RESUMO
Kaurenoic acid (KA) is a diterpene extracted from Sphagneticola trilobata (L.) Pruski. KA presents analgesic properties. However, the analgesic activity and mechanisms of action of KA in neuropathic pain have not been investigated so far; thus, we addressed these points in the present study. A mouse model of neuropathic pain was induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve. Acute (at the 7th-day post-CCI surgery) and prolonged (from 7-14th days post-CCI surgery) KA post-treatment inhibited CCI-induced mechanical hyperalgesia at all evaluated time points, as per the electronic version of von Frey filaments. The underlying mechanism of KA was dependent on activating the NO/cGMP/PKG/ATP-sensitive potassium channel signaling pathway since L-NAME, ODQ, KT5823, and glibenclamide abolished KA analgesia. KA reduced the activation of primary afferent sensory neurons, as observed by a reduction in CCI-triggered colocalization of pNF-κB and NeuN in DRG neurons. KA treatment also increased the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) at the protein level as well as the intracellular levels of NO in DRG neurons. Therefore, our results provide evidence that KA inhibits CCI neuropathic pain by activating a neuronal analgesic mechanism that depends on nNOS production of NO to silence the nociceptive signaling that generates analgesia.
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Breast cancer is the type of cancer with the highest incidence in women around the world. Noteworthy, the triple-negative subtype affects 20% of the patients while presenting the highest death rate among subtypes. This is due to its aggressive phenotype and the capability of invading other tissues. In general, tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) and other immune cells, are responsible for maintaining a favorable tumor microenvironment for inflammation and metastasis by secreting several mediators such as pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α, chemokines like CCL2, and other proteins, as metalloproteinases of matrix (MMP). On the other hand, immunomodulatory agents can interfere in the immune response of TAM and change the disease prognosis. In this work, we prepared nanostructured lipid carriers containing kaurenoic acid (NLC-KA) to evaluate the effect on cytokine production in vitro of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) and the migratory process of 4 T1 breast cancer cells. NLC-KA prepared from a blend of natural lipids was shown to have approximately 90 nm in diameter with low polydispersity index. To test the effect on cytokine production in vitro in NLC-KA treated BMDM, ELISA assay was performed and pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α were quantified. The formulation reduced the secretion of IL-1ß and TNF-α cytokines while presenting no hemolytic activity. Noteworthy, an anti-migratory effect in 4 T1 breast cancer cells treated with NLC-KA was observed in scratch assays. Further, MMP9 and CCL2 gene expressions in both BMDM and 4 T1 treated cells confirmed that the mechanism of inhibition of migration is related to the blockade of this pathway by KA. Finally, cell invasion assays confirmed that NLC-KA treatment resulted in less invasiveness of 4 T1 cells than control, and it is independent of CCL2 stimulus or BMDM direct stimulus. Ultimately, NLC-KA was able to regulate the cytokine production in vitro and reduce the migration of 4 T1 breast cancer cells by decreasing MMP9 gene expression.
Assuntos
Neoplasias , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa , Feminino , Animais , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/metabolismo , Metaloproteinase 9 da Matriz , Interleucina-6 , Citocinas/genética , Expressão Gênica , Movimento CelularRESUMO
The deficit of effective treatments for Chagas disease has led to searching for new substances with therapeutic potential. Natural products possess a wide variety of chemical structural motifs and are thus a valuable source of diverse lead compounds for the development of new drugs. Castanedia santamartensis is endemic to Colombia, and local indigenous communities often use it to treat skin sores from leishmaniasis; however, its mechanism of action against the infective form of Trypanosoma cruzi has not been determined. Thus, we performed chemical and biological studies of two alcoholic leaf extracts of C. santamartensis to identify their active fractions and relate them to a trypanocidal effect and evaluate their mechanism of action. Alcoholic extracts were obtained through cold maceration at room temperature and fractionated using classical column chromatography. Both ethanolic and methanolic extracts displayed activity against T. cruzi. Chemical studies revealed that kaurenoic acid was the major component of one fraction of the methanolic extract and two fractions of the ethanolic extract of C. santamartensis leaves. Moreover, caryophyllene oxide, kaurenol, taraxasterol acetate, pentadecanone, and methyl and ethyl esters of palmitate, as well as a group of phenolic compounds, including ferulic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, myricetin, quercitrin, and cryptochlorogenic acid were identified in the most active fractions. Kaurenoic acid and the most active fractions CS400 and CS402 collapsed the mitochondrial membrane potential in trypomastigotes, demonstrating for the first time the likely mechanism against T. cruzi, probably due to interactions with other components of the fractions.
