Abstract The present study verified the presence of phytoconstituents and evaluated antioxidant (DPPH, FRAP, NO and TBARS tests) and antiglycation (REM test) activities of unconventional wild edible fruits Chrysophyllum cainito, Hancornia speciosa and Plinia glomerata. It was verified the presence of phenolic compounds for all fruits and flavonoids were observed only for C. cainito, which presented in its peel the highest total phenols (90.34 μg GAE mg-1) and flavonoids (30.4 μg RE mg-1) content. Sugar concentration was significant for all fruits, where H. speciosa showed the highest reducing sugar content (576.12 mg g-1) and C. cainito pulp showed the highest total sugar content (858.67 mg g-1). All fruits presented vitamin C and carotenoids, highlighting P. glomerata with the best results for ascorbic acid (2260.94 mg 100 g-1) and carotenoids (59.62 µg g-1). Extracts presented antioxidant activity, highlighting C. cainito peel that presented 65.64% (DPPH), 231.34 µM TE L-1 (FRAP), 49.34% (NO) and 22.56% (TBARS), while in antiglycation evaluation, P. glomerata showed evident activity. Therefore, it was possible to determine different phytoconstituents, and antioxidant and antiglycation activities of the fruits. These data provide subsidies for application of these fruits in new studies, to increase knowledge and preservation of these species.

Abstract Tanniferous plants have been used for ruminants verminosis control and represent a possibility to minimize the pharmacological resistance against conventional antiparasitics. This study aimed to evaluate the antihelminthic activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of stem bark of guava tree (PgHA). It was performed the hatchability and larval migration inhibition assays to evaluate PgHA at the following concentrations 0.62, 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 mg mL-1 and the control treatments. The total polyphenol, flavonoid and tannin contents were determined by phytochemical analysis, high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, ferric reducing antioxidant power and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances tests. It was also determinated total protein, intracellular H2O2 and antioxidant activity of enzimes: glutathione S-transferase and superoxide dismutase. PgHA was able to inhibit both hatchability and larval migration, but only hatchability inhibition presented dose-dependent pattern. The antioxidant activity was demonstrated by linear regression with IC50 corresponding to 534.02 μg mL-1. The antiparasitic mechanism occurred through pro-oxidative activity by the increase of total proteins, intracellular H2O2 and the lipid peroxidation products, as well as the increase of the enzymes above related. Thus, the PgHA showed antiparasitic activity in vitro.

Abstract This study aimed to investigate antigenotoxicity and antioxidant potential of extract, fractions and vitexin from C. antisyphiliticus. Methanolic extract was fractionated through solvents of increasing polarity. The composition of extracts and fractions were evaluated through phytochemical screening. Micronucleus test was performed in mice to evaluate the antigenotoxicity. Antioxidant activity was measured using the assay 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), iron ion chelating, thiobarbituric acid assay and nitric oxide scavenging. Treatment with extract, fractions and vitexin did not produce an increase in Micronucleus mean values. However, Micronucleus (MN) mean values decreased in relation to control. methanolic extract presented antioxidant potential for DPPH (81%), iron ion chelating (77.8%), Thiobarbituric Acid (TBARS) (32.49%) and Nitric Oxide (NO) (80.97%). Ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest antioxidant activity (65.46%). The vitexin showed a Inhibitory Concentration (IC50) of DPPH value smaller in relation to control. Vitexin flavonoid was detected by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), infrared spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. It can be inferred that methanolic extract, fraction ethyl acetate and vitexin isolated from C. antisyphiliticus is endowed with antigenotoxic and antioxidant potential.

Abstract: Hymenaea courbaril has been used to treat different diseases, although its properties are yet to be scientifically validated. The objective of this study was to determine the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, antigenotoxicity and antioxidant potentials of hydroethanolic extract from H. courbaril seeds. Therefore, for the cytotoxicity test an anti-melanoma assay was performed in B16F10 strain cells. The genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity was evaluated in bone marrow cells (Permit number: 002/2010) of mice, the antioxidant activity was determined by the DPPH test and the total flavonoid content was also determined. The hydroethanolic extract showed antigenotoxic effect and antioxidant activity. It was verified that total flavonoid content was 442.25±18.03 mg RE/g dry extract. HPLC-PAD chromatogram revealed presence of flavones as majority compound in evaluated extract. The results allowed us to also infer that the hydroethanolic extract from seeds shows cytotoxic activity against B16F10 melanoma cells line and it has dose-and-time-dependency.

