Abstract The objective of the work was to develop a 70% cocoa chocolate containing ursolic and oleanolic acids isolated from Mansoa hirsuta DC and to evaluate the effects of its consumption on the health of individuals. Physical-chemical, microbiological and sensorial analyzes were made in the chocolates. In order to evaluate the health of individuals, a clinical trial was conducted with the developed chocolate, in which 45 volunteers, during 04 weeks, were divided into three groups: a test group, a placebo group and a control group. The individuals were submitted to laboratory and anthropometric tests on two occasions, before and after the clinical trial weeks. The analyzes revealed that the developed chocolate presented physical-chemical and microbiological characteristics within the standards accepted for bitter chocolate and presented good sensorial acceptance. The results of the clinical trial showed that the volunteers presented reduction in the anthropometric measurements and changes in the laboratory tests.

RESUMO Introdução: Diversos recursos terapêuticos, como laser e ultrassom isolado, combinados com fármacos e fonoforese têm sido utilizados em casos de inflamação e reparo de tendão, sendo o ultrassom pulsado bastante eficaz em tendinites crônicas. Objetivo: Analisar a eficácia do uso da fonoforese com o extrato etanólico das cascas do caule da Ximenia americana L. na resolução do processo inflamatório crônico em Rattus norvegicus. Métodos: A amostra consistiu em 120 animais para análise da resposta inflamatória, utilizando-se como variáveis edema, força biomecânica, número de fibroblastos e análise histológica. Resultados: Nos 7° e no 14° dia, verificou-se diferença significativa entre o grupo ultrassom com gel do caule de Ximenia americana L. e o grupo ultrassom com placebo (p < 0,05) quanto à redução de edema, aumento da força máxima de ruptura, redução extremamente significativa da deformação máxima (p < 0,001), além de aumento dos fibroblastos. Na análise histológica, houve melhora do processo inflamatório inicial e aceleração do reparo tendíneo, com redução de células inflamatórias e com deposição de colágeno organizado com matriz extracelular densa. Conclusão: O ultrassom pulsado combinado com o gel do caule de Ximenia americana L. é uma forma terapêutica eficaz para a resolução do processo inflamatório crônico.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Several therapeutic resources such as laser and isolated ultrasound combined with drugs and phonophoresis have been used in cases of inflammation and tendon repair, and the pulsed ultrasound is quite effective in chronic tendinitis. Objective: To analyze the efficacy of phonophoresis with the ethanol extract of the stem bark of Ximenia americana L. to manage the chronic inflammatory process in Rattus norvegicus. Methods: The sample consisted of 120 animals for analysis of the inflammatory response using edema, biomechanical strength, number of fibroblasts and histological analysis as variables. Results: On the 7th and 14th day, there was a significant difference between the group ultrasound with Ximenia americana L. gel and the ultrasound with placebo group (p<0.05) for edema reduction, increased maximum rupture strength, highly significant reduction of the maximum deformation (p<0.001), in addition to an increase in fibroblasts. In the histological analysis, there was improvement in the inflammatory process and acceleration of tendon repair with reduction of inflammatory cells and deposition of organized collagen with dense extracellular matrix. Conclusion: The pulsed ultrasound combined with gel of Ximenia americana L. is an effective therapy to manage the chronic inflammatory process.

