Lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidants, lipid peroxidation inhibition and radical scavenging activity of two Lamiaceae food plants

Medicinal and aromatic plants are highly prized all over the world. According to local cuisine and pharmacopoeias, they used to be important as dietary supplements, providing bioactive compounds. Herein, we describe lipophilic (fatty acids, tocopherols and carotenoids) and hydrophilic (ascorbic acid, sugars and phenolic compounds) antioxidants, lipid peroxidation inhibition and free radical scavenging activity in aerial parts of two Lamiaceae species (Mentha pulegium and Thymus pulegioides). M. pulegium gave the highest antioxidant properties (EC50<0.56 mg/mL), which is in agreement with its highest content in tocopherols, mainly alpha-tocopherol (69.54 mg/100 g), ascorbic acid (7.90 mg/100 g), reducing sugars (7.99 g/100 g) and phenolics. The presence of these lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidants could explain its use as antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and as food preservative and special sauce. M. pulegium revealed the highest content of fat, alpha-linolenic (omega-3) and linoleic (omega-6) fatty acids, while T. pulegioides revealed the highest content of carbohydrates (89.35 g/100 g). This could explain its use to improve the nutrition value of rye flour broth or potato based soups

Playing to improve memory: how serious games and gamification have contributed to the neurocognitive rehabilitation of the elderly

The phenomenon of global population aging incites a change in the thinking and practice of health professionals, who are increasingly looking for effective techniques aimed at this age group. Among the various biological, social, and psychological changes that occur in the aging process, changes in cognitive processes are one of the most prevalent manifestations. Thus, motivating and effective proposals should be implemented to train and rehabilitate these functions. Among these proposals, health-centered gamification has become a major trend and is increasingly studied. The authors propose in this chapter to discuss gamification in the rehabilitation of cognitive functions, especially memory in the elderly population, presenting the advantages and potentialities of serious games and gamification against the current scenario of cognitive stimulation, which requires innovative solutions to increase motivation and involvement of the elderly in the process.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Valorization of traditional foods: nutritional and bioactive properties of Cicer arietinum L. and Lathyrus sativus L. pulses

The use of traditional foods can enrich our diet, perpetuating important elements of local knowledge and cultural inheritance. Raw, soaked and cooked samples of two Fabaceae species (Cicer arietinum L. and Lathyrus sativus L.) were characterized regarding nutritional and bioactive properties. Results: L. sativus gave the highest carbohydrate, protein, ash, SFA and PUFA content, and lowest fat and energy value. Furthermore, it also showed the highest concentration in flavonoids and antioxidant activity. C. arietinum gave the highest concentration of sugars, organic acids and tocopherols. Soaking process did not affect significantly macronutrients, but cooking (boiling) decreased protein, ash, sugars and organic acids, and increased carbohydrates, fat, tocopherols, bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. No differences were obtained for fatty acids composition. Conclusion: The present study highlights the nutritional profile and bioactive properties of these farmer varieties of C. arietinum and L. sativus pulses, and valorises their traditional consumption and the use in modern diets

Antioxidant potential of three medicinal species of topical traditional use in Northeastern Portugal: Juglans regia L., Malva neglecta Wallt. and Scrophularia scorodonia L.

The decoctions of some widespread species from the northeastern Portuguese region are traditionally used for their vulnerary properties and in the treatment of various skin disorders, wounds or burns. Juglans regia L. (walnut), Malvaneglecta Wallt.(mallow) and Scrophulariascorodonia L.(balm leave figwort)are good examples of such species. The leaves of J. regia and the aerial parts of M. neglecta are used as disinfectants and anti-inflammatory, while the aerial parts of S. scorodonia are used as a vulnerary. Furthermore, these plants are often mixed to enhance its action [1]. The present study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of decoctions and methanolic extracts of the mentioned three plants.The antioxidant activity was accessed by five in vitro assays: scavenging effects on DPPH (2 ,2-diphenyl-1 -picrylhydrazyl) radicals, reducing power (measured in FolinCiocalteu and ferricyanide Prussian blue assays), inhibition of β-carotene bleaching and inhibition of lipid peroxidation in brain cell homogenates by TSARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) assay. Walnut samples (methanolic extract and decoction) gave the highest antioxidant activity (lowest EC50 valuesin all the assays), followed by figwortand mallow samples. The observed antioxidant activity is certainly related to the phenolic compounds present in the studied samples and reported in another abstract presented in the same symposium

