Antibacterial and cytotoxicity activity in macroalgae extracts: perspectives for the use against pathogenic bacteria from shrimp farms (Litopenaeus vannamei) / Atividade antibacteriana e citotóxica em extratos de macroalgas: perspectivas de uso contra bactérias patogênicas de ambiente de cultivo de camarões (Litopenaeus vannamei)

Some infections caused by pathogenic microorganisms might shows high prevalence in farmed shrimp environments, compromising production and causing economic losses. Therefore, the search for compounds with antibiotic activity has become intensive, following the record of new antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. The study of those bioactive compounds in marine macroalgae has produced satisfactory results, such as the discovery of antibacterial activity against multiresistant strains. Accordingly, this study aims to research antibiotic activity in macroalgae extracts of Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta found in the coast of Ceará and also to evaluate the cytotoxicity activity against bacterial strains (Vibrio sp.) from shrimp farms (Litopenaeus vannamei). The extracts cytotoxicity was also evaluated. The results prove that there was antibacterial activity in ethanolic, acetonic, hexanic and methanolic extracts against bacterial strains of Vibrio with multiple resistance profile as well as displaying low cytotoxicity.

Algumas infecções causadas por micro-organismos patogênicos podem apresentar alta prevalência em ambientes de cultivo de camarões marinhos, comprometendo a produção e causando prejuízos econômicos aos aquicultores. Assim, tem-se tornado intensa a busca por compostos com atividade antibiótica pelo registro cada vez mais frequente de bactérias com perfil de resistência a antimicrobianos. A presença desses compostos com bioatividade em macroalgas marinhas tem revelado resultados satisfatórios, como a descoberta de ação antibacteriana contra cepas multirresistentes. Desta forma, decidiu-se pesquisar as propriedades antibióticas dos extratos de macroalgas das classes Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta e Rhodophyta, coletadas no litoral cearense, bem como avaliar a citotoxicidade destes extratos, frente a cepas bacterianas (Vibrio sp.) isoladas e provenientes de ambientes de cultivo de camarões marinhos (Litopenaeus vannamei). Os resultados comprovaram que houve atividade antibacteriana dos extratos etanólicos, acetônicos, hexânicos e metanólicos contra cepas bacterianas de Vibrio, além de apontar que os extratos de todas as espécies apresentaram baixa citotoxicidade.

Antibacterial and cytotoxicity activity in macroalgae extracts: perspectives for the use against pathogenic bacteria from shrimp farms (Litopenaeus vannamei) / Atividade antibacteriana e citotóxica em extratos de macroalgas: perspectivas de uso contra bactérias patogênicas de ambiente de cultivo de camarões (Litopenaeus vannamei)

Some infections caused by pathogenic microorganisms might shows high prevalence in farmed shrimp environments, compromising production and causing economic losses. Therefore, the search for compounds with antibiotic activity has become intensive, following the record of new antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. The study of those bioactive compounds in marine macroalgae has produced satisfactory results, such as the discovery of antibacterial activity against multiresistant strains. Accordingly, this study aims to research antibiotic activity in macroalgae extracts of Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta found in the coast of Ceará and also to evaluate the cytotoxicity activity against bacterial strains (Vibrio sp.) from shrimp farms (Litopenaeus vannamei). The extracts cytotoxicity was also evaluated. The results prove that there was antibacterial activity in ethanolic, acetonic, hexanic and methanolic extracts against bacterial strains of Vibrio with multiple resistance profile as well as displaying low cytotoxicity.(AU)

Algumas infecções causadas por micro-organismos patogênicos podem apresentar alta prevalência em ambientes de cultivo de camarões marinhos, comprometendo a produção e causando prejuízos econômicos aos aquicultores. Assim, tem-se tornado intensa a busca por compostos com atividade antibiótica pelo registro cada vez mais frequente de bactérias com perfil de resistência a antimicrobianos. A presença desses compostos com bioatividade em macroalgas marinhas tem revelado resultados satisfatórios, como a descoberta de ação antibacteriana contra cepas multirresistentes. Desta forma, decidiu-se pesquisar as propriedades antibióticas dos extratos de macroalgas das classes Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta e Rhodophyta, coletadas no litoral cearense, bem como avaliar a citotoxicidade destes extratos, frente a cepas bacterianas (Vibrio sp.) isoladas e provenientes de ambientes de cultivo de camarões marinhos (Litopenaeus vannamei). Os resultados comprovaram que houve atividade antibacteriana dos extratos etanólicos, acetônicos, hexânicos e metanólicos contra cepas bacterianas de Vibrio, além de apontar que os extratos de todas as espécies apresentaram baixa citotoxicidade.(AU)

Cytotoxic activity of Androctonus australis hector venom and its toxic fractions on human lung cancer cell line

