Syagrus coronata fixed oil prevents rotenone-induced movement disorders and oxidative stress in Drosophila melanogaster.

One prominent aspect of Parkinson's disease (PD) is the presence of elevated levels of free radicals, including reactive oxygen species (ROS). Syagrus coronata (S. coronata), a palm tree, exhibits antioxidant activity attributed to its phytochemical composition, containing fatty acids, polyphenols, and flavonoids. The aim of this investigation was to examine the potential neuroprotective effects of S. coronata fixed oil against rotenone-induced toxicity using Drosophila melanogaster. Young Drosophila specimens (3-4 d old) were exposed to a diet supplemented with rotenone (50 µM) for 7 d with and without the inclusion of S. coronata fixed oil (0.2 mg/g diet). Data demonstrated that rotenone exposure resulted in significant locomotor impairment and increased mortality rates in flies. Further, rotenone administration reduced total thiol levels but elevated lipid peroxidation, iron (Fe) levels, and nitric oxide (NO) levels while decreasing the reduced capacity of mitochondria. Concomitant administration of S. coronata exhibited a protective effect against rotenone, as evidenced by a return to control levels of Fe, NO, and total thiols, lowered lipid peroxidation levels, reversed locomotor impairment, and enhanced % cell viability. Molecular docking of the oil lipidic components with antioxidant enzymes showed strong binding affinity to superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX1) enzymes. Overall, treatment with S. coronata fixed oil was found to prevent rotenone-induced movement disorders and oxidative stress in Drosophila melanogaster.

Chemical composition and antimicrobial potential of Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. ex Mart. and Syagrus cearensis Noblick (Arecaceae).

This study aimed to evaluate the antibiotic effects of the fixed oils of Acrocomia aculeata (FOAA) and Syagrus cearenses (FOSC) against the bacterial strains and the fungi strains of the genus Candida spp. The method of serial microdilution using different concentrations was used for measuring the individual biological activity of the fixed oils. The fixed oil of A. aculeata showed the presence of oleic acid (24.36%), while the oil of S. cearensis displayed the content of myristic acid (18.29%), compounds detected in high concentration. The combination FOAA + Norfloxacin, and FOSC + Norfloxacin showed antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus strains, demonstrating possible synergism and potentiation of the antibiotic action against multidrug-resistant strains. The combination FOAA + Fluconazole displayed a significant effect against Candida albicans (IC50 = 15.54), C. krusei (IC50 = 78.58), and C. tropicalis (IC50 = 1588 µg/mL). Regarding FOSC + Fluconazole, it was also observed their combined effect against the strains of C. albicans (IC50 = 3385 µg/mL), C. krusei (IC50 = 26.67 µg/mL), and C. tropicalis (IC50 = 1164 µg/mL). The findings of this study showed a significant synergism for both fixed oils tested when combined with the antibiotic.

Identification and Semi-quantification of Protozoa from the Digestive System Microbiota of the Lobster Cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea Oliver, 1789 (Insecta:Blattaria).

INTRODUCTION: The lobster cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea (N. cinerea) is indicated as a promising non-mammalian model, because it presents behavioral and biochemical alterations also observed in conventional models. In this research, we identified and characterized the distribution of protozoa that inhabit the digestive system (DS) of N. cinerea cockroaches. METHODS: The adult specimens of N. cinerea used in this study (n = 32) were obtained at the Federal University of Santa Maria, dissected and had their visceral contents observed in bright-field microscopy without staining and after application of lugol, Ziehl-Neelsen staining, EA36 trichrome and simulated dark-field microscopy with application of nankin ink. The presence of protozoa in different portions of the DS was semi-quantified by a system of crosses (+). RESULTS: The main taxa observed were: amoebas (Archaemebae:Entamoebida), gregarins (Apicomplexa:Eugregarinide), coccidia (Apicomplexa:Eucoccidiorida), kinetoplastids (Kinetoplastea:Kinetoplastida) and oxymonads (Preaxostyla:Oxymonadida). The highest prevalence of amoebas and gregarines was observed in the medial portion of the DS, while for the other groups, this was seen in the final portion, and in the case of coccidia, such prevalence was specially evidenced by the alcohol-acid coloration. In the present work, the great biological diversity that exists in the microbiota of the digestive system of Nauphoeta cinerea was demonstrated, being possible to find several pathogenic species for humans such as Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii, Cryptosporidium sp. and Cyclospora cayetanensis. There is still a lot to know about the interactions between endocommensal protozoa and their respective invertebrate hosts, so the best way to clarify such relationships is through molecular and genetic test.

A Potential New Source of Therapeutic Agents for the Treatment of Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis: The Essential Oil of Rhaphiodon echinus.

Weeds are an important source of natural products; with promising biological activity. This study investigated the anti-kinetoplastida potential (in vitro) to evaluate the cytotoxicity (in vitro) and antioxidant capacity of the essential oil of Rhaphiodon echinus (EORe), which is an infesting plant species. The essential oil was analyzed by GC/MS. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated by reduction of the DPPH radical and Fe3+ ion. The clone Trypanosoma cruzi CL-B5 was used to search for anti-epimastigote activity. Antileishmanial activity was determined using promastigotes of Leishmania braziliensis (MHOM/CW/88/UA301). NCTC 929 fibroblasts were used for the cytotoxicity test. The results showed that the main constituent of the essential oil was γ-elemene. No relevant effect was observed concerning the ability to reduce the DPPH radical; only at the concentration of 480 µg/mL did the essential oil demonstrate a high reduction of Fe3+ power. The oil was active against L. brasiliensis promastigotes; but not against the epimastigote form of T. cruzi. Cytotoxicity for mammalian cells was low at the active concentration capable of killing more than 70% of promastigote forms. The results revealed that the essential oil of R. echinus showed activity against L. brasiliensis; positioning itself as a promising agent for antileishmanial therapies.

