Submitted by Jean Medeiros (jeanletras@uepb.edu.br) on 2016-08-30T12:24:33Z No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - George Luís Dias dos Santos.pdf: 3033295 bytes, checksum: 0d9c158b731efdbca3ccc115dc253f23 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Secta BC (secta.csu.bc@uepb.edu.br) on 2016-08-31T18:12:17Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - George Luís Dias dos Santos.pdf: 3033295 bytes, checksum: 0d9c158b731efdbca3ccc115dc253f23 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-31T18:12:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - George Luís Dias dos Santos.pdf: 3033295 bytes, checksum: 0d9c158b731efdbca3ccc115dc253f23 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-28 / Researches on medicinal plants have shown great importance to the development of new drugs. Numerous Brazilian plant species still remain without any chemical-biological study. Harrisia adscendens, Cactaceae family species found in the semi-arid northeast, is popularly known as “foxtail” and is used for treatment of "warmth", kidney problems and toothache. This study aimed to carry out phytochemical study, physicochemical characterization and biological activity of the roots of Harrisia adscendens. The plant roots were dried in an air circulating oven at a temperature of 40 ° C, and then pulverized in in a slicer. The physicochemical methods for evaluation were conducted according to the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. The powder was submitted to the test pH, particle size, density, ash content, loss on drying and thermal analysis. Subsequently, the powder was thoroughly macerated and the filtrate concentrated on a rotary evaporator to yield the crude ethanolic extract (CEE). In phytochemical screening were made qualitative tests for identification of flavonoids, catechins, phenols / tannins, saponins and alkaloids. The antimicrobial activity was performed based minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis by microdilution test plates. For isolation and identification of secondary metabolites have been used chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques such as TLCA, IR, MS, NMR 1H and 13 C 1D and 2D. In physical-chemical analysis 28.4% of the powder was held in mesh 180 µ m classifying it as semi-fine. The powder has a relatively acidic character pH of 5.68. A gross density of 0.322 g/mL, tapped density of 0.487 g/mL allowing the calculation of the Hausner factor of 1.51 was observed. The compressibility and the compressibility index were 10.5 mL and 33.8%, respectively. The percentage of residual moisture by loss on drying was 12.7% and the determination of total ash content showed 6.14% inorganic matter. In the thermal analysis, there was a loss of mass of 88% organic and 12% ash. In qualitative phytochemical screening results obtained were suggestive of the presence of alkaloids according to positive tests with Dragendorff, Bouchardat and Mayer reagent. Regarding the antimicrobial activity it was considered that all extracts fronts Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis showed no activity. After isolation and comparisons with the literature, they were identified the 2-methyl-9H-β-carboline-2-ium (β- carboline alkaloid) and 2',4'-methoxyacetophenone-6'-dihydroxy-2'-O-β-glucose (acetophenone) substances. The physicochemical data obtained from the study showed H. adscendens information relevant to the development of new phytotherapy/phytochemical. Regarding the antimicrobial activity there is no standardization of the reference values to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of natural products from the CIM. The secondary metabolites isolated in this study are unprecedented for both Harrisia gender and for the Cactaceae family. / Pesquisas com plantas medicinais têm apresentado grande importância para o desenvolvimento de novos medicamentos. Inúmeras espécies vegetais brasileiras ainda permanecem sem qualquer estudo químico-biológico. Harrisia adscendens, espécie da família Cactaceae encontrada no semiárido nordestino, é conhecida popularmente como “rabo de raposa”, sendo utilizada para tratamento de “quentura”, problemas renais e dentalgia. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo realizar estudo fitoquímico, caracterização físico- química e atividade biológica das raízes de Harrisia adscendens. As raízes da planta foram desidratadas em estufa de circulação de ar, a uma temperatura de 40 ºC, e em seguida, pulverizadas em moinho de facas. Os métodos para avaliação físico-química foram realizados de acordo com a Farmacopéia Brasileira. O pó foi submetido aos testes de pH, granulometria, densidade, teor de cinzas, perda por dessecação e análise térmica. Posteriormente, o pó foi macerado e o filtrado concentrado em evaporador rotativo para produção do extrato etanólico bruto (EEB). Na triagem fitoquímica foram feitos testes qualitativos para identificação de flavonoides, catequinas, fenóis/taninos, saponinas e alcaloides. A atividade antimicrobiana foi realizada a partir concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) frente a Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosas, Candida albicans e Candida tropicalis pelo teste de microdiluição em placas. Para isolamento e identificação dos metabólitos secundários foram utilizadas técnicas cromatográficas e espectroscópicas como IV, EM e RMN de H e C uni e bidimensionais. Na análise físico-química 28,4% do pó ficou retido na malha de 180 µ m classificando-o como semifino. A droga vegetal possui um caráter relativamente ácido com pH de 5,68. Foi verificada uma densidade bruta de 0,322 g/mL e densidade compacta de 0,487 e g/mL o permitindo o cálculo do fator de Hausner 1,51. A compressibilidade e o índice de compressibilidade foram de 10,5 de mL e 33,8%, respectivamente. O percentual de umidade residual pela perda por dessecação foi de 12,7% e a determinação do teor de cinzas totais revelou 6,14% de matéria inorgânica. Na análise térmica houve uma perda de 88% de massa orgânica e 12% de cinzas. Na triagem fitoquímica qualitativa foram obtidos resultados sugestivos da presença de alcaloides de acordo com os testes positivos com os reagentes de Dragendorff, Bouchardat e Mayer. Com relação a atividade antimicrobiana foi considerado que todos os extratos frentes a Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosas, Candida albicans e Candida tropicalis não apresentaram atividade. Após isolamento e comparações com dados da literatura, foram identificadas as substâncias 2-metil-9H-β-carbolina-2-íon (alcaloide β-carbolínico) e 2’,6’dihidroxi-4’-metoxiacetofenona-2’O-β-glicose (acetofenona). Os dados físico-químicos obtidos com o estudo de H. adscendens mostraram informações relevantes relacionadas ao desenvolvimento de novos fitoterápicos/fitofármacos. Com relação a atividade antimicrobiana não há uma padronização dos valores de referência para avaliar o potencial antimicrobiano de produtos naturais a partir da CIM. Os metabólitos secundários isolados neste estudo são inéditos tanto para o gênero Harrisia quanto para a família Cactaceae.

Submitted by Jean Medeiros (jeanletras@uepb.edu.br) on 2016-03-01T17:30:48Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) PDF - Pedro Henrique Sette de Souza.pdf: 2241268 bytes, checksum: d87c15506247703a80894f65522a48b2 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Secta BC (secta.csu.bc@uepb.edu.br) on 2016-04-12T17:26:27Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) PDF - Pedro Henrique Sette de Souza.pdf: 2241268 bytes, checksum: d87c15506247703a80894f65522a48b2 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-12T17:31:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) PDF - Pedro Henrique Sette de Souza.pdf: 2241268 bytes, checksum: d87c15506247703a80894f65522a48b2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-05-25 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / BACKGROUND: The search for viable alternatives for the treatment of oral infections is important since resistance to antibiotics has become a big problem in medical science. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential of extracts from bark’s Schinopsis brasiliensis Engl. to development of dental products. METHODS: The ethanol and hydroalcoholic extracts were produced by maceration and ultrasound. The liquid-liquid partition was performed with hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate. The phytochemical screening was performed using the sample solution with standard reagents for quantification of secondary metabolites. The identification and quantification of chemical marker was performed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Microparticles were produced in by spray dryer. The encapsulation efficiency was measured by absorbance difference of encapsulated extract content and the content found on the surface of the microparticles. Thermal degradation was observed by thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) in a nitrogen atmosphere. The cytotoxic potential was analyzed based on the potential Hemolyzing and the selectivity index (SI) of the samples. In addition, the antibacterial activity was evaluated based on minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against ATCC standard strains of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus salivarius, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis, as well as a clinical isolate of E. faecalis and testing by bioautography. The sample with better outcome in these tests was subjected to characterization by Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry (G/MS) as well as the process of separation by column chromatography. RESULTS: Gallic acid was identified as a major compound in the samples analyzed. All samples were able to inhibit the growth of the microorganisms, with the exception of E. faecalis clinical isolate, in a concentration of ≤ 1.0 mg/mL and showed no cytotoxicity up to 22 SI. The ethanol extract absorbs less heat than their fractions. All samples exhibit exothermic peak compatible with the degradation of gallic acid. The fraction that showed the best antimicrobial activity was the hexane fraction (MIC = 0.125 mg / mL), subsequently used to perform the chromatography column and bioautography, resulting in 12 new subfractions. The fraction G showed a MIC lower than hexane fraction against E. faecalis, 0.063 mg/mL. GC/MS revealed the presence of β-sitosterol in the hexane fraction. The microparticle produced with a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min showed the highest encapsulation efficiency (88%) and better MIC (0.250 mg/mL and 0.500 mg/mL) to both E. faecalis, even with the lowest concentration of phytocompounds. Only the hydroalcoholic extract used for making the microparticles showed flavonoids (10.16 mg). The microparticle 4 absorbs more heat than all other samples, degrading more than the others. CONCLUSION: All tested samples from S. brasiliensis Engl. showed potential to be used as a basis for the development of dental products for combating oral infections. / INTRODUÇÃO: A busca de alternativas viáveis para o tratamento das infecções bucais é de suma importância, uma vez que a resistência aos antibióticos se tornou um grande problema para a ciência médica. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o potencial de extratos da casca da S. brasiliensis Engl. para desenvolvimento de produtos odontológicos. MÉTODOS: Os extratos etanólico e hidroalcóolico foram produzidos por maceração e ultrassom. A partição líquido-líquido foi realizada com hexano, clorofórmio e acetato de etila. A triagem fitoquímica foi feita através da solução de amostras com reagentes padrões para quantificação de metabólitos secundários. A identificação e quantificação do marcador químico foi realizado através da Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência (HPLC). As micropartículas foram produzidas em um aparelho de spray dryer. A eficiência de encapsulação foi aferida através da diferença de leitura em espectrofotômetro do teor do extrato encapsulado e do teor encontrado na superfície das micropartículas. A degradação térmica foi observada por termogravimetria (TG) e analise térmica diferencial (DTA), em uma atmosfera de nitrogênio. Já o potencial citotóxico foi analisado com base no potencial hemolisante e do índice de seletividade (IS) das amostras. Além disso, a ação antibacteriana foi avaliada com base na concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) frente a cepas padrões ATCC de Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus salivarius, Staphylococcus aureus e Enterococcus faecalis, bem como um isolado clínico de E. faecalis e do ensaio por bioautografia. A amostra com melhor resultado nesses ensaios foi submetida a caracterização por Cromatografia Gasosa/Espectrometria de Massa (GC/MS) bem como ao processo de separação por Cromatografia em Coluna. RESULTADOS: O ácido gálico foi identificado como composto majoritário nas amostras analisadas. Todas as amostras foram capazes de inibir o crescimento dos microrganismos testados, com exceção do isolado clínico de E. faecalis, em uma concentração ≤ 1,0 mg/mL e não apresentaram citotoxicidade com IS superior a 22. O extrato etanólico absorve menos calor do que as suas frações. Todas as amostras apresentam pico exotérmico compatível com a degradação do ácido gálico. A fração que apresentou melhor atividade antimicrobiana foi a fração hexano (CIM = 0,125 mg/mL), posteriormente utilizada para realização da Cromatografia em Coluna e bioautografia, resultando em 12 novas subfrações. A fração G apresentou CIM inferior à da fração hexano frente aos E. faecalis, 0,063 mg/mL. A GC/MS revelou a presença βSitosterol na fração hexano. A micropartícula produzida com vazão de 0.4 mL/min apresentou a maior eficiência de encapsulação (88%) e melhor CIM (0,250 mg/mL e 0,500 mg/mL) frente aos E. faecalis, mesmo apresentando a menor concentração de fitocompostos. Apenas o extrato hidroalcóolico utilizado para confecção das micropartículas apresentou flavonoides (10,16 mg). A micropartícula 4 absorve mais calor do que todas as outras amostras, se degradando mais que as demais. CONCLUSÃO: Todas as amostras testadas provenientes de S. brasiliensis Engl. apresentam potencial para serem utilizados como base para o desenvolvimento de produtos odontológicos para combater as infecções bucais.

