RESUMO
Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae) is a shrub native to Mexico and Central America, which produces seeds with a high oil content that can be converted to biodiesel. The genetic diversity of this plant has been widely studied, but it is not known whether the diversity of the seed oil chemical composition correlates with neutral genetic diversity. The total seed oil content, the diversity of profiles of fatty acids and phorbol esters were quantified, also, the genetic diversity obtained from simple sequence repeats was analyzed in native populations of J. curcas in Mexico. Using the fatty acids profiles, a discriminant analysis recognized three groups of individuals according to geographical origin. Bayesian assignment analysis revealed two genetic groups, while the genetic structure of the populations could not be explained by isolation-by-distance. Genetic and fatty acid profile data were not correlated based on Mantel test. Also, phorbol ester content and genetic diversity were not associated. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that total oil content was associated with altitude and seasonality of temperature. The content of unsaturated fatty acids was associated with altitude. Therefore, the cultivation planning of J. curcas should take into account chemical variation related to environmental factors.
Assuntos
Ácidos Graxos/análise , Variação Genética , Jatropha/química , Biocombustíveis , Meio Ambiente , Ácidos Graxos/genética , México , Repetições de Microssatélites , Ésteres de Forbol/análise , Óleos de Plantas/química , Sementes/químicaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To correlate image parameters in contrast-enhanced digital mammography (CEDM) with blood and lymphatic microvessel density (MVD). METHODS: 18 Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS)-4 to BI-RADS-5 patients were subjected to CEDM. Craniocaudal views were acquired, two views (low and high energy) before iodine contrast medium (CM) injection and four views (high energy) 1-5 min afterwards. Processing included registration and two subtraction modalities, traditional single-energy temporal (high-energy) and "dual-energy temporal with a matrix", proposed to improve lesion conspicuity. Images were calibrated into iodine thickness, and iodine uptake, contrast, time-intensity and time-contrast kinetic curves were quantified. Image indicators were compared with MVD evaluated by anti-CD105 and anti-podoplanin (D2-40) immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: 11 lesions were cancerous and 7 were benign. CEDM subtraction strongly increased conspicuity of lesions enhanced by iodine uptake. A strong correlation was observed between lymphatic vessels and blood vessels; all benign lesions had <30 blood microvessels per field, and all cancers had more than this value. MVD showed no correlation with iodine uptake, nor with contrast. The most frequent curve was early uptake followed by plateau for uptake and contrast in benign and malignant lesions. The positive-predictive value of uptake dynamics was 73% and that of contrast was 64%. CONCLUSION: CEDM increased lesion visibility and showed additional features compared with conventional mammography. Lack of correlation between image parameters and MVD is probably due to tumour tissue heterogeneity, mammography projective nature and/or dependence of extracellular iodine irrigation on tissue composition. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Quantitative analysis of CEDM images was performed. Image parameters and MVD showed no correlation. Probably, this is indication of the complex dependence of CM perfusion on tumour microenvironment.
Assuntos
Neoplasias da Mama/diagnóstico por imagem , Vasos Linfáticos/patologia , Mamografia/métodos , Microvasos/patologia , Adulto , Idoso , Neoplasias da Mama/irrigação sanguínea , Neoplasias da Mama/patologia , Meios de Contraste , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
Argemone platyceras is used in Mexico as a remedy for cough, bronchitis and pneumonia. The present study was performed to investigate the pharmacological anti-asthmatic properties of Argemone platyceras on airways and to identify its active principles. Methanol extracts of leaves and flowers, subsequent organic and aqueous extraction phases, and silica gel chromatography fractions were assayed on the carbachol-induced response, and/or on ovalbumin antigenic challenge, and on leukotriene D(4)-induced response of tracheae from sensitized and non-sensitized guinea-pigs. Methanol extracts, ethyl-acetate phase, and its fractions 6 and 7 inhibited the carbachol-induced contractile response. Isoquercitrin and rutin were the main compounds found in fractions 6 and 7 respectively. Isoquercitrin (fraction 6) abolished the response to ovalbumin, and decreased the contractile response to leukotriene D(4). Because of its effect on carbachol-induced contractile response, on the late-phase response to ovalbumin, and on leukotriene D(4)-induced contractile response, isoquercitrin might be highly useful in treatment of asthma.
