BackgroundCassia fistula (L.) (Fabaceae) is a medicinal plant from tropical Asia. It is known for its marked antioxidant activity, which is attributed to its high phenolic content. The present study aims at testing both the antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of a hydroalcoholic extract from the aerial parts of Cassia fistula using the Caenorhabditis elegans model, which is widely used in this context.MethodsChemical profiling of secondary metabolites that seem to be responsible for both antioxidant and neuroprotective capacities was carried out by HPLC/PDA/ESI-MSn. Antioxidant activity was tested in vitro by CUPRAC and DPPH assays. In vivo antioxidant and neuroprotective activities were investigated using the C. elegans model.ResultsThe Cassia extract improved the survival rate of the nematodes and protected them against oxidative stress. In addition, a decrease in the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was observed. The important role of DAF-16/FOXO pathway was confirmed through an increased nuclear localization of the DAF-16 transcription factor, increased expression of SOD-3 stress response gene and decreased expression of HSP-16.2. Furthermore, the putative involvement of SKN-1/NRF2 pathway was demonstrated by a decrease in GST-4 levels. A neuroprotective activity of the Cassia extract was shown by a decline in polyglutamine (polyQ40) aggregate formation and a delay in paralysis caused by amyloid beta (Aβ1–42) accumulation.DiscussionThe Cassia extract exhibits substantial antioxidant and neuroprotective activities in vivo, which might provide a rich and novel source of natural antioxidants and neuroprotective compounds to be further studied for the use in various food and cosmetic industrial fields.

Uncaria tomentosa (Rubiaceae) has a recognized therapeutic potential against various diseases associated with oxidative stress. The aim of this research was to evaluate the antioxidant potential of an aqueous leaf extract (ALE) from U. tomentosa, and its major alkaloids mitraphylline and isomitraphylline. The antioxidant activity of ALE was investigated in vitro using standard assays (DPPH, ABTS and  FRAP), while the in vivo activity and mode of action were studied using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism. The purified alkaloids did not exhibit antioxidant effects in vivo. ALE reduced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in wild-type worms, and was able to rescue the worms from a lethal dose of the pro-oxidant juglone. The ALE treatment led to a decreased expression of the oxidative stress response related genes sod-3, gst-4, and hsp-16.2. The treatment of mutant worms lacking the DAF-16 transcription factor with ALE resulted in a significant reduction of ROS levels. Contrarily, the extract had a pro-oxidant effect in the worms lacking the SKN-1 transcription factor. Our results suggest that the antioxidant activity of ALE in C. elegans is independent of its alkaloid content, and that SKN-1 is required for ALE-mediated stress resistance.

Type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a highly prevalent disease with significant morbidity and mortality around the world. However, there is no universally effective treatment, because response to different treatment regimens can vary widely among patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the use of the powdered dried leaves of Eugenia punicifolia (Kunth) DC. (Myrtaceae) is effective as an adjuvant to the treatment of patients with type-2 DM. Fifteen patients were enrolled in a pilot, non-controlled study, and received E. punicifolia for 3 months. After treatment, we observed a significant decrease in glycosylated hemoglobin, basal insulin, thyroid-stimulating hormone, C-reactive protein, and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. There were no changes in fasting and postprandial glycemia. The compounds myricetin-3-O-rhamnoside, quercetin-3-O-galactoside, quercetin-3-O-xyloside, quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside, kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside, phytol, gallic acid, and trans-caryophyllene present in the powdered dried leaves of E. punicifolia may be responsible for the therapeutic effect. In conclusion, the powdered leaves of E. punicifolia are promising as an adjuvant in the treatment of type-2 DM and deserve further investigation.

Resumo: Introdução: A entrada dos jovens na universidade gera uma mudança de ambiente e costumes, tornando-se um período de grande vulnerabilidade para o uso de substâncias psicoativas. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o uso de substâncias psicoativas por estudantes de graduação e pré-vestibulandos, de Montes Claros-MG. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo quantitativo, transversal, que avaliou 348 estudantes, em instituições de ensino pré-vestibular (52 estudantes) e superior (98 de Engenharia Civil, 68 de Medicina e 130 de Direito), da cidade de Montes Claros, em Minas Gerais, analisando fatores associados ao uso de psicoestimulantes. Para a obtenção dos dados, utilizou-se um questionário padronizado e validado de autopreenchimento. Obtiveram-se informações sobre o uso de metilfenidato (Ritalina®), cafeína, pó de guaraná, modafinila, piracetam, energético, anfetamina e ecstasy. Resultados: Dos 348 estudantes entrevistados, cerca de 53,7% faziam uso de algum psicoestimulante. Houve um maior uso de substâncias psicoativas nos participantes do grupo do pré-vestibular (75%) em relação ao ensino superior (50%). Observou-se uma maior prevalência do uso atual de cafeína (63,5%) e de pó de guaraná (11,5%) entre os estudantes de pré-vestibular, e de ecstasy (1,7%) e cloridrato de metilfenidato (1,9%) entre os estudantes de ensino superior. A redução do sono (64,9%) foi o efeito mais percebido pelos usuários de estimulantes cerebrais do ensino superior, seguido de melhora na concentração (48%), no bem-estar (45,3%) e no raciocínio (38,5%), redução da fadiga (33,1%), melhora na memória (23,6%) e redução do estresse (23%). Entretanto, nos estudantes do pré-vestibular apenas a melhora no raciocínio (43,6%) e a redução do estresse (23%) obtiveram relevância significativa. Conclusões: Foi possível observar uma maior prevalência do uso de psicoestimulantes nos pré-vestibulandos em relação ao grupo dos universitários. Entre as áreas do ensino superior, não foram encontradas diferenças quanto ao uso dos estimulantes cerebrais pesquisados. É preciso destacar os malefícios do uso de psicoestimulantes em longo prazo, sobretudo a dependência e a tolerância química. Em função disso, o apoio familiar e o psicopedagógico são indispensáveis para prevenir e tratar as consequências do uso desmedido de psicoestimulantes.

The results clarify for the first time the anti-inflammatory activity of U. tomentosa in a murine model of asthma. Although ABE and ALE exhibited distinct chemical compositions, both extracts inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro. In vivo assays revealed that ABE was more effective in treating asthmatic inflammation while ALE was more successful in controlling respiratory mechanics. Both extracts may have promising applications in the phytotherapy of allergic asthma.

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The results presented herein demonstrate for the first time the anti-inflammatory activity of E. prostrata in a murine model of asthma, thereby supporting the ethnopharmacological uses of the plant.

Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott is a popular Asian tree widely used in traditional medicine. The current study explored the potential stress resistance and antioxidant activities of its fruits. Phytochemical profiling of the hydroalcoholic fruit extract was done via high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array-electrospray ionization-mass/mass (HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS). Twenty four phenolic constituents were tentatively identified in the extract. The Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) nematode model in addition to trimethyltin (TMT)-induced neurotoxicity mouse model were used for in vivo evaluation of its antioxidant properties. The ability of the extract to enhance stress resistance was manifested through increasing survival rate by 44.7% and decreasing basal reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by 72.3% in C. elegans. In addition, the extract increased the levels of the stress response enzyme superoxide dismutase-3 (Sod-3) by 55.5% and decreased the expression of heat shock protein-16.2 (Hsp-16.2) in nematodes, which had been challenged by juglone, by 21%. Using a mouse model, the extract significantly decreased the expression of the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA). Furthermore, an elevation in the levels of the antioxidant marker glutathione (GSH), SOD and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) enzymes were observed. Our findings imply that Styphnolobium japonicum has the potential to be used in future studies focusing on diseases associated with oxidative stress.