The sterols isolated from evening primrose oil inhibit human colon adenocarcinoma cell proliferation and induce cell cycle arrest through upregulation of LXR

© 2014 Elsevier Ltd. Evening primrose oil (EPO) is widely used as a dietary supplement from which beneficial effects have been reported in rheumatic and arthritic conditions, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, premenstrual and menopausal syndrome, and diabetic neuropathy. The aim of this study was to determine whether phytosterols isolated from evening primrose oil (PS-EPO), and its main components β-sitosterol and campesterol, affect proliferation, cell death, and the cell cycle of human colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cells. PS-EPO were a potent antiproliferative agents in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with an IC50 of 62.9 μg/mL after 48 h, lower than β-sitosterol and campesterol (79.0 μM and 71.6 μM respectively). Flow cytometry showed that PS-EPO exerted a stimulatory effect on apoptosis and necrosis, increasing the number of cells in G0/G1 phase. PS-EPO produced a significant upregulation in liver X receptor (LXR) gene expression that may be one of the principal mechanisms of the tumor shrinkage by PS-EPO.Peer Reviewe

Validation of ethnopharmacological use as anti-inflammatory of a decoction from Annona muricata leaves

Background: Through this work we evaluated the potential of the aqueous extract of Annona muricata L. leaves (AMAEL) to treat inflammatory conditions. The use of decoction or infusion of this important medicinal resource is still not scientifically validated. Methods: Different doses of AMAEL were assayed in carrageenan-induced inflammation and tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA)-induced edema in mice, myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) in inflamed tissue, MPO released by A-23187-stimulated rat neutrophils and nitric oxide released by murine macrophages. Acute oral toxicity and cell viability of murine macrophages were also tested. Results: A single dose of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg of AMAEL did not show any symptoms associated with toxicity in vivo and the viability of murine macrophages was of 100% at the assayed doses. AMAEL at 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg exerted a significant edema reduction in the carrageenan inflammation model (26.82±0.02%, p<0.05 and 52.70±0.12%, p<0.001 inhibition respectively, after the first hour). The TPAinduced topical edema model showed a significantly and dose-dependently inhibition (56% and 78% at doses of 2.5 mg/ear and 5 mg/ear, respectively). The decrease in (MPO) enzyme activity in the ear homogenates assayed at 5 mg/ear were highly significant (92.5% ± 1.83 inhibition, p<0.001) and MPO was also reduced in activated rat neutrophils at 200 μg/ml (81.98% ± 1.01 inhibition, p<0.001). AMAEL considerably decreased dose-dependently nitrite production in LPS-stimulated murine macrophages, the highest inhibition was achieved at 500 μg/ml (73.18% ± 2.36, p<001). Conclusion: this study validates the ethnomedicinal use of the decoction of Annona muricata L. leaves as anti-inflammatory agent

The sterols isolated from evening primrose oil inhibit human colon adenocarcinoma cell proliferation and induce cell cycle arrest through upregulation of LXR

Evening primrose oil (EPO) is widely used as a dietary supplement from which beneficial effects have been reported in rheumatic and arthritic conditions, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, premenstrual and menopausal syndrome, and diabetic neuropathy. The aim of this study was to determine whether phytosterols isolated from evening primrose oil (PS-EPO), and its main components β-sitosterol and campesterol, affect proliferation, cell death, and the cell cycle of human colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cells. PS-EPO were a potent antiproliferative agents in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with an IC50 of 62.9 μg/mL after 48 h, lower than β-sitosterol and campesterol (79.0 μM and 71.6 μM respectively). Flow cytometry showed that PS-EPO exerted a stimulatory effect on apoptosis and necrosis, increasing the number of cells in G0/G1 phase. PS-EPO produced a significant upregulation in liver X receptor (LXR) gene expression that may be one of the principal mechanisms of the tumor shrinkage by PS-EPO

Occurrence of viruses and stunting diseases and estimative of yield losses by mollicutes in corn in Paraná State, Brazil

