Effect of Stryphnodendron adstringens (barbatimão) on energy metabolism in the rat liver

Treatment topical with silver nanoparticles and Stryphnodendron Adstringens (Mart.) Coville in cervical lesions: randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

To assess the feasibility of incorporating technology as a new alternative for treating topics on cervical lesions.

METHOD

This is a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial with a prospective design. During the realization of this study, 43 women were included and divided between groups A (ointment without silver nanoparticles n = 23) and B (ointment with silver nanoparticles n = 20) clinically healthy and who used the unified health system.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences when comparing before and after the use of ointment for IVA test (p = 0.15), Schiller test (p = 0.15), cellular changes (p = 0.47) and microbiological analysis (p = 0.89) through cytology. After use, no adverse reaction was observed in the sample studied.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results identified in this study, identified that the product is safe and does not promote adverse events. Regarding the effectiveness of the product in uterine cervical lesions, it is necessary to continue the study in phase II. Registro de Ensaios Clínicos Brasileiros: UTN: U1111-1218-2820.

Pathways Related to the Anti-Cancer Effects of Metabolites Derived from Cerrado Biome Native Plants: An Update and Bioinformatics Analysis on Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Oral cancer is a significant health problem worldwide. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a malignant neoplasm of epithelial cells that mostly affects different anatomical sites in the head and neck and derives from the squamous epithelium or displays similar morphological characteristics. Generally, OSCC is often the end stage of several changes in the stratified squamous epithelium, which begin as epithelial dysplasia and progress by breaking the basement membrane and invading adjacent tissues. Several plant-based drugs with potent anti-cancer effects are considered inexpensive treatments with limited side effects for cancer and other diseases.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this review is to explore whether some Brazilian plant extracts or constituents exhibit anti-tumorigenic activity or have a cytotoxic effect on human oral carcinoma cells.

METHODS

Briefly, OSCC and several metabolites derived from Brazilian plants (i.e., flavonoids, vinblastine, irinotecan, etoposide and paclitaxel) were used as keywords to search the literature on PubMed, GenBank and GeneCards.

RESULTS

The results showed that these five chemical compounds found in Cerrado Biome plants exhibit anti-neoplastic effects. Evaluating the compounds revealed that they play a main role in the regulation of cell proliferation.

CONCLUSION

Preserving and utilising the biodiversity of our planet, especially in unique ecosystems, such as the Cerrado Biome, may prove essential to preserving and promoting human health in modern contexts.

Proanthocyanidin Polymer-Rich Fraction of Stryphnodendron adstringens Promotes in Vitro and in Vivo Cancer Cell Death via Oxidative Stress

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer that affects women, mainly through human papilloma virus (HPV) infection with high-risk HPV16 and HPV18. The present study investigated the in vitro anticancer activity and mechanism of action of a proanthocyanidin polymer-rich fraction of Stryphnodendron adstringens (F2) in cervical cancer cell lines, including HeLa (HPV18-positive), SiHa (HPV16-positive), and C33A (HPV-negative) cells, and also evaluated in vivo anticancer activity. In vitro, cell viability was determined by the MTT assay. Cell migration was determined by the wound healing assay. The mechanism of action was investigated by performing ultrastructural analysis and evaluating reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial metabolism, lipoperoxidation, BCL-2 family expression, caspase expression, and DNA and cell membrane integrity. In vivo activity was evaluated using the murine Ehrlich solid tumor model. F2 time- and dose-dependently reduced cell viability and significantly inhibited the migration of cervical cancer cells. HeLa and SiHa cells treated with F2 (IC50) exhibited intense oxidative stress (i.e., increase in ROS and decrease in antioxidant species) and mitochondrial damage (i.e., mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization and a reduction of intracellular levels of adenosine triphosphate). Increases in the Bax/BCL-2 ratio and caspase 9 and caspase 3 expression, were observed, with DNA damage that was sufficient to trigger mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. Cell membrane disruption was observed in C33A cells (IC50 and IC90) and HeLa and SiHa cells (IC90), indicating progress to late apoptosis/necrosis. The inhibition of ROS production by N-acetylcysteine significantly suppressed oxidative stress in all three cell lines. In vivo, F2 significantly reduced tumor volume and weight of the Ehrlich solid tumor, and significantly increased lipoperoxidation, indicating that F2 also induces oxidative stress in the in vivo model. These findings indicate that the proanthocyanidin polymer-rich fraction of S. adstringens may be a potential chemotherapeutic candidate for cancer treatment.

