Parkinson's disease (PD) is a multifactorial disease associated with the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and behavioural alterations. Natural bioactive compounds may provide new therapeutic alternatives for neurodegenerative disorders, such as PD. The sulphated polysaccharides isolated from marine algae are heterogenic molecules that show different biological activities. The red marine alga Gracilaria cornea has a sulphated polysaccharide (SA-Gc) with structure and anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities reported in the literature. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of SA-Gc in rat model PD induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Firstly, we established the PD model in rats, induced by an intrastriatal injection (int.) of 6-OHDA, followed by a single administration of SA-Gc (15, 30 or 60 μg; int.). On the 14th day, behavioural tests were performed. After killing, brain areas were dissected and used for neurochemical and/or transcriptional analyses. The results showed that SA-Gc (60 μg, int.) promoted neuroprotective effects in vivo through reducing the oxidative/nitroactive stress and through alterations in the monoamine contents induced by 6-OHDA. Furthermore, SA-Gc modulated the transcription of neuroprotective and inflammatory genes, as well as returning behavioural activities and weight gain to normal conditions. Thus, this study reports the neuroprotective effects of SA-Gc against 6-OHDA in rats.
The development of the gastric lesion is complex and the result of the imbalance between aggressive and protective factors, involving the generation of free radicals and disturbance in nitric oxide (NO) production. Sulphated polysaccharides (SP), from marine algae, are widely used in biotechnological and pharmaceutical areas. In this study, we evaluated the effects of SP from the green marine alga Caulerpa mexicana (Cm-SP) in ethanol-induced gastric damage models in mice. Cm-SP (2, 20, or 200 mg/kg), administered p.o., significantly reduced gastric damage, and these effects were inhibited through pretreatment with indomethacin. Cm-SP (200 mg/kg) prevented the ethanol-induced decline in glutathione and restored its normal level. Moreover, it was able to normalize the elevated thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels. However, Cm-SP did not show any significant effects on NO2/NO3 level, when compared to the ethanol group. The pretreatment with L- NAME induced gastric mucosal damage and did not inhibit the gastroprotective effect of Cm-SP (200 mg/kg). In conclusion, the gastroprotective effects of Cm-SP in mice involve prostaglandins and reduction in the oxidative stress and are independent of NO.
Objetivo: Este artigo tem como objetivo elaborar uma revisão da literatura com estudos relevantes, sobre o tratamento de câncer de próstata (CaP) envolvendo radioderapia, quimioterapia e plantas medicinais. Metodologia: Foi realizada uma revisão de literatura nas bases de dados: Scientific Eletronic Library Online (SCIELO), PubMed e nos periódicos CAPES, utilizando os descritores: câncer de próstata, plantas medicinais, radioterapia e quimioterapia, publicados entre 2010 e 2018. Resultados: Radioterapia (RT) é um método que utilizam feixes de radiações ionizantes capaz de destruir ou impedir a proliferação de células tumorais. Sendo assim, novas formas de terapias nesta área estão surgindo como: a exclusão androgênica, CaP localizado, a RT guiada por imagem, RT estereotáxica ablativa e a RT conformada tridimensional. Já a quimioprevenção é a maneira mais indicada, pois, reduz as chances de desenvolvimento de tumores a partir da utilização de medicamentos. No caso do CaP, o conjunto de drogas quimiopreventivas com maior eficiência em testes clínicos inclui as que apresentam inibidores da enzima 5-alfa redutase, que convertem a testosterona em diidrotestosterona. Em relação à fitoterapia, estima-se que 60% dos anticancerígenos comercializados, ou em investigações clínicas, são derivados de origem natural como Crocus sativus, Euphorbia zovitsii, Achillea wilhelmsii, Urtica dioica, Medicago sativae, Psoralea corylifolia. Conclusão: Dentro desse contexto, foi possível evidenciar que todas essas terapias citadas no texto são ferramentas importante para o tratamento do câncer de próstata, enfatizando que a fitoterapia representa uma esperança de tratamento com menor efeito colateral para o homem.
RESUMOA espécie Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth pertence ao gênero Croton, da família Euphorbiaceae, uma espécie bastante encontrada do Nordeste do Brasil, e devido aos seus tricomas esta espécie é popularmente conhecida como "velame", "velaminho" e "marmeleiro". Na medicina popular é utilizada para dores estomacais, mal estar gástrico, vômito, disenteria e antipirético. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o perfil fitoquímico do extrato etanólico da casca do caule de Croton heliotropiifolius e o potencial toxicológico frente à Artemia salina. As cascas foram submetidas à extração com etanol a temperatura ambiente, subsequentemente foi realizado um estudo fitoquímico preliminar. O extrato etanólico da casca do caule de Croton heliotropiifolius nas concentrações de 50, 100, 250, 500, 750 e 1000 μg/mL foram submetidas ao teste de A. salina. O extrato etanólico da casca do caule de Croton heliotropiifolius apresentou um rendimento de 8%. A análise fitoquímica mostrou a presença dos seguintes metabólitos secundários: cumarinas, flavonoides e terpenos. O extrato etanólico mostrou uma CL50 de 396,6 µg/ml classificada como toxicidade moderada. Este estudo contribui para o aprofundamento dos conhecimentos relativo à composição química e toxicidade desta espécie.
Thiosemicarbazones are well known for their broad spectrum of action, including antitumoral and antiparasitic activities. Thiosemicarbazones work as chelating binders, reacting with metal ions. The objective of this work was to investigate the in silico, in vitro, and in vivo toxicity and oxidative stress of 2-acetylpyridine-N(4)-orthochlorophenyl thiosemicarbazone (TSC01). The in silico prediction showed good absorption by biological membranes and no theoretical toxicity. Also, the compound did not show cytotoxicity against Hep-G2 and HT-29 cells. In the acute nonclinical toxicological test, the animals treated with TSC01 showed behavioral changes of stimulus of the central nervous system (CNS) at 300 mg/kg. One hour after administration, a dose of 2000 mg/kg caused depressive signs. All changes disappeared after 24 h, with no deaths, which suggest an estimated LD50 of 5000 mg/kg and GSH 5. The group treated with 2000 mg/kg had an increase of water consumption and weight gain in the second week. The biochemical parameters presented no toxicity relevance, and the analysis of oxidative stress in the liver found an increase of lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide. However, histopathological analysis showed organ integrity was maintained without any changes. In conclusion, the results show the low toxicological potential of thiosemicarbazone derivative, indicating future safe use.
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