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Psychotria carthagenensis is a shrubby plant, often consumed by traditional populations in religious rituals. Previous studies have shown that this plant's infusion can inhibit the activity of Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in rats. Despite the therapeutic potential, there is a lack of research regarding its possible toxicological and genotoxic effects. Hence, this study aimed to analyze the chemical profile of the ethanol extract from P. carthagenensis leaves by LC-DAD-MS and assess its possible toxicity and genotoxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Adult zebrafish (N = 9/group) were exposed at different concentrations and the LC50 was calculated. Frequencies of micronucleus (MN) and nuclear abnormalities (NA) were estimated for genotoxic effects, and degree of tissue changes (DTC) was used to assess the liver and gill histopathology. From the LC-DAD-MS analyses, the identified compounds included N-fructosyl valine, ethyl hexoside, 5-O-E-caffeoylquinic acid, N-feruloylagmatime, roseoside, di-O-deoxyhexoyl-hexosyl quercetin, loiolide, and oleamide. The calculated values of LC50 did not vary significantly during the time of exposure. At the concentrations of 1.25, 2.5, 3.75, 5, 7.5, 10 and 15 mg/L, there was no genotoxicity, and only low to moderate toxicity for the tissues was observed, despite mortality of 100% at doses of 20-100 mg/L of P. carthagenensis ethanolic leaf extract. There were changes in cytoplasm of hepatocytes at 1.25 mg/L, and karyorrhexis, karyolysis and megalocytosis at 10 mg/L. In the gills, the alterations were primary lamellar hyperplasia in all concentrations, and at 10 mg/L, secondary lamellar edema and vascular hyperemia were common. Additionally, the chemical composition of P. carthagenensis was expanded.

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The objective of this work was to identify and classify the plants species designated as medicinal by the population of Taboco in different categories of use and investigate the specie with higher value of use with medicinal potential in experimental models. The field research took place between June and November 2018, with periodic visits to the Taboco Village, Brazil. The community makes use of a diversity of native, cultivated and domesticated species, corresponding to 89 plant species, belonging to 44 families, for cure or prevention over 60 types of health problems. The species Maytenus ilicifolia, with the highest use value was evaluated in experimental models. In this treatment a higher keratin production, reconstitution of the epithelium and the structured dermis was observed, with thick collagen fibers rich in fibroblasts, which favored the healing of exposed wounds.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar y clasificar las especies de plantas designadas como medicinales por la población de Taboco en diferentes categorías de uso e investigar la especie con mayor valor de uso con potencial medicinal en modelos experimentales. La investigación de campo se llevó a cabo entre junio y noviembre de 2018, con visitas periódicas a Villa de Taboco, Brasil. La comunidad hace uso de una diversidad de especies nativas, cultivadas y domesticadas, correspondientes a 89 especies vegetales, pertenecientes a 44 familias, para la curación o prevención de más de 60 tipos de problemas de salud. La especie Maytenus ilicifolia, con mayor valor de uso, fue evaluada en modelos experimentales. En este tratamiento se observó una mayor producción de queratina, reconstitución del epitelio y de la dermis estructurada, con espesas fibras de colágenoricas en fibroblastos, lo que favoreció la cicatrización de las heridas expuestas.

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Endozoochory refers to the ingestion of fruits by animals and their release through faeces as it plays an important role in maintaining ecosystems. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cumbaru fruit ingestion by tapirs on cumbaru seed germination. In latrines, fruits ingested and excreted by the animals were collected among tapir faeces. The collected material was taken to the laboratory and placed in a germination chamber and greenhouse. Fruit ingestion and its subsequent defection propitiated a higher germination rate and germination vigor compared to non-ingested fruit grown in a germination chamber and greenhouse. The results in the greenhouse showed that the latrines (decomposing organic matter) have different thermal conditions (higher temperature), in relation to the external environment, which probably accelerated the germination processes. Evaluation of seedlings grown in a greenhouse and germination chamber indicated that growth in the greenhouse was better due to humic and fulvic acids, which are common stimulants of seed germination and seedling growth. Therefore, tapirs can be considered good fruit dispersers and inducers of cumbaru seeds germination.