Stryphnodendron Species Known as "Barbatimão": A Comprehensive Report

Stryphnodendron spp., popularly known as "barbatimão", is the native Brazilian tree most often employed to treat wounds and infections. The aim of the present study was to highlight the importance of S. adstringens, as well as other Stryphnodendron species recognized as "barbatimão", to human health, depicting the relevance of ethnopharmacological knowledge to scientific evidence for uses, related chemical compounds, development of pharmaceutical formulations, and the establishment of toxicity parameters. For this purpose, the literature databases PubMed, Scielo, Lilacs, CAPES Thesis and Google Scholar were searched until 2017. It was observed that stem bark was the primary part of the plant used, mainly as a decoction, for wound healing and treatment of infectious and inflammatory disorders. Confirmed biological activities, including wound healing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities, were related to the presence of compounds from tannin class, mostly proanthocyanidins. Toxicity parameters for stem bark were inconclusive, but toxicity was observed to a significant extent when seeds were ingested by cattle or other animals. Due to these important and confirmed biological activities, government policy encourages the phytotherapic use of S. adstringens, and some formulations with stem bark extracts were developed and patented. Furthermore, antiprotozoal, hypoglycemic and antiviral activities were identified as promising.

Acute and chronic toxicity and antimicrobial activity of the extract of Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity and acute or chronic toxicity of the extract of Stryphnodendron adstringens. The stem bark dry extract was obtained by static maceration with ethanol. Quantification of tannins was performed by the Folin-Denis method, which indicated a total tannin content of 32.7%. The antimicrobial activity of the dry extract of S. adstringens was evaluated by agar-based disk diffusion assay with Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) in the concentration of 200, 400 and 600μL/mL. The results indicated that 600μL/mL inhibited microbial growth, i.e. had antimicrobial activity against these species. Acute and chronic toxic effects of S. adstringens was evaluated in Wistar rats treated with 200, 400, 600 and 800mg/kg of extract, administrated by gavage. Liver degeneration was observed in the group of rats receiving 800mg/kg in chronic exposure, what may indicate some degree of toxicity at this concentration. However, no systemic toxicity was observed at lower doses. Considering the broad use of S. adstringens as a phytotherapeutic agent for various human and animal diseases and the livertoxicity observed at high concentrations, attention should be paid to the possible adverse effect of using the extract from this plant at high concentration.

Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville (Fabaceae) proanthocyanidins quantitation by RP-HPLC

Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville (barbatimão) is a tree belonging to the Fabaceae family, and it is commonly found in the southeastern Brazilian cerrado. The stem bark of this tree is traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agent to treat leucorrhea and diarrhea, as well as to promote wound healing (owing to the presence of proanthocyanidins). Proanthocyanidins were obtained from the ethanolic extract of S. adstringens stem bark and assessed by reversed phase-high performance liquid chromatography with an ultraviolet/diode array detector. The identified compounds included gallic acid, catechin, gallocatechin (GC), epigallocatechin, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). The selected markers, GC and EGCG, were simultaneously used for chromatographic validation (linearity range: 30-330 ng, equivalent to 3-33 µg/mL; r>0.998). The method showed precision (intra-day relative standard deviation [RSD]: 1.72% for GC; 1.16% for EGCG; inter-day RSD: 1.74%-2.60% for both markers), accuracy, robustness, and selectivity. The limits of detection and quantitation were 0.29 µg/ml and 0.89 µg/ml for GC, and 0.88 µg/mL and 2.67 µg/mL for EGCG, respectively. In addition, S. obovatum was evaluated and showed an average of 12.2 µg/mL for GC (equivalent to 1.22% w/w) and 14.2 µg/mL for EGCG (equivalent to 1.42% w/w) in the ethanolic extract. The quantitative results were compared to those obtained for S. adstringens, which showed that the markers are present in both species.

Acute and Chronic Toxicity of an Aqueous Fraction of the Stem Bark of Stryphnodendron adstringens (Barbatimão) in Rodents

Stryphnodendron adstringens has a high tannin content and is used as an antiseptic and antimicrobial and in the treatment of leucorrhea, gonorrhea, wound healing, and gastritis. The present study evaluated the toxic effects of the heptamer prodelphinidin (F2) from the stem bark of S. adstringens in rodents. In the acute toxicity test, the mice that received oral doses exhibited reversible effects, with an LD50 of 3.015 mg · kg(-1). In the chronic toxicity test at 90 days, Wistar rats were treated with different doses of F2 (10, 100, and 200 mg · kg(-1)). In the biochemical, hematological, and histopathological examinations and open-field test, the different dose groups did not exhibit significant differences compared with controls. The present results indicate that F2 from the stem bark of S. adstringens caused no toxicity with acute and chronic oral treatment in rodents at the doses administered.

