Cláudia Sampaio de Andrade Lima

Effect of barbatimão [Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville] infusion on the labling of blood elements with technetium-99m

The Barbatimao is a tree which bark is rich in tannin. It is used on popular medicine as a wound healing agent, in the treatment of gastric lesions, as anti-leishmanial agent and as anti-inflammatory. Red blood cells (RBC) are labeled with technetium-99m (Tc-99m) and are utilized in many procedures in nuclear medicine. Some authors have reported that drugs (natural and synthetic) can alter the labeling of RBC with Tc-99m. This study evaluates the effect of barbatimao infusion on the labeling of red blood cells (RBC) and plasma (P) proteins with Tc-99m. Heparinized blood from Wistar rats was incubated with NaCl 0.9% as control and different concentrations of barbatimao infusion. Following the addition of stannous chloride (SnCl2), as reducing agent, and Tc-99m, as sodium pertechnetate, the blood samples were centrifuged. P and RBC were separated and were also precipitated with trichloroacetic acid 5%. Insoluble (IF-P and IF-RBC) fractions were isolated. The percentage of radioactivity in all the samples was determined. All the barbatimao infusion concentrations decreased the labeling of RBC, IF-P and IF-RBC. We can speculate that the barbatimao infusion interfered on the labeling of RBC due to the redox properties and/or it can also act as a chelator of the stannous ion.

Antimicrobial activity of a mixture of two isomeric phenylpropanoid glycosides from Arrabidaea harleyi A.H. Gentry (Bignoniaceae)

Arrabidaea harleyi A.H. Gentry (Bignoniaceae) e uma planta ornamental, encontrada em algumas regioes da Mata Atlântica do Brasil. A partir das cascas do caule foi isolada a mistura dos isomeros verbascosideo e isoverbascosideo. A mistura mostrou-se ativa frente a Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus mycoides, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Serratia marcensis e Candida albicans. Foi estabelecida a concentracao minima inibitoria (CMI) atraves do metodo de difusao em meio solido.

Influence of biflorin on the labelling of red blood cells, plasma protein, cell protein, and lymphocytes with technetium-99m: in vitro study

In this paper we report the results of an in vitro study involving the influence of biflorin (an o-quinone isolated from Capraria biflora L. that has potent antimicrobial activity) on the Tc-99m labeling of red blood cells, plasma protein, cells protein, and lymphocytes. Blood was withdrawn from Wistar rats and incubated with various concentrations of biflorin, and solutions of stannous chloride and Tc-99m were added. Plasma (P) and red blood cells (RBC) were isolated, precipitated, and centrifuged, and soluble (SF) and insoluble (IF) fractions were isolated. The results show that the highest concentration (100%) of biflorin is able to reduce the uptake of Tc-99m (%ATI) on RBC and the fixation on IF-P. To study the influence of biflorin on 99mTc lymphocyte labeling, human blood was submitted to a technique with Ficoll-Hypac and centrifuged, and white cells were isolated. Lymphocytes (2.5 mL; 1.0 x 106 cells/mL) were obtained and a 0.2 mL solution was incubated with biflorin (0.1 mL). Solutions of stannous chloride and 99mTc were added. Lymphocytes were separated and the %ATI bound in these cells was evaluated. A reduction in %ATI (from 97.85 ± 0.99 to 88.86 ± 5) was observed for RBC and for IF-P (73.24 ± 5.51 to 20.72 ± 6.95). In this case the results showed no decrease in %ATI for the lymphocytes with biflorin.

Estudo farmacognóstico de Indigofera microcarpa Desv. (Fabaceae)

Pharmacognostical study of Indigofera microcarpa with diagnostic aims was performed. The anatomy of the leaves, stem and roots and the presence of typical features of this family and the genus Indigofera was described and confirmed. The phytochemistry screening showed the presence of phenols, tannins, flavanones, steroids, terpenoids, saponins and quaternary compounds.

Acute Toxicity and Cytotoxicity Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Spondias tuberosa Arruda Bark: Hematological, Biochemical and Histopathological Evaluation

Spondias tuberosa Arruda, popularly named as umbu, is native from savanna-like vegetation and widely used for medicinal purposes, however, the toxicological profile is not available yet. This study evaluated the phytochemical profile and acute toxicity and citoxicity of Ethanolic Extract of Spondias tuberosa Arruda Bark (EEStb) in hematological, biochemical and histopathological parameters. Female Wistar rats were divided into: control (C) and animal treated single doses of 300mg/Kg (EEStb300) or 2.000mg/kg body weight (ESStb2.000) of the EEStb. After 24 hours and 14 days from gavage, the behavior, hematological, biochemical and histopathological parameters were assayed. Cytotoxicity effect was evaluated on HEp-2 cell lines. Neither EEStb300 nor EEStb2.000 produced mortality nor changes in body weight during the 14-days of observation, but EEStb2.000 reduced quietly the food and water intake as well as locomotor activity at first day. There were no changes in macroscopic, histopathological, biochemical and hematological parameters. EEStb in concentrations of 6.25- 50μg ml-1 on HEp-2 cell did not produce cytotoxic effect. These results suggest that EEStb did not cause acute toxicity and cytotoxic, suggesting a good safety rate for Spondias tuberosa Arruda.

