A nanoemulsion of Rosmarinus officinalis L. essential oil with allelopathic effect against Lactuca sativa L. seeds / Uma nanoemulsão a partir do óleo essencial de Rosmarinus officinalis L com efeito alelopático em sementes de Lactuca sativa L

Plant's essential oils have a wide range of allelopathic effects with potential uses as bioherbicides. In addition, the application of oils through nanoemulsions represents a promising alternative for agriculture, as it offers better performance and lowers toxic waste generation. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the chemical constitution of Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) essential oil, as well as its effects on germination, initial growth, Catalase (CAT), Peroxidase (POX), and Superoxide-Dismutase (SOD) enzymes activity of Lactuca sativa seeds. Nanoemulsions were produced at 5% concentration and then diluted with distilled water to 5.0, 7.0, and 10.0 mg/mL. We compared data obtained using variance (ANOVA) analysis, followed by Tukey's test at 5% probability. Rosemary oil showed a wide variety of terpenoid compounds, mainly the 1,8-cineol monoterpene, which accounted for 46% of the sample. The oil showed a dose-dependent negative allelopathic influence on all variables analyzed, causing a drop in germination percentage (%G), germination speed index (GVI), mean germination time (MTG), and leaf and root length. There was no change in CAT and SOD activity. The POX activity showed a reduction starting at the concentration of 7.0 mg/mL. The results showed allelopathic effects of rosemary oil, with potential use as a natural bioherbicide

Nanoemulsão aquosa, processo de produção de nanoemulsão aquosa e método de controle de pragas

DepositadaApresenta uma nanoemulsão com atividade bioinseticida, permite a incorporação de substâncias insolúveis em meio aquoso, através de uma formulação estável, fina e elegante. A possibilidade de solubilizar substâncias apolares em meio aquoso permite que a formulação seja utilizada na liberação de substâncias insolúveis bioativas, com potencial ação inseticida frente a pragas agrícolas e/ou aplicação em focos de proliferação de larvas de Aedes aegypti, importante vetor da dengue. Ainda, a presente invenção apresenta processo de produção de nanoemulsão aquosa e método de controle de pragas por nanoemulsão aquosa

Histopathology in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) to Evaluate the Toxicity of Medicine: An Anti-Inflammatory Phytomedicine with Janaguba Milk (Himatanthus drasticus Plumel)

The zebrafish Danio rerio appears to be as an alternative experimental model mainly used on toxicological evaluations since the 1990s. In this chapter, we illustrate using a histopathological study the evaluation of a complex phytopreparation with janaguba milk (TPJM, used in popular medicine), which was administrated in zebrafish by immersion in water. We determined (1) lethal concentration 50 (LC50) – 1188.54 μg/mL; (2) the behavioral changes; and (3) the acute administration of TPJM modifications (48 h) at concentrations 500, 750, 1000, and 1500 μg/mL, on the histopathological parameters of the gills, kidneys, and liver. Also the concentrations of 1000 and 1500 μg/mL caused significant damage to the gill tissue and produced a high rate of histological changes in the liver. The kidneys showed greater changes at concentrations of 750, 1000, and 1500 μg/mL. Based on the percentage of TPJM extracts that was only 1.85%, the LC50 was calculated as 475 mg/kg; according to traditional indication, only 6 tablespoons/day is consumed; and it is possible to infer that only 0.5 g of active ingredient is ingested by an adult user per day, corresponding to a dose of 7.14 mg/kg, which is far from the toxic effects, demonstrating low toxicity of TPJM

Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Activity of a New Tablets Formulation from Tamarindus indica

Hepatotoxic chemicals damage liver cells primarily by producing reactive oxygen species. The decoction of the leaves of Tamarindus indica L. is used for liver disorders. In this work we evaluated the hepatoprotective activity of a tablet formulation of this plant. Thirty-five Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=7). First group (I) is control group, fed with standard diet. Groups II to V (hepatotoxic groups) were subjected to a subcutaneous injection of CCl4 (0.5 mL/kg). Group II was negative control, fed with standard diet; group III was subjected to administration of Silymarin 150 mg/kg and groups IV and V were treated with tablets in dose of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, respectively. Lipid peroxidation and the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and reduced glutathione were evaluated. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamine transferase, alkaline phosphatase, and a lipid profile were evaluated too. The tablets inhibit lipid peroxidation. The redox balance (SOD-CAT-GSH) remains normal in the experimental groups treated with tablets. The liver function using dose of 200 mg/kg of tablets was better than the other experimental groups. These results justify, scientifically, the ethnobotanical use of the leaves of Tamarindus indica L

