Molluscicidal and Cercaricidal Effects of Myrciaria floribunda Essential Oil Nanoemulsion.

Schistosomiasis is a tropical disease transmitted in an aqueous environment by cercariae from the Schistosoma genus. This disease affects 200 million people living in risk areas around the world. The control of schistosomiasis is realized by chemotherapy, wastewater sanitation, health education, and mollusk control using molluscicidal agents. This work evaluates the effects of a nanoemulsion containing essential oil from Myrciaria floribunda leaves as a molluscicidal and cercaricidal agent against Biomphalaria glabrata mollusks and Schistosoma mansoni cercariae. The Myrciaria floribunda essential oil from leaves showed nerolidol, ß-selinene, 1,8 cineol, and zonarene as major constituents. The formulation study suggested the F3 formulation as the most promising nanoemulsion with polysorbate 20 and sorbitan monooleate 80 (4:1) with 5% (w/w) essential oil as it showed a smaller droplet size of approximately 100 nm with a PDI lower than 0.3 and prominent bluish reflection. Furthermore, this nanoemulsion showed stability after 200 days under refrigeration. The Myrciaria floribunda nanoemulsion showed LC50 values of 48.11 µg/mL, 29.66 µg/mL, and 47.02 µg/mL in Biomphalaria glabrata embryos, juveniles, and adult mollusks, respectively, after 48 h and 83.88 µg/mL for Schistosoma mansoni cercariae after 2 h. In addition, a survival of 80% was observed in Danio rerio, and the in silico toxicity assay showed lower overall human toxicity potential to the major compounds in the essential oil compared to the reference molluscicide niclosamide. These results suggest that the nanoemulsion of Myrciaria floribunda leaves may be a promising alternative for schistosomiasis control.

Mapa de evidências sobre a efetividade clínica das plantas medicinais brasileiras: informe executivo / Evidence Map on the clinical effectiveness of Brazilian medicinal plants: executive report

O mapa apresenta uma visão geral das evidências sobre os efeitos das Plantas Medicinais Brasileiras para desfechos em saúde. A partir de uma ampla busca bibliográfica foram incluídos no mapa 214 estudos de revisão sistemática. Todos os estudos foram avaliados, caracterizados e categorizados por um grupo de pesquisadores de Laboratório de Tecnologia de Produtos Naturais (LTPN) da Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade Federal Fluminense. Principais Achados: ● As revisões avaliaram o efeito de intervenções com 69 tipos de plantas organizadas em 4 categorias: cultivadas, nativas, exóticas e introduzidas no Brasil. ● As intervenções foram associadas a 130 desfechos de saúde organizados em 17 grupos: Bem-Estar, Vitalidade e Qualidade de Vida, Câncer, Condições Patológicas, Dermatopatias, Doenças Cardiovasculares, Doenças Nutricionais e Metabólicas, Doenças Respiratórias, Doenças Reumáticas, Doenças Urogenitais, Dor, Fatores Biológicos, Gastroenteropatias e Hepatopatias, Indicadores Psicológicos e Comportamentais, Indicadores Metabólicos e Fisiológicos, Saúde Mental, Saúde Bucal e Saúde Reprodutiva. ● No total foram 465 associações entre intervenções (as plantas) e desfechos de saúde, com destaque para as plantas cultivadas (251 associações, 54%). ● O grupo dos desfechos "Saúde Mental" foi o que recebeu mais associações (66 associações, 14%), seguido do grupo "Saúde Bucal" (42 associações, 9%). ● Quanto aos desfechos, destaque para: Transtornos de Ansiedade (20 associações), Demência (16 associações), Diabetes Mellitus (17 associações) e Distúrbios Menstruais (15 associações). ● Dentre as plantas, destaque para: Ginkgo biloba (76 associações), Aloe Vera (50), Zingiber officinale (39), Panax ginseng (28) e Curcuma longa (23). Implicações para a prática e pesquisa: ● Considerando o efeito das intervenções para os desfechos, os estudos reportaram efeito positivo ou potencialmente positivo para a maioria (68%) das associações (181 associações com efeito positivo e 137 com efeito potencialmente positivo). ● Destaque para os efeitos positivos ou potencialmente positivos reportados nas intervenções com Ginkgo biloba para os desfechos: Demência, Doença de Alzheimer e Desempenho Cognitivo (8, 7 e 7 associações respectivamente). ● Em 87 associações foi reportado "sem efeito" da intervenção para o desfecho (19,7%). ● Foi reportado efeito inconclusivo para uma pequena parte das associações (9%), que merece mais pesquisas. Nenhum efeito negativo ou potencialmente negativo foi reportado. O efeito não foi informado para 19 associações. ● Note-se que essa lista é dinâmica, podendo mudar com a publicações de novos estudos.

