Plant cell cultures have become a promising production platform of bioactive compounds for biomedical and cosmetic uses in the last decades. However, the success so far has been limited. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of this unique biotechnology process to obtain a bioactive stem cell extract of Coffea canephora (SCECC) with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined in the SCECC by spectrophotometry. The chemical composition of the extracts was characterized by mass spectrometry. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the colorimetric methods of free radical scavenging 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP). The anti-inflammatory activity was determined in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages through the production of superoxide anion (O2•-), nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Moreover, the ability of SCECC to stimulate the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts was assessed. Five compounds were tentatively identified, two flavonoids, two phenolic acids, and one sugar. High phenolic content and antioxidant activity were observed in the SCECC. SCECC promoted the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts and suppressed the pro-inflammatory mediators O2•-, NO, TNF-α, and IL-6 in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, SCECC inhibited the NF-κB transcription factor. Therefore, we obtained evidence that the extract from C. canephora stem cells can be used as a natural agent against skin damage. Hence, it could be of interest in cosmetics for preventing skin aging.

RESUMO No Brasil, a família Malvaceae está representada por aproximadamente 200 espécies e algumas foram descritas como gastroproteroras. Pavonia alnifolia A.St.-Hil. (Malvaceae) foi selecionada após uma abordagem quimiossistemática, considerando-se sua potencial capacidade em prevenir lesões gástricas. Assim, a atividade gastroprotetora do extrato etanólico de caules de P. alnifolia foi avaliada utilizando o modelo de indução aguda da lesão gástrica por etanol acidificado em camundongos. Além disso, foram quantificados o teor de flavonóides, pelo método de cloreto de alumínio, e de polifenóis, pelo método Folin-Ciocalteu, uma vez que a relação desses componentes com a proteção gástrica foi evidenciada. Os ensaios apontaram redução acentuada das lesões gástricas em camundongos tratados com o extrato da planta em todas as doses ensaiadas (10, 100 e 300 mg/kg). Esse efeito pode estar relacionado com a presença de polifenóis, cujo teor encontrado foi 74,3 ± 7,5 μg equivalente de pirogalol/mg do material vegetal examinado e 82,7 ± 7,1 μg equivalente de pirogalol /mg da amostra no extrato preparado por percolação e teor de flavonoides totais, que por sua vez apresentou um resultado de 17,1 ± 1,4 μg/mg de extrato. O extrato apresentou proteção da mucosa gástrica e este efeito pode estar relacionado à presença dos polifenóis e flavonóides encontrados.

ABSTRACT In Brazil, the Malvaceae family is represented by at about 200 species. Some of those species are known as gastro protective ones. The Pavonia alnifolia A.St.-Hil (Malvaceae) was selected after a chemosystematic approach. The gastro preventive activity of the ethanol extract of stems Pavonia alnifolia was evaluated through the use of the Ethanol:chlroridric acid model on mice. The quantification of the total flavonoids (aluminum chloride method) and total polyphenols (Folin-Ciocalteu method) was also performed since the relation of those components with gastric protection has been previously highlighted. The tests showed a significant reduction of the ulcer formation in the mice treated with the plant extract (10, 100 and 300 mg/kg). This effect may be related to the presence of polyphenols whose content was found to be 74.3 ± 7.5 μg/mg of vegetal material and 82.7 ± 7.1 μg/mg of crude extract and flavonoids, which in turn showed a content of 17.1 ± 1.4 μg/mg dry extract.

O presente relato se refere a uma potra de 18 meses de idade que foi encaminhada a atendimento veterinário após sofrer grave lesão na região dorsal do metatarso esquerdo. Além do tratamento convencional, caracterizado pela limpeza e aplicação tópica de iodo-povidine, foi aplicado no local óleo de semente de girassol na tentativa de melhorar e acelerar a cicatrização da ferida. Foi observada a melhora clínica e macroscópica da lesão. Análises preliminares químicas e físicas demonstraram o ácido esteárico como principal componente do óleo usado. Os resultados sugerem que o óleo de semente de girassol é capaz de acelerar e melhorar a qualidade de cicatrização em feridas de equinos.

This study describes an eighteen-year-old filly after an injury in the region of the dorsal left metatarsus, admitted to veterinary assistance. In addition to the normal treatment, which was characterized by cleaning and topical application of povidone-iodine, sunflower-seed oil was applied locally in order to improve and fasten wound healing. Macroscopic and clinical improvements of the wound healing were observed. The preliminary chemical and physical analyses have shown the stearic acid as the main component. The results suggest that the sunflower-seed oil enable a faster wound healing in horses.

