Antioxidant, anti-acetylcholinesterase and cytotoxic activities of ethanol extracts of peel, pulp and seeds of exotic Brazilian fruits Antioxidant, anti-acetylcholinesterase and cytotoxic activities in fruits

Ethanol extracts of powdered genipap (Genipa americana L), umbu (Spondia tuberosa A.) and siriguela (Spondia purpurea L) prepared from separate pulp, seeds and peel were investigated for their (i) antioxidant capacity, which was evaluated by various known methods; (ii) acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity; and (iii) cytotoxic effect on corneal epithelial cells of sheep. the highest values of total phenolic content were obtained with peel and seed extracts. Siriguela and umbu (seeds and peel) extracts displayed the highest antioxidant activities. Lipid peroxidation assays using mimetic biomembranes and mouse liver homogenates indicated that genipap pulp is a promising antioxidant. the investigation of phenols and organic acid contents revealed the presence of quercetin, citric and quinic acids, chlorogenic acid derivatives, among others, in several extracts, with the highest amount found in siriguela seeds. Genipap pulp and siriguela seed ethanol extracts presented an AChE inhibition zone similar to that of the positive control, carbachol. AChE inhibition assay with chlorogenic acid, one of the main constituents of siriguela seeds, revealed that this acid showed activity similar to that of the control physostigmine. These data suggest that these extracts are potentially important antioxidant supplements for the everyday human diet, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.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)INCT-RedoxomaINCT-BioanaliticaUniv Fed Alagoas, Inst Quim & Biotecnol, BR-57072970 Maceio, AL, BrazilUniv Pernambuco, BR-56300000 Petrolina, PE, BrazilUniv Fed Alagoas, Rede Nordeste Biotecnol RENORBIO, BR-57072970 Maceio, AL, BrazilUniv Fed Alagoas, Inst Ciencias Biol & Saude, BR-57072970 Maceio, AL, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Inst Quim, Dept Bioquim, BR-05508000 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Inst Ciencias Ambientais Quim & Farmaceut, BR-09972270 Diadema, SP, BrazilUniv Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Dept Biol Vegetal, Campinas, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Ceara, Dept Quim Organ & Inorgan, BR-60021970 Fortaleza, CE, BrazilEmbrapa Tabuleiros Costeiros, Tabuleiro Martins, BR-57061970 Maceio, AL, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Inst Ciencias Ambientais Quim & Farmaceut, BR-09972270 Diadema, SP, BrazilFAPESP: 2008/58035-6Web of Scienc

Markers of redox imbalance in the blood of hypertensive patients of a community in northeastern Brazil

Fundamento: Estudos recentes descrevem a participação de espécies reativas de oxigênio e nitrogênio na hipertensão. Objetivo: Identificar o desbalanço redox em sangue de hipertensos. Métodos: Superóxido dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutationa peroxidase (GPx), glutationa (GSH), vitamina C, transferrina, ceruloplasmina, malondialdeído (MDA) e o grupo carbonila, foram quantificados no sangue de 20 hipertensos e 21 controles. Os indivíduos tinham um Índice de Massa Corporal de ≥ 18,5 e ≤ 30 kg/m2, glicemia ≤ 100 mg/dL, colesterol sérico ≤ 200 mg/dL, e eram mulheres não fumantes, não grávidas e não lactantes, não usuárias de alopurinol e probucol, e hipertensos em medicação anti-hipertensiva. Todos os indivíduos foram submetidos a um período preparatório de quatro semanas sem álcool, suplementos vitamínicos, dexametasona e paracetamol. Resultados: Níveis reduzidos de CAT (p = 0,013), GSH ( p = 0,003) e MDA (p = 0,014), e altos níveis de GPx (p = 0,001) e ceruloplasmina (p = 0,015) foram obtidos no grupo de hipertensos, em comparação com os controles. Foi verificada uma correlação positiva entre a pressão sistólica e o MDA nos hipertensos e diastólica e CAT nos controles. Conclusão: Os dados obtidos são sugestivos de que os hipertensos apresentavam desequilíbrio em reações redox, a despeito do possível efeito atenuante de sua medicação anti-hipertensiva.Background: Recent studies describe the participation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in hypertension. Objective: To identify the redox imbalance in the blood of hypertensive. Methods: Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione (GSH), vitamin C, transferrin, ceruloplasmin, malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonyl group were quantified in the blood of 20 hypertensives and 21 controls. The individuals had a Body Mass Index of ≥ 18.5 and ≤ 30 kg/m2, glycemia ≤ 100 mg/dL, serum cholesterol ≤ 200 mg/dL, and were nonsmokers, non-pregnant and non-lactating women, non-users of alopurinol and probucol, with hypertensives on antihypertensive medication. All individuals underwent a preparatory period of 4 weeks without alcohol, vitamin supplements, dexamethasone and paracetamol. Results: Reduced levels of CAT (p 0.013), GSH (p 0.003) and MDA (p 0.014), and high levels of GPx (p 0.001) and ceruloplasmin (p 0.015) were obtained in the hypertensive group compared with controls. A positive correlation between systolic pressure and MDA in hypertensive and diastolic pressure and CAT in controls was obtained. Conclusion: The data obtained suggest that the hypertensives were in redox imbalance, despite the possibly attenuating effect of their antihypertensive medication