Submitted by Ana Guimarães Pereira (agpereir@ucs.br) on 2015-08-17T12:48:49Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Flavio Ferreira Marinho.pdf: 3298790 bytes, checksum: dcc9191348c8af258a1f54a87985b62e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-08-17T12:48:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Flavio Ferreira Marinho.pdf: 3298790 bytes, checksum: dcc9191348c8af258a1f54a87985b62e (MD5)

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Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T15:31:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao Luiza Helena Barreira Machado 2008.pdf: 790841 bytes, checksum: ed1645f882390aeff01614bf7bb8825c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-12-19 / Understanding the relation between society and nature is to seek the meaning of the source and uses that humans have given the natures. During the existence of human beings on Earth we have observed that the representations and, consequently, the use of nature have changed according to the needs and over time. This work has been done according to the approach of the Cultural Geography trying to understand the relation of the rooters (people who sell and produce roots) in the city of Goiania with the nature. Identifying themselves, their origins, their knowledge, but also their eyes and representations of nature by using medical plants. Thus, the objectives like revealing the representations and medical uses that the rooters do with the natures in their professional activity, doing a map of the occurrence of the rooters in the city of Goiania, and identifying their areas of occurrence and concentration, identify the people that buy medical plants, their belief on the effectiveness of them and highlighting the various networks that are related to the collection, distribution and sale of medical plants were also in this search. The methodology has begun with the looking for the bibliographic searches and related topics. It has also researched the city hall departments (such as the Department of City Development - SEDEM) the register of rooters at fairs and other places. Employing a qualitative approach the exploratory visits have been executed in order to produce the places where the rooters acted and the interviews were executed. The final considerations are presented in three main areas: the representations, the uses and knowledge, the organization and how this is spread of the places where they sell the roots, the relation of the society and nature and the role of the rooters in this relation. As a result it highlights the importance of the family as a link in the transmission of the knowledge, but also as a generator of expansion of the sales of medical plants, materialized in stalls of fairs and markets and shops. It was evident that the Center district and some points in Campinas district concentrate the trade of medical plants in the city. The Politics of Medical Plants and Phytotherapic is an important step, but it still shows up that a set of intentions needs to be put into practice in a complete way. In conclusion, this research ends showing the importance and influence that the recent term "biodiversity" and its speech, has in mediation of representations of nature. / Entender a relação sociedade/natureza é buscar a origem do(s) significado(s) e usos que os seres humanos têm dado as naturezas. Durante a existência do ser humano na Terra observa-se que as representações e, conseqüentemente, os usos das naturezas mudam de acordo com as necessidades e com o passar do tempo. Este trabalho realizado na perspectiva da abordagem da Geografia Cultural buscou compreender a relação dos raizeiros da cidade de Goiânia com as naturezas identificando os próprios raizeiros, suas origens, seus conhecimentos, como também seus olhares e representações das naturezas pelos usos de plantas medicinais. Sendo assim, os objetivos como desvelar as representações e usos medicinais que os raizeiros fazem das naturezas no exercício de sua atividade profissional, mapear a ocorrência de raizeiros na cidade de Goiânia, identificando suas áreas e de ocorrência e concentração, identificar os consumidores de plantas medicinais, sua crença e eficácia e evidenciar as várias redes que surgem relacionadas com a coleta, distribuição e venda de plantas medicinais também foram orientaram essa pesquisa. A metodologia iniciou-se com o levantamento bibliográfico sobre pesquisas e temas afins. Também