Phytochemical and antioxidant profile of pardina lentil cultivars from different regions of Spain

Lentils (Lens culinaris spp.) are an important food consumed worldwide given their high protein, fiber, mineral, and phytochemical contents, and can be used as a potential source of good nutrition for many people. With the purpose of valuing the Pardina variety, the quality brand from a protected geographical indication “Lenteja de Tierra de Campos”, a full assessment of the nutritional, chemical, and antioxidant properties of 34 samples from this variety was carried out. Besides its actual rich nutritional profile, three phenolic compounds by high performance liquid chromatography equipped with photodiode array detection-mass (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS) were identified (kaempferol derivatives) with slight differences between them in all extracts. Sucrose by high-performance liquid chromatography with a refraction index detector (HPLC-RI) and citric acid by ultra-fast liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector (UFLC-PDA) were the major identified sugar and organic acid components, respectively, as well as α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol isoforms (HPLC-fluorescence). Additionally, all the extracts presented excellent antioxidant activity by the oxidative hemolysis inhibition assay (OxHLIA/TBARS). Briefly, Pardina lentils from this quality brand are a good source of nutritional and chemical components and should therefore be included in a balanced diet.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support by national funds FCT/MCTES to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020). National funding by FCT, P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract for L. Barros, A. Fernandes, M.I. Dias, and J. Pinela’s contracts. Vivar-Quintana is also grateful for the University of Salamanca’s support for researcher mobility and the Regulatory Council of the IGP Tierra de Campos for the lentil samples.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A comparative study of black and white Allium sativum L.: nutritional composition and bioactive properties

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) has been used worldwide not only for its being a subject of dietary interest, but also for medicinal purposes, in prophylaxis, and for the treatment of diverse pathologies. New processing techniques have been developed and placed on the market in recent years to improve the organoleptic and nutritional value of food products. The present work aimed to study bulbils (cloves) of white (commercial and traditionally cultivated samples with di erent proveniences) and black (processed samples) garlic. All samples were compared with regard to their nutritional composition as well as their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Black garlic had the lowest moisture content but the highest total amount of sugars and energetic value. Black garlic also presented the highest antioxidant and antimicrobial (especially against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) activities. Thus, black garlic, obtained by processing techniques, can be considered a promising product with high value that will be able to be exploited by the functional food/nutraceutical industry.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Programme PT2020 for financial support given to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2019). L. Barros and A. Fernandes thank the national funding provided by FCT, P.I. via the institutional scientific employment program-contract, which provided them with their contracts.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Antioxidant activity of decoctions of Centaurea paniculata L. and Helichrysum stoechas L. Moench

Ethnobotanical surveys conducted in Northeastern Portugal have documented the use of Decoctions prepared with flowering aerial parts of Centaurea paniculata L. (starthistles, knapweeds; port. escalabiosa) for inflammation and Helichrysum stoechas (L.) Moench (shrubby everlasting; port. douradinha) for the respiratory system and to reduce fever [1], from the Asteraceae botanical family. Although antioxidant properties of those plants have been investigated [2-4], there are no reports on its most used form, the decoction. Therefore, in the present work, decoctions of inflorescences and leafy flowering stems of the two mentioned species were prepared and submitted to evaluation of antioxidant potential. Four different in vitro assays were performed: scavenging effects on DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radicals, reducing power (measured in Folin Ciocalteu and ferricyanide Prussian blue assays), inhibition of 13-carotene bleaching and inhibition of lipid peroxidation in brain cell homogenates by TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) assay. Thedecoction of H. stoechas revealed higher antioxidant activity (lower EC50 values) than C. paniculata in all the tested assays. Data obtained could provide scientific evidence for some folk uses in the treatment of diseases related to the production of reactive species and oxidative stress, but further experiments are required to explore the mechanisms of action.FCT (Portugal) for financial support to the research centre CIMO (PEst-OE/AGR/UI0690/201 1) and A. Fernandes grant (SFRH/BD/76019/2011 )

