Influence of very low doses of mediators on fungal laccase activity - nonlinearity beyond imagination

Laccase, an enzyme responsible for aerobic transformations of natural phenolics, in industrial applications requires the presence of low-molecular substances known as mediators, which accelerate oxidation processes. However, the use of mediators is limited by their toxicity and the high costs of exploitation. The activation of extracellular laccase in growing fungal culture with highly diluted mediators, ABTS and HBT is described. Two high laccase-producing fungal strains, Trametes versicolor and Cerrena unicolor, were used in this study as a source of enzyme. Selected dilutions of the mediators significantly increased the activity of extracellular laccase during 14 days of cultivation what was distinctly visible in PAGE technique and in colorimetric tests. The same mediator dilutions increased demethylation properties of laccase, which was demonstrated during incubation of enzyme with veratric acid. It was established that the activation effect was assigned to specific dilutions of mediators. Our dose-response dilution process smoothly passes into the range of action of homeopathic dilutions and is of interest for homeopaths

The Consumption of Wild Edible Plants

Wild edible plants are of great importance in both former and current human societies. Their use embodies evolutionary trends, continuing interactions between men and nature, relevant traditional knowledge, and cultural heritage. A conceptual approach to wild edible plants, including the contribution of such species to people's diets and daily lives, focusing on nutritional and cultural value, food sovereignty and security, as well as the huge legacy for future generations, leads to a general overview of new tendencies and availability of wild plant resources according to geographic regions. The potential benefits and the continual need for conservation strategies of plants, habitats, and associated knowledge are also discussed, enhancing biodiversity and biocultural patrimony. Finally, some examples of culturally significant edible wild plants are described, emphasizing the importance of knowledge transmission and sustainable uses in a changing world.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Amlodipine Bioequivalence study: Quantification by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

Objective-To assess the bioequivalence of two amlodipine tablet formulations (Amlodipine(R) 5 mg tablet from Merck S.A. Industrias Quimicas, Brazil as test formulation and Norvasc(R) 5 mg tablet from Laboratorios Pfizer Ltd., Brazil as reference formulation) in 24 healthy volunteers of both sexes. Methods-The study Was conducted using an open, randomized two-period crossover design with a 4-week washout interval. Plasma samples were obtained over a 144 h period. Plasma amlodipine concentrations were analyzed by combined liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) with positive ion electrospray ionization using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). From the amiodipine plasma concentration vs time curves, the following pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained: AUC(last), AUC(0-inf) and C-max. The statistical interval proposed was 80-125% according to the US Food and Drug Administration Agency. Results-The limit of quantification was 0.1 ng/ml for plasma amlodipine analysis. The geometric mean and the 90% confidence interval (CI) test/reference ratios were 101.2 (92.9-110.2%) for AUC(last), 99.6 (91.5-108.4%) for AUC(0-inf), and 98.5 (89.0-109.1%) for C-max. Conclusion-Since the 90% Cl for AUC(last), AUC(0-inf) and C-max ratios were within in the 80-125% interval proposed by the US FDA, it was concluded that Amlodipine(R) 5 mg tablet (test formulation) was bioequivalent to Norvasc(R) 5 mg tablet, in terms of both rate and extent of absorption. Copyright (C), 2001 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.22938339

Chemical Composition and Cytotoxic Activity of Essential Oil from Myrcia laruotteana Fruits

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)The essential oil isolated by hydrodistillation from unripe fruits of Myrcia laruotteana Camb. (Myrtaceae) was analyzed by GC and CG/MS. Forty-four components were identified, representing around 83% of total oil. The major components were a-bisabolol (23.6%) and a-bisabolol oxide B (11.5%). The cytotoxicity of the oil and of a fraction rich in a-bisabolol was tested in vitro against U251 (glioma), UACC-62 (melanoma), MCF-7 (breast), NC1-ADR/RES (ovarian-resistant), 786.0 (kidney), NCI-H460 (lung), PC-3 (prostate), OVCAR-3 (ovarian), HT-29 (colon) and K562 (leukemia) human cancer cells and against VERO (no cancer cell). The oil exhibited antiproliferative activity against all cell lines (TGI 125 mu g/mL). The highest activity of the oil was observed against U251 (TGI 20.46 mu g/mL), 786.0 (TGI 20.74 mu g/mL), UACC-62 (TGI 26.98 mu g/mL) and PC-3 (TGI 27.63 mu g/mL) cell lines. The fraction rich in alpha-bisabol showed a similar activity profile. It was most active against OVCAR-3 (TGI 8.58 mu g/mL) and 786.0 (TGI 8.74 mu g/mL).235SI710Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Chemical composition and cytotoxic activity of the essential oil from the leaves of Casearia lasiophylla

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from fresh leaves of Casearia lasiophylla Eichler, Salicaceae, was analyzed by gas capillary (GC/FID and GC/MS). The cytotoxicity of the leaves essential oil was tested in vitro against U251 (glioma), UACC-62 (melanoma), MCF-7 (breast), NC1-ADR/RES (ovarian-resistant), NCI-H460 (lung), PC03 (prostate), OVCAR-3 (ovarian), HT-29 (colon) and K562 (leukemia) human cancer cells and against VERO (no cancer cell). The yield of oil was 0.02%. Fifty two compounds were identified, representing 87.1% of the total of the oil. The main components were identified as germacrene D (18.6%), beta-caryophyllene (14.7%), delta-cadinene (6.2%), and alpha-cadinol (5.4%). The oil exhibited antiproliferative activity against all cell lines (TGI<100 mu g/mL), with exception of NCI-H460 cell line (TGI 191.31. mu g/mL). The highest activity was observed against UACC-62 (TGI 7.30 mu g/mL), and K562 (TGI 7.56 mu g/mL) cell lines. The observed activity could be related to high content of germacrene D and. beta-caryophyllene, compounds known as cytotoxic.215864868Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)FAEPEX-UNICAMPConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Antiproliferative Activity and Induction of Apoptosis in PC-3 Cells by the Chalcone Cardamonin from Campomanesia adamantium (Myrtaceae) in a Bioactivity-Guided Study

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)The Myrtaceae family is a common source of medicines used in the treatment of numerous diseases in South America. In Brazil, fruits of the Campomanesia species are widely used to make liqueurs, juices and sweets, whereas leaves are traditionally employed as a medicine for dysentery, stomach problems, diarrhea, cystitis and urethritis. Ethanol extracts of Campomanesia adamantium (Myrtaceae) leaves and fruits were evaluated against prostate cancer cells (PC-3). The compound (2E)-1-(2,4-dihydroxy-6-methoxyphenyl)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-one, cardamonin) was isolated from ethanol extracts of C. adamantium leaves in a bioactivity-guided study and quantified by UPLC-MS/MS. In vitro studies showed that the isolated chalcone cardamonin inhibited prostate cancer cell proliferation and decreased the expression of NFkB1. Moreover, analysis by flow cytometry showed that this compound induced DNA fragmentation, suggesting an effect on apoptosis induction in the PC-3 cell line.19218431855Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)FAEPEX-UnicampFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Phylogenomics of the recalcitrant Annonaceae subfamily Malmeoideae

Conference Theme: Classify, Cultivate, Conserv