Assuntos
Asteraceae , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Tripanossomicidas/química , Tripanossomicidas/farmacologia , Trypanosoma cruzi/efeitos dos fármacos , Diterpenos/química , Mitocôndrias/efeitos dos fármacos , Extratos Vegetais/química , Folhas de PlantaRESUMO
Aristolochia odoratissima L. is employed for the treatment of pain and as an antidote against the poison of venomous animals in traditional medicine. However, reports have not been found, to our knowledge, about the evaluation of the antinociceptive activity of extracts nor about the presence of compounds associated with this activity. Thus, the purpose of this work was to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of extracts and compounds isolated from the stems of Artistolochia odoratissima L. The extracts were obtained with solvents of increasing polarity and the compounds were isolated and characterized by column chromatography, HPLC, and NMR. The antinociceptive activity was carried out by the formalin test in mice. Ethyl acetate (AoEA) and methanolic (AoM) extracts decreased the paw licking in both phases of the formalin test. The isolated compounds (kaurenoic acid and hinokinin) from AoEA showed the highest antinociceptive activity in both phases of the formalin test. These results confirmed the analgesic effect of this specie described in traditional medicine and provided a base for a novel analgesic agent. They also allowed an approach for the development of standardized plant extracts with isolated metabolites.
Assuntos
4-Butirolactona/análogos & derivados , Aristolochia/química , Benzodioxóis/uso terapêutico , Diterpenos/uso terapêutico , Lignanas/uso terapêutico , Dor/tratamento farmacológico , 4-Butirolactona/química , 4-Butirolactona/uso terapêutico , Analgésicos/química , Analgésicos/uso terapêutico , Animais , Benzodioxóis/química , Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Pressão , Diterpenos/química , Lignanas/química , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Masculino , Camundongos , Medição da Dor , Extratos Vegetais/química , Extratos Vegetais/uso terapêuticoRESUMO
ABSTRACT This study compared the influence of mechanical damage and drying on the chemical composition of Mikania glomerata Spreng. and Mikania laevigata Sch.Bip. ex Baker, Asteraceae, leaves. Leaves were collected 1-24 h after damage. Oven-drying at 40ºC and shade-drying at ambient temperature were compared to lyophilization. Samples were extracted in 70% ethanol and analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. Significant (p < 0.05) increases of caffeoylquinic acids were observed in damaged leaves of both species and coumarin decreased in M. laevigata, indicating stress. Although the final water content was similar, the drying method affected the leaf composition. In shade-dried leaves of M. laevigata coumarin decreased and the presence of umbelliferone was observed; caffeoylquinic acid contents increased for 288 h in in both species. Apparently, enzymes were inactivated after 6 h in oven drying, stabilizing their chemical composition, while shade drying allowed enzymatic and microbial activity to continue; illustrating the importance of post harvesting procedures on the quality of medicinal plants.