Sociodemographic, clinical and histopathological features for lip squamous cell carcinoma patients: a retrospective analysis (1997-2004)

Sectional retrospective. Objective: To describe demographic, clinical and histopathological features of patients diagnosed with lip squamous cell carcinoma and treated at the Dr.Luiz Antônio Hospital (Natal-RN, Brazil) in the period of 1997 to 2004. Methodology: 173 records were examined and information related to age, skin color, education, and individual's exposure to risk factors (tobacco, alcohol and sun exposure), and clinical and histopathologic features (anatomical location of tumor, tumor diameter, tumor staging, extent of lesion and histopathological grading) were collected.Descriptive analysis was performed using absolute numbers, percentages, measures of central tendency and variability. Statistical analysis was performed using the SAS statistical software package (SAS Institute Inc. Cary, NC, USA). Results: The mean age was 66.55 years with male preference (69.36%),individuals with low education level (67.08%), history of smoking (89.58%) and occupational activity related to sun exposure (64.64%). Concerning the characteristics of the tumor, we obtained a greater frequency in the lower lip (78.61%), in lesions with 2 cm (52.33%) at initial stages. Conclusion: The lesions of lip cancer were localized, with low malignancy, occurring in higher frequency in males, elderly and low educational level. The presence of exposure to risk factors, ultraviolet rays and smoking, must be considered in this population.Modelo do estudo: Transversal retrospectivo. Objetivo: Descrever as características sociodemográficas,clínicas e histopatológicas dos pacientes com carcinoma epidermóide de lábio atendidos no Hospital Dr. Luiz Antônio (Natal-RN) nos anos de 1997 a 2004. Metodologia: Foram examinados 173 prontuários e coletadas informações referentes a idade, cor, escolaridade, exposição do indivíduo a fatores de risco(tabaco, álcool e exposição solar) e as características clínicas e histológicas (localização anatômica,diâmetro e estadiamento clínico e histológico, extensão do tumor e graduação histológica de malignidade). Os dados foram apresentados de maneira descritiva por meio de números absolutos, percentuais,medidas de tendência central e de variabilidade. Resultados: A média de idades dos pacientes foi de 66,55 anos, com predomínio do sexo masculino (69,36%), indivíduos com baixo nível de escolaridade(67,08%), histórico de hábito tabagista (89,58%) e atividade ocupacional relacionada à exposição solar(64,64%). Foi contatada uma maior frequência de carcinoma epidermóide moderadamente diferenciado (79,76%), no lábio inferior (78,61%), lesões com até 2 cm de diâmetro (52,33%) e no estadiamento inicial. Conclusão: As lesões de câncer de lábio foram predominantemente localizadas e de baixa malignidade, prevalecendo em indivíduos do sexo masculino, idosos e com baixo nível de escolaridade. A presença de exposição aos fatores de risco, raios ultravioleta e fumo, deve ser considerada nesta população

O uso da fluorescência a laser (DIAGNOdentTM) no diagnóstico de cáries oclusais in vivo: revisão sistemática

This systematic review was conducted to assess the accuracy of laser fluorescence (DIAGNOdentTM) for diagnosis of occlusal caries in permanent teeth, using any sort of gold standard. The MEDLINE, LILACS, BBO and Cochrane library databases accessed by BIREME were searched for English, Spanish and Portuguese-language papers published between 1982 and 2003. Four works in English were selected. DIAGNOdentTM was found to be an accurate method for diagnosis of occlusal caries, mainly if employed simultaneously with visual inspection.Esta revisão sistemática foi realizada para avaliar a precisão da fluorescência a laser (DIAGNOdentTM) para o diagnóstico da cárie oclusal em dentes permanentes, utilizando qualquer tipo de gold standard. As bases de dados MEDLINE, LILACS, BBO e Cochrane Library, acessadas via BIREME, foram utilizadas para a busca de artigos em idioma inglês, espanhol e português, publicados de 1982 a 2003. Foram selecionados quatro trabalhos em inglês. Foi observado que o DIAGNOdentTM é um método preciso para o diagnóstico da cárie oclusal, principalmente se associado à inspeção visual