Grandisin induces apoptosis in leukemic K562 cells

Abstract In this study, the potential antileukemic activity of grandisin, a lignan extracted from Piper solmsianum, was evaluated against the leukemic line K562. The cytotoxicity of grandisin (0.018 to 2.365 µM) was evaluated in K562 and normal peripheral blood lymphocytes by Trypan Blue Exclusion and MTT methods after 48h exposure to the drug. In both methods, cellular viability was concentration-dependent and the IC50 values were lower than 0.85µM. Analysis of K562 cells after treatment with grandisin showed that the cell cycle was arrested in the G1 phase with a 12.31% increase, while both S and G2 phases decreased. Morphological studies conducted after the exposure of K562 to grandisin revealed changes consistent with the apoptosis process, which was confirmed by anexin V stain and caspase activation. Thus, lignan grandisin showed antileukemic activities against the K562 cell line and the cell death process occurred via apoptosis

In vitro morphogenesis and cell suspension culture establishment in Piper solmsianum C. DC. (Piperaceae)

In vitro morphogenesis and cell suspension culture establishment in Piper solmsianum C. DC. (Piperaceae)). Piper solmsianum is a shrub from Southeast Brazil in which many biologically active compounds were identified. The aim of this work was to establish a cell suspension culture system for this species. With this in mind, petiole and leaf explants obtained from in vitro plantlets were cultured in the presence of different plant growth regulator combinations (IAA, NAA, 2,4-D and BA). Root and indirect shoot adventitious formation, detected by histological analysis, was observed. Besides the different combinations of plant growth regulators, light regime and the supplement of activated charcoal (1.5 mg.l(-1)) were tested for callus induction and growth. Cultures maintained in light, on a 0.2 mg.l(-1) 2,4-D and 2 mg.l(-1) BA supplemented medium, and in the absence of activated charcoal, showed the highest calli fresh matter increment. From a callus culture, cell suspension cultures were established and their growth and metabolite accumulation studied. The achieved results may be useful for further characterization of the activated secondary metabolites pathways in in vitro systems of P. solmsianum

Avaliação físico-química de frutos de bananeiras Physiochemical evaluation of resistant banana fruits

A produção nacional de banana está comprometida pela atuação da sigatoka-negra (Mycosphaerella fijiensis Morelet) por todo o país, e particularmente no Amapá. Os cultivares Caipira, Thap Maeo, PV03-44, FHIA-01 e FHIA-18, altamente resistentes à doença, e o cultivar suscetível FHIA-21 foram avaliados quanto às características físico-químicas dos frutos, no período de 2003-2004, nas condições edafoclimáticas do Estado do Amapá. O teor médio de umidade dos frutos de banana foi de 74,61% onde FHIA-18 (75,91%) diferiu estatisticamente de Thap Maeo (74,01%), FHIA-21 (73,96%) e de PV03-44 (73,68%). Em relação à matéria seca dos frutos (média de 25,39%), FHIA-18 (24,09%) apresentou valores significativamente menores que PV03-44 (26,32%), FHIA-21 (26,04%) e Thap Maeo (25,99%). Foi observado que as polpas dos cultivares apresentaram natureza ácida (pH 4,8), sendo que PV03-44 (5,1) diferiu estatisticamente de FHIA-18 (4,6). No teor de sólidos solúveis (média de 21,51ºBrix), o cultivar FHIA 21 (24,82ºBrix) diferiu significativamente dos demais. A relação SS/AT (média de 82,90) do cultivar FHIA-21 (99,23) diferiu estatisticamente de Thap Maeo (78,95), FHIA-18 e PV03-44 (77,48). Em relação à acidez titulável (0,27% ácido málico) e ao teor de lipídeos (0,17%), não houve diferenciação entre os cultivares. Quanto ao teor protéico dos materiais resistentes à sigatoka-negra, a média do ensaio foi de 4,59%, tendo o genótipo PV03-44 (4,08%) diferido estatisticamente dos demais. Os cultivares resistentes estudados apresentaram aspectos positivos de qualidade, principalmente na relação SS/AT, um dos principais parâmetros de atributo qualitativo de sabor da fruta.<br>Banana's national production is committed by the performance of the black sigatoka (Mycosphaerella fijiensis Morelet) for the whole country, and particularly in Amapá, Brazil. This work aimed at evaluating cultivars highly resistant to the disease, Caipira, Thap Maeo, PV03-44, FHIA-01, FHIA-18, and to susceptible cultivar FHIA-21, with relationship to the physical and chemical characteristics of the fruits, in the period of 2003-2004, under the edafoclimatic conditions of the state of Amapá. The medium moisture content of banana fruits was 74,61%, and FHIA-18 (75,91%) differed statistically of Thap Maeo (74,01%), FHIA-21 (73,96%) and PV03-44 (73,68%). In relation to the dry matter of fruits (25,39%), FHIA-18 (24,09%) presented values significantly smaller than PV03-44 (26,32%), FHIA-21 (26,04%) and Thap Maeo (25,99%). It was observed that the pulps of the cultivars presented acid nature (pH 4,8), and PV03-44 (5,1) differed statistically of FHIA-18 (4,6). In the soluble solids content (average of 21,51ºBrix), the cultivar FHIA-21 (24,82ºBrix) differed significantly of the others. The ratio SS/TA (average of 82,90) of the cultivar FHIA-21 (99,23) differed statistically of Thap Maeo (78,95), FHIA-18 and PV03-44 (77,48). In relation to the titratable acidity (0,27% malic acid) and to lipids content (0,17%), there was not difference among the cultivars. Regarding to the protein content of the resistant materials to the black sigatoka, the average of the experiment was of 4,59%, and the genotype PV03-44 (4,08%) differed statistically of the others. The resistant cultivars presented positive aspects of quality, mainly in the ratio TSS/TTA, one of the main parameters of qualitative attribute of fruit flavor