levantou-se nos órgãos competentes da prefeitura (como a Secretaria de Desenvolvimento do Município - SEDEM) o cadastro de raizeiros em feiras e demais lugares. Empregando a abordagem qualitativa as incursões exploratórias foram executadas para que se elaborasse o mapeamento dos raizeiros e realizadas as entrevistas. Estão apresentadas as considerações finais em três principais eixos: as representações, os usos e os saberes; a organização e propagação das redes de comercialização; e a relação sociedade / naturezas e o papel dos raizeiros nesta relação. Dentre os resultados alcançados destaca-se a importância da família como elo de transmissão de saberes, mas também como geradora da ampliação da rede comercial de plantas medicinais, materializada em bancas de feiras e de mercados e lojas, como nós. Ficou evidenciado que os setores Centro e Campinas concentram os pontos comerciais de plantas medicinais da cidade. Que a Política de Plantas Medicinais e Fitoterápicos é um passo importante, mas ainda mostra-se como um conjunto de intenções que necessita ser colocado em prática de maneira completa. Encerra-se com a importância e influência que o recente termo biodiversidade e seu discurso, exercem na mediação das representações das naturezas.

FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico / A utilizaÃÃo das plantas medicinais à uma das mais antigas armas empregadas para o tratamento das enfermidades humanas e muito jà se conhece a respeito de seu uso por parte da sabedoria popular. O capim santo (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf) à uma planta medicinal e aromÃtica, pertencente à famÃlia Poaceae. Este trabalho teve como objetivo determinar o espaÃamento de plantio, a altura de corte e a idade ideal de primeiro corte, visando obter o maior rendimento em Ãleo essencial. Para tanto instalou-se em dezembro de 2004, um experimento, na Ãrea da Fazenda Experimental do Vale do Curu (F.E.V.C.), pertencente ao Centro de CiÃncias AgrÃrias da Universidade Federal do CearÃ, localizada no municÃpio de Pentecoste/Ce. O referido experimento era composto dos seguintes tratamentos: trÃs espaÃamentos (0,5m x 0,5m; 0,5m x 0,8m e 0,8m x 0,8m); trÃs Ãpocas distintas de primeiro corte (04, 06 e 08 meses) e duas alturas de corte (15cm e 30cm do solo), com 04 repetiÃÃes, sendo realizado mais dois cortes em cada tratamento em intervalos de 04 meses. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos ao acaso em esquema fatorial 3 x 3 x 2. Os dados obtidos foram transformados para produÃÃes por hectare. Quanto à idade de corte, a melhor produÃÃo de Ãleo essencial foi obtida aos seis meses, o mesmo nÃo se verificando para a matÃria seca que teve crescimento contÃnuo. O inicio da colheita aos seis meses apÃs o plantio no espaÃamento de 0,5m entre plantas e 0,5m entre fileiras promoveu a maior produÃÃo de matÃria seca e do Ãleo essencial de capim santo. No que se refere à altura de corte, tanto a produÃÃo de biomassa quanto o rendimento de Ãleo essencial foram mais elevados na altura de 15cm do solo. Portanto, o C. citratus deve ser cultivado no espaÃamento 0,50m x 0,50m, colhido a altura de 15cm do solo, com primeira colheita aos 6 meses de idade e cortes consecutivos a cada quatro meses para se obter o maior rendimento em Ãleo essencial. / The use of the medicinal plants is one of the oldest weapons maids for the treatment of the human illnesses and it is very already known regarding its use on the part of the popular wisdom. The sacred grass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf) it is a medicinal and aromatic plant, belonging to the family Poaceae. This work had as objective determines the planting spacing, the cut height and the ideal age of first cut, seeking to obtain the largest income in essential oil. For this, was settled in December of 2004, an experiment, in the area of Experimental Farm of the valley of Curu (F.E.V.C.), belonging to the Agrarian Sciences Center of the Federal University of CearÃ, located in the municipal district of Pentecoste/Ce. The referred experiment was composed of the following treatments: three spacings (0,5m x 0,5m; 0,5m x 0,8m and 0,8m x 0,8m); three different times from first cut (04, 06 and 08 months) and two cut heights (15cm and 30cm of the soil), with 04 repetitions, being accomplished more two cuts in each treatment in intervals of 04 months. The used experimental delineation was in blocks at random in factorial outline 3 x 3 x 2. The obtained