Indigofera suffruticosa: An Alternative Anticancer Therapy

Indigofera suffruticosa Mill (Fabeceae) occurs in the Northeast countryside and has intensive popular use in the treatment of infectious, inflammatory and other processes. The main aim of the present work was to investigate the cytotoxic and antitumor effects of aqueous extracts of leaves of I. suffruticosa obtained by infusion and maceration as well as to evaluate the toxicological properties. Aqueous extracts did not exhibit cytotoxicity against HEp-2 (human epidermoid cancer cell) cell lines by MTT method. From the aqueous extract by infusion, the toxicological assay showed low order of toxicity. The antitumor effect of aqueous extracts by infusion (64.53%) and maceration (62.62%) against sarcoma 180 in mice at a dose of 50 mg kg−1 (intraperitoneally), based on low order of toxicity was comparable to the control group, which showed 100% development. Considering the low order of toxicity and that it is highly effective in inhibiting growth of solid tumors, the aqueous extracts of leaves of I. suffruticosa may be used as an alternative anticancer agent

Oviposition and Embryotoxicity of Indigofera suffruticosa on Early Development of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

Aqueous extract of Indigofera suffruticosa leaves obtained by infusion was used to evaluate the oviposition, its effect on development of eggs and larvae, and morphological changes in larvae of Aedes aegypti. The bioassays were carried out with aqueous extract in different concentrations on eggs, larvae, and female mosquitoes, and the morphological changes were observed in midgut of larvae. The extract showed repellent activity on A. aegypti mosquitoes, reducing significantly the egg laying by females with control substrate (343 (185–406)) compared with the treated substrate (88 (13–210)). No eclosion of A. aegypti eggs at different concentrations studied was observed. The controleclodedin 35%. At concentration of 250 μg/mL, 93.3% of larvae remained in the second instar of development and at concentrations of 500, 750, and 1000 μg/mL the inhibitory effect was lower with percentages of 20%, 53.3%, and 46.6%, respectively. Morphological changes like disruption on the peritrophic envelope (PE), discontinued underlying epithelium, increased gut lumen, and segments with hypertrophic aspects were observed in anterior region of medium midgut of larvae of A. aegypti. The results showed repellent activity, specific embryotoxicity, and general growth retardation in A. aegypti by medium containing aqueous extract of I. suffruticosa leaves

Citotoxicity evaluation of three dental adhesives on vero cells in vitro

To evaluate, in vitro, the potential cytotoxicity of three different dental adhesives systems (Adper Single Bond 2 -SB, Silorane System Adhesive Bond -SSAB and Single Bond Universal -SBU) on cultivated Vero cells after different contact times. The cells were cultured in a concentration of 2 x 105 cells/mL for 24h and grown to sub-confluent monolayers. VERO cells were exposed to 25µl of conditioned extracts obtained from 24h, 48h and 72h immersion of adhesive samples in culture medium (DMEM), immediately after polymerization. Fresh DMEM was used as negative control. Cell metabolism was evaluated by the MTT assay (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide). The data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA, considering a significance of 5%. The values of cell viability ranged from 94.2% at 72h (SBU) to 109.6% at 48h (SB). The mean percentage of viability after exposure to the extracts of SB, SSAB and SBU were 103.2%, 100.63% and 97.43%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference (p= 0.342) between the experimental and negative control groups. At all exposure times, all adhesives tested in this study presented no cytotoxicity to Vero cells in vitro

Antimicrobial Activity of Indigofera suffruticosa

Various organic and aqueous extracts of leaves of Indigofera suffruticosa Mill (Fabaceae) obtained by infusion and maceration were screened for their antibacterial and antifungal activities. The extracts were tested against 5 different species of human pathogenic bacteria and 17 fungal strains by the agar-solid diffusion method. Most of the extracts were devoid of antifungal and antibacterial activities, except the aqueous extract of leaves of I. suffruticosa obtained by infusion, which showed strong inhibitory activity against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 5000 µg ml(−1). The MIC values to dermatophyte strains were 2500 µg ml(−1) against Trichophyton rubrum (LM-09, LM-13) and Microsporum canis. This study suggests that aqueous extracts of leaves of I. suffruticosa obtained by infusion can be used in the treatment of skin diseases caused by dermatophytes

HISTOMORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS IN KIDNEY TISSUE OF MICE TREATED WITH INDIGOFERA SUFFRUTICOSA MILL

Objective: To investigate by histomorphometry the effect of aqueous extract of Indigofera suffruticosa leaves on proximal convoluted tubules and renal corpuscles of mice with sarcoma 180.Methods: Male swiss albino mice (Mus musculus) with 60 days of age were divided into 3 groups of 6 animals: Group 1-sarcoma 180 treated with aqueous extract (50 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i. p.)), Group 2-sarcoma 180 treated with saline solution (15 ml/kg, i. p.) and Group 3–without sarcoma 180 treated with saline (15 ml/kg, i. p.). After 48 hours of tumor implantation, the treatment was initiated during 7 days. Histomorphometric analysis of kidney tissue was performed using IMAGEJ software.Results: Antitumoral treatment with aqueous extract of I. suffruticosa leaves at a dose of 50 mg/kg has not caused mice renal tissue histological changes.Conclusion: After treatment with aqueous extract of leaves of I. suffruticosa, renal architecture was preserved, suggesting its safety use as an antitumor agent.Â

Quality evaluation of a Brazilian marketed herbal medicine made from Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi: changes in the legislation for registration throughout 20 years / Avaliação da qualidade de um medicamento à base Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (aroeira) comercializado no Brasil: adequação à legislação ao longo de 20 ano

Considering the importance of the evaluation of quality and performance attributes of herbal medicines, this work evaluated a gynecological gel containing aroeira (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi), which was previously registered in 2001, and is still marketed in Brazil. Using the updated guides and legislation as a basis, the product was evaluated by checking the pH, spreadability, rheological behavior, in vitro release test, ex vivo permeation and retention study using porcine vaginal mucosa in Franz diffusion cells, and histological evaluation of the porcine vaginal mucosa before and after application of the product. After the permeation study, it was verified that gallic acid (chemical marker quantified) does not cross the mucosa, therefore, it is safe for local use. In addition, the pH of the formulation is within the range considered normal for use in healthy women. Finally, the histological evaluation of the mucosa showed changes compatible with the application of tannins (major compounds of the plant), and without changes indicative of loss of tissue integrity.

Indigofera suffruticosa Mill: um meio terapêutico alternativo anti-câncer

Indigofera suffruticosa Mill (Fabeceae) ocorre em abundância no nordeste brasileiro e tem intenso uso popular no tratamento de infecções, inflamações e outros processos. Para explorar o potencial desta planta e dar uma base científica a sua utilização, este trabalho experimental foi desenvolvido investigando-se a presença de compostos químicos majoritários em extratos de folhas de I. suffruticosa obtidos por infusão e os efeitos citotóxico e antitumoral dos extratos de folhas de I. suffruticosa obtidos por infusão e maceração. O material utilizado foi obtido a partir de um screening fitoquímico de folhas onde foram evidenciados protocolos extrativos de identificação de moléculas majoritárias presentes nas folhas. As moléculas majoritárias identificadas foram: alcalóides, polifenóis, terpenóides, açúcares e índigo. O extrato aquoso não exibiu citotoxicidade contra células HEp-2 (Human Larynx Epidermoid Carcinoma Cells) pelo método MTT. A atividade antitumoral dos extratos aquosos por infusão (64,53%) e maceração (62,62%) frente ao Sarcoma 180 em camundongos na dose de 50 mg/kg i.p., baseada na baixa ordem de toxicidade, foi comparada com o grupo controle que mostrou desenvolvimento tumoral de 100%. Os referidos extratos produziram reações comportamentais nos sistemas nervosos central e periférico sem apresentar alteração de massa muscular. Considerando a baixa ordem de toxicidade e a alta efetividade na inibição do crescimento de tumor sólido, o extrato aquoso de folhas de I. suffruticosa pode ser usado como agente terapêutico alternativo anticânce