A new variety of purple tomato as a rich source of bioactive carotenoids and its potential health benefits

Carotenoid-rich fractions (CRF) from pulp and peel of a new variety of purple tomato were investigated in comparison to a Red Cherry variety regarding carotenoids characterization, antioxidant capacity, and inhibition of proliferation of four tumor cell lines. CRF from peel of Purple tomato contains lutein, lycopene, and β-carotene up to 6, 1.5, and 2.5 times more than that of Red Cherry and it exhibited the highest antioxidant activity at 400 μg/mL, reaching 82% and 97% in DPPH and ABTS þ assays, respectively. Besides that, the Purple peel showed the highest scavenging lipoperoxides capacity as well as displayed the highest ferric reducing antioxidant power compared to the other CRF. In turn, the Red Cherry pulp CRF showed the highest antiproliferative activity against four tumor cell lines (MCF-7, NCI-H460, HeLa, and HepG2) at non-toxic concentrations. High concentration of neurosporene, and lycopene in Red Cherry pulp CRF show to be related to the good antiproliferative activity found on it. Therefore, this new variety of nutrient-rich purple tomato could be explored as well as the commercial variety Red Cherry, since both are good sources of dietary carotenoids with health-promoting properties.This work was supported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) [grant number 2014/11150-6]; and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) [grant numbers 306722/2012-7, 307040/2014-3, and 150015/2018-6) from Brazil; and Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) for CIMO [grant numbers Pest OE/AGR/UI0690/2014; SFRH/BPD/68344/2010] from Portugal.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Chemical Composition and Botanical Origin of Red Propolis, a New Type of Brazilian Propolis

Red propolis is a new type of Brazilian propolis. This material, as well as the secretions of 20 plant species that are often mentioned as its probable botanical source, have been investigated by RP-HPTLC. Phytochemical evidence based on UV-VIS spectra, RP-HPLC and GC-MS, showed Dalbergia ecastophyllum (L.) Taub. to be the main source of red propolis in Alagoas state. The propolis and plant resin showed high relative percentages of the isoflavonoids 3-Hydroxy-8,9-dimethoxypterocarpan and medicarpin. To our knowledge this is the first report of the secretion of a leguminous species being the source of propolis

Resultados de pesquisas com algodão herbáceo no Oeste baiano na safra 2001/2002.

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Neovestitol, an isoflavonoid isolated from brazilian red propolis, reduces acute and chronic inflammation: involvement of nitric oxide and IL-6

FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOIsoflavonoids have been largely studied due to their distinct biological activities identified thus far. Herein, we evaluated the activity of neovestitol, an isoflavonoid isolated from Brazilian red propolis, in acute and chronic inflammation. As for acute inflammation, we found that neovestitol reduced neutrophil migration, leukocyte rolling and adhesion, as well as expression of ICAM-1 in the mesenteric microcirculation during lipopolysaccharide-induced acute peritonitis. No changes were observed in the levels of TNF-alpha, CXCL1/KC and CXCL2/MIP-2 upon pretreatment with neovestitol. The administration of an inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor abolished the inhibitory effects of neovestitol in neutrophil migration and ICAM-1 expression. Nitrite levels increased upon treatment with neovestitol. No effects of neovestitol were observed on the chemotaxis of neutrophils in vitro. As for chronic inflammation, neovestitol also reduced the clinical score and joint damage in a collagen-induced arthritis model. There was no change in the frequency of IL-17-producing TCD4+ cells. In addition, pretreatment with neovestitol reduced the levels of IL-6. These results demonstrate a potential anti-inflammatory activity of neovestitol, which may be useful for therapeutic purposes and/or as a nutraceutical.Isoflavonoids have been largely studied due to their distinct biological activities identified thus far. Herein, we evaluated the activity of neovestitol, an isoflavonoid isolated from Brazilian red propolis, in acute and chronic inflammation. As for acute inflammation, we found that neovestitol reduced neutrophil migration, leukocyte rolling and adhesion, as well as expression of ICAM-1 in the mesenteric microcirculation during lipopolysaccharide-induced acute peritonitis. No changes were observed in the levels of TNF-alpha, CXCL1/KC and CXCL2/MIP-2 upon pretreatment with neovestitol. The administration of an inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor abolished the inhibitory effects of neovestitol in neutrophil migration and ICAM-1 expression. Nitrite levels increased upon treatment with neovestitol. No effects of neovestitol were observed on the chemotaxis of neutrophils in vitro. As for chronic inflammation, neovestitol also reduced the clinical score and joint damage in a collagen-induced arthritis model. There was no change in the frequency of IL-17-producing TCD4+ cells. In addition, pretreatment with neovestitol reduced the levels of IL-6. These results demonstrate a potential anti-inflammatory activity of neovestitol, which may be useful for therapeutic purposes and/or as a nutraceutical6FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO2012/01365-0; 2012/22378-

