Cat's Claw Research Articles

Recent Advances in Transition Metal Catalyzed Synthesis of C3-Substitution-free 2-Oxindole Derivatives

Abstract: 2-Oxindole unit is one of the most important scaffolds found in several alkaloids, natural products, antitumor agents, pharmaceutically important compounds, etc. Molecules containing the 2- oxindole moiety were first isolated from the cat claw plant, widely distributed in the Amazon jungle. It has now been demonstrated that these molecules are present in a wide range of chemicals derived from plant sources. The capacity of 2-oxindole to be altered by various chemical groups to provide unique biological activities can be attributed to its function as a chemical framework for creating and developing biological medications. Since the development of its first synthetic methodology, several research groups have developed protocols for producing 2-oxindole core and its bioactive derivatives. These include the traditional method and the transition/non-transition metal-catalyzed pathway for the synthesis of C3-non-substituted/C3-mono-substituted/C3-di-substituted core. Among those, C3-substitution-free 2-oxindole core synthesis is quite a challenging task, as C3-centre is very reactive. Syntheses of C3-substitution-free 2-oxindole cores have been less explored compared to other substituted 2-oxindole derivatives. In this review article, we have mainly focused on showcasing the transition metal-catalyzed synthetic methodology for the synthesis of 2-oxindoles with no substitution at C3-centre.

Anti-inflammatory and/or immunomodulatory activities of Uncaria tomentosa (cat's claw) extracts: A systematic review and meta-analysis of in vivo studies.

Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex Schult.) DC. (Rubiaceae) is traditionally used by Amazonian indigenous groups to treat inflammatory diseases. To date, there are no systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the use of U. tomentosa for inflammation control in animals supporting the traditional knowledge about this species. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of U. tomentosa extracts in modulating inflammatory mediators and to determine which types of inflammatory diseases can be treated by this species. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies published before 26 July 2023, identified in PubMed, Embase, and Scopus. Four independent reviewers extracted the data and assessed the risks of bias. The effects of U. tomentosa on inflammatory diseases and the inflammatory mediators involved were extracted from the studies. Standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) of the outcomes were estimated. The meta-analyses were conducted using RevMan 5.4 (Cochrane Collaboration). This protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023450869). Twenty-four of 523 studies were included. U. tomentosa extracts decreased the cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 (SMD: -0.72, 95%CI: -1.15, -0.29, p = 0.001) and transcription factor nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) (SMD: -1.19, 95%CI: -1.89, -0.48, p = 0.001). However, the extracts did not significantly alter IL-1 (SMD: -0.16, 95%CI: -0.87, +0.56, p = 0.67), IL-10 (SMD: -0.05, 95%CI:-0.35, 0.45, p = 0.80), or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels (SMD: 0.18, 95%CI: -0.25, 0.62, p = 0.41). Many extracts of stem bark, roots, and leaves of U. tomentosa, mostly aqueous and hydroethanolic, exhibited anti-inflammatory and/or immunomodulatory activities and low toxicity. The extracts decreased NF-κB and IL-6. These findings suggest that this species has the potential to treat inflammatory diseases in which these markers are increased, according to the ethnopharmacological use. These activities are not related to a specific class of compounds.

Design of an actuator with bionic claw hook–suction cup hybrid structure for soft robot

To improve the adaptability of soft robots to the environment and achieve reliable attachment on various surfaces such as smooth and rough, this study draws inspiration from the collaborative attachment strategy of insects, cats, and other biological claw hooks and foot pads, and designs an actuator with a bionic claw hook–suction cup hybrid structure. The rigid biomimetic pop-up claw hook linkage mechanism is combined with a flexible suction cup of a ‘foot pad’ to achieve a synergistic adhesion effect between claw hook locking and suction cup adhesion through the deformation control of a soft pneumatic actuator. A pop-up claw hook linkage mechanism based on the principle of cat claw movement was designed, and the attachment mechanism of the biological claw hooks and footpads was analysed. An artificial muscle-spring-reinforced flexible pneumatic actuator (SRFPA) was developed and a kinematic model of the SRFPA was established and analysed using Abaqus. Finally, a prototype of the hybrid actuator was fabricated. The kinematic and mechanical performances of the SRFPA and entire actuator were characterised, and the attachment performance of the hybrid actuator to smooth and rough surfaces was tested. The results indicate that the proposed biomimetic claw hook–suction cup hybrid structure actuator is effective for various types of surface adhesion, object grasping, and robot walking. This study provides new insights for the design of highly adaptable robots and biomimetic attachment devices.

