Larvicidal activity of Brunfelsia uniflora extracts on Aedes aegypti larvae.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and the larvicidal activity of Brunfelsia uniflora leaf and flower extracts against Aedes aegypti larvae. Twenty-four compounds were found in the leaf extract, and the major compounds were phytol (23.1%), 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, ethyl ester (21.3%), and hexadecanoic acid, ethyl ester (12.8%). In the flower extract, twenty-four compounds were also identified and the major compounds were α-amyrin (35.7%), ß-amyrin (16.4%), and (EE)-geranyl linalool (9.6%) by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The larvicidal activity was evaluated by larval immersion test. The lethal concentrations (LC) obtained from leaf extract were LC50 = 4.89 and LC99.9 = 11.14 mg/mL and from flower extract were LC50 = 3.82 and LC99.9 = 11.03 mg/mL, and the positive control presented LC50 = 0.40 and LC99.9 = 1.14 mg/mL. Thus, B. uniflora extracts are promising alternatives to control A. aegypti larvae.

Campomanesia xanthocarpa (Mart.) O. Berg essential oil induces antileishmanial activity and remodeling of the cytoplasm organelles.

Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease that affects millions of people worldwide. This study aimed to analyze antileishmanial activity of Campomanesia xanthocarpa leaf essential oil (EO) on promastigote and amastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis, cytotoxicity in murine macrophages and sheep erythrocytes. The essential oil (EO) was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrophotometry. The main and most abundant compounds were sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (71.22%) such as trans-caryophyllene (7.87%), bicyclogermacrene (11.28%), and δ-cadinene (8.34%). The IC50 for promastigote and amastigote forms of L. amazonensis was 70 µg mL-1 and 6 µg mL-1, respectively. C. xanthocarpa EO was not cytotoxic for murine macrophages (CC50 1860 µg mL-1) and sheep erythrocytes (1.5%), presenting high selectivity index for protozoan (310). C. xanthocarpa EO induced effects on the morphology and ultrastructure of this parasite. The high activity for intracellular amastigote forms, low toxicity to murine macrophages, and erythrocytes, suggest that C. xanthocarpa EO is promising for the treatment of leishmaniasis.

Animal welfare in experimental orthopedic surgery of dogs: an analysis of the Brazilian view / Bem-estar animal em cirurgia ortopédica experimental de cães: uma análise da visão brasileira

ABSTRACT: The aim of this paper was to conduct a bibliometry search about Brazilian scientific publications that describe experimental orthopedic surgeries in dogs. It was analyzed 14 publications, and there was wide variation in the number of experimental animals, showing that there is no consensus on the appropriate number for science experiment with dogs. Most articles had been reviewed by an ethics committee (13/14, 92.85%) and only two articles (2/14; 14.28%) did not report the use of analgesic protocol. Among analgesics, morphine was the most widely used, noted in seven studies (7/14; 42.85%). In six of the articles (6/14; 42.85%), the final destination of animals was not informed, but in four experiments (4/14; 28.57%) the dogs were euthanized. In four studies (4/14; 28.57%) the animals were sent for adoption. In conclusion, the ethics in animal research in Brazil has advanced, but is necessary proper planning in sample size.

RESUMO: O objetivo do presente artigo foi realizar uma pesquisa bibliométrica sobre publicações científicas brasileiras que descrevem cirurgias ortopédicas experimentais em cães. Foram analisadas 14 publicações, havendo grande variação no número de animais experimentais, demonstrando que não há consenso sobre o número adequado para um experimento científico ortopédico com cães. A maioria tinha sido analisada por um comitê de ética (13/14; 92,85%) e apenas dois artigos (2/14; 14,28%) não informaram o uso de protocolo analgésico. Entre os analgésicos, a morfina foi a mais utilizada, tendo sido observada em sete estudos (7/14; 42,85%). Em seis publicações (6/14; 42,85%) o destino final dos animais não foi informado, mas em quatro experimentos (4/14; 28,57%) os cães foram eutanasiados. Também em quatro estudos (4/14; 28,57%) os animais foram encaminhados para adoção. Em conclusão, a ética em pesquisa animal no Brasil avançou, mas há necessidade de planejamento adequado no número amostral.