Abstract Moringa oleifera, a plant widely used in traditional medicine as well as for water purification, contains a lectin on its seeds named WSMoL which modulates several immune characteristics and has shown cardiac safe properties. Here, we tested the hypothesis that WSMoL is able to recover fasting glucose levels and to improve the cardiac left ventricular (LV) function in a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) mice model. T2DM was induced in adult C57BL/6 mice by combining a high fat diet and low doses of Streptozotocin. Mice were randomly divided in two groups: i. received WSMoL for 21 consecutive days by gavage (T2DM + WSMoL) and ii. received saline solution (T2DM). Metabolic parameters and LV function were assessed. WSMoL was able to reduce fasting blood glucose levels in T2DM mice after 2 weeks of treatment, when compared to T2DM untreated group. Regarding to cardiac LV function, the T2DM + WSMoL group depicted ejection fraction values comparable to non-diabetic group. Our results show: i. WSMoL treatment presented a potent hypoglycemic effect decreasing insulin resistance and ii. WSMoL was able to improve cardiac LV ejection fraction. Collectively, the results presented here show WSMoL as a potential hypoglycemic agent to be tested in T2DM patients.

Resumo Fundsamento As sementes de Moringa oleifera , que são utilizadas para clarificação de água, contêm uma lectina chamada WSMoL que tem mostrado atividade antibacteriana e imunomoduladora in vitro . Devido ao seu valor nutritivo e potencial terapêutico, as folhas e as sementes dessa árvore são consumidas em algumas comunidades. Algumas lectinas de plantas não são tóxicas para mamíferos, mas tem sido relatado que outras são prejudiciais quando ingeridas ou administradas por outros meios. Objetivo Como um dos passos necessários para determinar a segurança de WSMoL, nós avaliamos os possíveis efeitos cardiotóxicos desta proteína purificada. Métodos Durante 21 dias consecutivos, a WSMoL foi administrada a camundongos por gavagem. Foram investigadas as funções eletrofisiológicas, mecânicas e metabólicas in vivo e ex vivo por meio de registros eletrocardiográficos, ressonância magnética nuclear e respirometria de alta resolução. Resultados O tratamento com WSMoL não induziu alterações nos níveis de glicose no sangue ou peso corporal em comparação com o grupo controle. Adicionalmente, as relações peso cardíaco/peso corporal e peso cardíaco/comprimento tibial estavam semelhantes em ambos os grupos. A ingestão de lectina também não modificou a tolerância à glicose ou resistência à insulina. Não foram observadas alterações nos parâmetros eletrocardiográficos ou na duração do potencial de ação cardíaco. Os corações dos camundongos dos grupos controle e WSMoL mostraram função ventricular esquerda preservada. Além disso, a WSMoL não induziu alterações na função mitocondrial (em todos os casos, p > 0,05). Conclusões A administração de WSMoL demonstrou ter um perfil de segurança cardíaca. Estes resultados contribuem à avaliação de segurança do uso de sementes de M. oleifera para tratar água, visto que essa lectina está presente na preparação empregada por algumas populações com esse fim. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Abstract Background Moringa oleifera seeds, which are used for water clarification, contain a lectin named WSMoL which has shown in vitro antibacterial and immunomodulatory activity. Due to their nutritional value and therapeutic potential, the leaves and seeds of this tree are eaten in some communities. Some plant lectins are non-toxic to mammals, but others have been reported to be harmful when ingested or administered by other means. Objective As one of the steps needed to define the safety of WSMoL, we evaluated possible cardiotoxic effects of this purified protein. Methods: WSMoL was administered for 21 consecutive days to mice by gavage. Electrophysiological, mechanical, and metabolic cardiac functions were investigated by in vivo and ex vivo electrocardiographic recordings, nuclear magnetic resonance, and high-resolution respirometry. Results The treatment with WSMoL did not induce changes in blood glucose levels or body weight in comparison with control group. Moreover, the heart weight/body weight and heart weight/tibia length ratios were similar in both groups. Lectin ingestion also did not modify glucose tolerance or insulin resistance. No alterations were observed in electrocardiographic parameters or cardiac action potential duration. The heart of mice from the control and WSMoL groups showed preserved left ventricular function. Furthermore, WSMoL did not induce changes in mitochondrial function (in all cases, p > 0.05). Conclusions The administration of WSMoL demonstrated a cardiac safety profile. These results contribute to the safety evaluation of using M. oleifera seeds to treat water, since this lectin is present in the preparation employed by some populations to this end. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Abstract: Currently, the research of new natural compounds with biological potential demonstrates great ethnopharmacological importance. In this study, we evaluated the biological properties promoted by saline extract from Malpighia emarginata DC leaves, whose objective is to evaluate the antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxicity potential. Phytochemical characterization was performed by UPLC-MS chromatography to identify the chemical compounds. For the antioxidant potential, DPPH, ATT and FRAP methods were used. The antibacterial and antifungal tests were performed evaluating the MIC50, MIC90, CMB and CMF parameters. Moreover, antibiofilm action was evaluated. Cytotoxicity and proliferation were performed using splenocytes from Balb/c mice and were evaluated by cytometry. We found a list of phenolic compounds among other bioactive compounds in the M. emarginata saline extract. In addition, higher antioxidant profile and antifungal activity against different strains of Candida spp. was promoted by the saline extract. Splenocytes showed greater cell viability (more than 90%) and showed higher proliferate index in 24 and 48 hours of incubation with the extract. Saline extract from Malpighia emarginata DC has potential action like antioxidant and antifungal agent without promote animal cell damage.