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The aim of the study was to investigate the in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity of leaves ethanol extract from Smilax fluminensis on murine melanoma. The extract was performed by ethylic alcohol and submitted to classical chemical analysis. Cytotoxicity test were performed on neoplastic cells, where antitumor activity was expressed in GI50 (concentration that inhibits 50% of cell growth) and the determination of selectivity index using a normal cell line. In addition, BALB/c mice models were used to evaluate the in vivo antitumor activity of extract in two different concentrations against B16-F10 melanoma cells. The tumor inhibition ratio was determined and the histopathological analyses of nodules and liver were compared. The chemical analysis indicated a major presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Cytotoxicity test results that S. fluminensis extract was active in B16-F10 line (GI50: 4.37 µg/mL), being the extract considered a promising antineoplastic agent. In the experimental model, the inhibition percentage of tumoral growth was between 78.77 and 83.49%. Histopathology analysis of nodules showed necrotic cells reduction, adipocytes presence, melanin deposition, vascularization, and inflammatory process in a concentration-dependent manner. On the liver, the animals treated with the extract on both concentrations showed normal hepatic organization, normal hepatocytes, and absence of inflammatory focus. The results indicate that S. fluminensis extract demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity, reducing the tumoral growth in B16-F10 and could therefore be a promising antineoplastic agent.

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Functional clinical nutrition is an integrative science; it uses dietary strategies, functional foods and medicinal plants, as well as combinations thereof. Both functional foods and medicinal plants, whether associated or not, form nutraceuticals, which can bring benefits to health, in addition to being included in the prevention and treatment of diseases. Some functional food effects from Avena sativa L. (oats), Linum usitatissimum L. (brown flaxseed), Glycine max L. (soya) and Moringa oleifera have been proposed for nutritional disorders through in vitro and in vivo tests. A formulation called a bioactive food compound (BFC) showed efficiency in the association of oats, flaxseed and soy for dyslipidemia and obesity. In this review, we discuss the effects of BFC in other nutritional disorders, as well as the beneficial effects of M. oleifera in obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, metabolic syndrome, intestinal inflammatory diseases/colorectal carcinogenesis and malnutrition. In addition, we hypothesized that a BFC enriched with M. oleifera could present a synergistic effect and play a potential benefit in nutritional disorders. The traditional consumption of M. oleifera preparations can allow associations with other formulations, such as BFC. These nutraceutical formulations can be easily accepted and can be used in sweet preparations (fruit and/or vegetable juices, fruit and/or vegetable vitamins, porridges, yogurt, cream, mousses or fruit salads, cakes and cookies) or savory (vegetable purees, soups, broths and various sauces), cooked or not. These formulations can be low-cost and easy-to-use. The association of bioactive food substances in dietary formulations can facilitate adherence to consumption and, thus, contribute to the planning of future nutritional interventions for the prevention and adjuvant treatment of the clinical conditions presented in this study. This can be extended to the general population. However, an investigation through clinical studies is needed to prove applicability in humans.

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The purpose of this study was to assess the topic use of Sebastiania hispida extract and low-level gallium-arsenide laser irradiation (GaAs, 904 nm) to reduce the local myonecrosis and edema of Bothrops moojeni snake venom-injected gastrocnemius. Wistar rats receiving intramuscular venom injection (VBm) were compared with saline control (S) and envenomed rats receiving local exposure to plant extract (VExt) or laser irradiation (VL). The phytochemistry and thin-layer chromatography of S. hispida extract indicated the presence of phenolic compounds like gallic acid and flavonoids including quercetin. Gastrocnemius of VExt and VL groups had a significant reduction of edema and creatine kinase (CK) activities and a greater Myogenin (MyoG) expression compared to VBm group, with the plant extract efficacy better than laser exposure. Reduction of edema and serum CK activities reflects a lessening of muscle damage, whereas the increase of MyoG indicates myoblast differentiation and acceleration of muscle repair. The S. hispida richness in phenolic compounds and flavonoids, such as the light modulatory ability to triggering a multitude of cell signalings likely underlie the positive outcomes. Our findings suggest both treatments as potential auxiliary tools to be explored in clinical trials in combination with anti-venom therapy after Bothropic snakebites.