Marcadores de desequilíbrio redox em sangue de pacientes hipertensos de uma comunidade no Nordeste do Brasil

FUNDAMENTO: Estudos recentes descrevem a participação de espécies reativas de oxigênio e nitrogênio na hipertensão. OBJETIVO: Identificar o desbalanço redox em sangue de hipertensos. MÉTODOS: Superóxido dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutationa peroxidase (GPx), glutationa (GSH), vitamina C, transferrina, ceruloplasmina, malondialdeído (MDA) e o grupo carbonila, foram quantificados no sangue de 20 hipertensos e 21 controles. Os indivíduos tinham um Índice de Massa Corporal de > 18,5 e < 30 kg/m², glicemia < 100 mg/dL, colesterol sérico < 200 mg/dL, e eram mulheres não fumantes, não grávidas e não lactantes, não usuárias de alopurinol e probucol, e hipertensos em medicação anti-hipertensiva. Todos os indivíduos foram submetidos a um período preparatório de quatro semanas sem álcool, suplementos vitamínicos, dexametasona e paracetamol. RESULTADOS: Níveis reduzidos de CAT (p = 0,013), GSH ( p = 0,003) e MDA (p = 0,014), e altos níveis de GPx (p = 0,001) e ceruloplasmina (p = 0,015) foram obtidos no grupo de hipertensos, em comparação com os controles. Foi verificada uma correlação positiva entre a pressão sistólica e o MDA nos hipertensos e diastólica e CAT nos controles. CONCLUSÃO: Os dados obtidos são sugestivos de que os hipertensos apresentavam desequilíbrio em reações redox, a despeito do possível efeito atenuante de sua medicação anti-hipertensiva

Markers of redox imbalance in the blood of hypertensive patients of a community in northeastern Brazil

Fundamento: Estudos recentes descrevem a participação de espécies reativas de oxigênio e nitrogênio na hipertensão. Objetivo: Identificar o desbalanço redox em sangue de hipertensos. Métodos: Superóxido dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutationa peroxidase (GPx), glutationa (GSH), vitamina C, transferrina, ceruloplasmina, malondialdeído (MDA) e o grupo carbonila, foram quantificados no sangue de 20 hipertensos e 21 controles. Os indivíduos tinham um Índice de Massa Corporal de ≥ 18,5 e ≤ 30 kg/m2, glicemia ≤ 100 mg/dL, colesterol sérico ≤ 200 mg/dL, e eram mulheres não fumantes, não grávidas e não lactantes, não usuárias de alopurinol e probucol, e hipertensos em medicação anti-hipertensiva. Todos os indivíduos foram submetidos a um período preparatório de quatro semanas sem álcool, suplementos vitamínicos, dexametasona e paracetamol. Resultados: Níveis reduzidos de CAT (p = 0,013), GSH ( p = 0,003) e MDA (p = 0,014), e altos níveis de GPx (p = 0,001) e ceruloplasmina (p = 0,015) foram obtidos no grupo de hipertensos, em comparação com os controles. Foi verificada uma correlação positiva entre a pressão sistólica e o MDA nos hipertensos e diastólica e CAT nos controles. Conclusão: Os dados obtidos são sugestivos de que os hipertensos apresentavam desequilíbrio em reações redox, a despeito do possível efeito atenuante de sua medicação anti-hipertensiva.Background: Recent studies describe the participation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in hypertension. Objective: To identify the redox imbalance in the blood of hypertensive. Methods: Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione (GSH), vitamin C, transferrin, ceruloplasmin, malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonyl group were quantified in the blood of 20 hypertensives and 21 controls. The individuals had a Body Mass Index of ≥ 18.5 and ≤ 30 kg/m2, glycemia ≤ 100 mg/dL, serum cholesterol ≤ 200 mg/dL, and were nonsmokers, non-pregnant and non-lactating women, non-users of alopurinol and probucol, with hypertensives on antihypertensive medication. All individuals underwent a preparatory period of 4 weeks without alcohol, vitamin supplements, dexamethasone and paracetamol. Results: Reduced levels of CAT (p 0.013), GSH (p 0.003) and MDA (p 0.014), and high levels of GPx (p 0.001) and ceruloplasmin (p 0.015) were obtained in the hypertensive group compared with controls. A positive correlation between systolic pressure and MDA in hypertensive and diastolic pressure and CAT in controls was obtained. Conclusion: The data obtained suggest that the hypertensives were in redox imbalance, despite the possibly attenuating effect of their antihypertensive medication