Estudo fitoquímico e biológico da espécie vegetal Manilkara subsericea (Mart.) Dubard

Manilkara subsericea (Mart.) Dubard (Sapotaceae) é popularmente conhecida no Brasil como “guracica”. Neste trabalho, é descrito o fracionamento bioguiado pelo ensaio para inibidores da acetilcolinesterase de uma mistura contendo acetato de beta-amirina e acetato de alfa-amirina e a obtenção de uma mistura de ácido ursólico e ácido oleanólico. Esta é a primeira vez que a atividade anticolinesterásica de uma mistura contendo acetato de beta amirina (76,3%) e acetato de alfa amirina (23,7%) é descrita. Também foi verificada a eficiência de extratos de polaridade distintas e da misturas dos acetatos de beta e alfa amirina no desenvolvimento de duas espécies de insetos (Oncopeltus fasciatus e Dysdercus peruvianus). O extrato etanólico de folhas e os extratos hexânico, diclorometânico, acetato de etila e butanólico provenientes da partição realizada com o extrato etanólico bruto de frutos foram capazes de induzir mortalidade, atraso no desenvolvimento e inibição da muda. Além disso, os extratos hexânico, diclorometânico e butanólico, causaram mal formação em insetos adultos. Estes resultados indicam que extratos de M. subsericea atuam como inibidores do crescimento de fitófagos e que o acetato de beta amirina e acetato de alfa amirina podem ser utilizados como potenciais marcadores químicos em possíveis formulações de produtos para controle de pragas agrícolas. Extratos e fração obtida de M. subsericea foram testados frente a Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 e Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. O extrato etanólico de folhas, extrato etanólico de caules, extrato hexânico de caules, extrato diclorometânico de caules, extrato acetato de etila de caules, extrato butanólico de caules, extrato hexânico de frutos, extrato diclorometânico de frutos e a mistura dos acetatos de beta e alfa amirina mostraram atividade frente a S. aureus. Somente o extrato etanólico de caules apresentou atividade frente a E. coli. Este é o primeiro estudo sobre atividade biológicas e fitoquímico de M. subsericea e esperamos com estes resultados, construir para a valorização desta espécieCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível SuperiorManilkara subsericea (Mart.) Dubard (Sapotaceae) is popularly known in Brazil as “guracica”. In the present study, it is reported the bioguided fractionation by the bioassay for anticholinesterase inhibitors of a mixture containing beta-amyrin acetate and alpha-amyrin acetate and the achievement of a mixture containing oleanolic acid and ursolic acid. This was the first time that the anticholinesterasic activity of a mixture containg the triterpenes beta-amyrin acetate (76.3%) and alpha-amyrin acetate (23.7%) was described. We also evaluated the efficacy of extracts with distinct polarity and of the mixture of beta- and alpha-amyrin acetate from Manilkara subsericea on the development of two species of agricultural pest insects (Oncopeltus fasciatus and Dysdercus peruvianus). The etanolic extract from leaves, the hexanic extract, dichloromethanic extract, ethyl acetate extract and buthanolic extract from fruits were able to induce mortality, delay development and molt inhibition. These results indicate that M. subsericea extracts acts as a potent growth inhibitor of phytophagous hemipteran nymphs and indicates that beta- and alpha-amyrin acetate can be used as chemical markers for possible formulations of products to be used in control programs against crop pests. On the present study we tested M. subsericea extracts against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 e Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. The ethanolic extract from leaves, ethanolic extract from stems, hexanic extract from stems, dichloromethanic extract from stems, ethyl acetate extract from stems, buthanolic extract from stems, hexanic extract from fruits, dichloromethanic extract from fruits and a mixture of beta- and alpha amyrin acetates showed activity against S. aureus, with exception of the the ethyl acetate extract and buthanol extract from fruits. Only the ethanolic extract from stems showed activity against E. coli. This is the first contribution about phytochemistry and biological activities of M. subsericea and we hope that these results contribute for preservation of this species75 f

