Resumo Plinia cauliflora (Mart.) Kausel, popularmente conhecida como jabuticaba, é rica em polifenois. Os compostos fenólicos apresentam diversas propriedades biológicas, que refletem em biomarcadores, como os parâmetros bioquímicos. No presente estudo, avaliamos os níveis plasmáticos de glicose, colesterol total, HDL-colesterol, triglicerídeos e ácido úrico em hamsters chineses alimentados por 45 dias com dieta regular ou dieta enriquecida com colesterol suplementada com extrato líquido obtido de resíduos de frutos de P. cauliflora padronizado em ácido elágico e compostos fenólicos totais. Os resultados mostraram que o extrato concentrado obtido dos resíduos de jabuticaba aumentou a glicemia dos animais alimentados com dieta regular e reduziu os níveis plasmáticos de ácido úrico dos animais alimentados com dieta rica em colesterol. Uma vez que a hiperuricemia é considerada um fator de risco significativo de distúrbios metabólicos e a principal base patológica da gota, o extrato líquido dos resíduos de frutas de P. cauliflora seria um candidato promissor como um novo agente hipouricêmico para investigação posterior.

Abstract Plinia cauliflora (Mart.) Kausel, popularly known as jabuticaba, is rich in polyphenols. Phenolic compounds exhibit several biological properties, which reflect on biomarkers such as biochemical parameters. In the present study, we evaluated the plasmatic levels of glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and uric acid of Chinese hamsters fed for 45 days with a regular diet or cholesterol-enriched diet supplemented with a liquid extract obtained from P. cauliflora fruits residues standardized in ellagic acid and total phenolic compounds. The results showed that the concentrated extract obtained from jabuticaba residues increased the glycemia of animals fed with a regular diet and reduced the plasmatic uric acid levels of animals fed with a cholesterol-enriched diet. Since hyperuricemia is considered to be a significant risk factor of metabolic disorders and the principal pathological basis of gout, the liquid extract from P. cauliflora fruits residues would be a promising candidate as a novel hypouricaemic agent for further investigation.

Abstract Hydrocotyle umbellata L., Araliaceae, is a species that is recommended in Ayurvedic medicine for its effects on the central nervous system, such as anxiolytic and memory-stimulant effects. Despite the medicinal potential of this species, its phytopharmaceutical and technological potential to produce standardized extracts has not been investigated. This study analyzes the influence of spray drying parameters on the contents of the chemical markers (total phenolic, total flavonoid, and hibalactone) and the functional properties of H. umbellata extract. The optimization of drying conditions was performed using a central composite design combined with response surface methodology and desirability function approach. The mathematical models fitted to experimental data indicated that all the evaluated drying parameters significantly influenced the chemical contents. The optimal conditions were: inlet temperature of 120 °C, feed flow rate of 4 mL min-1, and colloidal silicon dioxide:maltodextrin ratio of 16%:4%. Under these conditions, the powder samples had spherical particles and desirable physicochemical and functional properties, such as low water activity and moisture content, good product recovery, reconstitution, and flowability. Thus, spray drying might be a promising technique for processing standardized H. umbellata extracts.

Resumo Antioxidantes são substâncias naturais ou sintéticas que facilitam o retardo da oxidação por um ou mais mecanismos, como sequestrar radicais livres, inibir a peroxidação lipídica e complexar com metais, inibindo a destruição tecidual via oxidação. Antioxidantes são comumente usados na alimentação animal e na indústria alimentícia para prevenir a oxidação de produtos de origem animal. Além disso, os oxidantes naturais estão sendo cada vez mais aplicados na reprodução animal, principalmente na preservação do sêmen. Nesse contexto, este trabalho teve como objetivo revisar a aplicação de antioxidantes naturais na reprodução animal. Observamos que os antioxidantes naturais foram geralmente adquiridos comercialmente (80,4%) e utilizados principalmente no resfriamento/congelamento de sêmen (72%) com resultados promissores (90%) em Sus scrofa (javali), Capra aegagrus hircus (cabra), Gallus gallus domesticus (galo) e Ovis aries (carneiro). No entanto, mais estudos devem ser realizados para ajudar a regular a dosagem de antioxidantes naturais para sua aplicação.

