Home / Journals / BIOCELL / Vol.34, No.3, 2010
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  • Open AccessOpen Access

    ARTICLE

    Antiproliferative and genotoxic effects of Mikania glomerata (Asteraceae)

    GRACIELI DALLA NORA1, TAMARA PASTORI1, HAYWOOD DAIL LAUGHINGHOUSE IV2,3, THAIS SCOTTI DO CANTO-DOROW1, SOLANGE BOSIO TEDESCO1*
    BIOCELL, Vol.34, No.3, pp. 95-102, 2010, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2010.34.095
    Abstract Mikania glomerata is a plant used in Brazilian traditional medicine, known as ‘guaco’. It possesses anti-inflammatory properties and the aqueous extracts of its leaves are indicated for the treatment of diseases of the respiratory tract. This study aimed at evaluating the antiproliferative and genotoxic effect of Mikania glomerata leaf infusions on the cell cycle of onion. The material used was collected in the native environment from Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Aqueous extracts through infusions were prepared in two concentrations: 4g/L (usual concentration) and 16g/L (4x more concentrated) of each of the populations. Two groups of four onion bulbs… More >

  • Open AccessOpen Access

    ARTICLE

    Sperm ultrastructure of Mytella (Bivalvia) populations from distinct habitats along the northern coast of São Paulo State, Brazil

    GISELE ORLANDI INTROÍNI1, FERNANDA MARTINS MAESTER1, FOSCA Pedini PEREIRA LEITE2 AND SHIRLEI MARIA RECCO-PIMENTEL1
    BIOCELL, Vol.34, No.3, pp. 103-112, 2010, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2010.34.103
    Abstract Ultrastructural analyses of bivalve spermatozoa are relevant in studies that aim to identify taxonomic traits for the purposes of discriminating species and conducting phylogenetic studies. In the present work, spermatozoa of mussel specimens of the genus Mytella, collected from two populations living in distinct habitats, were examined by electron microscopy. The objective was to identify sperm ultrastructural taxonomic traits that could be used to differentiate Mytella species. The specimens were from populations that live in intertidal zones on the southeast coast of Brazil, either buried in muddy-sand sediment or anchored to rocky substrates. The acrosomal vesicle was conical and long,… More >

  • Open AccessOpen Access

    ARTICLE

    Influence of estradiol analogue on cell growth, morphology and death in esophageal carcinoma cells

    THANDI MQOCO1, SUMARI MARAIS1 AND ANNIE JOUBERT
    BIOCELL, Vol.34, No.3, pp. 113-120, 2010, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2010.34.113
    Abstract 2-Methoxyestradiol-bis-sulphamate is a bis-sulphamoylated derivative of the naturally occurring 17-beta-estradiol metabolite namely 2-methoxyestradiol. 2-Methoxyestradiol-bis-sulphamate is regarded as a potential anticancer drug with increased antiproliferative activity when compared to 2-methoxyestradiol. The aim of this pilot in vitro study was to determine the influence of 2-methoxyestradiol-bis-sulphamate on cell growth, morphology and possible induction of certain types of cell death in the SNO esophageal carcinoma cell line. A dose-dependent study (0.2-1.0μM) was conducted with an exposure time of 24 hours. Data revealed that 2-methoxyestradiol-bis-sulphamate reduced cell numbers statistically significantly to 74% after exposure to 0.4μM of the drug. Morphological studies including light microscopy… More >

  • Open AccessOpen Access

    ARTICLE

    WT-1 mRNA expression is modulated by nitric oxide availability and Hsp70 interaction after neonatal unilateral ureteral

    LUCIANA MAZZEI1, ISABEL MERCEDES GARCÍA1, VALERIA CACCIAMANI1, MARÍA EUGENIA BENARDÓN1 AND WALTER MANUCHA1, 2, 3
    BIOCELL, Vol.34, No.3, pp. 121-132, 2010, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2010.34.121
    Abstract Wilms tumor gene 1 (wt-1), a key regulator of mesenchymal-epithelial transformation, is downregulated during congenital obstructive nephropathy, leading to apoptosis. There is a functional interaction between WT-1 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). In this regard, we reported that after neonatal unilateral ureteral obstruction, rosuvastatin prevents apoptosis through an increase in nitric oxide bioavailability, which in turn is linked to higher Hsp70 expression. Hence, the goal of this study was to determine whether a nitric oxide/Hsp70 interaction is involved in changes in WT-1 mRNA expression after ureteral obstruction. Neonatal rats submitted to experimental ureteral obstruction were treated with either vehicle… More >

  • Open AccessOpen Access

    ARTICLE

    Structure of the stigma and style in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

    M.M. GOTELLI*, B.G. GALATI, D. MEDAN
    BIOCELL, Vol.34, No.3, pp. 133-138, 2010, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2010.34.133
    Abstract This is the first report of the ultrastructure of the stigma and style during and after anthesis in Helianthus annuus L. using light and transmission electron microscopy. The stigma is bifid with unicellular papillae. There is no secretion of lipids, carbohydrates or proteins at anthesis. The style is semisolid in the upper portion, closer to the stigma, and becomes solid below. Ultrastructural changes on cells of the stigma and the style are described. The transmitting tissue of the ovule is first evident 40 minutes after pollination and persists during the first stages of embryogenesis. Only one pollen tube per micropyle… More >

  • Open AccessOpen Access

    ARTICLE

    Examination of camptothecin and 10-hydroxycamptothecin in Camptotheca acuminata plant and cell culture, and the affected yields under several cell culture treatments

    YAN PI1, KEJI JIANG2, RONG HOU1, YIFU GONG3, JUAN LIN1, XIAOFEN SUN1, AND KEXUAN TANG1,4*
    BIOCELL, Vol.34, No.3, pp. 139-144, 2010, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2010.34.139
    Abstract Camptothecin and its derivatives are monoterpenoid indole alkaloids exhibiting significant anti-tumor actions. With the aim of improving the production of these pharmaceuticals, the contents of camptothecin and 10-hydroxycamptothecin in different tissues including roots, stems, leaves, young flower buds, opening flowers, fading flowers and seeds from Camptotheca acuminata, were investigated. The young flower buds had the highest alkaloid concentrations (camptothecin, 2.46 mg/g of dry weight; 10- hydroxycamptothecin, 1.41 mg/g of dry weight). Callus showed lower concentrations but it should also be considered as a potential source of these pharmaceuticals. In the present study, the growth rate of Camptotheca acuminata cells in… More >

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