Guava pomace: a new source of anti-inflammatory and analgesic bioactives

Abstract\ud \ud \ud \ud Background\ud Guava pomace is an example of the processing waste generated after the manufacturing process from the juice industry that could be a source of bioactives. Thus, the present investigation was carried out in order to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive potential and determinate the main phenolic compounds of a guava pomace extract (GPE).\ud \ud \ud \ud Methods\ud The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by carrageenan, dextran, serotonin, histamine-induced paw edema and neutrophils migration in the peritoneal cavity models. Acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing and formalin test were performed to investigate the antinociceptive effects. In addition, the content of total phenolic and of individual phenolic compounds was determined by GC/MS.\ud \ud \ud \ud Results\ud GPE showed anti-inflammatory activity by carrageenan, dextran, serotonin, histamine-induced paw edema and neutrophils migration in the peritoneal cavity models (p < 0.05). GPE also demonstrated antinociceptive activity by acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing and formalin test (p < 0.05). The total phenolic value was 3.40 ± 0.09 mg GAE/g and epicatechin, quercetin, myricetin, isovanilic and gallic acids were identified by GC/MS analysis.\ud \ud \ud \ud Conclusions\ud The presence of bioactive phenolic compounds as well as important effects demonstrated in animal models suggest that guava pomace could be an interesting source of anti-inflammatory and analgesic substances.We thank "Cepêra - Agro Industrial Ibitirama Ltda", the company that provided the guava pomace samples. This research was supported by the "Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel" (CAPES) and "National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development" (CNPq)

Abilities of berberine and chemically modified berberines to interact with metformin and inhibit proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells

Pancreatic cancer is devastating cancer worldwide with few if any truly effective therapies. Pancreatic cancer has an increasing incidence and may become the second leading cause of death from cancer. Novel, more effective therapeutic approaches are needed as pancreatic cancer patients usually survive for less than a year after being diagnosed. Control of blood sugar levels by the prescription drug metformin in diseases such as diabetes mellitus has been examined in association with pancreatic cancer. While the clinical trials remain inconclusive, there is hope that certain diets and medications may affect positively the outcomes of patients with pancreatic and other cancers. Other natural compounds may share some of the effects of metformin. One "medicinal" fruit consumed by millions worldwide is berberine (BBR). Metformin and BBR both activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) which is a key mediator of glucose metabolism. Glucose metabolism has been shown to be very important in cancer and its significance is increasing. In the following studies, we have examined the effects of metformin, BBR and a panel of modified BBRs (NAX compounds) and chemotherapeutic drugs on the growth of four different human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines (PDAC). Interestingly, the effects of metformin could be enhanced by BBR and certain modified BBRs. Upon restoration of WT-TP53 activity in MIA-PaCa-2 cells, an altered sensitivity to the combination of certain NAX compounds and metformin was observed compared to the parental cells which normally lack WT-TP53. Certain NAX compounds may interact with WT-TP53 and metformin treatment to alter the expression of key molecules involved in cell growth. These results suggest a therapeutic approach by combining certain pharmaceutical drugs and nutraceuticals to suppress the growth of cancer cells

Effects of the MDM-2 inhibitor Nutlin-3a on PDAC cells containing and lacking WT-TP53 on sensitivity to chemotherapy, signal transduction inhibitors and nutraceuticals

