Made available in DSpace on 2015-06-17T19:33:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-02-22. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-06-18T12:47:49Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000830137.pdf: 474779 bytes, checksum: a158e105b27756312ed6231383cc7319 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Extratos de folhas de araçá (Psidium cattleianum) são biocompatíveis e quando associados ao hidróxido de cálcio [Ca(OH)2] inibe o Enterococcus faecalis em 24 horas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a resposta tecidual dos extratos da folha de araçá associado com Ca(OH)2, por meio da análise edemogênica e histológica. Foram utilizados 80 ratos machos (Wistar) pesando entre 200g e 280g. Para a análise edemogênica foram utilizados 30 animais divididos em 3 grupos [Extrato aquoso + Ca(OH)2 (A), Extrato etanólico + Ca(OH)2 (B), Propilenoglicol + Ca(OH)2 (C)], com 10 animais sendo 5 para cada período de 3 e 6 horas. Sob anestesia geral foram injetados 0,2ml/100g de massa corporal de Azul de Evans a 1% na veia peniana, após 30 minutos foi injetado no subcutâneo da região dorsal cada associação a ser avaliada. A análise edemogênica foi realizada por meio de espectrofotometria (λ=630ηm) após 3 e 6 horas. Para análise da reação inflamatória foram utilizados 50 ratos, que receberam quatro tubos de polietileno contendo os grupos experimentais citados anteriormente e um grupo controle (tubo vazio). Os períodos de avaliação foram de 7, 15, 30, 60 e 90 dias. As lâminas obtidas foram analisadas na coloração de Hematoxilina e Eosina atribuindo-se escores para intensidade da resposta tecidual. Observou-se que para a análise edemogênica a associação do extrato etanólico ao Ca(OH)2 mostrou no período de 3 horas maior edema em comparação aos outros grupos (p<0,05). No período de 6 horas os grupos não apresentaram diferença significante. Para a análise histológica foi observada evolução do reparo ao longo do tempo (p<0,05), os extratos aquoso e etanólico apresentaram resposta semelhante aos grupos controle e Ca(OH)2 + propilenoglicol. Pode-se concluir que a utilização de extratos de araçá como veículo do Ca(OH)2 apresentam resposta tecidual favorável assim como o propilenoglicol associado ao Ca(OH)2 / Leaf extracts from 'araçá' (Psidium cattleianum) are biocompatible and when combined with calcium hydroxide [Ca (OH) 2] inhibits Enterococcus faecalis in 24 hours. This study aimed to evaluate the tissue respons of the 'araça' leaf extracts associated to Ca(OH)2 by edemogenic and histological analysis. Eighty male wistar rats weighing between 200 and 280g were used in this study. For edemogenic analysis, 30 animals were divided in 3 groups (n=10) - (a) aqueous 'araça' extract + Ca(OH)2; (b) ethanolic extract + Ca(OH)2; (c) propylene glycol + Ca(OH)2. Half of the specimens were evaluated after 3 hours and half after 6 hours. Under general anesthesia, 0,2ml/100g body weight of 1% Evans blue were injected in the penile vein. After 30 minutes, each studied substance was injected in the subcutaneous. Edemogenic analysis was performed though spectrophotometry (λ=630ηm) after 3 and 6 hours. For the inflammatory reaction evaluation, 50 rats were used. Each rat received 4 polyethylene tubes containing the studied substances and one empty tube (control). Evaluation periods were 7, 15, 30, 60 and 90 days. The tissues were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin and scores were attributed for intensity of tissue response. The association of ethanolic extract to Ca(OH)2 presented larger edema after 3 hours than the other groups (p<0.05). After 6 hours there was no significant difference. On the histological analysis, an evolution on tissue repair was observed over time. The extract groups presented similar response to the Ca(OH)2 + propylene glycol and control. In conclusion that the use of guava extract as vehicle of Ca (OH)2 exhibit favorable tissue response as well as propylene associated with Ca (OH)2

