Guilhermina Rodrigues Noleto

Effects of a lichen galactomannan and its vanadyl (IV) complex on peritoneal macrophages and leishmanicidal activity

A galactomannan (GMPOLY) isolated from lichen Ramalina celastri was complexed with vanadyl ion (IV;VO) forming the complex GMPOLY-VO. Both GMPOLY and GMPOLY-VO diminished the superoxide anion production by macrophages triggered with PMA, the complex giving rise to this effect at concentrations 100 times lower than GMPOLY. Macrophages treated with GMPOLY enhanced the nitric oxide production (40%), this effect not being observed when interferon-γ ((IFN-γ) or IFN-γ plus lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were present. No effect on nitric oxide production was observed by treatment of macrophage with GMPOLY-VO. Both GMPOLY and GMPOLY-VO exhibited leishmanicidal effects on the amastigote form of Leishmania amazonesis, but only GMPOLY-VO inhibited the growth of promastigote form.

Involvement of catalase in the apoptotic mechanism induced by apigenin in HepG2 human hepatoma cells

Apigenin has been reported to inhibit proliferation of cancer cells; however, the mechanism underlying its action is not completely understood. Here, we evaluated the effects of apigenin on the levels of expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes, and the involvement of ROS in the mechanism of cell death induced by apigenin in HepG2 human hepatoma cells. Upon treatment with apigenin, HepG2 cells displayed a reduction in cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and some morphological changes. In addition, apigenin treatment induced ROS generation and significantly decreased the mRNA levels and activity of catalase and levels of intracellular GSH. On the other hand, apigenin treatment did not alter the expression or activity levels of other antioxidant enzymes. Addition of exogenous catalase significantly reduced the effects of apigenin on HepG2 cell death. We also demonstrated that HepG2 cells are more sensitive to apigenin-mediated cell death than are primary cultures of mouse hepatocytes, suggesting a differential toxic effect of this agent in tumor cells. Our results suggest that apigenin-induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells may be mediated by a H(2)O(2)-dependent pathway via reduction of the antioxidant defenses.

Chemical and immunological modifications of an arabinogalactan present in tea preparations of Phyllanthus niruri after treatment with gastric fluid

An arabinogalactan (AG) obtained from tea preparations of Phyllanthus niruri was previously investigated and presented immunological properties when tested with peritoneal mice macrophages. AG was now submitted to acidic and neutral gastric conditions using human gastric fluids and aq. HCl solution. Since the acidic procedures gave rise to the same free monosaccharidic composition, the acid hydrolyzate of AG at pH 2.00 was treated with ethanol to form insoluble (AG-P) and soluble fractions (AG-S). These were analyzed using (13)C NMR, HPSEC, and GC-MS for monosaccharide composition and methylation analyses. The results showed an intense partial degradation, including cleavages of the main chain. AG-S presented the monosaccharides released from the native polymer and some oligosaccharides as shown by methylation data. AG-P contained larger molecular fragments comprising the internal units from AG, which were not attacked by the hydrolysis condition. Both fractions were tested in peritoneal mice macrophages and remained active, promoting an increase of superoxide anion production of 2.0 and 2.3-fold, at 250 microg/mL, for AG-S and AG-P, respectively. When compared to AG, a slight diminished response was observed, revealing a structure-activity relation. The significance of the results is that most plant extracts are orally ingested and will reach the gastrointestinal tract before performing a biological function, so checking these changes is crucial to propose future clinical therapies based on the rational use of phytomedicine.

Production of cachexia mediators by Walker 256 cells from ascitic tumors

In neoplasic cachexia, chemical mediators seem to act as initiators or perpetuators of this process. Walker 256 cells, whose metabolic properties have so far been little studied with respect to cancer cachexia, are used as a model for the study of this syndrome. The main objective of this research was to pinpoint the substances secreted by these cells that may contribute to the progression of the cachectic state. Since inflammatory mediators seem to be involved in the manifestation of this syndrome, the in vitro production of nitric oxide (NO), cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6)), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was evaluated in Walker 256 cells isolated from ascitic tumors. After 4 or 5 h, a significant increase in NO production was observed (2.55 ± 1.56 and 4.05 ± 1.99 nmol NO per 107 cells, respectively). When isolated from a 6‐day‐old tumor, a significantly lower production of IL‐6 and higher production of TNF‐α than in cells from a 4‐day‐old tumor were observed, indicating a relationship between the production of cytokines and the time of tumor development after implantation. Considerable production of PGE2 by Walker 256 cells isolated from the 6‐day‐old tumor was also observed. Polyamines were also determined in Walker 256 cells. Levels of putrescine, spermidine, and spermine did not show significant differences in tumors developed during 4 or 6 days. Direct evidence of the release of proinflammatory cytokines and PGE2 by Walker 256 cells suggests that these mediators can drive the cachectic syndrome in the host, the effect being dependent on tumor development time. Copyright

Storage xyloglucans: potent macrophages activators.