Abstract Antioxidants are natural or synthetic substances that delay oxidation through one or more mechanisms, such as scavenging free radicals, inhibiting lipid peroxidation, and complexing with metals, inhibiting tissue destruction via oxidation. Antioxidants are commonly used in animal feed and the food industry to prevent the oxidation of animal-origin products. Moreover, natural oxidants are used increasingly in animal reproduction, especially for semen preservation. In this context, this study aimed to review the applications of natural antioxidants in animal reproduction. We observed that the bulk of the natural antioxidants, approximately 80.4%, were commercially acquired and used mainly for semen cooling/freezing (72%) with promising results (90%) in Sus scrofa (boar), Capra aegagrus hircus (goat), Gallus gallus domesticus (rooster), and Ovis aries (ram). However, further studies are needed to help determine the appropriate dosage of natural antioxidants for applications.

Resumo Objetivos: avaliar a autoeficácia da amamentação e seus fatores associados em puérperas atendidas no sistema público de saúde. Métodos: estudo transversal analítico, com amostragem por conveniência e dois instrumentos: sociodemográfico, pessoal e clínico, e Escala de Autoeficácia em Amamentação, aplicada a puérperas em um ambulatório de acompanhamento puerperal de duas maternidades públicas de Goiânia/GO, de setembro a novembro de 2019. Critérios de inclusão: mães no período puerperal, idade acima de 18 anos, filhos nascidos a termo e em aleitamento materno exclusivo. Critérios de exclusão: autorrelato de depressão e desmame prematuro. Resultados: foram entrevistadas 128 puérperas. A média de idade foi de 26,7 (± 5,9). Os níveis de autoeficácia foram altos (95,3%) e nenhuma puérpera obteve nível baixo. As variáveis com significância estatística foram: experiência em amamentar (p = 0,0312), não ter recebido informações sobre aleitamento materno durante a gravidez (p = 0,0292), não ter recebido outro leite na maternidade (p = 0,0380), não sentindo dor durante a amamentação (p = 0,0242), sendo amamentada sob demanda (p = 0,0124), presença de ingurgitamento mamário (p = 0,0207), apresentando mamilos salientes (p = 0,0427). Conclusões: foram identificados aspectos clínicos e pessoais como fatores de risco para o desmame precoce. Isso pode fornecer informações para a formação de profissionais e a estruturação de intervenções nos serviços de saúde, visando a prevenção desses riscos.