Cytotoxicity of Essential Oil Cordia verbenaceae against Leishmania brasiliensis and Trypanosoma cruzi.

The species Cordia verbenacea DC (Boraginaceae), known as the whaling herb and camaradinha, is a perennial shrub species native to the Atlantic Forest. Its leaves are used in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiulcerogenic and curative agent, in the form of teas or infusions for internal or topical use. The present study aimed to verify the cytotoxicity of the essential oil and the leishmanicidal and trypanocidal potential of C. verbenacea. The essential oil was characterized by GC-MS. The in vitro biological activity was determined by anti-Leishmania and anti-Trypanosoma assays. The cytotoxixity was determined using mammalian fibroblasts. The C. verbenacea species presented α-pinene (45.71%), ß-caryophyllene (18.77%), tricyclo[2,2,1-(2.6)]heptane (12.56%) as their main compounds. The essential oil exhibited strong cytotoxicity at concentrations below 250 µg/mL (LC50 138.1 µg/mL) in mammalian fibroblasts. The potent anti-trypanosome and anti-promastigote activities occurred from the concentration of 62.5 µg/mL and was considered clinically relevant. The results also demonstrate that at low concentrations (<62.5 µg/mL), the essential oil of C. verbenacea managed to be lethal for these activities. This can be considered an indication of the power used in daily human consumption. Therefore, it can be concluded that the essential oil of C. verbenacea contains a compound with remarkable antiparasitic activities and requires further research.

In vitro Antibiotic and Modulatory Activity of Mesosphaerum suaveolens (L.) Kuntze against Candida strains.

The emergence of fungal resistance to commercial drugs has been a major problem for the WHO. In this context, research with natural products is promising in the discovery of new active substances. Thus, this work evaluated the antifungal effect of a medicinal plant (i.e., Mesosphaerum suaveolens) against strains of the genus Candida, tested the combined effect with the drug fluconazole, and, finally, determined the phenolic constituents present in the species. Initially, aqueous extracts of leaves (AELMs) and aerial parts (AEAPMs) of the species were prepared. For microbiological assays, the minimum fungicidal concentration was determined by broth microdilution, and the combined effect of fluconazole extracts were verified by sub-inhibitory microdilution concentrations (CFM/8) followed by spectrophotometric readings which were used to determine the IC50. HPLC detected the presence of flavonoids and phenolic acids, detecting eight compounds present in the samples of which caffeic acid and quercetin were major components. The AELMs modulated fluconazole activity since it decreased fluconazole's IC50 from 7.8 µg/mL to an IC50 of 4.7 µg/mL (CA LM 77) and from 28.8 µg/mL to 18.26 µg/mL (CA INCQS 40006) for the C. albicans strains. The AEAPMs were able to potentiate the effect of fluconazole more effectively than the AELMs. Such an effect was significant for the 16 µg/mL concentration for CA LM 77 and 32 µg/mL for CA INCQS 40006. The AEAPMs as well as the AELMs presented clinically relevant activities for C. tropicalis strains. For the C. tropicalis LM 23 strain, the AEPMs obtained an IC50 of 25 µg/mL and the AELMs an IC50 of 359.9 µg/mL.

Chemical composition and anti-Candida potencial of the extracts of Tarenaya spinosa (Jacq.) Raf. (Cleomaceae).

Phytochemical prospecting was performed by HPLC-DAD. The Inhibitory Concentration of 50% of mortality the microorganisms (IC50) was determined and a cell viability curve was obtained. Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) was determined by subculture in Sabourad Dextrose Agar. The effect of the combination extract/fluconazole was verified by microdilution, with the extracts in subinhibitory concentrations (MFC/16). Caffeic acid was the major compound of both extracts, representing 6.08% in the aqueous extract and 7.62% in the ethanolic extract. The extracts showed a fungistatic effect (MFC ≥ 16,384 µg/mL). The IC50 results demonstrated that the combination of the extracts with fluconazole were more significant than the products tested alone, with values from 4.9 to 34.8 µg/mL for the ethanolic extract/fluconazole and 5 to 84.7 µg/mL for the aqueous extract/fluconazole. The potentiating effect of fluconazole action was observed against C. albicans and C. tropicalis. In C. krusei the aqueous extract had an antagonistic effect.

GC-MS Chemical Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation of Antioxidant and Toxic Effects Using Drosophila melanogaster Model of the Essential Oil of Lantana montevidensis (Spreng) Briq.

Background and objectives: Natural products such as essential oils with antioxidant potential can reduce the level of oxidative stress and prevent the oxidation of biomolecules. In the present study, we investigated the antioxidant potential of Lantana montevidensis leaf essential oil (EOLM) in chemical and biological models using Drosophila melanogaster. Materials and methods: in addition, the chemical components of the oil were identified and quantified by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and the percentage compositions were obtained from electronic integration measurements using flame ionization detection (FID). Results: our results demonstrated that EOLM is rich in terpenes with Germacrene-D (31.27%) and ß-caryophyllene (28.15%) as the major components. EOLM (0.12-0.48 g/mL) was ineffective in scavenging DPPH radical, and chelating Fe(II), but showed reducing activity at 0.24 g/mL and 0.48 g/mL. In in vivo studies, exposure of D. melanogaster to EOLM (0.12-0.48 g/mL) for 5 h resulted in 10% mortality; no change in oxidative stress parameters such as total thiol, non-protein thiol, and malondialdehyde contents, in comparison to control (p > 0.05). Conclusions: taken together, our results indicate EOLM may not be toxic at the concentrations tested, and thus may not be suitable for the development of new botanical insecticides, such as fumigants or spray-type control agents against Drosophila melanogaster.