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-02-01Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:35:58Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 novais_rz_me_araca.pdf: 1191994 bytes, checksum: a7914fcbcd51f1ec3443e49390808e03 (MD5) / Atualmente, tem se verificado um grande avanço científico envolvendo os estudos químicos, farmacológicos e microbiológicos de plantas medicinais que visam obter novos compostos com propriedades terapêuticas. A demonstração de notável atividade antimicrobiana de extratos aquoso e hidroalcoólico de Araçá (Psidium cattleianum) sobre a microbiota bucal e a busca de substâncias que reúnam tais propriedades resguardando os princípios biológicos, nos levam a considerar uma possível utilização clínica desse extrato como coadjuvante na terapia odontológica. Desta forma, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a resposta biológica imediata e tardia de soluções hidroalcoólica e aquosa preparadas à base de extrato vegetal de Araçá (Psidium cattleianum). Para a análise edemogênica (reação imediata), foram utilizados 18 ratos machos. Sob anestesia geral, os animais receberam injeção intravenosa de Azul de Evans 1%. Após 30 minutos, foi injetado 0,1mL de um dos extratos ou do controle (soro fisiológico), na região subcutânea dorsal do animal. Os animais foram sacrificados após 3 e 6 horas e as peças obtidas colocadas em formamida por 72 horas. A leitura foi realizada em espectrofotômetro com comprimento de onda de 630hm. Para a análise morfológica (reação tardia), 30 ratos receberam implantes de tubos de polietileno contendo os extratos ou o soro na região dorsal, e sacrificados após 7 e 28 dias. As peças foram processadas, cortadas e coradas com Hematoxilina e Eosina. Os resultados obtidos através da leitura dos espécimes em microscópio óptico, em aumentos de 10 e 40x, para avaliação da espessura da cápsula fibrosa e contagem de células inflamatórias, que quantificam o infiltrado inflamatório. / Nowadays, it’s been seen great scientific advance involving chemistry, pharmacological and micro biotical researches in medicinal plants. These researches can find new components with therapeutic property. The demonstration of great anti micro biotic activity of watery vegetable and hydro alcoholic extract of araça (Psidium cattleianum) on the oral microbiota and the search form substances which can put together these properties keeping the biological principles, make us consider a possible clinical use of this extract as supporting on dentistry therapy. This way, the objective of this paper (research) was evaluate the biological immediate and late answer of hydro alcoholic and watery solutions prepared with vegetable extract of araça (Psidium cattleianum). For the edemogenic analysis (immediate reaction), we used 18 male mice. Under general anesthesia, the animals received intra shot of Evans blue 1%. 30 minutes later, it was injected 0,1mL of one of the extracts or the control (physiological serum), on the dorsal under skin region of the animal. The animals were sacrificed after 3 and 6 hours and the obtained material were put in formamide for 72 hours. The reading was made for spectrophotometer with waves length of 630nm. For the morphological analysis (late reaction), 30 mice received duct implant of polyethylene with the extracts or the serum on the dorsal region, and sacrificed after 7 and 28 days. The material were processed, cut and printed with HE. The obtained results from the reading of the species in optical microscopy, with raisings of 10 and 40x, for the thickness evaluation of the fiber capsule and counting of the damaged cells, that quantified the damaged infiltrate.

