Anti-Candida activity of terpenes from Salvia ovalifolia, S. procurrens and S. uliginosa, native to South Brazil

The essential oils of Salvia ovalifolia, S. procurrens and S. uliginosa were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The three species displayed very low amounts of essential oils, consisting of a few sesquiterpenes, and aliphatic compounds such as aldehydes and long-chain fatty acids. From the leaves of S. uliginosa, an exudate was obtained which presented the diterpene icetexone as the major component. The exudate and icetexone were evaluated for the activity against Candida species, both showing inhibition of fungal growth

Chemical composition and amoebicidal activity of Croton pallidulus, Croton ericoides, and Croton isabelli (Euphorbiaceae) essential oils

Abstract Acanthamoeba is a free-living amoebae genus that causes amoebic keratitis which is a painful sight-threatening disease of the eyes. Its treatment is difficult, and the search for new drugs is very important. Here, essential oils obtained from the aerial parts of Croton pallidulus, Croton isabelli, and Croton ericoides (Euphorbiaceae), native plants of Southern Brazil, were tested against Acanthamoeba polyphaga and analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The essential oils of C. pallidulus and C. isabelli were characterized by the presence of sesquiterpenes: germacrene D (15.5 %), terpinen-4-ol (13.2 %), and β-caryophyllene (13.1 %) in C. pallidulus and bicyclogermacrene (48.9 %) in C. isabelli. The essential oil of C. ericoides presented mainly monoterpenes, β-pinene (39.0 %) being the main component. Laboratory tests were carried out to determine the effect of the essential oils against A. polyphaga trophozoites. The essential oil of C. ericoides was the most active, killing 87 % of trophozoites at the concentration of 0.5 mg/mL. The essential oil of C. pallidulus killed only 29 % of the trophozoites at the same concentration. The essential oil of C. isabelli presented the lowest activity, killing only 4 % of the trophozoites at the concentration of 10 mg/mL. The essential oils of the three species showed cytotoxic effect by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) method in Vero cells. The oil of C. ericoides, which showed the highest amoebicidal activity, was the most cytotoxic on these mammalian cells

Atividade do óleo essencial de Hesperozygis ringens (Lamiacea) sobre o carrapato Boophilus microplus

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Atividade do óleo essencial de Hesperozygis ringens (Lamiacea) sobre o carrapato Boophilus microplus

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Deleterious effects of obesity on physical fitness in pre-pubertal children

The prevalence of obesity in children has increased dramatically during the past decades in Europe and understanding physical fitness and its components in children is critical to design and implement effective interventions. The objective of the present study was to analyse the association between physical fitness (aerobic, speed, agility, power, flexibility and balance) and body mass index (BMI) in pre-pubertal children. A total of 2411 healthy schoolchildren (7\u201311 years) participated in this study. Anthropometric characteristics and body composition were assessed by skinfold thickness. Physical fitness was measured by nine physical fitness tests: endurance running, 20 m running speed, agility, handgrip strength, standing long jump and squat jump, sit and reach, medicine ball forward throw and static balance. No relevant differences were observed between boys and girls regarding anthropometric characteristics, body composition and physical fitness. However, overweight and obese children showed significantly lower physical fitness levels in endurance running, speed and agility (mean: +18.8, +5.5 and +14.5% of time to complete tasks, respectively), lower limb power normalised to body mass ( 1223.3%) and balance tests (number of falls: +165.5%) than their normal weight counterparts. On the other hand, obesity did not affect handgrip, throwing and flexibility. In conclusion, increased BMI was associated with lower performance capabilities limiting proper motor skill development, which directly affects the ability of children to take on sports skills. Actions undertaken to promote children's wellness and fitness should be prioritised and introduced early in life with the aim of enhancing physical fitness as well as preventing overweight and obesit

Análise de taninos e flavonóides presentes em espécies do gênero Hypericum nativas do Rio Grande do Sul

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Análise de taninos e flavonóides presentes em espécies do gênero Hypericum nativas do Rio Grande do Sul

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Anti-Candida activity of terpenes from Salvia ovalifolia, S. procurrens and S. uliginosa, native to South Brazil: Anti-Candida activity of terpenes from Salvia ovalifolia, S. procurrens and S. uliginosa

The essential oils of Salvia ovalifolia, S. procurrens and S. uliginosa were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The three species displayed very low amounts of essential oils, consisting of a few sesquiterpenes, and aliphatic compounds such as aldehydes and long-chain fatty acids. From the leaves of S. uliginosa, an exudate was obtained which presented the diterpene icetexone as the major component. The exudate and icetexone were evaluated for the activity against Candida species, both showing inhibition of fungal growth.