Several studies have showed that animal venoms are a source of bioactive compounds that may inhibit the growth of cancer cells, which makes them useful agents for therapeutic applications. Recently, it was established that venom toxins from scorpions induced cytotoxic, antiproliferative and apoptogenic effects on cancer cells. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the cytotoxic activity of Androctonus australis hector (Aah) scorpion venom and its toxic fractions (FtoxG-50 and F3) on NCI-H358 human lung cancer cells. Methods: The cytotoxic and antiproliferative activities were estimated using MTT assay, lactate dehydrogenase release and clonogenic assays. Apoptosis was evaluated by Hoechst 33258 staining, DNA fragmentation assay and caspase-3 activity. Oxidative stress was analyzed by reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl levels along with assessment of antioxidant status. In addition, alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential was analyzed by JC1 fluorescent dye. Results: The present findings showed that F3 fraction was more cytotoxic towards NCI-H358 lung cancer cells with an IC50 of 27.05 ± 0.70 g/mL than venom alone (396.60 ± 1.33 g/mL) and its toxic fraction FtoxG-50 (45.86 ± 0.91 g/mL). Nevertheless, F3 fraction was not cytotoxic at these concentrations on normal human lung fibroblast MRC-5 cells. Inhibition of NCI-H358 cell proliferation after F3 fraction exposure occurred mainly by apoptosis as evidenced by damaged nuclei, significant DNA fragmentation level and caspase-3 activation in a dose dependent manner. Moreover, F3 fraction enhanced oxidative and nitrosative stress biomarkers and dissipated mitochondrial membrane potential in lung cancer cells along with significant depletion in cellular enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Further, the apoptosis induced by F3 fraction was markedly prevented by the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) suggesting the potential mechanism of oxidative stress. Conclusion: These findings suggest that F3 fraction could induce apoptosis in lung cancer cells through involvement of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Hence, these properties make F3 fraction a promising candidate for development of new anticancer agents.(AU)

Cytotoxic activity of Androctonus australis hector venom and its toxic fractions on human lung cancer cell line

Several studies have showed that animal venoms are a source of bioactive compounds that may inhibit the growth of cancer cells, which makes them useful agents for therapeutic applications. Recently, it was established that venom toxins from scorpions induced cytotoxic, antiproliferative and apoptogenic effects on cancer cells. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the cytotoxic activity of Androctonus australis hector (Aah) scorpion venom and its toxic fractions (FtoxG-50 and F3) on NCI-H358 human lung cancer cells. Methods: The cytotoxic and antiproliferative activities were estimated using MTT assay, lactate dehydrogenase release and clonogenic assays. Apoptosis was evaluated by Hoechst 33258 staining, DNA fragmentation assay and caspase-3 activity. Oxidative stress was analyzed by reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl levels along with assessment of antioxidant status. In addition, alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential was analyzed by JC1 fluorescent dye. Results: The present findings showed that F3 fraction was more cytotoxic towards NCI-H358 lung cancer cells with an IC50 of 27.05 ± 0.70 g/mL than venom alone (396.60 ± 1.33 g/mL) and its toxic fraction FtoxG-50 (45.86 ± 0.91 g/mL). Nevertheless, F3 fraction was not cytotoxic at these concentrations on normal human lung fibroblast MRC-5 cells. Inhibition of NCI-H358 cell proliferation after F3 fraction exposure occurred mainly by apoptosis as evidenced by damaged nuclei, significant DNA fragmentation level and caspase-3 activation in a dose dependent manner. Moreover, F3 fraction enhanced oxidative and nitrosative stress biomarkers and dissipated mitochondrial membrane potential in lung cancer cells along with significant depletion in cellular enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Further, the apoptosis induced by F3 fraction was markedly prevented by the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) suggesting the potential mechanism of oxidative stress. Conclusion: These findings suggest that F3 fraction could induce apoptosis in lung cancer cells through involvement of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Hence, these properties make F3 fraction a promising candidate for development of new anticancer agents.

Evaluation of genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of water samples from the Sinos River Basin, southern Brazil / Avaliação da genotoxicidade e da citotoxicidade de amostras de água da Bacia do Rio dos Sinos, sul do Brasil

Some water bodies in the Sinos River Basin (SRB) have been suffering the effects of pollution by residential, industrial and agroindustrial wastewater. The presence of cytotoxic and genotoxic compounds could compromise the water quality and the balance of these ecosystems. In this context, the research aimed to evaluate the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of the water at four sites along the SRB (in the cities of Santo Antônio da Patrulha, Parobé, Campo Bom and Esteio), using bioassays in fish and cell culture. Samples of surface water were collected and evaluated in vitro using the Astyanax jacuhiensis fish species (micronucleus test and comet assay) and the Vero lineage of cells (comet assay and cytotoxicity tests, neutral red - NR and tetrazolium MTT). The micronucleus test in fish showed no significant differences between the sampling sites, and neither did the comet assay and the MTT and NR tests in Vero cells. The comet assay showed an increase in genetic damage in the fish exposed to water samples collected in the middle and lower sections of the basin (Parobé, Campo Bom and Esteio) when compared to the upper section of the basin (Santo Antônio da Patrulha). The results indicate contamination by genotoxic substances starting in the middle section of the SRB.(AU)

Alguns corpos dágua da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio dos Sinos (BHRS) vêm sofrendo os efeitos da poluição por efluentes domésticos, industriais e agroindustriais. A presença de compostos citotóxicos e genotóxicos pode comprometer a qualidade da água e o equilíbrio desses ecossistemas. Neste contexto, o objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a genotoxicidade e a citotoxicidade da água em quatro pontos ao longo da BHRS (Santo Antônio da Patrulha, Parobé, Campo Bom e Esteio), utilizando bioensaios em peixes e em cultura celular. As amostras de água de superfície foram coletadas e avaliadas in vitro utilizando a espécie de peixe Astyanax jacuhiensis (teste de micronúcleo e ensaio cometa) e a linhagem celular tipo Vero (ensaio cometa e os testes de citotoxicidade vermelho neutro - VN e tetrazólio MTT). O teste de micronúcleos em peixes não apresentou diferenças significativas entre os pontos de coleta, assim como o ensaio cometa e os testes VN e MTT nas células Vero. O ensaio cometa demonstrou aumento nos danos genéticos em peixes expostos às amostras de água coletadas nos trechos médio e inferior da bacia (Parobé, Campo Bom e Esteio) em relação ao trecho superior da bacia (Santo Antônio da Patrulha). Os resultados indicam contaminação por substâncias genotóxicas a partir do trecho médio da BHRS.(AU)