Orientador: Eloi Dezan Júnior / Banca: José Flávio Affonso de Almeida / Banca: Luciano Tavares Angelo Cintra / Resumo: Extratos de folhas de araçá (Psidium cattleianum) são biocompatíveis e quando associados ao hidróxido de cálcio [Ca(OH)2] inibe o Enterococcus faecalis em 24 horas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a resposta tecidual dos extratos da folha de araçá associado com Ca(OH)2, por meio da análise edemogênica e histológica. Foram utilizados 80 ratos machos (Wistar) pesando entre 200g e 280g. Para a análise edemogênica foram utilizados 30 animais divididos em 3 grupos [Extrato aquoso + Ca(OH)2 (A), Extrato etanólico + Ca(OH)2 (B), Propilenoglicol + Ca(OH)2 (C)], com 10 animais sendo 5 para cada período de 3 e 6 horas. Sob anestesia geral foram injetados 0,2ml/100g de massa corporal de Azul de Evans a 1% na veia peniana, após 30 minutos foi injetado no subcutâneo da região dorsal cada associação a ser avaliada. A análise edemogênica foi realizada por meio de espectrofotometria (λ=630ηm) após 3 e 6 horas. Para análise da reação inflamatória foram utilizados 50 ratos, que receberam quatro tubos de polietileno contendo os grupos experimentais citados anteriormente e um grupo controle (tubo vazio). Os períodos de avaliação foram de 7, 15, 30, 60 e 90 dias. As lâminas obtidas foram analisadas na coloração de Hematoxilina e Eosina atribuindo-se escores para intensidade da resposta tecidual. Observou-se que para a análise edemogênica a associação do extrato etanólico ao Ca(OH)2 mostrou no período de 3 horas maior edema em comparação aos outros grupos (p<0,05). No período de 6 horas os grupos não apresentaram diferença significante. Para a análise histológica foi observada evolução do reparo ao longo do tempo (p<0,05), os extratos aquoso e etanólico apresentaram resposta semelhante aos grupos controle e Ca(OH)2 + propilenoglicol. Pode-se concluir que a utilização de extratos de araçá como veículo do Ca(OH)2 apresentam resposta tecidual favorável assim como o propilenoglicol associado ao Ca(OH)2 / Abstract: Leaf extracts from 'araçá' (Psidium cattleianum) are biocompatible and when combined with calcium hydroxide [Ca (OH) 2] inhibits Enterococcus faecalis in 24 hours. This study aimed to evaluate the tissue respons of the 'araça' leaf extracts associated to Ca(OH)2 by edemogenic and histological analysis. Eighty male wistar rats weighing between 200 and 280g were used in this study. For edemogenic analysis, 30 animals were divided in 3 groups (n=10) - (a) aqueous 'araça' extract + Ca(OH)2; (b) ethanolic extract + Ca(OH)2; (c) propylene glycol + Ca(OH)2. Half of the specimens were evaluated after 3 hours and half after 6 hours. Under general anesthesia, 0,2ml/100g body weight of 1% Evans blue were injected in the penile vein. After 30 minutes, each studied substance was injected in the subcutaneous. Edemogenic analysis was performed though spectrophotometry (λ=630ηm) after 3 and 6 hours. For the inflammatory reaction evaluation, 50 rats were used. Each rat received 4 polyethylene tubes containing the studied substances and one empty tube (control). Evaluation periods were 7, 15, 30, 60 and 90 days. The tissues were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin and scores were attributed for intensity of tissue response. The association of ethanolic extract to Ca(OH)2 presented larger edema after 3 hours than the other groups (p<0.05). After 6 hours there was no significant difference. On the histological analysis, an evolution on tissue repair was observed over time. The extract groups presented similar response to the Ca(OH)2 + propylene glycol and control. In conclusion that the use of guava extract as vehicle of Ca (OH)2 exhibit favorable tissue response as well as propylene associated with Ca (OH)2 / Mestre

Orientador: Joel Mesa Hormaza / Banca: Henrique de Souza Rocha / Banca: Roberto Morato Fernandez / Resumo: As úlceras pépticas são lesões provocadas pelo desequilíbrio entre fatores lesivos e protetores das mucosas gástrica e duodenal. Existe um grande número de plantas que são empregadas popularmente para o tratamento deste tipo de doença. Com este trabalho, pretende-se contribuir para a compreensão da ação farmacológica dos extratos de duas dessas plantas: a Alchornea glandulosa e a Davilla elliptica, assim como a Davilla nitida, que não é empregada na etnofarmacologia, mas pertence ao mesmo gênero de plantas com a função gastroprotetora. Neste sentido, foi realizada uma análise da