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a incidência de viroses e enfezamentos e estimar as perdas causadas por enfezamentos na cultura do milho safrinha. Os diagnósticos baseados em sintomas foram confirmados por PCR ou RTPCR. Em todas as lavouras, foram identificadas plantas com sintomas de enfezamentos, em incidência de 6,2% a 49,9% (média de 20,7%). Na identificação de insetos vetores desses patógenos, a cigarrinha Dalbulus maidis foi detectada em 20 lavouras das 24 amostradas, constituindo 66,6% do total de espécimens de cigarrinhas coletadas. A perda potencial causada pelos enfezamentos no período foi estimada em cerca de 16,5 milhões de dólares. A ocorrência de plantas com sintomas de "Maize rayado fino virus" e "Maize dwarf mosaic virus" foi baixa e o diagnóstico confirmado por RTPCR. A análise de 441 amostras suspeitas de infecção por "Mal de Río Cuarto virus", por DASELISA, mostrou ausência desse vírus. Resultados de PCR indicaram a presença de um possível fitoplasma distinto de "Maize bushy stunt phytoplasma" em duas plantas apresentando nanismo acentuado, folhas estreitas, enrijecidas, com deformações, e grãos na inflorescência, havendo necessidade de mais estudos para a confirmação da identidade desse possível novo fitoplasma.The objective of this work was to evaluate the occurence and yield losses by corn stunting diseases and maize viruses in "safrinha" season. Disease diagnostics based on plant symptoms were confirmed by PCR or RTPCR assays. Insect samples were collected in 24 fields for identification of vectors of the pathogens. Corn stunting diseases symptoms were observed in all crops evaluated, with incidence levels ranging from 6.2% to 49.9% (average 20.7%) and the presence of the leafhopper Dalbulus maidis, was detected in 20 of the 24 areas evaluated. This insect species was prevalent, representing 66,6% of total leafhoppers specimens collected. The potential yield losses caused by mollicutes was estimated around US$ 16.5 million. Few plants showing Maize rayado fino virus and Maize dwarf mosaic virus symptoms were found and virus infection was confirmed by RTPCR. Mal de Río Cuarto virus was not detected in all 441 plants analyzed by DASELISA. Results of PCR assays indicated the presence of a possible phytoplasma different from maize bushy stunt phytoplasma in two stunting maize plants showing leaves distortions and grain in the inflorescence. However, new studies should be done to confirm the identity of this possible new phytoplasma

Pharmacological effects of mitraphylline from Uncaria tomentosa in primary human monocytes: Skew toward M2 macrophages

Ethnopharmacological relevance Uncaria tomentosa (Willdenow ex Roemer & Schultes) DC. (Rubiaceae) is a Peruvian thorny liana, commonly known as "cat's claw", and traditionally used in folk medicine to deal with several inflammatory diseases. Mitraphylline (MTP) is the most abundant pentacyclic oxindolic alkaloid (POA) from U. Tomentosa and has been reported to modify the inflammatory response. Herein, we have sought to identify the mechanisms underlying this modulatory effect of MTP on primary human monocytes and its ability to regulate differentiation processes on human primary monocyte and monocyte-derived macrophages. Material and methods In vitro studies with human primary monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages were performed. Monocytes and M0 macrophages were exposed to MTP (25 μM) and LPS (100 ng/mL). M0 macrophages were polarized to M1 and M2 phenotypes in the absence or presence of MTP. The activation state of monocytes/macrophages was assessed by flow cytometry, gene expression and protein analysis of different specific markers. Results In human primary monocytes, the incubation of MTP for 24 h reduced the number of classical (CD14++CD16-) and intermediate (CD14++CD16+) subsets when compared to untreated or LPS-treated cells. MTP also reduced the chemotactic capacity of human primary monocytes. In addition, MTP promoted the polarization of M0 macrophages toward an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype, the abrogation of the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα, IL-6 or IL-1β, as well as the restoration of markers for M2 macrophages in LPS-treated M1 macrophages. Conclusions Our results suggest that MTP may be a key modulator for regulating the plasticity of monocytes/macrophages and the attenuation of the inflammatory response

Experimental transmission of Corn Stunt Spiroplasma Present In Different Regions of Argentina

