Chagas disease and sleeping sickness are neglected tropical diseases closely related to poverty, for which the development of plant-derived treatments has not been a promising prospect. Thus, we systematicaly review the preclinical in vivo evidence on the applicability of plant-based products in the treatment of Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei infections. Characteristics such as disease models, treatments, toxicological safety and methodological bias were analysed. We recovered 66 full text articles from 16 countries investigating 91 plant species. The disease models and treatments were highly variable. Most studies used native (n = 36, 54·54%) or exotic (n = 30, 45·46%) plants with ethnodirected indication (n = 45, 68·18%) for trypanosomiasis treatment. Complete phytochemical screening and toxicity assays were reported in only 15 (22·73%) and 32 (48·49%) studies, respectively. The currently available preclinical evidence is at high risk of bias. The absence of or incomplete characterization of animal models, treatment protocols, and phytochemical/toxicity analyses impaired the internal validity of the individual studies. Contradictory results of a same plant species compromise the external validity of the evidence, making it difficult determine the effectiveness, safety and biotechnological potential of plant-derived products in the development of new anti-infective agents to treat T. cruzi and T. brucei infections.
Cancer is one of the most critical problems of public health in the world and one of the main challenges for medicine in this century. Unfortunately, most patients are diagnosed at advanced stage, when the treatment options are palliative. Consequently, the search for novel therapeutic options is imperative. In the context, the plants represent an important source for discovering of novel compounds with pharmacological potential including antineoplastic agents. Herein, we aimed to investigate in vitro antiproliferative and cytotoxic potentials of an alkaloid mixture derived from Senna spectabilis, (−)-cassine (1) and (−)-spectaline (2). These alkaloids reduced cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner of six tumor cell lines. From initial screening, HepG2 cells were selected for further investigations. We show that alkaloids 1/2 have an important antiproliferative activity on HepG2 cells due to their ability in inducing cell cycle arrest in G1/S transition. This effect was associated to ERK inactivation and down-regulation of cyclin D1 expression. In addition, we evidenced a disruption of the microfilaments and microtubules in a consequence of the treatment. Taken together, the data showed by the first time that alkaloids 1/2 strongly inhibit cell proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Therefore, they represent promise antitumor compounds against liver cancer and should be considered for further anticancer in vivo studies.
Abstract. Enzootic calcinosis was diagnosed in sheep in Uruguay in pastures containing the plant Nierembergia rivularis. In a flock of 200 sheep, 20 were affected and 12 died. Clinical signs were anorexia, weight loss followed by cachexia, stiffness, and kyphosis. At necropsy and histologic examination, mineral deposits were observed on the medial layer of the arteries, heart, lungs, and kidneys. Similar lesions were also observed in 3 sheep forced to graze in an area containing the plant, while no lesions were observed in a control sheep that grazed in an area free of N. rivularis. It is concluded that N. rivularis is a calcinogenic plant for sheep.
To evaluate PBS ® MCIMMO cement in the filling of bone defects. Methods: Thirty-six adult male Wistar rats were divided into three groups of twelve individuals each (group 1, group 2 and group 3). In all groups, a bone failure in the femur was induced, 2.0 mm wide and 7.0 mm deep. In group 1, the PBS ® MCIMMO cement was applied to the bone defect produced and a titanium implant (CONNECTION ®) 1.5 mm thick and 6 mm long was installed. In group 2, only the PBS ® CIMMO cement was installed. In group 3, only bone failure was performed. Kruskal Wallis tests were performed to compare the mean area among the three groups. Results: In all comparisons, significance was observed for group 2 (p = 0.0014-0.0026). Conclusion: The PBS ® CIMMO cement induced bone neoformation, and integration between the newly formed bone, cement, and implant was observed.
Objetivo: Analisar o perfil de tabagismo e a frequência de micronúcleos sobre indivíduos fumantes em comparação aos não-fumantes que residem em um município do sul de Minas Gerais. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo observacional, envolvendo 60 indivíduos de ambos os gêneros, maiores de 18 anos, divididos igualmente em dois grupos: fumantes e não-fumantes. Foram obtidos dados sobre o perfil de tabagismo mediante a aplicação de questionário. A atividade genotóxica foi avaliada pela análise da frequência de micronúcleos. Células da mucosa oral foram coletadas pelo método citológico convencional, coradas em hematoxilina-eosina (HE), para certificação da qualidade do material, e Giemsa, para análise de micronúcleos. Para análise, foram contabilizadas 1000 células por indivíduo, avaliando-se a frequência de micronúcleos. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente. Resultados: Mediante a análise, não houve diferença entre os dois grupos para a frequência de micronúcleos (p = 0,839). Porém, indivíduos que não consomem álcool fumam mais (p=0,045), e os que fumam há mais de 30 anos consomem mais cigarros por dia (p=0,011). Conclusão: O perfil de tabagismo da população é heterogêneo, influenciado pelo tempo de uso e o consumo de bebidas alcoólicas, embora pareça não ser um fator exclusivo para o formação de micronúcleos nos indivíduos.
Introdução: A utilização de corantes naturais é uma prática bem antiga, tendo evidências de uso datando cerca de 20 mil anos, os quais foram extraídos de fontes diversas (animais, vegetais ou minerais). Na rotina laboratorial, a maior parte dos corantes utilizados nas técnicas de coloração normal ou patológica são sintéticos, muitas vezes de difícil preparo e de pouco tempo de estocagem, envolvendo componentes que, segundo testes toxicológicos e químicos, tem efeitos prejudiciais à saúde de quem trabalha com eles e ao meio ambiente quando descartados. Objetivo: Este trabalho teve por objetivo analisar o emprego do corante natural extraído a partir do urucum (Bixa orellana L.) em colorações histológicas de tecidos animais, e padronizar os métodos de preparo e coloração, fazendo variações de quantia de matéria prima, pH e temperatura de coloração. Métodos: Através de análises espectrofotométricas de 24 grupos do corante com variáveis diferentes, e das microfotografias das lâminas dos grupos por um software (Image J), tentou-se determinar os melhores parâmetros para o preparo e coloração de lâminas histológicas com o corante de urucum. Resultados: a desidratação das sementes implica na qualidade do corante, visto que diminuiu os resultados de absorbância nas análises espectrofotométricas dos corantes, e a densidade óptica média na morfometria das lâminas. Conclusão: Pôde-se concluir que os melhores parâmetros são a utilização de 20g de sementes a cada 100mL de etanol 92,8º, sem adição de ácido acético, com coloração à temperatura ambiente, e que o urucum constitui um excelente substituto à eosina em colorações histológicas.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.