Antioxidant Activity of Dictyotales from Tropical Reefs of Brazil.

Macroalgae produce a large range of primary and secondary metabolites with ecological and economical importance. Studies on antioxidants from marine algae have increased notably, focusing on searching new sources of natural compounds for different applications, in which tropical species have been shown to have high potential, often improved by stressful environmental conditions during the tide cycle with periods of emersion and submersion. Therefore, in order to characterize the antioxidant activity and relate it to local environmental tide exposure, three species of brown marine algae, Canistrocarpus cervicornis, Dictyopteris delicatula, and Lobophora variegata from two beaches on the northeast coast of Brazil were studied. Dichloromethane:methanol (DCM:M) and aqueous extracts were tested for ferric reducing antioxidant power, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) antioxidant assays and total phenolic compounds. Aqueous extracts of C. cervicornis showed up to 10 times major antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds than DCM:M extracts. Different characteristic of antioxidant activity were identified among the beaches, species, and extracts, in which aqueous extracts from C. cervicornis and L. variegata showed the most promising matrices for future prospection of natural antioxidants.

Toxicological effects of Ramalina aspera (lichen) on Biomphalaria glabrata snails and Schistosoma mansoni cercariae.

In this study, the molluscicidal activities against Biomphalaria glabrata and cercaricidal activities against Schistosoma mansoni of the ether extract of Ramalina aspera were evaluated. Additionally, toxicity parameters were evaluated at sublethal doses in terms of the influence of the extract on the fertility and fecundity of snails, as well as morphological alterations and quantification of their immunological cells. A test with Artemia salina was also carried out, in order to verify the environmental toxicity of the compound. The ether extract of R. aspera, in which divaricatic acid was identified as the major compound, demonstrated molluscicidal activity at low concentrations against both embryos (LC90 of 22.78, 24.23, 16.63 and 16.03 µg mL-1 for the gastrula, blastula, trochophore and veliger, respectively) and against adult snails (LC90 of 8.66 µg mL-1), after 24 h of exposure. At the sublethal doses, it was possible to observe a decrease in fecundity and quantitative and morphological changes in the defense cells of the exposed snails. In addition, the extract of R. aspera showed a cercaricidal effect on S. mansoni from the concentration of 5.0 µg mL-1, while showing low toxicity to Artemia salina. The ether extract of R. aspera demonstrated effective molluscicidal activity on embryos and adult snails of the species B. glabrata, cercariae of S. mansoni, and presenting low toxicity on Artemia salina. In this way, it could be considered a promising compound in the development of future molluscicidal and cercaricidal agents, thus helping to combat schistosomiasis.

Evaluation of cytotoxic potential, oral toxicity, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity of organic extracts of Pityrocarpa moniliformis.

The objective of this study was to determine the cytotoxicity of organic extracts of P. moniliformis in vitro and identify the acute toxicity and genotoxicity in vivo. The leaves were extracted using three organic solvents (cyclohexane [EP1], ethyl acetate [EP2], and methanol [EP3]). Phytochemical qualitative analysis was performed by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Cytotoxicity tests were performed on human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells and J774 murine macrophages. Acute toxicity in mice was measured after intraperitoneal (ip) administration of 2000 mg/kg, while evaluation of genotoxicity and mutagenicity were assessed using the comet assay and the micronucleus (MN) test, respectively. The TLC analysis of the extracts revealed the presence of flavonoids, triterpenes, steroids, and saponins. In the cytotoxicity assay, extracts EP1 and EP3 altered proliferation of HEK cells, and all organic extracts increased the viability of J774 cells. In the toxicity tests, no deaths or behavioral alterations were observed in mice exposed to the acute dose of the extracts. Although some extracts led to changes in hematological and histological parameters, these results did not indicate physiological changes. In relation to the MN test and comet assay, no significant changes were detected in the DNA of the animals tested with the extracts EP1, EP2, and EP3. Thus, extracts of P. moniliformis were not considered to be toxic and did not induce formation of MN or damage to cellular DNA in the genotoxicity tests.

Barbatic Acid Offers a New Possibility for Control of Biomphalaria Glabrata and Schistosomiasis.

This study evaluated the biological activity of an ether extract and barbatic acid (BAR) from Cladia aggregata on embryos and adult mollusks of Biomphalaria glabrata, cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni and the microcrustacean Artemia salina. The ether extract and BAR were obtained by successive extractions with diethyl ether. The obtained extracts were analyzed using thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that the ether extract exerted embryotoxic effects at 50 and 100 µg/mL and molluscicidal effects at 20 and 25 µg/mL. BAR exhibited no embryotoxicity, and its molluscicidal concentration was equal to that of the ether extract. However, after 60 min of exposure, 1 µg/mL BAR presented cercaricidal activity against the parasite S. mansoni at the second larval stage. Neither substance induced toxicity against A. salina. These results indicate the potential molluscicidal activities of the ether extract and BAR against B. glabrata and S. mansoni cercariae. In addition to these effects, there was a lack of toxicity against the aquatic environment and no damage to the biota, indicating the potential of these products for large-scale control and/or eradication of schistosomiasis.

Auriculoterapia: tratamento dos transtornos da amamentação / Auriculotherapy: treatment of breastfeeding disorders

O leite materno possui inúmeros benefícios para mãe e para o filho. No Brasil, as crianças têm mamado apenas até os 11 meses, sendo depois excluída totalmente essa oferta. Este valor está bem abaixo da recomendação da Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS) que é até os 24 meses. Os fatores para o abandono mais citados são a dor e o ingurgitamento mamário. A propósito disso, a auriculoterapia constitui um tratamento para enfermidades físicas e mentais, através de estímulo de pontos do pavilhão auricular. Estes pontos possuem relação com todos os órgãos e meridianos de acupuntura sistêmica. O Sistema Público de Saúde Brasileiro tem mostrado interesse por profissionais acupunturistas, conforme as Portarias n°154 de 2008 e 971 de 2006. O presente trabalho objetivou analisar os efeitos da acupuntura auricular nas complicações da lactação. Um estudo do tipo relato de caso, com abordagem quantitativa, trata de mães que receberam sementes em pontos auriculares que estavam em desordem energética. Dados coletados: dor, redução da inflamação, tempo de tratamento, tempo de cicatrização, apojadura. Após a coleta, as informações foram registradas em banco de dadose submetidas à análise estatística simples. Observou-se que, das sete puérperas estudadas, apenas uma não apresentou melhora.

Breast milk has many benefits for both mother and child. In Brazil, children have suckled only until 11 months, then they are completely excluded from that offer. This value is below of the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO) which is up to 24 months. Factors for the abandonment of breastfeeding most mentioned are pain and breast engorgement. In this regard, the auricular-therapy corresponds a treatment for physical and mental illnesses, through stimulation of points in the pinna. These points are related with all organs and meridians of systemic acupuncture. The Brazilian Public Health System has shown interest in professionals acupuncturists, as seen on ordinances No. 154 of 2008 and 971 of 2006. This study aimed to analyze the effects of auricular-therapy in complications of lactation. This is a study type case report, with a quantitative approach, where mothers received seeds in auricular points that were in disarray organic. Through a structured interview that assessed variables: pain, reduction of inflammation, treatment time, healing time, milk letdown. After collection, data were recorded in a database and subjected to statistical analysis simple. It was observed that among seven mothers studied, only one had no improvement in her condition.