Voluntary intake of "Tiquira", an alcoholic beverage prepared from fermented manioc, decreases immunoglobulin production and increases self-reactivity in mice.

UNLABELLED: We studied the effects of chronic voluntary ingestion of "Tiquira" (50%)--an alcoholic beverage prepared from fermented manioc, widely consumed in Maranhão,--on the natural immunological activity of young adult (2-3 months old) C57B1/6J mice (16-17 g) by evaluating the number of plaque-forming cells (PFCs) in the spleen and by titrating serum antibodies by ELISA. Voluntary ingestion of "Tiquira" for 30 days decreased immunoglobulin secretion in serum ( CONTROL: 1600 +/- 30 vs EXPERIMENTAL: 193 +/- 20), caused an impressive reduction in the total number of PFCs in the spleen ( CONTROL: 482 +/- 22 vs EXPERIMENTAL: 58 +/- 3) and increased the proportion of self-reacting antibody molecules in serum ( CONTROL: 119 +/- 16 vs EXPERIMENTAL: 800 +/- 20) and self-reactive PFCs to mouse red blood cells (MRBC) in the spleen ( CONTROL: 183 +/- 14 vs EXPERIMENTAL: 272 +/- 16; N = 10 animals per group). These preliminary results suggest that the voluntary ingestion of "Tiquira" for 30 days may interfere with immunological relations by decreasing the total number of immunoglobulin secreting cells and increasing the anti-self antibody production. Experiments are in progress to determine if ethanol or other substances present in "Tiquira" are responsible for the effects documented here.

Pharmacognostic and acute toxicological evaluation of Scaptotrigona aff. postica propolis extract in pre-clinical assays.

The propolis of Scaptotrigona aff. postica is popularly used in Maranhão State, Brazil, for treating wounds and respiratory illnesses. Nevertheless, little is known about the chemical composition of this propolis and the adverse effects of its use. Hence, this study is a pharmacognostic characterisation of the propolis hydroalcoholic extract (PHE) from S. aff. postica. The methodology consisted of an evaluation of the sensory and chemical parameters. Chemical analysis of PHE indicated high concentrations of phenolic and triterpens substances, and the absence of steroids. Additionally, we evaluated the acute toxicity of propolis using 48 Swiss male and female mice. The animals received single doses of PHE (1000, 2000 or 4000 mg kg⁻¹) orally and were observed for 14 days. After this period, the mice were sacrificed and the blood was used for biochemical and haematological evaluation. PHE did not induce any death, and the acute treatment significantly reduced serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase. The resultant data indicate that PHE from S. aff. postica has low toxicity when used orally, even in high doses.

Voluntary intake of "Tiquira", an alcoholic beverage prepared from fermented manioc, decreases immunoglobulin production and increases immunoglobulin production and increases self-reactivity in mice

We studied the effects of chronic voluntary ingestion of "Tiquira" (50%) - an alcoholic beverage prepared from fermented manioc, widely consumed in Maranhäo, on the natural immunological activity of young adult (2-3 months old) C57B1/6J mice (16-17 g) by evaluating the number of plaque-forming cells (PFCs) in the spleen and by titrating serum antibodies by ELISA. Voluntary ingestion of "Tiquira" for 30 days decreased immunoglobulin secretion in serum (Control: 1600 ñ 30 vs Experimental: 193 ñ 20), caused an impressive reduction in the total number of PFCs in the spleen (Control: 482 ñ 22 vs Experimental: 58 ñ 3) and increased the proportion of self-reacting antibody molecules in serum (Control: 119 ñ 16 vs Experimental: 800 ñ 20) and self-reactive PFCs to mouse red blood cells (MRBC) in the spleen (Control: 183 ñ 14 vs Experimental: 272 ñ 16; N=10 animals per group). These preliminary results suggest that the voluntary ingestion of "Tiquira" for 30 days may interfere with immunological relations by decreasing nthe total number of immunologlobulin secreting cells and increasing the antiself antibody production. Experiments are in progress to determine if ethanol or other substances present in "Tiquira" are responsible for the effects documented here