Paloma Lys de Medeiros

Antimicrobial Activity of Indigofera suffruticosa

Various organic and aqueous extracts of leaves of Indigofera suffruticosa Mill (Fabaceae) obtained by infusion and maceration were screened for their antibacterial and antifungal activities. The extracts were tested against 5 different species of human pathogenic bacteria and 17 fungal strains by the agar-solid diffusion method. Most of the extracts were devoid of antifungal and antibacterial activities, except the aqueous extract of leaves of I. suffruticosa obtained by infusion, which showed strong inhibitory activity against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 5000 µg ml−1. The MIC values to dermatophyte strains were 2500 µg ml−1 against Trichophyton rubrum (LM-09, LM-13) and Microsporum canis. This study suggests that aqueous extracts of leaves of I. suffruticosa obtained by infusion can be used in the treatment of skin diseases caused by dermatophytes.

Simvastatin for Migraine Prevention

We report the results of an open-label, prospective, parallel group, active comparator study of simvastatin versus propranolol for the prophylactic treatment of migraine. Statins, known as 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, are effective lipid lowering agents, and are largely used to reduce the risk of initial and recurrent adverse ischemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Case-control studies have demonstrated a 2to 6-fold increased risk of ischemic stroke in female migraine sufferers less than 45 years of age. These data were confirmed in a population-based study, which also demonstrated that migraineurs with aura have a 14-fold increased risk of posterior circulation infarction. In addition, recent evidence has demonstrated migraine with aura as an independent risk factor for myocardial infarction, angina, coronary revascularization, ischemic cardiovascular death, and ischemic stroke, in women over 45 years of age. Therefore, patients with migraine represent a high-risk population that could benefit from intervention with statins. Recently, a case was reported of 1 patient who had frequent attacks of migraine with aura, which were completely resolved after the initiation of treatment with a statin. The pleiotrophic effects of statins, including anti-inflammatory properties and regulation of endothelial cell function and vasomotor reactivity, provide plausible mechanisms for a potential therapeutic effect in migraine. In this study, 25 women (18 to 45 years) with more than 6 migraine (according to ICHD-II) attacks per month, received propranolol 60 mg daily for 3 months. In another group, 29 women (18 to 45 years) with hyperlipidemia and over 6 migraine attacks per month received simvastatin 20 mg daily. All patients completed a daily headache diary over a 30-day baseline period and a 90-day treatment period. No migraine preventive medications were used during the 30-day baseline period and no migraine preventive medications, other than propranolol or simvastatin, were used during the 90-day maintenance period. The primary endpoint was a reduction in migraine frequency during the last 30 days of the trial compared to the baseline period. All patients gave written consent to participate in the study, which was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Pernambuco. The Figure shows that simvastatin and propranolol significantly decreased not only the frequency of migraine attacks during the last 30-day treatment period compared to the baseline phase, but also decreased migraine frequency within each month during the trial (P < .05). In the propranolol group, 88% of subjects had over 50% reduction in

Effect of Semisolid Formulation of Persea Americana Mill (Avocado) Oil on Wound Healing in Rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the wound-healing activity of a semisolid formulation of avocado oil, SSFAO 50%, or avocado oil in natura, on incisional and excisional cutaneous wound models in Wistar rats. An additional objective was to quantify the fatty acids present in avocado oil. On the 14th day, a significant increase was observed in percentage wound contraction and reepithelialization in the groups treated with 50% SSFAO or avocado oil compared to the petroleum jelly control. Anti-inflammatory activity, increase in density of collagen, and tensile strength were observed inSSFAO 50% or avocado oil groups, when compared to control groups. The analysis of the components of avocado oil by gas chromatography detected the majority presence of oleic fatty acid (47.20%), followed by palmitic (23.66%), linoleic (13.46%) docosadienoic (8.88%), palmitoleic (3.58%), linolenic (1.60%), eicosenoic (1.29%), and myristic acids (0.33%). Our results show that avocado oil is a rich source of oleic acid and contains essential fatty acids. When used in natura or in pharmaceutical formulations for topical use, avocado oil can promote increased collagen synthesis and decreased numbers of inflammatory cells during the wound-healing process and may thus be considered a new option for treating skin wounds.