RESUMO
In this study, ent-kaurenoic acid derivatives were obtained by microbial transformation methodologies and tested against breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7). A multivariate quantitative-structure activity relationship (QSAR) analysis was performed taking into account both microbial transformation derivatives and other analogues previously reported in literature to give some insight into the main features behind the cytotoxic activity displayed by kaurane-type diterpenes against MCF-7â¯cells. The partial least square regression (PLS) method was employed in the training set and the best PLS model was built with a factor describing 69.92% of variance and three descriptors (logP, εHOMO and εHOMO-1) selected by the Ordered Predictors Selection (OPS) algorithm. The QSAR model provided reasonable regression (Q2â¯=â¯0.64, R2â¯=â¯0.72, SECâ¯=â¯0.29 and SEVâ¯=â¯0.33). The model was validated by leave-N-out cross-validation, y-randomization and external validation (R2predâ¯=â¯0.89 and SEPâ¯=â¯0.27). The selected descriptors indicated that the activity was mainly related to electronic parameters (HOMO and HOMO-1 molecular orbital energies), as well as to logP. These findings suggest that higher activity values are directly related with both higher logP and frontier orbital energy values. The positive relationship between these orbitals and the activity suggests that the ent-kaurenoic acid analogues interaction with the target involves charge displacement, which is entirely consistent with the literature. Based on these findings, three compounds were proposed and one of them was synthesized and tested. The experimental result confirmed the activity predicted by the model.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos Fitogênicos/farmacologia , Neoplasias da Mama/tratamento farmacológico , Diterpenos/farmacologia , Antineoplásicos Fitogênicos/química , Antineoplásicos Fitogênicos/isolamento & purificação , Neoplasias da Mama/patologia , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Diterpenos/química , Diterpenos/isolamento & purificação , Ensaios de Seleção de Medicamentos Antitumorais , Fabaceae/química , Feminino , Humanos , Células MCF-7 , Relação Quantitativa Estrutura-Atividade , Teoria QuânticaRESUMO
Activity, mechanisms of action, and toxicity of natural compounds have been investigated in a context in which knowledge on which pathway is activated remains crucial to understand the action mechanism of these bioactive substances when treating an infected host. Herein, we showed an ability of copaiba oil and kaurenoic acid to eliminate Trypanosoma cruzi forms by infected macrophages through other mechanisms in addition to nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species, iron metabolism, and antioxidant defense. Both compounds induced an anti-inflammatory response with an increase in IL-10 and TGF-ß as well as a decrease in IL-12 production. Despite being able to modulate the immune response in host cells, the antimicrobial activity of copaiba oil and kaurenoic acid seems to be a direct action of the compounds on the parasites, causing their death.
Assuntos
Antiprotozoários/farmacologia , Diterpenos/farmacologia , Fabaceae/química , Macrófagos Peritoneais/metabolismo , Óleos Voláteis/farmacologia , Trypanosoma cruzi/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Regulação para Baixo/efeitos dos fármacos , Regulação para Baixo/genética , Ferritinas/genética , Ferritinas/metabolismo , Células HeLa , Heme Oxigenase-1/genética , Heme Oxigenase-1/metabolismo , Humanos , Interleucina-10/genética , Interleucina-10/metabolismo , Interleucina-12/genética , Interleucina-12/metabolismo , Macrófagos Peritoneais/efeitos dos fármacos , Macrófagos Peritoneais/enzimologia , Macrófagos Peritoneais/parasitologia , Masculino , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Modelos Biológicos , Fator 2 Relacionado a NF-E2/genética , Fator 2 Relacionado a NF-E2/metabolismo , Óxido Nítrico/metabolismo , Óxido Nítrico Sintase Tipo II/genética , Óxido Nítrico Sintase Tipo II/metabolismo , Nitritos/metabolismo , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismo , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta/genética , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta/metabolismo , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/genética , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/metabolismoRESUMO
Kaurenoic acid (KA) is a kaurane diterpene found in several medicinal plants that displays biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, smooth muscle relaxant and hypotensive response. However, there are no pharmacokinetic data available about this molecule. The purpose of the study was to determine the pharmacokinetic profile and the oral bioavailability of KA in rats. Wistar rats submitted to jugular vein cannulation received 50â¯mg/kg of KA by intravenous or oral route. The implanted cannula allowed intravenous administration and serial blood collection along 10â¯h. Analytical quantification was performed by reversed phase HPLC-UV and mobile phase composed by acetonitrile:acidified water (70:30â¯v/v). The validated analytical method showed precision, accuracy, robustness, reliability and linearity between 0.75 and 100⯵g/mL. KA administered intravenously showed a linear and two-compartment kinetic behavior at the tested dose. The following pharmacokinetic parameters were determined: Cmaxâ¯=â¯22.17⯱â¯1.65â¯mg/L; Vâ¯=â¯14.53⯱â¯1.47â¯L/kg; CLâ¯=â¯17.67⯱â¯1.50â¯mL/min/kg; AUC0-∞â¯=â¯2859.65⯱â¯278.42â¯mg·min/L, Kâ¯=â¯0.073⯱â¯0.005â¯h-1 and t1/2ßâ¯=â¯9.52⯱â¯0.61â¯h. Oral treatment did not provide detectable plasma levels of KA, avoiding the determination of its bioavailability.