Abstract In this work, four isolates of endophytic fungi (Alternaria alternata, Colletotrichum gloesporioides, Glomerella cingulata and Nigrospora sphaerica), deposited in the culture collection ‘University Recife Mycologia’ (URM) at the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, were characterized for the genes ITS 1 and 4 (region 5.8 S) and evaluated for taxol production.

RESUMO: Foram avaliadas cinco cultivares de Zea mays (BRS Caatingueiro, BRS Gorutuba, BRS Sertanejo, BRS Asa Branca e BR 106) e seu efeito na nutrição do gorgulho-do-milho Sitophilus zeamais, por meio da análise de proteína total em adultos alimentados com esses cultivares e a presença de lectinas e inibidores da tripsina nos grãos. Além disso, foram realizados ensaios com e sem chance de escolha para investigar a resistência dos cultivares de Z. mays ao ataque de S. zeamais. O cultivar BR 106 apresentou o menor índice de susceptibilidade, seguido por BRS Caatingueiro, BRS Asa Branca, BRS Sertanejo e BRS Gorutuba. O número de adultos emergidos nos cultivares de Z. mays variou de 213,17 a 74,0, e o menor número de insetos foi registrado para o cultivar BR 106. Os insetos foram capazes de se alimentar de todos os cultivares, no entanto, o BR 106 mostrou a menor redução na biomassa seca. As lectinas foram detectadas em extratos de BR 106, BRS Asa Branca, BRS Sertanejo e BRS Gorutuba, e a maior atividade foi demonstrada pela BR 106. A menor assimilação de proteína foi detectada nos insetos que se alimentaram com BRS Asa Branca. Os extratos de todos os cultivares foram capazes de inibir a atividade da tripsina bovina, mas esse efeito não está correlacionado ao grau de resistência dos cultivares de Z. mays. Os resultados sugerem a resistência da BR 160 ao ataque de S. zeamais, além de indicar que a presença de lectina nos grãos é a causa dessa resistência.

ABSTRACT: Five Zea mays cultivars (BRS Caatingueiro, BRS Gorutuba, BRS Sertanejo, BRS Asa Branca and BR 106) were evaluated considering their effect on the nutrition of the maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais, by analysis of total protein in adult fed with these cultivars and for the presence of lectins and trypsin inhibitors in grains. In addition, free-choice and no-choice assays were performed to investigate the resistance of grains of the Z. mays cultivars to an attack by S. zeamais. The BR 106 cultivar showed the lowest susceptibility index, followed by BRS Caatingueiro, BRS Asa Branca, BRS Sertanejo and BRS Gorutuba. The number of emerged adults in the Z. mays cultivars ranged from 213.17 to 74.0, and the lowest number of insects was recorded for the BR 106 cultivar. The insects were able to feed on grains of all cultivars, but the BR 106 cultivar showed the least reduction in dried biomass. Lectins were detected in extracts from BR 106, BRS Asa Branca, BRS Sertanejo and BRS Gorutuba, and the highest activity was shown by BR 106. The lowest protein assimilation was detected in the insects from treatments with BRS Asa Branca. The extracts from all cultivars were able to inhibit the activity of bovine trypsin, but this effect was not related to the resistance degree of Z. mays cultivars. The results suggest the resistance of BR 160 to the attack of S. zeamais, as well as indicating that the presence of lectin in the grains is the cause of this resistance.