Alterações morfológicas de pele de camundongos inoculados com o veneno total da serpente Philodryas nattereri / Morphological alterations in mice skins inoculated with the total snake venom of Philodryas nattereri / Las alteraciones morfológicas en la piel de ratones causadas por el veneno de la serpiente Philodryas nattereri

Venenos de serpentes são compostos por substâncias ativas complexas, sendo a maioria delas de natureza proteica, causando diversos efeitos no ser humano e animais domésticos podendo levar ao óbito. Philodryas nattereri é uma serpente nativa da região do Ceará, sendo encontrada em todo o estado. Esse estudo teve por objetivo conhecer as alterações morfofisiológicas de pele de camundongos após inoculação com o veneno total desta serpente. Os animais foram distribuídos em dois grupos que receberam concentrações de 40µg/mL e 20 µg/mL respectivamente, inoculados via subcutânea, além de um terceiro grupo que recebeu via intradérmica 40µg/mL do veneno. Os resultados macroscópicos apresentaram a presença de uma crosta na região inoculada, bem como a presença de hemorragia, tal atividade foi confirmada por achado histopatológico. Microscopicamente, todos os grupos experimentais apresentaram infiltrado inflamatório linfoblástico e de polimorfonucleares, hemorragia, edema, e presença de fibrose. O veneno da serpente Philodryas nattereri alterou a arquitetura normal do tegumento. Nossos resultados corroboraram em demonstrar tais alterações, uma vez que esta substância tóxica de origem animal, presente na nossa biodiversidade nordestina apresenta poucos dados na literatura, sendo desta forma, uma importante ferramenta para estudos das alterações morfofisiológicas de pele.(AU)

Snake venoms are composed of complex active substances, most of them of protein nature, causing various effects on humans and domestic animals and can lead to death. Philodryas nattereri is a native snake Ceara region, found throughout the state. This study aimed to know the morphological and physiological changes in mouse skin after inoculation with the total venom this serpente. The animals were divided into two groups that received concentrations of 40µg/mL and 20µg/mL respectively, inoculated subcutaneously, and a third group that received intradermal 40µg/mL of the venom. The macroscopic results showed the presence of a crust in the inoculated area, and the presence of bleeding, this activity was confirmed by histopathological analysis. Microscopically, all experimental groups had lymphoblastic and polymorphonuclear inflammatory infiltration, hemorrhage, edema, and fibrosis. The venom of the snake Philodryas nattereri altered the normal integument architecture. Our results corroborate to demonstrate such changes, since this toxic substance of animal origin present in our Northeast biodiversity presents few literature data, thereby being an important tool for the study of morphological and physiological changes in the skin.(AU)

Los venenos de serpientes se componen de sustancias activas complejas, la mayoría de ellos de naturaleza proteica, provocando diversos efectos sobre los seres humanos y en los animales domésticos pueden llevar a la muerte. Philodryas nattereri es una serpiente nativa de la región de Ceará, que se encuentra en todo el estado. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo conocer los cambios morfológicos y fisiológicos en la piel de ratones después de la inoculación con todo el veneno de esta serpiente. Los animales fueron divididos en dos grupos que recibieron las concentraciones de 40µg/mL y 20µg /mL, respectivamente, por vía subcutánea inoculado, y un tercer grupo recibieron intradérmica 40µg/mL veneno. Los resultados macroscópicos mostraron la presencia de una costra en el área inoculada, y la presencia de sangrado, esta actividad se confirmó por análisis histopatológica. Microscópicamente, todos los grupos experimentales tuvieron infiltración linfoblástica y polimorfonucleares inflamatoria, hemorragia, edema y fibrosis. El veneno de la serpiente Philodryas nattereri altera la arquitectura normal del tegumento. Nuestros resultados corroboran para demostrar tales cambios, ya que esta sustancia tóxica de origen animal presente en nuestra biodiversidad Northeast presenta pocos datos de la literatura, siendo por lo tanto una herramienta importante para el estudio de los cambios morfológicos y fisiológicos en la piel.(AU)

Alterações morfológicas de pele de camundongos inoculados com o veneno total da serpente Philodryas nattereri / Morphological alterations in mice skins inoculated with the total snake venom of Philodryas nattereri / Las alteraciones morfológicas en la piel de ratones causadas por el veneno de la serpiente Philodryas nattereri