data were transformed for productions by hectare. As for the cut age, the best production of essential oil was obtained to the six months, the same if not verifying for the matter dries that had continuous growth. The begin of the crop to the six months after the planting in the 0,5m spacing between plants and 0,5m among rows promoted the largest production of dry matter and of the essential oil of sacred grass. About the cut height, as much the biomass production as the income of essential oil they were higher in the height of 15cm of the soil. Therefore, the C. citratus should be cultivated in the spacing 0,50m x 0,50m, picked the height of 15cm of the soil, with first harvest to the 6 months of age and consecutive cuts every four months to obtain the largest income in essential oil.

To prevent loss of biological diversity and medical plant resources in Nepal, The Swedish University of Agriculture (SLU) and Kathmandu University (KU) have started a project with the combined aim of nature conservation and social justice where endangered medical plants have been harvested from naturally growing populations in order to cultivate them in greenhouses to help them recover in their natural habitat. The purpose of my study was to see if the project was fulfilling the intended aim, or not. I limited my study to include two endangered plants; Swertia chirayita (herb) and Taxus wallichiana (tree). I established 2 non-harvest-areas and 2 harvest-areas for Taxus wallichiana and 2 non-harvest-areas and one harvest-area for Swertia chirayita. The density of the non-harvest- and harvest-areas did not show a significant difference in both cases, most probably due to too few replicates combined with too high variation. The results for Taxus wallichiana did not show that there is a significant difference between the non-harvest-areas and the harvest-areas, in favor of the intended aim of the project (p > 0,05). Nor did the results for Swertia chirayita show that there is a significant difference between the non-harvest-areas and the harvest-area (too few replicates to make a statistic calculation). The results call for further research with more replicas since there seemingly was a distinguished difference in density between the two types of areas in the field.

Thesis (MSc.(Biochemistry)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Drug discovery from medicinal plants continues to play an important role in the development of anticancer agents, this is because medicinal plants are reservoirs of bioactive compounds that exert a plethora of pharmacological effects on human beings. This study aimed to analyse the phytochemical constituents of the Momordica cardiospermoides crude acetone and methanol leaf extracts as well as investigate their potential anti-metastatic effects on the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. Momordica cardiospermoides leaves were extracted with absolute methanol or acetone to produce crude methanol and acetone extracts, respectively. The extracts were then screened and analysed for phytochemicals using thin layer chromatography, qualitative and quantitative phytochemical tests, and their antioxidant activity was determined using the quantitative 2,2-diphenyl-1picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity assay. The fingerprint profiles of the M. cardiospermoides leaf extracts revealed that compounds of the acetone extracts were optimally separated in the nonpolar mobile phase (TAE), whereas those of the methanol extract separated best in the polar mobile phase (EMW), thereby suggesting that the crude acetone and methanol extracts had more non-polar and polar compounds present, respectively. Furthermore, the qualitative phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of various phytochemicals such as flavonoids, steroids, coumarins, and tannins in both plant extracts, however, saponins were found present in the methanol extract and not in the acetone extract. Moreover, quantification of major phytochemicals revealed that the acetone extract had the highest total phenolic content (23.0683 mg GAE/g), total tannin content (22.0442 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid (32.6933 mg QE/g) content as compared to the methanol extract (14.2349 mg GAE/g, 11.3164 mg GAE/g and 7.692 mg QE/g respectively). The DPPH free radical scavenging activity assay revealed that the extracts exhibited an increase in percentage inhibition/ DPPH scavenging