RESUMEN Introducción: Varios recursos terapéuticos, tales como láser y ultrasonido aislado, en combinación con fármacos y la fonoforesis se han utilizado en casos de inflamación y reparación del tendón, y el ultrasonido pulsado ha sido muy eficaz en la tendinitis crónica. Objetivo: Analizar la eficacia de la fonoforesis con el extracto de etanol de la corteza del tallo de Ximenia americana L. en la resolución del proceso inflamatorio crónico en Rattus norvegicus. Métodos: La muestra fue de 120 animales para analizar la respuesta inflamatoria, utilizando como variables el edema, la resistencia biomecánica, el número de fibroblastos y el análisis histológico. Resultados: En el 7° y en el 14° día, se observó una diferencia significativa entre el grupo de ultrasonido con gel de Ximenia americana L. y el grupo ultrasonido con placebo (p < 0,05) en la reducción del edema, el aumento de la resistencia máxima a la rotura, la reducción altamente significativa de la deformación máxima (p < 0,001), además del aumento de los fibroblastos. En el análisis histológico hubo una mejoría en el proceso inflamatorio y la aceleración de la reparación del tendón, con reducción de células inflamatorias y deposición de colágeno organizado con matriz extracelular densa. Conclusión: La eficacia del ultrasonido pulsado combinado con gel de Ximenia americana L. es una forma eficaz para la resolución del proceso inflamatorio crónico.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a bioatividade do extrato microencapsulado das sementes de graviola, Annona muricata L. ( Annonaceae ), sobre a traça-das-crucíferas, Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae ). A microencapsulação foi realizada em um Mini Spray Dryer modelo B-290 utilizando-se 50mL dos extratos etanólico e hexânico mais 150mL de álcool etílico e 150mL de água ultrapurificada, misturado com aerosil (primeiro polímero) ou com goma arábica (segundo polímero). Só foi possível microencapsular o extrato etanólico de sementes de graviola com a utilização do polímero goma arábica a 20%. O extrato microencapsulado causou significativa toxicidade aguda (CL50=258mg L-1) e efeitos crônicos, especialmente redução da viabilidade larval e aumento da duração do estágio larval. Conclui-se que a microencapsulação do extrato etanólico da semente de graviola pode ser uma alternativa viável no controle da traça com possíveis ganhos para o meio ambiente.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioactivity of microencapsulated extract from the soursop seeds, Annona muricata L. ( Annonaceae ), on diamondback moth, Plutella xylostela L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae ). Microencapsulation was performed in a Mini Spray Dryer model B-290 using 50mL of ethanolic and hexanic extracts plus 150mL of ethanol and 150mL of ultrapure water, mixed with aerosil (first polymer) or arabic gum (second polymer). It was possible to microencapsulate the ethanolic extract of soursop seeds only by using the polymer arabic gum at 20%. The microencapsulated extract caused significant acute toxicity (LC50=258mg L-1) and chronic effects, especially reduction of larval viability and increased larval stage. We concluded that the microencapsulation of the ethanolic extract of soursop seeds can be a viable alternative for controlling diamondback moth with possible gains for the environment.

Volatile compounds involved in the chemical communication of fruit flies have been studied for some years; however, their complete elucidation has not yet been reported. Tephritids, which belong to the Anastrepha genus, exhibit inter- and intraspecific changes regarding the chemical composition of their sex pheromones, as well as an evident relationship with the volatiles produced by their hosts. This paper reports advances in the elucidation of the chemical communication of Anastrepha species that involve sex pheromones, cuticular hydrocarbons, and the interaction between the fruit host volatiles and compounds released by the male flies.

Plutella xylostella es una importante plaga de las crucíferas, sobre todo de la col (Brassica oleracea var. acephala). Es estudiaron los efectos estacionales del extracto de las hojas de Annona muricata en el desarrollo de las larvas y pupas de P. xylostella provenientes de laboratorio. Las larvas recién eclosionadas se alimentaron con hojas de col tratadas por inmersión con soluciones de los extractos de las hojas. Se determinaron los efectos en la duración y viabilidad del desarrollo de lãs fases de larva y pupa del insecto. La actividad de los extractos varió significativamente según el momento de recolección de las hojas; la máxima actividad se obtuvo en el período seco del año. En la mayor concentración probada (5mg.mL), hubo un 100% de mortandad de las larvas en el extracto más activo: em las concentraciones más bajas, la duración de la fase larvaria, se incrementó hasta 2,6 días y la viabilidad se redujo de forma significativa. La fase de pupa fue menos afectada por la exposición a los extractos aunque su duración se haya incrementado hasta en un día en presencia de concentraciones no letales. Se discute la importancia de estos resultados frente al uso de los extractos de A. muricata como insecticida.

