Bioprospection of the trichomonacidal activity of lipid extracts derived from marine macroalgae Gigartina skottsbergii.

Algal extracts are sources of bioactive substances with applications in the development of novel alternative drugs against several diseases, including trichomoniasis sexually transmitted infection caused by Trichomonas vaginalis. Factors such as clinical failures and resistant strains limit the success of the existing drugs available for treating this disease. Therefore, searching for viable alternatives to these drugs is essential for the treatment of this disease. The present study was conducted for, in vitro and in silico characterization of extracts obtained from marine macroalgae Gigartina skottsbergii at stages gametophidic, cystocarpic, and tetrasporophidic. In addition, antiparasitic activity of these extracts against the ATCC 30236 isolate of T. vaginalis, their cytotoxicity, and gene expression of trophozoites after treatment were evaluated. The minimum inhibitory concentration and 50% inhibition concentration were determined for each extract. Results: In vitro analysis of the extracts' anti-T. vaginalis activity revealed an inhibitory effect of 100%, 89.61%, and 86.95% for Gigartina skottsbergii at stages gametophidic, cystocarpic, and tetrasporophidic, respectively, at 100 µg/mL. In silico analysis revealed the interactions between constituents of the extracts and enzymes from T. vaginalis, with significant free energy values obtained for the binding. None of the extract concentrations exhibited cytotoxic effects on VERO cell line compared to control, while cytotoxicity on HMVII vaginal epithelial cells line was observed at 100 µg/mL (30% inhibition). Gene expression analysis revealed differences in the expression profile of T. vaginalis enzymes between the extract-treated and control groups. According to these results, Gigartina skottsbergii extracts exhibited satisfactory antiparasitic activity.

Investigação dos perigos de natureza biológica em saladas comercializadas em restaurantes self service / Investigation of biological hazards in salads marketed in self service restaurants

Com o intuito de obter uma alimentação mais prática, que não interfira no cumprimento da jornada de trabalho, grande parcela dos indivíduos tem recorrido a refeições provenientes de estabelecimentos de autosserviço, inclusive as saladas prontas para o consumo. Neste sentido, este estudo teve por finalidade a investigação dos perigos de natureza biológica em saladas cruas de restaurantes tipo self service localizados no município de Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte. Foram realizadas análises parasitárias, pesquisa de coliformes e determinação de Escherichia coli e Salmonella sp., observando-se a conformidade das amostras com a legislação vigente. Sobre os micro-organismos, foi constatada a presença de coliformes a 45°C, mas com valores dentro do preconizado, bem como a ausência de E. coli e Salmonella sp. Apesar de não detectada a presença de parasitos, foram observadas sujidades em algumas das saladas avaliadas. Tais resultados ressaltam a necessidade de maiores cuidados quanto à manipulação do produto.

In order to obtain a more practical diet, which does not interfere with the work day, a large proportion of individuals have used meals from self-service establishments, including ready-to-eat salads. In this sense, the purpose of the study was to investigate biological hazards in raw salads of self-service restaurants located in the municipality of Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte. Parasite analyzes, coliform research and determination of Escherichia coli and Salmonella sp. were realized, observing the compliance of the samples with the current legislation. On the microorganisms, the presence of coliforms at 45°C, but with values within the recommended, as well as the absence of E. coli and Salmonella sp. Although no parasites were detected, soils were observed in some of the evaluated salads. These results highlight the need for greater care in handling the product.

Anthelmintic effect of Cassia fistula and Combretum leprosum protein fractions against goat gastrointestinal nematodes / Efeito antihelmíntico das frações proteicas de Cassia fistula e Combretum leprosum contra nematodeos gastrintestinais de caprinos

Abstract In this study, we evaluated the ovicidal and larvicidal activity of protein preparations obtained from Cassia fistula L. and Combretum leprosum Mart. leaves on the gastrointestinal parasites of goats. Protein preparations were obtained after the extraction of C. fistula L. and C. leprosum Mart. leaves, followed by protein fractionation (with ammonium sulfate saturation percentages of 30%, 30%-60%, and 60%-90%) and dialysis, which resulted in protein fractions (called F1, F2, and F3, respectively). The fractions were evaluated by egg hatching (the eggs were recovered in stool samples from naturally infected goats) and larval development tests. The results reveled that the inhibition of hatching of eggs caused by the protein fractions of C. fistula (38%) were similar to that of the control drug, thiabendazole. In addition, the fractions of C. fistula caused significant inhibition (61-69%) of larval development also. However, C. leprosum did not reveal significant inhibition of egg hatching and larval development. We conclude that C. fistula L. showed better ovicidal and larvicidal activity against endoparasites.

Resumo Neste estudo, foram avaliadas as atividades ovicida e larvicida de preparações proteicas de Cassia fistula L. e Combretum leprosum Mart. em parasitas gastrointestinais de caprinos. As preparações proteicas foram obtidas por extração das folhas de C. fistula L. e C. leprosum Mart. seguido pelo fracionamento proteico (com porcentagens de saturação de sulfato de amônio de 30%, 30-60%, 60-90%) e diálise, resultando nas frações proteicas (intituladas F1, F2 e F3, respectivamente). As frações foram avaliadas nos testes de eclosão de ovos (os ovos foram recuperados em amostras de fezes de cabras naturalmente infectadas) e de desenvolvimento larvar. Os resultados revelaram que a inibição da eclosão de ovos causada pelas frações proteicas de C. fistula (38%) foi semelhante à do fármaco controle, o tiabendazol. Além disso, as frações de C. fistula também causaram inibição significativa (61-69%) do desenvolvimento larvar. No entanto, C. leprosum não revelou inibição significativa na eclosão dos ovos e no desenvolvimento larvar. Concluiu-se que C. fistula L. mostrou uma melhor atividade ovicida e larvicida contra endoparasitas.