Safety evaluation of proanthocyanidin polymer-rich fraction obtained from stem bark of Stryphnodendron adstringens (BARBATIMAO) for use as a pharmacological agent

The widespread use of medicinal plants among the Brazilian population warrants an assessment of the potential risks associated with their intake. Stryphnodendron adstringens (barbatimão) is one of the most frequently used medicinal plants in Brazil, and the risks associated with its use have yet to be investigated. This study evaluated the genotoxic safety of the use of the proanthocyanidin polymer-rich fraction (F2) of stem bark of S. adstringens. The micronucleus test with 750, 1500, and 2250 mg kg(-1) of F2 administered in Mus musculus (Swiss) outbred mice, showed respectively, 5.0±0.8 (Mean±S.D.), 9.1±1.7, and 10.6±1.9 micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE). A positive control with cyclophosphamide resulted in 21.0±3.8 MNPCE. Antimutagenicity was also evaluated, by adding 750 mg kg(-1) to cyclophosphamide; the result of 8.7±1.4 showed a protective cytotoxic effect. For the Artemia salina test, 10, 100, and 1000 mg L(-1) of F2 showed, respectively, 8.7±0.6, 7.7±0.6, and 5.7±1.2 survival, i.e., F2 did not inhibit 50% of the population when compared to the control (9.7±0.6). These results indicated that F2 obtained from stem bark of S. adstringens has no genotoxic activity.

Effects of the Kielmeyera coriacea extract on energy metabolism in the rat liver

Kielmeyera coriacea Mart is a medicinal plant of the Clusiacea (Guttiferae) family used by the native population of Brazil in the treatment of several tropical diseases such as malaria, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and fungal or bacterial infections. Kielmeyera coriacea is also effective as an antidepressant drug. Extracts of the plant are rich in xanthones. Compounds of this class have been reported to inhibit mitochondrial energy metabolism. For this reason the action of the Kielmeyera coriacea extract on hepatic energy metabolism was investigated in the present work, using isolated rat liver mitochondria and the perfused rat liver. In perfused livers the extract (20-80 microg/ml) caused stimulation of oxygen consumption, inhibition of gluconeogenesis and stimulation of glycogenolysis and glycolysis. In isolated mitochondria the Kielmeyera coriacea extract (5-20 microg/ml) stimulated state IV respiration, reduced the ADP/O ratio and decreased the respiratory coefficient. The activities of succinate-oxidase, NADH-oxidase, NADH dehydrogenase and succinate dehydrogenase were inhibited. The ATPase of intact mitochondria was stimulated and the ATPase of uncoupled mitochondria was inhibited. The results of this investigation suggest that the Kielmeyera coriacea extract impairs the hepatic energy metabolism by acting as mitochondrial uncoupler and inhibitor of enzymatic activities linked to the respiratory chain. The impairment of mitochondrial energy metabolism could lead to adverse metabolic effects by the use of the crude extract, but it could equally be the basis of its antiprotozoan and antifungal effects.

Biological effects of extracts obtained from Stryphnodendron adstringens on Herpetomonas samuelpessoai

We report the effect of Stryphnodendron adstringens on the trypanosomatid Herpetomonas samuelpessoai. The parasites were grown at 28 degrees C in a chemically defined medium containing crude extract and fractions at concentrations from 100 to 5000 microg/ml obtained from S. adstringens. Concentrations of 500, 1000, 2500, and 5000 microg/ml both crude extract and semi-purified fraction progressively inhibited the protozoans' growth. At a concentration of 100 microg/ml, crude extract or a semi-purified (F3) fraction did not affect the growth of the protozoans. The F3-9 - F3-12 sub-fractions, at a concentration of 1000 microg/ml, also showed increased inhibitory activity on H. samuelpessoai. The IC50 of the crude extract and the F3 fraction were 538 and 634 microg/ml, respectively. Ultrastructural and enzymatic alterations in the trypanosomatids were also evaluated. H. samuelpessoai cultivated in the presence of IC50 crude extract showed considerable ultrastructural alterations, such as marked mitochondrial swelling with a large number of cristae and evident Golgi complex vesiculation, as observed by transmission electron microscopy. Cells exposed to 538 microg/ml of crude extract at 28 degrees C for 72 h, showed decreased activity of the enzyme succinate cytochrome c reductase, a typical mitochondrion marker, as compared to untreated cells.