Cocoa ( L.) photobiological effect on human fibroblast cells (HFF-1) exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation.

This study aimed to investigate the photobiological action of cocoa solution on a human fibroblast cell line (HFF-1) exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. Three experimental models were utilized, where fibroblast cells were treated with different concentrations of cocoa as follows: 50; 100; 250; 500; 750; 1000 or 1500 µg/ml and concomitantly exposed to UVB 7 kJ/m for 10 min. The following parameters were examined 1) analysis of the pre-treatment action of cocoa; 2) investigation of the co-treatment activity of cocoa at the time of exposure; and 3) study the effect of cocoa in the post-treatment of the damage initiated by UVB.

Biological properties of caffeine, (+)-catechin, and theobromine: an in silico study.

We analyzed here the in silico biological activities of caffeine, (+)-catechin, and theobromine. For this, the PubChem database of the NIH (National Institutes of Health) was used to obtain the SMILE canonical form of the bioactive molecules, and the free software PASS Online (Prediction of Activity Spectra for Substances) from the Way2Drug portal. Also, we conducted an in vitro experiment using a chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cell line (K562) to confirm some results found in in silico investigation.

An Overview of Renal Cell Carcinoma Hallmarks, Drug Resistance, and Adjuvant Therapies.

Renal neoplasms are highlighted as one of the 10 most common types of cancer. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of renal cancer, considered the seventh most common type of cancer in the Western world. The most frequently altered genes described as altered are VHL, PBRM1, SETD2, KDM5C, PTEN, BAP1, mTOR, TP53, TCEB1 (ELOC), SMARCA4, ARID1A, and PIK3CA.

Cocoa presents cytotoxicity against melanoma cancer cell lines (A-375 e B16-F10) and improves chemotherapy activity by increasing oxidative stress.

Melanoma frequently presents a poor chemotherapy response. In this scenario, investigations for new therapies are essential. Thus, cocoa is highlighted in this area since it presents many biological properties.

(Cham & Schltdl) DC.: phytochemical composition, cyto- and genotoxicity analyses.

is a Brazilian native species used in folk medicine. Scientific information regarding the toxicology and phytochemistry of this plant remains unclear. We aimed to produce a extract, identify its chemical matrix, and evaluate its safety profile.

Evaluation of Antioxidant and Anticancer Activity of Lemongrass ( (D.C.) Stapf).

Cancer is considered a multifactorial disease and its development could be associated with several factors, for example, rotenone exposition. Unfortunately, many cancers are resistant to chemotherapy, as cervical cancer. Regarding this, lemongrass is a remarkable natural product that presents antioxidant and anticancer activities, which could show therapeutic action against rotenone and cervical cancer.

Antioxidant and cytoprotective effects of avocado oil and extract ( Mill) against rotenone using monkey kidney epithelial cells (Vero).

Oxidative stress is known to be involved in development of numerous diseases including cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, kidney and cancer. Thus, investigations that mimic oxidative stress may play an important role to find new strategies to control oxidative stress and subsequent consequences are important. Rotenone, widely used as a pesticide has been used as a model to simulate oxidative stress.

Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) as a Potential Anti-neuroinflammatory Agent: NLRP3 Priming and Activating Signal Pathway Modulation.

Neurological disorders have been demonstrated to be associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. This impairment may lead to oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, specifically promoted by NLRP3 expression. Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.

Photobiomodulation-blue and red LED: protection or cellular toxicity? In vitro study with human fibroblasts.

Photobiomodulation is widely used in clinical practice, and there is increasing interest in using this tool to treat numerous dysfunctions in living organisms. Therefore, this study aimed to verify the action of blue and red light-emitting diode light in cells. Human fibroblast cell line (HFF-1) were irradiated by blue (470 nm) or red (658 nm) light at doses of 4 and 18 J/cm, respectively.

Biological Properties of (Dunal), an Amazonian Fruit.

is an Amazonian fruit (cubiu) that has been domesticated since pre-Colombian era. It is also used in folk medicine to treat some clinical conditions. This investigation chemically characterized and analyzed the antioxidant and antitumoral effect of a cubiu pulp/seed hydroalcoholic extract.

Immunomodulatory effect of mancozeb, chlorothalonil, and thiophanate methyl pesticides on macrophage cells.

Mancozeb (MZ), chlorothalonil (CT), and thiophanate methyl (TM) are pesticides commonly used in agriculture due to their efficacy, low acute toxicity to mammals, and short environmental persistence. Although the toxic effects of these pesticides have been previously reported, studies regarding their influence on the immune system are limited. As such, this study focused on the immunomodulatory effect of MZ, CT, and TM pesticides on macrophage cells.

Guarana improves behavior and inflammatory alterations triggered by methylmercury exposure: an in vivo fruit fly and in vitro neural cells study.

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a well-known environmental pollutant associated with neurological and developmental deficits in animals and humans. However, epidemiological data showed that people living in the Amazon region although exposed to MeHg do not present these effects probably due to the protective effect of certain foods. We hypothesized here if guarana, a highly caffeinated fruit and consumed on a daily basis by Amazon people, could have some protective effect against MeHg toxicity using two complementary approaches.

DNA damage in dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells: An study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential use of a DNA comet assay, DNA fragmentation fluorimetric assay and reactive oxygen species levels as potential biomarkers of genome conditions of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) isolated from dog canine teeth. Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from the dental pulp collected from dog teeth. The results obtained suggest the ideal moment for clinical application of cellular therapy for this type of cell.

Tea tree oil presents in vitro antitumor activity on breast cancer cells without cytotoxic effects on fibroblasts and on peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

The purpose of this study was to investigate some possible mechanisms underlying the in vitro antitumor activity of tea tree oil (TTO) on human and mouse breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and 4T1, respectively) and its cytotoxicity on fibroblasts (HFF-1) and on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). TTO High-Resolution Gas Chromatography (HRGC) showed seventeen main constituents, such as Terpinen-4-ol, γ-Terpinene, and α-Terpinene. High TTO concentrations (≥ 600 μg/mL) showed a remarkable antitumor activity, decreasing cell viability and cell proliferation of MCF-7 and 4T1 cells.

The in vitro radiosensitizer potential of resveratrol on MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Radiation therapy is commonly applied in breast cancer (BC) patients. However, radioresistance and side effects are limiting factors of this practice. Therefore, studying substances that can enhance the radiation effect and, at the same time, protect normal cells is very relevant.

A chemical compound based on methylxanthine-polyphenols lowers nitric oxide levels and increases post-thaw human sperm viability.

We produced a new chemical compound based on methylxanthines and polyphenols (CCMP) present in the chemical matrix of guaraná (Paullinia cupana), a seed extract with antioxidant properties. After supplementation with the standard extract of resveratrol, a well documented antioxidant found in other plant sources, we investigated whether this resveratrol-enriched compound could improve sperm viability and modulate differentially reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in thawed sperm. Sperm samples obtained from healthy young donors were treated with different concentrations of guaraná extract (0.

Neuroprotective Effects of Açaí ( Mart.) against Rotenone Exposure.

Neuropsychiatric diseases, such as bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SCZ), have a very complex pathophysiology. Several current studies describe an association between psychiatric illness and mitochondrial dysfunction and consequent cellular modifications, including lipid, protein, and DNA damage, caused by cellular oxidative stress. (açaí) is a powerful antioxidant fruit.

Misoprostol modulates the gene expression prostaglandin E2 and oxidative stress markers in myometrial cells.

Misoprostol, prostaglandin E1 analogue, used for labour induction. However, one-third of patients who have labour induced with prostaglandins do not reach vaginal delivery. The differential expression of prostaglandin receptors in myometrial cells could account for this differential response.

Superoxide-hydrogen peroxide imbalance interferes with colorectal cancer cells viability, proliferation and oxaliplatin response.

The role of superoxide dismutase manganese dependent enzyme (SOD2) in colorectal cancer is presently insufficiently understood. Some studies suggest that high SOD2 levels found in cancer tissues are associated with cancer progression. However, thus far, the role of colorectal cancer superoxide-hydrogen peroxide imbalance has not yet been studied.

Guaraná a Caffeine-Rich Food Increases Oxaliplatin Sensitivity of Colorectal HT-29 Cells by Apoptosis Pathway Modulation.

We investigated the in vitro effects of guaraná and its main metabolites (caffeine, theobromine and catechin) on cytotoxicity and cell proliferation on colorectal cancer (CRC) line HT-29 cells and on oxaliplatin sensitivity. The cells were exposed to different concentrations of guaraná extract with and without oxaliplatin. The concentrations of bioactive molecules were also estimated considering their potential proportion on guaraná hydro-alcoholic extract.

The anti-inflammatory effects of resveratrol on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells are influenced by a superoxide dismutase 2 gene polymorphism.

Resveratrol is an molecule that provides both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, it is unclear whether the basal oxidative state of the cell has any influence on the effects of this compound. In humans, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is present in the enzyme manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2), localized in codon 16 (rs4880), which can either be an alanine (A) or valine (V).

Effect of on MCF-7 breast cancer cell response to chemotherapeutic drugs.

Previous studies suggested that certain plants, such as guarana (), exert a protective effect against cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. However, guarana possesses bioactive molecules, such as caffeine and catechin, which may affect the pharmacological properties of antitumor drugs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of guarana on breast cancer cell response to 7 chemotherapeutic agents currently used in the treatment of breast cancer.

Tucumã fruit extracts (Astrocaryum aculeatum Meyer) decrease cytotoxic effects of hydrogen peroxide on human lymphocytes.

This study quantifies the bioactive molecules in and determines the in vitro protective effect of ethanolic extracts isolated from the peel and pulp of tucumã (Astrocaryum aculeatum, Mart.), an Amazonian fruit rich in carotenoids. The cytoprotective effect of tucumã was evaluated in lymphocyte cultures exposed to H2O2 using spectrophotometric, fluorimetric, and immunoassay assays.

The Pavonia xanthogloea (Ekman, Malvaceae): Phenolic compounds quantification, anti-oxidant and cytotoxic effect on human lymphocytes cells.

Introduction: Pavonia xanthogloea is traditionally used as an antimicrobial and anti-tumour medicine in Southern Brazilian region. However, investigations about this species are still incipient.

Hypothesis Tested: The study postulated that P.