Antimutagenic Effect of Aqueous Extract from Agaricus brasiliensis on Culture of Human Lymphocytes

Paula H. Gameiro,Jose´ S. Nascimento,Beatriz H.G. Rocha,Clause F.B. Piana,Raquel A. Santos,Catarina S. Takahashi 한국식품영양과학회 2013 Journal of medicinal food Vol.16 No.2

The mushroom Agaricus brasiliensis (sun mushroom), native from the southeast of Brazil, is well known by its medicinal properties that include effects on diabetes, cholesterol levels, and osteoporosis. The antimutagenic effects of A. brasiliensis has been investigated recently and revealed some controversial results depending on the temperature by which the A. brasiliensis tea is obtained. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of the A. brasiliensis extract prepared in two different temperatures, 4°C and 25°C, on the doxorubicin-induced DNA strand breaks and chromosomal aberrations (CAs) in human lymphocytes. The results demonstrated that A. brasiliensis was able to reduce the DXR-induced DNA damage in both temperatures; however, the CA test was more sensitive to demonstrate a better reduction when the cells were treated with an extract obtained at 25°C. A. brasiliensis extract obtained in different temperatures exhibited antigenotoxic and anticlastogenic effects in human lymphocytes.

Effect of Rheedia longifolia Leaf Extract and Fractions on the P2X_7 Receptor In Vitro: Novel Antagonists?

José A.A. Santos,Antonio Augusto Fidalgo-Neto,Robson X. Faria,Ana Simo˜es,Andrea S. Calheiros,Ana Luiza Be´renger,Hugo C.C. Faria-Neto,Maria Raquel Figueiredo,Valber S. Luiz Frutuoso,Luiz Anastacio Al 한국식품영양과학회 2011 Journal of medicinal food Vol.14 No.9

Recently, the P2X_7 receptor has been reported to be associated with chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Because Rheedia longifolia extract has analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity, we evaluated the in vitro inhibitory potential of methanol extract and fractions from its leaves on the P2X_7 purinergic receptor. The activity of P2X_7 was studied with a dye uptake assay and with the whole-cell patch clamp technique in mouse peritoneal macrophages treated with methanol extract of R. longifolia leaves and fractions. The dye uptake was evaluated by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. The R. longifolia extract and some fractions showed an inhibitory effect on the P2X_7 purinergic receptor in a dose-dependent manner. The ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the most potent inhibitory effects. The methanol extract and the butanol fraction showed the same inhibitory effects, despite their lower potency compared with the other fractions. The R. longifolia extract and some of its fractions may be anti-inflammatory because of their inhibitory effect on the P2X_7 receptor. Further investigation is needed to determine the pattern of inhibition and selectivity. Chromatographic analysis indicated the presence of bisflavonoids in the methanol extract fractions. A member of this chemical family is the most probable active compound responsible for the P2X_7 inhibitory effects present in the R. Longifolia extract and fractions.

Chemical Profile and Antinociceptive Efficacy of Rheedia longifolia Leaf Extract

José A.A. Santos,Andrea Calheiros,Diogo D. Nascimento,Ana Luiza R. Bérenger,Fábio C. Amendoeira,Hugo C. Castro-Faria-Neto,Maria Raquel Figueiredo,Luiz A. Alves,Valber da Silva Frutuoso 한국식품영양과학회 2011 Journal of medicinal food Vol.14 No.9

Different species of the family Clusiaceae, including Rheedia longifolia, are used in folk medicine to treat inflammatory diseases. This family is largely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas of Brazil, but their chemical and pharmacological properties have been the subject of a few studies. In previous studies, we found that the aqueous extract from R. longifolia leaves presented important anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. We investigated the chemical profile of R. longifolia and characterized the pharmacological effect of different chemically identified fractions in pharmacological models of neurogenic and inflammatory nociception. The pharmacological tests showed that oral treatment with aqueous crude extract and fractions of methanol extract of R. longifolia leaf induced a significant antinociceptive effect using von Frey filaments. In addition, the most polar fractions presented antinociceptive activity in a neurogenic model of nociception (capsaicin model). The chromatographic analysis indicated the presence of bisflavonoids in the fractions obtained from the methanol extract. These results suggest that bisflavonoids found in methanol-extracted fractions are involved in the inhibition of inflammatory and neurogenic nociception. It is important that the R. longifolia aqueous extract treatment inhibited ulcer formation induced by indomethacin, suggesting an anti-ulcerogenic activity closely associated with its analgesic effect.