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There is an increasing interest in the use of herbal remedies as healing agents, due to their lower cost in relation to other drugs and the vast Brazilian fauna. The objective of this research was to evaluate the cicatrization effect of the guariroba leaf (Campomanesia pubescens) on the healing of infected wounds. We used 45 Wistar rats, distributed in five groups (n = 9) all with surgically induced skin injury, differing in the presence of contamination and treatment, with evaluation periods of 3, 7 and 14 days, being: G1- negative control without contamination, treated with Physiological Solution 0.9%; G2- control with contamination, treated with Physiological Solution 0.9%; G3 negative with contamination, treated with Carbopol in 0.5% gel; G4- positive control with contamination, treated with Colagenase at 0.6 U / g + 0.01 g Chloramphenicol; G5- positive test with contamination treated with Campomanesia pubescens at 3%, whose vehicle was Carbopol at 0.5%. The wound was made with a metal punch 8 mm in diameter, and a cutaneous fragment was removed from the animals' backs and wound infection was applied to S. aureus in groups G2 to G5. Euthanasia was performed for a lethal dose of anesthetic, and the edges of the wounds were removed for histopathological study. The fibrinoleukocytic crust was present in all animals in the groups of 3, 7 and 14 days. The contraction of the wound was also evaluated, and all groups showed low percentage of wound regression in the 3-day treatment and with 14 days presented a high percentage of regression. Of the 5 groups, the only one that presented complete epithelialization was G5. Of the 5 groups, the ones with the best epithelialization were G4 and G5. The group with the highest amount of mature collagen fibers was G4, followed by G5, and the one with the highest proportion of immature fibers was G1. At the end of the experiment, G4 was the group that gained the most weight and G1 the one that had the lowest weight gain. Guariroba leaf extract (Campomanesia pubescens) was able to promote healing in infected skin wounds similar to the group treated with antibiotics.

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The 17 alpha methyltestosterone (MT) hormone is fed to Oreochromis niloticus larvae in fish farms with the purpose of inducing sex reversal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and sub-lethality of MT (99.9% purity) and cMT (a commercial MT with 90% purity) in zebrafish (Danio rerio) adults, where the animals were exposed to concentrations of 0, 4, 23, 139, 833 and 5000 µg/L for 96 hours. Genotoxicity was evaluated by micronucleus test (MN), nuclear abnormalities (NA) and comet assay. A low genotoxic potential of MT was showed, inducing micronucleus, nuclear abnormalities and DNA damage in Danio rerio, depending on the use of MT or cMT, gender and tested concentrations. In the sub-lethality trials, there was a basal difference in the activity of the enzymatic biochemical markers for males and females, while the Glutatione S transferase (GST) activity decreased in all analyzed tissues, and for males the enzymatic activity decreased only in the intestine. Results suggest that MT has a toxic potential to fish because it alters enzymatic metabolic pathways and may pose a risk to the ecosystems.

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The application of chemical pesticides for the control of fungal diseases results in impacts on the environment and human health. The use of vegetal extracts with antifungal properties for the proper management of crops becomes a viable alternative, mainly for organic and family farming. The objective of this study was to carry out the phytochemical evaluation of Datura inoxia, evaluating its antifungal potential against the mycelial growth of Fusarium solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The extracts, aqueous and ethanolic, obtained from the leaves of the plant collected in areas of the municipality of Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, were submitted to phytochemical prospecting and quantification of flavonoids and total phenols. It was evaluated its antifungal activity at concentrations of 800, 1200, 1600, 2000, and 2400 µg 100 mL-1. Each concentration was separately incorporated into BDA agar, poured into Petri dishes, and inoculated with the mycelial disc of the fungus. The diameter of the colonies were measured daily. Two solutions were prepared as control, one containing the solvent added to PDA medium (ethanol solution), and another with only PDA medium (without D. inoxia extract, control). In both extracts were found the same diversity of secondary metabolites (nine classes). The ethanolic extract, a solvent of lower polarity than water, was more efficient in the extraction of these constituents. Alkaloids and phenolic compounds were the most frequent compounds (100%). In relation to antifungal activity, the ethanolic extract provided 100% inhibition of mycelial growth ofSclerotinia sclerotitorum in all concentrations, relative to the control. On the other hand, the growth ofFusarium solani was only negatively affected at the highest concentrations of 800 and 1200 µmL-1 100 mL-1. The antifungal potential of Datura inoxia was probably related to the abundance of alkaloids and phenolic compounds in its chemical constitution that negatively effects the development of the vegetative mycelium.