Evaluation of Toxicity and Antimicrobial Activity of an Ethanolic Extract from Leaves of Morus alba L. (Moraceae)

This work evaluated an ethanolic extract from Morus alba leaves for toxicity to Artemia salina, oral toxicity to mice, and antimicrobial activity. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of coumarins, flavonoids, tannins, and triterpenes in the extract, which did not show toxicity to A. salina nauplii. No mortality and behavioral alterations were detected for mice treated with the extract (300 and 2000 mg/kg b.w.) for 14 days. However, animals that received the highest dose showed reduced MCV and MCHC as well as increased serum alkaline phosphatase activity. In treatments with the extract at both 300 and 2000 mg/kg, there was a reduction in number of leukocytes, with decrease in percentage of lymphocytes and increase in proportion of segmented cells. Histopathological analysis of organs from mice treated with the extract at 2000 mg/kg revealed turgidity of contorted tubules in kidneys, presence of leukocyte infiltration around the liver centrilobular vein, and high dispersion of the spleen white pulp. The extract showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis, and Aspergillus flavus. In conclusion, the extract contains antimicrobial agents and was not lethal for mice when ingested; however, its use requires caution because it promoted biochemical, hematological, and histopathological alterations.

Células glandulares atípicas e câncer de colo uterino: revisão sistemática

Atypical glandular cells are a common finding in cervical cytology in cervical cancer screening and its occurrence has increased in the last decades. The identification of these cells is clinically very important due to its association with cervical and endometrial dysplasic lesions and cancer. Using a systematic approach, this article reviewed studies investigating cervical lesions that are characteristic in patients previously diagnosed as having atypical glandular cells. Studies in which diagnostic investigation did not include histopathological diagnosis were excluded. A comprehensive search for available material in LILACS, SciELO, PubMed/ Medline and Old Medline databases, dated between 1966 and 2009 was performed. Articles omitted by the electronic database search were also included. Nineteen articles met the inclusion criteria and were selected. This report aims at evaluating whether atypical glandular cells, initially found in cervical cytology and subsequently identified at the histological analysis, are related to the presence of benign, pre-malignant and malignant lesions. Eleven out of 19 selected articles showed the highest correlation between atypical glandular cells with benign diseases and six with squamous pre-malignant lesions.

Evaluation of acute toxicity, genotoxicity and inhibitory effect on acute inflammation of an ethanol extract of Morus alba L. (Moraceae) in mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Morus alba L. (white mulberry) is used in traditional medicine worldwide, including Brazil. The leaves of this plant are used to treat inflammatory disorders. Universal interest in this plant necessitates studies on the toxicological safety and scientific substantiation of the medicinal properties of M. alba. In previous work, we investigated the acute toxicity of orally administered M. alba ethanol extract in mice. AIM OF THE STUDY This work was designed to investigate the ethanol extract obtained from M. alba leaves for acute toxicity when intraperitoneally administered, in vivo genotoxicity, and potential to reduce acute inflammation. In order to further investigate the constituents of the extract, we also obtained the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint of the extract. MATERIALS AND METHODS Phytochemical analysis by thin layer chromatography (TLC) was performed and the results were used to obtain the HPLC fingerprint. Acute toxicity of 300 and 2000mg/kg b.w. i.p. doses administered to mice for 14 days was evaluated. Genotoxicity was evaluated by counting the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in the blood of mice that either received or did not receive the extract at 75, 150 and 300mg/kg b.w. per os. The anti-inflammatory effect of the same doses administered per os was investigated using the carrageenan air pouch model. RESULTS The TLC analysis of the extract revealed the presence of a remarkable amount of flavonoids and cinnamic acids. The HPLC fingerprint showed the presence of one major peak corresponding to chlorogenic acid and two smaller peaks corresponding to flavonoids. In the toxicity assays, there were no deaths or deviations in behavior of treated mice as compared to the control at any dose. However, biochemical, hematological, and histological analyses showed that intraperitoneal injection caused several forms of damage to the mice, which were not observed in case of oral administration, studied in our previous work. Oral administration of the extract did not result in genotoxicity and considerably reduced (58.6-65.6% inhibition) leukocyte migration in all doses evaluated, in comparison with the negative control. CONCLUSIONS The ethanol extract from M. alba leaves administered intraperitoneally possesses a greater degree of toxicity in mice when compared to per os administration. The extract was not genotoxic when ingested by mice and exhibited a highly inhibitory effect against acute inflammation, which is probably linked to the presence of chlorogenic acid and flavonoids in the composition. This work contributes to the determination of safety of the medicinal use of M. alba leaves.