Mutations at the TP53 gene are readily detected (approximately 50-75%) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients. TP53 was previously thought to be a difficult target as it is often mutated, deleted or inactivated on both chromosomes in certain cancers. In the following study, the effects of restoration of wild-type (WT) TP53 activity on the sensitivities of MIA-PaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cells to the MDM2 inhibitor nutlin-3a in combination with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, as well as, nutraceuticals were examined. Upon introduction of the WT-TP53 gene into MIA-PaCa-2 cells, which contain a TP53 gain of function (GOF) mutation, the sensitivity to the MDM2 inhibitor increased. However, effects of nutlin-3a were also observed in MIA-PaCa-2 cells lacking WT-TP53, as upon co-treatment with nutlin-3a, the sensitivity to certain inhibitors, chemotherapeutic drugs and nutraceuticals increased. Interestingly, co-treatment with nutlin-3a and certain chemotherapeutic drug such as irinotecan and oxaliplatin resulted in antagonistic effects in cells both lacking and containing WT-TP53 activity. These studies indicate the sensitizing abilities that WT-TP53 activity can have in PDAC cells which normally lack WT-TP53, as well as, the effects that the MDM2 inhibitor nutlin-3a can have in both cells containing and lacking WT-TP53 to various therapeutic agents

Bioassay guided purification of the antimicrobial fraction of a Brazilian propolis from Bahia state

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Brazilian propolis type 6 (Atlantic forest, Bahia) is distinct from the other types of propolis especially due to absence of flavonoids and presence of other non-polar, long chain compounds, but presenting good <it>in vitro </it>and <it>in vivo </it>antimicrobial activity. Several authors have suggested that fatty acids found in this propolis might be responsible for its antimicrobial activity; however, so far no evidence concerning this finding has been reported in the literature. The goals of this study were to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the main pure fatty acids in the ethanolic extract and fractions and elucidate the chemical nature of the bioactive compounds isolated from Brazilian propolis type 6.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Brazilian propolis type 6 ethanolic extract (EEP), hexane fraction (H-Fr), major fatty acids, and isolated sub-fractions were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), high resolution gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (HRGC-FID), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Three sub-fractions of H-Fr were obtained through preparative HPLC. Antimicrobial activity of EEP, H-Fr, sub-fractions, and fatty acids were tested against <it>Staphyloccus aureus </it>ATCC 25923 and <it>Streptococcus mutans </it>Ingbritt 1600 using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>EEP and H-Fr inhibited the growth of the microorganisms tested; nevertheless, no antimicrobial activity was found for the major fatty acids. The three sub-fractions (1, 2, and 3) were isolated from H-Fr by preparative HPLC and only sub-fraction 1 showed antimicrobial activity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>a) The major fatty acids tested were not responsible for the antimicrobial activity of propolis type 6; b) Sub-fraction 1, belonging to the benzophenone class, was responsible for the antimicrobial activity observed in the present study. The identification of the bioactive compound will improve the development of more efficient uses of this natural product.</p

Composição fenólica e atividade antioxidante de resíduos agroindustriais

Atualmente, são produzidas milhões de toneladas de resíduos provenientes do processamento agroindustrial. Muitos deles são ricos em compostos bioativos sendo potenciais fontes naturais dessas substâncias. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o teor de compostos fenólicos totais, a atividade antioxidante e a composição fenólica de três resíduos gerados por agroindústrias brasileiras: bagaço de uva Isabel (BI) (Vitis labrusca), bagaço de uva Verdejo (BV) (Vitis vinifera) e bagaço de goiaba (BG) (Psidium guajava). Os resultados do teor de compostos fenólicos totais (mg GAE g-1) encontrados nos extratos etanólicos e aquosos dos resíduos foram, respectivamente: BV (20,94±0,46; 8,03±0,43)> BI (16,57±0,19; 4,41±0,01)> BG (3,41±0,09; 1,88±0,06). Alta atividade antioxidante, principalmente em BV e BI, foi verificada nos ensaios realizados (ABTS , DPPH e autooxidação do sistema beta-caroteno/ácido linoléico). Uma forte correlação positiva entre atividade antioxidante e o teor de compostos fenólicos totais foi encontrada. Os compostos fenólicos encontrados, por cromatografia gasosa com espectrometria de massas (CG-EM), foram: ácido gálico, epicatequina, quercetina (BV, BI e BG); ácido isovanílico (BI, BG); ácido p-cumárico (BI); ácido caféico e resveratrol (BV, BI). Esses resultados mostram que os resíduos agroindustriais analisados, particularmente os vinícolas, são ricos em substâncias bioativas e podem ser explorados pela indústria de alimentos e farmacêutica