RESUMO CONTEXTO: A rutina é um flavonoide que pode ser encontrado em grande variedade de vegetais e apresenta atividades anticâncer, anti-inflamatória e antidiabética. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o efeito da administração oral de rutina sobre a hiperplasia hepática em ratos Wistar submetidos à hepatectomia parcial. MÉTODOS: Foi realizada a análise da hiperplasia hepática e da bioquímica plasmática dos ratos Wistar tratados com rutina 40 mg/kg por 10 dias no grupo 1 (G1) ou salina no grupo 2 (G2), seguido da hepatectomia parcial. RESULTADOS: Os resultados indicaram aumento do número de mitoses após 24 e 48 horas (P=0,0022 e P=0,0152, respectivamente) da hepatectomia parcial no grupo que recebeu rutina, além de um aumento nos níveis séricos de AST após 24 horas (P=0,0159) e 48 horas (P=0,0158) e de fosfatase alcalina após 24 horas (P=0,015) no mesmo grupo, em relação aos respectivos controles. O grupo que recebeu rutina mostrou variação mais evidente do que o grupo controle quando se comparou os resultados de 24 horas e 48 horas em relação a AST, número de mitoses e número de apoptoses (P<0,005). CONCLUSÃO: Foi possível concluir que a rutina interferiu na hiperplasia hepática após 24 e 48 horas após a hepatectomia parcial, favorecendo a hiperplasia hepática.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Rutin is a flavonol glycoside that can be found in a wide variety of vegetables and has activity, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effect of rutin oral administration on Wistar rats submitted to hepatic hyperplasia after partial hepatectomy (PH). METHODS: To achieve this, we considered the analysis of hepatic hyperplastic and plasma biochemical activity of Wistar rats, subjected to treatment with rutin 40 mg/kg/day for 10 days in group 1 (G1) or saline in group 2 (G2), followed by partial hepatectomy. RESULTS: The results indicated an increase in the number of mitoses after 24 hours and 48 hours (P=0.0022 and P=0.0152, respectively) of PH in the group that received rutin, as well as an increase in AST serum levels after 24 hours (P=0.0159) and 48 hours (P=0.0158) and alkaline phosphatase after 24 hours (P=0.015) in the same group, in relation to the respective controls. The group that received rutin showed a more evident variation than the control group when comparing the 24 hour and 48 hour results regarding AST, number of mitoses and number of apoptosis (P<0.005). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that rutin intervened in hepatic hyperplasia after 24 hours and 48 hours of PH, favoring hepatic hyperplasia.

RESUMO Mulch de polietileno pode causar sérios problemas ao meio ambiente. Uma alternativa promissora para a mulch de polietileno é o mulch biodegradável. Por isso, um experimento de dois anos foi realizado com abobrinha (Cucurbita pepo L.) durante as safras de 2017 e 2018 no Sudeste do Brasil para avaliar os efeitos de quatro tratamentos de cobertura do solo (mulch de polietileno branco: WP, mulch de polietileno preto: BP, mulch biodegradável de papel reciclado (cor marrom): RP e sem-mulch: NM) e duas porcentagens de área molhada (50 e 70% da superfície do solo molhada) usando o delineamento de blocos ao acaso com cinco repetições. O consumo de água médio das safras de abobrinha foram 157 mm em WP, 155 mm em BP, 155 mm em WP e 215 mm in NM. A produtividade foi maior em WP (78,1 ton ha-1) e BP (69,1 ton ha-1) de que em RP (66,6 ton ha-1) e NM (52,4 ton ha-1). A amplitude da temperatura do solo média foi menor in RP (3,6-6,0 ºC) e maior em BP (7,3-9,0 ºC). A porcentagem de área molhada menor, 50%, reduziu o consumo de água (5-7%) e melhorou a eficiência do uso da água (11%). As plantas daninhas, incluindo Cyperus Roduntus, foram controladas de forma eficiente em RP comparado com WP e BP. Em geral, os mulches foram eficientes para reduzir a infestação de ervas daninhas (95%), aumentar o rendimento (36%) e melhorar a eficiência do uso da água (94%) em comparação com sem-mulch. RP é uma alternativa ao mulch de polietileno visando economia de água e controle de plantas daninhas em abobrinha. Em geral, esses resultados representam informações úteis que ampliam as opções para técnicos e agricultores.

