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.

Vegetable oils have been used for a plethora of health benefits by their incorporation in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products, especially those intended for skin care. This study aimed to investigate the cutaneous benefits of a vegetable oil blend (VOB) formulation and its fatty acid composition. The anti-inflammatory activity was studied in macrophages of RAW 264.7 cells by investigating the release of nitric oxide (NO), superoxide anion generation (O2-), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6). ABTS cation radical scavenging capacity assay, ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and NO free radical scavenging assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity. VOB was tested for its ability to stimulate fibroblast proliferation and migration using the scratch assay, and antibacterial activity by the microdilution test. The fatty acid profile of a freshly prepared VOB formulation was determined by gas chromatography before and after accelerated stability testing. Chemical composition of VOB revealed the presence of oleic acid (C18:1n-9; 63.3%), linoleic acid (C18:2n-6; 4.7%), and linolenic acid (C18:3n-6; 5.1%) as major mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids. No changes in the organoleptic characteristics and fatty acid composition were observed after the accelerated stability test. VOB 100 µg/mL reduced the healing time by increasing the total number of cells in the wounded area by 43.0±5.1% compared to the negative control group. VOB also suppressed the pro-inflammatory TNF-α and IL-6 cytokines, and NO and O2- production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophage cells. In conclusion, the VOB formulation contributed to the improvement of current therapeutic strategies for cutaneous applications in skin care.

Foram avaliados os efeitos de métodos de extração e de solventes sobre o rendimento de extrato, conteúdo de fenólicos totais, atividade antioxidante, e composição dos compostos fenólicos de Xanthium strumarium L. A atividade antioxidante foi determinada pelo método do radical 2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidrazila (DPPH), e a composição dos compostos fenólicos foi determinada por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência e por espectrometria de massas com ionização por electrospray. Todos os resultados foram afetados pelo método de extração e, principalmente pelo solvente utilizado, sendo que os melhores resultados foram obtidos com o solvente metanol. Os extratos metanólico e etanólico apresentaram forte ação antioxidante e os principais compostos fenólicos encontrados nos extratos foram os ácidos ferúlico e clorogênico.

The effect of extraction methods and solvents on overall yield, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and the composition of the phenolic compounds in Xanthium strumarium extracts were studied. The antioxidant activity was determined by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), and the composition of the phenolic compounds was determined by HPLC-DAD and LC/MS. All results were affected by the extraction method, especially by the solvent used, and the best results were obtained with the methanol extract. The methanolic and ethanolic extracts exhibited strong antioxidant activity, and the chlorogenic and ferulic acids were the most abundant phenolic compounds in the extracts.

Foram avaliadas a ação antioxidante, ação antimicrobiana e a composição dos óleos essenciais de cravo-da-índia (Caryophillus aromaticus L.), citronela (Cymbopogon winterianus) e palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii). A ação antioxidante foi avaliada pelo método de DPPH (2,2-difenil-1-picril-hidrazila), e a ação antimicrobiana determinada pelo método da microdiluição definindo-se a concentração inibitória mínima para os microrganismos Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella Thyphimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Clostridium perfringens. A composição química dos óleos foi determinada por CG-DIC e a identificação dos compostos voláteis por CG-EM, em ambos os casos, utilizando uma coluna capilar DB-5. O óleo de cravo-da-índia apresentou uma forte atividade antioxidante e ação antimicrobiana moderada a forte, sendo o eugenol o componente majoritário do óleo de cravo-da-índia (83,7%). Por outro lado, as amostras de citronela e palmarosa apresentaram fraca ação antioxidante, porém a ação antimicrobiana foi moderada a forte.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, as well as the chemical composition of essential oils of clove (Caryophillus aromaticus L.), citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) and palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii) were studied. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) method and the antimicrobial activity determined by the microdilution method. The minimal inhibitory concentration was defined against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella Thyphimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Clostridium perfringens. The chemical composition of oils was determined by GC-FID and volatile compounds were identified by GC-MS, using a DB-5 fused silica capillary column. Clove essential oil showed very high antioxidant activity and moderate to high antimicrobial activity, and eugenol was its major compound (83.7%). On the other hand, citronella and palmarosa samples presented low antioxidant activity but showed moderate to high antimicrobial activity.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana de extratos de folhas de Xanthium strumarium L. sobre os microrganismos Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella thyphimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Clostridium perfringens, bem como verificar a presença do composto tóxico carboxiatractilosideo em diferentes partes da planta. As bactérias S. aureus e C. perfringens foram mais sensíveis às frações não polares do que as polares, sendo que para as outras bactérias não foi verificada diferença entre os extratos. Todos os extratos apresentaram uma forte ação antimicrobiana sobre os microrganismos avaliados. O carboxiatractilosideo foi encontrado nos cotilédones e nas sementes da planta, entretanto, não foi encontrado nas folhas em estádio adulto e na carapaça espinhosa que envolve a semente. Portanto, somente as folhas de Xanthium strumarium na fase adulta podem ser utilizadas para o uso medicinal.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Xanthium strumarium L. leaf extracts against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Clostridium perfringens, as well as to investigate the presence of the toxic compound carboxyatractyloside in different plant parts. S. aureus and C. perfringens were more sensitive to non-polar than to polar fractions, and there was no difference between extracts for the remaining bacteria. All extracts had strong antimicrobial activity against the evaluated microorganisms. Carboxyatractyloside was found in cotyledons and seeds but not in adult leaves and burrs. Thus, only Xanthium strumarium leaves in adult stage can be used for medicinal purposes.