composição multielementar destes compostos utilizando a técnica analítica de fluorescência de raios-X por reflexão total (TXRF). Foram analisadas, também, amostras de mucosas gástricas de ratos tratados com estes extratos fitoterápicos e que tiveram úlceras pépticas induzidas por dois protocolos: indução por etanol ou indução por Indometacina, uma droga anti-inflamatória não esteroidal (DAINE). As análises exploratórias e qualitativas foram efetuadas no Laboratório de Instrumentação Nuclear do Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA/USP). A determinação das concentrações dos elementos P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Br e Rb foi efetuada no Laboratório Nacional de Luz Síncrotron (LNLS) / Abstract: Peptic ulcers are lesions caused by the disequilibrium between harmful and protective factors of gastric and duodenal mucosa. There are several plants that are commonly used for the treatment of this disease. The purpose of this work is contribute for the comprehension of the pharmacological action of extracts of two types of these plants: Alchornea glandulosa and Davilla elliptica, as Davilla nitida, which is not used in the ethnopharmocology, but it belongs to the same genus of plants, with gastroprotective activity. So, we have done an analysis of the multielemental composition of these compounds using the analytical technique of total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF). We also analyzed samples of gastric mucosa of rats treated with herbal extracts, which had peptic ulcers induced by two protocols: induction by ethanol or by indomethacin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The exploratory and qualitative analyzes were performed at the Nuclear Instrumentation Laboratory of the Brazilian Center for Nuclear Energy and Agriculture (CENA / USP). The concentrations of elements P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Br and Rb were determinated at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS) / Mestre

Orientador: Mary Luci de Souza Queiroz / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-06T23:55:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Marques_VanessaAlvesArruda_D.pdf: 1717936 bytes, checksum: 37ac1f747e37b8fb133778d014bd61d5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: Com os recentes progressos na compreensão dos complexos mecanismos moleculares relacionados a diferentes aspectos da modulação imunológica, cada vez mais vem se tornando possível ampliar os conhecimentos acerca das potenciais interferências do ponto de vista imunopatogênico induzidas pela presença e evolução tanto de processos infecciosos quanto tumorais. Modelos experimentais vêm sendo desenvolvidos e aprimorados com a finalidade de criar condições controladas para avaliações de diferentes aspectos relativos a potenciais modificações no comportamento imunológico de linhagens celulares frente à ação de novos agentes. O modelo do Tumor Ascítico de Erlich apresentou-se como uma opção de interesse, uma vez que os conhecimentos experimentais sobre diferentes aspectos relativos a sua manipulação já fazem parte de consagrada linha de pesquisa nacional. Um dos comportamentos mais recentemente estudados a seu respeito se refere a condições onde ocorre a migração do fenótipo Th1 para Th2, relacionadas ao agravamento da doença. A busca de fontes naturais para conhecimento e aplicação de novos princípios ativos vem se caracterizando como uma das mais promissoras soluções do ponto de vista farmacêutico, e pode corresponder a uma importante área de exploração da biodiversidade nacional. Dessa forma, a proposta do presente estudo foi, unindo linhas de pesquisa bastante consolidadas e conhecimentos relativos à nossa biodiversidade, avaliar o potencial terapêutico, com foco em abordagens imunopatológicas, do extrato da planta Tabebuia avellanedae (ETA) através do modelo experimental Tumor ascítico de Ehrlich. Neste trabalho investigamos os efeitos do ETA e seu constituinte isolado, a ß-lapachona (ß-lap), sobre o crescimento e diferenciação de progenitores hematopoéticos [células formadoras de colônias de granulócitos e macrófagos (CFU-GM)], a capacidade funcional das células ¿Natural Killer¿(NK) e a produção das citocinas do perfil Th1 [fator de necrose tumoral- a (TNF-a ) e interferon- ? (IFN-?)] e do perfil Th2 [interleucina (IL)-10] de animais normais e portadores do TAE. Como esperado, o TAE produziu, concomitante à mielosupressão, um aumento no número de CFU-GM