Preparation of a Nanoemulsion with Carapa guianensis Aublet (Meliaceae) Oil by a Low-Energy/Solvent-Free Method and Evaluation of Its Preliminary Residual Larvicidal Activity

Andiroba (Carapa guianensis) seeds are the source of an oil with a wide range of biological activities and ethnopharmacological uses. However, few studies have devoted attention to innovative formulations, including nanoemulsions. The present study aimed to obtain a colloidal system with the andiroba oil using a low-energy and organic-solvent-free method. Moreover, the preliminary residual larvicidal activity of the nanoemulsion against Aedes aegypti was evaluated. Oleic and palmitic acids were the major fatty acids, in addition to the phytosterol β-sitosterol and limonoids (tetranortriterpenoids). The required hydrophile-lipophile was around 11.0 and the optimal nanoemulsion was obtained using polysorbate 85. The particle size distribution suggested the presence of small droplets (mean diameter around 150 nm) and low polydispersity index (around 0.150). The effect of temperature on particle size distribution revealed that no major droplet size increase occurred. The preliminary residual larvicidal assay suggested that the mortality increased as a function of time. The present study allowed achievement of a potential bioactive oil in water nanoemulsion that may be a promising controlled release system. Moreover, the ecofriendly approach involved in the preparation associated with the great bioactive potential of C. guianensis makes this nanoemulsion very promising for valorization of this Amazon raw material. © 2017 Flávia L. M. Jesus et al.he authors thank FAPEAP (Prodetec Araguari, Process no. 250.203.035/2013) and MarketPlace LAC/Brazil, Suriname University/Embrapa Amapá (Process Funarbe 9740, ID 552) for the financial support, Karen Mustin for her English revision of the manuscript, and CAPES for the student scholarship awarded to the first author. They also thank Pro-Rectory of Cooperation and Interinstitutional of the Amapá Federal University Relations for the international mobility grant to Dr. Caio Pinho Fernandes and thank the Group of Colloidal and Interfacial Chemistry of the Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) for receiving him and the student Fernanda Borges de Almeida.Peer reviewe

Inhibitory Effect of Plant Manilkara subsericea against Biological Activities of Lachesis muta Snake Venom

Snake venom is composed of a mixture of substances that caused in victims a variety of pathophysiological effects. Besides antivenom, literature has described plants able to inhibit injuries and lethal activities induced by snake venoms. This work describes the inhibitory potential of ethanol, hexane, ethyl acetate, or dichloromethane extracts and fractions from stem and leaves of Manilkara subsericea against in vivo (hemorrhagic and edema) and in vitro (clotting, hemolysis, and proteolysis) activities caused by Lachesis muta venom. All the tested activities were totally or at least partially reduced by M. subsericea. However, when L. muta venom was injected into mice 15 min first or after the materials, hemorrhage and edema were not inhibited. Thus, M. subsericea could be used as antivenom in snakebites of L. muta. And, this work also highlights Brazilian flora as a rich source of molecules with antivenom properties

Hypoglycemic effect of formulation containing hydroethanolic extract of Calophyllum brasiliense in diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic and severe metabolic dysfunction, it's slow and progressive evolution interferes directly in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins, causing hyperglycemia, glycosuria, polydipsia, hyperlipidaemia, among others. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of hydroethanolic extract and granulated of Calophyllum brasiliense Cambess., Clusiaceae, species in diabetic rats as well as it's biochemical parameters. The results demonstrated that both the pharmaceutical forms, hydroethanolic extract and granulated, were able to reduce significantly (p < 0.001) hyperglycemia and glycosuria, in addition to improve polydipsia, polyuria, and weight loss. Treatments using hydroethanolic extract and granulated were also able to reduce significantly levels of triacylglycerides, cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein, as well as the transaminases, urea and creatinine levels. Therefore, it is concluded that these pharmaceutical forms have anti-diabetic effect and act improving the biochemical parameters, this effect is probably due to the high content of polyphenolic compounds found in the formulations. Keywords: Calophyllum, Hypoglycemic, Granulated, Diabetes mellitus, Polyphenol