Biological Activity and Photostability of Biflorin Micellar Nanostructures

Capraria biflora L. is a shrub from the Scrophulariaceae family which produces in its roots a compound named biflorin, an o-naphthoquinone that shows activity against Gram-positive bacteria and fungi and also presents antitumor and antimetastatic activities. However, biflorin is hydrophobic and photosensitive. These properties make its application difficult. In this work we prepared biflorin micellar nanostructures looking for a more effective vehiculation and better preservation of the biological activity. Biflorin was obtained, purified and characterized by UV-Vis, infrared (IR) and 1H- and 13C-NMR. Micellar nanostructures of biflorin were then assembled with Tween 80®, Tween 20® and saline (0.9%) and characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The results showed that the micellar nanostructures were stable and presented an average size of 8.3 nm. Biflorin micellar nanostructures’ photodegradation was evaluated in comparison with biflorin in ethanol. Results showed that the biflorin in micellar nanostructures was better protected from light than biflorin dissolved in ethanol, and also indicated that biflorin in micelles were efficient against Gram-positive bacteria and yeast species. In conclusion, the results showed that the micellar nanostructures could ensure the maintenance of the biological activity of biflorin, conferring photoprotection. Moreover, biflorin vehiculation in aqueous media was improved, favoring its applicability in biological systems.

A methodology to design low cost mobile applications for health for rural communities using participatory design and popular education

Most of the food consumed in Brazilian cities, as in other big urban spaces, is produced by family farming. The economic sustainability of these family communities depends on the range of primary health care. The rational use of medicinal plants is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an important element of healing practices and nutrition education. Mobile health applications can contribute to both the rational use of medicinal plants and herbal medicines as to the health sustainability of family farming communities, improving the quality of primary health care in ethnic and traditional communities and the preservation of popular knowledge. This paper proposes a methodology for the development of applications for mobile devices geared to popular health education based on participatory human-computer interface design and popular education, taking into account to improve the quality of basic health care by aiding communitary health agents and popular communities at health education for the rational use of medicinal plants. As a case study we developed a basic architecture and a prototype based on Android, from the results of participatory workshops in a rural area of the North Forest in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. The participatory workshops were designed to promote the proposed methodology of combining participatory design and popular education.

Influence of gamma radiation on the antimicrobial activity of crude extracts of Anacardium occidentale L., Anacardiaceae, rich in tannins

Anacardium occidentale L. Anacardiaceae, known as cashew, commonly found in northeastern of Brazil, has high levels of secondary metabolites, particularly tannins, used as raw material for herbal medicines. An efficient alternative to decontaminate plant products is the total sterilization or reduction of the initial microbial count, the process of gamma irradiation with 60Co. The objective of this study was to analyze the antimicrobial activity of crude extracts of bark and leaves of A. occidentale, based on the quantification of total phenols and tannins, before and after exposure to gamma radiation from 60Co. The extracts were obtained in the laboratory by cold maceration in ethanol, filtered and dryness. They were divided into non-irradiated control group (0 kGy) and irradiated: groups exposed to gamma radiation at doses of 5, 7.5 and 10 kGy. The total phenols was obtained by the Folin-Ciocalteau method and tannins, by the precipitation of casein. The antimicrobial potential activities of these extracts were also evaluated. The results showed that gamma radiation doses employed in this study did not influence statistically the percentage of total phenols and tannins in the bark extracts, at levels ranging from 5.73±0.14 and 5.20±0.14, respectively. The levels of metabolites in the leaves were statistically (p<0.05) influenced by radiation, observed average total phenols between 3.13±0.04 (0 kGy) and 3.50±0.08 (10 kGy), and tannin between 2.47±0.06 (0 kGy) and 2.93±0.04 (10 kGy). The extracts of bark and leaves were active against Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Mycobacterium smegmatis, Candida albicans. Gamma radiation caused an increase in antimicrobial activity of extracts against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive), with average inhibition zones for shells: 14.33±058 (0 kGy) and 22.33±0.58 (10 kGy), and leaves: 11.33±0.58 (0 kGy) and 19.00±1.00 (10 kGy). Exposure to radiation caused changes in physical and chemical constituents of phenolic extracts of leaves of cashew, increasing levels of tannins.

Evaluation of cytotoxic, immunomodulatory and antibacterial activities of aqueous extract from leaves of Conocarpus erectus Linnaeus (Combretaceae)

This work evaluated the antibacterial activity, cytotoxicity and immunomodulatory effect on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) promoted by aqueous extract from Conocarpus erectus leaves (AELCe).

Agarose-silver particles films: Effect of calcium ascorbate in nanoparticles synthesis and film properties

New nanoparticles containing biomaterials are emerging as versatile active platforms in a great number of applications, for example, as skin substitutes and therapeutic media. The present study describes the preparation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) embedded in agarose films and the impact of calcium ascorbate in the formation of ANPs as well as in the final properties of the films. Colloidal AgNPs were synthetized by two chemical reduction routes: (i) applying calcium ascorbate and NaBH4 and (ii) applying only NaBH4. AgNPs synthetized using NaBH4 showed sizes ranging from 5 to 18 nm while AgNPs were calcium ascorbate was used showed micrometer from 164 to 955 nm size. Films were prepared in three formulations: agarose control film (A1); agarose + AgNPs without calcium ascorbate (A2) and agarose + AgNPs with calcium ascorbate (A3). The characterization of films by SEM and EDS showed agarose agglomerates in A2 and unreacted calcium ascorbate crystals on surface of A3. Thus, the presence of calcium ascorbate influenced the properties of A3 film. In addition, the antimicrobial analysis showed a silver particles release dependence on the film composition and only the A3 presented activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The results found in this study open an important way for development of new biomaterials, economically competitive, and with medical application.