Márcia Maria Mendes Marques

Chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of two Spondias species from Northeastern Brazil

Context: The leaves of Spondias tuberosa Arr. Cam. (Anacardiaceae) and Spondias mombin L. have been traditionally used for medicinal purposes. Some studies reveal their antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties. Objective: Determine the chemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of Spondias species to justify its ethnopharmacological use. Materials and methods: Spondias species extracts were prepared with methanol:water 80:20 and analyzed by silica gel column chromatography and reversed phase liquid chromatography (HPLC). The antioxidant activity was evaluated by scavenging the radicals 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•+) and measuring antimicrobial activity (agar well diffusion method, minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentrations). Results: The HPLC analysis of Spondias extracts demonstrated the occurrence of high yield of flavonoids. Found in S. mombin were quercetin (2.36 ± 0.01 mg/g) and ellagic acid (41.56 ± 0.01 mg/g) and in S. tuberosa species rutin (53.38 ± 1.71 mg/g), quercetin (24.46 ± 0.87 mg/g), and ellagic acid (169.76 ± 0.17 mg/g). The antibacterial activity of the extracts against the various bacteria strains varied from 8.8 to 20.1 mm. MIC values from 62.5 to 125 µg/mL were satisfactory when compared with other plant products. Medium DPPH scavenging activity IC50 for Spondias extracts varied from 0.042 to 0.558 mg/mL and for ABTS from 0.089 to 0.465 mg/mL. DPPH scavenging activity for constituent ellagic acid IC50 = 0.042 mg/mL and for quercetin IC50 = 0.081 mg/mL. Discussion and conclusion: The chemical study of Spondias leaf extracts showed the occurrence of quercetin, rutin and ellagic acid, substances with relevant antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.

Larvicidal Activity of Tagetes erecta Against Aedes aegypti

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of essential oil from Tagetes erecta against 3rd instars of Aedes aegypti and to determine the amounts of larvicidal thiophenes in all plant tissues. The oil obtained by steam distillation and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry showed 14 compounds. The main compounds were piperitone (45.72%), d-limonene (9.67%), and piperitenone (5.89%). The essential oil was active against larvae of Ae. aegypti, with LC50 of 79.78 µg/ml and LC90 of 100.84 µg/ml. The larvicidal thiophene contents were higher in the roots and flowers as demonstrated by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. Thus, T. erecta constitutes a good source of varied compounds showing larvicidal activity against Ae. aegypti.

Screening of Bioactivities and Toxicity of Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl

The caatinga, an exclusively Brazilian biome, is one of the most endangered vegetation systems in the planet. To be exploited rationally, its potential needs to be scientifically demonstrated. Among these is the faveleira, used in northeastern Brazil. It stands out for its extraordinary drought resistance and medicinal properties. The objective of this study was to assess the therapeutic potential of compounds extracted from Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl in preventing disease and its rational use as a herbal therapeutic tool. The methodology began with the collection and herborization of the plant material, to obtain the chemical compounds, preliminary phytochemical analysis, and extraction of the constituents of the active extracts. To determine the biological activities the authors conducted investigation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, inhibition capacity of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme, and initial assessment of toxicity of the extracts. The results demonstrated great potential as an antimicrobial agent, an important antioxidant capacity, and acetylcholinesterase inhibition response with no significant difference compared with the reference drug. The authors expect to develop a new herbal product, resulting in lower production costs and that, consequently, could be commercialized in more accessible form to the population, highlighting the risk reduction of contraindication of this category of medications.

Antihypercholesterolemic Effects of Fruit Aqueous Extract of Copernicia prunifera (Miller) H. E. Moore in Mice Diet-Induced Hypercholesterolemia

The present objective of the investigation is to evaluate the antihypercholesterolemic activity of the aqueous fruit pulp extract (APE) of Copernicia prunifera (Miller) H. E. Moore (Arecaceae family). Various chemical characterization methods like thin layer chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H and 13C NMR, and molecular weight by gel permeation chromatography have been employed to characterize the extracted pectin. The present study demonstrated that hypercholesterolemic diet (HD) created hypercholesterolemia, caused significant increases in body weight, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein, and caused decreases in high-density lipoprotein in serum compared with SD group. Two doses (APE 150 and 300 mg/Kg b.w./day) were administered to hyperlipidemic mice for 90 days. APE reversed body weight changes, changed serum lipids to normal values, and significantly inhibited the changes of lipid peroxidation and inflammation in the liver tissues. The renal parameters analyzed (urea and creatinine) altered by diet were reverted to normal values. Our results revealed that aqueous fruit pulp extracts of carnauba reduced hypercholesterolemia showing a potential preventive effect against cardiovascular diseases without side effects cause.

Immunological response in mice immunised via oral route with açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.)

The açaí berry (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) is a typical fruit of the Amazon region. The consumption of the açaí pulp has grown in both the national and international markets due to its high nutritional and energetic value. The pulp is also rich in phenolic compounds, mainly anthocyanin, giving it antioxidant properties and thereby also the status of being a functional food. This study aims to evaluate the immunological response in mice immunised via oral route with lyophilised açaí pulp (LAP). Swiss mice were immunised by oral route with 200 µg of LAP. Specific antibodies (IgE and IgG1) were detected in the serum through the methods enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblotting with immunoprecipitation. The results therefore suggest that the açaí berry can be considered a food allergen. Further studies are required to elucidate the immunological mechanisms involved in the allergic reaction to açaí.