Venenos de serpentes são compostos por substâncias ativas complexas, sendo a maioria delas de natureza proteica, causando diversos efeitos no ser humano e animais domésticos podendo levar ao óbito. Philodryas nattereri é uma serpente nativa da região do Ceará, sendo encontrada em todo o estado. Esse estudo teve por objetivo conhecer as alterações morfofisiológicas de pele de camundongos após inoculação com o veneno total desta serpente. Os animais foram distribuídos em dois grupos que receberam concentrações de 40µg/mL e 20 µg/mL respectivamente, inoculados via subcutânea, além de um terceiro grupo que recebeu via intradérmica 40µg/mL do veneno. Os resultados macroscópicos apresentaram a presença de uma crosta na região inoculada, bem como a presença de hemorragia, tal atividade foi confirmada por achado histopatológico. Microscopicamente, todos os grupos experimentais apresentaram infiltrado inflamatório linfoblástico e de polimorfonucleares, hemorragia, edema, e presença de fibrose. O veneno da serpente Philodryas nattereri alterou a arquitetura normal do tegumento. Nossos resultados corroboraram em demonstrar tais alterações, uma vez que esta substância tóxica de origem animal, presente na nossa biodiversidade nordestina apresenta poucos dados na literatura, sendo desta forma, uma importante ferramenta para estudos das alterações morfofisiológicas de pele.

Snake venoms are composed of complex active substances, most of them of protein nature, causing various effects on humans and domestic animals and can lead to death. Philodryas nattereri is a native snake Ceara region, found throughout the state. This study aimed to know the morphological and physiological changes in mouse skin after inoculation with the total venom this serpente. The animals were divided into two groups that received concentrations of 40µg/mL and 20µg/mL respectively, inoculated subcutaneously, and a third group that received intradermal 40µg/mL of the venom. The macroscopic results showed the presence of a crust in the inoculated area, and the presence of bleeding, this activity was confirmed by histopathological analysis. Microscopically, all experimental groups had lymphoblastic and polymorphonuclear inflammatory infiltration, hemorrhage, edema, and fibrosis. The venom of the snake Philodryas nattereri altered the normal integument architecture. Our results corroborate to demonstrate such changes, since this toxic substance of animal origin present in our Northeast biodiversity presents few literature data, thereby being an important tool for the study of morphological and physiological changes in the skin.

Los venenos de serpientes se componen de sustancias activas complejas, la mayoría de ellos de naturaleza proteica, provocando diversos efectos sobre los seres humanos y en los animales domésticos pueden llevar a la muerte. Philodryas nattereri es una serpiente nativa de la región de Ceará, que se encuentra en todo el estado. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo conocer los cambios morfológicos y fisiológicos en la piel de ratones después de la inoculación con todo el veneno de esta serpiente. Los animales fueron divididos en dos grupos que recibieron las concentraciones de 40µg/mL y 20µg /mL, respectivamente, por vía subcutánea inoculado, y un tercer grupo recibieron intradérmica 40µg/mL veneno. Los resultados macroscópicos mostraron la presencia de una costra en el área inoculada, y la presencia de sangrado, esta actividad se confirmó por análisis histopatológica. Microscópicamente, todos los grupos experimentales tuvieron infiltración linfoblástica y polimorfonucleares inflamatoria, hemorragia, edema y fibrosis. El veneno de la serpiente Philodryas nattereri altera la arquitectura normal del tegumento. Nuestros resultados corroboran para demostrar tales cambios, ya que esta sustancia tóxica de origen animal presente en nuestra biodiversidad Northeast presenta pocos datos de la literatura, siendo por lo tanto una herramienta importante para el estudio de los cambios morfológicos y fisiológicos en la piel.

Survival of Macrobrachium amazonicum embryos submitted to cooling.

