Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Crude Extracts and Fractions of Cashew ( Anacardium occidentale

The accentuated increase in the use of medicinal plants by the population to treat diseases makes it necessary to carry out pharmacological studies in order to contribute to the scientific knowledge and clarify the mechanisms involved in the main compounds present in these plants. Due to the difficulty of combating antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms, plants become a low-cost and effective alternative. The stem, fruit, and leaves of plants are used to measure antioxidant and antimicrobial capacity and to combat the oxidative degradation of free radicals produced in the presence of xenobiotics. A systematic review is a powerful tool that incorporates the variability among the studies, providing an overall estimate of the use of plant extracts as antioxidants and antimicrobial activities. In view of the controversies in the literature regarding the use of compounds from plants or the isolation and purification of the main substances for the prevention of bacterial various therapeutic actions, the aim of this was to present a systematic review on the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of cashew (Anacardium occidentale), cajui (Anacardium microcarpum), and pequi (Caryocar brasiliense). The following databases were analyzed: PubMed/Medline, Virtual Health Library (LILACS and SciELO), and Science Direct. Out of 425 articles, 33 articles have been used in this study, which were also represented in the Prisma Statement. In vitro antioxidant tests were conducted in 28 studies using different methodologies. Most of the tests involving the studied species demonstrated positive antioxidant potential and antimicrobial properties. The results provide important data and perspectives into the use of natural products that can contribute to the treatment of various diseases

Removal of oligosaccharides in soybean flour and nutritional effects in rats

The objectives of this work were to establish a safe and economically viable process for the removal of raffinose oligosaccharides (RO) from soy flour and compare the effects of RO elimination from diets with regard to nutritional parameters by testing in Wistar rats. Debaryomyces hansenii UFV-1 was cultivated in suspension of defatted soy flour (1:10 w/v). An increase in α-galactosidase activity was observed in the medium, with a consequent decrease in the RO concentration. A total reduction of RO was achieved at 36 h of incubation. The diet containing soy flour free of RO presented higher digestibility, 91.28%, in relation to the diet containing soy flour with RO, 87.14%. However, the removal of the oligosaccharides from the diet did not promote a significant improvement in the values of weight gain, and other nutritional parameters tested on rats, during the experimental period of 14 days

Effect of probiotics on the development of dimethylhydrazine-induced preneoplastic lesions in the mice colon

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of probiotics on the development of chemically induced (1, 2-dimethylhydrazine) colonic preneoplastic lesions, in mice. METHODS: The animals were divided into five groups. The control group was injected with carcinogen alone and the other groups also received probiotics (1- Lactobacillus delbrueckii UFV-H2b20; 2- Bifidobacterium animalis var. lactis Bb12; 3- L. delbrueckii UFV-H2b20 plus B. animalis var. lactis Bb12; and 4- Saccharomyces boulardii) administered orally in drinking water throughout fourteen weeks. RESULTS: Consumption of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria alone resulted in a significant reduction of the total number of aberrant crypt foci (55.7% and 45.1%, respectively). Significant reduction in the number of these small foci (<3 aberrant crypts) was only observed in the group treated with lactobacilli (52.2%) in comparison to control group. The number of larger foci (>3 aberrant crypts) crypts had no significant reduction. CONCLUSION: L. delbrueckii UFV-H2b20 and B. animalis var. lactis Bb12 administered alone protect colonic preneoplastic lesions in mice, while the combined treatment of these bacteria and the administration of S.boulardii were not effective in reducing such colonic lesions

Does aerobic exercise associated with tryptophan supplementation attenuates hyperalgesia and inflammation in female rats with experimental fibromyalgia?

The objective of this study was to verify the effects of aerobic exercise associated with tryptophan (TRP) supplementation on hyperalgesia, as well as on cortisol, IL-6 and TNF concentrations in female rats with experimental fibromyalgia (FM). Female Wistar rats (initial body weight: ~ 350 g; age: 12 months) were randomly divided into 5 groups: CON (Control); F (Fibromyalgia induced); FE (Fibromyalgia induced plus exercise); FES (Fibromyalgia induced plus exercise and TRP supplementation) and FS (Fibromyalgia induced plus TRP supplementation). Fibromyalgia was induced with two injections (20 μL) of acidic saline (pH 4.0) into the right gastrocnemius muscle with a 3-day interval. Control animals received the same doses of neutral saline (pH 7.4). The exercised animals underwent progressive low-intensity aerobic exercise (LIAE) on a treadmill (10-12 m/min, 30-45 min/day, 5 days/week) for three weeks. During this period, the supplemented animals received a TRP supplemented diet (210 g/week), while the others received a control diet. Mechanical hyperalgesia was evaluated weekly and serum cortisol and muscle IL-6 and TNF concentrations were assessed after three weeks of interventions. Experimental FM caused bilateral hind paw hyperalgesia and augmented serum cortisol and muscle IL-6 concentrations. After 3 weeks of interventions, LIAE alone reduced hyperalgesia (151%) and reduced serum cortisol concentrations (72%). Tryptophan supplementation itself diminished hyperalgesia (57%) and reduced serum cortisol concentrations (67%). Adding TRP supplementation to LIAE did not further reduce hyperalgesia significantly (11%), which was followed by an important decrease in muscle IL-6 concentrations (68%), though reduction in serum cortisol pulled back to 45%. Muscle TNF concentrations were not affected. In conclusion, the association of TRP supplementation to LIAE does not potentiate significantly the reduction of bilateral mechanical hyperalgesia promoted by LIAE in female rats with experimental FM, however an important decrease in IL-6 is evident