Abstract Objectives: evaluate breastfeeding self-efficacy and its associated factors in puerperal women assisted at a public health system in Brazil. Methods: it is a cross-sectional analytical study, with convenience sampling and two instruments: sociodemographic, personal and clinical, and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (BSES-SF), applied to puerperal women in a puerperal outpatient clinic at two public maternity hospitals in Goiânia/GO, from September to November 2019. Inclusion criteria: mothers in puerperal period, age above 18 years, children born at term and on exclusive breastfeeding. Exclusion criteria: report depression and premature wean. Results: 128puerperal women were interviewed. The average age was 26.7 (± 5.9) years old. The levels of self-efficacy were high (95.3%) and no puerperal had a low level. The variables with statistical significance were: experience in breastfeeding (p= 0.0312), not having received information on breastfeeding during pregnancy (p=0.0292), did not receive other milk at the maternity (p=0.0380), did not feel pain while breastfeeding (p=0.0242), being able to breastfeed on demand (p=0.0124), presence of breast engorgement (p=0.0207), presenting protruding nipples (p=0.0427). Conclusions: clinical and personal aspects were identified as risk factors for early weaning. This can provide information for the training ofprofessionals and structuring the interventions in health services, with a view in preventing these risks.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade de vida de pacientes idosos antes e após de se submeterem à cirurgia de catarata. Métodos: Estudo longitudinal analítico com abordagem quantitativa. A coleta de dados se deu em duas etapas (antes da cirurgia de catarata e 2 meses após o procedimento), tendo sido aplicados dois questionários, sendo um sociodemográfico e o outro o World Health Organization Quality of Life OLD. Recorreu-se à estatística descritiva e aos testes estatísticos t de Student, análise de variância, de Mann-Whitney e de Kruskal-Wallis. Resultados: Participaram da pesquisa 34 idosos, sendo 15 (44,1%) até 69 anos de idade e 19 (55,9%) com mais de 69 anos. Identificou-se decréscimo nos escores do Funcionamento do Sensório nos idosos que não tinham atividade de lazer (p=0,0006), não praticavam atividade física (p=0,0023) e não utilizavam a internet (p=0,0010). No domínio Atividades Passadas, Presentes e Futuras, identificou-se aumento do escore nos idosos que não tinham atividade de lazer (p=0,0258), não praticavam atividade física (p=0,0303), afirmaram ter outros problemas de saúde (p=0,0372) e referiram ter boa saúde (p=0,0298). Já no domínio Participação Social, houve aumento do escore nos idosos que não tinham atividade de lazer (p=0,0068), não praticavam atividade física (p=0,0033) e afirmaram ter saúde regular (p=0,0102). Conclusão: Evidenciaram-se decréscimo no Funcionamento do Sensório e aumento nas Atividades Passadas, Presentes e Futuras e na Participação Social.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate quality of life of elderly patients before and after cataract surgery. Methods: A longitudinal analytical study with quantitative approach. Data collection was performed in two stages (before cataract surgery and 2 months after the procedure), when two questionnaires were used - a sociodemographic and the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQLD). Descriptive statistics and Student’s t test, analysis of variance, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were employed. Results: A total of 34 elderly individuals participated in the research, 15 (44.1%) aged up to 69 years and 19 (55.9%) over 69 years. A decrease in the Sensory Functioning scores was identified in those who had no leisure activity (p=0.0006), did not exercise (p=0.0023) and did not use the internet (p=0.0010). In the domain Past, Present and Future Activities, an increase in the score was observed in the elderly who had no leisure activity (p=0.0258), did not exercise (p=0.0303), reported having other health problems (p=0.0372), and in those who reported having good health status (p=0.0298). In the Social Participation domain, there was an increase in the score of the elderly who had no leisure activity (p=0.0068), did not exercise (p=0.0033), and of those who reported having regular health status (p=0.0102). Conclusion: There was a decrease in Sensory Functioning scores and an increase in the domains Past, Present and Future Activities, as well as Social Participation.

Abstract The Hancornia speciosa latex reveals angiogenic, osteogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties, which present its potential for developing of wound healing drugs; however, the latex compounds responsible for angiogenesis remain unknown. One strategy to screen these active compounds is evaluation of latex fractions. This study aimed to obtain different fractions of latex and evaluate its angiogenic activity separately using the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. The serum (SE) fraction was responsible for angiogenesis, which was subject to biochemical characterization and computational simulations in order to understand the contribution of H. speciosa latex in wound healing process. Our results revealed weak antioxidant potential and absence of antimicrobial activity in the SE fraction. Phytochemical analysis identified chlorogenic acids (CGA) as the main compound of SE fraction. CGA bioactivity predictions identify different molecules associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, such as metalloproteinases, which also are overexpressed in our CAM assay experiment. Docking simulations revealed the interactions between CGA and matrix metalloproteinase 2. In conclusion, SE latex fraction stimulates angiogenesis and may influence ECM remodeling. These properties may contribute to the wound healing process, and also confirm the widespread use of this plant.

Resumo Justicia pectoralis (Acanthaceae) é utilizada na medicina popular como analgésico, anti-inflamatório, sedativo e no tratamento de doenças respiratórias. É conhecida pelas propriedades de suas cumarinas (1,2-benzopirona e umbeliferona). Um método ecológico, simples, rápido e barato de extração assistida por ultrassom (EAU) destas cumarinas, a partir das partes aéreas de Justicia pectoralis, foi otimizado. Adicionalmente, foi desenvolvido e validado um método analítico por CLAE para a determinação simultânea das duas cumarinas. Um modelo Box-Behnken 33 e a metodologia de superfície de resposta foram utilizados para estimar as melhores condições da EAU. As variáveis independentes estudadas foram: concentração de etanol, tempo de extração e proporção droga/solvente. A concentração das cumarinas foi a variável dependente. O método analítico foi validado quanto aos parâmetros recuperação, linearidade, exatidão, precisão e robustez, demonstrando ser útil para o controle de qualidade do extrato de Justicia pectoralis e no desenvolvimento de seus fitoterápicos. Os resultados mostraram que as melhores condições da EAU foram: concentração de etanol de 15% (p/p), tempo de extração de 34 min e proporção droga/solvente de 0,1 g/mL. Os valores previstos pelo modelo para as concentrações de umbeliferona (22,16 µg/mL) e benzopirona (163,86 µg/mL) foram determinados nas condições otimizadas e provaram que a EAU é um processo extrativo eficiente e ecologicamente correto para a produção de extratos a partir das partes aéreas da Justicia pectoralis.

