Chemical Characterization and Leishmanicidal Activity In Vitro and In Silico of Natural Products Obtained from Leaves of Vernonanthura brasiliana (L.) H. Rob (Asteraceae).

Vernonanthura brasiliana (L.) H. Rob is a medicinal plant used for the treatment of several infections. This study aimed to evaluate the antileishmanial activity of V. brasiliana leaves using in vitro and in silico approaches. The chemical composition of V. brasiliana leaf extract was determined through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The inhibitory activity against Leishmania amazonensis promastigote was evaluated by the MTT method. In silico analysis was performed using Lanosterol 14alpha-demethylase (CYP51) as the target. The toxicity analysis was performed in RAW 264.7 cells and Tenebrio molitor larvae. LC-MS revealed the presence of 14 compounds in V. brasiliana crude extract, including flavonoids, flavones, sesquiterpene lactones, and quinic acids. Eriodictol (ΔGbind = -9.0), luteolin (ΔGbind = -8.7), and apigenin (ΔGbind = -8.6) obtained greater strength of molecular interaction with lanosterol demethylase in the molecular docking study. The hexane fraction of V. brasiliana showed the best leishmanicidal activity against L. amazonensis in vitro (IC50 12.44 ± 0.875 µg·mL-1) and low cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells (CC50 314.89 µg·mL-1, SI = 25.30) and T. molitor larvae. However, the hexane fraction and Amphotericin-B had antagonistic interaction (FICI index ≥ 4.0). This study revealed that V. brasiliana and its metabolites are potential sources of lead compounds for drugs for leishmaniasis treatment.

Identificação parasitológica da cama de frango reutilizada em uma granja avícola / Parasitological identification of chicken bed reused in a poultry farm

Objetivou-se avaliar a carga parasitária da cama de frango de uma granja avícola localizada no município de Paço do Lumiar - MA. Foram coletadas 50 amostras de cama de frango de 10 galpões. Essa cama já havia sido utilizada seis vezes nos lotes anteriores. Para as análises parasitológicas foram utilizados os métodos de Sedimentação Espontânea, Método de Sheather, Esporulação para diagnóstico de oocistos de coccídios. Foram identificados ovos de nematódeos dos gêneros Strongyloides (72%), Heterakis (18%) e Ascaridia (10%). As larvas as do gênero Strongyloides destacaram-se como as mais prevalentes, com frequência de 97% de casos, seguido geohelmintos (3%). Encontrou-se 1200 oocistos de Eimeria, no estágio de esporulação. Foram encontrados também ácaros e cascudinhos (Alphitobius diaperinus). Conclui-se que a alta frequência de parasitos presentes na cama de frango pode estar relacionada à falha de manejo.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the parasitic load of chicken litter from a poultry farm located in the municipality of Paço do Lumiar - MA. Fifty samples of chicken bed of 10 sheds were collected. This bed had already been used six times in the previous batches. For the parasitological analyzes the methods of Spontaneous Sedimentation, Sheather Method, Sporulation for the diagnosis of coccidia oocysts were used. Eggs of nematodes of the genera Strongyloides (72%), Heterakis (18%) and Ascaridia (10%) were identified. The larvae of the genus Strongyloides were the most prevalent, with a frequency of 97% of cases, followed by geohelminths (3%). There were 1200 Eimeria oocysts, in sporulation stage. Mites and kites were also found (Alphitobius diaperinus). It is concluded that the high frequency of parasites present in chicken litter may be related to management failure.

One Plant, Many Uses: A Review of the Pharmacological Applications of Morinda citrifolia.

Morinda citrifolia, also known as noni, is commonly used in popular medicine in Brazil. Many parts of the noni tree are utilized in such practices, including the roots, leaves and seeds. Through a search of online databases, the present article reviews 92 research studies on the biological actions of M. citrifolia. The paper will discuss the therapeutic effects of noni and its compounds in a variety of forms of presentation, focusing on studies that support its traditional use. A large and diverse number of properties were identified, which were divided into immunostimulatory, antitumor, antidiabetic, anti-obesity, antibacterial and anti-septic, antifungal, antiviral, leishmanicidal, antiinflammatory, antinociceptive and analgesic, antioxidant, neuroprotective, wound healing, antiallergic, antiangiogenic, antiemetic and anti-nausea, anti-gastric ulcer and oesophagitis, anthelmintic, antimutagenic, antipsychotic, anxiolytic, photoprotective, anti-wrinkle and periodontal tissue regeneration activities. While it was concluded that although M. citrifolia is widely and successfully used for the treatment or prevention of various diseases, it should be consumed carefully, and only after exhaustive studies into its chemical constituents and mechanisms of action, both in in vitro and in vivo models, as well as clinical trials. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.