A aplicação de defensivos químicos para o controle de doenças fúngicas tem por consequência impactos sobre o ambiente e a saúde humana. Desta forma, a utilização de extratos vegetais com propriedades antifúngicas associado ao manejo adequado de culturas, torna-se uma proposta viável de controle alternativo, principalmente na agricultura orgânica e familiar. Neste sentido, objetivou-se realizar a avaliação fitoquímica das folhas de Datura inoxia, avaliando seu potencial antifúngico frente ao crescimento micelial de Fusarium solani e Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Os extratos, aquoso e etanólico, obtidos das folhas da planta coletadas em áreas do município de Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, foram submetidos à prospecção fitoquímica e quantificação flavonoides e fenóis totais, avaliando-se sua atividade antifúngica em concentrações de 800, 1200, 1600, 2000 e 2400 µg 100 mL-1. Cada concentração foi incorporada, separadamente, em ágar BDA, vertida em placas de petri, seguida da colocação do disco de micélio do fungo, com diâmetro das colônias sendo medido diariamente. Utilizou-se como controle negativo, ágar sem extrato e ágar com solução etanólica. Nos dois extratos ocorreu a mesma diversidade de metabólitos secundários (nove classes); porém o extrato etanólico, um solvente de menor polaridade que a água, foi mais eficiente na extração destes constituintes, com destaque aos alcaloides e compostos fenólicos com maior frequência (100%). Em relação a atividade antifúngica, o extrato etanólico proporcionou inibição de 100% do crescimento micelial de Sclerotinia sclerotitorum, em todas as concentrações, em relação a testemunha. Por outro lado, o crescimento de Fusarium solani foi afetado negativamente apenas nas maiores concentrações, 800 e 1200 µmL-1 100 mL-1.O potencial antifúngico da planta provavelmente está relacionado a sua constituição química, com abundância de alcaloides e compostos fenólicos, afetando negativamente o desenvolvimento do micélio vegetativo.

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Abstract Rationale: Disuse colitis is frequent in our country and the most effective treatment is high cost and there is a need for effective and low cost therapy. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of Baccharis dracunculifolia (field rosemary) in the treatment of exclusion colitis in rats. Method: Eighteen Wistar rats were anesthetized and submitted to colostomy; they were then distributed into two groups: Control Group, receiving intrarectal saline infusion (n = 8) and Group BD receiving intrarectal infusion ofBaccharis dracunculifolia extract (n = 10); after 21 days of treatment they were euthanized, the intestinal segment excluded from intestinal transit was resected and submitted to histopathological study, classifying the degree of inflammation and degree of vascular congestion from 0 to 3. Results: Mean inflammation was 2.7 in Control Group versus 2.1 in BD Group (p = 0.049), while mean vascular congestion was 2.3 and 2, respectively, in Control and BD groups (p = 0.1642). Conclusion: Intra-rectal infusion ofBaccharis dracunculifolia extract significantly minimized the inflammatory process in the exclusion colitis of rats submitted to colostomy, without altering the degree of vascular congestion.

Resumo Racional A colite de desuso é frequente em nosso meio e o tratamento de maior eficácia é de alto custo, havendo necessidade de se encontrar uma terapêutica eficaz e de baixo custo. Objetivo Avaliar a eficácia da Baccharis dracunculifolia (alecrim-do-campo) no tratamento da colite de exclusão em ratos. Método Utilizou-se 18 ratos Wistar, os quais foram anestesiados e submetidos à colostomia; em seguida distribuídos em 2 grupos: Grupo Controle, recebendo infusão intrarretal de solução salina (n = 8) e Grupo BD, recebendo infusão intrarretal de extrato de Baccharis dracunculifolia (n = 10); após 21 dias de tratamento foram submetidos a eutanásia, o segmento intesinal excluso de trânsito intestinal foi ressecado e submetido a estudo histopatológico classificando-se o grau de inflamação e grau de congestão vascular de 0 a 3. Resultados Verificou-se média de inflamação 2,7 no Grupo Controle vs. 2,1 no Grupo BD (p = 0,049), enquanto as médias de congestão vascular foram 2,3 e 2, respectivamente, nos grupos controle e BD (p = 0,1642). Conclusão A infusão intrarretal do extrato de Baccharis dracunculifolia minimizou significantemente o processo inflamatório na colite de exclusão de ratos submetidos à colostomia, sem alterar o grau de congestão vascular.

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