In vivo assessment of antioxidant, antigenotoxic, and antimutagenic effects of bark ethanolic extract from Spondias purpurea L.

Medicinal plants have always been used for therapeutic purposes; however, some plants may contain toxic and mutagenic substances. The aim of this study was to assess the cytotoxic, genotoxic, mutagenic, antioxidant, antigenotoxic, and antimutagenic effects of the bark ethanolic extract of Spondias purpurea L. using male and female Swiss albino mice. To determine the protective effects of the extract, benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and cyclophosphamide (CP) were selected as cell damage inducers. The extract was examined at doses of 500, 1000, or 1500 mg/kg body weight (BW)via gavage alone or concomitant with B[a]P or CP. Oxidative stress was measured by quantification of blood catalase activity (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in total blood, liver, and kidney, and concentrations of malondiadehyde (MDA) in liver and kidney. Genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity were evaluated by the comet assay using peripheral blood. Cytotoxicity, mutagenicity, and antimutagenicity were determined utilizing the micronucleus test in bone marrow and peripheral blood. The S. purpurea L extract increased CAT activity and GSH levels accompanied by a decrease in MDA levels after treatment with B[a]P and CP. No genotoxic, cytotoxic, or mutagenic effects were found in mice exposed only to the extract. These results indicate that the extract of S. purpurea exhibited protective effects against oxidative and DNA damage induced by B[a]P and CP.

Protective effects of bark ethanolic extract from Spondias dulcis Forst F. against DNA damage induced by benzo[a]pyrene and cyclophosphamide.

This study evaluated the genotoxicity, mutagenicity, antigenotoxicity, and antimutagenicity effects on biochemical parameters of oxidative stress of the Spondias dulcis bark ethanolic extract on mice. The extract was evaluated in the doses of 500, 1000, and 1500 mg/kg bw via gavage. To evaluate the protective effects of the extract, benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and cyclophosphamide (CP) were chosen as DNA damage inducers. Genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity were evaluated by the comet assay. Cytotoxicity, mutagenicity, and antimutagenicity were evaluated by the micronucleus test in bone marrow and peripheral blood. The biochemical parameters of oxidative stress were evaluated by the quantification of catalase activity (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in total blood, liver and kidney, and malondialdehyde (MDA), in liver and kidney. No genotoxic, cytotoxic, or mutagenic effect was found on mice exposed to the extract. The extract depleted the number of damaged nucleoids in total blood and the number of micronucleus (MN) in both cell types. The extract was able to increase CAT activity and GSH levels and decrease MDA levels after treatment with B[a]P and CP. The results indicate that the S. dulcis extract has potential to be used as preventive compound against DNA damage caused by CP and B[a]P.

Serological investigation of antibodies against respiratory viruses in calves from Brazilian family farming and their relation to clinical signs of bovine respiratory disease / Investigação sorológica de anticorpos contra vírus respiratórios em bezerros de propriedades familiares brasileiras e sua relação com os sinais clínicos da doença respiratória dos bovinos

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is responsible for economic losses in cattle production. Viruses are categorized as primary etiological agents. The aims of this study were to evaluate the presence of antibodies against bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), bovine herpes virus type 1 (BoHV-1), and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) in healthy and BRD calves from family farming in relation to clinical signs of BRD. Hundred and forty-five calves were randomly selected and physical examination was performed. Only 123 animals were classified as healthy and BRD calves. Antibodies were evaluated by virus neutralization test. Person's Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were performed as univariate analysis. Binary Logistic Regression was applied as multivariate analysis. Variables with P<0.10 were considered statistically significant. Variables with 0.15<P<0.10 were considered as statistical tendencies. Antibodies against BoHV-1, BVDV, and BRSV were detected in 32%, 23% and 37% animals. Antibodies against both three viruses were detected in 26.8% of calves. The presence of antibodies against BRSV were associated to normal heart rates (P=0.018) and unilateral airflow (P=0.035). Tendency was observed to unilateral airflow (P=0.06) Statistical tendencies were observed to Ab-BoHV-1 and body temperature (P=0.119) and breathing pattern (P=0.123). The profile of antibodies against respiratory viruses in calves from Brazilian family farming was firstly described. The results confirmed the importance of some clinical signs to viral infection.(AU)

