Lippia origanoides essential oil possesses anticonvulsant effect in pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures in rats: a behavioral, electroencephalographic, and electromyographic study

Epilepsy is a neuronal disorder characterized by abnormal excitability of the brain, leading to seizures. Only around 66% of the epileptic patients respond adequately to treatment with existing conventional anticonvulsants, making it necessary to investigate new antiepileptic drugs. The growing research into natural products and their pharmacological properties has become increasingly promising, particularly in the study of essential oils, which are already widely used in popular culture for treating various diseases. The present study evaluated the anticonvulsant effects of Lippia origanoides essential oil (LOEO) (100 mg/kg i. p.) compared to diazepam (DZP) (5 mg/kg i. p.), and the combined administration of these two substances to control convulsions induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) (60 mg/kg i. p.). This evaluation was carried out using 108 male Wistar rats, which were divided into two experiments. Experiment 1–Behavioral assessment: The animals were divided into 4 groups (n = 9): (I) saline solution + PTZ, (II) DZP + PTZ, (III) LOEO + PTZ, (IV) LOEO + DZP + PTZ. The convulsive behavior was induced 30 min after the administration of the tested anticonvulsant drugs, and the observation period lasted 30 min. Experiment 2- Electrocorticographic evaluation: The animals were divided into 8 groups (n = 9): (I) saline solution; (II) LOEO; (III) DZP; (IV) LOEO + DZP; (V) saline + PTZ, (VI) DZP + PTZ (VII) LOEO + PTZ, (VIII) LOEO + DZP + PTZ. PTZ was administered 30 min after LOEO and DZP treatments and electrocorticographic activity was assessed for 15 min. For the control groups, electromyographic recordings were performed in the 10th intercostal space to assess respiratory rate. The results demonstrated that Lippia origanoides essential oil increased the latency time for the appearance of isolated clonic seizures without loss of the postural reflex. The animals had a more intense decrease in respiratory rate when combined with LOEO + DZP. EEG recordings showed a reduction in firing amplitude in the LOEO-treated groups. The combining treatment with diazepam resulted in increased anticonvulsant effects. Therefore, treatment with Lippia origanoides essential oil was effective in controlling seizures, and its combination with diazepam may represent a future option for the treatment of difficult-to-control seizures