Assuntos
Diterpenos/farmacocinética , Fabaceae/química , Administração Intravenosa , Administração Oral , Animais , Disponibilidade Biológica , Masculino , Ratos WistarRESUMO
The search for new, effective and safe antimicrobial compounds from plant sources has continued to play an important role in the maintenance of human health since ancient times. Such compounds can be used to help to eradicate microorganisms from the root canal system, preventing/healing periapical diseases. Mikania glomerata (Spreng.), commonly known as "guaco," is a native climbing plant from Brazil that displays a wide range of pharmacological properties. Many of its activities have been attributed to its phytochemical composition, which is mainly composed of diterpenes, such as ent-kaurenoic acid (KA). The present study evaluated the potential activity of an ent-kaurenoic-rich (KA) extract from Mikania glomerata (i.e. Mikania glomerata extract/MGE) and its major compound KA against bacteria that can cause endodontic infections. Time-kill assays were conducted and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), anti-biofilm activity, and synergistic antimicrobial activity of MGE and KA were determined. The MGE exhibited MIC and MBC values, which ranged from 6.25 to 100 µg/mL and 12.5 to 200 µg/mL respectively. The MIC and MBC results obtained for the KA, ranged from 3.12 to 100 µg/mL and 3.12 to 200 µg/mL respectively. Time-kill and anti-biofilm activity assays conducted for KA at concentrations between 3.12 and 12.5 µg/mL exhibited bactericidal activity between 6 and 72 h of incubation and 50% inhibition of biofilm formation for Porphyromonas gingivalis (clinical isolate), Propionibacterium acnes (ATCC 6919), Prevotella nigrescens (ATCC 33563), P. melaninogenica (ATCC 25845), Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (ATCC 43717). For synergistic antimicrobial activity, KA combined with chlorhexidine dichlorohydrate (CHD) had an additive effect with increased efficacy against P. gingivalis (clinical isolate) compared to CHD alone. It was concluded that M. glomerata extract and its major compound ent-kaurenoic acid (KA) showed in vitro antibacterial activity, the latter being a potential biofilm inhibitory agent. They may play important roles in the search for novel sources of agents that can act against bacteria present in endodontic infections.