A doença respiratória dos bovinos (DRB) é responsável por importantes perdas econômicas para a produção bovina, com maior impacto na agricultura familiar. Os vírus são comumente caracterizados como agentes etiológicos primários devido a mudanças na mucosa respiratória, na produção de citocinas e no funcionamento do sistema imune. Os objetivos deste estudo transversal foram avaliar a presença de anticorpos contra o vírus da diarreia viral bovina (VDVB), herpes vírus bovino tipo 1 (HVbo-1) e vírus respiratório sincicial bovino (VRSB) em bezerros sadios e com DRB de assentamentos em associação com a presença sinais clínicos de DRB. Cento e quarenta e cinco animais foram randomicamente selecionados e exame físico foi realizado. Somente 123 animais foram classificados em sadios e com DRB. Anticorpos foram identificados pelo teste de virusneutralização. Teste de qui-quadrado e teste exato de Fisher foram utilizados como análise univariada. A análise multivariada foi realizada pela regressão binária logística com o método Backward conditional. Variáveis com P<0,10 foram considerados significantes. Variáveis com 0,15<P<0,10 foram consideradas tendências. Anticorpos contra HVbo-1, VDVB e VRSB foram detectados em 32%, 23% e 37% dos animais. A presença concomitante de anticorpos contra os três vírus foi detectada em 26,8% dos bezerros. A presença de anticorpos contra VRSB foi associada à frequência cardíaca normal (P=0,018) e fluxo de ar nasal unilateral (P=0,035). Tendência estatística observada para anticorpos contra VDVB temperatura corporal (P=0,119) e padrão respiratório (P=0,123). Ao nosso conhecimento, este é o primeiro estudo que objetivou a avaliação da presença de anticorpos contra VDVB, VRSB e HVbo-1 em bezerros de assentamentos do estado de São Paulo, Brasil e sua relação com as manifestações clínicas da DRB.(AU)

Bacterial pathogens of the lower respiratory tract of calves from Brazilian rural settlement herds and their association with clinical signs of bovine respiratory disease / Patógenos bacterianos do trato respiratório inferior de bezerros criados em rebanhos de assentamentos brasileiros e sua associação com os sinais clínicos da doença respiratória dos bovinos

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is considered the major cause of economic losses in dairy and beef cattle production. The study aimed to detect the most important bacteria related to respiratory disease in tracheobronchial fluid samples of healthy and dairy calves with clinical signs of BRD in Brazilian rural settlements. Hundred and forty-one mongrel dairy calves were randomly selected from 42 family farm dairy herds from Brazilian settlements. Physical examination was performed and calves were classified as healthy (n=100) and BRD (n=41). Tracheobronchial fluid samples were collected. Isolation and molecular detection of Mycoplasma dispar, M. bovis and M. mycoides subsp. mycoides SC besides isolation of other aerobic bacteria were performed. Abnormal lung sounds (crackle/snoring/whistle), mucopurulent/purulent nasal discharge, body temperature >39.5°C and respiratory rate >40 breaths/min were higher in BRD calves compared to healthy calves (P<0.05). Bacillus sp., Staphylococcus intermedius and non-fermentative Gram-negative were the most prevalent bacteria isolated. Non-identified species from Enterobacteriaceae family was higher in BRD calves compared to healthy calves (P<0.05). Mollicutes were isolated in 7.4% of samples and only M. dispar was detected. Mollicutes was associated with purulent/mucopurulent nasal discharge (P=0.017). Pantoea agglomerans was associated to tachypnea (P=0.020), and Streptococcus spp. was associated with hyperthermia. Statistical tendencies were observed to M. dispar and tachypnea (P=0.066), and P. agglomerans and tachycardia (P=0.066). The obtained results describe the microorganisms found in tracheobronchial fluid of calves with BRD in some herds of Brazilian family farming and their relation to clinical signs of BRD.(AU)