The diamondback moth Plutella xylostella is an important pest of cruciferous plants, particularly of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. acephala). The activity of an ethanolic leaf extract of Annona muricata on the development of the larvae and pupae of a laboratory culture of P. xylostella was evaluated, together with the seasonal variation of this activity. Neonate larvae were fed with kale leaf discs that had been treated by immersion in solutions of A. muricata extracts, and the effects on the duration and viabilities of the larval and pupal phases of the insect were determined. The activities of the extracts varied significantly according to the time of collection of the leaf material and were maximal for leaves collected during the dry period of the year (October-February). At the highest concentration tested (5 mg.ml-1), the most active extract caused 100% larvae mortality; at lower concentrations, the duration of the larval phase was increased by up to 2.6 days and the larvae survival was significantly reduced. The pupal phase was affected far less by exposure to the extracts, although such duration was increased by up to 1 day in the presence of non-lethal concentrations. The significance of these results with respect to the use of extracts of A. muricata for their insecticidal activity is discussed.

OBJETIVO: Verificar o consumo da bebida café segundo a quantidade ingerida e os métodos de preparo, e sua associação com o perfil lipídico sérico de hipertensos e diabéticos. MÉTODOS: Foram coletados, por meio de entrevista, dados demográficos, de estilo de vida e de consumo alimentar, aferidas medidas antropométricas e colhido sangue para análise de perfil lipídico sérico. Análise descritiva, testes t de Student, qui-quadrado e de correlação linear de Pearson foram utilizados com 5% de probabilidade de erro experimental. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 182 indivíduos hipertensos e diabéticos tipo 2, consumidores de café, distribuídos em dois grupos segundo o método de preparo da bebida: à brasileira e fervido. Os grupos foram semelhantes quanto aos dados demográficos, antropométricos, de estilo de vida, de consumo alimentar e de perfil lipídico sérico. A quantidade per capita de pó utilizado no método à brasileira e no fervido foi de M=7,52, DP=4,99g e M=7,91, DP=5,87g, respectivamente. O volume ingerido e a frequência de consumo dos indivíduos do grupo à brasileira foi de M=517,3, DP=402,7mL e M=2,14, DP=1,06 vezes/dia, e para os consumidores de café fervido, M=513,4, DP=409,8mL e M=2,2, DP=0,94 vezes/dia. Não houve associação significativa entre a quantidade ingerida da bebida café e o perfil lipídico sérico. CONCLUSÃO: Não houve associação entre o consumo de café à brasileira ou fervido e o perfil lipídico sérico, possivelmente em função da quantidade consumida e/ou da diluição utilizada. Se, por um lado, os resultados não permitem desestimular o consumo da bebida na quantidade ingerida pela população estudada, como medida de prevenção cardiovascular, por outro lado autorizam concluir que há necessidade de avançar nessa linha de investigação.

OBJECTIVE: This study determined the amount of coffee consumed, the preparation methods and the association between coffee intake and the serum lipid profile of diabetics and hypertensive individuals. METHODS: Interviews were done to collect demographic and lifestyle data and food intake. Blood was collected to determine serum lipid profiles and anthropometric characteristics were measured. Descriptive analysis and the Student's t-test, chi-square test and Pearson's linear correlation were used with p£0.05 to establish statistical significance. RESULTS: A total of 182 hypertensive and type-2 diabetic individuals who consumed coffee were evaluated and categorized according to the preparation method: Brazilian or boiled. The population had similar demographics, anthropometrics, lifestyles, food habits and serum lipid profiles. The per capita amount of powder ingested when the Brazilian preparation method (uses a filter) was used compared with boiling was M=7.52, SD=4.99g and M=7.91, SD=5.87g, respectively. In both groups, those levels were obtained in accordance with the estimated daily intake volume of the drink. The volume ingested by individuals in the "Brazilian" group and intake frequency were: M=517.3, SD=402.7mL and M=2.14, SD=1.06 times/day and in the "boiled" group: M=513.4, SD=409.8mL, and M=2.2 SD=0.94 times/day. There was no significant association between coffee intake and serum lipid profile. CONCLUSION: There was no association between coffee intake and serum lipid profile in the studied population, possibly because of the amount consumed and/or dilution used. If, on the one hand, the results do not allow us to discourage consumption in the amounts consumed by the studied population as a way to prevent cardiovascular disease, on the other hand, it is clear that this line of research requires further investigation.

