Evaluation of the effects of SPONDIAS MOMBIN extract as an alternative antimicrobial drug

The extract of Spondias mombin has constituents which may improve psychiatric disorders, in addition to having antiviral, antifungal, and antimicrobial activity. But despite having several benefits, it is necessary to assess whether the extract may interfere with cell metabolism so furthermore its microbicide potential can be explored. Fifteen Wistar rats were used, divided into four groups (control group; control with extract; hyperlipidemic diet; hyperlipidemic diet and extract). For 12 weeks, the animals were weighed and their blood glucose was assessed. Afterwards, they were euthanized, and the biological material was collected. The evaluation confirmed the efficacy of the extract of S. mombin against cell metabolism of rats, without negatively altering cell viability; the group of rats with an hyperlipidemic diet showed an increase in body weight; however, in the individual assessment of the organs, there were no significant changes. The glycemic index, liver parameters, lipids, and mineral ions did not show changes. Furthermore, the antimicrobial potential of S. mombin extract was observed against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 and Staphylococcus aureus BLACC. The results suggest that S. mombin extract did not interfere with cell viability, did not show cytotoxicity to cells that were exposed to it, nor did it interfere with the metabolism, organs, and biochemical indices of rats with a standard or hyperlipidemic diet. Considering such characteristics and the potential activities observed in this present study, additional evaluation should be conducted to further assess the role of S. mombin extract as a source of new alternative antimicrobial drug as well as its possible beneficial activity to the cardiovascular system.

Histopathologic aspects of experimental cysticercosis and in situ cytokines profile in C57BL/6 mice / Aspectos histopatológicos da cisticercose experimental e perfil de citocinas in situ em camundongos C57BL/6

ABSTRACT Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is one of the parasitic infections that most affects the central nervous system. The knowledge regarding its immunopathogenesis and pathophysiology needs broadening. Taenia crassiceps cysticerci are used as the NCC experimental model. The aim of this work was to describe the general pathological processes and the in situ cytokine profile in C57BL/6 mice inoculated intracranially with viable T. crassiceps cysticerci. The histopathology analysis showed cysticerci in the extraparenchymal and intraventricular region, mononuclear inflammatory infiltration surrounding the parasite, microgliosis and meningitis. The analysis of the in situ immune profiles showed a predominance of the Th2 response. The IL-4 and IL-10 dosages were significantly increased in the infected group. The decrease in the INF-gamma dosage reflects the immunomodulation from the cysticerci. In conclusion, a T. crassiceps NCC infection in C57BL/6 mice triggers an inflammatory response, a predominance of Th2 type in situ profile, with mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration, meningitis and microgliosis.

RESUMO Neurocisticercose (NCC) é uma das doenças parasitárias que mais afeta o sistema nervoso central. É necessário aprofundar o conhecimento em relação à sua imunopatogênese e patofisiologia. Os cisticercos de Taenia crassiceps são utilizados como modelo experimental para estudos da NCC. O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever os processos patológicos gerais e o perfil de citocinas in situ em camundongos C57BL/6 inoculados via intracerebral com cisticercos viáveis de T. crassiceps. A análise histopatológica demonstrou cisticercos nas regiões extra-parenquimatosa e intraventricular, infiltrado inflamatório de células mononucleares ao redor do parasita, microgliose e meningite. A análise in situ do perfil de citocinas mostrou uma predominância da resposta Th2. As dosagens de IL-4 e IL-10 foram significativamente maiores no grupo infectado. Conclui-se que a NCC por T. crassiceps em camundongos C57BL/6 induz uma resposta inflamatória com predominância in situ de citocinas do perfil Th2, com infiltrado inflamatório de células mononucleares, meningite e microgliose.

Immunomodulating effects of the purified hev b 13 fraction on septic rats / Efeitos imunomoduladores da fração purificada hev b 13 em ratos com sepse

ABSTRACT Background: Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening complication of an infection that occurs when chemicals released into the bloodstream to fight the infection trigger inflammatory responses throughout the body, especially in the acute phase of the disease, producing excessive pro-inflammatory cytokines, leading to multiple organ injury and death. The Hev b 13 fraction has demonstrated biological activity capable of inducing IL-10 production and shrinking inflammatory disease lesions. Aim: To investigate the immunomodulating effects of the Hev b 13 fraction on septic rats. Methods: Acinetobacter baumannii was injected into the peritoneal cavity of the animals after sustaining a lesion in the pancreas, with the stomach as an entry point. After 10 h of infection, they were euthanized for blood and lung collection, followed by total and differential leukocyte count, determination of cytokine level and histopathological analysis. Results: Administering a single dose of the Hev b 13 fraction 2 h after sepsis induction significantly decreased total leukocyte count. Higher IL-10 and IL-4 and lower IL-6 production shrank the lung tissue lesions compared to the control groups. Conclusion: The Hev b 13 fraction exhibits an anti-inflammatory tendency, with potential for sepsis treatment.

