No abstract

No abstract

Myrciaria plinioides D. Legrand (Myrtaceae) is a native plant of Southern Brazil, which have potential in the food industry due to its edible fruits. Many plants belonging to this genus have been used for a variety of illnesses, including inflammatory disorders due to antioxidant properties. However, therapeutic uses of M. plinioides have been poorly studied. The aim of study was to assess the anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant activities of the ethanol leaf extract of M. plinioides. In M. plinioides extract-treated RAW 264.7 cells, assessments of cell viability, TNF-α release and p38 MAPK pathway-dependent protein expression were detected. In addition, rat paw edema models were used to analyze the anti-inflammatory effect of the extract. Macrophages cell line treated with M. plinioides extract showed a slight decrease in cell viability. In LPS-stimulated macrophages treated with different concentrations of the extract for 24 h, TNF-α release was inhibited, while modulation of p38 signaling pathway and inhibition of NF-κB p65 protein expression were dose-dependent. In rats, the extract inhibited the formation of paw edema, while an inhibitory effect on trypsin-like enzymes derived from mast cells was seen. Furthermore, the extract presented anticoagulant activity via extrinsic pathway, being able to block specifically factor Xa and thrombin. The study suggests that extract possess potent anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant effects. M. plinioides present great biological potential as a source for the development of anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant drugs. Additional studies can be proposed to better elucidate the mechanism by which M. plinioides exerts its effects.

Theory and practice about biotechnology-related issues have been topics of workshops for students and teachers of the Post Graduate in Biotechnology UNIVATES to secondary education students. We held ten different workshops aimed at the food production and health, among which stands out in this study, the workshop entitled "Antioxidants: the fountain of youth?", which evaluated the antioxidant potential of natural juice orange select and pearl pineapple. Previously, a protocol was structured on the practice, which aimed to evaluate the juice antioxidant potential of the fruit orange select and pearl pineapple, which was compared with the antioxidant reference compound, ascorbic acid, with adaptations according to spectrophotometric method in vitro DPPH. The workshops about antioxidants have 180 minutes duration and have been taught by three monitors responsible for assisting students throughout the activity. The workshops involved 388 students from seven schools in six municipalities of Taquari-RS Valley, and the workshop about antioxidants had 62 participants. This activity aimed to promote interaction and diffusion of knowledge among students of higher education and secondary education.Keywords: Ascorbic Ácid; Education, Primary and Secondary; Free Radicals. ResumoTeoria e prática sobre assuntos relacionados à Biotecnologia foram temas de oficinas realizadas por discentes e docentes do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia da UNIVATES a estudantes de Ensino Médio. Foram ministradas dez diferentes oficinas voltadas à produção de alimentos e à saúde, entre as quais destaca-se, neste estudo, a oficina intitulada "Antioxidantes: a fonte da juventude?", que avaliou o potencial antioxidante do suco natural da laranja seleta e do abacaxi pérola. Previamente, foi estruturado um protocolo sobre a prática, a qual objetivou avaliar o potencial antioxidante do suco das frutas laranja seleta e abacaxi pérola, o qual foi comparado com o composto antioxidante de referência, ácido ascórbico, com adaptações segundo o método espectrofotométrico in vitro DPPH. As oficinas sobre antioxidantes tiveram duração de 180 minutos e foram ministradas por três monitores responsáveis por auxiliar os alunos durante toda a atividade. As oficinas envolveram 388 alunos de sete escolas de seis municípios do Vale do Taquari-RS, sendo que a oficina sobre antioxidantes contou com 62 participantes. Tal atividade buscou promover a interação e difusão de conhecimento entre alunos de Ensino Superior e de Ensino Médio.Palavras-chave: Ácido Ascórbico; Ensino Fundamental e Médio; Radicais Livres.

Myrciaria plinioides D. Legrand (Myrtaceae) is a native plant of Southern Brazil, which have potential in the food industry due to its edible fruits. Many plants belonging to this genus have been used for a variety of illnesses, including inflammatory disorders due to antioxidant properties. However, therapeutic uses of M. plinioides have been poorly studied. The aim of study was to assess the anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant activities of the ethanol leaf extract of M. plinioides. In M. plinioides extract-treated RAW 264.7 cells, assessments of cell viability, TNF-α release and p38 MAPK pathway-dependent protein expression were detected. In addition, rat paw edema models were used to analyze the anti-inflammatory effect of the extract. Macrophages cell line treated with M. plinioides extract showed a slight decrease in cell viability. In LPS-stimulated macrophages treated with different concentrations of the extract for 24 h, TNF-α release was inhibited, while modulation of p38 signaling pathway and inhibition of NF-κB p65 protein expression were dose-dependent. In rats, the extract inhibited the formation of paw edema, while an inhibitory effect on trypsin-like enzymes derived from mast cells was seen. Furthermore, the extract presented anticoagulant activity via extrinsic pathway, being able to block specifically factor Xa and thrombin. The study suggests that extract possess potent anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant effects. M. plinioides present great biological potential as a source for the development of anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant drugs. Additional studies can be proposed to better elucidate the mechanism by which M. plinioides exerts its effects.