ABSTRACT Polyethylene mulch can cause serious problems in the environment. A promising alternative to polyethylene mulch is biodegradable mulch. Therefore, a two-year experiment was carried out with zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) during the cropping seasons of 2017 and 2018 in Southeast Brazil to investigate the effects of four soil mulching treatments (white polyethylene mulch: WP, black polyethylene mulch: BP, biodegradable mulch of brown recycled paper: RP and nonmulched: NM) and two wetted soil percentages (50 and 70% of the soil surface) using a randomized block design with five repetitions. The average water consumption of the zucchini was 157 mm in the WP treatment, 155 mm in the BP treatment, 155 mm in the WP treatment and 215 mm in the NM treatment. The yield was higher in the WP (78.1 ton ha-1) and BP (69.1 ton ha-1) treatments than in the RP (66.6 ton ha-1) or NM (52.4 ton ha-1) treatments. The daily thermal amplitude was lowest in the RP treatment (3.6-6.0 °C) and highest in the BP treatment (7.3-9.0 °C). The lower wetted soil percentage (50%) reduced water consumption (by 5-7%) and improved water-use efficiency (by 11%). Weeds, including Cyperus roduntus, were more efficiently controlled in the RP treatment than in the WP and BP treatments. In general, compared to the nonmulched treatment, mulches were effective in reducing weed infestation (95%), increasing yield (36%) and improving water-use efficiency (94%). RP, as an alternative to polyethylene mulch, can save water and control weeds in zucchini crops. These results represent useful information that extends the mulching options for technicians and farmers.

Abstract Purpose Coleus forskohlii Briq., a medicinal plant originally from India, has been indicated against heart disease, expiratory disorders, convulsions, and hepatic changes, among others. In view of the broad pharmacological potential of the plant and the scarce information about its effects, the objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of its use for pretreatment of partially hepatectomized rats. Methods The animals were divided into two experimental groups: Control (CG) receiving physiological saline for 10 days before partial hepatetctomy, and Treated (TG) receiving 40 mg Coleus forskohlii/kg/day for 10 days before partial hepatectomy. The treatments were performed by gastric gavage. After the surgical procedure, treatment was continued according to the following groups: CG 24 h, CG 48 h, TG 24 h, and TG 48 hs, and liver tissue and intracardiac blood samples were obtained for histological and biochemical analysis, respectively. Results No significant differences were observed in mitotic or apoptotic index or in the concentrations of the enzymes AST, ALT and alkaline phosphatase, and no areas of fibrosis were detected. Conclusion Treatment with Coleus forskohlii did not interfere with the course of hepatic hyperplasia.

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the effects of capsiate treatment on hepatic hyperplasia in partially hepatectomized rats. Methods: The animals were divided into a Capsiate group (CPH), a Capsiate Post-Partial Hepatectomy group (CPPH) and a Partial Hepatectomy Control group (PH). CPH and CPPH animals received 60 mg/kg/day Capsiate for 30 days. Next, the rats underwent partial hepatectomy. CPPH animals continued to receive treatment for 48 h after partial hepatectomy. Liver tissue and intracardiac blood samples were obtained 24 or 48 h after PH. Results: Capsiate treatment interfered with hepatic parameters, reducing the number of mitoses and apoptosis and increasing blood ALT and alkaline phosphatase concentrations. Conclusion: Capsiate treatment preceding hepatic surgery may compromise the initial period of postoperative recovery.