Nickel-diimine complexes DADNiX2 (DAD= 2,6-iPr2-C6H3-N=C(Me)-C(Me)=N-2,6-iPr2-C6H3) containing the non-chelating pseudo-halide ligands isothyocyanate and isoseleniumcyanate (X= NCS 1 and NCSe 2) were synthesized and used in ethylene polymerization activated by methyaluminoxane (MAO) at temperatures from 0 to 50°C. Polymerizations with these complexes were compared with the analogous Ni-diimines halide (X= Br 3) as non-chelating ligand. All systems were very active in this polymerization. The increase of reaction temperature favored the increase in catalytic activity. The catalyst system 1/MAO was more stable than the others, showing the best catalytic activity at the molar ratio Al/Ni between 200 and 300. System 2/MAO showed to be the less stable and less active, particularly at 50°C. Polyethylenes obtained with systems 1, 2 and 3 show high molecular weights, are branched polymers, and predominately amorphous, but the majority still present DSC endothermal events related to melting of small crystals. When halide (Br) are compared with these pseudo-halides, different activities, polymerization kinetics and characteristics of the final polymer indicated modification in the active species caused by the non-chelating ligand. Polymer molecular weight and branching content was not significantly influenced by the non-chelating ligand, being much more dependent on the MAO/Ni molar ratio and polymerization temperature.

Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl.) Miers, Bignoneaceae, é utilizada no tratamento de vitiligo e de outras doenças, mas seus efeitos genotóxicos não são conhecidos. Neste sentido, o presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito genotóxico de extratos de P. venusta em camundongos utilizando os Testes de Micronúcleo (MN) e o de Aberração Cromossômica (AC). O vegetal foi coletado, selecionado, seco, triturado e extraído com etanol. Camundongos de 40 g foram divididos em grupos experimentais e controles. Os grupos experimentais receberam concentrações crescentes do extrato (50, 100 e 200 mg/kg por peso corporal), por v.o. O grupo controle negativo (CN) recebeu água. O grupo controle positivo (CP) recebeu Ciclofosfamida® por v.i. Realizou-se o sacrifício, retirada da medula óssea, homogeneização e preparação das lâminas. As freqüências de eritrócitos policromáticos micronucleados (EPCMN) foram: CN = 0,35±0,09; CP = 2,87±1,78; 50 = 0,09±0,04; 100 = 0,16±0,08 e 200 = 0,10±0,03. O teste de AC apresentou as seguintes freqüências: CN = 0,12±1,87; CP = 0,62±5,61; 50 = 0,12±1,58; 100 = 0,072±0,54 e 200 = 0,124±1,64. As freqüências de EPCMN dos grupos experimentais foram significantemente inferiores quando comparadas com as dos controles. A freqüência de cromossomos aberrantes não teve diferença significativa se comparada com o CN, mas foi estatisticamente menor que a do CP. P.venusta não apresentou atividade genotóxica.

Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl.) Miers, Bignoneaceae, is used in the treatment of vitiligo and other diseases, but its genotoxic effects are unknown. In this way, this study aimed to evaluate the genotoxic effect of extracts of P. venusta in mice using the micronucleus (MN) and chromosome aberration tests (CA). The plant was collected, selected, dried, pounded and extracted with ethanol. Mice weighing 40 g were divided in experimental and control groups. The experimental groups received different concentrations (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight), by oral gavage. The negative control group (NC) received water. The positive control group (PC) received Ciclophosphamide® by v.i. It was performed the sacrifice, removal of bone marrow, homogenization and slides preparation. Frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE) was: NC = 0.35±1.87; PC = 2.87±9.02; 50 = 0.09±0.83; 100 = 0.16±0.10 e 200 = 0.10±0.71. The CA test showed the frequency: NC = 0.12±1.87; PC = 0.62±5.61; 50 = 0.12±1.58; 100 = 0.072±0.54 e 200 = 0.124±1.64. The frequency of MNPCE of experimental controls was significantly lower when compared with NC, but it was statistically lower than PC's frequency. P.venusta didn't show genotoxicity activity.