esplênico. O tratamento destes animais com a dose de 120mg/kg de ETA, administrado por 7 dias após a inoculação do tumor, demonstrou uma maior eficácia, produzindo aumento na mielopoiese, redução no numero de colônias esplênicas e reversão dos fatores estimuladores de colônias (CSF) induzidos pelo TAE. Além disso, esta dose de ETA produziu a melhor eficácia na sobrevida de animais portadores do TAE, aumentando em 42% a duração da sobrevida. No entanto, doses de 30 e 500mg/kg não afetaram a mielosupressão e a hematopoese extramedular induzidas pelo tumor. O tratamento dos animais portadores do TAE com 1, 2 ou 5mg/kg de ß-lap por 3 dias após a inoculação do tumor resultou em um padrão semelhante de dose resposta, sendo a mielosupressão prevenida apenas com a dose de 1mg/kg. Interessante observar que esta dose prolongou a duração na sobrevida de animais portadores do TAE de maneira similar à dose mais eficaz do ETA, ambos em 42%. Nosso estudo também demonstrou importantes diferenças entre os tratamentos com ETA e ß-lap. Neste sentido, animais normais tratados com 2 e 5mg/kg de ß-lap apresentaram hematopoese extramedular, respectivamente 2 e 3 vezes maior que o CFU-GM de animais normais. Além disso, uma drástica mielosupressão foi observada após tratamento com ß-lap 5mg/kg, atingindo valores similares aos observados nos animais portadores do TAE e não tratados. Quanto à produção de citocinas, o tratamento com 120mg/kg de ETA impediu a polarização Th1-Th2 encontrada nos animais portadores do TAE. Neste sentido, o tratamento destes animais aumentou os níveis de secreção de TNF-a e IFN-? e reduziu os níveis de IL-10, aumentados durante a evolução temporal do TAE. O estudo da atividade funcional das células NK em animais portadores do tumor e tratados com EAT demonstrou um aumento na capacidade citotóxica das células NK, a qual se encontrava reduzida. O tratamento destes animais com ß-lap 1mg/kg impediu parcialmente a polarização Th1-Th2 em animais portadores, assim como demonstrou aumento parcial na capacidade citotóxica das células NK. Estes resultados sugerem que a eficácia antitumoral demonstrada pelo ETA pode estar relacionada com seu constituinte, a ß-lap. Por outro lado, a ausência de constituintes associados presentes no extrato bruto pode ser responsável pelos efeitos inibitórios dose-dependentes deste composto na hematopoese de animais normais. A comparação entre efeitos de um extrato vegetal e um de seus constituintes ativos isolado é outro aspecto a ser considerado, sendo importante etapa no desenvolvimento de novos fármacos de origem vegetal / Abstract: In accordance with the recent progress in the understanding of immunological and molecular mechanisms related to the different aspects of immunological modulation, the improvement of knowledge about the potential interferences, at the immunopathogenic point of view, induced by the presence and evolution of infectious diseases or neoplastic process has increased. Experimental models have been developed and refined in order to create appropriate conditions to evaluate different aspects related to potential changes in the immunological behaviors of determinate cell lines with the presence of new pharmacological agents. The Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) model is an option of interest, since the accumulated experimental knowledge about its manipulation is part of a consolidated research line. One of its more recently studied behaviors is concerned with situations where the migration from Th1 to Th2 phenotype occurs, at the same time with the disease impairment. The search for new natural sources of pharmaceutical active principles and the careful and detailed studies about them, has been characterized as one of most promising therapeutic solutions at the moment, and would be seen as a strategic way to explore the national biodiversity. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to combine the well known techniques related to the Ehrlich ascites tumor changing behavior with a potential active principle from our botanical biodiversity, the Tabebuia avellanedae extract (TACE), in order to evaluate its immunological therapeutic potential. The effects of TACE and its isolated naphtoquinone, ß-lapachone (ß-lap), on the growth and differentiation of granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells in normal and EAT-bearing mice were studied. Myelosupression concomitant with an increased number of spleen CFU-GM was observed in tumour-bearing mice. Treatment of these animals with the dose of 120mg/Kg TACE given for seven days after tumour inoculation elicited optimal modulatory effects on bone marrow formation and also produced a favourable response for the reduction of splenic haematopoiesis. Increased serum colony-stimulating activity induced by the tumour was also reversed with this dose-regimen. In addition, this dose-schedule showed the better efficacy in prolonging life span of EAT-bearing mice, with an extension of 42% in the duration of survival. Conversely, the doses of 30 and 500mg/kg hardly affected the myelosuppression and extramedular hematopoiesis induced by the tumor. Treatment of tumour-bearing mice with 1, 2 and 5mg/kg ß-lap given for 3 days after tumour inoculation resulted in a similar pattern of dose response, with tumour-induced myelosupression being prevented only with the 1mg/kg dose. Surprisingly, this dose-schedule prolonged the duration of survival by the same rate of 42% observed with the optimal dose of TACE. However, an important divergent response of ß-lap was its stimulating effect on the extramedular hematopoiesis of normal mice treated with the doses of 2 and 5mg/kg, which produced, respectively, 2 and 3-fold increases of CFU-GM in the spleen. In addition, in the group of normal mice exposed to the dose of 5mg/kg, a drastic reduction in the number of bone marrow CFU-GM was observed, reaching levels as low as those found in non-treated tumour bearers. We also investigated the effects of TACE and ß-lap on the natural killer cell activity (NK) and on Th1 [tumor necrosis factor- a (TNF-a ) and interferon- ? (IFN-?)] and Th2 [interleukin (IL)-10] responses in normal and EAT-bearing mice. Regarding the production of cytokines, the treatment with TACE blocked the Th1-Th2 polarization found during the EAT progression. In this respect, the treatment of these animals with TACE 120mg/kg increased the TNF-a and IFN-? levels and reduced the levels of IL-10, increased during the temporal evolution of EAT. In relation to the functional activity of NK cells, the treatment with this same dose of TACE enhanced the NK cell function, reduced during the EAT growth. The treatment of these animals with ß-lap 1mg/kg produced a significant, but partial response on NK cell activity on EAT-bearing mice. In this respect, this compound only partially increased the TNF-a and IFN-? levels and reduced the levels of IL-10, increased during the temporal evolution of EAT. These findings suggest that the antitumoral efficacy demonstrated by the crude extract of T. avellanedae might be related to its constituent, the ß-lapachone. On the other hand, the absence of the associated constituents present in the crude extract might be responsible for the dose-dependent inhibitory effect of this biosynthetic compound on normal murine hematopoiesis. The comparison between a total vegetal extract and some of its isolated compounds remain another significant aspect in phytochemical research, specially focused in new medicines discovery / Doutorado / Medicina Experimental / Doutor em Fisiopatologia Medica

University of Macau / Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD) is manifested in the absent of alcohol abuse. This disease is the major cause of liver failure and death among adults and children worldwide, including South Africa. Its increasing prevalence urges the need of therapeutic intervention. The main objectives of this study were to investigate the following: (1) The effect of 38.9% high fat diet (HFD)‐induced insulin resistance and fatty liver in male Wistar rats, (2) The efficacy of aqueous extracts from Sutherlandia frutescens leaves and Prunus africana bark and metformin in the treatment of HFDinduced insulin resistance and fatty liver. Male Wistar rats were fed on HFD (the HF group) or normal rat chow (the LF group) for 12 weeks. Even though the HFD‐fed rats had developed insulin resistance by week 12, fatty liver developed by week 16. After week 12, the HF group was divided into four groups of 6‐7 rats each and three of those groups were gavaged with either 0.125 mg P. africana extract/kg bwt/day (the HF+Pa group) or 50 mg S. frutescens extract kg bwt/day (the HF+Sf group) or 16 mg metformin/ kg bwt/day (HF+Met group), while kept on the same diet for an additional of 4 weeks, to investigate whether two medicinal plant extracts and metformin can prevent HFD to induce fatty liver or not. After 16 weeks, the liver histological images revealed