Milk restriction or oligosaccharide supplementation in calves improves compensatory gain and digestive tract development without changing hormone levels.

We estimated the effect of oligosaccharide supplementation and feed restriction on calves. The study was divided into two experimental periods of 28 days each with 20 crossbred calves that had initial body weight of 37 Kg and housed in individual pens. The animals were split in four experimental groups: animals fed 6 L milk/day (CON) in the two periods, animals fed milk restricted (3 L milk/day) in the first period and followed by CON feeding in the second period (RES), animals receiving supplementation of 5 g/day of mannanoligosaccharide (MOS) and animals receiving supplementation of 5 g/day mannan and frutoligosaccharide (MFOS). At the end of the study, all the animals were slaughtered. The average weight gain was lower in the restricted group when compared with CON and MFOS groups in the first period (P 0.05). Also, the expression of ghrelin receptors in the paraventricular region of the hypothalamus did not differ among groups. We conclude that milk restriction during the first weeks of life in calves resulted in compensatory gain and did not modify the hormonal profile and expression of the ghrelin receptor in the hypothalamus. Moreover, a prebiotic supplementation changed the development of intestinal and ruminal epithelium

Genetic characterization of the invasive species Vespa velutina in the Portuguese territory

A vespa asiática (Vespa velutina nigrithorax) é originária do Sudeste Asiático. Em 2004 foi vista pela primeira vez em território Francês, onde foi introduzida acidentalmente, e onde, na última década, se espalhou rapidamente, tendo começado a invadir outros territórios europeus. Na Península Ibérica, foi vista pela primeira vez em 2010 em Espanha e em 2011 em Portugal. Através da genética das populações é possível inferir sobre os padrões de invasão desta espécie em Portugal. Assim, de forma a ter uma amostragem representativa do território invadido, foram recolhidas um total de 191 amostras, cada uma representando uma colonia. Com o fim de estimar a estrutura populacional e a forma de invasão desta espécie em Portugal, a sua variabilidade genética foi estudada através de 17 microssatélites. Os resultados obtidos mostram que esta população sofreu um bottleneck apresentando um reduzido número de alelos, o que está de acordo com outros estudos europeus. Estes resultados sugerem ainda a entrada de um pequeno número de indivíduos ou de uma rainha fecundada por vários machos na Europa. Com esta informação é possível inferir dados sobre o ciclo de vida da V. velutina que poderão ajudar a explicar o seu sucesso demográfico nas áreas invadidas.The Yellow-legged or Asian hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax) was originally distributed in Southeast Asia. It was accidently introduced in France in 2004 from China and in the last decade, it spread rapidly through the French territory and started invading other European countries. In the Iberian Peninsula it was reported for the first time in Spain in 2010 and Portugal in 2011. Using a population genetics framework, the goal of this study was to test the patterns of colonization of this invasive species in Portugal. In order to have a representative sample, a total of 191 individuals, each representing a colony, were collected across the invaded area in Portugal. The genetic variability was assessed using 17 microsatellite loci to estimate population structure and the spreading pathways throughout Portugal. The results showed that the population of V. velutina suffered a genetic bottleneck that is mainly reflected by the presence of a low number of alleles. This result is in accordance with other European studies, which suggest an entrance of a very small number of propagules or even of a single multi-mated queen in Europe. With this information, it is possible to provide life history traits of V. velutina that may explain its demographic success in the invaded areas.Este estudo foi financiado pelo projeto GesVespa: Estratégias de gestão sustentável da Vespa velutina no Norte de Portugal (POSEUR-03-2215-FC-000008).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Beneficial Effects of Bauhinia rufa Leaves on Oxidative Stress, Prevention, and Treatment of Obesity in High-Fat Diet-Fed C57BL/6 Mice

