Susy Ricardo Lemes

Physicochemical/photophysical characterization and angiogenic properties of Curcuma longa essential oil

This study analyzed the physicochemical and photophysical properties of essential oil of Curcuma longa and its angiogenic potential. The results showed that curcumin is the main fluorescent component present in the oil, although the amount is relatively small. The experimental chorioallantoic membrane model was used to evaluate angiogenic activity, showing a significant increase in the vascular network of Curcuma longa and positive control groups when compared to the neutral and inhibitor controls (P <0.05), but no significant difference was found between Curcuma longa essential oil and the positive control (P >0.05). Histological analysis showed extensive neovascularization, hyperemia and inflammation in the positive control group and Curcuma longa when compared to other controls (P <0.05), characteristic factors of the angiogenesis process. In conclusion, Curcuma longa oil showed considerable proangiogenic activity and could be a potential compound in medical applications.

Avaliação da atividade angiogênica da solução aquosa do barbatimão (Stryphnodendron adstringens)

O Barbatimao (Stryphnodendron adstringens) planta medicinal encontrada no bioma Cerrado apresenta propriedades fisico-quimicas que lhe garante importantes atividades farmacologicas tais como: anti-inflamatoria, analgesica e uma atividade protetora da mucosa gastrica. A casca do tronco e a principal materia-prima usada para o desenvolvimento de produtos medicinais. Neste estudo, o objetivo foi investigar a influencia da solucao aquosa da casca do barbatimao no processo de formacao de vasos sanguineos na membrana corioalontoide de ovo embrionado de galinha. Foram utilizadas 30g da casca triturada em um litro de agua. Este processo permitiu a obtencao da Solucao Aquosa de Barbatimao - SAB em uma concentracao de 30mg/mL. A atividade angiogenica da solucao aquosa do barbatimao foi avaliada mediante realizacao de testes laboratoriais “in vivo”, utilizando como modelo experimental a membrana do ovo embrionado de galinha (MCA). Utilizou-se como controle indutor o Regederm®, o qual apresenta atividade angiogenica conhecida. Os resultados demonstraram que a SAB apresentou um percentual de vascularizacao na MCA de (50.4%) nao tendo diferenca (p>0,05) aos valores detectados no controle indutor (52,9%). Com os resultados obtidos, percebe-se que o barbatimao apresenta atividade angiogenica no modelo experimental utilizado.

Optical properties and antiangiogenic activity of a chalcone derivate

Chalcones and their derivatives exhibit numerous pharmacological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory. Recently, they have been assessed aiming for novel application in nonlinear optics and in the treatment of immune diseases and cancers. In this study, we investigate the optical properties of synthetic chalcona 1E,4E-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl)penta-1,4-dien-3-one (CAB7β) and its antiangiogenic potential using the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) with the S180 sarcoma cell line. Experimental and theoretical results show intense absorption in the UVA-UVC region, which is associated with a π → π* transition with intramolecular charge transfer from the trimethyl-cyclohexen-1-yl ring to the chlorophenyl ring. Quantum chemical calculations of the first hyperpolarizability, accounting for both solvent and frequency dispersion effects, are in very good concordance with hyper-Rayleigh scattering measurements. In addition, two-photon absorption allowed band centered at 650 nm was observed. Concerning antiangiogenic activity, CAB7β causes a significant reduction in the total number, junctions, length and caliber of blood vessels stimulated by S180 cells reducing the presence of blood vessels, inflammatory cells and others elements related to angiogenic process. It is found that CAB7β is a versatile compound and a promising candidate for linear and nonlinear optical applications, in therapy against sarcoma and phototherapy.

Presence of antigenotoxic and anticytotoxic effects of the chalcone 1E,4E-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl)penta-1,4-dien-3-one using in vitro and in vivo assays

Abstract Chalcones are chemically defined as α,β–unsaturated ketones with a 1,3-diphenyl-2-propen-1-one nucleus. These compounds occur naturally in plants and are considered precursors of flavonoids. Given that evaluating genetic toxicology tests is essential in investigating the safe use and chemopreventive potential of different natural and synthetic compounds, this study aimed to assess the genotoxic, cytotoxic, antigenotoxic, and anticytotoxic activity of the chalcone 1E,4E-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl)penta-1,4-dien-3-one (CAB7β). The CAB7β was synthesized via Claisen–Schmidt reaction. The Ames test was applied using the co-treatment model as well as a micronucleus assay of mouse bone marrow with co-, pre- and post-treatment models. Our results indicate no genotoxic effect for CAB7β in any of the tests applied. At all the concentrations used, CAB7β showed a significant DNA protective effect against the mutagenic action of 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide and sodium azide according to the Ames test, and against doxorubicin in the co-, pre- and post-treatment models of the micronucleus assay. CAB7β alone displayed cytotoxic activity in the micronucleus test. At concentrations of 12,5 and 50 µg/plate, CAB7β showed a moderate cytotoxic profile only in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA98. However, an anticytotoxic effect was observed against S. typhimurium strain TA100 for all the concentrations tested and during co-, pre- and post-treatment in the micronucleus assay. It was concluded that CAB7β exhibited a slightly cytotoxic effect in S. typhimurium strain TA98 and significant antigenotoxic and anticytotoxic effects in cells of mouse, making it a promising candidate in chemoprevention and possibly in the development of new cancer treatments.