Antifungal activity of Copaíba resin oil in solution and nanoemulsion against Paracoccidioides spp.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a disease caused by fungi of the genus Paracoccidioides. The disease is responsible for high rates of premature deaths and socioeconomic repercussions. The limitations of antifungal agents against PCM have motivated the search for new compounds. In our ongoing exploration of Cerrado plants as potential sources of new antifungal agents, we selected Copaifera langsdorffii oil (Copaíba resin oil) in order to explore its bioactive potential and test a formulation to increase oil stability and solubilization employing Pluronic F-127 to obtain the nanoemulsion of the oil. We aim at testing both Copaíba resin oil and its nanoemulsion against four species of the Paracoccidioides genus. We performed cytotoxicity test in Balb/C3T3 cells, hemolytic activity and interaction of Copaíba resin oil and Copaíba resin oil nanoemulsion (CopaPlu) with the antifungal agents such as amphotericin B, co-trimoxazole, and itraconazole. Moreover, the Copaíba resin oil was analyzed by mass spectrometry to identify its chemical profile. Eventually, a new methodology to prepare the nanoemulsion is presented. The Copaíba resin oil and CopaPlu nanoemulsion inhibited Paracoccidioides sp. growth efficiently, and no cytotoxicity or hemolytic effect was observed at minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). When combined with amphotericin B, Copaíba resin oil and its nanoemulsion showed an additive effect with reduction of MIC values. The Copaíba resin oil and CopaPlu nanoemulsion is a promising antifungal agent against Paracoccidioides.

Hematological and biochemical responses of pirarucu (Arapaima gigas, Arapaimidae) fed with diets containing a glucomannan product derived from yeast and algae / Respostas hematológicas e bioquímicas de pirarucu (Arapaima gigas, Arapaimidae) alimentado com dietas contendo mananoligossacarídeos derivados de leveduras e algas

ABSTRACT The hematological and biochemical responses of pirarucu fingerlings (Arapaima gigas) fed with diets containing different concentrations of a glucomannan product derived from yeast and algae were evaluated in order to ascertain the effect of these diets on fish physiology. Four treatments were conducted, with three replications, with 12 fish in each tank. The product evaluated (MycosorbA+(r)) was incorporated into the commercial diet, at four concentrations: 0, 1, 2 and 4 g.kg-1, called M0%, M0.1%, M0.2% and M0.4%, respectively. After 45 days of feeding, blood samples from six fish in each replicate were collected to perform the analyses. Their weight and length were determined to calculate the condition factor and weight gain, but no differences (P > 0.05) were observed among the treatments. No changes to the hematocrit, hemoglobin or erythrocyte levels or to the hematimetric indices of the pirarucus were observed. The glucose and triglyceride levels of the pirarucus in the M0.1% and M0.2% groups were significantly lower than those of the M0% group. The M0.2% group showed higher albumin levels (P < 0.05) than M0% and M0.4%. The M0.4% group showed a total cholesterol level that was significantly higher than in all other treatments. MycosorbA+(r) contributed towards increasing the levels of defense cells in A. gigas. It would be possible to use this product at concentrations of between 0.1% and 0.2%, given that they increase the levels of some defense cells and plasma albumin concentrations, without changes to hematological parameters, cholesterol and triglyceride plasma levels or condition factor.

RESUMO As características hematológicas e bioquímicas de alevinos de pirarucu Arapaima gigas alimentados com diferentes concentrações de mananoligossacarídeos derivados de leveduras e algas na dieta foram avaliadas para verificar o efeito sobre sua fisiologia. Quatro tratamentos foram conduzidos com três repetições (12 peixes em cada). O produto avaliado (MycosorbA+(r)) foi incorporado à ração comercial, em quatro níveis: 0, 1, 2 e 4 g kg-1 de ração, denominados M0%, M0,1%, M0,2% e M0,4%, respectivamente. Após 45 dias de alimentação, amostras de sangue de seis peixes de cada repetição foram coletadas para realização das análises. O peso e comprimento foram obtidos para cálculo do fator de condição e ganho de peso, entretanto, não foram observadas diferenças (P>0,05) entre os tratamentos. Assim como não foram observadas alterações nos valores de hematócrito, hemoglobina, eritrócitos e índices hematimétricos dos pirarucus. A concentração de glicose e triglicérides dos pirarucus dos grupos M0,1% e M0,2% foram significativamente menores que o tratamento M0%. Os peixes do tratamento M0,2% apresentaram níveis de albumina maior (P<0,05) que do M0% e M0,4%. Os peixes alimentados com M0,4% mostraram nível de colesterol total significativamente maior que todos os demais tratamentos. MycosorbA+(r) contribuiu para o aumento das células de defesa de A. gigas, podendo ser utilizado nas concentrações de 0,1% a 0,2%, devido ao aumento do número de certas células de defesa e dos níveis plasmáticos de albumina e por não ter sido observadas outras alterações nos parâmetros hematológicos, nos níveis plasmáticos de colesterol e triglicérides e no fator de condição.

Tectona grandis leaf extract, free and associated with nanoemulsions, as a possible photosensitizer of mouse melanoma B16 cell.

Over the past six years we have been studying extracts from tropical, specially Amazon, plants, to search for new sensitizers for photodynamic therapy of cancer and infectious diseases. Tectona grandis is a genus of tropical hardwood trees in the mint family, Lamiaceae. That is native to south and southeast Asia, but since the end of the 20th century is also gaining ground in the Amazon. The present work aims to evaluate the photodynamic potential of hydro-alcoholic extract from Tectona grandis LF leaves (TGE) and the same extract prepared as the oil-water nanoemulsion (TGE-NE) against melanoma B16 F10 cells. The method for preparation of a stable nanoemulsion with ~20nm particles associated to the TGE (TGE-NE) was successfully developed. We have shown that both free and nanostructured presentations possess the ability to sensitize B16 F10 cells to red light of the LED in vitro. Photodynamic effect was observed for both TGE and TGE-NE because toxicity increased under illumination with red light. While TGE was highly toxic towards melanoma cells under illumination with red light of the LED, it also possessed significant dark toxicity towards both B16 F10 and murine fibroblast NIH3T3 cells. The TGE-NE showed reasonable photocytotoxicity and was much less toxic towards normal cells in the dark compared to free TGE.