional analysis of the neuropsychological performance with individual characteristics such as age, gender, educational level and setting (retirement home, senior university, day care center or community), allowed the establishment of baseline clusters for subsequent longitudinal studies. Results: Based on different socio-demographic characteristics, four main clusters that group distinctive patterns of cognitive performance were identified. The type of institution where the elders were sampled from, together with the level of formal education, were the major hierarchal factors for individual distribution in the four clusters. Of notice, education seems to delay the cognitive decline that is associated with age in all clusters. Conclusions: Social-inclusion/engagement and education seem to have a protective effect on mental ageing, although this effect may not be effective in the eldest elders