O café é a bebida mais consumida no Brasil e no mundo ocidental. O fato de ser uma bebida tão popular, aliado à sua importância econômica, explica o interesse por estudos sobre o café, desde a sua composição até seus efeitos na saúde humana. Dentre as diversas substâncias presentes na composição química do café, além dos nutrientes, destacam-se a cafeína, os diterpenos cafestol e kahweol e os ácidos clorogênicos, o que faz do café uma importante fonte dietética destes compostos. Muitos estudos têm verificado a influência de seus constituintes na saúde, principalmente a cafeína vs a elevação da pressão arterial; o cafestol e o kahweol vs a dislipidemia; e ácidos clorogênicos vs proteção cardiovascular, por suas propriedades antioxidantes. Este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar de forma sucinta a importância da bebida e sua composição química, os mecanismos fisiológicos envolvidos na elevação da pressão arterial e do colesterol sérico atribuíveis ao café, bem como estudos selecionados que verificaram a associação do consumo da bebida com estas doenças cardiovasculares.

Coffee is the most consumed beverage in the Western world, including Brazil. The fact that it is one the most popular beverages and its worldwide consumption and economic importance explain the interest for studies on coffee, from its composition to its effects on human health. In addition to the nutrients, its various components include caffeine, the diterpenes cafestol and kahweol, and chlorogenic acids, with coffee being an important dietary source of these compounds. Many studies have verified the association between its constituents and health, especially caffeine and high blood pressure, cafestol and kahweol and dyslipidemias, and chlorogenic acids and cardiovascular protection from their antioxidant properties. This article aims to succinctly present the importance and composition of the drink, the physiological mechanisms involved in the increased blood pressure and serum cholesterol attributed to coffee, and selected studies that verified the association between coffee consumption and these cardiovascular diseases.

O uso do farelo de coco pode representar uma fonte alternativa na alimentação de peixe. Por esse motivo avaliaram-se os reflexos de sua utilização sobre o valor nutricional do filé de tilápia-do-nilo. O experimento foi realizado em um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso com 4 tratamentos (T1 - 0%, T2 - 10%, T3 - 20% e T4 - 30% de inclusão de farelo de coco) e cinco repetições. Foram determinados a composição centesimal, o teor de colesterol e os teores de ácidos graxos. Observou-se diferença (p < 0,05) entre T1 e T3, T2 e T3 para os teores de umidade; entre T2 e T3 para os lipídios; T1 apresentou diferença com relação aos demais tratamentos referentes aos carboidratos; e quanto aos teores de cinzas foi observada diferença de T1 e T2 entre T3 e T4. Os teores de colesterol apresentaram um aumento gradual significativo. Com relação aos ácidos graxos, observou-se diferença (p < 0,05) entre os tratamentos referentes aos C10:0; C12:0; C14:0; C18:1; C18:3 (gama); C20:3; e C22:6 numa proporção tal que não determinou diferença na qualidade nutricional do produto.

The use of coconut meal may represent an alternative source to fish feeding. The purpose of this work was to assess the impact of the use of coconut meal in Nile tilapia feeding and on the nutritional value of the fish fillets. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments (T1 - 0%, T2 - 10%, T3 - 20%, and T4 - 30% for the inclusion of coconut meal) with five repetitions. The proximate composition, cholesterol, and fatty acids were determined. There was a difference (p < 0.05) between the treatments T1 and T3 and between T2 and T3 with regard to moisture levels; between T2 and T3 with regard to lipids; T1 and all the other treatments with regard to carbohydrates, and finally between T1 and T2 and between T3 and T4 with regard to ash. The cholesterol level showed a significant gradual increase following the increase in the inclusion of coconut meal. There was also a difference (p < 0.05) between the treatments concerning the following fatty acids: C10:0; C12:0; C14:0; C18:1; C18:3 (gama); C20:3 , and C22:6 , but the nutritional quality of the product was not affected.

This work involved an evaluation of calcium hydroxide powder in the absence and presence of CO2. 0.12g of calcium hydroxide powder was used for each of 16 aliquots diluted in 100 mL of deionized water and distributed in 2 samples of 8 aliquots. The indices of pOH, [OH-] and [Ca++] were obtained by mathematical calculations after determining the pH. The results demonstrated that in the presence of CO2, calcium hydroxide showed a marked loss of [OH-] and [Ca++] in relation to the decrease in pH. However, the high alkaline pH of the calcium hydroxide powder was preserved in the absence of CO2, maintaining its reparative and antimicrobial properties.

The AIDS epidemy has spread out and led to the diversification on the research for new antiviral drugs. Natural products, especially those derived from plants, are well-recognized as excellent sources of new drugs. Several of them have inhibitory activity against HIV replication, and some have been already clinically tested, with favorable results. This review presents the biochemical basis of the viral cycle and the research up to date on the identification, determination of the mechanism of biological action together with the therapeutical potential of plants-derived natural products, in the inhibition of HIV.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos dos extratos etanólicos de Aspidosperma pyrifolium sobre lagartas da traça-das-crucíferas (Plutella xylostella). Os extratos etanólicos da casca do caule, do fruto e da raiz de A. pyrifolium foram obtidos pelos métodos fitoquímicos clássicos, e as subfrações resultantes foram testadas contra P. xylostella, nas dosagens 4 e 5 mg L-1. O extrato bruto etanólico da casca do caule foi mais letal. A subfração aquosa rica em alcalóides, derivada do extrato da casca do caule, causou 100% de mortalidade larval a 4 mg L-1. A atividade inseticida foi associada à presença dos alcalóides monoterpenóides indólicos aspidofractinina, 15-demetoxipirifolina e N-formilaspidofractinin. Estes alcalóides apresentaram excelente propriedade inseticida contra P. xylostella.

The objective of this work was to assess the effects of Aspidosperma pyrifolium ethanol extracts on cabbage moth (Plutella xylostella) larvae. The ethanol extracts of the stem bark, fruits and roots of A. pyrifolium were obtained by classical phytochemical methods, and the resulting subfractions were tested on P. xylostella, using 4 and 5 mg L-1. The crude ethanol extract of the stem bark was more lethal. The alkaloid-rich aqueous subfraction derived from the stem bark extract caused 100% larval mortality at 4 mg L-1. Insecticidal activity was associated with the presence of the monoterpenoid indole alkaloids aspidofractinine, 15-demethoxypyrifoline, and N-formylaspidofractinine. These alkaloids presented excellent insecticidal properties against P. xylostella.

As constantes de dissociação aparentes (pKa) de quatro 2-hidroxinaftoquinonas, diferentemente substituídas em C-3, foram determinadas em meio aquoso-etanólico (1:1, v/v), utilizando titulações pH-métricas e espectrofotométricas. O isolapachol (pKa<6) mostrou ser mais ácido que seu análogo natural, o lapachol, (pKa>6). Os derivados 3-metilaminados apresentam dois valores de pKa, um relacionado ao grupo enólico e o outro ao sal de amônio, e são zwitteriônicos, em larga extensão, em pH fisiológico. As possíveis conseqüências desses parâmetros frente a suas atividades biológicas são discutidas.

The apparent dissociation constants (pKa) of four 2-hydroxynaphthoquinones, differently substituted at C-3, were determined in water:ethanol (1:1, v/v) solutions by pH-metric and hybrid pH-metric/UV titration methods. Isolapachol (pKa < 6) was more acidic than lapachol (pKa > 6). Two pKa values were determined for each of the methylamino-derivatives investigated, the first relating to the enol function and the second to the ammonium salt. It was determined that under physiological pH, these derivatives would be to a large extension, zwitterionic. The possible effects of the measured parameters on the biological activities of the studied compounds are discussed.