Echocardiographic Assessment of Right Ventriculo-arterial Coupling: Clinical Correlates and Prognostic Impact in Heart Failure Patients Undergoing Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

Bruno Bragança,Maria Trêpa,Raquel Santos,Inês Silveira,Marta Fontes Oliveira,Maria João Sousa,Hipólito Reis,Severo Torres,Mário Santos 한국심초음파학회 2020 Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging (J Cardiovasc Im Vol.28 No.2

BACKGROUND: Right ventriculo-arterial coupling (RV-PA) can be estimated by echocardiography using the ratio between tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and it has prognostic value in the general heart failure (HF) population. We aimed to study the clinical correlates and prognostic value of RV-PA in HF patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). METHODS: We retrospectively studied 70 HF patients undergoing CRT implantation. RESULTS: RV-PA coupling was estimated by TAPSE/PASP ratio using baseline echocardiography. Non-response to CRT was defined as improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction < 5% in a follow-up echo 6-12 months after CRT. Those with lower TAPSE/PASP ratios (worse RV-PA coupling) had higher NT-proBNP concentrations and increased E/e′ ratio. TAPSE/PASP ratio and PASP, but not TAPSE, predicted nonresponse to CRT with TAPSE/PASP ratio showing the best discriminative ability with a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 71%. Among these parameters, PASP independently predicted all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: RV-PA coupling estimated by TAPSE/PASP ratio was associated with established prognostic markers in HF. It numerically outperformed PASP and TAPSE in predicting the response to CRT. Our data suggest that this simple and widely available echocardiographic parameter conveys significant pathophysiological and prognostic meaning in HF patients undergoing CRT.

Iron nanoparticles as food additives and food supplements, regulatory and legislative perspectives

Sara Madai Chavarría-Fernández,Rubén Jiménez-Alvarado,Eva María Santos-López,Aldahir Alberto Hernández-Hernandez,Raquel Cariño-Cortés 한국식품과학회 2024 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.33 No.6

Recently, the use of nanotechnology in food has gained great interest. Iron nanoparticles with unique chemical, physical and structural properties allow their potential use mainly as iron fortifiers, colorants and antimicrobial agents. However, in the market we can find only supplements and food colorants based on iron nanoparticles. Their use in food fortification has so far been focused only on in vitro and in vivo experimental studies, since the toxicological evaluation of these studies has so far been the basis for the proposals of laws and regulations, which are still in an early stage of development. Therefore, the aim of this work was to summarize the use of the different forms of iron nanoparticles (oxides, oxyhydroxides, phosphates, pyrophosphates and sulfates) as food additives and supplements and to resume the perspectives of legislation regarding the use of these types of nanoparticles in the food industry.

Phytochemical Characterization, Antimicrobial Activity, and Antioxidant Potential of Equisetum hyemale L. (Equisetaceae) Extracts

Geisiany M. de Queiroz,Fla´vio A.S. Politi,Edvaˆnio R. Rodrigues,Tatiana M. Souza-Moreira,Raquel R.D. Moreira,Ca´ssia R.P. Cardoso,Lourdes C. Santos,Rosemeire C.L.R. Pietro 한국식품영양과학회 2015 Journal of medicinal food Vol.18 No.7

Equisetum hyemale species is considered a medicinal plant used in the form of infusions to combat infectious or inflammation diseases and also diuretic effects, presenting several compounds related to these actions. In previous studies different species of Equisetum showed several phenolic compounds. The objective of this study was, for the first time, based on phytochemistry analysis to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The 70% ethanolic and methanolic extracts of E. hyemale were characterized by spectrophotometric and high-performance liquid chromatography with pulsed amperometric detector analyses, as well as its antioxidant potential based on the scavenger activity of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). In addition was verified the antimicrobial activity by broth microdilution technique against bacteria and fungi. The extracts showed phytochemical similarity, which demonstrated the presence of phenolic compounds, the scavenging activity for free radicals was about 30% and was observed better antifungal activity against dermatophyte fungi, with minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum fungicidal concentration of 0.62 mg/mL to Trichophyton rubrum and Microsporum canis. The extracts exhibits great potential to therapeutic applications or product development, since both possess antifungal activity and antioxidant action associated with little difference in their phytochemical composition.

Antidiarrheal Activity of Campomanesia xanthocarpa Fruit

Tatiana M. Souza-Moreira,Luiz Estêvão Salvagnini,Emerson Santos,Viviana Y.A. Silva,Raquel R.D. Moreira,Hérida R.N. Salgado,Rosemeire C.L.R. Pietro 한국식품영양과학회 2011 Journal of medicinal food Vol.14 No.5

The growing list of drug-resistant microorganisms and the persistence of deaths due to diarrhea are compelling reasons to study plants in search of new therapeutic agents. The chemical constitution and popular use of the edible fruits of Campomanesia xanthocarpa O. Berg motivated this study to assess the antimicrobial and antidiarrheal properties of the fruits. An extract in 70% ethanol was prepared, and its antimicrobial activity was tested against several strains of bacteria by the agar diffusion and microdilution methods. Antidiarrheal activity was analyzed by testing intestinal motility in an animal model. Preliminary phytochemical study indicated the presence of flavonoids, saponins, and tannins in the hydroalcoholic extract. Antimicrobial activity was significant, but the minimum inhibitory concentration proved to be higher than the maximum extract concentration tested. The extract did not show significant activity for intestinal motility. Although this fruit extract did not show great results as an antimicrobial or antidiarrheal agent, the study contributes to the search for new plant agents and could be referred to as a research protocol by investigators in this area.