Ethnobotany of Rubiaceae Family Plants Used As Traditional Medicine in Tanjung Gusta Village Sunggal District, Deli Serdang Regency

Medicinal plants are all types of plants that are known to contain compounds that are useful and efficacious to prevent, alleviate or cure a disease. Rubiaceae is one of the flowering plant tribes. This study aims to determine the type of plant, how to use, and the value of ICS (Index Culture Significance) on plants of the Rubiaceae family in Tanjung Gusta Village, Sunggal District, Deli Serdang Regency, which was conducted in May - July 2022. The research method used a descriptive survey conducted by means of field surveys and interviews. The results showed that the types of plants of the Rubiaceae family used as traditional medicine in Tanjung Gusta village are noni (Morinda citrifolia L.), asoka flower (Ixora coccinea), gambier (Uncaria acida), quinine (Cinchona pubeschens), cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa). How to use noni by squeezing the juice, for asoka flowers by brewing, for gambier by mashing, for quinine which is used is the skin, and for cat's claw by boiling. The highest ICS value is obtained from the noni plant (Morinda citrifolia L) with a value of 24 and the lowest ICS value is obtained from the Asoka plant (Ixora coccinea) and also the quinine plant (Cinchona pubeschens) which both have the lowest ICS value with a value of 12.

Antiviral and Virucidal Activities of Uncaria tomentosa (Cat's Claw) against the Chikungunya Virus.

Uncaria tomentosa (UT) is a medicinal plant popularly known as cat's claw belonging to the Rubiaceae family that has been reported to display antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities. The chikungunya virus (CHIKV) outbreaks constitute a Brazilian public health concern. CHIKV infection develops an abrupt onset of fever, usually accompanied by a skin rash, besides incapacitating polyarthralgia. There is no vaccine available or treatment for CHIKV infection. The present study evaluates the hydroalcoholic extract of UT bark as a potential antiviral against CHIKV. The in vitro antiviral activity of the UT extract against the Brazilian CHIKV strain was assessed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, flow cytometry, and plaque assay. Results obtained demonstrated that UT inhibits CHIKV infection in a dose-dependent manner. At the non-cytotoxic concentration of 100 µg/mL, UT exhibited antiviral activity above 90% as determined by plaque reduction assay, and it reduced the viral cytopathic effect. Similarly, a significant virucidal effect of 100 µg/mL UT was observed after 24 and 48 h post-infection. This is the first report on the antiviral activity of UT against CHIKV infection, and the data presented here suggests UT as a potential antiviral to treat CHIKV infection.

Determination of ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamates and their degradation product ethylenethiourea in dry herbs by UHPLC-MS/MS.

