Browsing by Author "Majolo, Fernanda"
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- Antimicrobial and antileukemic effects: in vitro activity of Calyptranthes grandifolia aqueous leaf extractPublication . Majolo, Fernanda; Bitencourt, Shanna; Monteiro, Bruna Wissmann; Haute, Gabriela Viegas; Alves, Celso; Silva, Joana; Pinteus, Susete; Santos, Roberto Christ Vianna; Torquato, Heron Fernandes Vieira; Paredes-Gamero, Edgar Julian; Oliveira, Jarbas Rodrigues; Souza, Claucia Fernanda Volken De; Pedrosa, Rui; Laufer, Stefan; Goettert, Márcia InêsNatural products are still a promising source of bioactive molecules. Food and Drug Administration data showed that approximately 49% of the approved molecules originate naturally or chemicallyresemble these substances, of which more than 70% are being used in anticancer therapy. It is noteworthy that at present there are no scientific studies to prove the effectiveness and safety of a number of plants used in folk medicine such as in the case of Calyptranthes grandifolia O. Berg (Myrtaceae) originally from South America. The aim of the present study was to determine the biological potential and toxicological effects of the aqueous leaf extract of C. grandifolia. The main detected phytoconstituents were condensed tannins and flavonoids and a high quantity of polyphenols. Regarding the antimicrobial potential, the extract exerted inhibitory activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results also revealed the extract induced DNA damage in a concentration-dependent manner in RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, C. grandifolia produced cytotoxicity in leukemia cell lines (HL60 and Kasumi-1) without affecting isolated human lymphocytes but significantly inhibited JAK3 and p38α enzyme activity. Taken together, these findings add important information on the biological and toxicological effects of C. grandifolia, indicating that aqueous extract may be a source of natural antimicrobial and antileukemic constituents.
- Antiulcerogenic potential of the ethanolic extract of Ceiba speciosa (A. St.-Hil.) Ravenna evaluated by in vitro and in vivo studiesPublication . Dörr, Juliana Andréa; Majolo, Fernanda; Bortoluzzi, Luísa; Vargas, Evelin Zen de; Silva, Joana; Pasini, Manoela; Stoll, Stefani Natali; Rosa, Rafael Lopes da; Figueira, Mariana Moreira; Fronza, Marcio; Beys-da-Silva, Walter O.; Martins, Alice; Gaspar, Helena; Pedrosa, Rui; Laufer, StefanGastrointestinal diseases, such as peptic ulcers, are caused by a damage in the gastric mucosa provoked by several factors. This stomach injury is regulated by many inflammatory mediators and is commonly treated with proton-pump inhibitors, histamine H2 receptor blockers and antacids. However, various medicinal plants have demonstrated positive effects on gastric ulcer treatment, including plants of the Ceiba genus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiulcer and anti-inflammatory activities of the stem bark ethanolic extract of Ceiba speciosa (A. St.-Hil.) Ravenna. We performed a preliminary quantification of phenolic compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD), followed by the prospection of other chemical groups through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. A set of in vitro assays was used to evaluate the extract potential regarding its antioxidant activity (DPPH: 19.83 +- 0.34 ug/mL; TPC: 307.20 +- 6.20 mg GAE/g of extract), effects on cell viability and on the release of TNF-α in whole human blood. Additionally, in vivo assays were performed to evaluate the leukocyte accumulation and total protein quantification in carrageenan-induced air pouch, as well as the antiulcerogenic effect of the extract on an ethanol-induced ulcer in rats. The extract contains flavonoids and phenolic compounds, as well as sugars and quinic acid derivatives exhibiting potent antioxidant activity and low toxicity. The extract reduced the release of TNF-α in human blood and inhibited the activity of p38α (1.66 ug/mL), JAK3 (5.25 ug/mL), and JNK3 (8.34 ug/mL). Moreover, it reduced the leukocyte recruitment on the pouch exudate and the formation of edema, reverting the effects caused by carrageenan. The extract presented a significant prevention of ulcer formation and a higher reduction than the reference drug, Omeprazole. Therefore, C. speciosa extract has demonstrated relevant therapeutic potential for the treatment of gastric diseases, deserving the continuation of further studies to unveil the mechanisms of action of plant bioactive ingredients.
- Lymphocyte genotoxicity and protective effect of Calyptranthes tricona (Myrtaceae) against H 2 O 2-induced cell death in MCF-7 cellsPublication . Kich, Débora Mara; Bitencourt, Shanna; Caye, Bruna; Faleiro, Dalana; Alves, Celso; Silva, Joana; Pinteus, Susete; Mergener, Michelle; Majolo, Fernanda; Boligon, Aline Augusti; Santos, Roberto Christ Vianna; Pedrosa, Rui; Souza, Claucia Fernanda Volken de; Goettert, Márcia InêsCalyptranthes tricona is a species (Myrtaceae) native to South Brazil. Plants belonging to this family are folkloric used for analgesia, inflammation, and infectious diseases. However, little is known about the toxic potential of C. tricona. The present study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of C. tricona ethanol and hexane leaf extracts, as well as verify their effect on human lymphocytes and MCF-7 cells. The extracts were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity using DPPH and ORAC methods. Genotoxic and mutagenic effects in cultured human lymphocytes were assessed using the comet assay and the micronucleus assay, respectively. In addition, cell viability by MTT assay and fluorometric analysis of mitochondrial potential and caspases-9 activity were performed in order to verify the possible effects of both extracts on H2O2-induced cell death of MCF-7 cells. Our findings revealed that the phenol content and the antioxidant activity were only present in the ethanol extract. Also, the phytochemical screening presented steroids, triterpenoids, condensed tannins, and flavones as the main compounds. However, both extracts were capable of inducing concentration-dependent DNA damage in human lymphocytes. When treating MCF-7 cells with the extracts, both of them inhibited MCF-7 cell death in response to oxidative stress through a decrease of mitochondrial depolarization and caspases-9 activity. Thus, our results need to be considered in future in vitro and in vivo studies of C. tricona effects. In the meanwhile, we recommend caution in the acute/chronic use of this homemade preparation for medicinal purpose.