Assuntos
Argemone/química , Broncoconstrição/efeitos dos fármacos , Contração Muscular/efeitos dos fármacos , Quercetina/análogos & derivados , Acetatos/química , Animais , Antiasmáticos/farmacologia , Anti-Inflamatórios não Esteroides/farmacologia , Asma/imunologia , Asma/prevenção & controle , Carbacol/farmacologia , Fracionamento Químico , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Flores/química , Cobaias , Indometacina/farmacologia , Leucotrieno D4/farmacologia , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Masculino , Metanol/química , Estrutura Molecular , Ovalbumina/imunologia , Fitoterapia , Folhas de Planta/química , Quercetina/química , Quercetina/isolamento & purificação , Quercetina/farmacologia , Rutina/química , Rutina/isolamento & purificação , Rutina/farmacologia , Fatores de Tempo , Traqueia/efeitos dos fármacos , Traqueia/fisiopatologiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the estrogenic effect of phytoestrogens contained in a commercial food supplement (Tofupill) on the reproductive tract of ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Food supplement (3.4 or 10.2 mg/kg) and conjugated equine estrogens (CEE, 31 or 100 microg/kg) were orally administered, daily during 14 days to ovariectomized rats. At the end of treatment, the following determinations were done: dry and wet uterine weight, vaginal epithelium condition, and uterine serotonin-induced contractile response. A group treated with 17beta-estradiol was included as control for serotonin-induced contractile response. RESULTS: Food supplement did not display clear estrogenic effects on vaginal epithelium, uterine weight or myometrial sensitivity to serotonin, whereas high doses of conjugated equine estrogens showed estrogenic action. CONCLUSIONS: The present data showed that Tofupill displayed a lower estrogenic effect than conjugated equine estrogens, which are one of the most commonly used hormone replacement therapy for postmenopausal women. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the risk associated to the use of Tofupill as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy for postmenopausal women.
Assuntos
Suplementos Nutricionais , Estrogênios/farmacologia , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Animais , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Esquema de Medicação , Células Epiteliais/efeitos dos fármacos , Feminino , Sequestradores de Radicais Livres/farmacologia , Cavalos , Miométrio/efeitos dos fármacos , Tamanho do Órgão/efeitos dos fármacos , Ovariectomia , Extratos Vegetais/administração & dosagem , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Serotonina/farmacologia , Contração Uterina/efeitos dos fármacos , Contração Uterina/fisiologia , Vagina/citologiaRESUMO
Vernonia spp. (Asteraceae) are used in herbolaria in Latin America in menstrual and stomach disorders, suggesting smooth muscle relaxing properties of some of their chemical constituents. For pharmacological support for this belief, sesquiterpene lactones glaucolides D and E were assayed on isolated rat smooth muscle. Glaucolide E proved more potent than glaucolide D to relax high KCl- or noradrenaline-induced contractions in aorta and to relax the high KCl-contraction in uterus. Hirsutinolide-type sesquiterpene lactone also was tested but displayed no effect. Relaxation of smooth muscle by structurally related sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide has been attributed mainly to the alpha-methylene gamma-lactone moiety; because glaucolides D and E lack this functional group, their relaxant properties may rely on other alkylating sites such as C10 of the germacra-1(10),4-diene-4-epoxide skeleton.
Assuntos
Aorta/efeitos dos fármacos , Relaxamento Muscular/efeitos dos fármacos , Músculo Liso Vascular/efeitos dos fármacos , Sesquiterpenos/farmacologia , Útero/efeitos dos fármacos , Vernonia , Animais , Aorta/fisiologia , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Feminino , Técnicas In Vitro , Masculino , Relaxamento Muscular/fisiologia , Músculo Liso Vascular/fisiologia , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Sesquiterpenos/química , Sesquiterpenos/isolamento & purificação , Útero/fisiologia , Vasoconstrição/efeitos dos fármacos , Vasoconstrição/fisiologia , Vasodilatação/efeitos dos fármacos , Vasodilatação/fisiologia , Vernonia/químicaRESUMO
Se determinó la glucemia después de la administración subcutánea de glucosa a ratas machos adultas en varios tiempos. Se evaluó el efecto hipoglucemiante conocido del clorhidrato de feniletilbiguanida (FEB) después de su administración oral, y este compuesto sirvió como referencia. Se probaron seis nuevos compuestos sintetizados por los autores, relacionados con el ácido biciclo (3, 1, 0) hexano-6-hexo-carboxílico (ABCH). Se comprobó la actividad hipoglicemiante conocida del ABCH). Los seis nuevos compuestos conservaron la configuración exo y todos mostraron actividad hipoglucemiante oral en tiempos variables