Assessment of acute toxicity and cytotoxicity of fluorescent markers produced by cardanol and glycerol, which are industrial waste, to different biological models.

The amphyphylic triazoanilines recently synthesized 1-(4-(3-aminophenyl)-1H-1,2,3- triazole-1-yl)-3-(3-pentadecylphenoxy)propan-2-ol (1) and 1-(4-(4-aminophenyl)-1H- 1,2,3-triazole-1-yl)-3-(3-pentadecylphenoxy)propan-2-ol (2), synthesized from cardanol and glycerol, have photophysical properties which allow their use in the development of fluorescent biomarkers with applicability in the biodiesel quality control. Based on this, the present research evaluated the toxic effects of both compounds in different biological models through the investigation of survival and mortality percentages as a measure of acute toxicity on Daphnia similis and Oreochromis niloticus, larvicidal assay against Aedes aegypti, and cytotoxic activity on mammary cells. Results demonstrate that these triazoanilines 1 and 2 have shown low acute toxicity to the biological models investigated in this study up to the following concentrations: 4.0 mg L-1 (D. similis), 4.0 mg L-1 (A. aegypti larvae), 1.0 mg L-1 (O. niloticus), and 1.0 mg mL-1 (mammary cells). This fact suggests the potential for safe use of compounds 1 and 2 as fluorescent markers for the monitoring of biodiesel quality, even in the case of environmental exposure. Besides all of that, the reuse of cardanol and glycerol, both industrial wastes, favors the maintenance of environmental health and is in agreement with the assumptions of green chemistry. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Phytochemical and biological evaluation of metabolites produced by alginate-immobilized Bionts isolated from the lichen Cladonia substellata vain.

In this work, new biotechnological procedures have been optimized on the basis of immobilization in alginate of bionts isolated from the lichen C. substellata. From these immobilizates, soluble and biologically active phenolics can be obtained. During bionts-immobilization, stictic, norstictic and usnic acids were secreted to the medium. The amount produced of each of them differed depending on the immobilization time, the precursor supplied and the type of biont used. Greater amounts of stictic acid were detected and maintained over time in all bioreactors. The opposite occurs in non-immobilized thallus. Virtually, all lichen phenols exhibit antioxidant activity to a greater or lesser degree, so that the antioxidant capacity of stictic acid (82.13% oxidation inhibition) was tested. The soluble extract of immobilized algae co-incubated in sodium acetate with fungal hyphae contained carbohydrates and exhibited a potent antioxidant capacity after 13 days of immobilization (94.87%). Therefore, attempts have been made to relate both parameters. On the other hand, the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae was inhibited by phenolic compounds produced by immobilizates, although the organic extract of the whole lichen showed the highest activity due to a possible synergy with other indeterminate compounds. Thus, C. substellata immobilized bionts are a potential source of different natural antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds.

Caffeine-supplemented diet modulates oxidative stress markers and improves locomotor behavior in the lobster cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea.

The effects of caffeine supplementation is well documented in conventional animal models, however, in the lobster cockroaches Nauphoeta cinerea, they have not been reported. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the locomotor behavior and biochemical endpoints in the head of the nymphs of N. cinerea following 60 days exposure to food supplemented with 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg of caffeine/g of diet. The analysis of the locomotor behavior using the video-tracking software, Any-maze, for 12 min revealed that caffeine supplementation caused significant behavioral improvement. There was increase in distance travelled, velocity, frequency of rotation and turn angle (stereotypical behavior such as circling movements), and this was supported by the representative track plots of the path travelled by cockroaches in the open-field arena. In addition, caffeine supplementation markedly increased total thiol and non-protein thiol glutathione (GSH) levels in the heads of cockroaches, and this was in parallel with significant reduction of lipid peroxidation and free Fe(II) content. Taking together, our results indicate that long-term caffeine supplementation may exert preventive effects against oxidative stress and support the use of N. cinerea as an efficient alternative model to assess the efficacy of food molecules.

Safety assessment and antioxidant activity of Lantana montevidensis leaves: Contribution to its phytochemical and pharmacological activity.

Lantana camara, the widely studied species, and L. montevidensis, the less studied species of the genus Lantana are both used in traditional medicine for the same purpose (anti-asthma, anti-ulcer, anti-tumor, etc). However, little is known about the toxicity of L. montevidensis and there is limited information on its chemical constituents. Here, we investigated for the first time the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of the ethanolic (EtOH) and aqueous extracts from the leaves of Lantana montevidensis in human leukocytes, as well as their possible interaction with human erythrocyte membranes in vitro. The antioxidant activities of both extracts were also investigated in chemical and biological models. Treatment of leukocytes with EtOH or aqueous extracts (1-480 µg/mL) did not affect DNA damage index, but promoted cytotoxicity at higher concentrations (240-480 µg/mL). Both extracts did not modify the osmotic fragility of human erythrocytes. The extracts scavenged DPPH radical and prevented Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation in rat's brain and liver homogenates, and this was likely not attributed to Fe (II) chelation. The HPLC analysis of the extracts showed different amounts of polyphenolic compounds (isoquercitrin, gallic acid, catechin, ellagic acid, apigenin, kaempferol, caffeic acid, rutin, quercitrin, quercetin, chlorogenic acid, luteolin) that may have contributed to these effects. These results supported information on the functional use of L. montevidensis in folk medicine.

Rhaphiodon echinus (Nees & Mart.) Schauer: Chemical, toxicological activity and increased antibiotic activity of antifungal drug activity and antibacterial.

The association of herbal products with standard antimicrobial drugs has recently gained more attention as a hope to overcome infectious diseases caused by multidrug-resistant microorganisms. Here, we investigated for the first time the antimicrobial (antifungal and antibacterial) activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of R. echinus against multiresistant strains of bacteria (E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus) and fungi (C. albicans, C. krusei and C. tropicalis), as well as potential to enhance the activity of antibiotics drugs. In addition, both extract were chemically characterized and their toxicity was assessed in Artemia salina. Our results demonstrate that aqueous extract of R. echinus caused a significant increase in the activity of antibiotics gentamicin and imipenem, while the ethanolic extract strongly enhanced the antibiotic activity of gentamicin, amikacin, imipenem and ciprofloxacin against P. aeruginosa. However, neither the ethanolic nor the aqueous extracts significantly affect the antibiotic activity of the drugs when tested against S. aureus. Phytochemical analysis of the extracts indicated ellagic acid, caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid as the major components which can be at least in part responsible for the enhanced activity of antibiotics. None of the extracts showed toxicity in A. salina even at the highest concentration tested (1000 µg/mL). All together, our results suggest that the leaf extract of R. echinus can be an effective source of modulating agents.

Estudo químico-biológico do óleo essencial de Lantana montevidensis (chumbinho) (Spreng.) Briq. (Verbenaceae) contra Drosophila melanogaster / Chemical-biological study of the essential oil of Lantana montevidensis (chumbinho) (Spreng.) Briq. (Verbenaceae) against Drosophila melanogaster

Introdução: O uso de plantas como inseticidas podem substituir muitos produtos sintéticos por apresentarem baixa toxicidade para os animais e biodegradação no ambiente. A espécie Lantana montevidensis (Spreng.) Briq. (Verbenaceae), chumbinho, é um vegetal subarbustivo rico de compostos secundários para a sua defesa. O modelo experimental com Drosophila melanogaster tem sido usada para estudos, por apresentar vantagens, pois tem fácil manuseio e rápida taxa de reprodução. Objetivo: Avaliar a composição química e efeito inseticida do óleo essencial (OE) de L. montevidensis contra D. melanogaster. Metodos: O OE das folhas secas provenientes do Crato-CE, Brasil, foi extraído por hidrodestilação e foi analisado por CG/EMS para identificação dos constituintes. No ensaio foi avaliada a mortalidade e geotaxia negativa das moscas, em que elas foram expostas a diferentes concentrações do OE (3-30,5 µg/mL do óleo essencial/ar). Um total de vinte moscas adultas foram submetidas à diapausa por meio de resfriamento e em seguidas foram colocadas em frascos de 300 mL, cuja parte inferior havia papel filtro impregnado com 1 mL de sacarose a 20 por cento em água destilada. Na parte superior (tampa) foi afixado um papel filtro para a aplicação do produto a ser testado, nesse caso o OELM. As leituras foram realizadas a cada 3, 6, 12 e 24 h. Resultados: Os resultados mostraram que o OE apresentou o ß-Cariofileno (34,96 por cento), o Germacreno D (25,49 por cento) e o Biciclogermacreno (9, 78 por cento) como componentes majoritários, no ensaio inseticida houve uma CL50 na concentração de 15,14 µg/mL em 3 h de exposição, e houve um efeito significativo nos danos do aparelho locomotor das moscas.mConclusão: Este estudo fornece evidências que esse OE apresenta-se como um potencial bioinseticida(AU)

Introducción: el uso de plantas como insecticidas puede sustituir muchos productos sintéticos porque tienen baja toxicidad para los animales y son fácilmente biodegradables en el medio ambiente. La especie Lantana montevidensis (Spreng.) Briq. (Verbenaceae), Chumbinho, es una planta sub-arbustiva rica en metabolitos secundarios para su defensa. El modelo experimental en Drosophila melanogaster se ha utilizado para varios tipos de estudios, presenta algunas ventajas como: fácil manejo y tasa de reproducción rápida. Objetivo: evaluar la composición química y el efecto insecticida de aceite esencial (OE) de L. montevidensis contra las D. melanogaster. Métodos: el OE de hojas secas del Crato-CE, Brasil, se extrajo por hidrodestilación y se analizó por GC/EMS para identificar los constituyentes. En el test se evaluó la mortalidad y geotaxia negativas de las moscas, donde fueron expuestos a diferentes concentraciones de OE (3-30,5 µg/mL de aceite esencial/aire). Un total de veinte moscas adultas se sometieron a diapausa por enfriamiento y seguido se colocaron en botellas de 300 mL, la parte inferior contenido papel de filtro impregnado con 1 mL de 20 por ciento de sacarosa en agua destilada. En la parte superior (tapa) se haya colocado un papel de filtro para la aplicación del producto a ensayar, la OELM. Las lecturas se realizaron cada 3, 6, 12 y 24 h. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron que el OE presenta la ß-cariofileno (34,96 por ciento), el germacreno D (25,49 por ciento) y bicyclogermacrene (9,78 por ciento) como componentes principales en el ensayo insecticida había una CL50 de la concentración de 15,14 µg/mL en 3 h de exposición, y había un un efecto significativo en el daño del aparato locomotor de las moscas. Conclusión: este estudio proporciona evidencia de que este OE o se presenta como un biopesticida potencial(AU

Introduction: The use of plants as insecticides may be an alternative to many synthetic products because their toxicity to animals is low and they are easily biodegradable in the environment. The species Lantana montevidensis (Spreng.) Briq. (Verbenaceae), chumbinho, is a subshrub rich in secondary metabolites it uses for its own defence. The experimental model for Drosophila melanogaster has been used in several types of studies. Some of its advantages are its easy management and its fast rate of reproduction. Objective: Evaluate the chemical composition and insecticidal effect of the essential oil (EO) of L. montevidensis against D. melanogaster. Method: EO of dry leaves from Crato-CE, Brazil, was extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC/EMS to identify its constituents. As part of the test, evaluation was conducted or the mortality and negative geotaxis of the flies, to attain which they were exposed to different concentrations of the EO (3-30.5 µg/mL essential oil/air). A total 20 adult flies were subjected to cold diapause and placed in 300 mL bottles with filter paper in their lower section impregnated with 1 mL of 20 percent saccharose in distilled water. Filter paper was also attached to the upper section (lid) to apply the test product OELM. Readings were taken every 3, 6, 12 and 24 h. Results: Results showed that the principal components of the EO are ?-caryophyllene (34.96 percent), germacrene D (25.49 percent) and bicyclogermacrene (9.78 percent). In the insecticide test there was a CL50 for the concentration of 15.14 µg/ml in 3 h exposure, and significant damage to the locomotor system of the flies. Conclusion: The study provides evidence that the EO analyzed is a potential biopesticide(AU)

Estudo químico-biológico do óleo essencial de Lantana montevidensis (chumbinho) (Spreng.) Briq. (Verbenaceae) contra Drosophila melanogaster / Estudio químico-biológico del aceite esencial de Lantana montevidensis (Chumbinho) (Spreng.) Briq. (Verbenaceae) contra Drosophila melanogaster / Chemical-biological study of the essential oil of Lantana montevidensis (chumbinho) (Spreng.) Briq. (Verbenaceae) against Drosophila melanogaster

Introdução: O uso de plantas como inseticidas podem substituir muitos produtos sintéticos por apresentarem baixa toxicidade para os animais e biodegradação no ambiente. A espécie Lantana montevidensis (Spreng.) Briq. (Verbenaceae), chumbinho, é um vegetal subarbustivo rico de compostos secundários para a sua defesa. O modelo experimental com Drosophila melanogaster tem sido usada para estudos, por apresentar vantagens, pois tem fácil manuseio e rápida taxa de reprodução. Objetivo: Avaliar a composição química e efeito inseticida do óleo essencial (OE) de L. montevidensis contra D. melanogaster. Metodos: O OE das folhas secas provenientes do Crato-CE, Brasil, foi extraído por hidrodestilação e foi analisado por CG/EMS para identificação dos constituintes. No ensaio foi avaliada a mortalidade e geotaxia negativa das moscas, em que elas foram expostas a diferentes concentrações do OE (3-30,5 µg/mL do óleo essencial/ar). Um total de vinte moscas adultas foram submetidas à diapausa por meio de resfriamento e em seguidas foram colocadas em frascos de 300 mL, cuja parte inferior havia papel filtro impregnado com 1 mL de sacarose a 20 por cento em água destilada. Na parte superior (tampa) foi afixado um papel filtro para a aplicação do produto a ser testado, nesse caso o OELM. As leituras foram realizadas a cada 3, 6, 12 e 24 h. Resultados: Os resultados mostraram que o OE apresentou o ß-Cariofileno (34,96 por cento), o Germacreno D (25,49 por cento) e o Biciclogermacreno (9, 78 por cento) como componentes majoritários, no ensaio inseticida houve uma CL50 na concentração de 15,14 µg/mL em 3 h de exposição, e houve um efeito significativo nos danos do aparelho locomotor das moscas.mConclusão: Este estudo fornece evidências que esse OE apresenta-se como um potencial bioinseticida(AU)

Introducción: el uso de plantas como insecticidas puede sustituir muchos productos sintéticos porque tienen baja toxicidad para los animales y son fácilmente biodegradables en el medio ambiente. La especie Lantana montevidensis (Spreng.) Briq. (Verbenaceae), Chumbinho, es una planta sub-arbustiva rica en metabolitos secundarios para su defensa. El modelo experimental en Drosophila melanogaster se ha utilizado para varios tipos de estudios, presenta algunas ventajas como: fácil manejo y tasa de reproducción rápida. Objetivo: evaluar la composición química y el efecto insecticida de aceite esencial (OE) de L. montevidensis contra las D. melanogaster. Métodos: el OE de hojas secas del Crato-CE, Brasil, se extrajo por hidrodestilación y se analizó por GC/EMS para identificar los constituyentes. En el test se evaluó la mortalidad y geotaxia negativas de las moscas, donde fueron expuestos a diferentes concentraciones de OE (3-30,5 µg/mL de aceite esencial/aire). Un total de veinte moscas adultas se sometieron a diapausa por enfriamiento y seguido se colocaron en botellas de 300 mL, la parte inferior contenido papel de filtro impregnado con 1 mL de 20 por ciento de sacarosa en agua destilada. En la parte superior (tapa) se haya colocado un papel de filtro para la aplicación del producto a ensayar, la OELM. Las lecturas se realizaron cada 3, 6, 12 y 24 h. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron que el OE presenta la ß-cariofileno (34,96 por ciento), el germacreno D (25,49 por ciento) y bicyclogermacrene (9,78 por ciento) como componentes principales en el ensayo insecticida había una CL50 de la concentración de 15,14 µg/mL en 3 h de exposición, y había un un efecto significativo en el daño del aparato locomotor de las moscas. Conclusión: este estudio proporciona evidencia de que este OE o se presenta como un biopesticida potencial(AU

Introduction: The use of plants as insecticides may be an alternative to many synthetic products because their toxicity to animals is low and they are easily biodegradable in the environment. The species Lantana montevidensis (Spreng.) Briq. (Verbenaceae), chumbinho, is a subshrub rich in secondary metabolites it uses for its own defence. The experimental model for Drosophila melanogaster has been used in several types of studies. Some of its advantages are its easy management and its fast rate of reproduction. Objective: Evaluate the chemical composition and insecticidal effect of the essential oil (EO) of L. montevidensis against D. melanogaster. Method: EO of dry leaves from Crato-CE, Brazil, was extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC/EMS to identify its constituents. As part of the test, evaluation was conducted or the mortality and negative geotaxis of the flies, to attain which they were exposed to different concentrations of the EO (3-30.5 µg/mL essential oil/air). A total 20 adult flies were subjected to cold diapause and placed in 300 mL bottles with filter paper in their lower section impregnated with 1 mL of 20 percent saccharose in distilled water. Filter paper was also attached to the upper section (lid) to apply the test product OELM. Readings were taken every 3, 6, 12 and 24 h. Results: Results showed that the principal components of the EO are ?-caryophyllene (34.96 percent), germacrene D (25.49 percent) and bicyclogermacrene (9.78 percent). In the insecticide test there was a CL50 for the concentration of 15.14 µg/ml in 3 h exposure, and significant damage to the locomotor system of the flies. Conclusion: The study provides evidence that the EO analyzed is a potential biopesticide(AU)

A citotoxicidade e a avaliação da atividade antiprotozoária de Melissa officcinalis L (CIDRO-MELISA) / The cytotoxicity activity and evaluation of antiprotozoa Melissa officcinalis L (CIDRO-MELISA)

Introdução: as Leishmanioses correspondem a um complexo de doenças tropicais causada por mais de vinte diferentes espécies de protozoários intracelulares pertencentes ao gênero Leishmania. A Doença de Chagas é uma doença que representa um dos principais problemas de saúde pública em vários países, afetando sobretudo a população carente e rural. Melissa officinalis L., é uma erva perene, uma planta exótica, cuja família é Lamiaceae, que tem sido amplamente utilizada na medicina popular com finalidades terapêuticas. O seu óleo essencial tem sido usado como antioxidante, antimicótica, antifúngica, sedativa e antivirótica. Objetivo: avaliar a citotoxicidade, composição química e atividade antiparasitária do óleo essencial da espécie M. officinalis. Métodos: M. officcinalis foi coletada no município do Crato, CE, Brasil, e foi depositada no herbário da Universidade Regional do Cariri URCA. A análise da composição química do óleo essencial de M. officcinalis, foi realizada através de Cromatografia Gasosa acoplada à Espectrometria de Massas. No estudo da atividade leishmanicida in vitro, utilizou-se formas promastigotas de L. braziliensis e epimastigotas de Trypanosoma cruzi. Para a atividade citotóxica utilizou-se a linhagem de fibroblastos de mamífero NCTC clone 929. Resultados: a través da análise do óleo essencial de M. officcinalis feita por CG/EM, foi possível identificar 12 constituintes que totalizavam 99,83 por cento, dentre os quais alguns foram majoritários: Geranial, Z Citral, 1- Limonene e Carvone. Foi verificado baixa toxicidade contra os fibroblastos. M. officcinalis exibiu maior capacidade para impedir a replicação contra a forma promastigota do protozoário, nas concentrações testadas. Conclusão: a espécie pode ser uma fonte importante na busca de agentes novos e seletivos para o tratamento de doenças tropicais causadas por protozoários, cujas propriedades necessitam ser investigadas quanto aso seus mecanismos(AU)

Introducción: Leishmaniasis corresponde a un complejo de enfermedades tropicales causadas por más de veinte especies diferentes de protozoos intracelulares que pertenece al género Leishmania. La enfermedad de Chagas es una enfermedad que es uno de los principales problemas de salud pública en muchos países, que afectan especialmente a la población pobre y rural. Melissa officinalis L., es una hierba perenne, una planta exótica, cuya familia Lamiaceae, ha sido ampliamente utilizado en la medicina popular para fines terapéuticos. Su aceite esencial se ha usado como un antioxidante, antimicótico, antifúngica, antiviral y sedante. Objetivo: evaluar la citotoxicidad, la composición química y la actividad antiparasitaria del aceite esencial de la especie M. officinalis. Métodos: M. officinalis se recogió en el municipio de Crato, CE, Brasil, y fue depositado en el herbario de la Universidad Regional del Cariri URCA. El análisis de la composición química del aceite esencial de M. officcinalis se realizó por espectrometría de masa de cromatografía de gas. En el estudio de la actividad invitro leishmanicida se utilizó promastigotes L. braziliensis y Trypanosoma cruzi. Para la actividad citotóxica se utilizó la cepa de fibroblastos de mamífero NCTC clon 929. Resultados: a través de análisis de aceite esencial de M. officinalis hizo por GC/ EM se identificó un total de 12 constituyentes 99,83 por ciento, entre los cuales algunos eran mayoría: geranial, Z citral, limoneno y carvona 1. Se comprobó una baja toxicidad contra fibroblastos. M. officcinalis exhibió mayor capacidad para evitar la replicación contra la forma promastigote de parásito, a las concentraciones ensayadas. Conclusión: la especie puede ser una fuente importante en la búsqueda de nuevos agentes y selectivos para el tratamiento de enfermedades tropicales causadas por protozoos, cuyas propiedades deben ser investigados con respecto a sus mecanismos(AU)

