Endotoxemia is a condition caused by increasing levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) characterized by an impaired systemic response that causes multiple organ dysfunction. Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ATCC 9595 is a strain with probiotic potential which shows immunomodulatory properties. The incorporation of this bacterium in food rich in bioactive compounds, such as cupuaçu juice (Theobroma grandiflorum), could result in a product with interesting health properties. This work evaluated the effects of the oral administration of cupuaçu juice fermented with L. rhamnosus on the outcome of LPS-induced endotoxemia in mice. C57BL/6 mice (12/group) received oral doses (100 µL) of saline solution and unfermented or fermented cupuaçu juice (10⁸ CFU/mL). After 5 days, the endotoxemia was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of LPS (10 mg/kg). The endotoxemia severity was evaluated daily using a score based on grooming behavior, mobility, presence of piloerection, and weeping eyes. After 6 h and 120 h, the mice (6/group) were euthanized for analysis of cell counts (in peritoneal lavage and serum) and organ weight. L. rhamnosus grew in cupuaçu juice and produced organic acids without the need for supplementation. The bacteria counts were stable in the juice during storage at 4 °C for 28 days. The fermentation with L. rhamnosus ATCC 9595 changed the metabolites profile of cupuaçu juice due to the biotransformation and enhancement of some compounds. In general, the administration of L. rhamnosus-fermented juice allowed a significant improvement in several characteristics of endotoxemic status (weight loss, hypothermia, severity index, cell migration). In addition, treatment with fermented juice significantly reduced the weight of the spleen, liver, intestine, and kidneys compared to the saline-treated endotoxemic group. Taken together, our data show that short-term intake therapy of cupuaçu juice fermented with L. rhamnosus ATCC 9595 can reduce systemic inflammation in an experimental model of LPS-induced endotoxemia in mice.

Humiria balsamifera (Aubl), commonly known as “mirim”, is a plant of the Humiriaceae family, which consists of 39 species divided between eight genera: Duckesia, Endopleura, Humiria, Humiriastrum, Hylocara, Sacoglottis, Schistostemon, and Vantenea. This study aimed to characterize H. balsamifera extracts by LC-MS/MS and evaluate their antimicrobial potential through in vitro and in vivo assays. The leaves and stem bark of H. balsamifera were collected and dried at room temperature and then ground in a knife mill. The extracts were prepared with organic solvents in order to increase the polarity index (hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol). The antimicrobial effects of these extracts were evaluated against the following bacterial strains: Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 15313, Salmonella enterica Typhimurium ATCC 14028, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538. The best activity was observed in the ethyl acetate (EALE = 780 µg/mL), methanol (MLE = 780 µg/mL), and hexane (HLE = 1560 µg/mL) leaf extracts against S. aureus. Considering the results for both antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities, the EALE extract was chosen to proceed to the infection assays, which used Tenebrio molitor larvae. The EALE treatment was able to extend the average lifespan of the larvae (6.5 days) in comparison to S. aureus-infected larvae (1 day). Next, the samples were characterized by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer, allowing the identification of 11 substances, including seven flavonoids, substances whose antimicrobial activity is already well-reported in the literature. The number of bioactive compounds found in the chemical composition of H. balsamifera emphasizes its significance in both traditional medicine and scientific research that studies new treatments based on substances from the Brazilian flora.

Osteoarthritis (OA) remains a chronic incurable condition, presenting substantial challenges in treatment. This study explores a novel strategy by investigating the concurrent use of cuminaldehyde, a natural compound, with indomethacin in animal models of MIA-induced OA. Our results demonstrate that the co-administration of cuminaldehyde and indomethacin does indeed produce a superior effect when compared to these compounds individually, significantly enhancing therapeutic outcomes. This effect is evidenced by a marked reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IFN-γ, alongside a significant increase in the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, compared to treatments with each compound alone. Radiographic analyses further confirm the preservation of joint integrity and a reduction in osteoarthritic damage, highlighting the association’s efficacy in cartilage-reducing damage. These findings suggests that the association of cuminaldehyde and indomethacin not only slows OA progression but also offers enhanced cartilage-reducing damage and fosters the production of protective cytokines. This study underscores the potential benefits of integrating natural products with pharmaceuticals in OA management and stresses the importance of further research to fully understand the mechanisms underlying the observed potentiated effects.

Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp (cowpea), Fabaceae family and also known as Leguminosae, is an important vegetable used as food in tropical regions, especially in Africa, South America and Asia countries. Phenolic compounds are associated with important biological properties and their occurrence in edible plants may result in a highly functional food. Chromatographic profiles of phenolic compounds were investigated in two cowpea cultivars, such as tracuateua (CT) and caldeirão (CC), and both were cultivated using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) coupled to Mass Spectrometry (MS) (HPLC-DAD/MS/MS). The flavonols quercetin and kaempferol, the phenolic acids, p-coumaric and protocatechuic acid (PCA) were identified in cowpea (CC), while the phenolic acids, gallic and protocatechuic acids, were identified in the cowpea (CT). These phenolic compounds ratify cowpea as a functional and bioactive food, ensuring a healthy diet.

The occurrence of damage on bacterial DNA (mediated by antibiotics, for example) is intimately associated with the activation of the SOS system. This pathway is related to the development of mutations that might result in the acquisition and spread of resistance and virulence factors. The inhibition of the SOS response has been highlighted as an emerging resource, in order to reduce the emergence of drug resistance and tolerance. Herein, we evaluated the ability of betulinic acid (BA), a plant-derived triterpenoid, to reduce the activation of the SOS response and its associated phenotypic alterations, induced by ciprofloxacin in Staphylococcus aureus. BA did not show antimicrobial activity against S. aureus (MIC > 5000 µg/mL), however, it (at 100 and 200 µg/mL) was able to reduce the expression of recA induced by ciprofloxacin. This effect was accompanied by an enhancement of the ciprofloxacin antimicrobial action and reduction of S. aureus cell volume (as seen by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy). BA could also increase the hyperpolarization of the S. aureus membrane, related to the ciprofloxacin action. Furthermore, BA inhibited the progress of tolerance and the mutagenesis induced by this drug. Taken together, these findings indicate that the betulinic acid is a promising lead molecule in the development helper drugs. These compounds may be able to reduce the S. aureus mutagenicity associated with antibiotic therapies.