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Submitted by Rosivalda Pereira (mrs.pereira@ufma.br) on 2017-06-13T19:49:13Z No. of bitstreams: 1 ClariceDias.pdf: 1740990 bytes, checksum: d4150e4fe41ba8404104c64d6b4fe6d3 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-13T19:49:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ClariceDias.pdf: 1740990 bytes, checksum: d4150e4fe41ba8404104c64d6b4fe6d3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Dengue is considered the most important mosquito-borne viral disease in the world; it is endemic in over 100 countries, where 50-100 million are infected by dengue virus per year. As the dengue control is based on the combat of the primary vector of dengue, the mosquito Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae), one of the most effective ways to achieve this combat is by the use of synthetic chemicals, such as organophosphate temephos, against the mosquito larvae. However, the continued and repeated use of these products has contributed to the development of resistant strains. The occurrence of resistance can be figured out by researches to find out news plant-base insecticides, such as essential oils. Thus, this study aimed to perform a review of the essential oils with studies on the evaluation of the larvicidal activity against A. aegypti and to analyze the chemical composition and the larvicidal activity of essential oils from six plant species from Amazônia Legal maranhense. This dissertation was divided into two chapters; the chapter 1 consists of a review of the scientific papers which showed that 210 essential oils from 159 plant species have already been tested by their larvicidal potential and that more than 75% of these essential oils were considered active (LC50 < 100 mg/L). This study has further information such as the factors affecting the activity, structure-activity relationships, mechanisms of action, as well as the studies with the main compounds of these oils. The chapter 2 reports the experimental research to evaluate the larvicidal activity and chemical composition of essential oils extracted from six plants collected in the “Parque Nacional da Chapada das Mesas”, Maranhão, Brazil (Amazônia Legal maranhense). The oils were extracted by hydrodestilation, using a Clevenger apparatus and their compositions were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The larvicidal activity was performed according to the guidelines from the World Health Organization. The sesquiterpenes hydrocarbons were the major fraction of the essential oils from Eugenia patrisii Vahl, Eugenia piauhiensis Vellaff., Myrcia erythroxylon O. Berg, Psidium myrsinites DC., and Siparuna camporum (Tul.) A. DC.; whereas, Lippia gracilis Schauer essential oil showed the oxygenated monoterpenes as major compounds. Five of the six tested oils showed promising results for the development of products larvicides against A. aegypti larvae, showing LC50 value among 230 and 417 mg/L. From these results, it was possible to observe the need for standardization of methodologies for evaluation of larvicides against A. aegypti, the low number of patents and potential of oils from the “maranhense” flora to obtain products that can contribute to the control of dengue. / A dengue é considerada a arbovirose mais importante do mundo, sendo endêmica em mais de 100 países, onde anualmente, 50 a 100 milhões de pessoas são infectadas pelo seu vírus. Como o seu controle depende essencialmente do combate ao seu principal vetor, o mosquito Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae), uma das formas mais eficientes de realizar este combate é através do uso de produtos químicos sintéticos, como o organofosforado temefós, contra as larvas deste mosquito. No entanto, o uso contínuo e repetido destes produtos tem contribuído para o desenvolvimento de cepas resistentes. A solução para a ocorrência de resistência pode ser encontrada na busca por novos compostos inseticidas obtidos a partir de produtos do metabolismo das plantas, como os óleos essenciais. Sendo assim, o presente trabalho objetivou realizar um levantamento dos óleos essenciais com estudos de avaliação da atividade larvicida contra A. aegypti e analisar a composição química e a atividade larvicida de óleos obtidos de seis espécies vegetais da Amazônia Legal maranhense. Esta dissertação foi divida em dois capítulos; o capítulo 1 consiste no artigo de revisão de literatura, onde foi possível observar que 210 óleos essenciais de 159 espécies vegetais foram avaliados quanto à atividade larvicida e que mais de 75% destes óleos mostraram-se ativos (CL50 < 100 mg/L). Foram apresentados, ainda, os fatores que afetam a atividade larvicida, a relação estrutura atividade, os mecanismos de ação, bem como trabalhos com os constituintes isolados desses óleos. Já o capítulo 2 relata a parte experimental da avaliação da atividade larvicida e a composição química de óleos essenciais extraídos de seis espécies vegetais coletadas na região do Parque Nacional da Chapada das Mesas (Amazônia Legal maranhense), Maranhão, Brasil; os óleos foram extraídos por hidrodestilação, utilizando aparelho de Clevenger e sua composição analisada por cromatografia a gás acoplada a espectrometria de massas (CG/EM). A atividade larvicida foi avaliada segundo metodologia preconizada pela Organização Mundial de Saúde. Os sesquiterpenos hidrocarbonados constituíram a maior fração dos óleos essenciais de Eugenia patrisii Vahl, Eugenia piauhiensis Vellaff., Myrcia erythroxylon O. Berg, Psidium myrsinites DC. e Siparuna camporum (Tul.) A. DC.; enquanto que, Lippia gracilis Schauer apresentou como constituintes majoritários, monoterpenos oxigenados. Cinco dos seis óleos testados demonstraram resultados promissores para o desenvolvimento de produtos larvicidas contra as larvas de A. aegypti, apresentando CL50 entre 230 e 417 mg/L. A partir desses resultados foi possível observar a necessidade de padronização de metodologias para avaliação larvicida contra A. aegypti, o baixo número de patentes e o potencial de óleos essenciais da flora maranhense para obtenção de produtos que possam contribuir com o controle da dengue.