Treinamento em natação atenua a disfução contrátil de cardiomiócitos de ratos diabéticos

FUNDAMENTO: O diabete experimental promove disfunção contrátil em cardiomiócitos, mas os efeitos do treinamento em natação nesta disfunção não são conhecidos. OBJETIVO: Testar os efeitos de um programa de treino em natação (PTN) sobre a disfunção contrátil de cardiomiócitos de ratos com diabete experimental. MÉTODOS: Ratos Wistar (idade: 30 dias; peso corporal médio: 84,19 g) com diabete induzida por estreptozotocina (60 mg/kg de peso corporal; glicemia > 300 mg/dl) foram alocados em diabéticos sedentários (DS, n = 10) e diabéticos exercitados (DE, n = 13). Animais da mesma idade e peso serviram de controles sedentários (CS, n = 10) e controles exercitados (CE, n = 06). Os animais DE e CE foram submetidos a um PTN (05 dias/semana, 90 min/dia), por 08 semanas. Os miócitos do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) foram isolados e estimulados eletricamente a 3,0 Hz em temperatura ambiente (&#8764; 25º C). RESULTADOS: O diabete reduziu a função contrátil nos cardiomiócitos dos animais em relação aos controles (i.e., menor amplitude de contração, maior tempo de contração e relaxamento). O PTN atenuou a redução na amplitude de contração (CS, 11 ± 0,2% vs DE, 11,6 ± 0,2%), o tempo para o pico de contração (CS, 319 ± 5,8 ms vs DE, 333 ± 4,8 ms) e o tempo para 50% de relaxamento (CS, 619 ± 22,2 ms vs DE, 698 ± 18,6 ms) dos cardiomiócitos dos animais diabéticos. O diabete reduziu as dimensões dos cardiomiócitos, porém, o PTN minimizou a redução da largura e volume celular, sem alterar o comprimento. CONCLUSÃO: O programa de treino em natação atenuou a disfunção contrátil dos miócitos do VE de ratos com diabete experimental

Low-intensity running training: structural and mechanical properties of the proximal femoral epiphysis in osteopenic female rats

This study investigated the effects of low-intensity running training (LIRT) on the structural and mechanical properties of the proximal femoral epiphysis in osteopenic female rats. Female Wistar rats [age = 20 weeks, body mass = 271.42 ± 17.6 g] were subjected to ovariectomy (OVX) or laparotomy (SHAM) and divided into four groups: running OVX (RO, n = 12), control OVX (CO, n = 12), running SHAM (RS, n = 12) and control SHAM (CS, n = 12). Two weeks after surgery RO and RS groups were submitted to a progressive LITR on a treadmill (60 min / day, 5 days / week) for 10 weeks. The LIRT did not alter the deleterious effects induced by ovariectomy on the femoral bone mineral density, the quantity of trabecular bone in the femoral great trocanter and neck, and femoral neck tenacity and resistance to fracture in female rats.Este estudo investigou os efeitos do treinamento em corrida de baixa intensidade (TCBI) sobre propriedades estruturais e mecânicas da epífise proximal do fêmur de ratas osteopênicas. Ratas Wistar [idade = 20 semanas; massa corporal = 271,42 ± 17,6 g] foram submetidas à ovariectomia (OVX) ou laparotomia (SHAM) e alocadas em quatro grupos: corrida OVX (CO, n = 12), controle OVX (CONO, n = 12), corrida SHAM (CS, n = 12) e controle SHAM (CONS, n = 12). Quinze dias pós-cirurgia, os grupos CO e CS foram submetidos ao TCBI em esteira (16 m/min, 60 min/dia, cinco dias/semana) por 10 semanas. O TCBI não alterou os efeitos deletérios da osteopenia induzida por ovariectomia sobre a densidade mineral do fêmur, a quantidade de osso trabecular no trocanter e colo do fêmur, a tenacidade e a força máxima de fratura do colo do fêmur de ratas.Este estudio investigó los efectos del entrenamiento en carera de baja intensidad (ECBI) en las propiedades estructurales y mecánicas de la epífisis proximal femoral de ratas osteopénicas. Ratas Wistar con edad de 20 semanas (peso corporal: 271.42 ± 17,6 g) fueran sometidas a ooforectomía (OVX) o laparotomía (SHAM) y asignados en cuatro grupos: carera OVX (CO, n = 12), control OVX (CONO, n = 12), carera SHAM (CS, n = 12) y control SHAM (CONS, n = 12). Quince días después de la cirugía los grupos CO y CS fueran sometidos al ECBI (16 m/min; 60 min/día, 5 dias/semana) durante 10 semanas. El ECBI no cambió los efectos deletéreos de la osteopenia inducida por ooforectomía sobre la densidad mineral del fémur, la cantidad de hueso trabecular en el trocánter y cuello del fémur, la tenacidad y la resistencia ósea a la fractura del cuello del fémur de ratas