Ultrastructural aspects of melatonin cytotoxicity on Caco-2 cells in vitro

Colon adenocarcinoma is a disease expanding worldwide. Cancer of colon and rectum are among the top ten most insidious types in Brazil. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the efficacy of the hormone melatonin to prevent and reduce tumor growth. However, there are only few studies addressing the action of melatonin on Caco-2 cells. Thus, the cytotoxic effect of melatonin on the ultrastructure of Caco-2 cells was investigated. The MTT colorimetric method was used to assess the cytotoxicity. A total of 2×10(6)cells/mL were seeded in microplates and incubated at 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25, 3.125, 1.56, 0.78 and 0.0 (control) μg/mL of melatonin. For ultrastructural analysis concentrations with low, medium and high cytotoxicity plus the control were used for ultrastructural analysis. The concentrations 50, 1.56 and 0.78 μg/mL of melatonin showed low, medium and high cytotoxicity, respectively. Ultrastructurally, the control tumor cells were shown to be preserved. Caco-2 cells showed morphological changes at 50 μg/mL of melatonin, with numerous vacuoles, mitochondrial degeneration and reduced glycogen. However, Caco-2 cells also showed altered morphology in treatments at 1.56 and 0.78 μg/mL of melatonin with characteristics of cells in degeneration by the presence of numerous vacuoles, absence of microvilli, mitochondrial degeneration and nuclear fragmentation. Thus, one can infer that concentrations of 1.56 and 0.78 μg/mL of melatonin promote cytotoxicity in Caco-2 cells, which can probably be related to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Effect of a Semisolid Formulation of Linum usitatissimum L. (Linseed) Oil on the Repair of Skin Wounds

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a semisolid formulation of linseed oil, SSFLO (1%, 5%, or 10%) or in natura linseed oil on skin wounds of rats. We used wound models, incisional and excisional, to evaluate, respectively, the contraction/reepithelialization of the wound and resistance to mechanical traction. The groups (n = 6) treated with SSFLO (1% or 5%) began the process of reepithelialization, to a significant extent (P < .05), on the sixth day, when compared to the petroleum jelly control group. On 14th day for the groups treated with SSFLO (1% or 5%), 100% reepithelialization was found, while in the petroleum jelly control group, this was only 33.33%. Our study showed that topical administration of SSFLO (1% or 5%) in excisional wounds allowed reepithelialization in 100% of treated animals. Therefore, a therapeutic potential of linseed oil, when used at low concentrations in the solid pharmaceutical formulations, is suggested for the process of dermal repair.

Atypical glandular cells and cervical cancer: systematic review*

Atypical glandular cells are a common finding in cervical cytology in cervical cancer screening and its occurrence has increased in the last decades. The identification of these cells is clinically very important due to its association with cervical and endometrial dysplasic lesions and cancer. Using a systematic approach, this article reviewed studies investigating cervical lesions that are characteristic in patients previously diagnosed as having atypical glandular cells. Studies in which diagnostic investigation did not include histopathological diagnosis were excluded. A comprehensive search for available material in LILACS, SciELO, PubMed/ Medline and Old Medline databases, dated between 1966 and 2009 was performed. Articles omitted by the electronic database search were also included. Nineteen articles met the inclusion criteria and were selected. This report aims at evaluating whether atypical glandular cells, initially found in cervical cytology and subsequently identified at the histological analysis, are related to the presence of benign, pre-malignant and malignant lesions. Eleven out of 19 selected articles showed the highest correlation between atypical glandular cells with benign diseases and six with squamous pre-malignant lesions.

Low-dose gamma irradiation of food protein increases its allergenicity in a chronic oral challenge

Few chronic food protein models have described the relationship between allergenicity and the molecular structure of food protein after physical processing. The effect of γ-radiation on the structure of food protein was measured by fluorescence, circular dichroism and microcalorimetry. BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally sensitized and then given non-irradiated and irradiated Con-A by daily gavage for 28days. The tendency to form insoluble amorphous aggregates and partially unfolded species was observed after irradiation. The administration of non-irradiated and irradiated samples at low-dose significantly increased weight loss as well as plasma levels of eotaxin in animals repeatedly exposed to Con-A. Significant lymphocytic infiltrate filling completely the stroma of microvilli and tubular glands was observed in the small intestinal of the group given Con-A irradiated at a low dose. This phenotype was not observed in animals treated with Con-A irradiated at a high dose.