Ng, Chor Fung. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 130-144). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / ABSTRACT (ENGLISH VERSION) --- p.i / ABSTRACT (CHINESE VERSION) --- p.iv / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.vi / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.viii / LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES --- p.xii / ABBREVIATIONS --- p.xiv / Chapter CHAPTER 1. --- GENERAL INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Definition of asthma --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Asthma epidemiology --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Pathogenesis of Asthma --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Gene-environment interaction --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Allergens and atopic sensitization --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Other environmental factors --- p.5 / Chapter 1.4 --- House dust mite (HDM) --- p.5 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Characteristics of HDM allergens --- p.5 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- HDM and asthma --- p.6 / Chapter 1.5 --- Pathophysiology of asthma --- p.8 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Airway inflammation --- p.8 / Chapter 1.5.1.1 --- Cellular mechanism --- p.8 / Chapter 1.5.1.2 --- Characteristics of chronic inflammation --- p.9 / Chapter 1.5.1.3 --- Inflammatory cells in airway inflammation --- p.10 / Chapter 1.5.1.3.1 --- Mast cell --- p.10 / Chapter 1.5.1.3.2 --- Macrophages --- p.11 / Chapter 1.5.1.3.3 --- T lymphocytes --- p.12 / Chapter 1.5.1.3.4 --- Eosinophils --- p.12 / Chapter 1.5.1.3.5 --- Epithelial cells --- p.13 / Chapter 1.5.1.4 --- Cytokines in asthma --- p.14 / Chapter 1.5.1.4.1 --- Inflammatory cytokines --- p.14 / Chapter 1.5.1.4.1.1 --- Interleukin-4 --- p.14 / Chapter 1.5.1.4.1.2 --- Interleukin-5 --- p.14 / Chapter 1 5.1.4.1.3 --- Interleukin-6 --- p.15 / Chapter 1.5.1.4.1.4 --- Granulocyte Monocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) --- p.15 / Chapter 1.5.1.4.1.5 --- Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) --- p.16 / Chapter 1.5.1.4.2 --- Anti-inflammatory cytokines --- p.17 / Chapter 1.5.1.4.2.1 --- Interleukin-10 --- p.17 / Chapter 1.5.1.4.2.2 --- Interferon-γ(IFN-γ) --- p.17 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) --- p.18 / Chapter 1.5.3 --- A irway remodeling --- p.19 / Chapter 1.6 --- Asthma therapy --- p.21 / Chapter 1.6.1 --- β2-agonists --- p.21 / Chapter 1.6.2 --- Cromolyn and nedocromil --- p.21 / Chapter 1.6.3 --- Theophylline --- p.22 / Chapter 1.6.4 --- Leukotriene modifiers --- p.22 / Chapter 1.6.5 --- Corticosteroids --- p.23 / Chapter 1.7 --- Traditional Chinese Medicine --- p.24 / Chapter 1.7.1 --- Introduction --- p.24 / Chapter 1.7.2 --- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) --- p.24 / Chapter 1.7.3 --- "Chinese herbal formula, CU Formula 2 (CUF2) and Kuan Dong Hua" --- p.26 / Chapter 1.8 --- Objectives of our studies --- p.28 / Chapter CHAPTER 2. --- ESTABLISHMENT OF A HDM-INDUCED ASTHMATIC ANIMAL MODEL IN SD RATS --- p.32 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.32 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Buffers and solutions --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Animals --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Preparation of aluminum hydroxide gel --- p.34 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- HDMAllergen --- p.34 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Sensitization Procedure --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Intratracheal instillation challenge --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and BAL Cell counting --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.8 --- Lung Histopathological Analysis --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2.9 --- Measurement of cytokine and chemokine by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) --- p.39 / Chapter 2.2.10 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.40 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results --- p.41 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Cellular Analysis of BALF --- p.41 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Histopathology --- p.42 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Cytokine and chemokine --- p.43 / Chapter 2.4 --- Discussion --- p.44 / Chapter CHAPTER 3. --- IMMUNOMODULATORY EFFECT OF CUF2 AND KUAN DONG HUA IN A RAT MODEL OF HDM-INDUCED ASTHMA --- p.65 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.65 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.67 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Herbal materials and extraction method --- p.67 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- "Antigen sensitization, challenge, and treatment" --- p.68 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Bronchoalveolar lavage and cell differential counts --- p.69 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Histological Studies --- p.69 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Measurement of BALF cytokines and chemokines --- p.70 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- "Body weight, thymus index and spleen index" --- p.70 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- Statistical analysis --- p.70 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.71 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Effect of herbs and DXA on total cells and eosinophils in BALF --- p.71 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Effect of herb and DXA on lung histology --- p.72 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Effect of herbs and DXA on cytokine and chemokine level in BALF --- p.73 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- "Effect of herb and DXA on body weight, thymus index and spleen index" --- p.75 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.77 / Chapter CHAPTER 4. --- IMMUNOMODULATORY EFFECT OF KUAN DONG HUA ON HUMAN MAST CELLS (HMC-1) --- p.109 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.109 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.110 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Reagents --- p.110 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Cell line and Cell Culture --- p.111 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Herb and extraction procedure --- p.111 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Cell Viability Assay --- p.112 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Assay of cytokine secretion --- p.113 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Quantitative Analysis of cytokines --- p.113 / Chapter 4.2.7 --- Bacterial endotoxin contamination --- p.114 / Chapter 4.2.8 --- Statistical analysis --- p.115 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results --- p.116 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Effect of Kuan Dong Hua on cell viability of HMC-I --- p.116 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Effect of Kuan Dong Hua on cytokine release from HMC-I --- p.116 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Effect of endotoxin contamination in the extract --- p.117 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.118 / Chapter CHAPTER 5. --- GENERAL CONCLUSION --- p.125 / Chapter 5.1 --- Conclusion --- p.125 / Chapter 5.2 --- Limitations of this study and Future work --- p.128 / REFERENCES --- p.130 / APPENDICES --- p.145 / Appendix A. Wright-Giemsa Stain for cytospin preparations --- p.145 / Appendix B. Hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) staining --- p.145 / Appendix C. Congo Red staining --- p.146 / Appendix D. Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining --- p.146