Dithiocarbamates are a class of fungicides widely used in many countries. In this study, methods for determining the ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate (EBDC) subclass, and their degradation product ethylenethiourea (ETU) were validated by UHPLC-MS/MS in different types of dry herbs, which can be used as food and/or medicinal purposes. Mancozeb was used in the validation of the EBDC method, where it was initially complexed with EDTA, derivatized, extracted with dimethyl sulfate in acetonitrile, magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), and sodium chloride (NaCl), and then purified using primary secondary amine (PSA). In the ETU method, L-cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate was added to the samples before extraction with acetonitrile, MgSO4, and NaCl, followed by purification with PSA. A pesticide-free blend of seven herbs (boldo, artichoke, "espinheira-santa", cat's claw, senna, chamomile, and cascara buckthorn) comprising distinct parts of the plants (leaves, bark, flowers and/or stems) was used as a control for method validation. Recoveries ranged from 79 to 113% for EBDC and 81 to 109% for ETU. Repeatability and intermediate precision were <20% for both methods. The limit of quantification was 0.03 mg kg-1 for EBDC (0.02 mg kg-1 of CS2) and ETU. The limit of detection (LOD) was set at 1/3 of the LOQ (0.01 mg kg-1 for both analytes). In total, 103 samples of 33 different dry herbs were analyzed, of which 19.4% were positive for EBDC (≥LOD), but no ETU residues were found in any of the analyzed samples. Given the absence of registered dithiocarbamates for use in the investigated herbs in Brazil, the positive results suggest potential illegal pesticide use or cross-contamination, especially considering the low concentrations detected in most samples. Although exposure to EBDC through the consumption of medicinal herbs from positive samples did not indicate a health risk to consumers, these plants must be monitored to prevent illicit pesticide usage, particularly when the herbs are intended for therapeutic purposes.

Impact of the leaf‐mining jewel beetle Hedwigiella jureceki on two forms of cat's claw creeper, Dolichandra unguis‐cati

AbstractThe impact assessment of a weed biocontrol agent offers insight into the potential of the agent and weed responses in long‐term weed management. The impact of the jewel beetle Hedwigiella jureceki Obenberger (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) and its first‐generation larvae on the long‐pod (LP) and short‐pod (SP) forms of cat's claw creeper, Dolichandra unguis‐cati (L.) L.G. Lohmann (Bignoniaceae) was studied by initiating one, two, or five pairs (male and female) of adults in a glasshouse experiment. With the higher density of adults, the number of leaves increased significantly, as did the numbers of dead leaves and larval mines, and the percentages of affected leaves (up to 40%), and damaged leaf areas (up to 60%). Plants with the five pairs of adults had fewer leaves and reduced dry weights (e.g., tuber biomass was reduced by 50.4–62.5%). Regardless of adult density, the dry weights of the leaves and tubers were lower in the SP form. Conversely, the LP form had fewer leaves (ca. 17% fewer) and slower shoot growth (mean ± SE = 46.3 ± 2.6 cm per week) than the SP form (66.5 ± 3.8 cm per week). However, the number of tubers was not affected by the plant form and adult density. Larval mines (262 ± 30), pupae (186 ± 17), and adults (144 ± 14) in LP form were higher than in SP form (243 ± 20, 167 ± 14, and 115 ± 11, respectively). Likewise, the average weight of adults that emerged on the LP form was higher. Therefore, H. jureceki impacted both LP and SP forms. The SP form showed a higher impact in terms of reduced tuber growth, and the LP form is anticipated to be harmed more in the long term as a higher number of H. jureceki offspring developed on it when competition for food was increased.

