Genotoxic activity of L-asparaginase produced by Streptomyces ansochromogenes UFPEDA 3420.

L-asparaginase is an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing the substrate asparagine in aspartic acid and ammonia. Due to this mechanism of action observed, L-asparaginase is widely used in the treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, since these cells use asparagine for their survival. Because it is frequently used as an antineoplastic, it is necessary to evaluate its genotoxic effects.

Antifungal activity of the piroctone olamine in experimental intra-abdominal candidiasis.

This work aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of piroctone olamine in the treatment of intra-abdominal candidiasis in an experimental model using Swiss mice. The mice (n = 6) were infected by intraperitoneal injection of 0.2 ml of C.

Differential genomic damage in different tumor lines induced by prodigiosin.

Prodigiosin is a secondary metabolite produced by Serratia marcercens. As this pigment is suggested to be a cancer drug, genotoxicity studies are necessary. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the genotoxic effects of prodigiosin on tumoral and normal cell lines, NCIH-292, MCF-7 and HL-60.

Medicinal plants used as antitumor agents in Brazil: an ethnobotanical approach.

WE DESCRIBE THE MEDICINAL PLANTS THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO BE ANTITUMOR AGENTS AND THAT HAVE BEEN USED IN ETHNOBOTANIC RESEARCH IN BRAZIL TO ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: what is the abundance of plants reported to be antitumor in Brazil? Have the plant species used for tumor treatment in traditional Brazilian medicine been sufficiently examined scientifically? Our analysis included papers published between 1980 and 2008. A total of 84 medicinal plant species were reported to be used for cancer and tumor prevention or treatment; 69.05% of these were cited as being used for the treatment of tumors and cancer in general and 30.

Indigofera suffruticosa: an alternative anticancer therapy.

Indigofera suffruticosa Mill (Fabeceae) occurs in the Northeast countryside and has intensive popular use in the treatment of infectious, inflammatory and other processes. The main aim of the present work was to investigate the cytotoxic and antitumor effects of aqueous extracts of leaves of I. suffruticosa obtained by infusion and maceration as well as to evaluate the toxicological properties.

Nanoencapsulation of usnic acid: An attempt to improve antitumour activity and reduce hepatotoxicity.

Despite the recognised antiproliferative and antitumour properties of usnic acid, its therapeutic application has yet to be introduced. In fact, the high hepatotoxicity and low water solubility of usnic acid have somewhat restricted its practical use in anticancer therapy. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the antitumour activity of usnic acid encapsulated into nanocapsules prepared with lactic co-glycolic acid polymer.

Synthesis and antiinflammatory activity of 4-amino-2-aryl-5-cyano-6-{3- and 4-(N-phthalimidophenyl)} pyrimidines.

Six new 4-amino-5-cyano-2,6-diarylpyrimidines 5a-h has been synthesized in a facile manner by reacting the appropriate arylamidines 4a-d with bisnitriles 3a-e. Reduction of the nitro group of 5a-e using Pd in ethyl acetate furnished 6a-e in good yields. Reaction of 6a-e individually with phthalic anhydride yielded 7a-e in good to excellent yields.