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.

Gastroprotective effect of ethyl acetate extract from Avicennia schaueriana Stapf & Leechman and underlying mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE: Avicennia schaueriana Stapf is an endemic mangrove species widely used by traditional Brazilian communities as a folk remedy for the treatment of rheumatism, ulcers, and skin wounds. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the gastroprotective potential of the ethyl acetate extract from the leaves of A. schaueriana (As-AcOEt). METHODS: Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detection and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS/MS) was performed to identify chemical constituents of the ethyl acetate extract from the leaves ofA. schaueriana. Total phenols, flavonoids and tannins were determined and antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH and ABTS methods. The acute toxicity of As-AcOEt and gastroprotective activity on HCl/ethanol-induced gastric ulcers were assessed and mechanisms of action involving the role of nitric oxide, sulfhydryl compounds, and prostaglandins were investigated. RESULTS: Terpenes, flavonoids and tannins were detected in the extract. As-AcOEt exhibited antioxidant activity, with an EC50 of 42.2 ± 4.4 µg/mL (DPPH) and 73.2% inhibition of ABTS radicals. UPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS/MS analysis identified gallic acid, gallic acid derivative, ellagic acid, myricetin pentoside, myricetin deoxyhexose, quercetin pentoside, quercetin deoxyhexose, and other compounds. Gallic acid was isolated in this species for the first time. During the acute toxicity test, no deaths or changes occurred in the variables evaluated. In the ethanol-induced ulcer model, As-AcOEt reduced the ulcerative lesion index, with 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg achieving 83.8, 88.5 and 86.9% inhibition, respectively. MPO levels decreased and the gastric mucosa of the animals treated with the extract was preserved. Pre-treatment with N-omega-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; NO blocker) or carbenoxolone (CBXN; NP-SH blocker) reversed the gastroprotective effect of As-AcOEt, but this effect was not reversed with the previous administration of indomethacin. CONCLUSION: The present findings reveal that the extract from the leaves ofA. schaueriana has gastroprotective effects, suggesting the involvement of nitric oxide and nonprotein sulfhydryl compounds, but not prostaglandin. Therefore, the use of A. schaueriana in Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of gastric disorders has a scientific basis.

Molecular identification of the agent of Q fever - Coxiella burnetii - in domestic animals in State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Over the last recent years, the number of Q fever cases have has increased throughout the world. An epidemiological investigation was performed in the area in which the first molecular documentation of Q fever in Brazil was previously reported. METHODS: Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and PCR of Coxiella burnetii targeting the htpAB gene were performed in samples from 14 dogs (blood); 1 cat (blood); 10 goats (blood, milk, vaginal swab and anal swab); 3 sheep (blood); and 2 horses (blood). RESULTS: Two dogs, two sheep and five goats were seroreactive. DNA was amplified from 6 milk and 2 blood samples from goats and from dogs, respectively. The sequence of the amplicons exhibited 99% sequence similarity with the homologous sequence of the htpAB gene of C. burnetii RSA 331 (GenBank - CP000890). CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm C. burnetii infection in animals in Rio de Janeiro and reinforce the need for the surveillance of Q fever in Brazil.