Momordica charantia é uma espécie de planta pertencente à família Cucurbitaceae. No Brasil, é conhecida pelo nome popular de Melão de São Caetano. É encontrada em grande parte do globo terrestre, sendo que no Brasil é observada nas regiões litorâneas e principalmente nas regiões do interior do país. Escolhemos o estudo com Momordica charantia devido suas propriedades terapêuticas conhecidas serem de grande interesse. Ela vem ganhando cada vez mais reconhecimento através de pesquisas científicas realizadas, visto que, já é utilizada a milhares de anos através da cultura popular. Tais pesquisas têm confirmado e entendido cada vez mais as propriedades medicamentosas desta planta e os mecanismos responsáveis por tais funções nesta espécie, sendo as propriedades antidiabéticas, antivirais e anticancerígenas as de maior destaque. Os experimentos realizados em torno da Momordica charantia, na busca destes compostos foram todos realizados utilizando extratos retirados dos próprios tecidos já diferenciados na planta adulta (sementes, folhas, raízes e frutos). Neste trabalho, foi realizado a pesquisa de metabólitos secundários produzidos pela cultura de células em suspensão de Momordica charantia durante a fase de crescimento desta e após a realização de ensaios de elicitação com Ácido Salicílico (AS). Nosso laboratório vem se dedicando aos estudos da composição da parede celular vegetal e suas alterações, bem como dos mecanismos de defesa empregados pelas células em suspensão em condições de estresse biótico e abiótico. O ácido salicílico é um dos hormônios vegetais envolvido em vários mecanismos de respostas que envolve o estresse vegetal e de desenvolvimento da planta tais como o de garantir resistência a patógenos por exemplo. Quando ocorre algum processo de infecção ou lesivo para a planta, ocorre um aumento na concentração de AS no interior da planta. Esse aumento leva a ativação de certas vias metabólicas que culminam na produção de metabólitos secundários e na degradação, fragmentação ou espessamento da parede celular. Como reposta dos ensaios de elicitação realizados podemos comprovar os efeitos do AS mediados na produção de metabólitos secundários que foram aumentados conforme a concentração de AS. Foi utilizado para os ensaios de elicitação AS nas concentrações de 0,5 , 1,0 e 5 mmol/L. Para o monitoramento da cultura e averiguação da efetividade dos ensaios de elicitação foi utilizado a monitoria através da dosagem de proteínas totais, compostos fenólicos totais e açúcares redutores totais tanto liberados para o meio extracelular quanto produzidos no meio intracelular. Foi determinado as variações dos componentes da parede celular durante a fase de crescimento e após os ensaios de elicitação onde foi comprovado que quanto maior a concentração de AS, maiores são os fragmentos de açúcares fragmentados da parede celular. Foi evidenciado também a presença de triterpenos na cultura celular (em comparação com os padrões isolados da planta), tanto na fase de crescimento e também após a indução com os ensaios de elicitação com AS. / Momordica charantia is a plant from the Cucurbitaceae family. In Brazil, it is known by the popular name of Melão de São Caetano. It is found across the whole world, and in Brazil it can be found in coastal and interior regions of the country. The aim to study Momordica charantia is due to its known therapeutic properties that are already used for thousands of years through popular culture. The studies have confirmed and understood various drug-like properties of this plant and the mechanisms responsible for such functions in this species, such as antidiabetic, antiviral and anticancer properties. The researches with Momordica charantia were all performed using extracts obtained from seeds, leaves, roots and fruit. In this work, the isolation and characterization of metabolites as standards from leaves and stems of Momordica charantia was performed. The research of secondary metabolites produced in cell culture suspension of Momordica charantia without elicitor or after elicitation with salicylic acid (SA) was conducted. Salicylic acid is a plant hormone involved in various mechanisms of responses. When the plant suffers an infection or injury, it is followed by an increase in AS concentration. This increase leads to activation of certain metabolic pathways that culminate in the production of secondary metabolites and degradation, fragmentation or cell wall thickening. AS was utilized for the elicitation experiments at 0.5, 1.0 and 5 mmol/L. For the monitoring of plant cell culture, it was determinate the total protein, phenolic compounds and reducing sugars content, into the extra and intra cellular medium. Where it was verified that AS modulates the production of these molecules in culture. After this, we determined the variation in the oligosaccharides in the extracellular medium obtained in the presence or absence of AS. It was observed the degree of polymerization of oligosaccharides higher when increase AS concentration in the medium. In conclusion, this study can demonstrate the effects of SA on the production of secondary metabolites in plant cell culture, which were increased as the concentration of AS increased. The presence of triterpenes in cell culture was confirmed to compare the molecules obtained from culture with that isolated from plant standards.