Paecilomyces fumosoroseus blastospore production using liquid culture in a bioreactor

There are many advantages to using liquid cultures for the production of blastospores. These include mainly the processes of scale up which are relatively easy, as well as the control of parameters such astemperature, aeration and pH. In this work, we evaluated the production of Paecilomyces fumosoroseus blastospores using a low-cost liquid culture medium in a fermenter in comparison to a mediumcommonly used for this purpose, with regard to yield and viability of blastospores. The two media contained the same concentration of glucose but differed in N source (M1 containing casamino acidsand M2 provided with collagen peptone and yeast extract). Starting with an inoculum of 1x106 blastospores/ml, M2 medium produced 2x1010 blastospores/ml after incubation for 72 h at 520 rev/minagitation and 1 v/v/m (volume air/volume liquid.min) aeration, while only 2.4 x 108/ml were produced with M1. In addition, the microorganisms in medium M1 grew more slowly during log phase and reached an earlier plateau at 36 h fermentation. The medium containing collagen peptone and yeast extract is an excellent alternative for the production of P. fumosoroseus blastospores, providing lower cost, higher yield and shorter propagation time, but formulation does need to be improved

In vitro study of antiamoebic activity of methanol extract of fruit of Pimpinella anisum on trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica HM1-IMSS

The aniseed plant Pimpinella anisum (Saunf-Hindi) is one of the most ancient medicinal plants used by man. Currently, this plant has several uses in the food industry as spice, whereas in the pharmacopoeia, it is used as an expectorant in digestive disturbances, as mild diuretic, and as insect repellent in external use. In this paper, we evaluated the biological activity of methanolic extract of P. anisum on in vitro growth of Entamoeba histolytica HM1-IMSS under axenic conditions. We observed that the growth inhibition of E. histolytica was at CI50 = 0.034 μg/mL. Results confirm the antiamoebic activity of the methanolic extract of P. anisum.Keywords: Pimpinella anisum, Entamoeba histolytica, antiamoebic activity, medicinal plantsAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(16), pp. 2065-206

Germinación in vitro e inducción de callo en Rubus adenotrichus Schltdl.

Una alternativa para resolver problemas de dormancia, obtención masiva de plantas y biomoléculas de interés es el cultivo in vitro, el objetivo de este trabajo fue inducir la germinación y establecer el cultivo de callo deRubus adenotrichus. Se probaron tres métodos de escarificación: 1) inmersión en ácido sulfúrico (30 y 60 min), 2) inmersión en hipoclorito de sodio (72 h) y 3) remoción de la cubierta de la semilla, este último tratamiento fue el mejor, generando un 68% de porcentaje de germinación, en medio Murashige Skoog (MS) sin reguladores. Las plántulas obtenidas tuvieron un desarrollo similar al de las plantas silvestres. Para la inducción de callo, se emplearon hojas de plantas silvestres como explantes y fueron colocadas en dos tipos de medio: MS, con 1 mg/L de ácido naftalenacético y 0.5 mg/L cinetina) y Woody Plant Medium (WPM) con 0.5 mg/L de ácido 2,4-diclorofenoxiacético y 0.75 mg/L de cinetina. En ambos medios se desarrolló un callo friable y pigmentado. El proceso de escarifi cación es fundamental para la germinación de esta especie. El empleo de los medios MS y WPM, con los reguladores adicionados son promotores de la producción de callos friables

Cannabidiol skews biased agonism at cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors with smaller effect in CB1-CB2 heteroreceptor complexes