A espécie vegetal Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L.Burtt & R.M. Sm. é popularmente empregada para o tratamento de diversas enfermidades, entre elas a hipertensão. Avaliar a composição química, a atividade antihipertensiva e ação na hipertrofia cardíaca do óleo essencial das folhas de Alpinia zerumbet (OEAZ) em ratos foram os objetivos deste estudo. O OEAZ, obtido por hidrodestilação em aparelho Clevenger, teve sua composição química analisada em cromatografia gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas (CG-EM). Foram identificados 14 constituintes, sendo terpinen-4-ol (37,45%) o majoritário, seguido pelos óxido de cariofileno (7,56%), trans-hidrato de sabineno (6,61%) e 1,8-cineol (4,02%). A avaliação cardiovascular foi feita após o tratamento crônico de ratos espontaneamente hipertensos (SHR) e seus respectivos controles, ratos Wistar-Kyoto (WKY). Os dados hemodinâmicos revelaram redução da pressão arterial média (PAM) no grupo tratado (SHRP: 160 ± 7 mm Hg; p<0,01) em relação ao não tratado (SHR: 180 ± 5 mm Hg). A relação entre peso do ventrículo esquerdo e peso corporal (VE/PC) do SHRP (2,50 ± 0,03 mg g-1; p<0,01) mostrou-se inferior ao SHR (2,61 ± 0,01 mg g-1), confirmando a redução da hipertrofia cardíaca (HC). Os dados de PAM e VE/PC dos animais SHRP foram estatisticamente diferentes quando comparados com os ratos controle (WKY: 116 ± 2 mm Hg e WKYP: 119 ± 4 mm Hg; p<0,05; WKY: 2,15 ± 0,04 mg g-1 e WKYP: 2,17 ± 0,04 mg g-1 ; p<0,01), indicando não ter havido normalização dos mesmos. Conclui-se que o tratamento crônico com OEAZ foi capaz de determinar redução, mas não a normalização, da PAM e da HC de ratos SHR, provavelmente pela presença dos componentes terpinen-4-ol e 1,8-cineol. Estudos com doses maiores ou período de tratamento superior são necessários para avaliar a possibilidade de o OEAZ normalizar os parâmetros analisados (PAM e HC).

Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. Burtt & R.M.Sm. is traditionally employed to treat several diseases such as hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition, the anti-hypertensive activity and the capacity to reduce cardiac hypertrophy of the essential oil of A. zerumbet leaves (EOAZ) in rats. EOAZ was obtained through hydrodistillation in Clevenger apparatus and its chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Several constituents (14) were identified, terpen-4-ol (37.45%) being the major component, followed by caryophyllene oxide (7.56%), trans-sabinene hydrate (6.61%) and 1,8-cineol (4.02%). The cardiovascular effect was investigated after chronic treatment with spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and their respective controls, Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). The treated group showed a lower mean arterial pressure (MAP) (SHRP: 160 ± 7 mm Hg; p<0.01) than the untreated group (SHR: 180 ± 5 mm Hg). The ratio of left ventricle-to-body weight (LV/BW) for SHRP was lower (2.504 ± 0.03 mg g-1; p<0.01) than that for SHR (2.162 ± 0.01 mg g-1), confirming the cardiac hypertrophy (CH) reduction. There were significant differences in MAP and CH between SHRP animals and control rats (WKY: 116 ± 2 mm Hg and WKYP: 119 ± 4 mm Hg; p<0.05. WKY: 2.152 ± 0.04 mg g-1 and WKYP: 2.168 ± 0.04 mg g-1; p<0.01), indicating that these values were not normalized. Those data showed that the chronic treatment with EOAZ reduces MAP and CH in SHR probably due to the presence of the compounds terpinen-4-ol and 1,8-cineol. Studies with higher doses or longer treatment periods are necessary to evaluate whether EOAZ can reduce the analyzed parameters (MAP and CH) to normal values.

We have investigated the hypoglycemic effect induced by the starch obtained from the unripe fruits of Solanum lycocarpum (Solanaceae). Per os administration of the starch (1000 or 2000 mg/kg, twice daily for 7 days, N = 6) did not change glycemia levels of nondiabetic female Swiss mice weighing 25-30 g. In streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, similar treatment with the starch did not change the elevated glycemia 3 h after the last dose (diabetic treated with saline = 288 ± 17/309 ± 18; starch 1000 mg/kg = 295 ± 33; starch 2000 mg/kg = 258 ± 37; N = 5). In animals fasted for 15 h, per os administration of glucose (600 mg/kg) significantly increased glycemia 1 h later. Previous (-30 min) treatment of the animals with the starch (1000 or 2000 mg/kg; N = 5) did not change the increase of glycemia. Per os administration of the starch (1000 or 2000 mg kg-1 day-1, twice daily for 7 days) did not induce body weight gain or loss. The chemical analysis of the starch indicated the presence of glycoalkaloids, a finding that represents a reason for concern since many of these substances are generally toxic. In interviews with 56 diabetic patients, 29 medicinal plants were reported as useful in their treatment of diabetes and S. lycocarpum was the sixth most frequently mentioned. All patients interviewed reported that they also used insulin or oral hypoglycemic drugs. The results of the present study do not provide evidence for a hypoglycemic effect associated with the polysaccharide fraction of S. lycocarpum in either normal or hyperglycemic mice. These data demonstrate the need for adequate pharmacological investigation of the natural products widely used in folk medicine.