that the HF group developed fatty liver in the form of both microsteatosis and macrosteatosis. Fatty liver was confirmed by significant increased liver total lipid (TL) and activities of glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (cG6PD) and xanthine oxidase (XO), mitochondrial NADH oxidase (mNOX) and by a decrease (P<0.05) in the activities of the homogenate superoxide dismutase (hSOD) and mitochondrial complex II in the HF group, when compared to the LF group. Since the activities of mCS and cACL enzymes were not changed in the HF group, hence increased cG6PD activity in the HF group indicates that there was increased NADPH demand for lipid accumulation from activated NEFAs taken up by the liver from circulation and for maintenance of the NADPH‐dependent antioxidants and oxidants, respectively. The obtained data also show that mitochondria of the HFD‐fed rats adapted to an increase in energy availability, thereby compensation through decreasing complex II activity, to allow electron flux from β‐oxidation to respiratory chain in the HF group. Liver TL content was significantly decreased in the rats treated with metformin and P. africana extract, but not in the rats treated with S. frutescens when compared to the HF group (P < 0.05). However, the TL content remained >5% per liver weight in all treated groups. The present study demonstrates that these two plant extracts and metformin have different glucogenic and lipogenic effects from that presented by HFD alone when compared to the LFD alone. In conclusion, metformin and P. africana extract can attenuate HFD‐induced fatty liver without changing the dietary habits. Hence S. frutescens extract is less effective in the prevention of HFD‐induced fatty liver. A change in the dietary habits is recommended to be considered during the use of these three remedies in the treatment of HFD‐induced insulin resistance and fatty liver. All three treatments enhanced antioxidant capacity, and may improve insulin resistance and fatty liver mediated by the present HFD through different mechanism of actions in the liver.

Traditional medicine has become an important part of healthcare worldwide. It is estimated that about 25 percent of prescribed medicines contain plant products or active compounds derived from plants. In South Africa, traditional medicine forms part of the culture and tradition of most communities. Garlic compounds have been shown to have a variety of antimicrobial properties. Amongst these are antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral and anti protozoal activities. Allicin and its breakdown products have been shown to be the main active compounds which possess these properties. Tulbaghia violacea has been used for the treatment of a variety of illnesses including asthma, fever, oesophageal cancer, constipation and hypertension. This study investigated the antifungal nature of T.violacea on the morphology, spore germination and lipid synthesis of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. The results of this study showed that the plant extract inhibited A. flavus growth at a minimal inhibitory concentration of 15mg/ml and was fungicidal at 20mg/ml and above. A. parasiticus was not inhibited at 25mg/ml indicating resistance to the inhibitory component of the plant extract. A measure of metabolic activity using the XTT assay showed reduced metabolic activity in the presence of increasing concentrations of the plant extract. Higher extract concentrations resulted in higher percentage inhibition of fungal growth for both fungal species with up to 98 percent inhibition being observed for the highest extract concentrations for both fungi. Germination was also delayed in the presence of 15mg/ml plant extract concentration by up to 60hr for A. flavus and 48hr for A. parasititcus. The TEM results showed increased thickening of the cell wall with higher extract concentrations. The thickening was greater for A. flavus than for A. parasiticus. Cell wall thickening may be the reason for the delay in germination in both species. Lipid production was reduced in the presence of plant extracts when compared to the control. The plant extracts inhibited triglyceride production at 15mg/ml for both A. flavus and A. parasiticus. The results therefore indicate that T. violacea extracts are antifungal and probably affect germination through interactions with the cell wall. It is possible that the extract affects lipid production in Aspergillus species.

