Clinical manifestations and experimental studies on the spine extract of the toadfish Porichthys porosissimus

Toadfish are fish from the family Batrachoididae that are found in marine and brackish environment around the world. Among the toadfish, Porichthys genus is very common, where Porichthys porosissimus, also called Atlantic Midshipman is found in Southwest Atlantic, from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to eastern Argentina. There was no consensus about the classification of the genus Porichthys as venomous fish because so far there are no published Studies regarding human envenomations and/or toxic activities induced in animal models. Herein, we report two conclusive envenoming in human beings caused by P porosissimus spines, with clear signs and symptoms that were very important for the development of our experimental studies. We demonstrated that the P. porosissimus spine extract, now venom, can induce nociceptive and edematogenic responses in mice as well an induction of an inflammatory response elicited by intravital microscopy and leukocyte migration. Finally, we identified in the P. porosissimus spine extract, through analysis by mass spectrometry, the presence of proteins previously detected in the venoms of other fish species and other venomous animals. We believe that based on our studies we will dismiss the non-venomous nature of this fish and clarify this issue. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Leishmanicidal activity of the crude extract, fractions and major piperidine alkaloids from the flowers of Senna spectabilis

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Antidiarrheal and intestinal antiinflammatory activities of a methanolic extract of Qualea parviflora Mart. in experimental models

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Control of microorganisms of oral health interest with Arctium lappa L. (burdock) extract non-cytotoxic to cell culture of macrophages (RAW 264.7)

Objectives: To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Arctium lappa L. extract on Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans, C. tropicalis and C. glabrata. In addition, the cytotoxicity of this extract was analyzed on macrophages (RAW 264.7).Design: By broth microdilution method, different concentrations of the extract (250-0.4 mg/mL) were used in order to determine the minimum microbicidal concentration (MMC) in planktonic cultures and the most effective concentration was used on biofilms on discs made of acrylic resin. The cytotoxicity A. lappa L. extract MMC was evaluated on RAW 264.7 by MTT assay and the quantification of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha by ELISA.Results: The most effective concentration was 250 mg/mL and also promoted significant reduction (log(10)) in the biofilms of S. aureus (0.438 +/- 0.269), S. epiderrnidis (0.377 +/- 0.298), S. mutans (0.244 +/- 0.161) and C. albicans (0.746 +/- 0.209). Cell viability was similar to 100%. The production of IL-beta was similar to the control group (p > 0.05) and there was inhibition of TNF-alpha (p < 0.01).Conclusions: A. lappa L. extract was microbicidal for all the evaluated strains in planktonic cultures, microbiostatic for biofilms and not cytotoxic to the macrophages. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Subacute and Reproductive Oral Toxicity Assessment of the Hydroethanolic Extract of Jacaranda decurrens Roots in Adult Male Rats

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Chemopreventive activity of apple extract following medium-term oral carcinogenesis assay induced by 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Investigation of tick vectors of Hepatozoon canis in Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Ultrastructure of the synganglion in the larvae and nymphs of tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Xylanase and beta-Xylosidase from Penicillium janczewskii: Production, Physico-chemical Properties, and Application of the Crude Extract to Pulp Biobleaching

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Ginkgo Biloba Extract in an Animal Model of Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review

Although the exact cause of neuronal loss in Parkinson's disease is not known, evidence points to oxidative stress and the production of reactive oxygen species as the main events that occur in the substantia nigra pars compacta of the brain of parkinsonians. EGb761 is an extract of the leaves from the Ginkgo biloba tree that has been reported as an antioxidant and neuroprotective agent. The objective of this work was to perform a systematic review of the studies that analysed the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on Parkinson's disease or Parkinsonism. This research was conducted using the following databases: Medline, PsycInfo, Cinahl, Sigle, Lilacs, Scielo, Cochrane Library, and Embase. Initially, we selected 32 articles. After a more detailed analysis, only 10 articles remained. One of the hypotheses for the positive effect of EGb761 on Parkinson's disease is the reduction or inhibition of monoamine-oxidase activity. This enzyme metabolises dopamine, inducing the formation of free radicals, which in turn damage nigrostriatal neurons. Another hypothesis is that the neuroprotective effect of EGb761 against 6-hydroxydopamine, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine and MPP+ toxins. As there are few studies on the effect of EGb761 on humans, this review could contribute new data to further the discussion of this issue.

Ethanolic extract of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia leaves: Chemical characterization and cytotoxic effect on human breast cancer MCF-7 cell line

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

ANTIDIARRHEAL MECHANISM AND IONIC PROFILE OF CARPOLOBIA LUTEA ETHANOLIC STEM-BARK EXTRACT IN RATS

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Characterization and Quantification of Compounds in the Hydroalcoholic Extract of the Leaves from Terminalia catappa Linn. (Combretaceae) and Their Mutagenic Activity

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Phytotoxicity of ethanolic extract of turnip leaves (raphanus sativus l.)

The study of allelopathic activity has been aim of research that evaluates mainly species used in green fertilization. Raphanus sativus L. stands out among these species, because it shows high capacity for nutrient recycling, specially nitrogen and phosphorus, what makes it an advantageous cover plant in crop rotation systems. Considering the exposed, the present study had as objective the evaluation of the allelopathic and phytotoxic potentials of different concentrations of the R. sativus leaves ethanolic extract by mean of seeds germination analyses and development of lettuce seedlings, evaluating the phytotoxicity by determination of the mitotic index of lettuce root cells, realizing the phytochemical profile and investigating the antioxidant activity. It was possible to verify that the R. sativus extract interferes in the germination index, decreasing the germinability (5 mg. mL(-1) = 9.84%; 10 mg. mL(-1) = 11.91% and 20 mg. mL(-1)= 57.51%). In the lettuce seedlings growth, the extract of this species affected the roots and hypocotyls growth. It was possible to observe phenols and total flavonoids in the extract for the concentration of 1000 mu g. mL(-1)(161mg and 83.57 mg, respectively). It was also observed, higher antioxidant activity for the concentration of 1000 mu g. mL(-1) (89.76%). In the phytotoxicity assay was observed a dose dependent effect in the mitotic index and in the cellular events during cellular division. In this study it was possible to conclude that this species has allelochemical compounds which are able to interfere directly on the stabilization and development of other species.