Cat’s Claw Nutrients for Medical Treatments

Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex Schult.) DC is commonly known as cat’s claw that is derived from the Spanish word Uña de Gato that identifies the small, curved-back thorns on the stem at the leaf junction. It is a tropical medicinal vine of the Rubiaceae family that is widely distributed in the Amazon rainforest and other areas of South and Central America. Cat's claw, which is scientifically known as Uncaria tomentosa, has been historically used to treat and prevent inflammatory disorders, particularly osteoarthritis. Traditionally, it has been used to treat chronic viral infections, bacterial infections, numerous inflammatory and immunological disorders, asthma, dysentery, cancers, arthritis, and as a birth control agent. Nutraceuticals, including food or products containing cat’s claw, can be used to prevent and modify symptoms in osteoarthritis patients. So, cat’s claw is possibly effective in reducing the pain in patient’s joints. U. tomentosa is a potent complimentary herb for treating most parasites. Various chemical constituents are reported from the extracts of U. tomentosa along with their biological activities. It is worth noting that more than 50 phytochemical molecules have been identified and isolated from U. tomentosa, some of them are considered new to that species. It also was used for the treatment of various ailments including abscesses, urinary tract infections, contraception, rheumatism, and weakness. Additionally, it was used as a treatment option for mental disorders (anxiety). The preclinical assessment revealed that the cat’s claw defends towards various oxidative stresses, involving peroxynitrite that has been included in arthritis and other chronic inflammatory diseases along with inhibiting acute or chronic gastritis caused by high doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). U. tomentosa aqueous extract was used to protect against oxidative stress in human erythrocytes and relieve chronic intestinal inflammation. Cat’s claw has antitumor and immunostimulatory effects because of its oxindole alkaloids content. Anti proliferative effect of U. tomentosa against several cancer cell lines, namely cervical carcinoma, osteosarcoma, and breast cancer were documented. U. tomentosa hot water extract prevents inflammatory responses as well as tumor cell proliferation by inhibiting the transcriptional regulator nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-B) activation without interfering with interleukin-2 (IL-2) production or IL-2 receptor signaling. Medical technologists documented the ant proliferative effect of cat’s claw extracts against several cell lines, including glioma, premyelocytic leukemia, MCF7 breast cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, and neuroblastoma.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal characterization associated with Uncaria guianensis and Uncaria tomentosa in Amazonian soils

There are some plant species with cultural and economic importance in the Amazon, such as Uncaria guianensis and U. tomentosa, both commonly named “cat's claw”. Since these species grow in soils with low levels of organic matter and nutrients, both depend on arbuscular mycorrhizae to grow. The information about arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi communities for U. tomentosa is limited and there is no current research on U. guianensis. Therefore, this research provides additional information on the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi communities associated with Uncaria species in Amazonian soils. Both the percentage of root colonization and the influence of the edaphic composition in the two species were determined. Also, the richness and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were assessed using the spore isolation method and also, through the molecular analysis of virtual taxa. In addition, the difference between the soils was analyzed. Although U. guianensis grows in both Oxisols and Alluvial Entisols and U. tomentosa is restricted to Oxisols, sporulation of AM and root colonization does not respond significantly to variations in soil chemical properties. Additionally, 72 virtual taxa were identified for Uncaria species (53 U. tomentosa and 19 U. guianensis) and the relative abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi was higher in roots of Uncaria species than in soils. The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi community that colonizes the roots of Uncaria species indicates that these species behave as wild species; therefore, the ex-situ propagation of the species in agricultural systems could be less successful than forest enrichment.

Influence of the Side Branch Structure Pattern of the Imitation Cat's Claw Function on the Vibration and Noise of Tires

To study the method of reducing the low-frequency vibration noise of the tire, a passenger car tire(205/55R16) is taken as the research object. The dynamic grounding characteristics and vibration reduction mechanism of the cat's paw pad are analyzed. The research showed that the swing deformation characteristics of paw pads during the walking process of cats is one of the main ways to reduce the impact from the ground and achieve vibration reduction and silencing. To analyze the influence of tire grounding on noise, the tire grounding is divided into five areas, and the characteristics of ten tire grounding areas are analyzed through tests. Pearson correlation analysis is used to obtain the characteristics of the eight most relevant grounding areas with tire noise, and multiple linear regression is conducted between the characteristics of the eight grounding areas. The product of the correlation coefficient and the average value of the characteristics of the ground contact area shows that the central area of the tire tread contributes the most to the tire noise. The swing deformation characteristics of the bionic cat paw pad are realized by setting the staggered side branch pipe groove in the center of the tire, and the vibration reduction characteristics of the bionic tire are analyzed by using the finite element method. The results showed that when the tire rolls, the amplitude and fluctuation range of the ground radial excitation force acting on the bionic tire are reduced compared with the original tire, and the vibration and noise characteristics of the tire are improved.