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:16:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ReginaCE_DISSERT.pdf: 2319971 bytes, checksum: 40c841a1d50cf6f734095c894d9d920d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-04-25 / Homeopathic medicines have been used for over two hundred years without the examination of their effects on in vivo and in vitro assays, due to the peculiarity of homeopathic preparations, the high dilution, which creates a challenge for the use of usual analytical techniques of quality control of medicine.Although there is scarcity of literature and variety of experiments, recently there have been some studies with few in vitro assays which have shown positive responses when evaluating the mechanism of action of homeopathic medicines which are able to act on a specific system.The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of homeopathic products containing Momordica charantia through bioassays.Homeopathic products were tested by the MTT to assess cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 (macrophage-like cells) and in tumor cells HeLa (human cervical adenocarcinoma cells), CHO K1 (Chinese hamster ovary cells), PANC-1 (human pancreas cancer cells) and PC-3 (human prostate cancer cells), dosage of inflammatory mediators NO, TNF-? and IL-6 released by RAW 264.7 cells, analysis of the death process and cell cycle changes of PC-3 by flow cytometry. The data demonstrate that homeopathic products of Momordica charantia did not show cytotoxicity to RAW 264.7, increased the production of inflammatory mediators by RAW 264.7 synergistically with LPS, showed cytotoxicity to PC-3 with change in its cell cycle inhibiting its proliferation, being the 30CH the most potent sample. Correlation studies were conducted in order to evaluate the possible in vitro applicable models to the quality control of homeopathic products with Momordica charantia. The data showed that the best applicable models in assessing the quality are the MTT to assess cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 and PC-3 in 24 hours for Momordica charantia fruit products and dosage of NO production by RAW 264.7 with and without LPS / Os medicamentos homeop?ticos t?m sido utilizados por mais de duzentos anos, sem a verifica??o dos seus efeitos em ensaios in vivo e in vitro. Devido ? peculiaridade das prepara??es homeop?ticas, sua alta dilui??o, que cria um desafio para a utiliza??o das t?cnicas anal?ticas usuais do controle de qualidade de medicamentos. Embora exista escassez de literatura e heterogeneidade de experimentos, recentemente existem alguns estudos com poucos ensaios in vitro que t?m apresentado respostas positivas quando se avalia o mecanismo de a??o dos medicamentos homeop?ticos que s?o capazes de atuar em um sistema espec?fico. O presente estudo visa ? avalia??o da efic?cia dos produtos homeop?ticos contendo Momordica charantia atrav?s de bioensaios. Os produtos homeop?ticos foram avaliados pelo teste do MTT para verifica??o da citotoxicidade em RAW 264.7(macr?fago murino) e em c?lulas tumorais HeLa (Adenocarcinoma cervical uterino humano), CHO K1 (C?lulas de ov?rio de Hamster chin?s), PANC-1 (Carcinoma de p?ncreas humano) e PC-3 (Adenocarcinoma de pr?stata humano); pela dosagem de mediadores da inflama??o NO, TNF-? e IL-6 liberados por c?lulas RAW 264.7 e pela an?lise do processo de morte e da altera??o do ciclo celular de PC-3 por citometria de fluxo. Os dados demonstraram que os produtos homeop?ticos de Momordica charantia n?o apresentaram citotoxicidade para RAW 264.7, aumentaram a produ??o dos mediadores da inflama??o por RAW 264.7 sinergicamente com LPS, mostraram citotoxicidade para PC-3 com altera??o no seu ciclo celular inibindo sua prolifera??o, sendo 30CH a amostra mais potente. Foram realizados estudos de correla??o visando avaliar os poss?veis modelos in vitro aplic?veis ao controle de qualidade de produtos homeop?ticos contendo Momordica charantia. Os dados demonstraram que os melhores modelos aplic?veis na avalia??o da qualidade s?o o teste do MTT para avaliar citotoxicidade em RAW 264.7 e PC-3 em 24 horas para os produtos de Momordica charantia (fr) e dosagem da produ??o de NO por RAW 264.7 com e sem LPS