Currently, biased agonism is at the center stage of drug development approaches. We analyzed effects of a battery of cannabinoids plus/minus cannabidiol (CBD) in four functional parameters (cAMP levels, phosphorylation of extracellular signal–regulated kinases (ERK1/2), β-arrestin recruitment and label-free/DMR) in HEK-293T cells expressing cannabinoid receptors, CB or CB, or CB-CB heteroreceptor complexes. In all cases two natural agonists plus two selective synthetic agonists were used. Furthermore, the effect of cannabidiol, at a dose (100 nM) that does not allow significant binding to the orthosteric center of either receptor, was measured. From the huge amount of generated data, we would like to highlight that the two psychotropic molecules (Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol/THC and CP-55940) showed similar bias in CBR and that the bias of THC was particularly relevant toward MAPK pathway. Furthermore, THC did not activate the G protein coupled to CBR. Interestingly, the biased agonism was reduced when assays were performed in cells expressing the two receptors, thus suggesting that the heteromer allows less functional selectivity. In terms of cannabidiol action, the phytocannabinoid altered the functional responses, likely by allosteric means, and modified potency, agonist IC/EC values and biased agonism in qualitative and/or quantitative different ways depending on the agonist. The effect of cannabidiol on anandamide actions on both cannabinoid receptors was particularly noteworthy as was significantly different from that of other compounds. Results are a compendium of data on biased agonism on cannabinoid receptors in the absence and presence of cannabidiol. In addition, for the first time, GPCR biased agonism is characterized in an heteromeric context.This work was partially supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Ref. no. BFU2015-64405-R and SAF2017-84117-R; they may include FEDER funds) and by grant 201413-30 from: Fundació la Marató de TV3Peer Reviewe

Validación del potencial antioxidante de Citrus aurantium en Tabasco, México

Citrus aurantium L. (Rutaceae), commonly known as bitter orange, has multiple therapeutic potentials. An experimental qualitative study was carried out with the objective of knowing the characteristics of the consumption of C. aurantium (CA) in the Tabasco population. To validate its use, an ethanolic extract (85 %) was prepared from the dry CA leaves and phytochemical screening was performed, with subsequent quantification of the content of total phenols and flavonoids. Subsequently, antioxidant activity was determined by the DPPH assay and acute toxicity with Artemia salina. The most used parts of the plant are the leaves to relieve muscle pain, cold symptoms. In the phytochemical study it was found that the extract contains alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarins, quinones and tannins. In the thin layer chromatography of the hydroalcoholic extract, the presence of naringin was demonstrated. A total phenol content of 69.42 ± 3.47 EAG/g DM and total flavonoids of 14.78 ± 0.28 EQ/g DM were obtained. It contains antioxidant activity of 9240 ± nmol TEAC/gMS and the acute toxicity test showed moderate toxicity. The results show that the 85% ethanolic extract contains phenolic compounds and flavonoids, allowing to sustain the medicinal and pharmacological properties conferred to the plant in the state of Tabasco.Conclusions: this study showed the existence of phenols and flavonoids, the antioxidant activity of hydroalcoholic extracts from C. aurantium leaves and their moderate toxicity against Artemia salina.

ACTIVIDAD AMEBICIDA, ANTIOXIDANTE Y PERFIL FITOQUÍMICO DE EXTRACTOS METANÓLICOS DE ASTROPHYTUM MYRIOSTIGMA OBTENIDOS DE CULTIVO DE CALLO Y DEL CACTUS SILVESTRE

Methanolic extracts were obtained fromboth in vitro and ex vitro tissues of Astrophytum myriostigma to develop a phytochemical profile, probe antioxidant activity(DPPH 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl)and evaluate amoebicid activity againstEntamoeba histolytica HM1-IMSS. Thephytochemical profile results indicate thepresence of different secondary metabolitesin callus and stem; whereas the callus hasphenolic oxidrils and flavonoids, these arenot present in the stem, which may causethe difference in the antioxidant activitybetween callus with an IC50 of 199.19μg/mL and stem with 3961.39 μg/mL. Theamoebicid activity was satisfactory withan IC50 of <100μg/mL for both extracts.The presence of these metabolites in callusof Astrophytum myriostigma is probablydue to conditions and nutrients present inmedia.Se determinó la actividad amebicida, antioxidante y perfil fitoquímico de extractosmetanólicos de callo cultivado in vitro ysecciones de tallo de planta ex vitro deAstrophytum myriostigma. Se obtuvieronextractos metanólicos de ambos tejidos paraevaluar la actividad amebicida sobre Entamoeba histolytica HM1-IMSS, la actividadantioxidante (DPPH 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) y su perfil fitoquímico. Paraambos extractos, la actividad amebicidaresultó satisfactoria con una concentracióninhibitoria media menor de 100 μg/mL. Losresultados del perfil fitoquímico indican lapresencia de metabolitos secundarios diferentes en callo y tallo, mientras que el callo,posee oxidrilos fenólicos y flavonoides,en tallo no están presentes, lo que puedeocasionar la diferencia en los resultadosde la actividad antioxidante, para callo unaconcentración efectiva media de 199.19μg/mL y para tallo de 3961.39 μg/mL. Lapresencia de estos metabolitos en callo deAstrophytum myriostigma, se debe probablemente a las condiciones y a los nutrientespresentes en el medio in vitro