Obesity is an epidemic disease worldwide, associated with oxidative stress and the development of several other diseases. Bauhinia rufa (Bong.) Steud. is a native Brazilian Cerrado medicinal plant popularly used for the treatment of obesity. In this context, we investigated the chemical composition of the methanolic extract of B. rufa leaves (MEBr) and evaluated the antioxidant activity and its impact on the prevention and treatment of obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD 60%). Additionally, the acute oral toxicity of MEBr was evaluated. In MEBr, 17 glycosylated compounds were identified, including myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol, coumaroyl, cyanoglucoside, and megastigmane. In vitro, MEBr showed antioxidant activity in different methods: DPPH•, ABTS•+, FRAP, iron-reducing power, inhibition of β-carotene bleaching, and inhibition of DNA fragmentation. In human erythrocytes, MEBr increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. Under oxidative stress, MEBr reduced oxidative hemolysis, and the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels generated in erythrocytes. Mice treated acutely with MEBr (2000 mg/kg) showed no signs of toxicity. During 90 days, the mice received water or MEBr simultaneously with HFD for induction of obesity. At this stage, MEBr was able to reduce the gain of subcutaneous white adipose tissue (WAT) and prevent the increase of MDA in the heart and brain. After 180 days of HFD for obesity induction, mice that received MEBr simultaneously with HFD (HFD-MEBr) in the last 60 days of treatment (120-180 days) showed a reduction of retroperitoneal and mesenteric WAT deposits and MDA levels in the heart, liver, kidney, and brain, compared to the HFD-Control group. These effects of MEBr were similar to mice treated with sibutramine (HFD-Sibutramine, 2 mg/kg). Combined, the results show that compounds from the leaves of B. rufa affect controlling oxidative stress and actions in the prevention and treatment of obesity. Thus, associated oxidative stress reduction and body composition modulation, in obese people, can contribute to the prevention of obesity-related comorbidities and improve quality of life

Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activity of Hydroethanolic Extract from Jacaranda decurrens Leaves

Background and Purpose: Leaves of Jacaranda decurrens are used in traditional Brazilian medicine to treat metabolic diseases related to increased reactive oxygen species. the present study evaluated the antioxidant and cytotoxic potential of hydroethanolic extract from the leaves of Jacaranda decurrens subsp. symmetrifoliolata.Experimental Approach: Phenolic compounds, flavonoids and saponins were evaluated in an ethanol: water (80: 20, v/v) extract from the leaves of Jacaranda decurrens subsp. symmetrifoliolata (E-Jds). the antioxidant activity of E-Jds was investigated by assessing the following: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity; protection against 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced hemolysis of erythrocytes; in vitro and in vivo malondialdehyde dosage; and the ability to activate antioxidant enzymes. K562 leukemia cells were used for the cytotoxic evaluation of E-Jds and for the assessment of the cell death profile through flow cytometry.Key Results: Phenolic and flavonoid compounds were quantified as 14.38% and 2.15%, respectively, of E-Jds. These phenolic and flavonoid compounds proved to be able to scavenge DPPH free radicals with an IC50 of 9.3 +/- 3.3 mu g/mL, to protect up to 50% of erythrocytes against AAPH-induced hemolysis and to reduce in vitro and in vivo malondialdehyde levels up to 84% and 22%, respectively. E-Jds also increased glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity, with a concomitant decrease in superoxide dismutase and catalase activity, and exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxic activity on K562 erythroleukemia cells with cell death occurring via both late apoptosis and necrosis.Conclusions: E-Jds exhibits in vitro and in vivo antioxidant potential, which may be the mechanism mediating the metabolic activities reported in folk medicine. Furthermore, the cytotoxic activity identified in this study contributes with the knowledge of antiproliferative activities that have been described in the literature for the genus Jacaranda