INTRODUÇÃOO girassol (Hellianthus annuus L.) é cultivado em várias partes do mundo, atingindo, em 2012, a produção mundial de 37 milhões de toneladas, em área de, aproximadamente, 25 milhões de hectares (Factfish 2013).
ABSTRACT RESUMOA importância da cultura do girassol, no mundo, deve-se ao óleo de excelente qualidade que se extrai de suas sementes e aos grãos in natura que são consumidos na alimentação humana, de diversas formas. Além disto, o girassol pode ser utilizado para outras finalidades, como a produção de flores ornamentais, farelo para a alimentação de animais, forragem e si-1. Trabalho recebido em maio/2013 e aceito para publicação em maio/2014 (nº registro: PAT 24430).
Uncaria tomentosa (UT) extracts have been shown to have promising antitumor activity. We hypothesized that its incorporation into nanostructured systems could improve the anticancer properties. Here, poly-e-caprolactone (PCL) and poly-d,l-lactideco-glycolide (PLGA) were employed to generate nanoparticles loaded with UT extract in a single emulsion solvent evaporation method. The nanoparticles were characterized by particle size, zeta potential, morphology and entrapment efficiency along with stability and release profiles. The nanoparticles presented entrapment efficiencies above 60% and a mean diameter below 300nm. UT-PCL nanoparticles presented higher entrapment efficiency and mean particle size as well as a slow release rate. The UT-PLGA nanoparticles showed higher drug loading. Two prostate cancer cell-lines, LNCaP and DU145 that were derived from metastatic sites, served as model systems to assess cytotoxicity and anticancer activity. In vitro, both formulations reduced the viability of DU145 and LNCaP cells. Yet, the UT-PLGA nanoparticles showed higher cytotoxicity towards DU145 cells while the UTPCL against LNCaP cells. The results confirm that the incorporation of UT into nanoparticles could enhance its anti-cancer activities that can offer a viable alternative for the treatment of prostrate canner and highlights the potential of nanostructured systems to provide a promising methodology to enhance the activity of natural extracts.
This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro nematicidal effect of metabolites produced by actinobacteria strains, aqueous extracts from fresh and dry biomass of leguminous plants (sunn hemp, pigeon pea and Gliricidia sepium), liquid residue from sisal (Agave sisalana Perrine ex Engelm) and cassava (Manihot esculenta) to control Scutellonema bradys. Strains of actinobacteria and leguminous plants (sunn hemp, pigeon pea and gliricidia) were evaluated against S. bradys in yam plants. Strains AC-92, AC-12, AC-50 and AC-52 showed nematicidal effect against S. bradys under in vitro conditions. The aqueous extracts from the fresh biomass of sunn hemp, gliricidia and pigeon pea are more efficient than the aqueous extracts of the dry biomass of these plants for control of S. bradys under in vitro conditions. The liquid residues from sisal and cassava, in concentrations above 20 %, also have nematicidal effect against S. bradys under in vitro conditions. The green manures (sunn hemp, pigeon pea and gliricídia) and actinobacteria strains, singly or in combination, are effective for the management of S. bradys in yam crop.
The degree of maturity of fruits and seeds can influence the establishment of seed dormancy. Thus, the present study aimed to verify whether dormancy of B. virgilioides seeds depends on the degree of fruit maturity. Two experiments were carried out: in the first one, fruits at two maturity stages (green and brown) were collected from seven plants located in the municipality of Conceição da Feira, BA, Brazil. Germination tests were conducted in a completely randomized design in a 2 x 2 factorial scheme, with two levels of fruit maturity (yellowish green with purple edges and brown with blackish spots) and two treatments related to dormancy overcoming (without overcoming and with overcoming). For the second experiment, darkened fruits were collected from three plants located in the municipality of Cruz das Almas, BA, Brazil. Germination tests were conducted according to a completely randomized design with two treatments, seeds with and without dormancy overcoming. Dormancy in B. virgilioides seeds depends on the degree of fruit maturity. Dormancy occurs after the seventh week of floral anthesis when the fruits are predominantly black, dry and brittle.
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