汽轮机汽缸猫爪负荷分配偏差危害及交叉影响计算分析

汽轮机汽缸猫爪负荷分配偏差危害及交叉影响计算分析

Pengujian Kualitas Parameter Fisika Kimia dan Kandungan Total Fenol dari Teh Herbal Cakar Kucing (Uncaria tomentosa Wild. Ex Schult) Sebagai Minuman Fungsional

The many side effects of consuming chemical-based drugs in maintaining human health have led to a tendency to return to nature. Consumption of medicinal plants in fresh or dried form has been considered to minimize side effects. This research will examine the feasibility of cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa Wild. Ex Schult) tea as a functional drink based on physicochemical parameters and total phenol content. The physicochemical parameters tested included pH, water content, ash content and organoleptic examination of herbal teas including taste, odor and color of the brewed solution, while the total content of phenolic compounds was carried out based on the Folin–Ciocalteu method. Organoleptic examination showed a characteristic odor of the leaves, such as the smell of herbal teas in general with a bland and astringent taste, and the juice of the solution was yellowish green. The results of the physicochemical parameter test showed that the pH of the solution was 6.9, the water content was 7.7, the ash content was 8.00%, while the total phenol content measured was 68.77 mg GAE/g sample. The physicochemical parameters measured from the testing of cat's claw herbal tea in this study met the quality requirements of dry tea according to SNI No 3836 BSN 2013

Systemic therapies for preventing or treating aromatase inhibitor-induced musculoskeletal symptoms in early breast cancer.

Systemic therapies for preventing or treating aromatase inhibitor-induced musculoskeletal symptoms in early breast cancer.

Uncaria tomentosa extract (AC-11) improves pregnancy hypertension together with suppression of sFlt-1 and sEng.

Disruption of well-controlled reproductive functions leads to pregnancy complications such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). Uncaria tomentosa (Wild), known as cat's claw, is widely used for the treatment of a various types of health problems; AC-11 (AC-11®, hot-water extract of U. tomentosa) is unique phytochemical compound and has potential roles as anti-inflammatory or anti-oxidant processes. We investigated whether AC-11 has a protective effect on pathogenesis of HDP in vivo and production of anti-angiogenic factors (sFlt-1 and sEng, major factors for the onset of HDP) in in vitro. Non-pregnant or pregnant mice were administered AC-11 (4mg/mL), then, angiotensin II (Ang II) was subcutaneously infused to increase blood pressure. Human placental tissues or human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were incubated with or without AC-11. Treatment with AC-11 significantly reduced blood pressure induced by Ang II infusion. The population of CD8+T cells, the ratio of CD8/CD4, and plasma interleukin-6 levels were increased by Ang II infusion, and were decreased by AC-11 both in pregnant and non-pregnant mice. In pregnant mice, plasma levels of sFlt-1 and sEng were decreased by AC-11. In in vitro cell culture of HUVECs or placental tissue culture, treatment with AC-11 significantly inhibited secretion of sFlt-1 and sEng. We suggest a novel role of AC-11 in regulating blood pressure by controlling the balance of T cell population and inflammatory cytokine production both in non-pregnant and pregnant conditions. In addition, AC-11 inhibits HDP-related factors, including sFlt-1 and sEng, suggesting that AC-11 may useful for relieving HDP.

THERAPEUTIC EXPLOIT AND RELEVANCE OF MARTYNIA ANNUA LINN: AN INTRICATE ASSESSMENT

Martynia annua Linn. or Martynia diandra Gloxin is a herbaceous plant belonging to the family Martyniaceae. It is usually recognized as "Devil's claw" or "Cat's claw". It is abundantly found in the Tropical and Subtropical regions of America. It was first found in Mexico and since then has been naturalized in many countries. The herb is cultivated to be used as an ornamental and a medicinal plant. The entire plant contains a substantial amount of biologically active constituents that have been reported to show potentially significant pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anticonvulsant. Therefore, the herb is widely used in traditional systems of medicines. The most common constituents found all over the plant are alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, flavonoids, terpenoids, proteins, amino acids, phenols, steroids, anthocyanins, and carbohydrates. Researchers have demonstrated that the presence of flavonoids and phenolic compounds are associated with bioactivities like antioxidant activity which is greatly beneficial for maintaining good health. Another important constituent identified with the plant is luteolin, which is responsible for wound healing activity. However, the studies of these pharmacological activities are inadequate and further research will be required for the determination of the benefits as well as the toxic effects of the plant. This article provides an assessment of the various phytochemical and pharmacological activities of Martynia annua Linn.

