Genotoxicity Study of Vitex megapotamica (Spreng.) Moldenke

Rita de Cássia Lima Ribeiro,Emerson Luiz Lorenço Botelho,Guilherme Donadel,Maria Leticia Ames,Bruna Nunes,Salviano Tramontini,Andreia Assunção Soares,Odair Alberton,Ezilda Jacomassi,Arquimedes Gasparo 한국식품영양과학회 2021 Journal of medicinal food Vol.24 No.7

Vitex megapotamica (Spreng) Moldenke is commonly known as tarumã, it is an important medicinal and edible fruit plant. It is native to regions of tropical and subtropical climate in greater proportion than temperate zones and widely distributed in Central America, South America, Asia, and Africa. In Brazil, it is present in the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado biomes. Despite its widespread use, there are no minimum standards for quality control or information on genotoxicity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to present a detailed description of the short-term genotoxicity assays of V. megapotamica and to provide parameters of a preparation routinely used in traditional folk medicine. For genotoxicity assays, five groups were used with eight wistar rats in each group. For this, three doses of the V. megapotamica extract in doses (100, 300, and 900 mg/kg) or negative control (filtered water) were administered orally and positive control cyclophosphamide monohydrate (20 mg/kg; Sigma–Aldrich®) was applied by the intraperitoneal route after 24 h. At the end, whole blood was collected in a tube containing EDTA for the comet test and later the animals were euthanized. For the micronucleus test, femurs were removed, and bone marrow was collected. In the comet assay, V. megapotamica crude extract did not show significant DNA damage at all doses tested. The micronucleus assay showed no significant increase in the frequency of inducing micronuclei at any dose examined. It can be concluded that the safety parameters in genotoxicity studies reveal that V. megapotamica has no toxicity, which characterizes the important quality control of this plant species.

Cenostigma macrophyllum Tul. var. acuminata Teles Freire Fraction Leaves Stimulate Gastric Healing in Rats and Human Cell Cultures

Ana Flávia Seraine Custódio Viana,Hélio B Fernandes,Mariana H Chave,Daniel A Viana,Verlane G Santos,Ariadne C A Silva,Miriam T.P. Lopes,Rita de Cássia M Oliveira 한국식품영양과학회 2021 Journal of medicinal food Vol.24 No.3

Cenostigma macrophyllum Tul. var. acuminata Teles Freire (Leguminosae–Caesalpinioideae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used for treatment of gastric ulcer. This study evaluated the ulcer-healing activity of the hydroalcoholic fraction of C. macrophyllum Tul. var. acuminata Teles Freire leaves (Cm-FHA) and the tea of the leaves of C. macrophyllum (Cm-tea), as well as the possible action of Cm-FHA, through in vitro models. Leaves of C. macrophyllum were dried and powdered to obtain the Cm-FHA. Subsequently, the Cm-FHA was characterized phytochemically and biologically. Besides, Cm-tea was prepared. The gastric healing effects of Cm-tea and Cm-FHA were analyzed using the model of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer in rats. The human gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cell line was employed as an in vitro model. Cm-tea promoted a protective effect against gastric ulcers induced by absolute ethanol. Cm-FHA or Cm-tea (100 mg/kg/7 days) exhibited a significant healing effect on ulcers induced by acetic acid. In the histological analysis, gastric mucosa treated with Cm-FHA or Cm-tea advanced restoration of the mucosal epithelium. In vitro, lower concentrations of Cm-FHA stimulated cell proliferation in the BrdU assay and cell migration. Cm-tea and Cm-FHA present a significant gastric healing effect in in vivo and in vitro models.