Abstract Justicia pectoralis (Acanthaceae) is employed in folk medicine for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and sedative effects and to treat respiratory diseases. It is known for properties of its coumarins, 1,2-benzopyrone and umbelliferone. A green, simple, fast, and inexpensive ultrasound-assisted extractive (UAE) method for extracting umbelliferone and 1,2-benzopyrone from Justicia pectoralis was optimized. Additionally, a HPLC analytical method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of both coumarins. The Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology were used to evaluate the UAE process. Ethanol concentration, extraction time, plant-to-solvent ratio were the independent variables studied and the coumarin content was the dependent one. The HPLC-UV/VIS method was validated in terms of recovery, linearity, accuracy, precision and robustness, proving to be valuable for the quality control of Justicia pectoralis extract and in the development of its herbal products. Results show that the optimal UAE conditions were: ethanol concentration of 15% (w/w), extraction time of 34 min and plant-to-solvent ratio of 0.1 g/mL. The predicted values of coumarin contents (22.16 µg/mL - umbelliferone and 163.86 µg/mL - benzopyrone) were determined under the optimal UAE conditions and proved that UAE is an efficient and eco-friendly extractive process for the production of aerial part extracts from Justicia pectoralis.

Abstract The use of biodegradable polymers arouses biotechnological interest. This use allows applications in health and environment. Here is present the characterization and a proposition for the use of cashew (Anacardium othonianum Rizz.) polysaccharide including peroxidase immobilization for wastewater bioremediation. From the cashew gum exudate, the polysaccharide was extracted by precipitation in ethanol at 4 °C. This material is able to immobilize Horseradish peroxidase by physical adsorption and via sodium periodate with 75% and 93% of efficiency, respectively. These systems have a storage and operational stability, and removed phenolic compounds above 50% in industrial effluent samples. The bioassays in the presence of Artemia salina and Allium cepa root not only revealed no toxicity to this polysaccharide, but also presented the ability to reduce the toxicity of the industrial effluent by 50%. Immobilized cashew polysaccharide complexes are potential alternatives for waste treatment and decontaminant agents for water treatment applications. The polysaccharide is a low-cost natural matrix for environmental-technological applications.

ABSTRACT A validation study of a reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for the quantification of two furanocoumarins (psoralen and bergapten) in soft extract obtained from Brosimum gaudichaudii Trécul, Moraceae, roots was conducted. The developed method was sensitive, rapid, reproducible, easy and precise, and showed linearity (r > 0.99) in the range of 10–64 µg/ml for psoralen, and 9–56 µg/ml for bergapten. It also showed a good efficiency for the photodegradation analysis of psoralen and bergapten in the soft extract. The photostability results showed that the Higuchi model presented the best fitting to the obtained data. Both chemical markers showed stability over 2.6 days, suggesting potential applications of the extract in obtaining intermediate products from this plant material. Furanocoumarins take around 30 min to be activated by UV light, reaching the maximum biological potential. Thus, the results obtained to the Higuchi model, corresponding to 2.6 days of stability, shows feasibility with future applications of these chemical markers.

Pterodon emarginatus Vogel, Fabaceae, is a tree species commonly known as "sucupira-branca". It is a popular medicinal plant in the Brazilian cerrado (Savanna). This study investigates the chemical variability of the essential oils from fruits of P. emarginatus. The fruits were collected from five sites in the Brazilian Cerrado and their essential oils were analyzed by GC/MS. The results obtained by Principal Component and Cluster Analysis identified two groups: cluster I containing β-caryophyllene and δ-elemene and cluster II containing α-copaene, β-cubebene, allo-aromadendrene, α-cubebene and γ-muurulene. The Canonical Discriminant Analysis was used to differentiate between clusters on the basis of essential oil composition. The results showed high variability in the composition of the essential oils from fruits of P. emarginatus, contributing to studies of domestication of this species.