Momordica charantia é uma espécie de planta pertencente à família Cucurbitaceae. No Brasil, é conhecida pelo nome popular de Melão de São Caetano. É encontrada em grande parte do globo terrestre, sendo que no Brasil é observada nas regiões litorâneas e principalmente nas regiões do interior do país. Escolhemos o estudo com Momordica charantia devido suas propriedades terapêuticas conhecidas serem de grande interesse. Ela vem ganhando cada vez mais reconhecimento através de pesquisas científicas realizadas, visto que, já é utilizada a milhares de anos através da cultura popular. Tais pesquisas têm confirmado e entendido cada vez mais as propriedades medicamentosas desta planta e os mecanismos responsáveis por tais funções nesta espécie, sendo as propriedades antidiabéticas, antivirais e anticancerígenas as de maior destaque. Os experimentos realizados em torno da Momordica charantia, na busca destes compostos foram todos realizados utilizando extratos retirados dos próprios tecidos já diferenciados na planta adulta (sementes, folhas, raízes e frutos). Neste trabalho, foi realizado a pesquisa de metabólitos secundários produzidos pela cultura de células em suspensão de Momordica charantia durante a fase de crescimento desta e após a realização de ensaios de elicitação com Ácido Salicílico (AS). Nosso laboratório vem se dedicando aos estudos da composição da parede celular vegetal e suas alterações, bem como dos mecanismos de defesa empregados pelas células em suspensão em condições de estresse biótico e abiótico. O ácido salicílico é um dos hormônios vegetais envolvido em vários mecanismos de respostas que envolve o estresse vegetal e de desenvolvimento da planta tais como o de garantir resistência a patógenos por exemplo. Quando ocorre algum processo de infecção ou lesivo para a planta, ocorre um aumento na concentração de AS no interior da planta. Esse aumento leva a ativação de certas vias metabólicas que culminam na produção de metabólitos secundários e na degradação, fragmentação ou espessamento da parede celular. Como reposta dos ensaios de elicitação realizados podemos comprovar os efeitos do AS mediados na produção de metabólitos secundários que foram aumentados conforme a concentração de AS. Foi utilizado para os ensaios de elicitação AS nas concentrações de 0,5 , 1,0 e 5 mmol/L. Para o monitoramento da cultura e averiguação da efetividade dos ensaios de elicitação foi utilizado a monitoria através da dosagem de proteínas totais, compostos fenólicos totais e açúcares redutores totais tanto liberados para o meio extracelular quanto produzidos no meio intracelular. Foi determinado as variações dos componentes da parede celular durante a fase de crescimento e após os ensaios de elicitação onde foi comprovado que quanto maior a concentração de AS, maiores são os fragmentos de açúcares fragmentados da parede celular. Foi evidenciado também a presença de triterpenos na cultura celular (em comparação com os padrões isolados da planta), tanto na fase de crescimento e também após a indução com os ensaios de elicitação com AS. / Momordica charantia is a plant from the Cucurbitaceae family. In Brazil, it is known by the popular name of Melão de São Caetano. It is found across the whole world, and in Brazil it can be found in coastal and interior regions of the country. The aim to study Momordica charantia is due to its known therapeutic properties that are already used for thousands of years through popular culture. The studies have confirmed and understood various drug-like properties of this plant and the mechanisms responsible for such functions in this species, such as antidiabetic, antiviral and anticancer properties. The researches with Momordica charantia were all performed using extracts obtained from seeds, leaves, roots and fruit. In this work, the isolation and characterization of metabolites as standards from leaves and stems of Momordica charantia was performed. The research of secondary metabolites produced in cell culture suspension of Momordica charantia without elicitor or after elicitation with salicylic acid (SA) was conducted. Salicylic acid is a plant hormone involved in various mechanisms of responses. When the plant suffers an infection or injury, it is followed by an increase in AS concentration. This increase leads to activation of certain metabolic pathways that culminate in the production of secondary metabolites and degradation, fragmentation or cell wall thickening. AS was utilized for the elicitation experiments at 0.5, 1.0 and 5 mmol/L. For the monitoring of plant cell culture, it was determinate the total protein, phenolic compounds and reducing sugars content, into the extra and intra cellular medium. Where it was verified that AS modulates the production of these molecules in culture. After this, we determined the variation in the oligosaccharides in the extracellular medium obtained in the presence or absence of AS. It was observed the degree of polymerization of oligosaccharides higher when increase AS concentration in the medium. In conclusion, this study can demonstrate the effects of SA on the production of secondary metabolites in plant cell culture, which were increased as the concentration of AS increased. The presence of triterpenes in cell culture was confirmed to compare the molecules obtained from culture with that isolated from plant standards.

