Proteomic analysis of the venom of the social wasp Apoica pallens (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

ABSTRACT Wasps are a diverse group of insects that possess a sting apparatus associated with a venom gland, which is used for predation and colony defense. The biochemistry of Hymenoptera venom has been evaluated in relation to allergy and immunology, and proteomics has been shown to be a powerful tool for the identification of compounds with pharmacological potential. Data on wasps venom the of genus Apoica are scarce, so the objective of the present work was to identify the venom proteins of the eusocial wasp Apoica pallens, as a first step towards further investigation of applied uses of the venom and its protein constituents. The venom proteins were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, followed by MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. A total of 259 spots were detected, with molecular weights from 4.9 to 141 kDa. Thirty of these proteins were identified and classified into eight functional categories: allergen, enzyme, metabolism, structural, environmental response, proteoglycan, active in DNA and RNA, and unknown function. Due to the few available proteomic data for wasp venom, many proteins could not be identified, which makes studies with proteomic analysis of Hymenoptera venom even more important.

Screening of plant extracts and fractions on Aedes aegypti larvae found in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul (linnaeus, 1762) (culicidae)

ABSTRACT The constant use of chemical insecticides for Aedes aegypti control has caused resistance in the mosquito populations. Thus, the objective of this study was to analyze the larvicidal potential of extracts and fractions of plants on A. aegypti larvae. The analysis included sixty one extracts and twenty five fractions of fifty botanical species at concentrations of 0.25; 0.12; 0.06 to 0.03 mg mL-1; 4 replications and one negative control of dechlorinate water and 1% DMSO; and a positive control with rotenone. The toxicity index in descending order with LC50 for the most active of the extracts selected were ethanol extract of Ormosea arborea (0.111 mg mL-1) seeds and ethanol extracts of leaves such as Piper hispidum (0.169 mg mL-1), Solanum variabile (0.188 mg mL-1), O. arborea (0.238 mg mL-1), Turnera umifolia (0.242 mg mL-1) and Piper hispidum (0.567 mg mL-1). For plant fractions, the most active were chloroform (0.192 mg mL-1) and hexane (0.342 mg mL-1) P. aduncum leaves, hexane fraction (0.415 mg mL-1) and methanol extract (0.625 mg mL-1) of Spermacocea latifolia leaves. Regarding the extract of T. umifolia single species, there is no bibliographic report on their degree of efficiency as an insecticide.

Anti-inflammatory, and antinociceptive effects of Campomanesia adamantium microencapsulated pulp

ABSTRACT Guavira fruits have antimicrobial, antioxidant, antinociceptive, and anti-inflammatory activities. Spray drying has been widely used in the food industry presenting good retention in bioactive compounds used to transform the pulp/fruit juice into powder form. Therefore, the present study has evaluated the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of the microencapsulated pulp of Campomanesia adamantium (Cambess.) O.Berg, Myrtaceae, by spray drying. Different groups of mice were treated with the doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg of microencapsulated "guavira" pulp and inflammatory parameters were assessed in a carrageenan paw edema-model and leukocyte migration with pleurisy model, while the antinociceptive activity was assessed using the formalin method and CFA-induced hyperalgesia model. A significant reduction in leukocyte migration and in paw edema was observed in rodents in all time after carrageenan injection for both doses of microencapsulated pulp of C. adamantium when compared with control group. Microencapsulated pulp of C. adamantium also reduced licking time at the first (nociceptive) and second (inflammatory) phases in the formalin model. In CFA-induced cold and mechanical hyperalgesia, depressive behavior, and knee edema, all parameters analyzed were significantly inhibited by microencapsulated pulp of C. adamantium. Microencapsulation by spray drying proved to be a technique that promotes bioavailability and the preservation of bioactive components in guavira pulp.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, chemopreventive and wound healing potentials from Schinus terebinthifolius methanolic extract