Establishment of the biological control agent Hypocosmiapyrochroma for Dolichandraunguis‐cati (Bignoniaceae) is limited by microclimate

AbstractCat's claw creeper, Dolichandra unguis‐cati (Bignoniaceae), a perennial woody vine native to tropical America, is a target for biological control in Australia and South Africa. The cat's claw creeper leaf‐tying moth Hypocosmia pyrochroma (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) from tropical South America was released as a biological control agent for cat's claw creeper in Australia from 2007 to 2010. A total of 2,277 adults, 837 pupae and 77,250 larvae were released at 40 sites in Queensland and New South Wales. Releases were made mostly in open fields (85%), and at limited sites (15%) in insect‐proof cages erected over naturally occurring cat's claw creeper infestations in the field. Sampling was conducted annually in spring and autumn to monitor the establishment and dispersal of H. pyrochroma. Establishment of H. pyrochroma was first noticed in 2012 at three release sites and since then the number of established sites has increased to 80 in 2020. Establishment was evident on both ‘short‐pod’ and ‘long‐pod’ forms of cat's claw creeper and was more widespread in sites where releases were made within insect‐proof field cages (50%) than in sites with open field releases (9%). The moth was active from late spring to late autumn with peak larval activity in late summer. To date, all field establishments have been in areas predicted by a CLIMEX model as climatically suitable but restricted mostly to riparian environment (93% of establishment), where the moth has continued to spread from 1.5 to 23 km from release sites. In contrast, there is the only limited establishment and spread in non‐riparian corridors, highlighting the role of microclimate (riparian) as a limiting factor for establishment and spread. Future efforts will focus on redistribution of the agent to river/creek systems where the moth is currently not present.

The Hydroalcoholic Extract of Uncaria tomentosa (Cat's Claw) Inhibits the Infection of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) In Vitro.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a serious problem for public health since it was identified in the province of Wuhan (China) and spread around the world producing high mortality rates and economic losses. Nowadays, the WHO recognizes traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine for treating COVID-19 symptoms. Therefore, we investigated the antiviral potential of the hydroalcoholic extract of Uncaria tomentosa stem bark from Peru against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. The antiviral activity of U. tomentosa against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro was assessed in Vero E6 cells using cytopathic effect (CPE) and plaque reduction assay. After 48 h of treatment, U. tomentosa showed an inhibition of 92.7% of SARS-CoV-2 at 25.0 μg/mL (p < 0.0001) by plaque reduction assay on Vero E6 cells. In addition, U. tomentosa induced a reduction of 98.6% (p=0.02) and 92.7% (p=0.03) in the CPE caused by SARS-CoV-2 on Vero E6 cells at 25 μg/mL and 12.5 μg/mL, respectively. The EC50 calculated for the U. tomentosa extract by plaque reduction assay was 6.6 μg/mL (4.89–8.85 μg/mL) for a selectivity index of 4.1. The EC50 calculated for the U. tomentosa extract by TCID50 assay was 2.57 μg/mL (1.05–3.75 μg/mL) for a selectivity index of 10.54. These results showed that U. tomentosa, known as cat's claw, has an antiviral effect against SARS-CoV-2, which was observed as a reduction in the viral titer and CPE after 48 h of treatment on Vero E6 cells. Therefore, we hypothesized that U. tomentosa stem bark could be promising in the development of new therapeutic strategies against SARS-CoV-2.