Cooling techniques have several applications for reproduction in aquaculture. However, few studies have sought to create protocols for cooling and cryopreservation of Macrobrachium amazonicum embryos. Thus, the objective of this work was to verify the survival of M. amazonicum embryos and the correlation between embryonic volume and mortality of M. amazonicum embryos after cooling. Embryo pools were collected from three females and divided into two treatment groups: dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) 3% and ethylene glycol (EG) 0.5%, both of them associated with 2 M sucrose. Positive and negative control groups consisted of seawater 10%. Aliquots of 10 µg of embryos were placed in Falcon® tubes containing a cryoprotectant solution and submitted directly to the test temperature of 2°C for 2 and 6 h of cooling. Further analysis of survival and embryonic volume were performed under a stereoscopic microscope. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), and means were compared using the Tukey test at 5%. The highest embryonic survival rate was observed after the shortest storage time for both the DMSO 3% and the 0.5% EG groups, with survival rates of 84.8 ± 3.9 and 79.7 ± 2.8%, respectively. There was a reduction in survival after 24 h, with the DMSO 3% group presenting a survival rate of 71.7 ± 6.6%, and the EG 0.5% group, 66 ± 6.9%. Survival showed a statistically significant difference when compared with the positive controls after 2 h and 24 h of cooling, with 99 ± 0.5% and 95.8 ± 1.5% survival rates, respectively. There was no significant statistical difference in the embryonic volume, but it was possible to observe a change in the appearance of the embryos, from a translucent coloration to an opaque white or brownish coloration, after 24 h in incubators. Thus, it can be concluded that survival is inversely proportional to storage time and that, although there was no change in the embryonic volume after cooling, a change in the appearance of embryos could be observed.

Enterobacteria and Vibrio from Macrobrachium amazonicum prawn farming in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the isolation of enterobacteria associated with Macrobrachium amazonicum (M. amazonicum) farming and evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of Vibrio strains. METHODS: Strains were isolated from female M. amazonicum prawns and environmental and hatchery water. Biochemical assays were used to identify bacterial genera and those belonging to the genus Vibrio were submitted to further analyses for species identification, through Vitek 2 automated system and serotyping. Susceptibility test was performed according to Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute. RESULTS: The following genera of enterobacteria were recovered: Enterobacter (n = 11), Citrobacter (n = 10), Proteus (n = 2), Serratia (n = 2), Kluyvera (n = 2), Providencia (n = 2), Cedecea (n = 1), Escherichia (n = 1), Edwardsiella (n = 1) and Buttiauxella (n = 1). As for Vibrio, three species were identified: Vibrio cholerae non-O1/non-O139 (n = 4), Vibrio vulnificus (V. vulnificus) (n = 1) and Vibrio mimicus (n = 1). Vibrio spp. showed minimum inhibitory concentrations values within the susceptibility range established by Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute for almost all antibiotics, except for V. vulnificus, which presented intermediate profile to ampicillin. CONCLUSIONS: Enterobacteria do not seem to be the most important pathogens associated with M. amazonicum farming, whereas the recovery of Vibrio spp. from larviculture, with emphasis on Vibrio cholerae and V. vulnificus, deserves special attention due to their role as potentially zoonotic aquaculture-associated pathogens. Furthermore, the intermediate susceptibility of V. vulnificus to ampicillin reflects the importance of monitoring drug use in prawn farming.

Virulence and antimicrobial susceptibility of clinical and environmental strains of Aeromonas spp. from northeastern Brazil.

The aims of the present study were to isolate and identify clinical and environmental strains of Aeromonas spp. by means of biochemical tests and the automated method VITEK 2 and to investigate the presence of the virulence genes cytotoxic enterotoxin (act), hemolysin (asa-1), and type III secretion system (ascV), and also the in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of the strains. From the clinical isolates, 19 Aeromonas hydrophila, 3 Aeromonas veronii bv. sobria, and 1 Aeromonas caviae were identified, while from the environmental strains, 11 A. hydrophila, 22 A. veronii bv. sobria, 1 A. veronii bv. veronii, and 1 A. caviae were recovered. The gene act was detected in 69.5% of clinical isolates, asa-1 in 8.6%, and ascV in 34.7%. In the environmental strains, the detection rates were 51.4%, 45.7%, and 54.2% for the genes act, asa-1, and ascV, respectively. Resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanate and piperacillin-tazobactam was observed in 15 and 3 clinical strains, respectively, and resistance to ceftazidime, meropenem, imipenem, ciprofloxacin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was observed in 1 strain for each drug. Resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanate and piperacillin-tazobactam was detected in 17 and 1 environmental strain, respectively. Higher resistance percentages were observed in clinical strains, but environmental strains also showed this phenomenon and presented a higher detection rate of virulence genes. Thus, it is important to monitor the antimicrobial susceptibility and pathogenic potential of the environmental isolates.