effect, with an increase in extract concentration. The results also revealed that the acetone extract possessed a higher radical scavenging activity as compared to the methanol extract. These results are in correlation with the quantitative analysis of the extracts, as all the major phytochemicals found in higher amounts in the acetone extract have antioxidant properties. The extracts were then assessed in vitro for their cytotoxic effects on MDA MB-231 breast cancer cells and HEK 293 cells using the cell count and viability assay and the results obtained revealed a concentration-dependent decrease in the viability of MDA-MB-231 cells at 24 hours of treatment with either the acetone or methanol extract. Comparatively, treatment of HEK 293 cells with the acetone extract resulted in a significant decrease in the percentage of viable cells, whereas treatment with the methanol extract had no significant effect on the viability of HEK 293 cells, as the percentage of viable cells was maintained at 85–98% at 24 hours of treatment. These results also revealed that the methanol extract is more selective to cancer cells in comparison to the acetone extract, suggesting that the methanol extract is a better antineoplastic candidate. The mode of cell death induced by the methanol or acetone extracts was assessed using the acridine orange and ethidium bromide dual staining assay and the annexin V and dead cell kit. The results from the acridine orange/ethidium bromide dual staining assay showed that both extracts induced nuclei and cellular morphological changes in a concentration-depended manner, at 24 hours of treatment. Moreover, the annexin V and dead assay kit results revealed that the acetone extract induced necrotic cell death, while the methanol extract induced apoptotic cell death. Since the acetone extract was shown to be non-selective towards normal cells and induced necrotic cell death, it was discontinued for further assays. The effect of the methanol extract on MDA-MB-231 cell migration and attachment was determined using the wound healing assay and the adhesion assay. The results revealed that treatment with 150 or 300 µg/ml significantly suppressed MDA-MB-231 cell migration, associated with serpin E1 downregulation and TIMP-1 upregulation, at 24 hours of treatment. Moreover, treatment with the methanol extract also significant inhibited MDA-MB-231 cell adhesion in a concentration-dependent manner, as evident by the decrease in the number of crystal violet stained cells. The effect of the methanol extract on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 was assessed using western blotting, and the results revealed that the extract significantly downregulated the expression of both MMP-2 and -9, suggesting that the methanol extract has inhibitory effects on MDA-MB-231 cell invasion. The human angiogenesis antibody array kit was then used to determine the effect of the extract on the expression of angiogenesis-related proteins. Treatment with 150 or 300 µg/ml of the extract significantly upregulated the expression levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP) -1 and thrombospondin-1 in a concentration-dependent manner. The results also revealed a significant downregulation in the expression of serpin E1, in a concentration-dependent manner, in comparison to the untreated control. However, the expression of uPA, VEGF, and IGFBP-1, 2 and -3 was upregulated following treatment with 150 and 300 µg/ml of the extract. In conclusion, the current study demonstrated the potential of M. cardiospermoides crude methanol extract as an effective anti-metastatic agent or a source of compounds with anti-metastatic properties / South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Research Capacity Development Initiative and National Research Foundation (NRF)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Harvard University, 1975. / "Annex: 'Renaissance humanism and botany, ' Annals of science 33 (1976), 519-542 [and] 'Publishing scholarly books in the sixteenth century, ' Scholarly publishing, April 1983, 259-274." Includes bibliographical references (p. 261-283) and index.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Harvard University, 1975. / "Annex: 'Renaissance humanism and botany, ' Annals of science 33 (1976), 519-542 [and] 'Publishing scholarly books in the sixteenth century, ' Scholarly publishing, April 1983, 259-274." Includes bibliographical references (p. 261-283) and index.