Storage xyloglucans from the seeds of Copaifera langsdorffii, Hymenaea courbaril and Tamarindus indica were obtained by aqueous extraction from the milled and defatted cotyledons, XGC, XGJ and XGT, respectively. The resulting fractions showed similar monosaccharide composition with Glc:Xyl:Gal molar ratios of 2.4:1.5:1.0, 3.8:1.5:1,0 and 3.6:2.4:1.0 for XGC, XGJ and XGT, respectively. High-performance size-exclusion chromatography of the polysaccharides showed unimodal profiles, and the average molar mass (M(w)) was obtained for XGC (9.6 × 10⁵ g/mol), XGJ (9.1 × 10⁵ g/mol) and XGT (7.3 × 10⁵ g/mol). The immunomodulatory effects of the xyloglucans on peritoneal macrophages were evaluated. Phagocytic activity was observed in macrophages treated with XGT. The effect of XGT was tested on the production of O₂(.-) and NO. At 25 μg/ml XGT caused a 100% increase in NO production when compared to the control group; however, it did not affect O₂(.-) production in the absence of PMA. The production of TNF-α, interleukins 1β and 6 by macrophages in the presence of the xyloglucans was evaluated. The polysaccharides affected the production of the cytokines by macrophages to different degrees. XGC caused an enhancement of IL-1β and TNF-α production, compared to the other xyloglucans. For IL-6 production, XGT gave greater stimulation than XGC and XGJ, reaching 87% at 50 μg/ml. XGJ promoted a statistically significant effect on all cytokine productions tested. The results indicate that the xyloglucans from C. langsdorffii, H. courbaril and T. indica can be classified as biological response modifiers (BRM).

Two galactomannan preparations from seeds from Mimosa scabrella (bracatinga): Complexation with oxovanadium(IV/V) and cytotoxicity on HeLa cells

Two galactomannans, GALMAN-A and GALMAN-B, were isolated from seeds of Mimosa scabrella (bracatinga), with deactivation and exposure to native enzymes, respectively. They were treated with oxovanadium(IV) and oxovanadium(V), designated (VO(2+)/VO(3+)) to form GALMAN-A:VO(2+)/VO(3+) and GALMAN-B:VO(2+)/VO(3+) complexes, respectively. The potentiometric studies provided the binding constants for the complexes and the resulting complexed species were a function of pH. (51)V NMR spectra of GALMAN-A:VO(2+)/VO(3+) and GALMAN-B:VO(2+)/VO(3+) at pH 7.8 and at 30 degrees C indicated the occurrence of two types of complexes formed by oxovanadium ions and galactomannans. GALMAN-A:VO(2+)/VO(3+) and GALMAN-B:VO(2+)/VO(3+) caused loss of HeLa cells viability at concentrations of 50-200microg/mL. GALMAN-A:VO(2+)/VO(3+) exhibited low toxicity for 24h, although GALMAN-B:VO(2+)/VO(3+) was extremely toxic, since 50microg/mL was sufficient to decrease HeLa cell viability after 48h by 60%. GALMAN-A gave rise to a slight increase in cell proliferation after 48h at 100microg/mL, whereas GALMAN-B promoted a slight decrease at concentrations of 50-100microg/mL. GALMAN-A:VO(2+)/VO(3+) and GALMAN-B:VO(2+)/VO(3+) exhibited a significant decrease in cell proliferation after 48h, each reaching 60% inhibition at 5-10microg/mL. The complexes which caused this effect were at concentrations 10 times lower than the uncomplexed polymers.

