Effect of Curcuma zedoaria crude extract against tumor progression and immunomodulation

The aim of the present work was to study the effect of the crude extract of Curcuma zedoaria on peripheral blood cells and tumor progression in C57Bl/6J mice injected with B16F10 murine melanoma cells. The intraperitoneal therapy showed a significant increase in total white and red blood cell counts, a decrease in peritoneal cell number and tumor volume reduction, whereas the oral administration revealed a noteworthy augmentation only in total leukocyte count. These results contribute to evaluate the importance of alternative treatments that employ phytotherapic compounds against tumor progression and its possible immunomodulation.

Production of ochratoxin A by a strain of Aspergillus ochraceus on different seeds

A produçäo de ocratoxina A foi estudada usando-se sementes selecionadas como substrato nutritivo estéril para Aspergillus ochraceus. A produçäo foi maior no girassol do que nas demais sementes examinadas. Dentre os três cultívares de sorgo testados, dois foram altamente resistentes ao ataque do fungo