Antiplasmodial activity of alkaloids from Croton linearis leaves.

Croton linearis is a shrub that grows in Caribbean regions, which is rich in metabolites such as alkaloids. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the antiplasmodial effect of alkaloids from this species. Three isoquinoline alkaloids, i.

Differential Induction Pattern Towards Classically Activated Macrophages in Response to an Immunomodulatory Extract from Mycelium.

mushroom preparations have been investigated because of their ability to modulate the immune function. However, there is still no consensus regarding the activation and polarizing effect on macrophages by -derived bioproducts. This study examined the immune-activating effect of a mycelium-derived aqueous extract (HW-Pm) on macrophage functions, by means of the determination of nitric oxide (NO) production, the mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Arginase-1 and FIZZ and the cytokine levels.

Antioxidants in Plants: A Valorization Potential Emphasizing the Need for the Conservation of Plant Biodiversity in Cuba.

Plants are phytochemical hubs containing antioxidants, essential for normal plant functioning and adaptation to environmental cues and delivering beneficial properties for human health. Therefore, knowledge on the antioxidant potential of different plant species and their nutraceutical and pharmaceutical properties is of utmost importance. Exploring this scientific research field provides fundamental clues on (1) plant stress responses and their adaptive evolution to harsh environmental conditions and (2) (new) natural antioxidants with a functional versatility to prevent and treat human pathologies.

Protein signatures to identify the different genera within the Xanthomonadaceae family.

The Xanthomonadaceae family comprises the genera Xanthomonas and Xylella, which include plant pathogenic species that affect economically important crops. The family also includes the plant growth-promoting bacteria Pseudomonas geniculata and Stenotrophomonas rhizophila, and some other species with biotechnological, medical, and environmental relevance. Previous work identified molecular signatures that helped to understand the evolutionary placement of this family within gamma-proteobacteria.

Proximal Composition, Nutraceutical Properties, and Acute Toxicity Study of Culinary-Medicinal Oyster Mushroom Powder, Pleurotus ostreatus (Agaricomycetes).

A compositional study was performed on fruiting-body powder of the culinary-medicinal oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus for applications as a nutraceutical/functional food. Carbohydrates (55 g/100 g dry weight [dw]) and proteins (27.45 g/100 g dw, with an in vitro digestibility of 75%) appear to be the major components, but fat content was low (4 g/100 g dw).

Oral administration of an aqueous extract from the oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus enhances the immunonutritional recovery of malnourished mice.

Mushroom nutriceutical components have lately attracted interest for developing immunonutritional support. However, there is relatively little information pertaining to the use of mushroom preparations for modulating the metabolic and immunological disorders associated to malnutrition. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of oral administration of an aqueous extract (CW-P) from Pleurotus ostreatus on the recovery of biochemical and immunological functions of malnourished mice.

Haematopoiesis radioprotection in Balb/c mice by an aqueous mycelium extract from the Basidiomycete Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom.

The study examined the radioprotective activity of an aqueous extract from Pleurotus ostreatus mycelium administered to Balb/c mice. Male mice were whole-body irradiated on day 0 ((60)Co, at 0.43 Gy/min) and divided into two groups.

In vitro anti-proliferative effects on NB4 human leukemia cells and physicochemical screening of Pleurotus sp. (higher Basidiomycetes) mycelia from Cuba.

This study examined the phytochemical profile and the in vitro anti-proliferative effects of a hot water mycelial extract from the edible mushroom Pleurotus sp. on NB4 human leukemia cells. Flow-cytometry analyses were used to measure cell viability, cell cycle, and apoptosis in cells incubated 24 h with the extract at doses of 100 and 200 µg/mL.