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the effects of lycopene and resveratrol pretreatment on hepatic hyperplasia in partially hepatectomized rats. Methods: The lycopene group and the resveratrol group received 40 mg/kg/day of lycopene or resveratrol, respectively (dissolved in olive oil or in saline solution, respectively) and administered via a gastric tube for 30 days. The partially hepatectomzed (PH) control groups received saline or olive oil via a gastric tube for 30 days, respectively, and the normal control group received no treatment. Liver tissue and intracardiac blood samples were obtained 24, 36 or 48 h after PH. Results: No areas of fibrosis were detected. No significant changes in mitotic index, in the number of apoptosis events or in aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were observed. Conclusions: Lycopene and resveratrol pretreatment did not interfere on hepatic hyperplasia in partially hepatectomized rats.

ABSTRACT Quercetin has potent antioxidant action and a hepatoprotective role. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective action of quercetin pretreatment in paracetamol-induced liver damage (PILD) and structural injury resulting from partial hepatectomy (PH). In the first model, Wistar rats received oral quercetin (50mg/kg/day) during 8 days. On the 8th day, 3g/kg paracetamol were added. In the second model, the same quercetin dose was given during 7 days and rats were submitted to PH on the 8th day. Blood samples were obtained for determination of enzyme levels. Liver, heart, kidney and lung tissue were also collected for assessment of quercetin biodistribution and/or histological analyses. The results obtained after PILD were more pronounced at 24 hours, as reflected by the reduction of serum ALT levels and by the lower concentration of quercetin in liver at this time point. Quercetin also had a protective effect in groups submitted to PH, as shown by decreased ALT levels after 18 hours, and of AST levels after 18 and 36h. The reduction in serum AST and ALT levels suggest that treatment with quercetin is useful as a preoperative pharmacologic measure and for prevention of liver damage caused by drugs.

Curcuma longa é uma erva aromática, pertencente à família Zingiberaceae e seus rizomas contêm pigmentos curcuminoides, dentre eles a curcumina, conhecida por seu efeito anti-inflamatório. O objetivo deste trabalho foi obter extratos ricos nestes pigmentos, desenvolver e avaliar a estabilidade de formulações tópicas e realizar o estudo da penetração cutânea. Extratos de Curcuma longa foram obtidos e utilizados no desenvolvimento de formulações. A penetração e retenção cutâneas de pigmentos curcuminoides foi avaliada em pele de orelha de porco, utilizando célula de difusão de Franz modificada. As formulações de gel creme preparadas que continham ureia foram instáveis e as demais apresentaram estabilidade satisfatória e comportamento reológico pseudoplástico. A quantidade de pigmentos curcuminoides encontrada na solução receptora foi insignificante, enquanto que a quantidade retida na pele foi superior a 20 µg/g de pele. Concluiu-se como possível o desenvolvimento de formulações tópicas contendo curcumina ou extrato de Curcuma longa, conciliando a adição de adjuvantes para a preservação e maior durabilidade da mesma. As formulações promoveram a penetração da curcumina limitada às camadas superiores da pele, possivelmente sem o risco de ocorrência de ação sistêmica sendo possível a sua utilização para ação local com atividade anti-inflamatória.

Curcuma longais a ginger family aromatic herb (Zingiberaceae) whose rhizomes contain curcuminoid pigments, including curcumin, a compound known for its anti-inflammatory effects. The objective of this study was to obtain curcuminoid-rich extracts, develop topical formulations thereof, and assess the stability and skin permeation of these formulations. Curcuma longa extracts were obtained and used to develop formulations. Skin permeation studies were conducted in a modified Franz diffusion cell system, and skin retention of curcuminoid pigments was quantified in pig ear membrane. Prepared urea-containing gel-cream formulations were unstable, whereas all others had satisfactory stability and pseudoplastic rheological behavior. The amount of curcuminoid pigments recovered from the receptor solution was negligible. The skin concentration of curcuminoid pigments retained was positive (>20 µg/g of skin, mostly in the stratum corneum), considering the low skin permeability of curcumin. We conclude that development of topical formulations containing curcumin or Curcuma longaextract is feasible, as long as adjuvants are added to improve preservation and durability. The formulations developed in this study enabled penetration of curcumin limited to the superficial layers of the skin and then possibly without a risk of systemic action, thus permitting local use as a topical anti-inflammatory.