Is There Any Difference Between Depression and Anxiety in Overactive Bladder According to Sex? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Iane Glauce R Melotti,Cássia Raquel Teatin Juliato,Suelene Costa de Albuquerque Coelho,Marcelo Lima,Cassio Luiz Zanettini Riccetto 대한배뇨장애요실금학회 2017 International Neurourology Journal Vol.21 No.3

Purpose: Overactive bladder (OAB) is characterized by urinary urgency with or without urge incontinence, accompanied by frequency and nocturia. It affects individuals of all ages and can predispose affected individuals to depression and anxiety. However, few studies have been conducted on this topic. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and OAB using validated instruments. Methods: The search for articles was based on the following descriptors: overactive bladder, depression, and anxiety (“Urinary bladder, Overactive AND Depression and Anxiety”) OR (“Urinary bladder, Overactive AND Depression” OR “Urinary bladder, Overactive AND Anxiety”). The databases searched included PubMed, MEDLINE, and SciELO. Results: Initially, 111 articles were identified, but only 11 articles, containing 11,784 participants with depression and 10,436 with anxiety, specifically addressed depression or anxiety and were included in this systematic review. Ten articles incorporated a quantitative analysis, with cohort, series, population-based, and cross-sectional designs. One qualitative study was also included. Three articles were included in the meta-analysis, resulting in a total of 7,468 participants in whom depression was evaluated and 8,030 participants in whom anxiety was analyzed. Depression and anxiety were positively correlated with OAB. Men with OAB were considerably more likely than women to have anxiety (odds ratio [OR], 1.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.40–1.73) but there was no sex-related difference in depression (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.77–1.21). Conclusions: This study showed a positive correlation between OAB and anxiety and depression. Men were considerably more likely than women to have anxiety related to OAB, but depression levels in OAB patients were not sex-related. This review highlights the need to investigate depression and anxiety in patients with OAB.

A Case Report on the Effect of Sham Acupuncture

Vera Lucia Rasera Zotelli,Cássia Maria Grillo,Maria da Luz Rosário de Sousa 사단법인약침학회 2016 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.9 No.5

When nausea, an extremely unpleasant symptom, is experienced during dental treatment, it generates disorders and obstacles for both the patient and the professional, compromising the good quality of dental care. Clinical studies have confirmed the antiemetic action of acupuncture and shown its use for the treatment of nausea and vomiting. In the scientific literature there are several recent studies that address the placebo effect of acupuncture. The aim of this manuscript is to present a case report of a 46-year-old Caucasian male patient, who had severe symptoms of nausea while undergoing dental care. Treatment with sham acupuncture (acupuncture simulation) obtained a positive result of nausea prevention. We will discuss three possible hypotheses concerning this result: (1) there was action of Deqi; (2) high expectations of the patient; and (3) association with specific learned response. The patient in this case report received nonpenetrating sham acupuncture at acupoint Neiguan (PC6), which resulted in the complete remission of nausea during an intra-oral impression-taking procedure, but it is unclear whether the placebo effect was triggered by the action of Deqi, the high expectations of the patient, an association with a learned response, or by the interaction of all these factors.

Scale up of xylitol production from sugarcane bagasse hemicellulosic hydrolysate by Candida guilliermondii FTI 20037

Priscila Vaz de Arruda,Júlio César dos Santos,Rita de Cássia Lacerda Brambilla Rodrigues,Débora Danielle Virgínio da Silva,Celina Kiyomi Yamakawa,George Jackson de Moraes Rocha,Jonas Nolasco Júnior,Jo 한국공업화학회 2017 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.47 No.-

In this study, volumetric oxygen mass transfer coefficient (kLa) was selected as a criterion for facilitatingthe scale up of xylitol production by Candida guilliermondii at the bench and pilot-scale level. A kLa valueof 16 h 1 was applied in reactors with volumetric capacity of 2.4 L, 18 L and 125 L. Fermentation wassuccessfully scaled-up from the bench to pilot-scale level with all experiments demonstrating aminimum of 60% xylose to xylitol conversion efficiency. Under all evaluated conditions glycerol andethanol were also produced as by-products of xylose metabolism. Only minor differences were observedin the fermentation profile when reactor volumes ranging from 2.4 L to 125 L were used forexperimentation purposes, reaching, at pilot scale, yield and volumetric productivity of 0.55 g g 1and 0.31 g L 1 h 1, respectively, with maximum specific growth rate of 0.26 h 1. This demonstrates andreinforces the feasibility of using kLa as scale up criterion. The use of this parameter allowed precisereproduction of results obtained at bench bioreactor level to a larger scale; this is extremely crucial andimportant information considering that the aim of the proposed biotechnological process is to reach thelevel required for the industrial viability.