Moringa oleifera inhibits growth of Candida spp. and Hortaea werneckii isolated from Macrobrachium amazonicum prawn farming with a wide margin of safety / Moringa oleifera inibe o crescimento de Candida spp. e Hortaea werneckii isoladas da criação de camarões Macrobrachium amazonicum com ampla margem de segurança

This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of M. oleifera extracts against fungi isolated from farmed prawns and test the toxicity of the extracts on larvae of Macrobrachium amazonicum. The ethanol extracts of pods, seeds, leaves, stems and flowers and chloroform extract of flowers of M. oleifera were tested against 14 strains of Candida spp. and 10 strains of Hortaea werneckii isolated from farming water and the digestive tract of M. amazonicum. Antifungal activity was determined by microdilution, based on the M27-A3 and M38-A2 CLSI documents. Toxicity was evaluated by exposing larvae of M. amazonicum at concentrations between 10-1000mg mL-1, counting dead larvae (CL50) after 24 hours. The best results were verified with the chloroform extract of flowers, acting against all tested strains, with MICs ranging from 0.019 to 2.5 mg mL-1. Ethanol extracts of leaves, flowers and seeds acted against 22/24, 21/24 and 20/24 strains, respectively. The extract of pods was only effective against strains of Candida spp. (14/24) and extract of stem only against four strains of H. werneckii (4/24). Extracts of seeds, flowers (chloroform fraction), stems and leaves showed low or no toxicity, whereas extracts of pods and flowers (ethanol fraction) showed moderate toxicity. Thus, the antifungal activity of these extracts agaisnt Candida spp. and H. werneckii was observed, a wide margin of safety for larvae of M. amazonicum, demonstrating to be promising for the sustainable management of effluents from M. amazonicum farming.(AU)

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a atividade antifúngica de extratos de M. oleifera frente a fungos isolados de camarões, cultivados em água doce, e testar a toxicidade dos extratos em larvas de Macrobrachium amazonicum. Os extratos etanólicos de vagens, sementes, folhas, caules e flores e o extrato clorofórmico de flores de M. oleifera foram testados contra 14 cepas de Candida spp. e 10 cepas de Hortaea werneckii isolados da água de cultivo e do trato digestório de M. amazonicum. A atividade antifúngica foi determinada por microdiluição, com base nos documentos M27-A3 e M38-A2 do CLSI. A toxicidade foi avaliada por exposição das larvas de M. amazonicum a concentrações entre 10-1000 mg mL-1 dos extratos, realizando contagem de larvas mortas (CL50), após 24 horas. Os melhores resultados foram verificados com o extrato clorofórmico de flores, agindo frente a todas as cepas testadas, com concentrações inibitórias mínimas variando entre 0,019-2,5 mg mL-1. O extrato etanólico de folhas, flores e sementes agiu ante 22/24, 21/24 e 20/24 cepas, respectivamente. O extrato de vagens foi eficaz contra cepas de Candida spp. (14/24) e o extrato de caule apenas contra quatro cepas de H. werneckii (4/24). Os extratos de sementes, flores (fração clorofórmica), caules e folhas apresentaram baixa ou nenhuma toxicidade, enquanto que extratos de vagens e flores (fração etanólica) apresentaram toxicidade moderada. Assim, observou-se atividade antifúngica dos extratos em Candida spp . e H. werneckii com uma ampla margem de segurança para as larvas de M. amazonicum, demonstrando ser promissor para o manejo sustentável dos efluentes do cultivo de M. amazonicum.(AU)

Moringa oleifera inhibits growth of Candida spp. and Hortaea werneckii isolated from Macrobrachium amazonicum prawn farming with a wide margin of safety / Moringa oleifera inibe o crescimento de Candida spp. e Hortaea werneckii isoladas da criação de camarões Macrobrachium amazonicum com ampla margem de segurança