The map provides an overview of the evidence on the effects of Brazilian Medicinal Plants on health outcomes. Based on an extensive literature search, the map includes 214 systematic review studies. All studies were assessed, characterized, and categorized by a group of researchers from the Laboratory of Natural Product Technology (LTPN) at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Federal Fluminense University. Key Findings: - The reviews evaluated the effects of interventions using 69 types of plants organized into 4 categories: cultivated, native, exotic, and introduced to Brazil. - The interventions were associated with 130 health outcomes organized into 17 groups: Well-being, Vitality and Quality of Life, Cancer, Pathological Conditions, Dermatopathies, Cardiovascular Diseases, Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases, Respiratory Diseases, Rheumatic Diseases, Urogenital Diseases, Pain, Biological Factors, Gastroenteropathies and Hepatopathies, Psychological and Behavioral Indicators, Metabolic and Physiological Indicators, Mental Health, Oral Health, and Reproductive Health. - In total, there were 465 associations between interventions (plants) and health outcomes, with a significant emphasis on cultivated plants (251 associations, 54%). - The "Mental Health" group received the most associations (66 associations, 14%), followed by the "Oral Health" group (42 associations, 9%). - Notable health outcomes included Anxiety Disorders (20 associations), Dementia (16 associations), Diabetes Mellitus (17 associations), and Menstrual Disorders (15 associations). - Among the plants, notable ones included Ginkgo biloba (76 associations), Aloe Vera (50), Zingiber officinale (39), Panax ginseng (28), and Curcuma longa (23). Implications for Practice and Research: - Considering the effects of interventions on health outcomes, the studies reported a positive or potentially positive effect for the majority (68%) of the associations (181 associations with a positive effect and 137 with a potentially positive effect); - Noteworthy are the positive or potentially positive effects reported for interventions with Ginkgo biloba on the outcomes of Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease, and Cognitive Performance (8, 7, and 7 associations, respectively); - In 87 associations, the intervention was reported to have "no effect" on the outcome (19.7%); - An inconclusive effect was reported for a small portion of the associations (9%), indicating a need for further research. No negative or potentially negative effects were reported. The effect was not reported for 19 associations; - It should be noted that this list is dynamic and may change with the publication of new studies.

Ocotea pulchellaas an alternative against schistosomiasis: chemical analysis, development of nanoemulsion and biological control activity / Ocotea pulchellacomo una alternativa ante esquistosomiasis: análisis químico, desarrollo de una nanoemulsión y actividad en control biológico

The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential of the essential oil (EO) from Ocotea pulchella leaves as an alternative in the control of schistosomiasis. It was tested O. pulchella EO nanoformulation to assess its activity against adult Biomphalaria glabrata, their spawning and Schistossoma mansoni cercariae. Additionally, the EO chemical composition was investigated by gas-chromatography. Nanoemulsion were elaborated by the low energy method. The adult mollusks, their spawning and cercariae were placed in contact with nanoemulsion to calculate lethal concentrations. Myristicin, bicyclogermacrene and α-Pinene were the main substances in the EO. Nanoemulsion caused mortality of adult B. glabrata, its egg embryos and S. mansoni. These results suggest the use of this nanoemulsion as an alternative in the control of the schistosomiasis cycle.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el potencial de los aceites esenciales (AE) de las hojas de Ocotea pulchellacomo una alternativa en el control de esquistosomiasis. Se probó una nanoformulación de AE de O. pulchellapara evaluar su actividad ante adultos de Biomphalaria glabrata, sus huevos y cercarías de Schistossoma mansoni. La nanoemulsión fue elaborada por el método de baja energía. Los moluscos adultos, sus huevos y cercarías se colocaron en contacto con la nanoemulsión para calcular concentraciones letales. Los compuestos mayoritarios en el AE fueron miristicina, biciclogermacreno y α-pineno. La nanoemulsión causó mortalidad en adultos de B. glabrata, sus huevos y a S. mansoni. Los resultados sugieren el uso de esta nanoemulsión como una alternativa en el control del ciclo de esquistosomiasis.

