RESUMO:Melipona fasciculata Smith é uma abelha nativa, social e sem ferrão que produz cera, mel e geoprópolis. O presente trabalho objetivou caracterizar, do ponto de vista farmacognóstico, o geoprópolis de Melipona fasciculata, coletado em meliponários nos municípios de Arari, São Bento e São João Batista, da Baixada maranhense, no Estado do Maranhão, visando estabelecer dados para o controle de qualidade e padronização do produto. A metodologia utilizada constou de análises sensoriais, abordagem química, perfi s cromatográfi cos e determinação dos teores de fl avonóides. Os resultados demonstram que o geoprópolis apresenta características sensoriais similares às encontradas para própolis de Apis mellifera, presença de compostos fenólicos em maior concentração, além de substâncias da classe dos terpenos e saponinas e ausência de alcalóides. Os perfi s cromatográfi cos indicaram que a composição e concentração das substâncias químicas são diferentes entre as amostras. Os teores de fl avonóides variaram de 0,17 -2,6%, os quais para a maioria das amostras apresentaram valores acima do mínimo exigido pela legislação brasileira para própolis de Apis mellifera. Os dados encontrados sugerem que as variações qualitativa e quantitativa de fl avonóides e outros constituintes químicos no geoprópolis são fortemente afetados pela fl ora visitada pelas abelhas, região geográfi ca e fatores ambientais.Unitermos: Geoprópolis, Melipona fasciculata, fl avonóides, controle de qualidade, padronização.ABSTRACT: "Pharmacognostic evaluation of geopropolis of Melipona fasciculata Smith from Baixada Maranhense, Brazil". Melipona fasciculata Smith is a native, social, stingless bee species that produces wax, honey and geopropolis. This work aimed to do a pharmacological evaluation of Melipona fasciculata geopropolis, collected in beehives in the municipal districts of Arari, São Bento and São João Batista, in Baixada maranhense, in the state of Maranhão, Brazil, seeking to obtain basis for the quality control and standardization of the product. The methodology used included the accomplishment of sensorial analyses, chemical approach, chromatographic profi les and determination of the fl avonoids contents. The results demonstrate that the geopropolis have organoleptic characteristics similar to the ones found for the propolis of Apis mellifera, presence of phenolic compounds in larger concentration, besides substances of the class of the terpenes and saponins and absence of alkaloids. The chromatographic profi les indicated that the composition and concentration of the chemical substances are different among the samples. The fl avonoids contents ranged between 0.17 -2.6%. The content for most of the samples presented values above the minimum demanded by the Brazilian legislation for propolis of Apis mellifera. The found data suggest that the qualitative and quantitative variations of fl avonoids and other chemical substances in geopropolis are strongly affected for the fl ora visited by the bees, geographical area and environmental facto...

Imaging performance of SonoVue was similar to or slightly better than that of Definity, but it was superior to Optison for the conditions used in this study.

Ultrasound contrast imaging techniques represent a real opportunity to improve efficiency in the preclinical drug discovery and development process. Ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) combined with specific ultrasound contrast detection modes provide real-time, high spatial resolution of both organ and lesion blood perfusion, the so-called dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging. With the advent of targeted UCA, ultrasound molecular imaging is gaining momentum in molecular imaging, particularly because of the simultaneous real-time anatomical and functional/molecular imaging capabilities. In preclinical research, contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging, with either nontargeted or targeted UCA, is a fast-growing imaging modality that has not yet been standardized compared with other imaging modalities. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging is an operator-dependent imaging modality, requiring adherence to rigorous step-by-step protocols. In this article, which is intended for advanced, hands-on researchers, we report key factors that can lead to variability in preclinical results and recommend some preventive methods to limit or cancel their effect on the final results. Standardized procedures are a prerequisite for acceptance of new contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging methods to eliminate factors that could distort results, improve the reproducibility between different centers and studies, and, therefore, allow translation to clinical application.

Ultrasound molecular imaging of transient myocardial ischemia using dual selectin-targeted UCA is able to monitor the time course of expression of selectins after resolution of the ischemic event, paving the way for a large clinical diagnostic window.

BackgroundEuterpe oleracea Mart., a plant from the Amazon region, is commonly known as açaí or juçara; it has high nutritional value and elevated levels of lipids, proteins, and minerals. Açaí is an abundant and much consumed fruit by the Amazon local population, and studies have demonstrated that it is rich in phytochemicals with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test this plant for anticancer activity in different human malignant cell lines.MethodsCell lines derived from breast and colorectal adenocarcinomas were treated with 10, 20, and 40 μg/mL of bark, seed, and total açaí fruit hydroalcoholic extracts for 24 and 48 h. After treatment, cell viability was measured using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays, and cell morphological features were observed by light and transmission electron microscopy. The type of cell death was also evaluated. The data were analyzed statistically by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Dunnett’s or Tukey’s post hoc tests, as appropriate.ResultsWe observed that of all the cell lines tested, MCF-7 was the only line that responded to açaí treatment. The extracts caused significant reduction (p < 0.01) in cell viability and altered cell morphological features by inducing the appearance of autophagic vacuoles, as observed by transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, increased expression of LC3BII, a protein marker of autophagosome formation, was observed by western blotting. Caspase Glo™ assays and morphologic observations by DAPI nuclear staining and transmission electron microscopy did not indicate any apoptotic events.ConclusionsThe present study demonstrated that açaí possesses antitumorigenic potential in the MCF-7 cell line. Further studies are needed to identify the compound (s) responsible for this cytotoxic activity and the molecular target in the cell. This discovery of the anticancer potential of açaí may help in the development of chemopreventive drugs and may have therapeutic effects in the treatment of breast cancer.

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BackgroundThe babassu palm tree is native to Brazil and is most densely distributed in the Cocais region of the state of Maranhão, in northeastern Brazil. In addition to the industrial use of refined babassu oil, the milk, the unrefined oil and the nuts in natura are used by families from several communities of African descendants as one of the principal sources of food energy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of babassu oil on microvascular permeability and leukocyte-endothelial interactions induced by ischemia/reperfusion using the hamster cheek pouch microcirculation as experimental model.MethodsTwice a day for 14 days, male hamsters received unrefined babassu oil (0.02 ml/dose [BO-2 group], 0.06 ml/dose [BO-6 group], 0.18 ml/dose [BO-18 group]) or mineral oil (0.18 ml/dose [MO group]). Observations were made in the cheek pouch and macromolecular permeability increase induced by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) or topical application of histamine, as well as leukocyte-endothelial interaction after I/R were evaluated.ResultsThe mean value of I/R-induced microvascular leakage, determined during reperfusion, was significantly lower in the BO-6 and BO-18 groups than in the MO one (P < 0.001). In addition, histamine-induced increase of microvascular permeability was significantly less pronounced in BO groups compared to MO one. No significant differences among groups in terms of leukocyte adhesion, concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1, and interleukin 6 were found.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that unrefined babassu oil reduced microvascular leakage and protected against histamine-induced effects in postcapillary venules and highlights that these almost unexploited nut and its oil might be secure sources of food energy.