In silico ADMET prediction, evaluation of cytotoxicity in mouse splenocytes and preliminary evaluation of in vitro antimalarial activity of 4-(4-chlorophenyl)thiazole compounds.

In this work, an in silico study and evaluation of the cytotoxicity of 4-(4-chlorophenyl)thiazole compounds against mouse splenocytes and the chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 strain are reported. The in silico results showed that the compounds have important pharmacokinetic properties for compounds with potential drug candidates. Regarding cytotoxicity assays against splenocytes, the compounds have low cytotoxicity. In addition, they were able to promote activation of these cells by increasing nitric oxide production without promoting cell death. Finally, they were able to promote cell proliferation. Regarding the in vitro anti-P. falciparum activity assays, it was observed that the compounds were able to inhibit the parasite's growth, presenting IC50 values ​​ranging from 0.79 to greater than 10 µM. These results are promising when compared to chloroquine. Therefore, this study showed that 4-(4-chlorophenyl)thiazole compounds are promising candidates for antimalarials.

Alkaline lignins from Morinda citrifolia leaves are potential immunomodulatory, antitumor, and antimicrobial agents.

Morinda citrifolia, commonly known as noni, is a plant belonging to the Rubiaceae family. This plant has a high biological potential, which has different biological properties, including antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antitumor and anti-inflammatory. In this work, the immunomodulatory, antitumor and antimicrobial activities of lignin isolated from Morinda citrifolia leaves were investigated. The results showed that this lignin was not cytotoxic and that it was able to promote activation and differentiation of immune cells in addition to inducing the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, it was able to inhibit the growth of different tumor and microbial cells in vitro. This pioneering study on these different activities shows that the lignin isolated in this study can be used as a raw material to obtain biomedical and pharmaceutical products.

Impact of stress on Aeromonas diversity in tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) and lectin level change towards a bacterial challenge.

Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) is among the most cultivated fish species in tropical countries. Stress is the main cause of disease in fish farms. The genus Aeromonas is a common causative agent of fish diseases. This work reports the identification of Aeromonas species colonizing gills of C. macropomum submitted or not to a confinement stress. We also evaluated changes in serum levels of lectins (carbohydrate-binding proteins that are components of fish immune system) in tambaqui submitted to a challenge using two isolated Aeromonas strains. Gill tissues from stressed and unstressed fishes were used to isolate Aeromonas. Then 72 Aeromonas strains were isolated, 97% being from stressed fishes. Among these, 63 were identified at species level and 6 were classified as atypical Aeromonas strains. The most prevalent species were Aeromonas bestiarum and Aeromonas caviae and their strains were used in bacterial challenges. The lectin serum levels significantly increased after 24 h of infection with A. bestiarum; however, no significant increase was found for infection with A. caviae. In conclusion, C. macropomum gills are susceptible to colonization by different Aeromonas species, mainly at confinement stressful conditions, and serum lectins may have a role in the acute immunological response towards infection by A. bestiarum.