Hellebrigenin triggers death of promyelocytic leukemia cells by non-genotoxic ways.

Bufadienolides are digitalis-like aglycones mainly found in skin secretions of toads. Among their biological properties, the mechanisms of antiproliferative action on tumor cells remain unclear for many compounds, including against leukemia cells. Herein, it was evaluated the mechanisms involved in the antiproliferative and genotoxic actions of hellebrigenin on tumor cell lines and in silico capacity to inhibit the human topoisomerase IIa enzyme.

evaluation of cytotoxic potential of essential oil extracted from leaves of Kunth in human tumor cells.

Kunth, popularly known as "velame," is a shrub that resides in northeastern Brazil. The essential oil of contains high concentrations of volatile compounds in the leaves and is widely used in folk medicine for many purposes as an antiseptic, analgesic, sedative, and anti-inflammatory agent. Due to the apparent limited amount of information, the aim of this study was to determine the cytotoxic potential of essential oil extracted from leaves of , utilizing different human cancer cell lines (HL-60, leukemia; HCT-116, colon; MDA-MB435, melanoma; SF295, glioblastoma) and comparison to murine fibroblast L929 cell line.

Antifungal activity of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors against Cryptococcus spp. and their possible mechanism of action.

Fungal infections caused by Cryptococcus spp. pose a threat to health, especially in immunocompromised individuals. The available arsenal of drugs against cryptococcosis is limited, due to their toxicity and/or lack of accessibility in low-income countries, requiring more therapeutic alternatives.

Multielement determination (essential and potentially toxic elements) in eye shadows exposed to consumption in Brazil using ICP OES.

Worldwide, cosmetics (especially eye shadows) are widely consumed and have a great impact on the economy. The aim of this study was to determine the multielement composition, focusing on essential and potentially toxic elements, in cosmetics (eye shadow) exposed to consumption in Brazil. Concentrations of 17 elements (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, Ti, V and Zn) were determined in samples (produced in China and Brazil) using a sequential optical emission spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma (ICP OES) after acid digestion, assisted by a closed digester block (6 mL of HNO + 2 mL of HO + 1 mL of Triton ×-100 + 1 mL of ultrapure water).

Efficacy of Potentially Probiotic Fruit-Derived , and to Remove Aflatoxin M In Vitro.

This study evaluated the efficacy of potentially probiotic fruit-derived isolates, namely, 108, 49, and 111, to remove aflatoxin M (AFM) from a phosphate buffer solution (PBS; spiked with 0.15 µg/mL AFM). The efficacy of examined isolates (approximately 10 cfu/mL) as viable and non-viable cells (heat-killed; 100 °C, 1 h) to remove AFM was measured after 1 and 24 h at 37 °C.

Chemopreventive effect of troxerutin against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in human leukocytes through modulation of glutathione-dependent enzymes.

Troxerutin is a natural flavonoid present abundantly in tea, coffee, olives, wheat, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. Due to its diverse pharmacological properties, this flavonoid has aroused interest for treatment of various diseases, and consequently prompted investigation into its toxicological characteristics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic and mutagenic effects and chemoprotective activity attributed to troxerutin using human peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) through several well-established experimental protocols based upon different parameters.

Multielement Determination in Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicines Containing Cynara scolymus L., Harpagophytum procumbens D.C., and Maytenus ilifolia (Mart.) ex Reiss from Brazil Using ICP OES.

Worldwide, medicinal plants and herbal medicines are widely consumed. The aim of this study was to determine macro- (Ca, K, Mg, Na, and P) and microelements (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, V, and Zn) in medicinal plants and herbal medicines: "globe artichoke" - Cynara scolymus L., "devil's claw" - Harpagophytum procumbens D.

Etomidate is devoid of genotoxicty and mutagenicity in human lymphocytes and in the Salmonella typhimurium/microsomal activation test.

No carcinogenesis or mutagenesis studies have been carried out with etomidate. The current study showed that etomidate has weak cytotoxic potential after 48 h exposure in human lymphocytes and has no hemolytic activity. The weak cytotoxicity seems to be related with redox imbalance of etomidate (40.

Evaluation of Genotoxicity and Mutagenicity of Ketamine on Human Peripheral Blood Leukocytes and in Salmonella typhimurium.

Ketamine is a potent uncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist that provides amnesia, analgesia, environmental dissociation and immobility, where it has its cytotoxic effect well described in the literature. However, the work on its genotoxic/mutagenic potentials are scarce and insufficient and does not allow a reasonable evaluation of its role. Thus, in the present work, we decided to evaluate the genotoxic and mutagenic effects of ketamine on human peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) and Salmonella typhimurium (TA98, TA97a, TA100, and TA102) through several well-established experimental protocols based on different parameters in the presence or not of exogenous metabolizing S9 fraction.

Berberine Antifungal Activity in Fluconazole-Resistant Pathogenic Yeasts: Action Mechanism Evaluated by Flow Cytometry and Biofilm Growth Inhibition in Candida spp.

The incidence of fungal infections and, in particular, the incidence of fungal antibiotic resistance, which is associated with biofilm formation, have significantly increased, contributing to morbidity and mortality. Thus, new therapeutic strategies need to be developed. In this context, natural products have emerged as a major source of possible antifungal agents.

Potential chemoprotective effects of green propolis, L-lysine and celecoxib on bone marrow cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes of Wistar rats subjected to bladder chemical carcinogenesis.

Purpose: To evaluate the genotoxicity of propolis and L-lysine, as well as their effects on the possible cellular damage in erythroblasts (bone marrow) and leukocytes (peripheral blood) caused by the carcinogen BBN (n - butyl - n {4 - hydroxybutyl} nitrosamine) in rats subjected to bladder carcinogenesis and treated with green propolis and L-lysine.

Methods: One hundred and twenty five rats were distributed into the following groups: I, IIA, IIB, III, K, L M N, X, XI, XII and XIII. Groups I to X received BBN in drinking water for 14 weeks (wks).

Synergistic effect of the flavonoid catechin, quercetin, or epigallocatechin gallate with fluconazole induces apoptosis in Candida tropicalis resistant to fluconazole.

Flavonoids are a class of phenolic compounds commonly found in fruits, vegetables, grains, flowers, tea, and wine. They differ in their chemical structures and characteristics. Such compounds show various biological functions and have antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties.

Susceptibility to amphotericin B of Candida spp. strains isolated in Ceará, Northeastern Brazil.

Introduction: Amphotericin B (AMB) is an antifungal agent used extensively in clinical medicine, yet resistance remains low. This study aims to evaluate the susceptibility of Candida spp. against AMB.

Synergistic effects of amiodarone and fluconazole on Candida tropicalis resistant to fluconazole.

There have recently been significant increases in the prevalence of systemic invasive fungal infections. However, the number of antifungal drugs on the market is limited in comparison to the number of available antibacterial drugs. This fact, coupled with the increased frequency of cross-resistance, makes it necessary to develop new therapeutic strategies.

Angiogenesis inhibition by green propolis and the angiogenic effect of L-lysine on bladder cancer in rats.

Purpose: To determine the effects of water-soluble derivative of green propolis in bladder cancer angiogenesis in rats given N-butyl-(-4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine (BBN).

Methods: Nine groups were established, where six of them (Groups 1 to 6), the animals received 0.05% BBN in their drinking water for 14 weeks.

Chemoprevention with green propolis green propolis extracted in L-lysine versus carcinogenesis promotion with L-lysine in N-Butyl-N-[4-hydroxybutyl] nitrosamine (BBN) induced rat bladder cancer.

Purpose: To determine the effects of green propolis extracted in L-lysine (WSDP) and of L- lysine for 40 weeks on induced rat bladder carcinogenesis.

Methods: The animals (groups I, II, III, IV, V and VI) received BBN during 14 weeks. Group I was treated with propolis 30 days prior received BBN, and then these animals were treated daily with propolis; Groups II and III was treated with subcutaneous and oral propolis (respectively) concurrently with BBN.

Study of correlation of nitrite levels with malonaldehyde and the prognosis of patients with sickle cell disease on hydroxyurea, Ceará-Brazil.

Hydroxyurea (HU) is the only drug approved for the induction of fetal hemoglobin. Besides this benefit, there are others such as the reduction of leukocyte and generation of nitric oxide (NO). Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is characterized by chronic hemolytic anemia and vaso-occlusive phenomena.

Analysis of oxidative status and biochemical parameters in adult patients with sickle cell anemia treated with hydroxyurea, Ceará, Brazil.

Background: Sickle cell anemia is a hemoglobinopathy caused by a mutation that results in the production of an abnormal hemoglobin molecule, hemoglobin S (Hb S). This is responsible for profound physiological changes, such as the sickling of red blood cells. Several studies have shown that hydroxyurea protects against vaso-occlusive crises.

Caffeine and CSC, adenosine A2A antagonists, offer neuroprotection against 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity in rat mesencephalic cells.

In this study, the cytoprotective effects of caffeine (CAF) and 8-(3-chlorostyryl)-caffeine (CSC), A(2A) receptor antagonists, were tested against 6-OHDA-induced cytotoxicity, in rat mesencephalic cells. Both drugs significantly increased the number of viable cells, after their exposure to 6-OHDA, as measured by the MTT assay. While nitrite levels in the cells were drastically increased by 6-OHDA, their concentrations were brought toward normality after CAF or CSC, indicating that both drugs block 6-OHDA-induced oxidative stress which leads to free radicals generation.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of rigid polycyclic derivatives of the Diels-Alder adduct tricyclo[6.2.1.02,7]undeca-4,9-dien-3,6-dione.

Part of our research program concentrates on the discovery of new bioactive compounds prepared either by total synthesis or molecular transformation of compounds with bioactivity profiles. In this work we have focused our interest on chemical transformations of the Diels-Alder adduct tricyclo[6.2.

In-vitro and in-vivo antitumour activity of physalins B and D from Physalis angulata.

We have evaluated the in-vitro and in-vivo antitumour activity of physalin B and physalin D isolated from the aerial parts of Physalis angulata. In-vitro, both compounds displayed considerable cytotoxicity against several cancer cell lines, showing IC50 values in the range of 0.58 to 15.