Melanogenesis stimulation in B16-F10 melanoma cells induces cell cycle alterations, increased ROS levels and a differential expression of proteins as revealed by proteomic analysis

Considering that stimulation of melanogenesis may lead to alterations of cellular responses, besides melanin production, our main goal was to study the cellular effects of melanogenesis stimulation of B16-F10 melanoma cells. Our results show increased levels of the reactive oxygen species after 15 h of melanogenesis stimulation. Following 48 h of melanogenesis stimulation, proliferation was inhibited (by induction of cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase) and the expression levels of p21 mRNA were increased. In addition, melanogenesis stimulation did not induce cellular senescence. Proteomic analysis demonstrated the involvement of proteins from other pathways besides those related to the cell cycle, including protein disulfide isomerase A3, heat-shock protein 70, and fructose biphosphate aldolase A (all up-regulated), and lactate dehydrogenase (down-regulated). In RT-qPCR experiments, the levels of pyruvate kinase M2 mRNA dropped, whereas the levels of ATP synthase (beta-F1) mRNA increased. These data indicate that melanogenesis stimulation of B16-F10 cells leads to alterations in metabolism and cell cycle progression that may contribute to an induction of cell quiescence, which may provide a mechanism of resistance against cellular injury promoted by melanin synthesis.

Macrophage activation and leishmanicidal activity by galactomannan and its oxovanadium (IV/V) complex in vitro

Compounds that activate macrophage antimicrobial activity are potential targets for treatment of leishmaniasis. The present study investigated the in vitro immunomodulatory effects of a galactomannan (GALMAN-A) isolated from seeds of Mimosa scabrella and its oxovanadium (IV/V) complex (GALMAN-A:VO(2+)/VO(3+)) on macrophage activity. GALMAN-A increased nitric oxide levels by ~33% at a concentration of 250μg/ml, while GALMAN-A:VO(2+)/VO(3+) decreased nitric oxide levels by ~33% at a concentration of 50μg/ml. Furthermore, GALMAN-A increased interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels by 5.5 and 2.3 times, respectively, at a concentration of 25μg/ml; at the same concentration, GALMAN-A:VO(2+)/VO(3+) promoted an increase in IL-1β and IL-6 production by 8 and 5.5 times, respectively. However, neither GALMAN-A nor GALMAN-A:VO(2+)/VO(3+) affected tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) or interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels. Importantly, both GALMAN-A and GALMAN-A:VO(2+)/VO(3+) exhibited leishmanicidal activity on amastigotes of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis, reaching ~60% activity at concentrations of 100 and 25μg/ml, respectively. These results indicate that GALMAN-A is three times more potent and its oxovanadium complex is twelve times more potent than Glucantime (300μg/ml), which is the drug of choice in leishmaniasis treatment. The IC50 value for GALMAN-A:VO(2+)/VO(3+) was 74.4μg/ml (0.58μg/ml of vanadium). Thus, the significant activation of macrophages and the noted leishmanicidal effect demonstrate the need for further studies to clarify the mechanisms of action of these compounds.

Artemisia absinthium and Artemisia vulgaris: a comparative study of infusion polysaccharides.

The aerial parts of Artemisia absinthium and Artemisia vulgaris are used in infusions for the treatment of several diseases. Besides secondary metabolites, carbohydrates are also extracted with hot water and are present in the infusions. The plant carbohydrates exhibit several of therapeutic properties and their biological functions are related to chemical structure. In this study, the polysaccharides from infusions of the aerial parts of A. absinthium and A. vulgaris were isolated and characterized. In the A. absinthium infusion, a type II arabinogalactan was isolated. The polysaccharide had a Gal:Ara ratio of 2.3:1, and most of the galactose was (1 → 3)- and (1 → 6)-linked, as typically found in type II arabinogalactans. In the A. vulgaris infusion, an inulin-type fructan was the main polysaccharide. NMR analysis confirmed the structure of the polymer, which is composed of a chain of fructosyl units β-(2 ← 1) linked to a starting α-d-glucose unit.

Effects of natural flavones on membrane properties and citotoxicity of HeLa cells

The aim of this study was to determine whether eupafolin and hispidulin, flavones extracted from Eupatorium littorale Cabrera, Asteraceae, have the ability to change properties of biological membranes and promote cytotoxic effects. Eupafolin (50-200 µM) decreased approximately 30% the rate and total amplitude of valinomycin induced swelling and 60-100% the energy-dependent mitochondrial swelling. Moreover, eupafolin (200 µM) reduced 35% the mitochondrial permeability transition, and hispidulin did not change this parameter in any of the doses tested. The evaluation of phase transition of DMPC liposomes with the probe DPH demonstrated that hispidulin and eupafolin affect gel and fluid phase. With mitochondrial membrane as model, hispidulin increased the polarization of fluorescence when used DPH-PA probe. Eupafolin and hispidulin (100 µM) promoted a reduction of 40% in cellular viability of HeLa cells in 24 h. Our results suggest that eupafolin and hispidulin have cytotoxic effects that can be explained, in part, by alterations promoted on biological membranes properties and mitochondrial bioenergetics.