and studies for barbinervic acid, a triterpene isolated from that inhibits vasopressor tone.

We investigated the role of triterpene barbinervic acid from dichloromethane extract in vasopressor responses. Renal arteries were cannulated and perfused with Krebs-Hepes solution. Changes in aorta isometric tension were recorded and transferred to a data acquisition system.

Inclusion complexes of yellow bell pepper pigments with β-cyclodextrin: preparation, characterisation and application as food natural colorant.

Background: This work aimed to prepare inclusion complexes using yellow bell pepper pigments and β-cyclodextrin by two different procedures (method A, ultrasonic homogenisation; method B, kneading), to characterise them and evaluate their colour stability in an isotonic beverage model. The extract/β-cyclodextrin ratio was 1:2 for both inclusion methodologies evaluated. The formed extract-β-cyclodextrin complexes and a physical mixture of extract and β-cyclodextrin were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).

Foam mat drying of Tommy Atkins mango: Effects of air temperature and concentrations of soy lecithin and carboxymethylcellulose on phenolic composition, mangiferin, and antioxidant capacity.

In this study, foam mat drying was applied to Tommy Atkins mango. Using a multifactorial design, the effect of soy lecithin (L) and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) used as foam stabilizers (0-1.50g/100g), as well as temperature (T) (53-87°C), on phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of mango were evaluated.

Increasing solubility of red bell pepper carotenoids by complexation with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin.

Red bell pepper carotenoids were complexed with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (2-HPβCD) in different mass ratios (1:4, 1:6, 1:8 and 1:10) through ultrasonic homogenization in order to increase carotenoid solubility and their use as natural pigment in food. Inclusion complexes, red bell pepper extract and physical mixtures were analyzed by DSC, FT-IR, (1)H NMR and DLS. Solubility assay was performed to identify the effect of complexation on the solubility of carotenoids.

Implant of polymer containing pentacyclic triterpenes from Eugenia punicifolia inhibits inflammation and activates skeletal muscle remodeling.

Sustained chronic inflammation induces activation of genes involved in cellular proliferation and apoptosis, thereby causing skeletal muscle degeneration. To investigate in vitro effects of isolated pentacyclic triterpenes from Eugenia punicifolia (Ep-CM) upon signaling pathways involved in the regulation of skeletal muscle cell line proliferation, and in vivo muscular tissue remodeling. C2C12 cells were seeded on eight-well plates and [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation, TUNEL assays, mitochondria viability, zymography for matrix metalloproteases (MMPs), Western blot analysis for MAPKinase signaling pathway, NFκB activation and HMGB1 production subsequently determined under basal conditions and after Ep-CM treatment.

Colour evaluation of a phycobiliprotein-rich extract obtained from Nostoc PCC9205 in acidic solutions and yogurt.

Background: Phycobiliproteins are coloured proteins produced by cyanobacteria, which have several applications because of their colour properties. However, there is no available information about the colour stability of phycobiliproteins from Nostoc sp. in food systems.

Anti-inflammatory activity of Eugenia punicifolia extract on muscular lesion of mdx dystrophic mice.

Eugenia punicifolia known as "pedra-ume caá" is a shrub largely distributed in the Amazon region popularly used in decoctions or infusions as a natural therapeutic agent, which can interfere on cholinergic nicotinic neurotransmission. This work aimed to investigate a putative anti-inflammatory effect of dichloromethane fraction of E. punicifolia extract (Ep-CM) in the muscular lesion of mdx dystrophic mice, considering that activation of cholinergic mechanisms mitigates inflammation.

Advances in drug discovery to assess cholinergic neurotransmission: a systematic review.

Neurotransmission is essential to physiological processes of cellular communication. The search for new molecules that may influence neurotransmission systems is an open field with possible impact on several pathophysiological conditions or diseases: Alzheimer's disease, Parkinsonism and myasthenia gravis, etc. The present review describes the most important aspects of cholinergic neurotransmission, as well as natural and synthetic compounds that, as clinical or experimental drugs, are able to influence this transmission.