The aim was to transmit Corn stunt spiroplasma (Spiroplasma kunkelii Whitcomb) using field-collected Dalbulus maidis insects (Hemiptera-Cicadellidae), and diseased plants from places in the subtropical and temperate regions of Argentina. Field-collected D. maidis populations transmitted the spiroplasma in 39% of the cases when a density of five insects per plant was used. Transmissions were obtained from diseased plants collected in two subtropical locations. In all the symptomatic plants, the presence of spiroplasma was detected by serology and confirmed with PCR. The development of the symptoms and the pathogen titer varied between plants infected with insects from the same location, leading to the identification of two plant groups: one with severe symptoms and high pathogen titer, and the other with mild symptoms and lower titer, showing a direct relation between pathogen titer and the severity of symptomsFacultad de Ciencias Naturales y MuseoInstituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuari

Pharmacological effects of mitraphylline from Uncaria tomentosa in primary human monocytes: Skew toward M2 macrophages

© 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. Ethnopharmacological relevance Uncaria tomentosa (Willdenow ex Roemer & Schultes) DC. (Rubiaceae) is a Peruvian thorny liana, commonly known as >cat's claw>, and traditionally used in folk medicine to deal with several inflammatory diseases. Mitraphylline (MTP) is the most abundant pentacyclic oxindolic alkaloid (POA) from U. Tomentosa and has been reported to modify the inflammatory response. Herein, we have sought to identify the mechanisms underlying this modulatory effect of MTP on primary human monocytes and its ability to regulate differentiation processes on human primary monocyte and monocyte-derived macrophages. Material and methods In vitro studies with human primary monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages were performed. Monocytes and M0 macrophages were exposed to MTP (25 μM) and LPS (100 ng/mL). M0 macrophages were polarized to M1 and M2 phenotypes in the absence or presence of MTP. The activation state of monocytes/macrophages was assessed by flow cytometry, gene expression and protein analysis of different specific markers. Results In human primary monocytes, the incubation of MTP for 24 h reduced the number of classical (CD14++CD16-) and intermediate (CD14++CD16+) subsets when compared to untreated or LPS-treated cells. MTP also reduced the chemotactic capacity of human primary monocytes. In addition, MTP promoted the polarization of M0 macrophages toward an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype, the abrogation of the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα, IL-6 or IL-1β, as well as the restoration of markers for M2 macrophages in LPS-treated M1 macrophages. Conclusions Our results suggest that MTP may be a key modulator for regulating the plasticity of monocytes/macrophages and the attenuation of the inflammatory response.This work was supported by the University of Seville, “V Own Research Plan” contract to BB and QA. MS has the benefit of a FPI fellowship (BES-2012–056104) of MICINN.Peer Reviewe

Exploración de grafos para el análisis de datos

Se propone una técnica de análisis de datos a través de la exploración de redes que se forman con entidades existentes en la base de datos de estudio. El principal aporte del método es la exploración de la red a través de ambientes definidos por los demás atributos de la base de datos. Este método ha sido utilizado con éxito en el análisis de datos biológicos relacionados con el Mal de Río Cuarto virus. Se presenta además a Yatel, la herramienta en desarrollo que da soporte al análisis propuesto.Eje: Bases de Datos y Minería de DatosRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Exploración de grafos para el análisis de datos

Se propone una técnica de análisis de datos a través de la exploración de redes que se forman con entidades existentes en la base de datos de estudio. El principal aporte del método es la exploración de la red a través de ambientes definidos por los demás atributos de la base de datos. Este método ha sido utilizado con éxito en el análisis de datos biológicos relacionados con el Mal de Río Cuarto virus. Se presenta además a Yatel, la herramienta en desarrollo que da soporte al análisis propuesto.Eje: Bases de Datos y Minería de DatosRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Exploración de grafos para el análisis de datos

Se propone una técnica de análisis de datos a través de la exploración de redes que se forman con entidades existentes en la base de datos de estudio. El principal aporte del método es la exploración de la red a través de ambientes definidos por los demás atributos de la base de datos. Este método ha sido utilizado con éxito en el análisis de datos biológicos relacionados con el Mal de Río Cuarto virus. Se presenta además a Yatel, la herramienta en desarrollo que da soporte al análisis propuesto.Eje: Bases de Datos y Minería de DatosRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI