Evaluation of the In Vitro Antiparasitic Effect of the Essential Oil of Cymbopogon winterianus and Its Chemical Composition Analysis.

Cymbopogon winterianus, known as "citronella grass", is an important aromatic and medicinal tropical herbaceous plant. The essential oil of C. winterianus (EOCw) is popularly used to play an important role in improving human health due to its potential as a bioactive component. The present study aimed to identify the components of the essential oil of C. winterianus and verify its leishmanicidal and trypanocidal potential, as well as the cytotoxicity in mammalian cells, in vitro. The EOCw had geraniol (42.13%), citronellal (17.31%), and citronellol (16.91%) as major constituents. The essential oil only exhibited significant cytotoxicity in mammalian fibroblasts at concentrations greater than 250 µg/mL, while regarding antipromastigote and antiepimastigote activities, they presented values considered clinically relevant, since both had LC50 < 62.5 µg/mL. It can be concluded that this is a pioneer study on the potential of the essential oil of C. winterianus and its use against the parasites T. cruzi and L. brasiliensis, and its importance is also based on this fact. Additionally, according to the results, C. winterianus was effective in presenting values of clinical relevance and low toxicity and, therefore, an indicator of popular use.

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.

Neurolocomotor Behavior and Oxidative Stress Markers of Thiazole and Thiazolidinedione Derivatives against Nauphoeta cinerea.

Thiazolidine compounds NJ20 {(E)-2-(2-(5-bromo-2-methoxybenzylidene)hydrazinyl)-4-(4-nitrophenyl)thiazole} and NW05 [(2-(benzo (d) (1,3) dioxol-4-ylmethylene)-N-(4-bromophenyl)-thiosemicarbazone] potentiated the effect of norfloxacin in resistant bacteria; however, there are no reports on their effects on Nauphoeta cinerea in the literature. The objective of this work was to evaluate the behavioral effects and oxidative markers of NW05 and NJ20 in lobster cockroach N. cinerea. To evaluate the behavioral study, a video tracking software was used to evaluate the locomotor points and the exploratory profile of cockroaches in the horizontal and vertical regions of a new environment. The total concentration of thiol and reduced glutathione (GSH), substances reactive to thiobarbituric acid (TBARS), free iron (II) content and mitochondrial viability were determined. The antioxidant potential was evaluated by the DPPH method. Both substances induced changes in the behavior of cockroaches, showing a significant reduction in the total distance covered and in the speed. In the cell viability test (MTT), there was a significant reduction for NJ20 (1 mM). NJ20 caused a significant increase in total levels of thiol and non-protein thiol (NPSH), although it also slightly increased the content of malondialdehyde (MDA). Both compounds (NW05 and NJ20) caused a significant reduction in the content of free iron at a concentration of 10 mM. In conclusion, the compound NJ20 caused moderate neurotoxicity (1 mM), but had good antioxidant action, while NW05 did not show toxicity or significant antioxidant activity in the model organism tested. It is desirable to carry out complementary tests related to the antioxidant prospection of these same compounds, evaluating them at different concentrations.

Imidazole Processing of Wheat Straw and Eucalyptus Residues-Comparison of Pre-Treatment Conditions and Their Influence on Enzymatic Hydrolysis.

Biomass pre-treatment is a key step in achieving the economic competitiveness of biomass conversion. In the present work, an imidazole pre-treatment process was performed and evaluated using wheat straw and eucalyptus residues as model feedstocks for agriculture and forest-origin biomasses, respectively. Results showed that imidazole is an efficient pre-treatment agent; however, better results were obtained for wheat straw due to the recalcitrant behavior of eucalyptus residues. The temperature had a stronger effect than time on wheat straw pre-treatment but at 160 °C and 4 h, similar results were obtained for cellulose and hemicellulose content from both biomasses (ca. 54% and 24%, respectively). Lignin content in the pre-treated solid was higher for eucalyptus residues (16% vs. 4%), as expected. Enzymatic hydrolysis, applied to both biomasses after different pre-treatments, revealed that results improved with increasing temperature/time for wheat straw. However, these conditions had no influence on the results for eucalyptus residues, with very low glucan to glucose enzymatic hydrolysis yield (93% for wheat straw vs. 40% for eucalyptus residues). Imidazole can therefore be considered as a suitable solvent for herbaceous biomass pre-treatment.

Does adding hip strengthening exercises to manual therapy and segmental stabilization improve outcomes in patients with nonspecific low back pain? A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The literature is unclear on the need for hip strengthening in persons with low back pain (LBP). OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effectiveness of hip strengthening exercises when added to manual therapy and lumbar segmental stabilization in patients with chronic nonspecific LBP. METHODS: Seventy patients with chronic nonspecific LBP were randomly assigned to either the manual therapy and lumbar segmental stabilization group or the manual therapy and lumbar segmental stabilization plus specific hip strengthening group. A 10 cm visual analogue scale and the Rolland-Morris Questionnaire were the primary clinical outcome measures at baseline, at the end of treatment (posttreatment), and 6- and 12-months posttreatment. Hip strength and kinematics were measured as secondary outcomes . RESULTS: While within-group improvements in pain, disability, and hip extensors strength occurred in both groups, there were no significant between-group differences at posttreatment or follow-ups. Mean difference in changes in pain level between groups at posttreatment and at 6- and 12-month follow-up were 0.5 points (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.5, 1.5), 0.3 points (95% CI: -0.9, 1.5), and 0.0 points (95% CI: -1.1, 1.1), respectively. The mean differences in changes in disability were 0.8 points (95% CI: -1.3, 2.7), 0.0 points (95% CI: -2.4, 2.4), and 0.4 points (95% CI: -2.0, 2.8), respectively. Finally, we did not observe any between-group differences for any of the other outcomes at any timepoint. CONCLUSION: The addition of specific hip strengthening does not appear to result in improved clinical outcomes for patients with nonspecific LBP.

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.

Upside-down kidney placement: An alternative in pediatric renal transplantation.

PURPOSE: "Upside-down" kidney placement has been reported as an acceptable alternative in cases of technical difficulty in kidney transplantation but there are few reports in the pediatric population. The aim of our study is to analyze whether the placement of the upside-down kidney could affect graft outcome or produce more complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of pediatric kidney transplants performed in our center between 2005 and 2017 with at least 6 months' follow-up. Epidemiological and anthropometric data, type of donor (deceased/living), graft position (normal/upside-down), reason for the upside-down placement, early, medium and long-term complications and renal function were analyzed and compared with patients transplanted in the same period with a normal graft placement. RESULTS: From 181 transplants, 167 grafts were placed in a normal position (mean age: 10 y and mean weight: 30 kg) and 14 were placed upside-down (10 y, 37 kg) mainly because of vessel shortness after laparoscopic nephrectomy. Male predominance was observed in both groups. 57% of grafts from the control group and 64% of those from study group came from a living donor. Four vascular and two ureteral re-anastomoses were recorded in the control group and two vascular and one ureteral re-anastomosis in the study group (p > 0.05). In the latter group, no grafts have been lost due to vascular or urological causes and no patients have required dialysis. CONCLUSIONS: When necessary, an upside-down placement for the renal graft is a safe alternative in the pediatric population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Potent Trivalent Inhibitors of Thrombin through Hybridization of Salivary Sulfopeptides from Hematophagous Arthropods.

Blood feeding arthropods, such as leeches, ticks, flies and mosquitoes, provide a privileged source of peptidic anticoagulant molecules. These primarily operate through inhibition of the central coagulation protease thrombin by binding to the active site and either exosite I or exosite II. Herein, we describe the rational design of a novel class of trivalent thrombin inhibitors that simultaneously block both exosites as well as the active site. These engineered hybrids were synthesized using tandem diselenide-selenoester ligation (DSL) and native chemical ligation (NCL) reactions in one-pot. The most potent trivalent inhibitors possessed femtomolar inhibition constants against α-thrombin and were selective over related coagulation proteases. A lead hybrid inhibitor possessed potent anticoagulant activity, blockade of both thrombin generation and platelet aggregation in vitro and efficacy in a murine thrombosis model at 1 mg kg-1 . The rational engineering approach described here lays the foundation for the development of potent and selective inhibitors for a range of other enzymatic targets that possess multiple sites for the disruption of protein-protein interactions, in addition to an active site.

Death and Dying Between Anthroposophy and Biomedicine / A morte e o morrer entre a antroposofia e a biomedicina

Abstract Death and dying constantly provoke debates regarding boundaries, rules and disputes for the legitimacy of different meanings regarding processes of finalizing life. This article places special emphasis on conflicts between the therapeutic system of anthroposophy and biomedicine in Brazil. The reflections contained in the text are based on ethnographic research, carried out in multiple locations between 2012 and 2015, investigating concepts of cure in anthroposophy in three different communities: two in Brazil, and one in Switzerland. Over the course of this journey, our experience as ethnographers led us to reflect on death and dying among the Widows of Demétria, one of the anthroposophical communities in which we conducted our research. Demétria is a rural neighborhood located in the city of Botucatu, in the interior of São Paulo state. The community was first organized during the 1970s, and it consists mostly of women - both Europeans and Brazilians - who live together, sharing a lifestyle that reimagines the ethos of death as a part of the aesthetic project of Bildung, which differs significantly from the conception of the death process in biomedicine.

Resumo A morte e o morrer suscitam continuamente o debate sobre as fronteiras, as regras e a disputa pela legitimidade dos distintos significados que envolvem os processos de finalização da vida. Este artigo busca abordar, especialmente, os conflitos que ocorrem entre o sistema terapêutico antroposófico e a biomedicina no Brasil. As reflexões se dão com base na etnografia multissituada realizada entre os anos 2012 e 2016 que se debruçou sobre a concepção de cura na antroposofia em três comunidades, duas no Brasil e uma na Suíça. Nesse percurso, fomos levados pela experiência etnográfica às elaborações sobre a morte e o morrer das viúvas da Demétria, uma das comunidades antroposóficas investigadas. Demétria é um bairro rural no interior do estado de São Paulo, na cidade de Botucatu, composto na sua maioria por mulheres, europeias e brasileiras, que convivem e partilham de um estilo de vida que reelabora o ethos da morte como um projeto estético de Bildung que difere da concepção do processo de morte na biomedicina.

Acute and repeated dose 28-day oral toxicity of Chrysobalanusicaco L. leaf aqueous extract.

Chrysobalanus icaco L. is a native plant of Brazil used as a food source and traditionally for the treatment of various diseases. The aim of study was performed the phytochemical analysis by UPLC-DAD-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS, and evaluated acute and repeated dose oral toxicities of the C. icaco L. leaf aqueous extract (AECi). The acute toxicity study was performed using a dose of AECi 2000 mg/kg, while the repeated dose toxicity study, the AECi was administered daily at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, for 28 days. Behavior and mortality of animals were observed during the test period and body weight, as well water and eating consumption. Hematological, biochemical parameters and histopathological examinations were carried out. Phytochemical analysis of the AECi revealed the presence of flavonoids and tannins. Oral single dose of 2000 mg/kg of AECi resulted in no mortalities or abnormal clinical signs. Studies of repeated dose toxicity promoted a reduction in the body weight of treated animals and an increase of hepatic enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in both, males and females. Histopathological analyzes showed alterations in the livers of animals treated with AECi. Thus, this study recommends the population take care when using this species, especially during prolonged periods.

Modulation of sensory nerve fiber excitability by transcutaneous cathodal direct current stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the lasting effects on sensory nerve membrane excitability of transcutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation with cathodal direct currents (pDCS). METHODS: We performed pDCS in 10 healthy subjects with the active electrode placed over the distal right forearm and the reference electrode on the back of the right hand. We used 5×5cm rubber electrodes and the current applied was 2.5mA during 15min. Three pDCS sessions were performed on the same day: first, a baseline stimulation was performed, followed by a sham stimulation and lastly a cathodal stimulation. Median sensory nerve excitability measurements were performed at baseline and immediately after each pDCS session using the TRONDNF nerve excitability protocol of the QTRAC program (measurement on the second finger). RESULTS: The protocol was completed and well tolerated in all subjects. RRP (relative refractory period) and refractoriness at 2.5ms were significantly different across the three study conditions, with a significant increase of RRP immediately following cathodal stimulation compared with baseline assessment (mean 4.2 versus 5.3, P=0.002). Other measurements were not modulated by the intervention. Sham-stimulation did not change axonal excitability. CONCLUSIONS: Cathodal pDCS stimulation increased RRP of sensory fibers, but no other consistent long-lasting effect was observed. This finding might suggest a reduction of sensory fiber excitability induced by cathodal pDCS.

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of the leaf methanol extract of Miconia minutiflora (Bonpl.) DC. and characterization of compounds by UPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS/MS.

Some species of the genus Miconia are used in Brazilian folk medicine as analgesic and anti-inflammatory; however, several species of this genus are still poorly studied. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate the phytochemistry characterization by UPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS/MS, acute toxicity, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of Miconia minutiflora (Bonpl.) DC. The methanol extract of M. minutiflora (Mm-MeOH) was subjected to ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS/MS) for the identification of the main phytocompounds. The anti-inflammatory properties of the extracts were studied using several inflammation models induced by carrageenan and acetic acid-induced vascular permeability. Antinociceptive effects of Mm-MeOH were assessed in nociception induced by intraperitoneal acetic acid or subplantar formalin injection. The role of α-adrenergic, cholinergic, and opioid receptors in modulating the extract's antinociceptive activity was determined. Analyses by UPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS/MS revealed the presence of ellagic acid, gallotannin, and terpenes in the methanol extract. Mm-MeOH (100 mg/kg) reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema and vascular permeability and inhibited leukocyte migration toward the air pouch and pleural cavity. Furthermore, Mm-MeOH decreased tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) levels. Administration of Mm-MeOH reduced the number of writhes by 58.9% and increased the pain threshold in the formalin test. The anti-inflammatory action mechanism of Mm-MeOH is associated with inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1ß, whereas the antinociceptive actions involve peripheral and central mechanisms with participation of α2-adrenergic receptors. These effects may be attributed to the presence of polyphenolics in the extract.