Anthracnose is one of the serious diseases of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) caused by the Colletotrichum fungi. The disease is prevalent is small holder farmers’ fields due to the scarcity and high cost of the synthetic fungicides. This study was conducted with the main aim of improving food security and income of the smallholder farmers by increasing legumes, P. vulgaris and V. unguiculata thereby increasing production and improve food security and income of smallholder farmers. Investigations involved in vitro bioassaying for antifungal activities of the crude extracts on Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (Sacc. and Magn.) Bri. and Cav. and Colletotrichum dematium (Fr.) Grove var. truncata field isolates and evaluating the effect of crude plant extracts seed treatments on seed germination, emergence and control of anthracnose disease of common bean and cowpea. Furthermore, ultra-structural changes of plant extracts treated and efficacy of foliar application of extracts. The in vitro study showed that Allium sativum L., Agapanthus caulescens Spreng., Carica papaya L. and Syzygium cordatum Hochst.ex Krauss extracts have good antifungal activities against both C. lindemuthianum and C. dematium. The low concentrations (5 mg.ml-1) of Syzygium and Agapanthus water extracts and acetone extracts of Agapanthus and Carica gave a high percentage of bean seed germination, emergence, short mean emergence time (MET) and were effective in controlling the anthracnose disease. The treatment of Agapanthus (both water and acetone) extracts also increased the shoot length and dry weight of the seedlings. The Allium acetone extracts (5 mg.ml-1) was the only treatment that gave good results with respect to germination percentages, MET, shoot length, leaf area and dry mass of cowpea. Five mg.ml-1 concentrations of Syzygium and Agapanthus water extracts and acetone extracts of Agapanthus and Carica have potential as seed treatments on bean. Allium acetone extract (5 mg.ml-1) was the only potential cowpea seed treatment that could be recommended to farmers as an alternative to the synthetic fungicide. Electron microscopy revealed that principle differences were observed in the cotyledon-embryo connecting tissues of seeds treated with Agapanthus, which had few cristae in their mitochondria than the cells from other treatments. The embryonic root cells of bean seeds treated with Agapanthus had coalescing protein bodies. The embryonic root cells of cowpea and bean treated with Syzygium had fewer lipid bodies as compared to the control and the Agapanthus treated seeds. Bean plants that were foliar treated with the 15 mg.ml-1 concentrations of Allium water, Agapanthus water, Carica water, Agapanthus acetone, Carica 5 and 15 mg.ml-1 acetone, Syzygium 5 mg.ml-1 acetone extracts and the combinations (2.5 mg.ml-1 + 2.5 mg.ml-1) of Allium + Agapanthus, Allium + Carica, Agapanthus + Syzygium and Carica + Syzygium extracts registered low anthracnose (C. lindemuthianum,) disease severity and high leaf area. The cowpea plants treated with 15 mg.ml-1 water extracts of Agapanthus and the combinations of Allium + Agapanthus, Agapanthus + Carica and Agapanthus + Syzygium extracts recorded low cowpea anthracnose (C. dematium) disease severity, highest leaf area and dry mass. The study revealed that A. sativum, Agapanthus, C. papaya and S. cordatum plant extracts have antifungal activities and can be used as alternative seed treatments and foliar fungicides against the anthracnose diseases of legumes (cowpea and common bean) instead of synthetic fungicides without causing any negative effect on seed germination, emergence, ultra-structure of seeds and plant growth. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Microbiology and Plant Pathology / Unrestricted

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