Inflammatory and genetic alterations are related to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer. Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, Anacardiaceae, is used in folk medicine to treat inflammation, wounds and tumors. This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, chemopreventive, and wound healing potentials of the methanolic extract from the leaves of Schinus terebinthifolius. The chemical composition of the extract was characterized using preliminary analytical LC methods. The results showed that the anti-inflammatory activity of the methanolic extract was similar to that of dexamethasone for edema reduction. Also, it inhibited the leukocyte migration into the air pouch and decreased plasma extravasation. In addition, the methanolic extract showed a healing action similar to that observed with collagenase. The methanolic extract is not genotoxic nor mutagenic, and in contrast it has chemopreventive activity, which elicits a high percentage of damage reduction by comet and micronucleus assay, preferably by bioantimutagenic action. The methanolic extract induced apoptosis and enhanced splenic phagocytosis in animals treated with cyclophosphamide. The methanolic extract contents, resolved by LC, include phenolic acid and flavonoids. Our results suggest a therapeutic potential for the methanolic extract.

Controle de mosca-branca em mandioca cultivada em casa de vegetação tratada com extrato de Anacardium humile (Anacardiaceae) / Control of silverleaf whitefly in cassava grown in the greenhouse treated with Anacardium humile (Anacardiaceae) extract

A Bemisia tuberculata (Bondar, 1923) é atualmente a principal praga da cultura da mandioca. Este trabalho descreve o efeito de diferentes concentrações do extrato CHCl3 das folhas de Anacardium humile, em relação à Bemisia tuberculata, em condições de laboratório, em plantas de mandioca, além da composição química deste extrato. O fracionamento do extrato CHCl3 forneceu os triterpenos ácidos: oleanólico, ursólico e betulínico. As estruturas foram determinadas com base nos dados espectrais (RMN-1D e 2D) e subsequente comparação com dados da literatura. O ácido anacárdico foi identificado no extrato CHCl3 por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE). O extrato CHCl3 causou efeito na mortalidade de ninfas de mosca branca B. tuberculata de 66,30 a 74,90% em todas as dosagens testadas (2; 0,8; 0,4 e 0,006%). A atividade inseticida do extrato CHCl3 de A. humile sobre as ninfas de mosca-branca sugere que os triterpenos isolados podem ser utilizados como modelo para o desenvolvimento de novos inseticidas para o controle deste inseto.

Bemisia tuberculata (Bondar, 1923) is the most important pest of cassava crops. This work describes the effect of different concentrations of CHCl3 extract from the leaves of Anacardium humile in relation to Bemisia tuberculata, under laboratory conditions, in cassava plants and chemical composition of this extract. Fractionation of the CHCl3 extract yielded the triterpene acids: oleanolic, ursolic and betulinic. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectral data (NMR-1D and 2D) and subsequent comparisons with the literature. Anacardic acid was identified in CHCl3 extract by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). CHCl3 extract caused mortality of whitefly nymphs of B. tuberculata from 66.30 to 74.90%, in doses tested. The insecticidal activity of CHCl3 extract of A. humile on the nymphs of the whitefly suggests that pentacyclic triterpenes and anacardic acid have potential insecticidal activity.

Influência da variação sazonal nos teores de flavonóides e atividade antioxidante das folhas de Campomanesia adamantium (Cambess.) O. Berg, Myrtaceae / The Influence of seasonal variation in levels of flavonoids and antioxidant activity of the leaves of Campomanesia adamantium

Campomanesia adamantium (Cambess.) O. Berg, Myrtaceae, é uma espécie nativa. As folhas são utilizadas na medicina popular. Os extratos hexânico e acetato de etila das folhas mostraram pouca variação na sua composição química em diferentes estações do ano associado com o desenvolvimento do vegetal, enquanto o extrato etanólico mostrou alteração significativa em relação à composição química. Todos os extratos etanólicos mostraram alta atividade antioxidante frente ao método DPPH e de moderada a alta para β-caroteno/ácido linoléico.

Campomanesia adamantium (Cambess.) O. Berg, Myrtaceae, is a native species. The extracts of ethyl acetate and hexane showed little variation in their chemical composition at different seasons of the year associated with the development of the plant, while the ethanol extract showed significant change in relationship to chemical composition. All ethanol extracts showed high antioxidant activity against DPPH method and from moderate to high antioxidant activity for β-carotene/linoleic acid.