Assuntos
Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Bactérias/efeitos dos fármacos , Infecções Bacterianas/microbiologia , Diterpenos/farmacologia , Mikania/química , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Pulpite/microbiologia , Antibacterianos/isolamento & purificação , Bactérias/isolamento & purificação , Biofilmes/efeitos dos fármacos , Brasil , Clorexidina/farmacologia , Diterpenos/isolamento & purificação , Sinergismo Farmacológico , Humanos , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Viabilidade Microbiana/efeitos dos fármacos , Extratos Vegetais/isolamento & purificaçãoRESUMO
The goal of our study was to evaluate the effect of kaurenoic acid, obtained from copaiba oil resin, in gastric cancer (GC) and a normal mucosa of stomach (MNP01) cell lines. The compound was tested at concentrations of 2.5, 5, 10, 30 and 60µg/mL. Comet and micronucleus assays were used to access its potential genotoxicity in vitro. Moreover, we evaluated the effect of kaurenoic acid in cell cycle progression and in the transcription of genes involved in the control of the cell cycle: MYC, CCND1, BCL2, CASP3, ATM, CHK2 and TP53. Kaurenoic acid induced an increase on cell DNA damage or micronucleus frequencies on GC cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. The GC and MNP01 cell lines entering DNA synthesis and mitosis decreased significantly with kaurenoic acid treatment, and had an increased growth phase compared with non-treated cells. The treatment induced apoptosis (or necrosis) even at a concentration of 2.5µg/mL in relation to non-treated cells. GC cell lines presented reduced MYC, CCND1, BCL2 and CASP3 transcription while ATM, CHK2 and TP53 increased in transcription in relation to non-treated cells, especially at a concentration above 10µg/mL. The gene transcription in the MNP01 (non-treated non-cancer cell line) was designated as a calibrator for all the GC cell lines. In conclusion, our results showed that kaurenoic acid obtained from Copaifera induces DNA damage and increases the micronuclei frequency in a dose-dependent manner in GC cells, with a significant genotoxicity observed above the concentration of 5µg/mL. Moreover, this compound seems to be able to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in GC cells.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos Fitogênicos/farmacologia , Ciclo Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Diterpenos/farmacologia , Mucosa Gástrica/citologia , Neoplasias Gástricas , Antineoplásicos Fitogênicos/química , Linhagem Celular , Diterpenos/química , Regulação da Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Estrutura Molecular , Testes de MutagenicidadeRESUMO
The diterpene kaurenoic acid (KA) has vasorelaxant, antimicrobial, anti-tumoural and anti-leishmanial effects. Semi-synthetic derivatives were obtained to achieve more satisfactory responses. The assessment of genotoxicity is part of the toxicological evaluation of therapeutic compound candidates. The present study investigated the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of KA and its semi-synthetic derivatives methoxy kaurenoic acid (MKA) and kaurenol (KRN) using the CHO-K1 cell line. The cytotoxicity evaluation demonstrated that treatments with 200 and 400 µM KA reduced cellular proliferation to 36.5 and 4.43%, respectively, and that 100 and 200 µM KA reduced the survival fraction (SF) to 48.1 and 5.5%, respectively. MKA and KRN at concentrations of 400 µM reduced proliferation to 81 and 86.8%, respectively, while 100 and 200 µM KRN reduced the SF to 50%, and 200 µM MKA reduced the SF to 74%. No genotoxicity was observed for KA or MKA. However, 100 µM KRN increased the DNA damage index, as detected by comet assay, although a micronucleus assay did not confirm these data. The results demonstrated that KA and its semi-synthetic derivative MKA were not genotoxic when tested at noncytotoxic concentrations, but KRN was genotoxic at the highest concentration that was tested, as demonstrated by the comet assay.
Assuntos
Diterpenos/toxicidade , Animais , Células CHO/efeitos dos fármacos , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Ensaio Cometa , Cricetulus , Diterpenos/química , Diterpenos do Tipo Caurano/toxicidade , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Testes para Micronúcleos , Testes de Toxicidade/métodosRESUMO
CONTEXT: The aerial parts of Sphagneticola trilobata (L.) Pruski (Asteraceae) are popularly used to treat topical inflammation, but have not been fully investigated. OBJECTIVE: To identify polar compounds in S. trilobata extracts and develop a new topical phytomedicine based on the kaurenoic acid (KA) content while monitoring and demonstrating its topical anti-inflammatory activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ethanol spray-dried extract of S. trilobata was analysed by LC-MS while the KA content from semisolid was analysed by LC-UV. The extent of ear edema induced by applying 20 µL of croton oil (2.5%), arachidonic acid (AA; 2 mg/ear) and decanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA; 2.5 mg/ear) in mice was used to evaluate the biological activity of the semisolids, which were applied 30 min before the phlogistic agents. RESULTS: Eight phenylpropanoids and four oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins were identified, majority of them reported for the first time in this species, in addition to KA. The semisolid containing 1.0% of dried extract reduced the ear edema induced by croton oil [77.2 ± 4.5%; ID50 = 0.49 (0.28-0.87%)], TPA (81.5 ± 2.4%) and AA (39.1 ± 6.9%), with decreasing effect at higher KA concentrations. This was accompanied by neutrophil migration inhibition as investigated by biochemical and histological assays. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The anti-inflammatory effects were (at least in part) due to the interference in protein kinase C (PKC) activation, AA-cascade products and neutrophil migration inhibition, demonstrating the efficacy of the folk topical usage of this plant. The results support the development of a novel topical anti-inflammatory phytomedicine properly standardized to treat inflammatory dermatological diseases.
Assuntos
Anti-Inflamatórios/farmacologia , Asteraceae , Fitoterapia , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Administração Tópica , Animais , Asteraceae/química , Movimento Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Diterpenos/análise , Diterpenos/farmacologia , Masculino , Camundongos , Neutrófilos/efeitos dos fármacos , Neutrófilos/fisiologia , Ácido Oleanólico/análise , Extratos Vegetais/análise , Proteína Quinase C/metabolismoRESUMO
We report herein the synthesis of six diterpene derivatives, three of which are new, generated through known organic chemistry reactions that allowed structural modification of the existing natural products kaurenoic acid (1) and copalic acid (2). The new compounds were fully characterized using high resolution mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, ¹H- and (13)C-NMR experiments. We also report the evaluation of the anti-tuberculosis potential for all compounds, which showed some promising results for Micobacterium tuberculosis inhibition. Moreover, the toxicity for each of the most active compounds was also assessed.
Assuntos
Diterpenos/síntese química , Diterpenos/farmacologia , Antituberculosos/síntese química , Antituberculosos/química , Antituberculosos/farmacologia , Produtos Biológicos , Diterpenos/química , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Estrutura Molecular , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/efeitos dos fármacos , Relação Estrutura-AtividadeRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Kaurenoic acid (KA), a diterpene extracted from copaíba oil-resin, is known to have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. L-Arginine (LA) is an amino acid and a nitrogenous precursor for the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO). NO paper in wound healing has already been well documented. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of LA and KA against ischemia reperfusion injury in a randomized skin flap model in rats. METHODS: A modified McFarlane flap model measuring 2.5 wide × 8 cm long was established in 36 anesthetized rats and evaluated within 3 groups: group control, group L-arginine, and group kaurenoic acid. Each group was subdivided into two subgroups (T1 and T2, n = 6 each). Samples were collected 24 h (T1)/48 h (T2) postoperatively for oxidative stress (glutathione), as non-protein thiols, malondialdehyde (MDA), NO2, inflammation [myeloperoxidase (MPO)], and cytokines TNF-α and IL-1ß assays. RESULTS: KA promoted a significant decrease of TNF-α and IL-1 expression and MPO activity at T1/T2 time points. NSGH levels increased significantly in KA-treated rats, while MDA levels decreased significantly in the same rats. Arginine promoted a significant decrease in MDA levels at the T1 time point and a significant increase in non-protein thiols concentrations at T1/T2 time points. NO2 concentration also decreased at the T1 time point. CONCLUSIONS: KA may attenuate the oxidative stress and the inflammation, thereby reducing tissue damage induced by ischemia/reperfusion in rats subjected to dorsal skin flaps. NO LEVEL ASSIGNED: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors http://www.springer.com/00266.