BIOPROSPECCIÓN DE LA ACTIVIDAD ANTIMICÓTICA DE EXTRACTOS METANÓLICOS DE ARIOCARPUS KOTSCHOUBEYANUS Y ARIOCARPUS RETUSUS

The antifungal activity of methanolic extracts from Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanusand A. retusus, two native xerophytes ofnortheastern Mexico, was determined onthe fungal dermatophytes Trichophytontonsurans, Microsporum canis and Microsporum cookei. Putative active metabolites were identified by phytochemicalscreening using evidence for functionalgroups; determination of antifungal activity was conducted by the disk-diffusion platemethod as part of the process of understanding the chemistry and efficacy of theseplant products. Doses tested were 125,250 y 500 mg/mL. Extracts were positivefor carbonyl groups, phenolic oxhidrils,sterols and methyl sterols, coumarins, sesquiterpenlactones, saponins, flavonoids andalkaloids. Extract from A. retusus (stem)yielded the greatest activity against Trichophyton tonsurans and Microsporum cookei.Univariate analysis of variance revealedthat with regard to antifungal activity therewere significant differences between fungi,culture media and analyzed doses withrespect to positive control of ketoconazole.These results served to validate empiricalknowledge about these plants in traditionalmedicine. These studies form a basis forfurther research in the search for bioactivecompounds and the discovery of potentialherbal medicaments.Se determinó la actividad antifúngica invitro de extractos metanólicos de Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus y Ariocarpusretusus, plantas xerófitas del noreste delpaís, usadas en la medicina tradicional,sobre los hongos dermatofitos Trichophytontonsurans, Microsporum canis y Microsporum cookei. Los metabolitos presentes seidentificaron por tamizaje fitoquímico empleando pruebas para grupos funcionales, ladeterminación de actividad antifúngica serealizó por el método de difusión en placaempleando microdiscos, con la finalidadde entender la química y eficacia de estosproductos vegetales, las dosis evaluadasde estos extractos fueron 125, 250 y 500mg/mL. Los extractos resultaron positivospara grupos carbonilo, oxidrilos fenólicos,esteroles y metilesteroles, cumarinas, sesquiterpenlactonas, saponinas, flavonoides yalcaloides. El extracto que presentó mayoractividad fue el de Ariocarpus retusus(tallo) contra Trichophyton tonsurans y Microsporum cookei. El análisis estadístico devarianza univariante reveló que en cuantoa la actividad antifúngica, existe diferencia significativa entre hongos, medios de cultivo y dosis evaluadas de los extractos conrespecto al control positivo de ketoconazol.Estos resultados sirvieron para validar elconocimiento empírico que se tiene acercade estas plantas en la medicina tradicional.Siendo estos estudios una base para nuevas investigaciones sobre la búsqueda decompuestos bioactivos y el descubrimientode medicamentos potenciales de productosherbales

An RxLR effector from phytophthora infestans prevents re-localisation of two plant NAC transcription factors from the endoplasmic reticulum to the nucleus