Hipolipidemic and toxicologic effects of complexes of rutina with organotin

Dois ensaios biológicos foram realizados com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos hipolipidêmicos e toxicológicos de complexos do flavonóide rutina com organoestânicos [SnCl2Ph2], [SnClPh3], [SnCl3Ph] e [SnCl4]. Inicialmente promoveu- se a síntese dos complexos obtendo-se os produtos: [SnCl2Ph2(Rut)].H2O, [SnClPh3(Rut)].6H2O, [SnClPh(Rut)].H2O, [SnCl(Rut)].H2O, (SN1, SN2, SN3, SN4, respectivamente). Estes produtos foram caracterizados a partir de análise elementar (CHN), ponto de fusão, espectroscopia no infravermelho, ressonância magnética nuclear de 119 Sn. Em posse dos resultados, realizou-se o primeiro ensaio biológico, com complexos sintetizados. Para fins de comparação e avaliação do efeito hipolipidêmico destas substâncias utilizou-se no mesmo ensaio, o flavonóide rutina isoladamente e a atorvastatina cálcica (presente no medicamento liptor). Estas substancias foram testadas no metabolismo de coelhos da raça Nova Zelândia Branco, com hiperlipidemia induzida por colesterol (0,5%) + ácido cólico (0,1%) administrados na ração dos animais, que receberam as substâncias em estudo encapsuladas, na dose de 5mg/dia. As dosagens foram efetuadas no 1°, 16° e 31° dias de realização do experimento. Todos os complexos foram eficazes na redução do colesterol total, sendo o mais eficiente o complexo do flavonóide rutina com o [SnCl4] ([SnCl(Rut)].H2O), apresentando um resultado bem similar ao expressado pela atorvastatina cálcica. Dentre os compostos o que promoveu maior elevação da lipoproteína colesterol-HDL foi o complexo do flavonóide rutina com o composto [SnClPh3] ([SnClPh3(Rut)].6H2O) aos 15 dias, e o principio ativo atorvastatina cálcica aos 30 dias. A redução da lipoproteína colesterol-LDL foi mais pronunciada também pelo complexo do flavonóide rutina com o composto [SnClPh3] ([SnClPh3(Rut)].6H2O). Os complexos não apresentaram taxas satisfatórias de redução da concentração de triacilgliceróis. Os complexos do flavonóide rutina com os organoestânicos [SnClPh3], ([SnClPh3(Rut)].6H2O) e [SnCl4] ([SnCl(Rut)].H2O) que apresentaram os melhores resultados no primeiro experimento, foram utilizados na dose de 100 mg/dia, no segundo experimento. Este ensaio biológico foi realizado com a finalidade de obter- se a toxicologia aguda destas substâncias. Efetuaram-se dosagens do colesterol total, triacilgliceróis, colesterol-HDL, glicose, proteínas totais, albumina, bilirrubina total, uréia, ácido úrico, fósforo, cálcio, gama glutamil transferase (Gama-GT) e as transaminase glutâmico-piruvica (TGP) e transaminase glutâmico oxaloacética (TGO) no 1°, 16° e 31° dias de realização do experimento. Nesta dosagem estas substâncias não apresentaram efeitos hiperlipidêmicos. As concentrações lipídica sanguínea apresentaram uma elevação considerável. Foram observadas elevações nas concentrações das transaminases glutâmico-piruvica (TGP) e glutâmico oxaloacética (TGO) bem como na concentração de ácido úrico aos 30 dias. Para os outros constituintes não se observou efeito tóxico destas substâncias.Two biological assay were carried out to access the hipolipidemic and toxicologic effects of the complexes made by the rutin flavonoid add to organotin [SnCl2Ph2], [SnClPh3], [SnCl3Ph] and [SnCl4]. The reaticon of these two substance put together make the synthesis of the complexes: [SnCl2Ph2(Rut)].H2O, [SnClPh3(Rut)].6H2O, [SnClPh(Rut)].H2O, [SnCl(Rut)].H2O, (SN1, SN2, SN3, SN4, respectively). These compounds were characterized by elementary analysis (CHN), meelting point, infra-red spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance of 119 Sn. One biological assay was carried out with synthecized complexes to access and compare the hipolipidemic effects of these substances. Two pararel treatements, one with flavonoid rutin and the other with atorvastatin (present in the liptor medicine) were tested in metabolism of rabbits of the White New Zeland race. These substances were tested in metabolism of rabbits with induced hiperlipidem for cholesterol (0.5%) + colic acid (0.1%) which fed the animals They received encapsulated substances in study in the dose of 5mg/day. The blood samples were take on the 1°, 16° and 31° days along the experiment. All the complexes had shown efficiency in reducing the total cholesterol, and the most efficient complex result to be the flavonoid rutina plus [SnCl4] ([SnCl(Rut)].H2O) presented a quite similar to that expressed by the calcic atorvastatina compound. Among these complexes one that caused the high level of the lipoprotein cholesterol-HDL were ([SnClPh3(Rut)].6H2O)] after the 15o day, and the atorvastatina after 30oday. The reduction of the lipoprotein cholesterol-LDL more intensive than that caused by ([SnClPh3(Rut)].6H2O) complex. The complexes did not present satisfactory rates of reduction in triglyceride concentration. The complexes ([SnClPh3(Rut)].6H2O) and ([SnCl(Rut)].H2O), which presented the best results in the first experiment were used in the dose 100 of mg/day in second experiment. This biological assay was carried out to reach a acute toxicology of these substances. Rates of total cholesterol, triglyceride, cholesterol-HDL, glucose, proteins, albumen, total bilirubin, urea, acid úrico, phosphorus, calcium, glutamil gamma transferase (Gama-GT), alanine aminotransferase (GPT) and aspartate aminotransferase (GOT) were analized on 1°, 16° and 31° days of the experimental period. In this dosagem these substances did not present hiperlipidemic effect. The lipidic concentrations in the blood presented a considerable rise. There were high concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (GPT) and aspartate aminotransferase (GOT) after 15o and 30o days of treatement but concentration of uric acid was high only after 30o days. No toxicologic effects was observed on the others constituents.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superio

Presença de hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos em produtos alimentícios e a sua relação com o método de cocção e a natureza do alimento

Resumo Hidrocarbonetos Policíclicos Aromáticos (HPA) podem estar associados à carcinogênese em humanos. Tais compostos penetram no organismo pelo trato gastrointestinal, o que faz da dieta uma importante via de contaminação. O objetivo desta revisão é analisar a relação entre a formação/ingestão desses compostos e a alimentação. Foi encontrada associação direta do método de cocção empregado com o aumento dos níveis de HPA nos alimentos e a formação de novos compostos. A fonte térmica aplicada, a composição do alimento, o tipo de óleo utilizado, especialmente nos processos de fritura, bem como o tipo de tratamento empregado ao alimento antes da cocção, são fatores que influenciam o teor de HPA no produto final. A legislação brasileira é pouco abrangente em relação a esses compostos e a necessidade de ampliação das normas nacionais se torna ainda mais evidente quando este tema é visto como uma questão de Segurança de Alimentos

Increased relative delta bandpower and delta indices revealed by continuous qEEG monitoring in a rat model of ischemia-reperfusion

This work was funded in part by PROPESP-UFPA.Federal University of Pará. João de Barros Barreto University Hospital. Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology. Belém, PA, Brazil.Federal University of Pará. João de Barros Barreto University Hospital. Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology. Belém, PA, Brazil.Federal University of Pará. Institute Biological Science. Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology of Natural Products. Belém, PA, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Federal University of Pará. João de Barros Barreto University Hospital. Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology. Belém, PA, Brazil.Federal University of Pará. João de Barros Barreto University Hospital. Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology. Belém, PA, Brazil.Federal University of Pará. Institute Biological Science. Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology of Natural Products. Belém, PA, Brazil.Federal University of Pará. João de Barros Barreto University Hospital. Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology. Belém, PA, Brazil.The present study describes the electroencephalographic changes that occur during cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in animals submitted to transient focal cerebral ischemia by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 30 min. For this, male Wistar rats were divided into two groups (n = 6 animals/group): (1) sham (control) group, and (2) ischemic/reperfusion group. The quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) was recorded during the ischemic and immediate reperfusion (acute) phases, and then once a day for 7 days after the MCAO (subacute phase). The acute phase was characterized by a marked increase in the relative delta wave band power (p < 0.001), with a smaller, but significant increase in the relative alpha wave bandpower in the ischemic stroke phase, in comparison with the control group (p = 0.0054). In the immediate reperfusion phase, however, there was an increase in the theta, alpha, and beta waves bandpower (p < 0.001), but no alteration in the delta waves (p = 0.9984), in comparison with the control group. We also observed high values in the delta/theta ratio (DTR), the delta/alpha ratio (DAR), and the (delta+theta)/(alpha+beta) ratio (DTABR) indices during the ischemia (p < 0.05), with a major reduction in the reperfusion phase. In the subacute phase, the activity of all the waves was lower than that of the control group (p < 0.05), although the DTR, DAR, and DTABR indices remained relatively high. In conclusion, early and accurate identification of decreased delta wave bandpower, DTR, DAR, and DTABR indices, and an increase in the activity of other waves in the immediate reperfusion phase may represent an important advance for the recognition of the effectiveness of reperfusion therapy

The presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in food products and their relationship with the cooking method and nature of the food

<p></p><p>Abstract Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) can be associated with carcinogenesis in humans. These elements enter the body via the gastrointestinal tract, making the diet an important contamination route. The objective of this review was to analyze the comprehensive relationship between the formation/ingestion of these compounds and the diet. A significant association was found between the cooking method and the increase in PAH levels in foods and the formation of new compounds. The thermal source applied, food composition, type of oil, especially in the frying processes, as well as the type of treatment used before cooking, influenced the PAH content in the final product. Brazilian legislation for these compounds is not comprehensive and the need to expand national standards becomes even more evident when this issue is seen as a matter of Food Safety.</p><p></p

Central nervous system tumours profile at a referral center in the Brazilian Amazon region, 1997–2014

<div><p>Tumours of the Central Nervous System (CNS) are an important cause of mortality from cancer. Epidemiological data on neoplams affecting the CNS are scarce in Brazil, especially in the Amazon region. The study aims at describing the histopathological profile of CNS tumours cases at a high-complexity referral cancer center. This study has described a 17-year-series profile of CNS tumours, registered at a high-complexity referral cancer center in Pará state, from January 1997 until July 2014 in the Brazilian Amazon Region. Data was gathered from histopathology reports kept in the hospital’s cancer registry and 949 cases of CNS tumours were analyzed. The most common histopathology were neuroepithelial tumours (approx. 40%) and meningioma was the most frequent especific tumor histologic subtype (22.2%). Neuroepithelial tumours were more frequent in patients with ages ranging from less than a year to 19 years, whereas metastatic tumours were prevalent in patients over 40 years of age. It was not found temporal trends during the studied period. The knowledge of these tumours profile is valuable for the understanding of cancer epidemiology in the region, since its prevalence is currently underreported and more awareness on the disease is needed.</p></div

Relative frequency (%) of CNS tumor types according to gender.

<p>Hospital Ophir Loyola, 1997–2014.</p

Relative Frequency (%) of CNS tumor types, according to age range.

<p>Hospital Ophir Loyola, 1997–2014.</p