Assuntos
Arginina/farmacologia , Arginina/uso terapêutico , Citocinas/efeitos dos fármacos , Citocinas/fisiologia , Diterpenos/farmacologia , Diterpenos/uso terapêutico , Inflamação/prevenção & controle , Estresse Oxidativo/efeitos dos fármacos , Traumatismo por Reperfusão/prevenção & controle , Pele/efeitos dos fármacos , Pele/metabolismo , Retalhos Cirúrgicos , Animais , Masculino , Distribuição Aleatória , Ratos , Ratos WistarRESUMO
Gliomas are the most common and malignant primary brain tumors in humans. Studies have shown that classes of kaurene diterpene have anti-tumor activity related to their ability to induce apoptosis. We investigated the response of the human glioblastoma cell line U87 to treatment with ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (kaurenoic acid, KA). We analyzed cell survival and the induction of apoptosis using flow cytometry and annexin V staining. Additionally, the expression of anti-apoptotic (c-FLIP and miR-21) and apoptotic (Fas, caspase-3 and caspase-8) genes was analyzed by relative quantification (real-time PCR) of mRNA levels in U87 cells that were either untreated or treated with KA (30, 50, or 70 µM) for 24, 48, and 72 h. U87 cells treated with KA demonstrated reduced viability, and an increase in annexin V- and annexin V/PI-positive cells was observed. The percentage of apoptotic cells was 9% for control cells, 26% for cells submitted to 48 h of treatment with 50 µM KA, and 31% for cells submitted to 48 h of treatment with 70 µM KA. Similarly, in U87 cells treated with KA for 48 h, we observed an increase in the expression of apoptotic genes (caspase-8, -3) and a decrease in the expression of anti-apoptotic genes (miR-21 and c-FLIP). KA possesses several interesting properties and induces apoptosis through a unique mechanism. Further experiments will be necessary to determine if KA may be used as a lead compound for the development of new chemotherapeutic drugs for the treatment of primary brain tumors.
Assuntos
Humanos , Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Diterpenos/farmacologia , Glioblastoma/tratamento farmacológico , Mikania/química , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , /efeitos dos fármacos , /efeitos dos fármacos , Diterpenos/isolamento & purificação , Proteína Ligante Fas , Citometria de Fluxo , Glioblastoma/enzimologia , Glioblastoma/patologia , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real , Transdução de Sinais , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
We surveyed the substitution patterns in the ent-kaurenoic acid oxidase (KAO) gene in 11 species of Oryzeae with an outgroup in the Ehrhartoidaea. The synonymous and non-synonymous substitution rates showed a high positive correlation with each other, but were negatively correlated with codon usage bias and GC content at third codon positions. The substitution rate was heterogenous among lineages. Likelihood-ratio tests showed that the non-synonymous/synonymous rate ratio changed significantly among lineages. Site-specific models provided no evidence for positive selection of particular amino acid sites in any codon of the KAO gene. This finding suggested that the significant rate heterogeneity among some lineages may have been caused by variability in the relaxation of the selective constraint among lineages or by neutral processes.
RESUMO
A recent reinvestigation of aerial parts of Wedelia paludosa D.C. is described and reports, for the first time, the isolation of iso-kaurenoic acid from this species.
Uma recente reinvestigação das partes aéreas de Wedelia paludosa D.C. é descrita e relata, pela primeira vez, o isolamento do ácido iso-caurenóico desta espécie.
Assuntos
Diterpenos/isolamento & purificação , Extratos Vegetais/isolamento & purificação , Wedelia/química , Diterpenos/química , Diterpenos/farmacologia , Extratos Vegetais/química , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologiaRESUMO
Wedelia paludosa D.C. (Asteraceae) is an ornamental species occurring in many regions of Brazil. Aiming to find new cytotoxic compounds, the hydromethanol extract of W. paludosa (HME), as well as the dichloromethane (DF) and water (WF) fractions resulting from its partition, were submitted to the brine shrimp lethality bioassay (BSLB) in order to evaluate their cytotoxicity. Dichloromethane fraction (DF) was shown to be the most cytotoxic fraction (LC50 = 140.6 μg/mL), and its analysis by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) revealed ent-kaurenoic (1, 6.22 ± 0.23 percent) and grandiflorenic (2, 3.22 ± 0.31 percent) acids as important constituents. HME (LC50 = 980 μg/mL), DF (LC50 = 140.6 μg/mL), 1 (LC50 = 15.9 μg/mL) and 2 (LC50 = 29.8 μg/mL) were found to be cytotoxic, while the water fraction (WF, LC50 >> 1000 μg/mL) was inactive. As conclusion, the cytotoxicity observed for HME and DF is mainly due to the presence of 1 and 2 in their constitution.