RESUMO Racional: Sepse se correlaciona com a ruptura do complexo equilíbrio entre os mediadores inflamatórios, que principalmente na fase aguda da doença, produz exacerbadamente citocinas pró-inflamatórias levando a lesão de múltiplos órgãos e morte. A fração Hev b 13 tem demonstrado atividade biológica capaz de induzir a produção de IL-10 e regredir lesões de doenças inflamatórias. Objetivo: Investigar os efeitos imunomoduladores da fração Hev b 13 em ratos com sepse. Métodos: Foi injetado Acinetobacter baumannii na cavidade peritoneal dos animais após lesão no pâncreas e estômago como porta de entrada. Após 10 h de infecção, foi realizada eutanásia para coleta de sangue e pulmões, em seguida, contagem total e diferencial de leucócitos, dosagem de citocinas e histopatologia para análise. Resultados: A administração de dose única da fração Hev b 13, 2 h após a indução de sepse, diminuiu significativamente a contagem total de leucócitos. Associado a maior produção de IL-10 e IL-4, e menor de IL-6, atenuou as lesões nos tecidos pulmonares em comparação com os grupos controles. Conclusão: A fração Hev b 13 apresenta tendência anti-inflamatória, com potencialidades no tratamento da sepse.

Leishmania spp. parasite isolation through inoculation of patient biopsy macerates in interferon gamma knockout mice / Leishmania spp.: isolamento de parasitos pela inoculação de macerados de biopsias de pacientes em camundongos deficientes em interferon gama

Isolation of Leishmania parasite and species identification are important for confirmation and to help define the epidemiology of the leishmaniasis. Mice are often used to isolate pathogens, but the most common mouse strains are resistant to infection with parasites from the Leishmania (Viannia) subgenus. In this study we tested the inoculation of interferon gamma knockout (IFNγ KO) mice with biopsy macerates from Leishmania-infected patients to increase the possibility of isolating parasites. Biopsies from twenty five patients with clinical signs of leishmaniasis were taken and tested for the presence of parasites. Immunohistochemical assay (IHC) and conventional histopathology detected the parasite in 88 percent and 83 percent of the patients, respectively. Leishmania sp. were isolated in biopsy macerates from 52 percent of the patients by culture in Grace's insect medium, but 13 percent of isolates were lost due to contamination. Inoculation of macerates in IFNγ KO mice provides isolation of parasites in 31.8 percent of the biopsies. Most isolates belong to L. (Viannia) subgenus, as confirmed by PCR, except one that belongs to L. (Leishmania) subgenus. Our preliminary results support the use of IFNγ KO mice to improve the possibility to isolate New World Leishmania species.

O isolamento e a identificação da espécie de parasito do gênero Leishmania são importantes para a confirmação e auxiliam na epidemiologia da leishmaniose. Os camundongos são freqüentemente utilizados para isolar patógenos, porém, as linhagens mais comuns de camundongos são resistentes à infecção por parasitos do subgênero Leishmania (Viannia). Neste estudo, avaliamos a inoculação de macerados de biópsias de pacientes infectados em camundongos deficientes do gene do interferon gama (IFNγ KO) como um método para aumentar a possibilidade de isolar Leishmania spp. Biópsias de 25 pacientes infectados com Leishmania sp. foram avaliadas para a presença de parasitos pelos métodos de imunohistoquímica (IHC) e histopatologia convencional. Os parasitos foram observados, respectivamente, em 88 por cento e 83 por cento das biópsias. Leishmania sp. foi isolada de macerados de biópsia de 52 por cento dos pacientes infectados, quando cultivados em meio Grace, porém, 13 por cento destes isolados foram perdidos devido a contaminações. Inoculação dos macerados em camundongos IFNγ KO proporcionou o isolamento de parasitos oriundos de 31,8 por cento dos pacientes. A maioria dos isolados pertence ao subgênero L. (Viannia), exceto um que pertence ao subgênero L. (Leishmania), como confirmado pela reação da polimerase em cadeia. Nossos resultados preliminares sugerem que o uso de camundongos IFNγ KO pode ser útil para aumentar a possibilidade de isolamento de leishmânias encontradas nas Américas.