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Ursolic acid is a very important compound due to its biological potential as an anti-inflammatory, trypanocidal, antirheumatic, antiviral, antioxidant and antitumoral agent. This study presents the HPLC analysis of ursolic acid (UA) content in eight different Ocimum species: O. americanum L., O. basilicum L, O. basilicum var purpurascens Benth, O. basilicum var. minimum L, O. gratissimum L, O. micranthum Willd, O. selloi Benth. and O. tenuiflorum L. grown in Northeastern Brazil. In these Ocimum species, UA was detected in different yields, with O. tenuiflorum showing the highest content (2.02%). This yield is very significant when compared with other sources of UA.

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-(Purification and partial characterisation of a lectin from the red marine alga Vidalia obtusiloba C. Agardh). The lectin of the red marine alga Vidalia obtusiloba was purified by a combination of ammonium sulphate precipitation, ionexchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and affinity chromatography on cross-linked guar gum. The lectin preferentially agglutinated native and bromelain-treated human group O erythrocytes. The haemagglutinating activity revealed that the lectin was dependent on divalent cations (Ca ++ or Mn ++ ) and was shown to be inhibited by N-acetyl-galactosamine, D-galactosamine, α-lactose and D-galactose and by the glycoprotein porcine stomach mucin. The molecular mass of the lectin, estimated by gel filtration, was 78.9 kDa while by SDS-PAGE, in the presence of β-mercaptoethanol, the lectin exhibited two different protein subunits with M r of 59.6 and 15.2 kDa, suggesting that the lectin is a dimeric protein. Isoelectric focusing revealed the presence of a simple acidic protein with an isoelectric point between 4 and 5. The purified lectin showed a carbohydrate content of 43.2% and a predominance of the amino acids Asp/Asn, Glu/Gln and Leu. The energy of activation (∆G') for the denaturation of the lectin was estimated to be 25.4 kcal.mol -1 at 90 ºC. Immunochemical assays using a rabbit antiserum raised against the purified lectin of V. obtusiloba showed that it was possible to detect the presence of the lectin at different steps of the purification process. Western blotting of SDS-PAGE gels showed immunostaining of only the larger of the lectin subunits.Key words -hemagglutinin, lectin, protein, red marine alga RESUMO -(Purificação e caracterização parcial de uma lectina da alga marinha vermelha Vidalia obtusiloba C. Agardh). A lectina da alga marinha vermelha Vidalia obtusiloba foi purificada através da combinação de precipitação com sulfato de amônio, cromatografia de troca iônica em DEAE-celulose e cromatografia de afinidade em goma de guar reticulada. A lectina preferencialmente aglutinou eritrócitos do grupo humano O, nativos e tratados com bromelaina. A atividade hemaglutinante revelou que a lectina era dependente de cátions divalentes (Ca ++ ou Mn ++ ) e inibida por N-acetil-galactosamina, D-galactosamina, α-lactose and D-galactose e pela glicoproteína mucina de estômago de porco. A massa molecular da lectina, estimada por filtração em gel, foi de 78,9 kDa, enquanto por SDS-PAGE, em presença de β-mercaptoetanol, a lectina exibiu duas subunidades protéicas diferentes com Mr de 59,6 e 15,2 kDa, sugerindo que a lectina é uma proteína dimérica. Focalização isoelétrica revelou a presença de uma proteína ácida simples, com um ponto isoelétrico entre 4 e 5. A lectina purificada exibiu um conteúdo de carboidrato de 43,2% e uma predominância dos aminoácidos Asp/Asn, Glu/Gln e Leu. A energia de ativação (∆G') para a desnaturação da lectina foi calculada como sendo 25,4 kcalm.mol -1 a 90 ºC. Ensaios imunoquímicos usando um anti-soro de coelho produzido contra a lectina purificada de...

The caatinga, an exclusively Brazilian biome, is one of the most endangered vegetation systems in the planet. To be exploited rationally, its potential needs to be scientifically demonstrated. Among these is the faveleira, used in northeastern Brazil. It stands out for its extraordinary drought resistance and medicinal properties. The objective of this study was to assess the therapeutic potential of compounds extracted from Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl in preventing disease and its rational use as a herbal therapeutic tool. The methodology began with the collection and herborization of the plant material, to obtain the chemical compounds, preliminary phytochemical analysis, and extraction of the constituents of the active extracts. To determine the biological activities the authors conducted investigation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, inhibition capacity of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme, and initial assessment of toxicity of the extracts. The results demonstrated great potential as an antimicrobial agent, an important antioxidant capacity, and acetylcholinesterase inhibition response with no significant difference compared with the reference drug. The authors expect to develop a new herbal product, resulting in lower production costs and that, consequently, could be commercialized in more accessible form to the population, highlighting the risk reduction of contraindication of this category of medications.

The seeds of Prosopis juliflora (mesquite) have a water barrier composed of the palisade layer present in the seed tegument and galactomannans in the endosperm. Changes in the morphological and physiological states of seeds are usually accompanied by changes in their metabolism. The aim of this study was to detect and characterise the main reserves and their mobilisation during and following germination of P. juliflora seeds. Sections of seeds 0, 24, 48 and 72 h after the onset of the imbibing process were evaluated by light microscopy, and seed reserves were extracted and quantified. Polysaccharides were isolated and characterised by 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. In mesquite seeds a well-developed endosperm, consisting largely of the storage carbohydrate (galactomannans), lies between the seed coat and the cotyledons. Germination was complete after 24 h of imbibition. At this time, morphological changes were observed in stained protein bodies. Chemical analysis showed a decrease in protein levels until 48 h. After 48 h, globular structures were observed in the cotyledon cells, but after 72 h these grains were smaller and their content was reduced. Polarisation microscopy confirmed that this material was composed of starch grains. The 1 H NMR spectrum of P. juliflora seeds showed that sucrose was used following germination. Apparently, sucrose is the transport sugar mobilised from reserve stocks for seedling growth. Parallel to endosperm galactomannan degradation, starch is produced transitorily in the cotyledon.

Surfaces with antimicrobial properties are gaining notoriety as an efficient method to avoid surface contamination. Self-disinfecting paints are a promising strategy towards cleaner indoor environments by preventing the colonization of walls with microorganisms. However, its widespread use needs an appropriate toxicological safety evaluation due to the potential for biological disturbance associated to its biocidal activity. In this work, the cyto- and genotoxic assessment of two self-disinfecting paints containing the antimicrobial substances triclosan (TCS) and isoborneol (ISB) is performed. HaCaT and A549 cell lines models were selected for the in vitro assessment. To evaluate the cytotoxicity, tests by direct contact and on extracts obtained from leaching were performed following ISO 10993, whereas the genotoxicity was assessed by comet assay and cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay. The results showed low levels of cyto- and genotoxicity under the models and conditions tested, indicating that these substances have commercial potential.