Mini-dissertation was submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2012. / It was reported by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas, in 2003, that a prevalence figure of 3.4% exists for the 24 million South Africans between the ages of 20 and 79, with an expected increase to 3.9% by 2025. Considering that patients with diabetes are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, blindness, amputation and renal failure it is therefore not surprising that the costs associated with diabetes are estimated to increase worldwide. It is clear that according to the current trends in dietary and exercise practices, South Africa will be affected by the rise in obesity and subsequent diabetes mellitus. It is critical that a concerted effort involving all parties concerned be made to combat this rapidly increasing problem (Rheeder, 2006:20). AIM The purpose of this double-blind, randomized clinical trial was to compare the effectiveness of Momordica charantia homoeopathic mother tincture as compared to Momordica charantia 6CH, in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients on Metformin. METHODOLOGY Thirty patients were recruited and were selected for the study on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. These participants were then randomly and equally divided into two groups. Each participant attended a total of four consultations with the researcher, over a two month period, at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Homoeopathic Day Clinic. At the commencement of the first consultation, each participant received the subject information letter (Appendix A) for perusal and the informed consent form (Appendix B) to sign. Following this, the researcher took a full, detailed iv case history (Appendix F) and performed a physical examination (Appendix G) of each patient. Participants were required to have a Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C) test performed following the first and fourth consultations. Participants were also required to complete daily Log Sheets (comprising self administered fasting blood glucose readings using issued Bayer Ascensia Elite Glucometers) for the entire duration of the study (8 weeks). SPSS version 18 was used to analyse the data. A p value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The time effect was assessed for intra-group comparison whereas the time x group treatment effect was assessed for inter-group comparison. Means were calculated for both fasting blood glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin for the two respective groups and tabulated in order to describe the data obtained (Descriptive statistics). RESULTS Both groups reflected a statistically non significant decrease in fasting blood glucose levels with no significant differences between the two groups when comparing reduction in fasting blood glucose levels. Group 1 (Momordica charantia homoeopathic mother tincture) reflected a non significant increase in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C) levels while Group 2 (Momordica charantia 6CH) reflected a statistically significant increase over time in HbA1C levels. There were no significant differences between the two groups when comparing reduction in HbA1C levels. / M

published_or_final_version / abstract / Zoology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / abstract / Zoology / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Biological Sciences / Master / Master of Philosophy

Orientador: Silvano Bianco / Resumo: Um dos cultivos mais tradicionais, o milho tem assumido importante papel socioeconômico no Brasil, colocando-se em posição relevante no que se refere a valor da produção agropecuária, área plantada e volume produzido, em especial nas regiões Sul, Sudeste e Centro-Oeste. Entre os fatores bióticos capazes de proporcionar redução no rendimento das culturas encontram-se as plantas daninhas. Algumas plantas daninhas de hábito trepador como as corda-de-viola e melão-de-são-caetano problemáticas em plantios agrícolas apresentam alta capacidade de dispersão e produção de sementes, podendo infestar áreas de plantio de milho, por serem facilmente dispersas por agentes dispersores. Estas podem afetar a produção produtividade, devido, principalmente, às interferências negativas impostas por sua presença, como a competição por água, nutrientes, luz e possíveis efeitos alelopáticos; bem como por serem hospedeiras de pragas, agentes causadores de doenças. Foram desenvolvidos dois estudos na Unesp/FCAV para verificar se corda-de-viola e melão-de-são-caetano causam danos a produtividade do milho. e quais seriam. Os resultados destes trabalhos relacionados a interferência causada pelo melão-de-são-caetano nos permitiram concluir que melão-de-são-Caetano interfere no crescimento, desenvolvimento e produtividade do milho ‘Maximus’ já a partir de 1 planta m-2, sendo que o efeito se acentua com o aumento da densidade. Os experimentos com corda de viola nos permitiu concluir que Ipomoea hederifolia... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: One of the most traditional crops, corn has assumed an important socioeconomic role in Brazil, placing itself in a relevant position regarding the value of agricultural production, planted area and volume produced, especially in the South, Southeast and Midwest regions. Among the biotic factors capable of reducing crop yields are weeds. Some climbing weeds such as morningglory and Momordica Charantia problems in agricultural plantations have high dispersion and seed production capacity, and can infest maize planting areas, as they are easily dispersed by dispersing agents.These can affect production productivity, due mainly to the negative interferences imposed by their presence, such as competition for water, nutrients, light and possible allelopathic effects; as well as being host to pests, disease-causing agents. Two studies were developed at the Unesp / FCAV to verify if the viola cord and the Momordica Charantia cause damage to maize productivity. and what they would be. The results of these studies related to the interference caused by the Momordica Charantia allowed us to conclude that Momordica Charantia interferes in the growth, development and productivity of 'Maximus' maize already from 1 plant m-2, being that the effect is accentuated with increasing density.The experiments with morningglory allowed us to conclude that Ipomoea hederifolia does not interfere with the growth of 'Impacto' maize plants up to the density of 16 m-2 plants, but from 2 m-2 plants there ar... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Thesis (M.Sc. (Biochemistry)) --University of Limpopo, 2017 / Cancer is a broad group of various diseases characterised by unregulated cell proliferation which leads to the formation of tumours (Vickers, 2004). Some tumours remain confined to their site of origin while some gain the ability to spread to other parts of the body, a process known as metastasis (Weiss, 1990). The burden of cancer continues to rise, due to inefficient prevention strategies and serious side effects, as well as the cost of cancer regimens (Sondhi et al., 2010). Medicinal plants represent a reservoir of bioactive compounds that can be useful in the management of cancer with less or no side effects (Wong et al., 2012). The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer effects of M. balsamina leaf extract in breast MCF-7 cancer cells. In this study, M. balsamina leaves powder was extracted using acetone. The biological effect of the extract was assessed on the viability of MCF-7 cells using the MTT assay. The extract’s ability to induce apoptosis was assessed using the Hoechst/propidium iodide dual staining method. Its anti-metastatic potential was investigated by determining its effect on MCF-7 cell migration, attachment and invasion using wound healing, adhesion, invasion assay, respectively. The human apoptosis antibody and human angiogenesis antibody array kits were used to determine the effect of the extract on the expression levels of proteins involved in apoptosis and metastasis, respectively. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with different concentrations of the extract showed a significant decrease in cell viability after 48 h incubation at 10 - 20 µg/ml. The decrease in cell viability was associated with the induction of apoptosis as seen by nuclear condensation and loss of membrane permeability in cells treated with the extract. Inhibition of migration, adhesion and invasiveness of the MCF-7 cells was seen in the treated cells. The extract also modulated proteins implicated in cell apoptosis, adhesion, migration and invasion such as Bcl-2 family of proteins, IGFBP, uPA, MMPs. In conclusion, based on the results, the extract show pro-apoptotic and anti-metastasis potential. Thus M. balsamina can be considered as a potential source of compounds with anti-cancer activity

No description available.