This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of M. oleifera extracts against fungi isolated from farmed prawns and test the toxicity of the extracts on larvae of Macrobrachium amazonicum. The ethanol extracts of pods, seeds, leaves, stems and flowers and chloroform extract of flowers of M. oleifera were tested against 14 strains of Candida spp. and 10 strains of Hortaea werneckii isolated from farming water and the digestive tract of M. amazonicum. Antifungal activity was determined by microdilution, based on the M27-A3 and M38-A2 CLSI documents. Toxicity was evaluated by exposing larvae of M. amazonicum at concentrations between 10-1000mg mL-1, counting dead larvae (CL50) after 24 hours. The best results were verified with the chloroform extract of flowers, acting against all tested strains, with MICs ranging from 0.019 to 2.5 mg mL-1. Ethanol extracts of leaves, flowers and seeds acted against 22/24, 21/24 and 20/24 strains, respectively. The extract of pods was only effective against strains of Candida spp. (14/24) and extract of stem only against four strains of H. werneckii (4/24). Extracts of seeds, flowers (chloroform fraction), stems and leaves showed low or no toxicity, whereas extracts of pods and flowers (ethanol fraction) showed moderate toxicity. Thus, the antifungal activity of these extracts agaisnt Candida spp. and H. werneckii was observed, a wide margin of safety for larvae of M. amazonicum, demonstrating to be promising for the sustainable management of effluents from M. amazonicum farming.

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a atividade antifúngica de extratos de M. oleifera frente a fungos isolados de camarões, cultivados em água doce, e testar a toxicidade dos extratos em larvas de Macrobrachium amazonicum. Os extratos etanólicos de vagens, sementes, folhas, caules e flores e o extrato clorofórmico de flores de M. oleifera foram testados contra 14 cepas de Candida spp. e 10 cepas de Hortaea werneckii isolados da água de cultivo e do trato digestório de M. amazonicum. A atividade antifúngica foi determinada por microdiluição, com base nos documentos M27-A3 e M38-A2 do CLSI. A toxicidade foi avaliada por exposição das larvas de M. amazonicum a concentrações entre 10-1000 mg mL-1 dos extratos, realizando contagem de larvas mortas (CL50), após 24 horas. Os melhores resultados foram verificados com o extrato clorofórmico de flores, agindo frente a todas as cepas testadas, com concentrações inibitórias mínimas variando entre 0,019-2,5 mg mL-1. O extrato etanólico de folhas, flores e sementes agiu ante 22/24, 21/24 e 20/24 cepas, respectivamente. O extrato de vagens foi eficaz contra cepas de Candida spp. (14/24) e o extrato de caule apenas contra quatro cepas de H. werneckii (4/24). Os extratos de sementes, flores (fração clorofórmica), caules e folhas apresentaram baixa ou nenhuma toxicidade, enquanto que extratos de vagens e flores (fração etanólica) apresentaram toxicidade moderada. Assim, observou-se atividade antifúngica dos extratos em Candida spp . e H. werneckii com uma ampla margem de segurança para as larvas de M. amazonicum, demonstrando ser promissor para o manejo sustentável dos efluentes do cultivo de M. amazonicum .

Macrobrachium amazonicum: an alternative for microbiological monitoring of aquatic environments in Brazil / Macrobrachium amazonicum: uma alternativa para o monitoramento microbiológico de ambientes aquáticos no Brasil

This study aimed to evaluate the role of the Amazon River prawn, Macrobrachium amazonicum, as carrier of Candida spp., by analyzing the correlation between Candida spp. from these prawns and their environment (surface water and sediment), through M13-PCR fingerprinting and RAPD-PCR. For this purpose, 27 strains of Candida spp. were evaluated. These strains were recovered from the gastrointestinal tract of adult M. amazonicum (7/27) from Catú Lake, Ceará State, Brazil and from the aquatic environment (surface water and sediment) of this lake (20/27). Molecular comparison between the strains from prawns and the aquatic environment was conducted by M13-PCR fingerprinting and RAPD-PCR, utilizing the primers M13 and OPQ16, respectively. The molecular analysis revealed similarities between the band patterns of eight Candida isolates with the primer M13 and 11 isolates with the primer OPQ16, indicating that the same strains are present in the digestive tract of M. amazonicum and in the aquatic environment where these prawns inhabit. Therefore, these prawns can be used as sentinels for environmental monitoring through the recovery of Candida spp. from the aquatic environment in their gastrointestinal tract.(AU)