Effect of Ear Acupuncture plus Dry Cupping on Activities and Quality of Life in the Adults with Chronic Back Pain: a Randomized Trial

Caroline de Castro Moura,Chaves Erika de Cássia Lopes,Nogueira Denismar Alves,Iunes Denise Hollanda,Azevedo Cissa,Corrêa Hérica Pinheiro,Pereira Gabriela Aparecida,Silvano Higor Magalhães,Macieira Tam 사단법인약침학회 2022 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.15 No.2

Background: Chronic pain is a complex phenomenon that brings physical and emotional impairments negatively impacting people’s quality of life. The adoption of interventions such as ear acupuncture and dry cupping can represent a treatment option for people with chronic back pain. Objectives: To investigate the effects of ear acupuncture combined with dry cupping therapy on the interference of pain with the daily activities and quality of life of adults with chronic back pain. Methods: An open-label, randomized, parallel-group controlled clinical trial. One hundred and ninety-eight adults were randomized into control (CG - ear acupuncture) or experimental (EG - ear acupuncture combined with dry cupping) groups. Interventions were performed in five sessions, once a week, lasting five weeks. Evaluations were performed before the first session, after the last session, and seven days after the second evaluation, using the Brief Pain Inventory to assess the impact of pain on daily activities and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) to assess the quality of life. Results: Between the initial and final sessions, there were significant changes in daily activities , activity, work, mood, relationships, sleep, and in the physical, psychological and social relationships domains for both the control and experimental groups. Improved perception of quality of life and satisfaction with health were observed for the participants in the experimental group. Conclusion: Ear acupuncture combined with dry cupping showed better results in terms of perception of quality of life and satisfaction with health when compared to ear acupuncture by itself.

Ultrasonography for long-term evaluation of hyaluronic acid filler in the face: A technical report of 180 days of follow-up

Luiz Paulo Carvalho Rocha,Tânia de Carvalho Rocha,Stephanie de Cássia Carvalho Rocha,Patrícia Valéria Henrique,Flávio Ricardo Manzi,Micena Roberta Miranda Alves e Silva 대한영상치의학회 2020 Imaging Science in Dentistry Vol.50 No.2

Purpose: In this study, we used ultrasonography to monitor the use of hyaluronic acid (HA) as a filler in the face for esthetic reasons. We monitored changes in the filler shape, distribution, and relationship with adjacent anatomical structures over a 180-day period. Materials and Methods: Two patients each received an ultrasound-guided injection of HA, with different products and application sites for each patient. In 1 patient, the injection was administered in the angle of the mandible, while in the other, it was administered in the zygomatic region. The injection sites were monitored via ultrasonography at 24 hours, 30 days, and 180 days, at which times the imaging characteristics of the filler were observed. All injections were performed by the same professional, as were the ultrasound exams, which were conducted using the same equipment. Results: In both cases, the HA fillers were visualized using ultrasound at all time points. Some differences were observed between the cases in the images and the distribution of the pockets of filler. In 1 case, the filler appeared as a dark hypoechoic region with well-defined contours, and the material was observed to have moved posteriorly by the 180-day mark. In the other case, the material appeared hyperechoic relative to the previous case and presented no noticeable changes in its anteroposterior distribution over time. Conclusion: Based on these 2 cases, ultrasonography can be a complementary tool used to monitor facial fillers over the long term, allowing for the dynamic observation of different fillers.

