3 research outputs found
Anticancer effect of Vitex negundo Linn. (Verbenaceae) on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells and Its Antimicrobial Properties
No full textBreast cancer treatment presents significant challenges, with various therapeutic modalities often associated with side effects. Natural plant-derived compounds offer promising alternatives. Vitex negundo is a medicinal plant often used in ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety of ailments, some of which have been scientifically validated. Vitex negundo offers a potential natural alternative to conventional breast cancer treatments. In this context, Vitex negundo ethanolic extract has demonstrated to have potent activity against the breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Vitex negundo extracts expressed a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect against MCF-7, with increasing extract concentrations correlating to decreased cell viability. Notably, the extract selectively suppressed MCF-7 cell growth, with an inhibitory concentration of about 1000 μg/mL. Importantly, the extract appears to selectively target cancer cells, sparing normal, healthy cells. This selectivity is crucial for minimizing side effects often associated with conventional cancer treatments. Vitex negundo serves as a potential indigenous antimicrobial agent that has been evaluated by the paper disc method to identify microorganisms susceptible to the ethanolic extract. The results based on the well-diffusion method confirmed the extracts of antimicrobial activity against sensitive microorganisms
Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with special focus on cancer
No full textABSTRACTPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of compounds consisting of two or more fused aromatic rings. Most of them are formed during incomplete combustion of organic materials such as wood and fossil fuels, petroleum products, and coal. The composition of PAH mixtures varies with the source and is also affected by selective weathering effects in the environment. PAHs are ubiquitous pollutants frequently found in a variety of environments such as fresh water and marine sediments, the atmosphere, and ice. Due to their widespread distribution, the environmental pollution due to PAHs has aroused global concern. Many PAHs and their epoxides are highly toxic, mutagenic and/or carcinogenic to microorganisms as well as to higher forms of life including humans. The main aim of this review is to provide contemporary information on PAH sources, route of exposure, worldwide emission rate, and adverse effects on humans, especially with reference to cancer
Produção de monoacilgliceróis e diacilgliceróis ricos em ácidos graxos ômega-3 a partir da glicerólise enzimática de óleo de peixe
No full textTese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Alimentos, Florianópolis, 2011O objetivo deste estudo foi apresentar novas informações experimentais para a obtenção de emulsificantes (monoacilgliceróis e/ou diacilgliceróis) por meio da glicerólise de óleo de peixe em diferentes sistemas (livre de solvente e de surfactante, na presença de terc-butanol ou contendo surfactante de grau alimentício), utilizando-se a lipase Novozym® 435 como catalisador. Entre os surfactantes testados (Tween 60, Tween 65, Tween 80 e lecitina de soja), o Tween 65 foi escolhido para o aprofundamento do estudo no meio contendo este aditivo, com o intuito de melhorar o contato entre os substratos imiscíveis (óleo e glicerol) e a enzima. Análises prévias verificaram, entretanto, que a lipase testada pode agir sobre todos os surfactantes avaliados. Nas reações de glicerólise testadas, o efeito de parâmetros de processo relevantes (concentração de enzima, temperatura, proporção molar de glicerol e óleo, proporção de solvente, concentração de surfactante) para a produção dos emulsificantes desejados foi avaliado em todos os meios reacionais. Para todos os sistemas, as condições da glicerólise mostraram-se importantes para a obtenção dos produtos desejados. Apesar de a reação de glicerólise ter sido viável em meio livre de solvente e de surfactante, foi necessário um longo tempo de reação (24h) para a obtenção de quantidades satisfatórias de mono- (25,93% m/m) e diacilgliceróis (38,24% m/m). Estes teores foram obtidos em reação conduzida a 70°C em banho-maria do tipo Dubnoff, com 5% de lipase (em massa, em relação ao total de substratos) e com a proporção molar de glicerol e óleo de 1:1. Foi possível produzir 43,30% e 43,10% de diacilgliceróis em meios contendo, respectivamente, 1:1 (v/v) de tercbutanol e 5% (m/m em relação ao total de substratos) de Tween 65. As reações para os dois sistemas foram conduzidas a 70°C, durante 2h sob agitação mecânica, utilizando-se a proporção molar de glicerol:óleo de 1:1 e 15% de lipase (m/m). Este estudo descreveu a viabilidade da produção de monoacilgliceróis e/ou diacilgliceróis enriquecidos em EPA e DHA, utilizando-se diferentes meios reacionais.The aim of this study was to present new experimental information concerning the production of emulsifiers (monoacylglycerols and/or diacylglycerols) by means of glycerolysis of fish oil in different reaction systems (solvent-free and surfactant-free, with tert-butanol or with a food grade surfactant), by using the lipase Novozym® 435 as catalyst. After a screening of different surfactants (Tween 60, Tween 65, Tween 80 and soy lecithin), Tween 65 was chosen for further studies for the system containing this additive, in order to improve the contact between the immiscible substrates (glycerol and oil) and the enzyme. Previous analyses indicated, however, the lipase can modify all tested surfactants. In the performed glycerolyses reactions, the effect of the more relevant process parameters (enzyme concentration, temperature, glycerol to oil molar ratio, solvent ratio or surfactant concentration) on mono- and diacylglycerols production was assessed. For all systems, reaction conditions proved to be important for the formation of the desired products. Although the glycerolysis reaction in a solvent-free and surfactant-free system has been feasible, a long time (24h) was necessary to achieve appreciable amounts of monoacylglycerols (25.93wt%) and diacyglycerols (38.24wt%). These contents were observed for the reaction performed at 70°C in a Dubnoff water bath, with 5wt% of lipase (based on total substrates) and the glycerol to oil molar ratio of 1:1. It was possible to produce 43.30wt% and 43.10wt% of diacylglycerols in the reaction media containing, respectively, 1:1 (v/v) of tert-butanol and 5wt% of Tween 65 (based on total substrates). Reactions for both systems were carried out at 70°C for 2h under mechanical stirring, with the glycerol to oil molar ratio of 1:1 and 15wt% of lipase. This study described the feasibility of enzymatic synthesis of mono- and/or diglycerides rich in omega-3 fatty acids by using different reaction media