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o papel do camarão Macrobrachium amazonicum como carreador de Candida spp. do ambiente aquático, por meio da análise da correlação entre Candida spp. isoladas desse camarão e do seu ambiente (água de superfície e sedimento) através das técnicas de M13-PCR fingerprinting e RAPD-PCR. Para tanto, 27 cepas de Candida spp. foram avaliadas. Essas cepas foram recuperadas a partir do trato gastrointestinal de M. amazonicum adultos (7/27), oriundos da lagoa do Catú, Ceará, Brasil, e do meio aquático (águas superficiais e sedimentos) desse lago (20/27). A comparação molecular entre as cepas de camarões e o ambiente aquático foi conduzida por M13-PCR fingerprinting e RAPD-PCR, utilizando os iniciadores M13 e OPQ16, respectivamente. A análise molecular revelou semelhanças entre os padrões de bandas de oito isolados de Candida com o iniciador M13 e 11 isolados com o primer OPQ16, indicando que elas estão presentes no trato digestivo de M. amazonicum e no ambiente aquático, onde esses camarões habitam. Portanto, essa espécie de camarão pode ser usada como sentinela para monitoramento ambiental através da recuperação de Candida spp. do ambiente aquático, a partir do seu trato gastrointestinal.(AU)

Macrobrachium amazonicum: an alternative for microbiological monitoring of aquatic environments in Brazil / Macrobrachium amazonicum uma alternativa para o monitoramento microbiológico de ambientes aquáticos no Brasil

This study aimed to evaluate the role of the Amazon River prawn, Macrobrachium amazonicum, as carrier of Candida spp., by analyzing the correlation between Candida spp. from these prawns and their environment (surface water and sediment), through M13-PCR fingerprinting and RAPD-PCR. For this purpose, 27 strains of Candida spp. were evaluated. These strains were recovered from the gastrointestinal tract of adult M. amazonicum (7/27) from Catú Lake, Ceará State, Brazil and from the aquatic environment (surface water and sediment) of this lake (20/27). Molecular comparison between the strains from prawns and the aquatic environment was conducted by M13-PCR fingerprinting and RAPD-PCR, utilizing the primers M13 and OPQ16, respectively. The molecular analysis revealed similarities between the band patterns of eight Candida isolates with the primer M13 and 11 isolates with the primer OPQ16, indicating that the same strains are present in the digestive tract of M. amazonicum and in the aquatic environment where these prawns inhabit. Therefore, these prawns can be used as sentinels for environmental monitoring through the recovery of Candida spp. from the aquatic environment in their gastrointestinal tract.

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o papel do camarão Macrobrachium amazonicum como carreador de Candida spp. do ambiente aquático, por meio da análise da correlação entre Candida spp. isoladas desse camarão e do seu ambiente (água de superfície e sedimento) através das técnicas de M13-PCR fingerprinting e RAPD-PCR. Para tanto, 27 cepas de Candida spp. foram avaliadas. Essas cepas foram recuperadas a partir do trato gastrointestinal de M. amazonicum adultos (7/27), oriundos da lagoa do Catú, Ceará, Brasil, e do meio aquático (águas superficiais e sedimentos) desse lago (20/27). A comparação molecular entre as cepas de camarões e o ambiente aquático foi conduzida por M13-PCR fingerprinting e RAPD-PCR, utilizando os iniciadores M13 e OPQ16, respectivamente. A análise molecular revelou semelhanças entre os padrões de bandas de oito isolados de Candida com o iniciador M13 e 11 isolados com o primer OPQ16, indicando que elas estão presentes no trato digestivo de M. amazonicum e no ambiente aquático, onde esses camarões habitam. Portanto, essa espécie de camarão pode ser usada como sentinela para monitoramento ambiental através da recuperação de Candida spp. do ambiente aquático, a partir do seu trato gastrointestinal.