Um total de 354 amostras de soro de habitantes que freqüentaram o Laboratório Clínico em Catalão, Goiás, na região centro-oeste do Brasil, foram colhidas no período de junho a agosto de 2002. As amostras foram avaliadas pelo teste de imunofluorescência indireta e enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) com o objetivo de detectar anticorpos IgG anti-metacestódeo de Taenia solium. As amostras reativas e inconclusivas foram testadas pelo Western blotting (WB). Considerando WB como reação confirmatória, a freqüência de anticorpos nas amostras de soro da população estudada foi 11,3% (IC: 5,09 - 17,51). As bandas imunodominantes mais frequentemente reconhecidas no WB foram 64-68 kDa (97,5%) e 47-52 kDa (80%). A porcentagem de soropositividade para cisticercose foi significativamente maior nos indivíduos que residiam em áreas sem sistema de esgoto (p < 0,0001). Concluiu-se que os resultados indicam uma provável situação de endemicidade para cisticercose nesta população, reforçando a urgente necessidade de medidas de controle e prevenção que devem ser implantadas pelo serviço de saúde pública local.

A total of 354 serum samples from inhabitants who frequent the Clinical Laboratory in Catalão, Goiás, in the central-western region of Brazil, were collected from June to August, 2002. The samples were evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence antibody tests and an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in order to detect anti-Taenia solium metacestode IgG antibodies. Reactive and inconclusive samples were tested by Western blotting (WB). Considering WB as a confirmation, the frequency of antibodies in the serum samples of the above population was 11.3% (CI 5.09 - 17.51). The immunodominant bands most frequently recognized in WB were 64-68 kDa (97.5%) and 47-52 kDa (80%). The percentage of seropositivity to cysticercosis was significantly higher for individuals residing in areas without sewage systems (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, the results indicate a probable endemic situation of cysticercosis in this population. These results reinforce the urgent need for control and prevention measures to be taken by the local public health services.

Este trabalho apresenta a avaliação da heterogeneidade de resinas comerciais de copolímeros de etileno-1-buteno, produzidas por diferentes processos com catalisadores Ziegler-Natta e de resinas de copolímeros de etileno-1-hexeno sintetizadas em laboratório com catalisadores metalocênicos suportados e em solução. Para fazer a avaliação da heterogeneidade foram empregadas técnicas de fracionamento por extração com diferentes solventes e temperaturas e fracionamento térmico por DSC. As frações obtidas foram caracterizadas por 13C-NMR, FTIR, SEC e DSC. Como esperado, foi confirmada uma maior heterogeneidade das resinas sintetizadas com catalisador Ziegler-Natta quando comparadas às resinas metalocênicas. A resina obtida com catalisador Ziegler-Natta, produzida pelo processo Union Carbide (UCC), apresenta uma incorporação mais homogênea de comonômero do que o processo Spherilene. A resina obtida com catalisador metalocênico homogêneo permite maior incorporação de comonômero resultando em uma maior heterogeneidade no tamanho das cadeias comparada com a obtida com catalisador metalocênico suportado.

Samples of ethylene 1-butene copolymer, produced in laboratory by different processes using Ziegler-Natta catalysts, ethylene-1-hexene and metallocene catalysts, were fractionated according to molecular size by direct extraction by different solvents and at different temperatures. These samples were also fractionated by differences on crystallinity using a DSC calorimeter. The obtained fractions were characterized by 13C-NMR , FTIR, GPC and DSC. The polyethylene copolymers produced by Ziegler-Natta catalyst were found more heterogeneous when compared with the one produced by metallocene catalysts. The commercial resin produced by UCC process with Ziegler-Natta catalysts showed a more homogeneous incorporation of comonomer compared with the one obtained by the Spherilene process. The supported metallocene catalyst gave a more homogeneous product than the homogeneous metallocene one.