A doença respiratória dos bovinos (DRB) é considerada a principal causa de perdas econômicas nas produções de leite e carne. O objetivo deste estudo foi detectar as mais importantes bactérias relacionadas a doença respiratória presentes em amostras de lavado traqueobrônquico de bezerros sadios e com sinais clínicos da DRB de assentamentos brasileiros. Cento e quarenta e um bezerros leiteiros sem raça definida foram randomicamente selecionados de 42 rebanhos leiteiros de assentamentos brasileiros. Exame físico foi realizado e os animais foram classificados em sadios (n=100) e com DRB (n=41). Amostras de lavado traqueobrônquico foram coletadas. Foram realizados o isolamento e a detecção molecular de Mycoplasma dispar, M. bovis e M. mycoides subsp. mycoides SC além de isolamento de outras bactérias aeróbias. Ruídos pulmonares anormais (crepitação/ ronco/sibilo), secreção nasal mucopurulenta/purulenta, temperatura corporal >39.5°C e frequência respiratória >40 movimentos respiratórios/min foram observados com maior frequência em bezerros com DRB comparado aos animais sadios (P<0.05). Bacillus sp, Staphylococcus intermedius e bactérias Gram-negativas não fermentadoras foram as bactérias mais prevalentes. Bactérias da família Enterobacteriaceae cuja espécie não fora identificada foram mais frequentes em bezerros com DRB comparado aos bezerros sadios (P<0.05). Mollicutes foram isolados em 7,4% das amostras e somente M. dispar foi detectado. Mollicutes foi associado à secreção nasal purulenta/mucopurulenta (P=0.017). Pantoea agglomerans foi associada a taquipneia (P=0.020), e Streptococcus spp. Foi associado a hipertermia. Tendência estatística foi observada para M. dispar e taquipneia (P=0.066), e P. agglomerans e taquicardia (P=0.066). Os resultados obtidos descrevem os micro-organismos encontrados no lavado traqueobrônquico de bezerros com DRB em rebanhos de agricultura familiar brasileira e sua relação com as manifestações clínicas da DRB.(AU)

ANTHELMINTIC EFFECTS OF DRIED GROUND BANANA PLANT LEAVES (MUSA SPP.) FED TO SHEEP ARTIFICIALLY INFECTED WITH HAEMONCHUS CONTORTUS AND TRICHOSTRONGYLUS COLUBRIFORMIS.

BACKGROUND: Helminths is a endoparasites that cause the major losses for profitable sheep production in Brazil. The increased development of resistant strains of endoparasites have enforced the search for sustainable alternatives. The aim of this paper was to provide information about endoparasites control with banana leaves in infected sheep as alternative control strategies and see its viability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we performed two trials to investigate the anthelmintic properties of banana leaves on endoparasites in sheep. In Trial 1, twelve sheep were artificially infected with Trichostrongylus colubriformis; in Trial 2, eleven sheep were artificially infected with Haemonchus contortus. Clinical examinations, packed cell volume, total protein, faecal egg counts (FECs) and egg hatchability tests (EHTs) were performed. At the end of the trials, the sheep were humanely slaughtered, and total worm counts were performed. RESULTS: In Trial 1 and 2, no significant FEC decreases were note but significant diference in EHTs were observed. Total worm counts, clinical and haematological parameters did not reveal significant changes between the treatment and control groups. These results suggest that feeding dried ground banana plant leaves to sheep may reduce the viability of Trichostrongylus colubriformis eggs, and this anthelmintic activity is potentially exploitable as part of an integrated parasite management programme. CONCLUSION: However, further investigation is needed to establish the optimal dosage, develop a convenient delivery form and confirm the economic feasibility of using banana plantation byproducts as feed for ruminant species. Abbreviations: Coproculture test (CT)., Faecal egg count (FEC)., Egg hatchability test (EHT).

In vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of composite mixtures of natural rubber and leather residues used for textile applications.

A novel composite material has been developed from natural rubber and leather waste, and a corresponding patent has been filed. This new material may be incorporated into textile and footwear products. However, as leather waste contains chromium, the biocompatibility of this new material and its safety for use in humans must be investigated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of chromium in this new material, determine the amount of each form of chromium present (trivalent or hexavalent), and evaluate the potential cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of the novel composite in two cell lines. The cellular viability was quantified using the MTT3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide reduction method and neutral red uptake assay, and genotoxic damage was analyzed using the comet assay. Our findings indicated that the extracts obtained from the composite were severely cytotoxic to both cell lines tested, and additionally highly genotoxic to MRC-5 cells. These biological responses do not appear to be attributable to the presence of chromium, as the trivalent form was predominantly found to be present in the extracts, indicating that hexavalent chromium is not formed during the production of the novel composite. The incorporation of this new material in applications that do not involve direct contact with the human skin is thus indicated, and it is suggested that the chain of production of this material be studied in order to improve its biocompatibility so that it may safely be used in the textile and footwear industries.