Essential oil of Croton argyrophylloides: toxicological aspects and vasorelaxant activity in rats.

Croton argyrophylloides Muell. Arg. is widely used in Brazilian folk medicine to treat diabetes and venereal diseases. This study examined the acute toxicity and cytotoxicity of the essential oil of C. argyrophylloides (EOCA). In addition, vascular effects of the EOCA have been examined. In mice, an oral acute toxicity test revealed that EOCA could be considered as a non toxic essential oil since it showed a very high LD50 (9.84 +/- 0.01 g/kg). In the brine shrimp (Artemia salina) cytotoxic assay, the LC50 value of EOCA was 275 [165-534] microg/mL. EOCA (1-1000 microg/mL) relaxed isolated endothelium-intact aortic rings precontracted with phenylephrine with an IC50 value of 126.7 [89.8-163.7] microg/mL. In rat mesenteric bed preparations precontracted with phenylephrine, EOCA (1-300 microg/mL) also induced a reversible, vasodilator effect with an IC50 value of 46.0 [33.3-58.7] micro/mL. It is concluded that EOCA is a very interesting agent from the point of view of the possibility of therapeutic application. This is because, whilst showing a very small acute toxicity, EOCA also showed maximal efficacy as a vascular antispasmodic agent with a pharmacological potency similar to that of other Croton species essential oils.

Resfriamento e criopreservação de embriões de peixes / Cooling and cryopreservation of fish embryos

Nas últimas décadas, as populações naturais de peixes têm diminuído devido à degradação ambiental e pesca excessiva, o qual precipita a descaracterização e o desaparecimento do habitat natural e dos organismos que nele vivem. Isso tem suscitado um grande interesse na criação de bancos de genes para organismos aquáticos selvagens. Visando suprir esse desequilíbrio ecológico e aumentar os benefícios econômicos, a piscicultura tem gerado inúmeros trabalhos no âmbito de técnicas de cultivo, controle de doenças, avaliação dos gametas produzidos em cativeiro e técnicas para congelamento seminal e de embriões. A criopreservação de sêmen de peixes tem sido pesquisada, no entanto ainda é necessário otimizar protocolos de resfriamento para preservação de embriões e escolher o crioprotetor ideal para a espécie. (AU)

In recent decades, the natural fish population have declines due to overfishing and environmental degradation, wich precipitates the disappearance of natural habitat and his living organisms. This situation increased the interest for the creation of gene banks for wild aquatic organism. The fisherie constantly generates numerous research about techniques to control diseases, evaluation of gametes quality produced in captivity and freezing process to sperm end embryos. Sperm cryopreservation has been investigates with success, however it is necessary optimize cooling protocol for embryos. The results of this reviews show the need more research to choose a optimal cryoprotectant for the fish species for embryos.(AU)

Resfriamento e criopreservação de embriões de peixes / Cooling and cryopreservation of fish embryos

Nas últimas décadas, as populações naturais de peixes têm diminuído devido à degradação ambiental e pesca excessiva, o qual precipita a descaracterização e o desaparecimento do habitat natural e dos organismos que nele vivem. Isso tem suscitado um grande interesse na criação de bancos de genes para organismos aquáticos selvagens. Visando suprir esse desequilíbrio ecológico e aumentar os benefícios econômicos, a piscicultura tem gerado inúmeros trabalhos no âmbito de técnicas de cultivo, controle de doenças, avaliação dos gametas produzidos em cativeiro e técnicas para congelamento seminal e de embriões. A criopreservação de sêmen de peixes tem sido pesquisada, no entanto ainda é necessário otimizar protocolos de resfriamento para preservação de embriões e escolher o crioprotetor ideal para a espécie.

In recent decades, the natural fish population have declines due to overfishing and environmental degradation, wich precipitates the disappearance of natural habitat and his living organisms. This situation increased the interest for the creation of gene banks for wild aquatic organism. The fisherie constantly generates numerous research about techniques to control diseases, evaluation of gametes quality produced in captivity and freezing process to sperm end embryos. Sperm cryopreservation has been investigates with success, however it is necessary optimize cooling protocol for embryos. The results of this reviews show the need more research to choose a optimal cryoprotectant for the fish species for embryos.