Thesis (M.Phil. (Environmental Law)) --University of Limpopo, 2008 / National Research Foundation, and the SANPAD scholarship

This study traces the adaptation of the traditional gathering practices of Anglo/Celtic women to the landscape of Colonial Australia, thus developing a context for contemporary land-based art practices. Traditional gathering practices became one of the important forces that influenced and shaped the work of many women artists in post colonial Australia. Interacting with the landscape on a personal level helped contextualize women's gathering role into a contemporary theme, which linked past knowledge to present day voices. The author's art work is an interpretation of this traditional gathering practice. By relating herbal knowledge to present day concerns, she is able to extend the knowledge of past generations of women gatherers into present day images. The art work is also a diary of experiments, that are concerned with preserving the dye making recipes that have been handed down for generations. These botanical experiments have enabled the author to re-present herbal knowledge that took hundreds of years to glean, and to extend the use of the dyes obtained to create the art works. / Master of Arts (Hons) (Creative Arts)

Vascular dementia (VaD), the second most common cause of dementia, causes substantial distress to patients and represents a significant burden to their families and communities. Currently, there is no effective treatment to reverse the brain damage associated with VaD. In general the drugs available for the management of cognitive problems in VaD are expensive and outcomes are uncertain. It is, therefore, important to seek out alternative approaches, which may prove effective, cheaper and safer. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been used for the treatment of dementia-like disorders for centuries. Data from many preclinical studies and some clinical studies have suggested the potential effectiveness of CHM for the treatment of VaD. Based on the literature review conducted as part of this thesis, however, most of the studies were published in Chinese literature and failed to demonstrate methodological rigour or to report sufficient methodological detail. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) using scientific methods of diagnosis and outcome measures are urgently needed. Wei Nao Kang (WNK) is a three-herb formula developed by Xi Yuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. Preclinical experiments of WNK have demonstrated significant improvement in learning and memory function in VaD animal models in rats and mice. Human case studies have also signalled the potential value of WNK in VaD. Although the results of these studies were encouraging, strong scientific evidence from a well-designed RCT is still required. A rigorous clinical trial methodology, including scientific diagnostic criteria and outcome measures, was designed and applied to the evaluation of WNK for VaD. The trial was successfully conducted over a two-year period. Cognitive functions, as evidenced by the ADAS-cog, were significantly improved in the study group taking WNK herbal medication compared with the placebo group. The ADAS-cog was simultaneously validated as a measure of cognitive function in VaD. Blinding was verified and no major adverse effects were found related to WNK treatment. However, neither group demonstrated long-lasting effect on a 16 weeks follow-up after completion of treatment. WNK demonstrated a significant effect on quality of life (measured by SF-36) and some effect on activities of daily living (measured by ADCS-ADL) in VaD patients. The SF-36 was validated as a measure of general health status and the ADCS-ADL as a measure of activities of daily living in patients with VaD. Both scales were proven sensitive to the presence of VaD, and provided useful supplementary outcome measures for VaD. A cerebral perfusion study was conducted to identify changes in cerebral blood flow and its relationship with clinical symptoms. The study showed that WNK had marked increases in blood flow in the inferior frontal and anterior temporal regions, both of which are closely related to cognitive function in human brains. This study has provided scientific evidence in support of the clinical effect of WNK on VaD. In addition, it validated several outcome measures in assessing improvements in cognitive functions, activities of daily living and quality of life in VaD patients. One of the highlights of this study is the application of SPECT scans as an outcome measure. This provided an excellent objective parameter for assessing the effects of WNK. To the best of our knowledge, SPECT scanning has never been used in VaD trials of herbal medicines. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Identification of the unknown targets of drugs, investigative drugs and herbal ingredients is an important task in drug discovery. It can potentially help in several aspects including: (1) determination of unknown therapeutic mechanism of certain drugs and medicinal herbs, (2) prediction of drug toxicity and side effect, and (3) analysis of protein-mediated pharmacokinetic properties of drugs. Here, a computer-aided drug target search method and its validation studies are presented. / Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA)

<p>Aim: To determine whether there was any significant difference in the antimicrobial activity of 4 herbal toothpastes against cultures of 3 primary plaque colonizers (Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis and a non-specific &alpha / -heamolytic streptococcus).</p>

published_or_final_version / Anatomy / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

 As the aging in reproductive system proceeds, females will eventually enter the period of menopause, during which a series of physiological changes occurs. The decline of estrogen level during menopausal transition is thought to associate with various menopausal symptoms. Although hormone replacement therapy can be adopted to deal with the estrogen-deficient state, side effects such as cancer risk cannot be overlooked. Alternatively, Erxian Decoction (EXD), a Chinese medicine formula for treating menopausal symptoms has been used clinically for more than 60 years without adverse effects reported. Some pharmacological properties of EXD have been reported in previous research, which are thought to be contributed by its multiple bioactive components. Thus in the present study, the pharmacological properties of EXD have been further evaluated. The drug compatibility of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula, EXD, was also demonstrated. At last, a novel approach for identification of bioactive components from Chinese medicine formula was introduced using EXD as study model. To evaluate the multiple pharmacological properties of EXD, proteins involved in steroidogenesis in ovaries of aged female rats were measured by immunoblotting analysis. On top of that, serum lipid profiles and the related proteins were determined by colorimetric assay and immunoblotting analysis respectively. Also, anti-osteoporotic properties and drug compatibility of EXD were evaluated by in vitro methods such as proliferation assay, osteoclast differentiation assay, ELISA assay or immunoblotting analysis. Lastly, a novel approach for identification of bioactive components in relation to the subsequent bioactivity from traditional Chinese medicinal formula was introduced using HPLC profiles. From the results, it was demonstrated that EXD can modulate steroidogenesis in aged female rat model at least through up-regulation of ovarian aromatase, protein kinase B and estrogen receptor beta at protein level. Besides, EXD also exerts antihyperlipidemic effects in aged female rats as reflected from the decreased serum total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels via regulation of HMG CoA reductase and LDL-receptor, the key proteins for cholesterol synthesis and LDL-cholesterol clearance. In vitro study has also demonstrated the anti-osteoporotic properties of EXD through stimulation of osteoblast proliferation and inhibition of proliferation and differentiation of osteoclast precursor cells. The later was proved to be mediated by down-regulation of NFATc1 proteins, a key protein for osteoclastogenesis. The roles of the drugs categories according to the drug compatibility of traditional Chinese medicine contributing to the optimal anti-osteoporotic properties of EXD were also elucidated. Since the diverse pharmacological properties of a Chinese medicinal formula are often the results of the effects of complex bioactive constituents in the extract, yet identification of the bioactive components has been a tedious task. Thus in the last part of the study, a novel approach for identification of bioactive component from Chinese medicinal formula has been developed. By comparing the HPLC profiles of EXD extracted by different decoction method in relation to their pharmacological properties, six bioactive chemicals were successfully identified which may contribute to the stimulatory effect of EXD on ovarian aromatase and hepatic catalase expression. / published_or_final_version / Chinese Medicine / Master / Master of Philosophy