Essential oil from Ocimum basilicum improves growth performance and does not alter biochemical variables related to stress in pirarucu (Arapaima gigas).

Diet supplementation with essential oil from sweet basil Ocimum basilicum (EOOB) can increase fish growth. So, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of EOOB in the diet on growth performance and plasmatic variables of pirarucu juveniles (Arapaima gigas) submitted to stressful condition (stocking density of 7.56 kg m-3per tank and limited space). Four diets (in triplicates) were evaluated with increasing levels of EOOB (0.0 control; 0.5; 1.0; and 2.0 mL kg diet-1) over 48 days. Linalool was the major constituent of EOOB (54.19%). The addition of 2.0 mL EOOB kg diet-1 improved final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, condition factor and feed conversion ratio; it also decreased plasma urea levels and increased plasma albumin and total proteins levels. Plasma glucose, cortisol, and acid uric levels were not influenced by the addition of EOOB to the fish diet. In conclusion, the addition of 2.0 mL EOOBkg diet-1 is recommended for pirarucu juveniles, due to improved growth performance, and this supplementation did not compromise the homeostasis of fish rearing in a high stocking density.

Naphthoquinoidal [1,2,3]-triazole, a new structural moiety active against Trypanosoma cruzi.

[1,2,3]-Triazole derivatives of nor-beta-lapachone were synthesized and assayed against the infective bloodstream trypomastigote form of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. All the derivatives were more active than the original quinones, with IC(50)/1 day values in the range of 17 to 359 microM, the apolar phenyl substituted triazole 6 being the most active compound. These triazole derivatives of nor-beta-lapachone emerge as interesting new lead compounds in drug development for Chagas disease.

Synthesis of naphthofuranquinones with activity against Trypanosoma cruzi.

Four new naphthofuranquinones, obtained from 2-hydroxy-3-allyl-naphthoquinone (1) and nor-lapachol (2), have their structures established by physical and X-ray analysis and their activity evaluated against Trypanosoma cruzi. Compounds 3 and 4 were obtained by addition of iodine to 1 followed by cyclization generating a furan ring. Compound 5 was obtained through the acid-catalyzed reaction by dissolution of 1 in sulfuric acid. Compound 6 was synthesized by addition of bromine and aniline to 2. The IC(50)/24 h for 3-6 in assays with T. cruzi trypomastigotes was between 157 and 640 microM, while the value for crystal violet was 536.0 +/- 3.0 microM. Compounds 3-5 also inhibited epimastigote proliferation. The trypanocidal activity of the new naphthofuranquinones endowed with redox properties reinforces a rational approach in the chemotherapy of Chagas' disease.