Extratos de Moringa oleifera e Vernonia sp. sobre Candida albicans e Microsporum canis isolados de cães e gatos e análise da toxicidade em Artemia sp. / Moringa oleifera and Vernonia sp. extracts against Candida albicans and Microsporum canis isolates from dogs and cats and analysis of toxicity to Artemia sp.

O aumento da incidência das infecções fúngicas, bem como o registro crescente de resistência e falha terapêutica, têm impulsionado a realização de estudos de prospecção de fitoquímicos com propriedades antifúngicas. Diante do exposto, o presente estudo investigou o potencial antifúngico de extratos de Baccharis ligustrina, B. schultzii, Croton jacobinensis, Licania rigida, Moringa oleifera, Vernonia sp. e V. brasiliana, e de óleos essenciais de Lippia alba (Quimiotipos 1, 2, 3 e 4) e Ocimum gratissimum. Inicialmente, foi realizada uma avaliação qualitativa da atividade antifúngica de cada amostra por meio do método de difusão em ágar, frente a cepas de Candida albicans e Microsporum canis, mostrando que apenas os extratos de M. oleifera (MLF-C) e Vernonia sp. (TVS-H) apresentaram atividade frente a C. albicans e M. canis, com halos de inibição =10mm. Também foram determinadas a concentração inibitória mínima (CIM), frente a 12 cepas de C. albicans e M. canis, e a toxicidade aguda de MLF-C e TVS-H, através de protocolos do Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) e ensaio com Artemia sp., respectivamente. A CIM (80 por cento) de MLF-C e TVS-H variou de 0,156 a 2,5mg mL-1 frente C. albicans e de 0,039 a 1,25 e 0,039 a 0,625mg mL-1 para M. canis, respectivamente. A CIM (100 por cento) de MLF-C e TVS-H variou de 0,625 a 2,5mg mL-1 frente C. albicans é de 0,039 a 2,5 e 0,078 a 1,25mg mL-1 para M. canis, respectivamente. As doses letais (DL50) para o MLF-C e TVS-H foram de 201,09 e 204,17mg mL-1, respectivamente, sendo, portanto, demonstrada a baixa toxicidade desses extratos. Os extratos de M. oileifera e Vernonia sp. apresentaram atividade antifúngica frente cepas de C. albicans e M. canis, abrindo a perspectiva de estudos para caracterização dos seus componentes bioativos.

The increase in the incidence of fungal infections and the frequent report of resistance and therapeutic failure has promoted the performance of phytochemical screening for compounds with antifungal properties. Based on this, the present study investigated the antifungal potential of extracts of Baccharis ligustrina, B. schultzii, Croton jacobinensis, Licania rigida, Moringa oleifera, Vernonia sp. and V. brasiliana and of essential oils of Lippia alba (Chemotypes 1, 2, 3 and 4) and Ocimum gratissimum. Initially, a qualitative evaluation of the antifungal activity of each vegetal sample against strains of Candida albicans and Microsporum canis, through the agar diffusion method, was performed. Extracts of M. oleifera (MLF-C) and Vernonia sp. (TVS-H) presented activity against C. albicans and M. canis with inhibition halos =10mm. Then, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for MLF-C and TVS-H against 12 strains of C. albicans and M. canis were determined through the methodology established by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), and acute toxicity tests against Artemia sp. were performed for both extracts. MICs (80 percent) for MLF-C and TVS-H varied from 0.156 to 2.5mg mL-1 against C. albicans and from 0.039 to 1.25mg mL-1 and 0.039 to 0.625mg mL-1 against M. canis, respectively. MICs (100 percent) for MLF-C and TVS-H varied from 0.625 to 2.5mg mL-1 for C. albicans and from 0.039 to 2.5mg mL-1 and 0.078 to 1.25mg mL-1 against M. canis, respectively. Lethal doses (DL50) of MLF-C and TVS-H were 201.09 and 204.17mg mL-1, respectively, being, therefore, demonstrated the low toxicity of these extracts. M. oleifera and Vernonia sp. extracts presented in vitro antifungal activity against C. albicans and M. canis, creating perspectives for the development of studies on the characterizations of their bioactive components.