Effect of the phospholipase A2 inhibitor Varespladib, and its synergism with crotalic antivenom, on the neuromuscular blockade induced by Crotalus durissus terrificus venom (with and without crotamine) in mouse neuromuscular preparations.

The venom of the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus causes an irreversible neuromuscular blockade in isolated preparations due to action of the presynaptically-acting heterodimeric phospholipase A2 (PLA2) crotoxin. Some populations of this subspecies contain, in addition to crotoxin, the toxin crotamine, which acts directly on muscle fibers. In this study we used C. d. terrificus venoms with (crot+) or without (crot-) crotamine to test whether Varespladib, a PLA2 inhibitor, is able to abrogate the neuromuscular blockade induced by these venoms comparatively with crotalic antivenom. Mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparations were exposed to venoms previously incubated with two different concentrations of Varepladib or antivenom, or with a mixture of these two agents, before addition to the bath. In another experimental setting, venoms were initially added to the system, followed by the addition of Varespladib or antivenom 10, 30, or 60 min after venom. At the highest concentrations tested, Varespladib and antivenom inhibited the action of the venom >80% and >70%, respectively. With lower concentrations the inhibition of neuromuscular blockade decreased, but when low doses of the two agents were incubated together with the venom, the inhibitory effect improved, underscoring a synergistic phenomenon. When added after venom, Varespladib was able to halt the progression of the neuromuscular blockade even when added at 60 min. Antivenom exhibited a lower ability to inhibit the toxic effect of the venoms in these conditions. In conclusion, the PLA2 inhibitor Varespladib is highly effective at abrogating the neuromuscular blocking activity of crotamine-positive and crotamine-negative C. d. terrificus venoms and seems to act synergistically with antivenom.

A new species of Apostolepis (Serpentes, Dipsadidae, Elapomorphini) from the Cerrado of Central Brazil.

We describe a new species of the genus Apostolepis found near São Salvador Hydroelectric Power Plant, municipality of São Salvador do Tocantins, in the central Cerrado ecoregion. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: presence of eleven dorsolateral stripes, five infralabial scales and the lack of preoculars scales. The new species shares some external characteristics mainly with A. arenaria, A. gaboi and A. nelsonjorgei, with which it is compared.

A new species of Apostolepis (Serpentes, Dipsadidae, Elapomorphini) from the Cerrado of Central Brazil

We describe a new species of the genus Apostolepis found near São Salvador Hydroelectric Power Plant, municipality of São Salvador do Tocantins, in the central Cerrado ecoregion. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: presence of eleven dorsolateral stripes, five infralabial scales and the lack of preoculars scales. The new species shares some external characteristics mainly with A. arenaria, A. gaboi and A. nelsonjorgei, with which it is compared.

A new species of Apostolepis (Serpentes, Dipsadidae, Elapomorphini) from the Cerrado of Central Brazil

We describe a new species of the genus Apostolepis found near São Salvador Hydroelectric Power Plant, municipality of São Salvador do Tocantins, in the central Cerrado ecoregion. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: presence of eleven dorsolateral stripes, five infralabial scales and the lack of preoculars scales. The new species shares some external characteristics mainly with A. arenaria, A. gaboi and A. nelsonjorgei, with which it is compared.

Descrevemos uma nova espécie do gênero Apostolepis, encontrada próxima à Hidrelétrica de São Salvador, Município de São Salvador do Tocantins, no centro da Ecoregião Cerrado. A nova espécie distingue-se de seus congêneres pelas seguinte combinação de caracteres: presença de onze estrias dorsolaterais, cinco escamas infralabiais e ausência das escamas preoculares. A espécie nova compartilha algumas características externas principalmente com A. arenaria, A. gaboi e A. nelsonjorgei, com as quais é detalhadamente comparada

Antigenotoxicity protection of Carapa guianensis oil against mitomycin C and cyclophosphamide in mouse bone marrow

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible protective of C. guianensis oil against MMC and CP, which are direct- and indirect-acting chemical mutagens, using the micronucleus test. Three experiments were performed. First the C. guianensis oil was co-administered to mice at doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg bw with 4 mg/kg bw MMC or 50 mg/kg bw CP. Second, the mutagenic drug (CP) was administered ip 50 mg/kg bw and after 6 and 12 hours 250 and 500 mg/kg bw of C. guianensis oil were administered. In the last, C. guianensis oil was administrated (250 and 500 mg/kg bw) during five days and after it was administered ip 50 mg/kg bw CP. The results obtained showed that the C. guianensis oil is not cytotoxic neither genotoxic to mouse bone marrow. Regarding the antimutagenic effect, all doses of C. guianensis oil were significantly (p < 0.05) effective in reducing the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes, when compared with MMC or CP alone. Based on these results, our results suggest that the C. guianensis oil shows medicinal potential as an antimutagenic agent, modulating the mutagenicity caused by both direct- and indirect-acting chemical mutagens, in a mammalian model.

Physicochemical/photophysical characterization and angiogenic properties of Curcuma longa essential oil.

This study analyzed the physicochemical and photophysical properties of essential oil of Curcuma longa and its angiogenic potential. The results showed that curcumin is the main fluorescent component present in the oil, although the amount is relatively small. The experimental chorioallantoic membrane model was used to evaluate angiogenic activity, showing a significant increase in the vascular network of Curcuma longa and positive control groups when compared to the neutral and inhibitor controls (P <0.05), but no significant difference was found between Curcuma longa essential oil and the positive control (P >0.05). Histological analysis showed extensive neovascularization, hyperemia and inflammation in the positive control group and Curcuma longa when compared to other controls (P <0.05), characteristic factors of the angiogenesis process. In conclusion, Curcuma longa oil showed considerable proangiogenic activity and could be a potential compound in medical applications.