Effect of spray drying process parameters on Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex Schult.) DC. dried extracts

Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex Schult.) DC. (Cat's claw) is a plant member of the Rubiaceae family, from the Amazon region, and used in traditional medicine as raw material for phytomedicines indicated for arthritis and osteoarthritis. This study aimed to evaluate the spray drying process parameters on the properties of different extracts obtained from Uncaria tomentosa. A reduced 24-1 multifactorial design was applied to evaluate the importance of the equipment variables (pump speed, spray nozzle diameter, air inlet temperature, and atomization airflow rate) in the process. Maltodextrin and acacia gum were used as carriers in a 1:1 (m/m) ratio, considering the solid residue content of the liquid plant extract. Process yield, moisture, and hygroscopicity were evaluated as dependent variables. Higher atomization airflow rate led to higher process yield for powdered dried extracts with maltodextrin. Higher temperature led to lower moisture contents regarding powdered dried extracts with acacia gum. No variable, for any carrier, was considered significant for hygroscopicity. The best spray drying configuration for the desired characteristics (i.e. lower hygroscopicity and moisture) used the larger spray nozzle with a diameter of 1.2 mm and the higher temperature of 150 °C, with both carriers.

Prospección de extractos de plantas como complementos de la higiene bucal en perros Labrador Retriever

The present study aimed to prospect plant extracts as a therapeutic resource, compared to the oral microbiota of dogs. For this purpose, ethanol extracts from different parts of Anacardium Ocidentalis (cashew tree), Stryphnodendron adstringens (barbatimão), Punica granatum (pomegranate), Uncaria tomentosa (cat's claw), Psidium guajava L. (guava), Momordica charantia L. (melon from São Caetano) and Harpagophytum procumbens (devil's claw), prepared in different concentrations. Microorganisms collected from the oral mucosa of 12 Labrador dogs, maintained under the same management and feeding, were seeded in BHI Agar in a petri dish in which paper disks impregnated with 20µL of each extract were circulated. 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate solution was used as a positive control. The plates were incubated for 12 hours at 36 ºC. Three swabs were collected for each animal and each experiment was carried out in triplicate. The results of the inhibition halo measurements were subjected to the Kruskall-Wallis analysis of variance, followed by the Dunn test, with a significance level of 5%. Based on the results, pomegranate, guava, and barbatimão extracts were selected, as they were statistically significant at concentrations of 250; 125; 62,6mg/mL which suggests that the three are potential candidates for use in the development of pharmaceutical products for use in oral hygiene of dogs.

Extracts from Uncaria tomentosa as antiplatelet agents and thrombin inhibitors – The in vitro and in silico study

Ethnopharmacological relevanceA wide range of traditional medicine applications of Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex Schult.) DC., commonly known as ‘vilcacora’ or ‘cat's claw’, includes blood purification, its anticoagulant properties and its use in haemorrhage therapy. Aim of the studyOur work is devoted to the effects of ethanol and aqueous extracts (1–50 μg/ml) from U. tomentosa leaves and bark on the haemostatic system. The study is based on two main questions: Can these extracts influence the coagulation cascade of blood plasma or the activation of blood platelets? Do they feature any anticoagulant properties? Materials and methodsBlood platelet aggregation was measured in human platelet-rich plasma; the anticoagulant tests were based on the thrombin, prothrombin and the activated partial thromboplastin time. For the thrombin (TH)-inhibitory activity evaluation, the chromogenic substrate S-2238 and fibrinogen, i.e. physiological substrate for this enzyme, were used. In silico studies included the interactions of TH and the main components of the extracts. ResultsThe examined extracts demonstrated slight antiplatelet activity. The thrombin time was slightly prolonged. The most efficient TH inhibitor was the ethanolic fraction from leaves (IC50 = 5.86 and 12.48 μg/ml, for the amidolytic and proteolytic assay, respectively). The plant ingredients interacted with TH within and outside the active site, dependently on the compound. The higher binding affinity was found for procyanidins B2 and C1. ConclusionsThe examined extracts demonstrated slight antiplatelet effects; however, they may be promising candidates for the natural inhibitors of TH, which is critical for the formation of fibrin clot.