Oogun Àse: estratégias de cuidado com a saúde no Candomblé em Nova Iorque (EUA) / Oogun Àse: estrategias de cuidado de la salud en la Santería en Nueva York (EEUU) / Oogun Àse: Candomblé practices and health care in New York City, USA

Este artigo apresenta resultados de uma etnografia realizada entre 2013 e 2017, por meio de observação participante, entrevistas e acompanhamento da vida cotidiana de mães de santo que buscam reinventar o Candomblé em Nova Iorque (EUA). O artigo acompanha três mães de santo, em suas buscas por traduzirem a religião para esse novo contexto, descrevendo como se dá o encontro com os adeptos e clientes em busca de cuidados com a saúde e bem-viver, por meio do uso das plantas e rezas empregadas nos rituais e nas cerimônias religiosas.

Este artículo presenta resultados de una etnografía realizada entre 2013 y 2017, por medio de observación participante, entrevistas y acompañamiento de la vida cotidiana de madrinas que buscan reinventar la Santería en Nueva York (EE.UU.). El artículo acompaña a tres madrinas en sus búsquedas por traducir la religión para ese nuevo contexto, describiendo cómo se realiza el encuentro con los adeptos y clientes que buscan cuidados con la salud y el bien vivir por medio del uso de plantas y rezos utilizados en los rituales y ceremonias religiosas.

This article presents the results of an ethnography carried out between 2013 and 2017, which relied on participating observation, interviews and monitoring of the everyday life of three Brazilian mães de santo (mothers of saint) who sought to reinvent Candomblé in New York City, USA. The article follows them as they attempt to transpose their religious beliefs and practices to this new, foreign context. It describes their relationship with practitioners who seek health care through the use of plants and prayers during religious rituals and ceremonies.

Mães Waldorf: gestação e parto na comunidade antroposófica / Waldorf mothers: pregnancy and birth in an anthroposophical community / Madres Waldorf: gestación y parto en la comunidad antroposófica

As recentes pesquisas em Ciências Sociais e Saúde Coletiva apontam para diferentes contornos sobre o ato de parir na contemporaneidade. Em 2013, por seis meses, realizamos uma etnografia sobre a cura na Antroposofia no bairro rural da Demétria, em Botucatu, São Paulo. Neste artigo, buscamos refletir sobre as orientações da medicina romântica da Antroposofia destinadas à gestação e ao parto em uma comunidade rural antroposófica e as relações estabelecidas com a biomedicina e com serviços de saúde. O contato com as mães e gestantes mostrou a existência de uma gramática emocional na qual a gestante é levada a buscar purificação e controle corporal, além de um silêncio religioso na hora de enfrentar as dores do parto como demonstração de coragem. Quando buscam acessar serviços de saúde, as expectativas sobre o parto se colocam distantes das práticas e concepções da medicina convencional.(AU)

Recent research in the Social Sciences and Colective Health points to different forms in contemporary attitudes toward the act of giving birth. During a six-month period in 2013, we carried out an ethnographic study of anthroposophical healing in Demétria, a neighborhood in the city of Botucatu in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. In this paper we seek to draw reflections about the guidelines set out in Anthroposophy's romantic medicine as it applies to gestation and birth in a rural anthroposophical community and to the relationships established with biomedicine and with health services. Contact with mothers and pregnant women showed there to be an emotional grammar through which these women seek out physical purification and control of their bodies, as well as a religious silence when it comes to facing the pains of giving birth, as a form of showing courage. When they seek to access health services, expectations about the birth are found to be distant from the practices and conceptions of conventional medicine.(AU)

Las recientes investigaciones en Ciencias Sociales y en Salud Colectiva señalan diferentes contornos sobre el acto de parir en la contemporaneidad. En 2013, durante seis meses, realizamos una etnografía sobre la cura en la Antroposofía, en el barrio rural de Demétria, en Botucatu, São Paulo. El objetivo de este artículo fue reflexionar sobre las orientaciones de la medicina romántica de la Antroposofía destinadas a la gestación y al parto en una comunidad rural antroposófica y las relaciones establecidas con la biomedicina y con servicios de salud. El contacto con las madres y gestantes mostró la existencia de una gramática emocional en la cual la gestante es llevada a buscar purificación y control corporal, además de un silencio religioso en el momento de enfrentar los dolores del parto como demostración de coraje. Cuando buscan el acceso a los servicios de salud, las expectativas sobre el parto se plantean distantes de las prácticas y concepciones de la medicina convencional.(AU)

Characterization of a new GmFAD3A allele in Brazilian CS303TNKCA soybean cultivar.