Imunogenicidade de proteínas do capsídeo do Cowpea severe mosaic virus (CPSMV)

A analise SDS-PAGE do Cowpea severe mosaic virus (CPSMV) purificado revelou a migracao de tres fracoes proteicas estimadas em 43, 23 e 21 kDa, correspondentes as proteinas do capsideo: denominadas proteina maior (43 kDa) e menor (23 kDa; intacta e 21 kDa; clivada). As proteinas do capsideo, na sua forma nativa, foram utilizadas na imunizacao de camundongos pelas vias oral e nasal, durante 10 dias consecutivos. As fracoes proteicas de 43 e 23 kDa, em sua forma desnaturada, foram utilizadas para imunizacao subcutânea. A resposta imunologica da mucosa foi avaliada pela proliferacao celular das placas de Peyer de camundongos imunizados pela via oral com o CPSMV purificado. Ficou demonstrado que o CPSMV induz resposta imunologica, evidenciada pela sintese de anticorpos sericos, quando administrado na sua forma nativa pelas vias oral e nasal ou atraves de suas proteinas do capsideo desnaturadas, pela via subcutânea. Nao foi necessario o uso de adjuvantes, quer por via oral quer por via nasal. As fracoes proteicas de 43 e 23 kDa mostraram-se responsaveis pela imunogenicidade do virus, como foi evidenciado pela sintese de anticorpos especificos detectados por ELISA. A analise da proliferacao celular da placas de Peyer revelou um aumento (r=0,88) do numero de leucocitos ao longo de 42 dias apos a imunizacao. Esses resultados reforcam a possibilidade do uso do CPSMV como vetor seguro de antigenos de doencas humanas/animais pouco imunogenicos para producao de vacinas.

Antiviral and Antioxidant Activities of Sulfated Galactomannans from Plants of Caatinga Biome

Dengue represents a serious social and economic public health problem; then trying to contribute to improve its control, the objective of this research was to develop phytoterapics for dengue treatment using natural resources from Caatinga biome. Galactomannans isolated from Adenanthera pavonina L., Caesalpinia ferrea Mart., and Dimorphandra gardneriana Tull were chemically sulfated in order to evaluate the antioxidant, and antiviral activities and the role in the inhibition of virus DENV-2 in Vero cells. A positive correlation between the degree of sulfation, antioxidant and antiviral activities was observed. The sulfated galactomannans showed binding to the virus surface, indicating that they interact with DENV-2. The sulfated galactomannans from C. ferrea showed 96% inhibition of replication of DENV-2 followed by D. gardneriana (94%) and A. pavonina (77%) at 25 µg/mL and all sulfated galactomannans also showed antioxidant activity. This work is the first report of the antioxidant and antiviral effects of sulfated galactomannans against DENV-2. The results are very promising and suggest that these sulfated galactomannans from plants of Caatinga biome act in the early step of viral infection. Thus, sulfated galactomannans may act as an entry inhibitor of DENV-2.

Use of phytopathogenic virus for peptide expression in plant system

Background Some plant viruses have been used to express and / or car peptides from human and animal pathogens for diagnostic purposes or vaccine. This system has presented many advantages over traditional methods, especially with regard to cost and production of peptides free of pathogens [1]. In this context, the possibility of using these viruses in an effort to produce peptide vaccine candidates in veterinary medicine is presented as a very promising idea. Among the relevant diseases in veterinary medicine there iscaprine artritre encephalitis (CAE) virus infection caprine arthritis-encephalitis (CAEV). This virus infects goats worldwide causing arthritis, encephalitis, mastitis, progressive weight loss and mainly fall in production and consequently a major economic loss to producers [2]. This disease is silent and yet there is still no treatment nor vaccine, and the control accomplished by early diagnosis. Therefore, this study aimed to produce peptides CAEV using a plant system.Background Some plant viruses have been used to express and / or car peptides from human and animal pathogens for diagnostic purposes or vaccine. This system has presented many advantages over traditional methods, especially with regard to cost and production of peptides free of pathogens [1]. In this context, the possibility of using these viruses in an effort to produce peptide vaccine candidates in veterinary medicine is presented as a very promising idea. Among the relevant diseases in veterinary medicine there iscaprine artritre encephalitis (CAE) virus infection caprine arthritis-encephalitis (CAEV). This virus infects goats worldwide causing arthritis, encephalitis, mastitis, progressive weight loss and mainly fall in production and consequently a major economic loss to producers [2]. This disease is silent and yet there is still no treatment nor vaccine, and the control accomplished by early diagnosis. Therefore, this study aimed to produce peptides CAEV using a plant system.

Resistance of Klebsiella Pneumoniae clinical isolates: linkage of outer membrane proteins (omps) with production esbls

Three isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae, collected from the University Hospital in Fortaleza, Brazil, were analyzed to determine their resistance to multiple antibiotics. The results of this study showed that the resistance of the clinically isolated bacteria is associated with the production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESLBs) and loss of outer membrane proteins.