Introduction: Leishmaniasis is a complex of tropical diseases caused by more than twenty different species of intracellular protozoa from the genus Leishmania. Chagas disease is one of the main public health problems in many countries. It mostly affects the poor, rural population. Melissa officinalis L. is a perennial herb, an exotic plant from the family Lamiaceae which has been widely used in folk medicine for therapeutic purposes. Its essential oil has been used as antioxidant, antifungal, antiviral and sedative. Objective: Evaluate the cytotoxicity, chemical composition and antiparasitic activity of essential oil of the species M. officinalis. Methods: M. officinalis specimens were collected from the municipality of Crato, CE, Brazil, and deposited in the herbarium at the Regional University of Cariri (URCA). Analysis of the chemical composition of essential oil of M. officinalis was performed by gas chromatography / mass spectrometry. L. braziliensis and Trypanosoma cruzi promastigotes were used for the study of in vitro leishmanicidal activity. Mammalian fibroblast strain NCTC clone 929 was used to evaluate cytotoxic activity. Results: Analysis of essential oil from M. officinalis by GC / MS led to identification of a total 12 constituents 99.83 percent, among which some were a majority: geranial, Z citral, limonene and 1-carvone. Toxicity against fibroblasts was found to be low. M. officinalis displayed greater capacity to avoid replication against the promastigote form of the parasite at the concentrations assayed. Conclusion: The species may be an important source of new agents and selective media for the treatment of tropical diseases caused by protozoa, whose properties should be studied with respect to their mechanisms(AU)

A citotoxicidade e a avaliação da atividade antiprotozoária de Melissa officcinalis L (CIDRO-MELISA) / Actividad citotóxica y evaluación antiparasitaria de Melissa officcinalis L. (CIDRO-MELISA) / The cytotoxicity activity and evaluation of antiprotozoa Melissa officcinalis L (CIDRO-MELISA)

Introdução: as Leishmanioses correspondem a um complexo de doenças tropicais causada por mais de vinte diferentes espécies de protozoários intracelulares pertencentes ao gênero Leishmania. A Doença de Chagas é uma doença que representa um dos principais problemas de saúde pública em vários países, afetando sobretudo a população carente e rural. Melissa officinalis L., é uma erva perene, uma planta exótica, cuja família é Lamiaceae, que tem sido amplamente utilizada na medicina popular com finalidades terapêuticas. O seu óleo essencial tem sido usado como antioxidante, antimicótica, antifúngica, sedativa e antivirótica. Objetivo: avaliar a citotoxicidade, composição química e atividade antiparasitária do óleo essencial da espécie M. officinalis. Métodos: M. officcinalis foi coletada no município do Crato, CE, Brasil, e foi depositada no herbário da Universidade Regional do Cariri URCA. A análise da composição química do óleo essencial de M. officcinalis, foi realizada através de Cromatografia Gasosa acoplada à Espectrometria de Massas. No estudo da atividade leishmanicida in vitro, utilizou-se formas promastigotas de L. braziliensis e epimastigotas de Trypanosoma cruzi. Para a atividade citotóxica utilizou-se a linhagem de fibroblastos de mamífero NCTC clone 929. Resultados: a través da análise do óleo essencial de M. officcinalis feita por CG/EM, foi possível identificar 12 constituintes que totalizavam 99,83 por cento, dentre os quais alguns foram majoritários: Geranial, Z Citral, 1- Limonene e Carvone. Foi verificado baixa toxicidade contra os fibroblastos. M. officcinalis exibiu maior capacidade para impedir a replicação contra a forma promastigota do protozoário, nas concentrações testadas. Conclusão: a espécie pode ser uma fonte importante na busca de agentes novos e seletivos para o tratamento de doenças tropicais causadas por protozoários, cujas propriedades necessitam ser investigadas quanto aso seus mecanismos(AU)

Introducción: Leishmaniasis corresponde a un complejo de enfermedades tropicales causadas por más de veinte especies diferentes de protozoos intracelulares que pertenece al género Leishmania. La enfermedad de Chagas es una enfermedad que es uno de los principales problemas de salud pública en muchos países, que afectan especialmente a la población pobre y rural. Melissa officinalis L., es una hierba perenne, una planta exótica, cuya familia Lamiaceae, ha sido ampliamente utilizado en la medicina popular para fines terapéuticos. Su aceite esencial se ha usado como un antioxidante, antimicótico, antifúngica, antiviral y sedante. Objetivo: evaluar la citotoxicidad, la composición química y la actividad antiparasitaria del aceite esencial de la especie M. officinalis. Métodos: M. officinalis se recogió en el municipio de Crato, CE, Brasil, y fue depositado en el herbario de la Universidad Regional del Cariri URCA. El análisis de la composición química del aceite esencial de M. officcinalis se realizó por espectrometría de masa de cromatografía de gas. En el estudio de la actividad invitro leishmanicida se utilizó promastigotes L. braziliensis y Trypanosoma cruzi. Para la actividad citotóxica se utilizó la cepa de fibroblastos de mamífero NCTC clon 929. Resultados: a través de análisis de aceite esencial de M. officinalis hizo por GC/ EM se identificó un total de 12 constituyentes 99,83 por ciento, entre los cuales algunos eran mayoría: geranial, Z citral, limoneno y carvona 1. Se comprobó una baja toxicidad contra fibroblastos. M. officcinalis exhibió mayor capacidad para evitar la replicación contra la forma promastigote de parásito, a las concentraciones ensayadas. Conclusión: la especie puede ser una fuente importante en la búsqueda de nuevos agentes y selectivos para el tratamiento de enfermedades tropicales causadas por protozoos, cuyas propiedades deben ser investigados con respecto a sus mecanismos(AU)

Introduction: Leishmaniasis is a complex of tropical diseases caused by more than twenty different species of intracellular protozoa from the genus Leishmania. Chagas disease is one of the main public health problems in many countries. It mostly affects the poor, rural population. Melissa officinalis L. is a perennial herb, an exotic plant from the family Lamiaceae which has been widely used in folk medicine for therapeutic purposes. Its essential oil has been used as antioxidant, antifungal, antiviral and sedative. Objective: Evaluate the cytotoxicity, chemical composition and antiparasitic activity of essential oil of the species M. officinalis. Methods: M. officinalis specimens were collected from the municipality of Crato, CE, Brazil, and deposited in the herbarium at the Regional University of Cariri (URCA). Analysis of the chemical composition of essential oil of M. officinalis was performed by gas chromatography / mass spectrometry. L. braziliensis and Trypanosoma cruzi promastigotes were used for the study of in vitro leishmanicidal activity. Mammalian fibroblast strain NCTC clone 929 was used to evaluate cytotoxic activity. Results: Analysis of essential oil from M. officinalis by GC / MS led to identification of a total 12 constituents 99.83 percent, among which some were a majority: geranial, Z citral, limonene and 1-carvone. Toxicity against fibroblasts was found to be low. M. officinalis displayed greater capacity to avoid replication against the promastigote form of the parasite at the concentrations assayed. Conclusion: The species may be an important source of new agents and selective media for the treatment of tropical diseases caused by protozoa, whose properties should be studied with respect to their mechanisms(AU)

Cytotoxic and antioxidative potentials of ethanolic extract of Eugenia uniflora L. (Myrtaceae) leaves on human blood cells.

Eugenia uniflora is used in the Brazilian folk medicine to treat intestinal disorders and hypertension. However, scanty information exist on its potential toxicity to human, and little is known on its antioxidant activity in biological system. Hence, we investigated for the first time the potential toxic effects of ethanolic extract (EtOH) of E. uniflora (EEEU) in human leukocytes and erythrocytes, as well as its influence on membrane erythrocytes osmotic fragility. In addition, EEEU was chemically characterized and its antioxidant capacity was evaluated. We found that EEEU (1-480µg/mL) caused neither cytotoxicity nor DNA damage evaluated by Trypan blue and Comet assay, respectively. EEEU (1-480µg/mL) did not have any effect on membrane erythrocytes fragility. In addition, EEEU inhibited Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation in rat brain and liver homogenates, and scavenged the DPPH radical. EEEU presented some polyphenolic compounds with high content such as quercetin, quercitrin, isoquercitrin, luteolin and ellagic acid, which may be at least in part responsible for its beneficial effects. Our results suggest that consumption of EEEU at relatively higher concentrations may not result in toxicity. However, further in vitro and in vivo studies should be conducted to ascertain its safety.

Antimicrobial Activity and Modulatory Effect of Essential Oil from the Leaf of Rhaphiodon echinus (Nees & Mart) Schauer on Some Antimicrobial Drugs.

BACKGROUND: Rhaphiodon echinus is a weed plant used in the Brazilian folk medicinal for the treatment of infectious diseases. In this study, the essential oil of R. echinus leaf was investigated for its antimicrobial properties. METHODS: The chemical constituents of the essential oil were characterized by GC-MS. The antimicrobial properties were determined by studying by the microdilution method the effect of the oil alone, and in combination with antifungal or antibiotic drugs against the fungi Candida albicans, Candida krusei and Candida tropicalis and the microbes Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas. In addition, the iron (II) chelation potential of the oil was determined. RESULTS: The results showed the presence of ß-caryophyllene and bicyclogermacrene in major compounds, and revealed a low antifungal and antibacterial activity of the essential oil, but a strong modulatory effect on antimicrobial drugs when associated with the oil. The essential oil showed iron (II) chelation activity. CONCLUSIONS: The GC-MS characterization revealed the presence of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes in the essential oil and metal chelation potential, which may be responsible in part for the modulatory effect of the oil. These findings suggest that essential oil of R. echinus is a natural product capable of enhancing the antibacterial and antifungal activity of antimicrobial drugs.

HPLC-DAD phenolic profile, cytotoxic and anti-kinetoplastidae activity of Melissa officinalis.

Context Melissa officinalis subsp. inodora Bornm. (Lamiaceae) has been used since ancient times in folk medicine against various diseases, but it has not been investigated against protozoa. Objective To evaluate the activities of M. officinalis against Leishmania braziliensis, Leishmania infantum and Trypanosoma cruzi as well as its cytotoxicity in fibroblast cell line. Materials and methods The fresh leaves were chopped into 1 cm(2) pieces, washed and macerated with 99.9% of ethanol for 72 h at room temperature. Antiparasitic activity of M. officinalis was accessed by direct counting of cells after serial dilution, while the cytotoxicity of M. officinalis was evaluated in fibroblast cell line (NCTC929) by measuring the reduction of resazurin. The test duration was 24 h. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to characterise the extract. Results The extract at concentrations of 250 and 125 µg/mL inhibited 80.39 and 54.27% of promastigote (LC50 value = 105.78 µg/mL) form of L. infantum, 80.59 and 68.61% of L. brasiliensis (LC50 value = 110.69 µg/mL) and against epimastigote (LC50 value = 245.23 µg/mL) forms of T. cruzi with an inhibition of 54.45 and 22.26%, respectively, was observed. The maximum toxicity was noted at 500 µg/mL with 95.41% (LC50 value = 141.01 µg/mL). The HPLC analysis identified caffeic acid and rutin as the major compounds. Discussion The inhibition of the parasites is considered clinically relevant (< 500 µg/mL). Rutin and caffeic acids may be responsible for the antiprotozoal effect of the extract. Conclusion The ethanol extract of M. officinalis can be considered a potential alternative source of natural products with antileishmania and antitrypanosoma activities.