KEY MESSAGE: We molecularly characterized a new mutation in the GmFAD3A gene associated with low linolenic content in the Brazilian soybean cultivar CS303TNKCA and developed a molecular marker to select this mutation. Soybean is one of the most important crops cultivated worldwide. Soybean oil has 13% palmitic acid, 4% stearic acid, 20% oleic acid, 55% linoleic acid and 8% linolenic acid. Breeding programs are developing varieties with high oleic and low polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic) to improve the oil oxidative stability and make the varieties more attractive for the soy industry. The main goal of this study was to characterize the low linoleic acid trait in CS303TNKCA cultivar. We sequenced CS303TNKCA GmFAD3A, GmFAD3B and GmFAD3C genes and identified an adenine point deletion in the GmFAD3A exon 5 (delA). This alteration creates a premature stop codon, leading to a truncated protein with just 207 residues that result in a non-functional enzyme. Analysis of enzymatic activity by heterologous expression in yeast support delA as the cause of low linolenic acid content in CS303TNKCA. Thus, we developed a TaqMan genotyping assay to associate delA with low linolenic acid content in segregating populations. Lines homozygous for delA had a linolenic acid content of 3.3 to 4.4%, and the variation at this locus accounted for 50.83 to 73.70% of the phenotypic variation. This molecular marker is a new tool to introgress the low linolenic acid trait into elite soybean cultivars and can be used to combine with high oleic trait markers to produce soybean with enhanced economic value. The advantage of using CS303TNKCA compared to other lines available in the literature is that this cultivar has good agronomic characteristics and is adapted to Brazilian conditions.

Precuneus proportions and cortical folding: A morphometric evaluation on a racially diverse human sample.

Recent analyses have suggested that the size and proportions of the precuneus are remarkably variable among adult humans, representing a major source of geometrical difference in midsagittal brain morphology. The same area also represents the main midsagittal brain difference between humans and chimpanzees, being more expanded in our species. Enlargement of the upper parietal surface is a specific feature of Homo sapiens, when compared with other fossil hominids, suggesting the involvement of these cortical areas in recent modern human evolution. Here, we provide a survey on midsagittal brain morphology by investigating whether precuneus size represents the largest component of variance within a larger and racially diverse sample of 265 adult humans. Additionally, we investigate the relationship between precuneus shape variation and folding patterns. Precuneus proportions are confirmed to be a major source of human brain variation even when racial variability is considered. Larger precuneus size is associated with additional precuneal gyri, generally in its anterior district. Spatial variation is most pronounced in the dorsal areas, with no apparent differences between hemispheres, between sexes, or among different racial groups. These dorsal areas integrate somatic and visual information together with the lateral elements of the parietal cortex, representing a crucial node for self-centered mental imagery. The histological basis and functional significance of this intra-specific variation in the upper precuneus remains to be evaluated.

Development, validation and application of an UFLC-DAD-ESI-MS method for determination of carbonyl compounds in soybean oil during continuous heating.

A method was developed for the extraction and UFLC-DAD-ESI-MS analysis of carbonyl compounds (CCs) in oils heated to 180°C. Different parameters were evaluated, and the best results were 1.5ml of acetonitrile as the extraction solvent, manual stirring for 3min and 30min of sonication time. The method was validated using soybean oil samples spiked with CCs at concentration levels ranging from 0.2 to 10.0µg.mL-1. The average recoveries in the lowest concentration level ranged from 70.7% to 85.0%. Detection limits ranged from 0.03 to 0.1µg.mL-1, and the quantification limit was 0.2µg.mL-1 for all compounds. When the method was applied to samples of heated oil, the CCs identified were 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, 2,4-decadienal, 2,4-heptadienal, 4-hydroxy -2-hexenal, acrolein, 2-heptenal, 2-octenal, 4,5-epoxy-2-decadal, 2-decenal, and 2-undecenal, with the first three mentioned presenting the highest mean concentrations after heating, specifically 36.9, 34.8 and 22.6µg.g-1 of oil, respectively.

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)