Viperin is anti-viral in vitro but is dispensable for restricting dengue virus replication or induction of innate and inflammatory responses in vivo.

Viperin has antiviral function against many viruses, including dengue virus (DENV), when studied in cells in culture. Here, the antiviral actions of viperin were defined both in vitro and in a mouse in vivo model of DENV infection. Murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) derived from mice lacking viperin (vip-/-) showed enhanced DENV infection, accompanied by increased IFN-ß and induction of ISGs; IFIT1 and CXCL-10 but not IRF7, when compared to wild-type (WT) MEFs. In contrast, subcutaneous challenge of immunocompetent WT and vip-/- mice with DENV did not result in enhanced infection. Intracranial infection with DENV resulted in body weight loss and neurological disease with a moderate increase in mortality in vip-/- compared with WT mice, although this was not accompanied by altered brain morphology, immune cell infiltration or DENV RNA level in the brain. Similarly, DENV induction of IFN-ß, IFIT1, CXCL-10, IRF7 and TNF-α was not significantly different in WT and vip-/- mouse brain, although there was a modest but significant increase in DENV induction of IL-6 and IfI27la in the absence of viperin. NanoString nCounter analysis confirmed no significant difference in induction of a panel of inflammatory genes in WT compared to vip-/- DENV-infected mouse brains. Further, polyI:C stimulation of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) induced TNF-α, IFN-ß, IL-6 and Nos-2, but responses were not different in BMDMs generated from WT or vip-/- mice. Thus, while there is significant evidence of anti-DENV actions of viperin in some cell types in vitro, for DENV infection in vivo a lack of viperin does not affect systemic or brain susceptibility to DENV or induction of innate and inflammatory responses.

Análisis farmacognóstico preliminar de las semillas de Moringa Oleifera Lam cosechadas en Cuba / Preliminary pharmacognitive analysis of Moringa oleifera Lam seeds harvested in Cuba

Introducción: la Moringa oleífera Lam. (moringa) es una especie de reconocido uso tanto para humanos como para animales. Sus semillas constituyen una fuente de aceites fijos con un elevado contenido de ácidos grasos insaturados y en particular de ácido oleico. Este aceite se puede emplear en la industria alimenticia, farmacéutica, cosmética, incluso como biodiesel. Objetivo: desarrollar el análisis farmacognóstico preliminar de las semillas de Moringa oleífera Lam cosechadas en el municipio Jovellanos, provincia de Matanzas, Cuba. Métodos: las semillas de moringa fueron evaluadas según algunos parámetros farmacognósticos como: características organolépticas, descripción micromorfológica, pérdida por desecación y cenizas totales. La extracción de las semillas y la nuez, previo proceso de secado en estufa, se realizó mediante Soxhlet y maceración, utilizando hexano como menstruo. Adicionalmente, se efectuó el análisis químico de los aceites obtenidos por cromatografía gaseosa acoplada a espectrometría de masas (CG-EM). Resultados: los parámetros farmacognósticos evaluados se encuentran dentro de los límites establecidos por las monografías oficiales. La descripción micromorfológica de la droga, mostró la presencia de almidón, cristales de oxalato de calcio y aceites o grasas. El análisis por CG-EM, de los aceites extraídos a partir de la semilla y la nuez, mostró que el ácido oleico, con un porcentaje superior al 50 por ciento, el ácido palmítico, el ácido esteárico y el ácido behénico, son los ácidos grasos mayoritarios. Conclusiones: independientemente del método de extracción utilizado, la composición química cualitativa de los aceites obtenidos es similar. En todos los casos el ácido oleico resulta el de mayor proporción. El resto de los componentes se mantienen en niveles similares en todas las muestras analizadas(AU)

Introduction: Moringa oleifera Lam (moringa) is a species of recognized use for both humans and animals. The seeds are a source of fixed oils with high content of unsaturated fatty acids and especially oleic acid. This oil can be used in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products and as well as in biodiesel. Objective: to develop preliminary pharmacognostic analysis using seeds of Moringa oleifera Lam harvested in Jovellanos municipality, Matanzas, Cuba. Methods: moringa seeds were evaluated according to some pharmacognostic parameters: organoleptic, micromorphological description, loss on drying and total ash. The extraction of the seeds and nuts, after oven drying process, was performed by Soxhlet and maceration, using hexane as solvent. Furthermore, the analysis of oils obtained by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was performed. Results: pharmacognitive parameters are within the limits set by the official monographs. Micromorphological description of the drug showed grain starch, calcium oxalate crystals and, oils or fats. The GC-MS analysis of the oil obtained from the seed and nut showed that oleic acid (percentage greater than 50 percent), palmitic acid, stearic acid and behenic acid, are the main fatty acids. Conclusions: regardless of the extraction method used, the qualitative chemical composition of oils obtained is similar. In all cases, the oleic acid proves to be the major component. The remaining components are kept at similar levels in all tested samples(AU)