The plant immune system is activated following the perception of exposed, essential and invariant microbial molecules that are recognised as non-self. A major component of plant immunity is the transcriptional induction of genes involved in a wide array of defence responses. In turn, adapted pathogens deliver effector proteins that act either inside or outside plant cells to manipulate host processes, often through their direct action on plant protein targets. To date, few effectors have been shown to directly manipulate transcriptional regulators of plant defence. Moreover, little is known generally about the modes of action of effectors from filamentous (fungal and oomycete) plant pathogens. We describe an effector, called Pi03192, from the late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans, which interacts with a pair of host transcription factors at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) inside plant cells. We show that these transcription factors are released from the ER to enter the nucleus, following pathogen perception, and are important in restricting disease. Pi03192 prevents the plant transcription factors from accumulating in the host nucleus, revealing a novel means of enhancing host susceptibility

Folistatina, resistencia a la insulina y composición corporal en adultos colombianos

Introducción: La folistatina es una proteína capaz de neutralizar varias hormonas de la familia del TGF-?, tales como la activina, las proteínas morfogénicas del hueso y la miostatina. Al inactivar la activina y la folistatina reduce la secreción de FSH. La folistatina se produce además de en el ovario en muchos otros tejidos, por ello se sospecha que tiene otros efectos. En ratones, la deleción genética de la folistatina se acompaña de resistencia a la insulina (RI). Sin embargo, la asociación entre la folistatina plasmática y RI medida directamente no ha sido evaluada en humanos. Métodos: En 81 participantes entre 30 y 69 años (56% mujeres, 54% con sobrepeso, 13% con obesidad), determinamos antropometría, composición corporal, factores de riesgo cardiovascular y múltiples índices de RI: Área incremental bajo la curva de insulina, índice de sensibilidad a la insulina según Gutt, Homeostatic Model Assessment – Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) e insulinemia en ayuno. Un subgrupo de 21 participantes se sometió además a un clamp hiperinsulinémico-euglucémico. La folistatina y la miostatina se midieron en plasma de ayuno, empleando técnicas inmunométricas. Resultados: La concentración promedio de folistatina fue 2.517±830 pg/mL, sin diferencia entre sexos (p=0,55). La folistatina tuvo una tendencia a correlación positiva con el porcentaje de masa magra (r=0,19, p=0,088) y negativa con el porcentaje de grasa corporal (r= -0,19, p=0,097). La folistatina no se correlacionó con índices de RI derivados de la PTOG pero sí con la captación corporal de glucosa en el clamp (r=0,42, p=0,031). No se halló asociación entre las concentraciones de folistatina y miostatina plasmáticas. Conclusión: Los niveles de folistatina mostraron una tendencia hacia una correlación positiva con la masa muscular y negativa con adiposidad corporal. Esto concuerda con el efecto inhibitorio de la folistatina sobre la miostatina. Aunque la folistatina no correlacionó con índices indirectos de RI, sí lo hizo con la determinación directa de sensibilidad a la insulina en el clamp hiperinsulinémico-euglucémico

Restoration of european habitats in mainland, Portugal, using commercial seed mixtures. Considerations for its management and conservation

Permanent mountain pastures include meadows and other perennial pastures of high ecological, economic, cultural and scenic value. Increasing desertification limits the maintenance and conservation of its biodiversity and the associated landscape mosaic. A restoration experiment in permanent high altitude grasslands in Beira Alta (Centre East (CE) mainland Portugal) was made, by sowing adequate cultivars of existing grass and legume species. The main objectives addressed were: (1) comparison of floristic composition between reference communities included in the previous habitats and the improved communities; (2) evaluation of the success of sowing adequate cultivars of autochthonous species; (3) evaluation of the establishment of target species in terms of the maintenance of floristic composition of reference. The experiment was carried out in 2014 on nine farms situated in Beira Alta (Guarda District) and the phytosociological method was applied in the floristic surveys. The sown species with highest percentage of soil cover were Trifolium subterraneum, Lolium multiflorum, Ornithopus sativus and Trifolium vesiculosum. In the priority habitat 6220 it was observed a re-establishment of many species in their original composition and a high cover of several cultivars of Trifolium subterraneum. These results highlight the importance of using cultivars of autochthonous species in the improvement of altitude pasturesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio