A new class of deep eutectic solvents (DES) was used in the extraction of levodopa (L-dopa) present in Mucuna cinerea, which has been termed “green” or “designer” solvents, with notable productive and economic/environmental benefits. The seeds of Mucuna cinerea were prepared and submitted to extraction with heating and agitation in a solvent mixture of DES with citric acid, urea, or glycerol. The extracts were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) which confirmed the efficiency of DES in extracting L-dopa. These extractions were carried out to determine the L-dopa extracts in DES with regard to the induction of cellular response activity, demonstrating the synergy between L-dopa and DES. The DES-glycerol extract exhibited a higher proliferative activity than commercial L-dopa after 24 h of treatment. The human glandular kallikrein-1 gene (hGK3) demonstrated higher expression in the treatment with the DES-urea, while the G protein-coupled receptor kinase-6 gene (GRK6) showed higher expression for all extracts compared to commercial L-dopa, with a higher value obtained for DES glycerol, followed by DES urea extract. The DES extraction method is therefore promising and unprecedented, confirming its possible use in the replacement of expensive solvents, supporting the use of ecologically viable DES in the extractions of other plant species.

ABSTRACT Purpose: Testicular germ cells tumor (TGCT) are associated with a high cure rate and are treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. However, a group of testicular cancer patients may have a very unfavorable evolution and insensitivity to the main therapeutic agent chemotherapy (CT) cisplatin. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of recurrence and overall survival related to the expression of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), transglutaminase 2 (TG2) and excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1) in patients with TGCT treated with platinum combinations. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study was performed with TGCT patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed and the expression was correlated with clinical and laboratory data. Results: Fifty patients were included, the mean age was 28.4 years (18 to 45), and 76% were non-seminoma. All patients were treated with standard cisplatin, etoposide and bleomycin or cisplatin, and etoposide. Patient’s analyzed immunodetection for NF-κB, TG2, and ERCC1 were positive in 76%, 54% and 42%, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified that positive expressions to ERCC1 and NF-κB are independent risk factors for higher recurrence TGCT after chemotherapy (RR 2.96 and 3.16, respectively). Patients with positive expression of ERCC1 presented a poor overall survival rate for 10-year follow (p=0.001). Conclusions: The expression of ERCC1 and NF-κB give a worse prognosis for relapse, and only ERCC1 had an influence on the overall survival of TGCT patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. These may represent markers that predict poor clinical outcome and response to cisplatin.