Wedelia paludosa D.C. (Asteraceae) é uma planta ornamental facilmente encontrada em várias regiões do Brasil, principalmente nos estados de Santa Catarina, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Bahia e Pernambuco. Objetivando descobrir novas substâncias citotóxicas a partir desta espécie, o extrato hidrometanólico de W. paludosa (HME) e as frações diclorometânica (FD) e aquosa (FA) resultantes de sua partição em CH2Cl2-H2O foram avaliados utilizando-se o bioensaio em Artemia salina. A fração diclorometânica (FD) apresentou a maior atividade citotóxica (CL50 = 140,6 μg/mL), e sua análise por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência empregando-se fase reversa (FR-CLAE) revelou os ácidos caurenóico (1, 6,22 ± 0,23 por cento) e grandiflorênico (2, 3,22 ± 0,31 por cento) como constituintes majoritários. As amostras HME (CL50 = 980 μg/mL), FD (CLC50 = 140,6 μg/mL), 1 (CL50 = 15,9 μg/mL) e 2 (CL50 = 29,8 μg/mL) foram citotóxicas contra A. salina, enquanto que a fração aquosa (FA, CL50 >> 1000 μg/mL) mostrou-se inativa. Conclui-se que a citotoxidade observada para HME e FD pode ser atribuída à presença dos ácidos caurenóico (1) e grandiflorênico (2) nestes extratos.
RESUMO
Annona glabra Linneau, Annonaceae, é uma árvore de pequeno porte encontrada em todo território brasileiro, principalmente nas áreas costeiras e conhecida popularmente como araticum-do-brejo e araticum-bravo. Este trabalho teve como objetivos investigar os efeitos do extrato de A. glabra e do ácido caurenóico dele purificado sobre a migração de granulócitos humanos e seu potencial imunomodulatório. Os resultados demonstraram que o extrato de A. glabra inibe a migração natural de granulócitos, de acordo com a dose, sugerindo potencial antiinflamatório, enquanto o ácido caurenóico demonstrou estimulá-la de forma significativa. Em contraste, nenhum efeito foi observado com relação a imunomodulação. Os efeitos apresentados ainda não foram descritos e, dessa forma, contribuem para ampliar a lista de atividades biológicas descritas não só do extrato de A. glabra, como também para o ácido caurenóico.
Annona glabra Linneau, Annonaceae, is a small tree that grows over the Brazilian territory particularly in its coast, and is known as "araticum-do-brejo" and "araticum-bravo". The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the extract of A. glabra and its purified kaurenoic acid on the locomotion of human granulocytes and their immunomodulatory potential. The results herein presented showed a dose-dependent inhibition of the granulocyte migration for the extract, suggesting an anti-inflammatory activity, in contrast with a striking stimulation observed for the kaurenoic acid. When focusing immunomodulation properties, no activity could be drawn. The effects presented in this work are reported for the first time and extend the list of biological activities already described for the A. glabra extract as well as for the kaurenoic acid.
RESUMO
Extratos de Croton fluribundus (Euphorbiaceae), ácido caurenóico e dois derivados do ácido caurenóico foram avaliados como moluscicida, cercaricida e também foi verificada a letalidade destas amostras frente a larvas de Artemia salina Leach. Nestes ensaios foram observadas significantes atividades moluscicida e cercaricida associadas a uma reduzida toxicidade frente ao camarão de água salgada.
Lethality of the extracts of Croton floribundus (Euphorbiaceae), a medicinal plant from south Brazil, and of the kaurenoic acid, an isolated compound, and two of its derivatives against adult Biomphalaria glabrata snails, Schistosoma mansoni cercariae and Artemia salina Leach. brine shrimp larvae are reported. Both extracts and the isolated compound showed significant molluscicidal and cercaricidal activities and reduced toxicity in brine shrimp assays.