(1) Background: Due to its richness in chlorogenic acids (CGAs), Maté (Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil.) could be of interest in the prevention of cardiometabolic diseases, however clinical evidence are lacking. This trial aimed to evaluate the impact of maté CGAs, consumed in a daily dose achievable through traditional maté beverages, on parameters related to cardiometabolic risk. (2) Design: Thirty-four male volunteers aged 45–65 years and with at most one criteria of metabolic syndrome, were recruited for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and crossover study. The volunteers were assigned to consume an encapsulated dry maté extract for four-weeks, providing 580 mg of caffeoyl quinic acid derivatives (CQAs) daily, or a placebo, with a two weeks washout between intervention periods. Anthropometric variables, blood pressure, plasma glucose, lipids, endothelial, and inflammatory biomarkers were measured in overnight-fasted subjects and after a glucose load. (3) Results: We found no significant effects of treatment on these parameters and the response to the glucose load was also similar between the two interventions. However, a significant decrease in fasting glucose was observed between day 0 and day 28 for the maté group only (−0.57 ± 0.11 mmol/L, p < 0.0002). In subjects with an intermediate to high Framingham risk score, consumption of maté extract induced a 10% increase of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-c from baseline. In a subgroup representative of the study population, significant decreases in the C-reactive protein (CRP) (−50%) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (−19%) levels were observed. (4) Conclusions: These clinical observations suggest that maté, naturally rich in CGAs, could improve some cardiometabolic markers in subjects with a higher predisposition to metabolic syndrome, even if that remains to be confirmed in new trials specifically targeting this population.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of trans-anethole in combination with methotrexate, compared to monotherapy with trans-anethole or methotrexate, on inflammatory parameters and oxidative stress of arthritic rats. The experimental model of arthritis induced by Freund's complete adjuvant (AIA) in rats was used. Treatment with trans-anethole and methotrexate, in combination or monotherapy, was started on the day of AIA induction and continued for 21 days. The association of anethole (62.5 mg/Kg) to methotrexate (6 mg/Kg) therapy was able to further reduce both the oxidative stress induced by arthritis and the inflammatory events that characterize the disease, as demonstrated by the following indicators: 1) decrease in the edema of the hind legs, in the score of secondary lesions, in the recruitment of leukocytes to the articular cavity and in the plasma myeloperoxidase activity; 2) increase in plasma content of reduced thiols and total antioxidant capacity; 3) diminution of protein carbonylation in plasma, liver and kidneys; 4) decrease in lipid peroxidation in the liver; 5) reduction in the hepatic ROS content; 6) enhancement of the activity of the antioxidant enzymes and GSH/GSSG ratio. In general, the combination anethole + methotrexate presented a substantially higher effect than the monotherapy with anethole or methotrexate (at the same doses). The data obtained in this work allow us to conclude that the use of trans-anethole in combination with methotrexate suppressed arthritic progression in rats, with the main advantage of reduction of methotrexate dose, attenuating adverse effects caused by high dose therapy.

Echinodorus grandiflorus has pharmacological properties due to its secondary metabolism, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, diuretic, analgesic, anti-rheumatic, antihypertensive, and cardioprotective effects. The aim of this study was to determine the phytochemical profile and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of crude extract of E. grandiflorus form its leaves. In the analysis of the phytochemical profile, qualitative tests were performed to identify tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, steroids, triterpenes, saponins, polysaccharides, and coumarins. Antimicrobial tests were performed using the disk diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in 96-well microplates, using hydroalcoholic crude extract obtained by maceration in the proportions 1:5 and 1:10. The higher content of crude extract was observed by maceration 1:5 (3.26%). In phytochemical tests, the presence of tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins was detected. The microbial strains evaluated were Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Lactobacillus casei, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. The antimicrobial activity of crude extract has not apparent against the tested organisms. It is concluded that the crude extract present several phytochemical, however did not show antimicrobial activity, and furthermore studies should be carried out researching isolated chemical compounds and the antimicrobial activity leaves crude extract of Echinodorus grandiflorus plant.

Resumo A região Sul do Brasil em função de sua localização geográfica é caracterizada pela diversidade de sistemas meteorológicos que atuam o ano inteiro, resultando em condições adversas de tempo. Este trabalho analisa os eventos extremos de precipitação caracterizando-os conforme sua persistência e abrangência, e os padrões atmosféricos relacionados. O desenvolvimento de um algoritmo computacional permitiu a identificação e conhecimento da abrangência espacial dos eventos extremos de precipitação, os quais foram classificados em caráter abrangente e não-abrangente, resultando quatro grupos de chuvas identificados conforme os critérios de intensidade, persistência e abrangência. Os resultados mostraram que o verão é a estação preferencial para ocorrência de eventos extremos em todas categorias analisadas e um maior número de eventos ocorre entre o norte do Rio Grande do Sul e o Paraná, e para os casos de Chuva Persistente o litoral de Santa Catarina se mostra uma região favorável a este tipo de evento. Entre os principais processos atmosféricos para ocorrência de eventos extremos com caráter abrangente são a disponibilidade de umidade nas camadas mais baixas da troposfera, juntamente com o jato de altos níveis e um cavado em médios níveis.

No abstract