High-Fat Diet with Lyophilized Acrocomia aculeata Pulp Increases High-Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol Levels and Inhibits Adipocyte Hypertrophy in Mice

Melina Ribeiro Fernandes,Karoline Silva Rezende,Aline Carla Inada,Karine de Cássia Freitas,Wander Fernando de Oliveira Filiú,Leandro Fontoura Cavalheiro,Carlos Eduardo Domingues Nazário,Priscila Aiko 한국식품영양과학회 2021 Journal of medicinal food Vol.24 No.8

Obesity is a relevant health hazard characterized as a chronic noncommunicable disease, with severe comorbidities that cause mortality worldwide. Acrocomia aculeata is a Brazilian palm with edible fruits. Its pulp contains fibers, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), such as oleic acid and carotenoids. In this context, our study aimed to elucidate the protective effect of the lyophilized A. aculeata pulp added at the rates of 1%, 2%, and 4% to a high-fat (HF) diet (rich in saturated fats and cholesterol), for 90 days, in mice. The treatment with 4% pulp induced a significant increase in the biochemical parameters of serum cholesterol HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein) compared with the control. According to the evaluation of the epididymal tissue, the groups treated with A. aculeata pulp exhibited smaller fat deposits compared with the HF diet group. Therefore, we infer that the predominant components in A. aculeata, particularly fibers and MUFAs, promote beneficial effects on health parameters during simultaneous exposure to food rich in saturated fat and cholesterol, typical of the Western diet. This is the first study to correlate the presence of fatty acids from A. aculeata pulp in different proportions added in a HF diet with metabolic and histological parameters in Swiss mice.

Therapeutic Feasibility of the Natural Products in the Heart Complaints: An Overview

Priscila de Souza,Luísa Nathália Bolda Mariano,Rita de Cássia M. V. A. F. da Silva,Francielli Gasparotto,Emerson Luiz Botelho Lourenço,Guilherme Donadel,Thaise Boeing,Arquimedes Gasparotto Junior 한국식품영양과학회 2021 Journal of medicinal food Vol.24 No.12

Heart pain is the most frequent complaint leading patients to seek medical help. Functional heart symptoms, especially chest pain, are prevalent and, according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), are described as “somatoform autonomous functional disorders of the cardiovascular system.” The problem lies in the fact that pain does not always have a somatic background, that is, it may be related to crucial underlying heart disease. The population does not know how to differentiate somatic pain from significant ischemic symptoms, and based on the patient's complaints, traditional medicine ends up treating other underlying cardiac diseases. Many unsuccessful unconventional therapies have been proposed in recent years, including herbal medicines that seek to disrupt the disease's pathogenesis. The present review summarizes research carried out in the last 5 years on natural products' heart complaints, including myocardial ischemia, arrhythmia, and heart failure. Several herbal medicines may be used as a replacement or complementary treatment strategy. A total of 17 medicinal plants have shown promising results in preclinical studies. However, human clinical trials are scarce; only two have been presented. Generally, the data are bland, and many issues have been raised about herbal therapies' safety, efficacy, and mode of action. Besides, relevant clinical trials, future perspectives, and possible clinical applications are discussed.

Smear layer removal by different chemical solutions used with or without ultrasonic activation after post preparation

Daniel Poletto,Ana Claudia Poletto,Andressa Cavalaro,Ricardo Machado,Leopoldo Cosme-Silva,Cássia Cilene Dezan Garbelini,Márcio Grama Hoeppner 대한치과보존학회 2017 Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics Vol.42 No.4

Objectives: This study evaluated smear layer removal by different chemical solutions used with or without ultrasonic activation after post preparation. Materials and Methods: Forty-five extracted uniradicular human mandibular premolars with single canals were treated endodontically. The cervical and middle thirds of the fillings were then removed, and the specimens were divided into 9 groups: G1, saline solution (NaCl); G2, 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl); G3, 2% chlorhexidine (CHX); G4, 11.5% polyacrylic acid (PAA); G5, 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). For the groups 6, 7, 8, and 9, the same solutions used in the groups 2, 3, 4, and 5 were used, respectively, but activated with ultrasonic activation. Afterwards, the roots were analyzed by a score considering the images obtained from a scanning electron microscope. Results: EDTA achieved the best performance compared with the other solutions evaluated regardless of the irrigation method (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Ultrasonic activation did not significantly influence smear layer removal.