Eugenia malaccensis L. (Syzygium malaccensis Merr.& Perry), denominada comumente de jambo vermelho, é uma espécie arbórea de ocorrência comum no Brasil e faz parte das plantas medicinais do Estado de Alagoas. Estudos químicos anteriores com E. malaccensis foram realizados com plantas coletadas na Ásia, Oceania e na América Central. Este trabalho descreve o estudo químico do extrato etanólico das folhas e cascas de um espécimem coletado no Estado de Alagoas, Brasil. Considerando-se a escassa literatura sobre o potencial moluscicida e larvicida dessa espécie, buscou-se testar estas atividades contra caramujos Biomphalaria glabrata Say, e frente às larvas do mosquito Aedes aegypti L. Os extratos etanólicos da casca do caule e das folhas foram inativos frente às larvas de Aedes aegypti na concentração de 500 μg/mL, porém, ativos contra Biomphalaria glabrata (CL50 = 42,53 e 41,90 mg/mL, respectivamente). O estudo químico levou ao isolamento e identificação de 5,7,3',4',5'-penta-hidroxi-flavonol (1), 5,7,3',5'-tetra-hidroxi-4'-metoxi-flavonol (2), ácido 3,4,5-tri-hidroxibenzóico (3) e ácido 3-acetil-urs-12-en-28-óico (4) das folhas e da casca do caule. O composto 4 é isolado pela primeira vez no gênero Eugenia. As estruturas desses compostos foram estabelecidas através de estudos no IV, de RMN ¹H e 13C e comparação com dados da literatura.

Eugenia malaccensis L. (Syzygium malaccensis Merr. & Perry), popularly known in Brazil as jambo vermelho, is a very common tree and one of the medicinal plants of Alagoas State, Brazil. Previous chemical studies with E. malaccensis have been carried out with native plants from Asia, Oceania, and Central America. This work describes the chemical study of E. malaccensis L., a specimen collected in Alagoas State. Considering that studies on the molluscicidal and larvicidal potential of E. malaccensis were not reported, this work aimed to test its molluscicidal activity against Biomphalaria glabrata snails and larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti mosquitos. The ethanolic stem bark and leaf extracts were inactive towards Aedes aegypti larvae. The ethanolic stem bark and leaf extract were active against Biomphalaria glabrata with CL50 = 42.53 and 41.90 mg/mL, respectively. 5,7,3',4',5'-Penta-hydroxy-flavonol (1), 5,7,3',5'-tetra-hydroxy-4'-methoxy-flavonol (2), 3,4,5-tri-hydroxybenzoic acid (3) and 3-acetyl-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (4) were isolated and identified from the leaves and stem bark. The acid 3b-O-acetyl-urs-12-en-28-oic is for the first time isolated from the genus Eugenia. The structures of the compounds have been established by IR, ¹H and 13C NMR spectral analysis and by comparison with literature data.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar os índices de captura de Rhynchophorus palmarum em armadilhas iscadas com o feromônio de agregação, 6-metil-2(E)-hepten-4-ol (rincoforol), associado a toletes de cana-de-açúcar, a pedaços de frutos do abacaxi e a seis compostos voláteis isolados de frutos do abacaxi. Os compostos voláteis do abacaxi são caracterizados por uma mistura de ésteres metílicos e etílicos, sendo o octanoato de metila e o octanoato de etila os mais abundantes. As armadilhas iscadas com o rincoforol associado a toletes de cana-de-açúcar e as iscas com rincoforol associado a pedaços de abacaxi não apresentaram diferenças significativas no número de besouros capturados. No entanto, ambas apresentaram índices de captura superiores àquelas em que o rincoforol foi utilizado em associação com voláteis do abacaxi. Não se observaram efeitos significativos do local e época de captura, nem no número de machos e de fêmeas capturados.

The aim of this work was to investigate the capture of Rhynchophorus palmarum in traps baited with its aggregation pheromone, 6-methyl-2(E)-hepten-4-ol (rhynchophorol), in association with sugar cane, pieces of pineapple fruit, and six volatile compounds from pineapple. A mixture of methyl and ethyl esters, being methyl octanoate and ethyl octanoate the most abundant, characterizes the volatile compounds from pineapple fruits. Traps baited with rhynchophorol in association with sugar cane and those baited with rhynchophorol in association with pieces of pineapple, showed no significant differences in the number of trapped weevils. However, both traps caught significantly more weevils, than those baited with rhynchophorol in association with pineapple volatiles. There were no significant effects from place and time or in the number of male and female weevils trapped.