When nutrients become scarce, E. gracilis

cells enter into a non-growth phase known as stationary phase and develop a multiple-stress resistance response. The presence of flavonoids in the stationary phase may be associated to that response. Differences were also observed in the distribution of chemical groups found between the photosynthetic strains, particularly regarding polyphenols. The flavonoids in UTEX were only found in the stationary phase, Epigenetic inhibitor cell line whereas MAT seems to produce them also in the exponential phase. Another group of phenols, the tannins, were only found in UTEX in the exponential phase; these were not detected in any of the growth phases of MAT. The screening methodology does not include quantification, but is widely used as qualitative method to study new source of natural products.22 For microalgae, particularly for E. gracilis, there is no information on this matter. Antioxidant production

in Euglena has been previously reported in SKI-606 order different strains, especially in relation to the presence of vitamin E and C and ß-Carotene. 23 Nevertheless, the antioxidant inhibitors activity of E. gracilis had not been related to the polyphenols (and other polar compounds). In concordance with the presence of polyphenols, our study shows that the fractions of major polarity have the highest scavenging activity. At an initial stage, the antitumour activity may be inferred by simple bioassays such as the growth inhibition of wheat seeds. Antitumoral activity has been previously mentioned in Euglena, 8 but was related to paramylon. In this study we show evidence of antitumoral activity with extracts that lack paramylon, since paramylon stays in the residue (Fraction A). The wheat rootlet growth inhibition assay results suggest that phenols may be Non-specific serine/threonine protein kinase responsible for the growth inhibition effect, but we cannot be conclusive

since some of the concentrations assayed stimulated growth. The primary biological activity test carried out complement the chemical screening and allows a first assessment of the potential of E. gracilis as a source of bioactive products. All authors have none to declare. The authors are indebted to Dr. Cristian Solari for valuable discussions. This investigation was supported by grants to VC, UBACYT 01/W290 and CONICET – PIP 283; PNUD ARG 02/018 BB-34UNPSJB and PME 216. “
“Traditional medicine has been used by 65%–80% of total world’s population as their chief means for the provision of health care as estimated by the World Health Organization. Current literature demonstrate that herbal medicine gained importance in developed countries in addition to its popularity in developing countries as the major form of medical treatment.1 From historical point of view the use of herbs for the management of different ailments attracted the researchers to develop medicines and pharmacological treatment of diseases. Various studies on marine plants revealed the presence of pharmacologically active substances.