Chemical composition and acaricidal activity of Ocotea notata (Lauraceae), an endemic species from Brazil, against the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus / Composición química y actividad acaricida de Ocotea notata (Lauraceae), una especie endémica de Brasil, contra la garrapata del ganado Rhipicephalus microplus

Rhipicephalus microplus, is one parasites that cause severe productivity losses in the cattle industry of Brazil and shows increasing resistance to conventional pesticides. This research aims to study the chemical composition, and acaricidal activity of the essential oil from Ocotea notata leaves, a brazilian endemic species, against R. microplus. The effect on R. microplus engorged adult females was evaluated using the immersion test. The oil reduced the survival by 90% after incubation for 15 days and there was 100% reduction for posture inhibition and reproductive capacity. These results suggest that the O. notata essential oil has activity on the R. microplus.

Rhipicephalus microplus, es un parásito que causa graves pérdidas de productividad en la industria ganadera de Brasil y muestra una creciente resistencia a los pesticidas convencionales. Esta investigación tiene como objetivo estudiar la composición química y la actividad acaricida del aceite esencial de las hojas de Ocotea notata, una especie endémica brasileña, contra R. microplus. El efecto sobre las hembras adultas engordadas de R. microplus se evaluó mediante la prueba de inmersión. El aceite redujo la supervivencia en 90% después de la incubación durante 15 días y hubo una reducción del 100% para la inhibición de la postura y la capacidad reproductiva. Estos resultados sugieren que el aceite esencial de O. notata tiene actividad contra R. microplus.

Protective effect of Myrsine parvifolia plant extract against the inflammatory process induced by Bothrops jararaca snake venom.

Accidents involving snakes from the genus Bothrops sp. constitute the most important cause of snake envenomation in Brazil. The Myrsine genus has been reported to be used in folk medicine against snakebites. In this work, the phytochemical profiles and ability of extracts from Myrsine parvifolia leaves to reduce the inflammatory process (edema, vascular permeability increase and leukocyte migration) induced by Bothrops jararaca venom were investigated in vivo. Chemical compounds were identified by chromatographic and spectroscopy techniques. Total polyphenol, tannin, and flavonoid contents were determined by spectrophotometric methods. Swiss male mice received an oral administration of extracts (100 mg/kg) in different protocols. Paw edema, intraperitoneal vascular permeability and pleurisy models in mice were used to evaluate the antiophidic potential of the extracts. Paw edema was induced by subplantar injection of B. jararaca venom and quantified as the increase in paw volume. Changes in vascular permeability were assessed by measuring the amount of Evans blue dye extravasation. Leukocyte migration was assessed by total and differential counts in the pleural cavity washes. Myricetin, myricetin-3-O-ß-arabinopyranoside, quercetin and kaempferol were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract and identified as the primary compounds of the dichloromethane extract. Terpenes and fatty acids were identified in the hexane and dichloromethane extracts. The pretreated group with hydroethanolic and dichloromethane extract reduced total edema (40 and 52%, respectively), vascular permeability increase (32.4 and 32.2%, respectively) and leukocyte influx into the pleural cavity (42 and 39%, respectively), while the group treated with hexane extract showed only reduced edema (37%) induced by B. jararaca venom. The hydroethanolic extract showed better results in all of the tests performed and was also administered by the protocol of post-poisoning, showing maintenance of paw edema reduction and cell migration. These data indicate a potential anti-inflammatory activity of M. parvifolia in poisoning by B. jararaca, especially to reduce local poison effects.